UMDNJ-SOM or AZCOM

[dakota453]

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I have been accepted to my top two choices: UMDNJ-SOM and AZCOM. Which should I choose? I know NJ would be much less expensive, and while that is very significant, I am looking for reasons besides the financials. I certainly want to make a wise decision and would appreciate anyones thoughts. Thanks.

 

[patho]

Well, let me walk you through my point of view on why I am choosing UMDNJ SOM and maybe that will help.

I have been pretty involved in research as an undergrad and UMDNJ SOM is the top-funded Osteopathic research school in the country. This gives me an opportunity to continue that interest.

I know a DO that graduated from KCUMB (UHS SOM when he was there) and finished his residency at UMDNJ SOM. He holds the students and faculty from UMDNJ SOM in very high regard (he is still in contact with the school). He also described the training procedures for the MD and DO students from UMDNJ, saying that the DO system is superior.

Tuition is definitely a part of this decision, but not the largest. Given tuition is 23k for instate residents, this is a big drop from KCUMB's ( schools that I've been accepted to) 35k+ and Nova's 28k.

A big factor for me is class size. UMDNJ SOM's class size is about 95-100. At most other DO schools (at least the ones I applied to), the class size is 150-250. Everyone from UMDNJ has spoken about how "family-like" the class is and how everyone works together. You just can't beat a small class size and I know I want to be a part of the UMDNJ family.

Environment is another one for me. I've been in FL for 17 years and the hot weather and lack of seasons has gone on long enough. I use to live up north when I was younger, so I believe I am ready to return to the NE.

Another reason is the procedure in anatomy labs. There are only 4 people per cadaver at UMDNJ, whereas other schools have a larger number of students on each body(i.e. Nova has 2 groups of 6 people per cadaver). So for anyone who is interested in a surgery residency this would be a good opportunity, or even just to take more of an active role in understanding anatomy.

The facilities, faculty, training and students are top-notch at UMDNJ and I know I am making the right decision. I hope this was helpful in your decision making process. Good luck.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

i'd pick umdnj for a lot of the reasons given by patho. also, clinicals are more established at umdnj -- they even have their own hospital, which is a rarity with osteopathic schools. azcom is supposedly going to get improved clinicals, and some say they're not that bad now, but umdnj is a sure thing in the clinical department.

yeah, i too would hate to live in arizona. seasons are awesome -- sunny, warm weather all year sucks. i know i'm weird, but that's just how i feel. i spent 3 miserable years in sweaty, psycho hot texas and won't do it ever again.

 

[subtle1epiphany]

UMDNJ-SOM is excellent for all the reason enumerated above. I had a very difficult decision between MSU and UMDNJ.

As I'm a COM year one, I would like to mention that MSUCOM's research funding is up there with UMDNJ. Don't know the specifics, but MSU has been expanding their research.

Regardless, I found UMDNJ outstanding and extremely personable. Also they are one of the few DO schools with a teaching hospital on campus.
I've heard alot about AZCOM, but I'll leave it to someone with more knowledge.

 

[DrFeelgoodDO]

I have been accepted to my top two choices: UMDNJ-SOM and AZCOM. Which should I choose? I know NJ would be much less expensive, and while that is very significant, I am looking for reasons besides the financials. I certainly want to make a wise decision and would appreciate anyones thoughts. Thanks.

Call me biased, but I would pick SOM. And for all the reasons listed above. Unfortunately, finance IS a huge consideration. I can tell you that b/c I owe about 130K for attending UMDNJ-SOM....my buddy (who is also a PGY2 at my program) went to AZCOM and owes about 250K. You do the math! lol. Plus, when the AACOM meets annually, there is a financial aid subcommitte that is headed up by Sandy Rollins, who runs the financial aid office at SOM. So when you need extra money for situations that other schools won't even consider (like car repairs, money to pay for the USMLE, etc.), it won't be a problem.

With that said, I think that you should consider the areas involved too. The Phoenix/Scottsdale area is GREAT, but South Jersey is WAY better situated in my opinion. Hour and a half to NYC, 10 mins to Philly, an hour to AC and the jersey shore, 2 hours to the poconos, an hour and a half to Baltimore....what more can you ask for?

 

[Nate]

I know nothing about AZCOM since I never even considered going there but I will sum up why in my opinion UMDNJ is the very best medical school. 1) Teaching hospital on campus and access to many great clinical sites in the area (I walk over to the hospital for grand rounds and I have classmates who show up for patient rounds often before walking over to class). 2) Small class size and strong community 3) huge top notch residency program on campus (there is so much implied in that) 4) shared resources (research, professors, facilities, etc) of a public state university which includes three medical schools (2 MD and our DO program) 5) the tri-state area 6) changing seasons 7) tuition tuition tuition 8) integrated curriculum 9) brand new state of the art facilities (Standardized patient labs, wireless campus, beautiful buildings). Well, I am sure there is more but I truly believe this is the best place to get your education, and all that while saving at least 10k a year in tuition. If you have the opportunity to come here I wouldn’t hesitate to highly recommend you do so.
Good luck

 

[Jerseygrrl4]

Well, I have to join in with the rest of the group. I was also just accepted at SOM and it was the only school I applied to. I don't know much about the other school you are looking at, but I have to tell you that after looking at many allopathic schools and then taking a visit at SOM, what a difference! They practically took me under their wing without even knowing me, you can tell that these people are not just faking it, they genuinely care about each student and that's a huge deal when you are going through something as challenging as med school. That said, I'm guessing you are from Dakota from your name? I am from Jersey which makes the decision that much easier, but if I've learned anything, the most important is that your gut feeling will speak louder than anything else. You have to feel it is the right school for YOU, not me or anyone else here. I like 4 seasons, but maybe you like it hot year round. You really just have to feel like you are going to be 100% happy with your decision and none of us can really tell you anything more than statistics and how much the school fits our own needs. No medical school is bad, it is always up to the individual in the end to do well. So listen to yourself and I wish you luck with your decision. Maybe I'll see you around next year!

 

[jbone]

Besides, AZCOM is hotter than HELL!! Literally, I've been to both places and it sucked. Good luck. Go DMU!