UNECOM vs DMU vs PCOM

[frogman63]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone! I am accepted to UNECOM, DMU and PCOM. I need some help deciding on which school I should attend. I am interested in pursuing EM but I am keeping an open mind. I wish to one day return to my home state of PA for residency and the remainder of my career.

UNECOM

Pros

• Best location with the nicest campus. On the coast and close to a lot of outdoorsy things like skiing, hiking, etc.
• Smallest class size.
• The school is known in the northeast and regularly matches students in PA.
• I had that "feeling" during my interview.

Cons

• Lower average board scores when compared to the other two?
• Probably the weakest in terms of rotation sites
• 11 hours from family and friends.
• Most expensive tuition out of the three.
• Possible mandatory attendance second year?

DMU
Pros

• Academically this school impressed me the most with regards to their curriculum.
  
• Impressive board scores and matches into non primary care residencies.
• Lower tuition.

Cons

• My least favorite location. Access to a lot of my outlets are unavailable and drastically different from the northeast life style.
• I was able to gather a lot of information with regards to their rotation sites.
• Less well known in the northeast.
• 12 hours away from family.

PCOM
Pros

• I would rank the location as 2nd out of the three.
• Impressive match list and regularly matches students in PA.
• Able to rotate in an urban setting with strong locations and there is a possibility to rotate in the area of my hometown.
• Closest to family ~ 4 hours and I have several close friends who live in the city of Philadelphia.

Cons

• Most expensive out of the three with regards to cost of living.
• Large class size.

Summary: Thanks for any advice! I don't have anyone to consult with regards of how to make a decision of this manner and which factors I should weigh as the heaviest.

 

[mc29012]

You sound exactly like me..... Don't know if this will help you or not, but I also was stuck between PCOM and UNECOM and I made my decision based on the following: Where can I get the best balance of education/happy lifestyle mixture? UNECOM/Portland offers an amazing area (I also am very outdoorsy) and a really cool culture that is very unique for a city on the east coast. I definitely would be happier living in that area as opposed to Philly. However, is that worth trading for the education you will get at PCOM or DMU (disclaimer: I know nothing about DMU, but you seem to speak highly to their education)? They (PCOM at least) have amazing rotation sites in a variety of environments and their board scores are awesome without requiring mandatory attendance or making their students pass the COMSAE (practice entry exam that many schools including UNE require to sit for boards). This showed me that they are definitely doing something right. This is not me taking a shot at UNE, I was really impressed when I went there and I have heard that the school produces quality physicians, but IMO PCOM has gotta be one of the top DO schools in the country, and it's not like you can't get skiing, hiking, fishing, etc. in eastern PA, it just won't be as robust. That combined with the fact that I also have family in PA (cheaper going home for breaks/holidays) made my decision for me.

Whatever you decide to do, congrats! You made it into three awesome schools