Atlas,
Here's a bit of my perspective with LECOM and DMU-OMC....
LECOM definitely showed a very professional atmosphere. This is probably because of their dress code. To gain access to the ONE building they have for med school you had to have an ID card scan it to get in and YOU HAVE to scan to go out for you to get in again. LECOM is very secure in that manner. LECOM also emphasized the research aspect of their school during my tour.... they also stated that if a first year student really wanted to get into research that they would more than happy to accommodate for that. So if research is your thing then LECOM maybe it for you.
Students at LECOM were very nice, nothing really that would turn me off. The main thing I felt was a factor in my decision to decline LECOM's invitation was that I felt the place was almost mechanical, in a way.... Hard to explain really.... They have a very, very, small library.... Trust me it was small. Lady in the bookstore snubbed(sp?) me a bit and even made a slight negative remark on how small everything is in LECOM (One building med school, library, bookstore, lobby area, etc).
Even my interview there was a bit more on the stiff side.... Meaning, they scrutinize more about what I read than scrutinize about who I am and what I have accomplished. I'm sure that others have experience something different.
I stayed after my interview for about an hour waiting for my ride to airport and my perspective on that was also good. I met three students in the "cafeteria" area selling cookies and many of them really like LECOM.... All of them were from nearby the area so that was a factor in their decision to go there. During my talk with them, some of the administrators went by and the students tried to introduce me and yet again I was snubbed and didn't even take time to make small talk about the school, administrators, etc. The person in the front desk though, I think her name was Carolyn, was very welcoming and helped me during my stay.... SO I think that that particular administrator must have been just buzzzy....
DMU-OMC, just today alone, when I went to admissions and bookstore, it was again a wonderful feeling. Though there was noone available in admissions at the moment I visited, other staff workers approached me and starting inquiring about me, my future in DMU and how I would have a wonderful time. They even took down what I needed to do so that I wouldn't have to stick around till Barbara came back from her break.... Just very welcoming....
IN the bookstore, there were two ladies in the front and they noticed my looking around.... One of them took the liberty to show me around ask what class I was which section of the bookstore would I most look into, the bargains, what books I should be reading already if I wanted to, etc.,etc.,etc,.... Again, very welcoming.
I even met one of the folks I met here in the forum.... ryanpj.... interesting how this world gets smaller through the access of the internet.... that's another issue.
Even during my quick run around the campus today, I was shown around by students.... Very nice, huh? During my interview, there were students who showed us around and we even had lunch with five of them.... Many of our questions were answered. They all acted like friends even though they were different class years.... after the lunch, the interviewees were to sit in the admission area till called.... guess what one of the students we had lunch with did? HE STAYED AROUND.... He said, that he remembered how grueling the process was and that he promised himself to help the interviewees as much as he could by sticking around and having random conversations with them to warm us up before the interview. His name was Chris.... Thanks to Chris, my interview when well....
It wasn't just Chris either, my host were great giving their inside scoop on DMU.... They even invited another student to give his perspective on things while I was there.... that other person is actually involved in SDN as well by the screen name jsdmu.... So once you get an interview... stay with a student it was simply wonderful.
DMU has definitely a better campus atmosphere compared to LECOM. I know LECOM is expanding but I'm not sure how much of that has been accomplished. Another thing about the LECOM campus is that the back of the current building is facing the street. In order to go in the front you have to go around.... A couple of my shuttle driver even said that they didn't know this place existed until me.... kinda turned me off a bit.... DMU is also constantly expanding their facilities, as well as their curriculum.... The campus is in front of Grand Avenue in full view.... very open.
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure, after reading my comments, that my reason for attending DMU is everything above. A second oldest institution of osteopathic medicine, full of history, etc....
Read what dieselkid suggested about application, diesel's right on the money....
I hope I gave you enough of a perspectus on things, let me know if you need clarification.
I didn't have time to proofread this so excuse me for anything that may sound a bit incoherent or mispelled words....
Later....
