USU-SOM vs MU-COM vs KCU-COM

[AN16]

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Hi everyone,

I am very fortunate to hold an acceptance to MU-COM and current waitlist positions at USU-SOM and KCU-COM. However, I am not sure which school I should commit to (currently, I have paid the deposit fee for MU-COM). All three schools are far from my family (I’m from California). In the case that I get accepted off the waitlist to both USU-SOM and KCU-COM, I was wondering which school is better for me.

USU-SOM (MD)
Pros
-Free tuition (debt free)
-Paid salary during med school (60-80k a year)
-Opportunity to gain unique military knowledge and experience
-Good match rates

Cons
-No prior military experience so unsure if I match this lifestyle (required 7 year commitment after residency)
-Deployment every few years (unsure how I feel about this due to no prior experience)
-Strict lifestyle restrictions


MU-COM (DO)
Pros
-Great match rate for new school
-Friendly environment
-More research experiences
-Establishing itself well
-Great rotations

Cons
-55k tuition a year
-Newer school
-Possible residency limitations
-Graded curriculum


KCU-COM (DO)
Pros
-Top match rate for DO school
-P/F curriculum
-Very established
-Some great rotations

Cons
-53k tuition a year
-Less research experiences
-Bigger class size (less opportunities)

 

[drthedude]

This might be the easiest decision ever: free tuition AND MD, USU when you get off the WL

 

[AN16]

This might be the easiest decision ever: free tuition AND MD, USU when you get off the WL

I thought about this, but the 7 year military commitment after residency kinda makes me hesitate because I have no prior service experience.

 

[drthedude]

I thought about this, but the 7 year military commitment after residency kinda makes me hesitate because I have no prior service experience.

completely understand, I'll let others take over for this but I believe KCU might be closer to cali?

 

[chilly_md]

I thought about this, but the 7 year military commitment after residency kinda makes me hesitate because I have no prior service experience.

How does this compare to when you were deciding whether to apply to the school back in 2022? Is the hesitation a recent thing for you?

 

[AN16]

How does this compare to when you were deciding whether to apply to the school back in 2022? Is the hesitation a recent thing for you?

Yea, when I first applied, I was pretty much set and willing to try out the military lifestyle if I got in. However, fast forward to now, I am starting to hesitate about the long term commitment. Idk if it’s cold feet or going into something that I never experienced is causing this hesitancy. Additionally, I discovered recently that about possible war between US vs China in the war and my mom is worried about the possibility that I will be forced to go onto the front lines.

 

[chilly_md]

Yea, when I first applied, I was pretty much set and willing to try out the military lifestyle if I got in. However, fast forward to now, I am starting to hesitate about the long term commitment. Idk if it’s cold feet or going into something that I never experienced is causing this hesitancy. Additionally, I discovered recently that about possible war between US vs China in the war and my mom is worried about the possibility that I will be forced to go onto the front lines.

Potential for that kind of war is speculative and I don't think physicians would be sent to the front lines in the way you are thinking, but for your own benefit (and your mom), it's something you should think about while on the WL. Typically, many of the students who matriculate are veterans, active-duty or participated in ROTC. Reaching out to current students in the school-specific thread would be a good idea.

KCU would be my recommendation over Marian. Marian is still a good school, but P/F is always nice.

 

[AN16]

Potential for that kind of war is speculative and I don't think physicians would be sent to the front lines in the way you are thinking, but for your own benefit (and your mom), it's something you should think about while on the WL. Typically, many of the students who matriculate are veterans, active-duty or participated in ROTC. Reaching out to current students in the school-specific thread would be a good idea.

KCU would be my recommendation over Marian. Marian is still a good school, but P/F is always nice.

Great, I will take that into consideration! Thank you so much for your advice!

 

[Doctoscope]

Do not choose to go USU just for the free tuition/MD. The general advice I've heard from my friend who's also doing the military thing is that you will feel "trapped" if you do not genuinely want to serve. 7 years is a long time, so if you do not feel like you want to dedicate yourself to military service for that entire duration, this might be one of those cases where choosing the DO school might be better.

 

[AN16]

Do not choose to go USU just for the free tuition/MD. The general advice I've heard from my friend who's also doing the military thing is that you will feel "trapped" if you do not genuinely want to serve. 7 years is a long time, so if you do not feel like you want to dedicate yourself to military service for that entire duration, this might be one of those cases where choosing the DO school might be better.

Thank you so much for your advice! I will take that into consideration!!!