VCOM-CC vs. Nova

[jso89]

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So I know there's a ton of these School A vs. School B threads (and a lot seem to involve Nova) but I thought what the hell I'd give it a shot.

So Nova has been around a lot longer than VCOM-CC and seems to have their rotation sites very well established, but due to the much lower cost of living in Spartanberg, it would be much cheaper to go to VCOM-CC. Also because VCOM-CC's building is brand new the facilities seemed much more up to date (particularly the anatomy lab).

So is the older reputation of Nova worth the difference in cost (I believe close to $20,000-25,000 more every year for cost of living)? Also at the moment I believe I will go into primary care in which case there's not as much concern about getting into a competitive residency but I don't want to close my options before even going to school, so would going to VCOM-CC in only it's second year open hurt me when it comes time to apply to residencies?

Thanks for any input!

 

[Ebola4Breakfast]

So I know there's a ton of these School A vs. School B threads (and a lot seem to involve Nova) but I thought what the hell I'd give it a shot.

So Nova has been around a lot longer than VCOM-CC and seems to have their rotation sites very well established, but due to the much lower cost of living in Spartanberg, it would be much cheaper to go to VCOM-CC. Also because VCOM-CC's building is brand new the facilities seemed much more up to date (particularly the anatomy lab).

So is the older reputation of Nova worth the difference in cost (I believe close to $20,000-25,000 more every year for cost of living)? Also at the moment I believe I will go into primary care in which case there's not as much concern about getting into a competitive residency but I don't want to close my options before even going to school, so would going to VCOM-CC in only it's second year open hurt me when it comes time to apply to residencies?

Thanks for any input!

The DO I shadowed is a Nova graduate. He absolutely detests Nova. I've never pushed the subject with him, but he seems to have some very strong negative feelings toward the school. By my best estimate, he's a 2006 Nova graduate... so it wasn't that long ago. Just to clarify, I didn't apply to the school so I'm not just someone who is just bitter because I was rejected. I honestly don't know anything about the school.

As for VCOM-CC, I interviewed there but won't be attending. It had nothing to do with the school itself. I loved the school. I just found an option closer to home. But, I was lucky enough to interview with the guy who sets up the VCOM-CC clinical rotations. I spoke with him about the school's existing clinicals and his future plans. Spartanburg Regional is the cornerstone of their clinicals, obviously, but it isn't large enough to accommodate everyone. It does, however, set the mold for how the Carolina Campus wants to set up their clinical system. Instead of focusing on small, community-style hospitals, he said the Carolina Campus wanted to draw in (and in some cases has already established affiliations with) large hospitals that students could spend their entire third years at.


Of course, talk is cheap and n=1 so take this with a grain of salt.

 

[sexyman]

go to nova

things like the nice anatomy lab have absolutely no bearing on your future

 

[jso89]

go to nova

things like the nice anatomy lab have absolutely no bearing on your future

That's true but the facilities were just an incidental thing. The real issue is the difference in cost.

 

[vandyam]

That's true but the facilities were just an incidental thing. The real issue is the difference in cost.

Absolutely. That much difference in cost is not to be taken lightly. 20K over 4 years is one thing, but 20K per year is huge. You will have to pay that back one day. I can't offer you much advice on either school, but cost should definitely be heavily considered.

 

[drgioiadds]

are these type of posts simply to say I got into 2 or more schools? How can you not know what school you want to go to? Did you not listen to the presentations at the interviews?? Do you not have a preference of where you want to live? I think most schools will give you all the opportunities needed to help you match into the residency of your choice. I don't get these posts since my number one choice was identifiable since day 1.

 

[poopyhead]

I don't get these posts since my number one choice was identifiable since day 1.

Well, that might not be the case for others.

For me, my #1 and #2 choices (for the longest time) switched places in the end after having extensive talks with my employers.

Then, there are instances where people don't get accepted to their top choice(s) and must decide between the schools they did get accepted to.


As for the OP, 20K cost-of-living difference 😕 NSU does have on-campus graduate housing, which should save you some money. Maybe you can ask a current NSU student about their living expenses. I think the financial aid estimate is quite high for a single person.

 

[Kuba]

.. How can you not know what school you want to go to?.. I don't get these posts since my number one choice was identifiable since day 1.

It is difficult to make these type of important decisions..Maybe similar reasons someone may not initially realize they'd rather be a physician than a dentist?

 

[drgioiadds]

That's a little different. Being exposed in one field of healthcare can open opportunities/experiences in another. I know of several classmates that have gone on to either specialize or change careers since 2002. Maybe professional schools should have mandatory real life experience before applying, since I was 25 when I graduated with a DDS and no real life experience. 50 hours of shadowing should not qualify as an experience.

OP needs to look at price, location, and how he/she felt at the interview -- which no one can help them with. Board scores and matching is up to You-- the school can only give you the opportunity.

 

[jso89]

Thanks for your thoughts. It's probably true that the financial aid estimates from each school are pretty inflated so I'll try to get a more accurate idea of the cost of living.

are these type of posts simply to say I got into 2 or more schools? How can you not know what school you want to go to? Did you not listen to the presentations at the interviews?? Do you not have a preference of where you want to live? I think most schools will give you all the opportunities needed to help you match into the residency of your choice. I don't get these posts since my number one choice was identifiable since day 1.

I envy people who know right away where they want to go but there are things about both programs that I like and things that I don't like. I know that it's ultimately going to come down to a lot of personal factors but more information about the schools, the areas, the financials, etc. could only help me make a more informed decision. Sorry if this thread came across as anything else but I don't really see what I could gain by anonymously bragging to a group of strangers who I don't know and who will never know me.

That being said, the point in bold is a useful thought that I appreciate hearing.