VCOM vs TOURO-NV

[SupraDOc]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I know that there are a lot of threads like this and it mostly comes down to where I fit in the most but I'm still having trouble choosing a school. So give me any pros/cons as to why I should go to one school and not the other even if they are biased. 😛

I am currently interested in orthopedic surgery, would either school help in landing a residency in this field?

 

[Bacchus]

I think you need to decide if you want to move across the country.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Well if you want to do othro then you need to work your BOOTY and GONADS (i love that word 😀) off to achieve that goal. Where you go to school doesn't matter so much as long as both schools have good clinical rotations. And if both have good rotations then you compare which school is the best fit for you, both schools will provide you with a good education no matter what. Just my two pennies worth.

 

[Anton Chigurh]

Work hard and you'll get there...regardless of what school you go to. The very first class that graduated from Touro-NV had a few people match into Ortho. Just pick the school that you would feel most comfortable spending the next four years of your life. 👍

 

[Bacchus]

VCOM matched ortho as well.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Maybe you should also consider the number of surgical specialty and elective rotation slots in 3rd and 4th year. That way you could get more face time in ortho and maybe even a specific program of choice.

 

[SupraDOc]

Maybe you should also consider the number of surgical specialty and elective rotation slots in 3rd and 4th year. That way you could get more face time in ortho and maybe even a specific program of choice.

For electives, say they (like VCOM) gives you 4mo of electives. Could I do ortho that entire 4mo?

Also, how long is each elective?

 

[MossPoh]

For sake of not knowing, I'll assume the first two years aren't going to be different at either place. If you have an interest in any competitive speciality (not just ortho) then it is important to look at the 3rd and 4th years, with the 4th year in particular. It is assumed you're going to have to study hard and do well on boards at either place. Check out the number of electives and chances to do your audition rotations at each place. Look at the hospitals they are affiliated with. Does one have a hospital where you can get better exposure or network with residents and program directors? Does one school offer research opportunities that the other doesn't if you choose to pursue it?

The ultimate question is, "Will I be happy there?". A happy student will make more happen than a student with all of the opportunities. My personal choice would come down to VCOM, but I love the area and have a bit of a bias. There are happy and successful people from both schools.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

For electives, say they (like VCOM) gives you 4mo of electives. Could I do ortho that entire 4mo?

Also, how long is each elective?

Rotations vary, but I often see 4 week blocks. Sometimes you can only do a given type of rotation so many times. But as long as you meet the minimum requirements, many schools do have several months of elective/vacation time. Even if you couldn't do "ortho" more than once, you might be able to do sports medicine or ortho trauma, too, giving you a nice scope of exposure in that area.

You've probably heard it before, but try to keep an open mind about specialties, going in. But it's good to plan ahead, especially for a competitive residency.

 

[MossPoh]

A 2 week rotation is generally the minimum at a location. The specifics are outlined for each school. Some will say orthopedic and then maybe 2 surgical subspecialities. It just changes.

 

[Amy B]

While you may have an interest in mind, many many students change their minds after getting into rotations, so please keep that in mind and dont assume you know what you want to do after graduation.🙂

 

[SupraDOc]

While you may have an interest in mind, many many students change their minds after getting into rotations, so please keep that in mind and dont assume you know what you want to do after graduation.🙂

I'm most definitely keeping an open mind to any residency field as I have heard from lots of people that they change their minds. I'm just having a hard time choosing between the two and if one school could help in a field of interest it may just make the decision a bit easier.

BTW, how did you like the block scheduling?

 

[simpleman]

For electives, say they (like VCOM) gives you 4mo of electives. Could I do ortho that entire 4mo?

Also, how long is each elective?

Carilion Health System has two orthopaedic surgery positions. They take one student from VCOM each year!!

also, yes, u can do your electives in whatever you want and u can do all of them in ortho if you wish, but the problem u might face is, where ever you are rotating, they may not allow you to do 4 rotations!! there are other students who want to rotate with them...so, VCOM would be happy to let you do your 4 rotations in ortho, but the medical center where you are rotating may not allow you to do that much...u get what i mean?

also, a rotation is usually 4 weeks long!

btw, you will like VCOM and the Hokie community! Plus, u cant say NO to all the potlucks that happen around here!!! man, i am getting fat from all this free food 😱

 

[Amy B]

BTW, how did you like the block scheduling?

I loved the block schedule!!!!!! I had friends at other schools and we compared all the time and they even ended up wishing they had the block schedules instead of their semester schedules. It just seemed to work.🙂

 

[Vita]

My mother was mentioning to me that the local (DeBusk and VCOM in particular) are looking to up the number of students going into surgery - she specifically mentioned something about VCOM developing more residency options in things like neurosurgery and orthopedic.
Of course, I am biased, since I am 99.9% sure that I am choosing VCOM, but I think you'd have some good opportunities for surgical rotations and even an edge up in the residency programs at VCOM (like simpleman said, there is a spot saved, as I understand it, for a VCOM student each year at least).

(btw - my mother is the director of an Osteopathic residency program here in TN, which i why she has info about the schools around this area and what they are hoping to do - in case you were wondering why I included what she said, haha).

 

[SupraDOc]

My mother was mentioning to me that the local (DeBusk and VCOM in particular) are looking to up the number of students going into surgery - she specifically mentioned something about VCOM developing more residency options in things like neurosurgery and orthopedic.

Hmm, you think any of these developments will happen soon enough to benefit our class of 2013? Thanks Vita for the info from your mother, we may just as well be classmates soon! 😛

 

[Bacchus]

I think they will. Megan told us stay tuned for when you get here!

 

[Vita]

Hmm, you think any of these developments will happen soon enough to benefit our class of 2013? Thanks Vita for the info from your mother, we may just as well be classmates soon! 😛

Well, when I interviewed, my first interviewer was the doctor in charge of developing residency programs (I'm blanking on the name) and he seemed to have a lot to say; It seems that quite a few new programs will be out to benefit our class. Look how far VCOM has come just in the five or so years since they started - I'm sure they are capable of getting much more done in the next five.

 

[simpleman]

Hmm, you think any of these developments will happen soon enough to benefit our class of 2013? Thanks Vita for the info from your mother, we may just as well be classmates soon! 😛

dude, we already have our own residencies established!!!! we have VCOM IM and FM residencies.

The vision for VCOM is to establish a spot for every single one of their graduates. And they are definitely working on this big time!!!!! Geriatrics fellowship is about to open soon and a combined IM/Derm program will open as well....and believe me, when VCOM says they will do something, they mean it!!!

You gotta look at this when you make a decision: location, proximity to home, affordable living expense in area, active surroundings, and what you most feel comfortable with!!!!

I interviewed at wvsom, pcsom, and pcom, and honestly i felt best at VCOM. Faculty and staff made me feel special!!! They are truly genuine till today as the day i met them during my interview!! VCOM puts every effort to make sure you succeed! I couldnt ask for more...

let me know if u wanna know anything else....I am in love with my school and would be more than happy to answer any specifics...

 

[SupraDOc]

let me know if u wanna know anything else....I am in love with my school and would be more than happy to answer any specifics...

How are the lectures during class...it's not just a regurgitation of the class notes that you get are they? Do the teachers explain the material well for understanding or does it seem more of a memorization aspect? Are lectures mandatory (I'm a didactic learner anyway but just wondering)? How are the tests scheduled?

Also about the dress code, it's just basically a collared shirt and not jeans for males correct? So could I just wear some khaki's and a polo shirt? Are dress shoes a must or would some nice brown sketcher bowling shoes pass?

One more thing, how soon should I look for housing? Any suggestions on locations? Thanks!

 

[tideleonheart]

How are the lectures during class...it's not just a regurgitation of the class notes that you get are they? Do the teachers explain the material well for understanding or does it seem more of a memorization aspect? Are lectures mandatory (I'm a didactic learner anyway but just wondering)? How are the tests scheduled?

Also about the dress code, it's just basically a collared shirt and not jeans for males correct? So could I just wear some khaki's and a polo shirt? Are dress shoes a must or would some nice brown sketcher bowling shoes pass?

One more thing, how soon should I look for housing? Any suggestions on locations? Thanks!

Lectures have been great. I have loved all my teachers so far. But, just like everyone else, the teachers are human. Every teacher sways to one side of the spectrum occasionally. (going off track vs. reading verbatum). It seems like all of the teachers emphasize BOTH the memorization and the concepts. One or the other won't get you an A on a test.

Lectures ARE mandatory, but I have not seen them enforce it (yet).

Test scheduling... depends. One time we had a test MTW, another time we had tests MWF. Our next set of tests will be MTWRF... needless to say I'm not looking forward to that week. Eek. Anyway, they try to space them out as well as the schedule will allow.

Dress code... a few people don't like it, but I don't see why. I just bought some comfortable kahkis and a few short-sleeve collared shirts and I'm perfectly fine. As far as shoes, just wear some shoes on the nicer side... no flip flops.

As far as housing, if you have a dog, it makes things a lot more confusing for finding a place. My wife and I live in Fox Ridge because they were one of two places that would take a 60lb dog. If you don't have a dog, there are tons of places. We like Fox Ridge because of the location (great trails nearby, quiet neighborhood in the graduate-professional housing, etc), but it's a little expensive. Whenever you're looking, check out places in both Christiansburg and Blacksburg. A LOT of VCOM students live in Knollwood (google it) because it is literally across the street. It is nice to be able to walk to class. If you come to Accepted Student's Day, there will be a lot of housing information there. I would start looking into housing in the later spring.

Feel free to PM me any other questions.

 

[simpleman]

I agree with everything tidelonheart said!

Let me emphasize something about classroom lecturing. Now, the new system is that you are required to read pre-case materials prior to coming to lecture and during lecture time, the professor discusses clinical cases applicable to what you read before you come. So regurgitation of the regular class material that you can read on your own is gone....so this new system is much better and nicer! And yes lectures are mandatory!

Usually, you get three or four weeks of lecture material and have a week long of exams that can constitute of two exams per day! What the above poster experienced of MWF wont happen again in the future...that was their 1st block and now that they are moving up, they hit the material hard and quick! 1ST block is set up as a way to ease you in med school and know your friends. But there are some instances where there are two weeks of exams in the row, which my colleagues and I will experience in the near future!

Attire: like you said, anything else but jeans and flip flops. Sometimes, the admin will allow you to dress down for an exam week, which is nice!

Housing: If you wanna live across the street, LOOK NOW! otherwise, you got time (start looking around Jan or Feb.) I live at TerraceView...4.8 miles away from school and in Graduate complex! Rent is really affordable!

hope this helps with your decision! You wont regret coming here...thats for sure!

 

[Amy B]

It is exciting to hear from the underclassman all the positive changes VCOM has done since I was in classes. We didnt have an exam week. You could have an exam on any day of the week in numerous classes. And it sounds like another positive change when dealing with the actual lecture materials.👍

It just goes to show you that the students have a voice at VCOM when it comes to important class issues. It may not seem like it all the time, but they clearly listen to suggestions and have acted on those suggestions. 👍👍

 

[CrewBHB]

Does anyone have a yearlong schedule they can send me, just so I can get an idea of the class schedule and breaks between the blocks during the spring and summer period? I saw the one on the website, but it only goes through winter.

I have to say after interviewing at this school, it impressed me a great deal and is now one of my top choices. Congrats to everyone that has been accepted, and thank you to all the current students that have been answering questions.

**edit: I just realized this is a VCOM vs TOURO thread, my above post relates to VCOM.

 

[SupraDOc]

Thanks for all of the replies, it seems there's a strong presence of VCOM students that absolutely love their school. This thread has become a VCOM thread 😛

Are there any affordable one bedroom places for rent that have a garage?
Is it really advisable to live across the street?

 

[simpleman]

Thanks for all of the replies, it seems there's a strong presence of VCOM students that absolutely love their school. This thread has become a VCOM thread 😛

Are there any affordable one bedroom places for rent that have a garage?
Is it really advisable to live across the street?

yes, there are affordable one bedroom places for rent, but i dont know about the garage! One bedroom may range from as low as $450 to $750....the high end is usually the ones that are infront of the school, buy they are really nice.....I pay $525 at my apt complex.

Honestly, I wish I could have stayed across the street!! its really nice to walk over esp during exam days and you dont have to worry about driving fast in the morning and looking out for cops, who are extremely strict and sneaky!! You will need to spend a day or two to figure out the best place for you! just look through the booklet that was given to you during the interview and start calling numbers and ask about their rates! and then set up an appointment!

 

[SupraDOc]

Are the apartments across the street graduate/professional housing?

Amy B - Could you tell me how your rotation experiences were? How much did you move around and if it was a lot, how did you manage living issues like where to stay at during each rotation?

 

[Amy B]

Well...... We bought a house in Bburg and I did the request option for special circumstance to stay in the area due to having kids in school. I did a number of rotations in Bluefield (little over an hour away) which I did stay in the VCOM housing. So I didnt move around like others in my class did. Most of the rotation locations, people would go for 4-5 months and then move. They werent moving every month. Some places do offer housing, some free, some for a ~200$.

I learned a bunch on almost all my rotations. I feel they taught me things I needed to know. Some were better than others, some preceptors were better than others.......... VCOM has worked well on making sure there are great rotations for their students.

Do you have any specific questions about the rotations?