VCOM vs UHS vs NSU

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Hello everyone,

I need some advice from some fellow SDNers. I have been accepted to UHS-COM, NSU-COM, and VCOM. I am trying to decide where to go, and wanted some opinions on which school is better and why. I have done alot of independent research, but I am still confused.

Does anyone know about what the class schedule is like for these schools (like 8-5, 8-12). I know that all 3 have an attendence policy. Also, does anyone know where the 3rd and 4th year rotations are located for these schools or where I could find info on this? I know that VCOM's rotations are primarily in rural sites, are UHS and NSU in rural sites, too?

Thanks for your help.....🙂 🙂 🙂
 
UHS doesn't have an attendance policy, and we sorta have a dress code if you feel like following it. If you are looking for a large urban hospital to rotate in 3rd & 4th, there are a couple sites you can shoot for.
If I had to do it all over again, I would pick my med school based on the city it was based in, unless there was a huge difference in quality b/w the schools. My reasoning is that if you have some free time, you might as well be in a nice place to enjoy it. Kansas City is a typical midwest city, the highlights of which include a P.F. Changs, a Brooks Brother's, and a decent city park to run in. If you can go to a school in a better city, do it. If not, this is an alright town.
 
Here is the daily classes calendar at VCOM so you can see what is going on now. They didn't have to go so late the first 10 weeks, but I noticed they have longer days now.

Weird, I can't set a link for the main acedemic calendar, so here is the VCOM main page. At the bottom of the page click on the academic calendar and you will see their schedule.

http://www.vcom.vt.edu/
 
The classes at NSUCOM average from 8 AM to 4PM. Typical day. HOwever, the attendance policy is stupid and there is no reasoning other than it's part of the "culture of the school." Don't know what that means but ehhh....


As for rotation sites, there are really 3 good hospitals that you can rotate that are not rural. Broward General, Memorial Regional, and Mt. Sinai/Miami Heart Institute. There are other good hospitals as well but this is the majority.
 
I had the opportunity to interview w/ NOVA but turned it down after receiving the packet addressing their policies.... so I can't really offer a comparison. VCOM was not an option at the time. I picked UHS for their Genisis program, location, the fact that UHS does NOT push primary care, and more than anything else, UHS just felt like the right place for me. The daily schedules are probably pretty similar at all the schools. Our day usually starts at 0800 and we finish up anywhere from 1100 to 500pm. Good luck w/ your decision. Btw NOVA/UHS/VCOM... it will be a win-win no matter where you end up.

UHSCOM 2006
 
Thanks for all the replies. Can anyone tell me more about NOVA's curriculum? UHS and VCOM are both systems based.....Does NSU have a similiar curriculum?
 
Congratulations on your acceptances. I've been accepted to VCOM and UHS, as well, and have been trying to compare the two.

VCOM is affiliated with Virginia Tech (great name recognition and research opportunities) and has fabulous facilities (wireless I-net access and great anatomy lab).

UHS has a proven track record (96% COMLEX or thereabouts) and the Genesis program is a great curriculum.

From what other people have said, UHS does not push primary care whereas VCOM's mission is to produce doctors that will work in rural and underserved communities.

For me, at this point in my learning curve, facilities and curriculum are somewhat comparable. However, the 3rd and 4th year clinicals are where these schools differ. The quality of your clinicals makes a big difference in how you will be viewed when you compete for residencies.

If you definitely want to stay in a rural area, then VCOM would be perfect as most of the 3rd and 4th year sites are in Virginia. But it's hard to say how VCOM clinical sites will work out, especially since no class has experienced clinicals yet.

However, if you're not sure about your area of specialty or whether you want to work in more populated areas vs. rural, then perhaps UHS offers a more varied experience. UHS 4th year appears to be very flexible and could be leveraged in helping you obtain your residency, i.e. you could possibly work in the hospital where you want to get your residency.

UHS seems to have more options and larger hospitals in different cities whereas VCOM's rotations seem to be mainly in rural and smaller hospitals.

I'm looking forward to hearing input from other students, especially from those who have gone through years 1 and 2 and are now doing rotations. How important are clinicals, esp. with regards to residency?

Thanks everyone---and have a wonderful holiday season!
 
Within the NSUCOM educational structure, your first year will consist of the basic science classes (i.e. physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, OMM....). Within your second year, you will recieve education via medical fields (i.e cardiology, Ob/Gyn.....). For the first year exams, your exams will be either on Monday or Friday. Depends on how you look at it, it can be a bad thing or a good thing. There is a stretch in middle of the first semester that will be called Black October where you have an exam every week. FOr the second year, I believe they have a long stretch of exams ....one every week for a long long time.

As for the board scores, that is a hidden topic here. During one of our Dean's Hour, the assistant dean stated (I KID YOU NOT!!) "Board scores are one of the last things residencies look at." Upon telling other doctors , they just laughed and said board scores are the number one thing they look at. I have talked to some third years here who have said that the board scores are not that good. Our class and the second years are hoping to change that.

As for pushing the family medicine, NSUCOM tries to push it but I know 75% of my class is not looking at family medicine. Within the curriculum, they assign so many months for 3rd and 4th years. I don't know what the time allocation but that is something to look at. They should give you enough time to pursue your residency positions in your desired field.

For clinical sites, I think we have some of the best. THat is one strong point that brought me to NSUCOM. Broward General, Mt. Sinai/Miami Heart Institute, and Miami Children's are a part of the NSUCOM clinical rotation sites. Furthermore, we have clinical rotation sites at Memorial Regional (another good hospital) and Sun Coast as well as places in West Palm Beach.

In regards to residency, clinical grades are important. I have many family members who are or were on residency committees. They have told me the things they look at are clinical grades, board scores, dean's letter (to make sure you didnt mess up anywhere) and reccomendations. Pre clinical grades only matter if you go into highly highly competitive fields. Even if you decide to go there, the pre clinical grades only account for a fraction of the whole picture.

Hope this helps....good luck to all and happy thanksgiving.
 
Do you know where I can find a match list for NSU? Also, you said that the board scores where "not that good". Do you know what the percentage is? They didnt address this at my interview.....Hummm.......
 
Originally posted by ugagirl4
Do you know where I can find a match list for NSU? Also, you said that the board scores where "not that good". Do you know what the percentage is? They didnt address this at my interview.....Hummm.......
Click to expand...

Fear not. I scored 93%ile on Step 1 and 99%ile on Step 2. I know atleast 6 people in my class of 200 that scored 99% on thier boards.

You need to talk to 4th years about their experience in medical school if you want a good opinion. Remember, though, that MOST medical students, if not ALL medical students, tend to think negatively about their experience in general. It is the 1st and 2nd year students that are so gung-ho and "my school is the best." As is evident by this website.

Q, DO
 
Quinn or other NSU people----

Can you explain how the rotations work at NSU. I know that there are quite a few hospital affliations with NSU. Are certain rotations at certain hospitals, or can you choose? Also, how about electives during the 4th year?

I think that UHS has a lottery system for rotations (you go where you are told, and pretty much dont have a choice.) Someone correct me if I am wrong???

Thanks!😀
 
At NSUCOM there are numerous rotation sites you can go to. Broward General, Palmetto, Memorial, Palm Beach, Mt. Sinai, blah blah... those are all based in S. FL. I did my cores at Suncoast hospital, in Clearwater, FL. I had it very flexible, I did many of my rotations at larger hospitals in the area, as I did not want to be limited to the Osteopathic hospitals (and their associated pathology). You can find a rotation site to suite what you are looking for.

Q, DO
 
Originally posted by zuma
How about a site w/ LOW HUMIDITY??
Click to expand...

When I was a third year, there were rumors of new rotation spots opening up in GA and Alabama. The current students iwll be able to answer this question better than I.

Q, DO
 
Low humidity in Alabama?? Haha, that's a good one. Know any more? Atlanta, not much better.
 
Originally posted by ugagirl4
Quinn or other NSU people----

Can you explain how the rotations work at NSU. I know that there are quite a few hospital affliations with NSU. Are certain rotations at certain hospitals, or can you choose? Also, how about electives during the 4th year?

I think that UHS has a lottery system for rotations (you go where you are told, and pretty much dont have a choice.) Someone correct me if I am wrong???

Thanks!😀
Click to expand...

As a 1st year i don't know everything but clinical rotations yet but I do know that second years can plead their case on why they want a specific area. I think 90-95% of us will get our 1st choice.

I guess one thing I would want to say about UHS which may be the same for other schools (I didn't always see it when I interviewed last year) is the level of professionalism. I truely believe that there is a great professional attitude that transcends over the entire school. It means alot to me to notice not just that the students are happy but that the teachers and staff are happy too.

Look at those things and go to the school that fits you best.
goodluck and let us know what you decide.


UHS Class 2007
 
We just completed our rotations match (lottery system where you rank your choices 1-3) here at UHS and 87% matched to their first choice which we were told was one of the highest percentages ever. That being said, the system is not perfect and a few of my classmates truly got screwed over. Because UHS has so many clinical affiliations, the negotiations with the sites becomes highly political. The school seems to feel they have stronger allegiances to certain sites and tries to ensure that those sites are filled sometimes in spite of the class' wishes.

So, take a look at UHS clinical affiliations but also consider that our rotation sites are dynamic and may not be there in 2 or 3 years.
 
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