WCUCOM vs ATSU-SOMA

[Mangoman2000]

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Hello, I have two schools with deposits down that I would like some insight on. My priorities in order are: quality of the program (preparation for board exams, clerkship opportunities, quality of teaching), ability to match into non primary care residencies if I wanted to, and quality of life at the program location. To be clear, I am not against going into primary care, I just hope for the opportunity to match into something else if I get attached to a non primary care specialty. Any and all insight would be helpful. Feel free to tell me if I am wrong about any of my impressions.

William Carey
Pros

• Cheaper tuition
• Revamped program with a better reputation than what it was (high match rate last cycle)
• Pass/Fail

Cons

• More Primary Care focused than other Osteopathic programs
• Living in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is an unknown for me

ATSU-SOMA
Pros

• Potential to live near home or in a great location depending on how CHC waitlist location plays out
• Less Primary Care heavy
• Branch of ATSU-KCOM (Assuming this is a plus reputation wise)

Cons

• 1+3 Curriculum with community health training centers is a big unknown for me (unsure of effectiveness of the program)
• Generally don’t know much about the program’s stats (match rates, board pass rates, variety of match specialties...etc)

Summary:

WCU-COM seems like a better program but I am unsure of how limited it would leave me in terms of match possibilities. SOMA meanwhile seems like it would allow me to complete my medical education at a better location (assuming I get a desired CHC location) with more match possibilities. Any and all insight into the quality of these programs would be appreciated.

 

[Tungsten5]

Hm having a similar situation - bump

 

[achu123]

Hello, I have two schools with deposits down that I would like some insight on. My priorities in order are: quality of the program (preparation for board exams, clerkship opportunities, quality of teaching), ability to match into non primary care residencies if I wanted to, and quality of life at the program location. To be clear, I am not against going into primary care, I just hope for the opportunity to match into something else if I get attached to a non primary care specialty. Any and all insight would be helpful. Feel free to tell me if I am wrong about any of my impressions.

William Carey
Pros

• Cheaper tuition
• Revamped program with a better reputation than what it was (high match rate last cycle)
• Pass/Fail

Cons

• More Primary Care focused than other Osteopathic programs
• Living in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is an unknown for me

ATSU-SOMA
Pros

• Potential to live near home or in a great location depending on how CHC waitlist location plays out
• Less Primary Care heavy
• Branch of ATSU-KCOM (Assuming this is a plus reputation wise)

Cons

• 1+3 Curriculum with community health training centers is a big unknown for me (unsure of effectiveness of the program)
• Generally don’t know much about the program’s stats (match rates, board pass rates, variety of match specialties...etc)

Summary:

WCU-COM seems like a better program but I am unsure of how limited it would leave me in terms of match possibilities. SOMA meanwhile seems like it would allow me to complete my medical education at a better location (assuming I get a desired CHC location) with more match possibilities. Any and all insight into the quality of these programs would be appreciated.

I agree with WCUCOM being a better program too, am hesitant with SOMA b/c of the PBL changes too. Which did you end up going with?