WCUCOM vs UIWSOM

[jscales2020]

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Currently accepted at 2 different school as of yesterday. I have to make a decision by Thursday morning, and wanted to get input from everywhere here! I'm not wanting to practice anything super competitive, so its not a big deal if either school has extremely competitive matches. I would also love to hear opinions from current students from each!

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM)
Pros

• cheaper tuition (48k/yr) and COL since Hattiesburg isn't a big city
• higher ranked & more established
• better board pass rates (99%)
• very diverse! i've seen them regularly at SNMA conferences
• great third party resources provided (boards n beyond, uworld, and truelearn)
• true pass fail
• transparent with match rates (99%, 148/150 students last match)

Cons

• issues with attrition (may be resolved already?)
• OMM heavy
• daily lecture and lab schedule from 8-3pmish
• very large class size (heard they were trying to increase to 200)
• 3rd year rotations are all over Mississippi, instead of in one city
• rural location (used to living in larger cities)

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM)
Pros

• has its own residency programs in specialties i'm interested in (FM/IM)
• access to better hospitals for rotations (some students have rotated at the University of Texas hospitals and the Texas Medical Center in Houston)
• 8-noon daily preclinical schedule
• nicer, newer campus
• in a desirable location and close to some family members

Cons

• abysmal board pass rates (up to 91%, but they have always been below the national avg which is concerning)
• rumors on reddit that half the first year class failed the level 1 COMSAE! the curriculum is clearly flawed
• PBL/no traditional lecture, I learn better with a traditional lecture style
• students don't seem too happy
• short answer exams
• students get a GPA and are ranked
• extremely low rank
• business casual dress code

Summary: As much as i'd love to stay in state for med school, UIWSOM's issues give me pause. Idk if staying in a city close to home is worth an extra 60k + interest in loans. WCUCOM seems a bit better even though its in a small town. I've heard better things about WCUCOM. I’m curious to hear opinions on which school is better.

 

[wysdoc]

I think you have some good points about the teaching style, if you prefer classroom/lecture.
Here's a prior comparison post, one person chose WCU and the other one UIWSOM

Thread 'UIWSOM vs WCUCOM'

Sep 12, 2023

Have been lucky enough to be accepted into both schools and need some help deciding between the two.

UIWSOM:

PROS:

Close-ish to home (5 hours)

The city seems great

Want to match in texas and being at a Texas school will help that

P/F

Not much mandatory class time

New dean seems great!

Cons:

62k a year!!!

Low board scores (have been increasing)





WCUCOM:

Pros:

Cheaper!! 47k

Hattiesburg is also cheaper cost of living compared to San Antonio

Board pass rates are significantly better

P/f (i believe..?)

Attendance not mandatory (I...

• purkinjekitty
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Help Me Decide: X vs Y Medical School

@Goro any advice?

 

[Goro]

Always go for the cheaper tuition.

 

[ZYXW 123]

Heads up: UIWSOM is true p/f!

 

[jscales2020]

Heads up: UIWSOM is true p/f!

That’s good to know!