Weird decision. Need Help! MCW-Central Wi vs RVUCOM-CO

[GrignardsReagent]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello all,

I really need some help here. I am a lot more torn about this decision than I thought I would be. I am pretty sure I know the answer here so I apologize I just wanted to confirm.

School- Medical College of Wisconsin- Central Wisconsin

Pros- My only MD acceptance
Strong clinical experience (integrated early and often)
3 year program- saves 90k plus interest.
Only have to take USMLE.
Dean said willing to decelerate you to 4 years to do audition rotations if you want to do a specialty that it is necessary.
Very supportive community and preceptors.

Cons-
Any negatives matching from a 3 year program?
Integrated clerkships?
Less time to rotate. It is how they make up that lost year by getting rid of elective time. Only enough time for one Sub-I before applying in the Match.
Quality of education- Any worries in depth of education coming from a 3 year program?
No USMLE or matching data

Unknowns
Integrated Clerkships- weird.I think I will prefer it. All about continuity of care. Following patients across disciplines etc. Competency based
Matching?

School- RVUCOM-CO
Pros- 4 year curriculum (plenty of time to rotate)
Strong DO school
Curriculum and location I liked.
I liked the fit I had here too.

Cons-
Cost of Attendance is almost 90k/ year (applied for NHSC through RVU though)
Not interested in OMM
DO stigma

Summary:
Unknown 3 year MD program versus a pretty standard 4 year curriculum at a DO school. I liked my fit at both schools and I am older non trad (27) student that is really worried about cost.

Interests of mine are staying in the Midwest. I am interested in primary care (either FM or IM) but also interested in IM>> Sub specialty (Cards or Pulm/CC possibly?) and EM. AKA I have no idea. Never seen a surgery. The IM>> Sub specialty tells me to go MD and not look back.

 

[NJMusicMan]

With your interests, RVUCOM would be a strong choice. I do not know enough about 3 year programs.

 

[GrignardsReagent]

With your interests, RVUCOM would be a strong choice. I do not know enough about 3 year programs.

Exactly. I need some experience here. The 3 year thing is a large enough unknown to make me ask on SDN. One physician that works with a residency program told me not to worry about the 3 year thing as long as my board scores are good and I have the letters of recommendation still.

 

[787593]

MD

 

[deev04]

Dean said willing to decelerate you to 4 years to do audition rotations if you want to do a specialty that it is necessary

MD, especially since the above is an option. If you end up deciding on a specialty that requires a bunch of electives or you're still undecided about specialty, you can just decelerate to take some extra time (or do a research year where you toss in some away rotations). If you decide on primary care or are clear about your specialty interests, you save 90k and get a jumpstart on residency. Electives are way cooler in residency anyways since you actually get to practice medicine rather than just watch.

 

[GrignardsReagent]

MD, especially since the above is an option. If you end up deciding on a specialty that requires a bunch of electives or you're still undecided about specialty, you can just decelerate to take some extra time (or do a research year where you toss in some away rotations). If you decide on primary care or are clear about your specialty interests, you save 90k and get a jumpstart on residency. Electives are way cooler in residency anyways since you actually get to practice medicine rather than just watch.

This is my favorite post ever on SDN. Thanks!

 

[GrignardsReagent]

Decision was as clear as I thought. Thanks all! Looks like MCW-Central Wisconsin it is.

 

[Malkin.12]

Can I please PM you? I have some questions! I'd appreciate it!