Western COMP vs Touro-NV

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Western all the way, you have to have a huge reason as to why you would pick touro over Western honestly. Something like you live next door or you're getting most of your tuition covered, or Somone is out to get you in Pomona or something.
 
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WesternCOMP MS1 here.

I love Western. If you're flexible with scheduling, it'll be fine. If you need everything to be well structured... perhaps not so much. The school does have a few irritating quirks that come from tweaking the curriculum and also getting a bunch of new computer resources online.

That said, I think that the issues now will lead to a better campus later. I think the quality of education is great as well. I don't know many other schools that have such an emphasis on learning to work with patients. It's not real world experience, but you'll have the opportunity to do that at Western. Plus, a lot of the stuff I've learned in only the first semester (physical exams, structuring interviews, etc) is stuff that I really, really wouldn't want to learn by getting it thrown at me in the real world.

On top of all of this, I feel like I'm getting a well-rounded education in preparation for being a physician in the real world. A lot of people hate classes like "Interdisciplinary Learning" or Public Health, but honestly, I feel it's important. The lectures can be pretty hard to sit through but I think that every physician should have a rough understanding of where they fit in "the system." It's not House. You don't just get a team of beautiful people and fix interesting problems. You're going to finish school and work with real people who have real, unsexy issues.
 
Western
 
Cheshyre said:
WesternCOMP MS1 here.

I love Western. If you're flexible with scheduling, it'll be fine. If you need everything to be well structured... perhaps not so much. The school does have a few irritating quirks that come from tweaking the curriculum and also getting a bunch of new computer resources online.

That said, I think that the issues now will lead to a better campus later. I think the quality of education is great as well. I don't know many other schools that have such an emphasis on learning to work with patients. It's not real world experience, but you'll have the opportunity to do that at Western. Plus, a lot of the stuff I've learned in only the first semester (physical exams, structuring interviews, etc) is stuff that I really, really wouldn't want to learn by getting it thrown at me in the real world.

On top of all of this, I feel like I'm getting a well-rounded education in preparation for being a physician in the real world. A lot of people hate classes like "Interdisciplinary Learning" or Public Health, but honestly, I feel it's important. The lectures can be pretty hard to sit through but I think that every physician should have a rough understanding of where they fit in "the system." It's not House. You don't just get a team of beautiful people and fix interesting problems. You're going to finish school and work with real people who have real, unsexy issues.
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hahahhahahahaha nice
 
I spoke to a friend at Touro NV before making my decision to attend Western. I'd suggest you do the same. If you don't know anyone, just randomly PM people posting on the class thread for Touro NV.

From what I gather, Western really has a top notch setup of innovative curriculum, stellar rotations, and responsive administration. Touro NV definitely also seems to be one of the best Touro campuses, and the variety of cases in Las Vegas is probably nice, but when all is said and done, Western seemed to have the edge in almost all departments. I haven't started classes yet, so take my advice with a grain of salt. Also, where you will be the most comfortable should probably be a large factor in your decision. Best of luck, and give the mirror a high five with where you are right now! 😀
 
I just came across this thread and I was wondering why so many of you would choose Western over Touro NV? I was just accepted to Touro NV and have an interview at Western next week. I have always considered TUNV my first choice DO school. I think they have a very good curriculum including extensive clinical prep w/student actors during 2nd yr. All of the rotation sites seem solid. I believe Vally and UMC are great teaching sites and you don't have to travel far. Plus, it's Nevada! The desert is soo beautiful! I've been going to Red Rocks to climb for the past few years and I love it! And there is a ton of other open space there to hike and explore. In addition, you have the amenities of Vegas on top of that! If the education is equivalent, then TUNV beats Western in my eyes 100 times over due to the much better lifestyle. Maybe, Western would be a better lifestyle for city folk? To be honest, I've lived in CA for 3 yrs and have never even been to LA (I just can't imagine liking the traffic or concrete jungle).

Would any of you mind shedding some light on this for me as to why you all would choose Western over Touro NV? Is it the education or lifestyle? Is it the reputation of Western? (I know it does have a good rep here in CA, but it also has been around for much longer). Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it.
 
Location matters too. Western is around some very good places where you can pursue away sub-internships at: UCLA, USC, even Loma Linda. AFAIK, Western is trying to get some more simulation resources up (patient mannequins, SimBaby) and their core rotations in ARMC, RCRMC, and Downey Regional are quality ones too.

Pomona isn't anything too special, but you do have LA and a trove of Asian/Latino culture around the area. The traffic isn't nice, but there are a lot of things to keep yourself busy with in the greater LA area.
 
Western all the way. I was accepted to both schools and I just felt Western had the better curriculum and much better facilities. But thats just my perception. You gotta do whats best for you.
 
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AvocadoLover said:
I just came across this thread and I was wondering why so many of you would choose Western over Touro NV?...
Would any of you mind shedding some light on this for me as to why you all would choose Western over Touro NV? Is it the education or lifestyle? Is it the reputation of Western? (I know it does have a good rep here in CA, but it also has been around for much longer). Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it.
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I mostly chose Western for the education. It was little things like student enthusiasm, rotations, reputation, nearby affiliated residencies, and Arrowhead. I liked TUNCOM and would happily go there. There are no other nearby competing med schools, Vegas has a really interesting and diverse population with lots of cool cases, the school has multiple health care programs, etc. But it is newer and less established, and there are so few residencies down there (AOA or ACGME).

Plus you get the whole SoCal thing at Western. Whether its the fun (mountains, boarding, hiking, LA), research, hospitals, residencies, jobs, people, food, culture, etc. Vegas definitely has some of that, but nowhere near what SoCal does.
 
Thank you Jinobi, Ed and Kevin for all of your thoughtful responses! I guess I will get to experience the school for myself at the interview and then see what the best fit is.

The point of being able to set up sub-Is at really strong programs is definitely a strength of the school I will take into consideration. However, given that I prefer to be in other Western/Mtn states for residency I'm not sure if it's much of an advantage personally. But again, a great point.
 
Western is considered a better choice mainly because its an established school with an excellent curriculum, a great staff, and great facilities. That being said, Touro Nevada is arguably the strongest of the 3 Touro campuses. It is also the youngest and newest. From my experience here I can tell you that it is definitely the fastest growing DO program in the nation. Touro just bought out NYMT ( an MD school) and are planning on opening additional programs in all of its campuses. However, the strongest aspect of TUNCOM is that most of the local residencies are close to campus so your 3rd and 4th years wont have to include the ridiculous commutes that you should expect at Western. I cant wait to see where TUNCOM is gonna be in 5 years.

Also, our anatomy department is unbeatable. just come check out our spectacular anatomy facilities and you'll understand.
 
Would any of the current Western students kindly answer whether or not 3rd year rotations are primarily preceptor or ward based? I would prefer ward based and it seems Touro NV is primarily preceptor based. Thanks.
 
AvocadoLover said:
Would any of the current Western students kindly answer whether or not 3rd year rotations are primarily preceptor or ward based? I would prefer ward based and it seems Touro NV is primarily preceptor based. Thanks.
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Hi, I'm a 2nd yr @ Western. Rotations offered are a mix of 3 types: a) +housestaff interns/residents vs no housestaff, b) inpatient vs outpatient, c) community vs county. Some can be ward-based but without the traditional housestaff interns/residents you think of, for ex @ a teaching hospital. That said, I think Western offers a solid variety of rotation sites, with plenty of ward-based rotations. Rotation assignments are based on a lottery system, but you have flexibility to trade blocks/slots with your classmates before finalizing your 3rd year schedule.

Feel free to message me if you want more details. 🙂
 
Bringing this thread back to life! I'm in the same pickle of having to choose between western and touro nv, and the biggest factor for me is the 3rd yr rotations. From what I understand, western has more established rotations but are scattered, whereas touro nv has more centralized rotations but have heard some horror stories. Any updates from current students (pref 3rd or 4th yrs) that can shed more light on their rotation experiences?
 
Yes, I did read that statement, but I'm not easily convinced by general statements that aren't elaborated. I'm trying to hear from students with actual rotation experience at any of these 2 schools, rather than just hearsay
 
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bschwang09 said:
Yes, I did read that statement, but I'm not easily convinced by general statements that aren't elaborated. I'm trying to hear from students with actual rotation experience at any of these 2 schools, rather than just hearsay
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what qualities are you looking for in terms of rotations?
 
pattr said:
what qualities are you looking for in terms of rotations?
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Well for start, just trying to hear/read more of ppl's actual rotating experiences.

But specific questions I do have...where are the core rotation sites at TUN? Call me dumb, but I couldn't find a list of affiliated hospital on their website. Are the preceptors'/residents' willing and able to teach? How much traveling is involved? Are there ample inpatient opportunities? Is there alot of competition for rotations, whether from within the same school or from other neighboring med schools? Are the faculty/staff helpful in the process?

I realize alot of this is all relative and vary with each person, rotation site, etc, hence the general inquiry into hearing more anecdotal experiences. From what I gather from reading SDN, Western has longer, more established relationships with their hospitals, but scatter students across SoCal, whereas TUN has more centralized, less competitive, yet less established rotations and even a primary affiliated hospital with residency programs in Valley. I've also heard some problems with TUN clinical education faculty/staff, but that was back in 2009, so I'm wondering if there's been some changes.
 
Just a heads up (because it definitely played a factor in my decision-making process): DO students are no longer allowed rotations at UCLA and UCI hospital. -__-

UCI not allowing DO students is a bit messed up. Considering it was an "Osteopathic" Hospital before UCI took it over.
 
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bajastapler said:
Just a heads up (because it definitely played a factor in my decision-making process): DO students are no longer allowed rotations at UCLA and UCI hospital. -__-

UCI not allowing DO students is a bit messed up. Considering it was an "Osteopathic" Hospital before UCI took it over.
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Really? Source?
 
🙁 Ugh that sucks for Western students, why would they do that? Especially since UCI started off as a DO school.
 
I genuinely doubt it was an issue of DO discrimination. I can only imagine, but here's what I think happened:

1) Leading up to the ban, I imagine a ton of Western students were rotating at UCI. (Let's be honest) one of the biggest draws of Western is its proximity to two UC-system hospitals.
2) UCI probably took note of all the Western students and probably asked Western for $XXX as fair compensation to use UCI as a rotation site.
3) Western was probably like, "nah eff dat".
4) UCI in turn was probably like, "well then eff you!" Hence a system wide DO ban.
5) Also, I imagine that UCI has to make room for the up and coming UCR School of Medicine.

TLDR: UCI asked Western to pay them. Western said no. Now UCI bans all DO students.

I'm just speculating, so definitely take everything I just said with a grain of salt.

Edit: If the ACGME/AOA merger does actually happen, I wonder if schools will still be allowed to ban DO students from rotating. I imagine not?
 
I am from Seattle and around here most people have heard of western and no one has of Touro. I have also seen residents from Western in anesthesia and rehab but none from Touro. One of our surgeons sons is a second year at Western and he seems to like it as well. There is a general surgery resident at Swedish hospital that graduated from Western ( which is huge - very competitive ) . I personally know 2 people that finished western. one did obgyn at an allopathic program and one did emergency at the do hospital in pamona. If there aren't other factors involved I would choose western just based on name recognition.
 
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bschwang09 said:
This doesn't include audition rotations does it?
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that's what they are talking about. that website is for audition/sub-i rotations. it's not about applying for residency.
 
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