Western or NSUCOM

[gcostanza1]

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If you were deciding between Western and NSUCOM in the past, which one did you choose to attend and why? If you are currently deciding to attend one or the other, what do you like about that specific school? Besides location, what makes one school better than the other? Wow factor? Thank you.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

I would pick Western because I'm from California and have family here, but if that wasn't my concern, I'd definitely go for NSUCOM for the cheaper tuition and prettier girls.

It is sliiiiightly cheaper, but how do you figure for the girls part?

 

[michow87]

If I had to choose between the two, I would also choose Western because I'm also from California and based on the many states that I've visited, the weather just can't be beat.

 

[NeuroLAX]

It is sliiiiightly cheaper, but how do you figure for the girls part?

There are more than just med school girls here, due to all the other programs. Very attractive crowd here at NSU. How many health profession programs does Western have?

 

[ModernAlchemist]

There are more than just med school girls here, due to all the other programs. Very attractive crowd here at NSU. How many health profession programs does Western have?

11, I think. Might be more, actually... haha

 

[NeuroLAX]

11, I think. Might be more, actually... haha

Dang I didn't know Western was that big. I didn't apply to any of the Cali DO schools so I didn't do any research on them.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

Dang I didn't know Western was that big. I didn't apply to any of the Cali DO schools so I didn't do any research on them.

Yeah, I was surprised myself! I'm looking forward to my Nova interview, though. I've heard amazing things.

 

[p30doc]

Both are solid DO programs. I chose nova over western because nova was cheaper. Also I preferred south florida to southern california.

 

[gcostanza1]

Thanks for the replies. Can anyone elaborate on the grading systems of both schools and the quality of the rotations? Do both schools have a teaching hospital associated with them? Thank you

 

[drshark]

Western doesn't have its own hospital but does have its rotations set up, western is P/NP and i believe 90%+ is honors. It's VERY pricey though, I prefer it due to personal reasons but every doctor has told me to go with the school that is cheaper from their own experience, assuming both programs are good. In this case they are.

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

I had to make my final choice between NSU and WesternU (COMP) last year. I had already paid my deposit at NSU when I got off COMP's deferred acceptance list at the 11th hour. I decided to choose COMP for a couple of important reasons:

1) It's closer to home. A quick (and cheap) flight home or a long drive if I wanted.
2) I lived in California previously and am more familiar with the area than South Florida. I've always wanted to move back to California as an adult.
3) Tuition didn't matter as much to me cause I am on the HPSP scholarship. Cost of living is comparable.

Though the rotation sites are good at COMP (I hear) I think I would have preferred NSU's set up of doing all your core rotations at one hospital 3rd year. Driving all around Southern California freeways to different hospitals is not something I'm looking forward to in a couple years. Don't choose one over the other for beaches, chicks, or professional team, etc. You aren't going to have much time for that anyways.

One last note: If you want to do residency in California it would be helpful to be a california medical student. It's always possible to match here I suppose but most of the COMP students end up in California. I suspect it's the same for NSU and Florida.

 

[dudeliness]

I had to make my final choice between NSU and WesternU (COMP) last year. I had already paid my deposit at NSU when I got off COMP's deferred acceptance list at the 11th hour. I decided to choose COMP for a couple of important reasons:

1) It's closer to home. A quick (and cheap) flight home or a long drive if I wanted.
2) I lived in California previously and am more familiar with the area than South Florida. I've always wanted to move back to California as an adult.
3) Tuition didn't matter as much to me cause I am on the HPSP scholarship. Cost of living is comparable.

Though the rotation sites are good at COMP (I hear) I think I would have preferred NSU's set up of doing all your core rotations at one hospital 3rd year. Driving all around Southern California freeways to different hospitals is not something I'm looking forward to in a couple years. Don't choose one over the other for beaches, chicks, or professional team, etc. You aren't going to have much time for that anyways.

One last note: If you want to do residency in California it would be helpful to be a california medical student. It's always possible to match here I suppose but most of the COMP students end up in California. I suspect it's the same for NSU and Florida.

I wasn't aware that NSU sets you up at one specific site for 3rd year rotations. I know they have two or three sites like that, but I don't think that everyone gets to go to one. I could be wrong though. Another difference is that NSU has a required rural rotation (many DO schools do in reality) during 4th year, and it could potentially interfere with audition rotations. In reality though, it's just one month among many during 4th year, so I wouldn't get too worked up about that.
Someone above said if both schools are good, go with the cheaper one. I would agree but add that if you see both, and feel more comfortable at one over the other, costs be darned and just go with the one you like more. It's a very subjective thing.

 

[selttiks288]

I know you have "tracks" at NSU. NeuroLAX would know better but I think if its not one main hospital it's only a small group (2-3) you have to go between and all in the same area. I just love that they're ward based 🙂.

I'm choosing NSU because I've been on the west coast my whole life and I think this is a great opportunity to work with a different demographic. Plus you can literally drive to the Florida Keys on some crazy ocean freeway. I love their rotations and when I was at their school I felt like it was my school. I could completely see myself going there and being happy. I say go to whatever school makes you feel like that, because it'll be your home away from home for the next four years.

 

[sisko]

I'm applying next year and thinking these 2 will end up toward the top of my list as well... both seem to be good schools, decent reputations, rotations in large metro areas, etc. So if they're both good there, next I'm looking at cost and quality of life / kind of people around...

I know Nova is cheaper, and a little cheaper still since I'm a FL resident, but I think I'd like Western better. I live in north FL and have only visited south FL several times never lived there. I know the beaches are great and I'm sure there's lots of attractive members of the opposite sex, but the impression I have is that the culture down there is all about flashy cars, fancy clothes, bottle service at clubs, "makin it rain," etc etc. All of which I will not be able to afford as a med student even if I wanted to.

I have a little more knowledge about socal having lived in LA for about 6 mos. I know there are plenty of people out there into those same kinda things, but actually a majority of the people I met and interacted with out there were pretty down to earth and laid back, like me. 🙂

 

[dudeliness]

I just love that they're ward based 🙂.
.

Wait, all core rotations at NSU are ward-based? Is this a verifiable fact or something you heard somewhere? I've honestly been torn as to whether I'd prefer preceptor based (more hands on) versus ward based (more variety and arguably able to learn more academically). I've been thinking maybe ward based would better prepare me to excel in an audition rotation for a competitive specialty. Not that I'm planning on a competitive specialty just yet, but I don't want to limit myself.
If its really ward based, or even mostly ward based, nova may be my top choice

 

[selttiks288]

Wait, all core rotations at NSU are ward-based? Is this a verifiable fact or something you heard somewhere? I've honestly been torn as to whether I'd prefer preceptor based (more hands on) versus ward based (more variety and arguably able to learn more academically). I've been thinking maybe ward based would better prepare me to excel in an audition rotation for a competitive specialty. Not that I'm planning on a competitive specialty just yet, but I don't want to limit myself.
If its really ward based, or even mostly ward based, nova may be my top choice

Students said mainly ward based. They were first years so they didn't know the exact break down. You have preceptors during 1st and 2nd year and then they said during outpatient rotations. But obviously a NSU student would know better than me. I'm only regurgitating what I heard in my interview and it may/may not be 100% correct.

 

[dudeliness]

Students said mainly ward based. They were first years so they didn't know the exact break down. You have preceptors during 1st and 2nd year and then they said during outpatient rotations. But obviously a NSU student would know better than me. I'm only regurgitating what I heard in my interview and it may/may not be 100% correct.

During my interview a 3rd yr gave us his email to ask questions just like that, but his email address doesn't work. Poo

 

[toxicwombat]

Both are solid DO programs. I chose nova over western because nova was cheaper. Also I preferred south florida to southern california.

Yeah I didn't even bother applying to Western or Touro-CA. If I get into a UC then ill stay here for the wonderful instate tuition but otherwise I want to get the hell out of California and travel while I'm young and still can.

But I can also understand how some like being with their families. It's all personal preference at the end of the day.

 

[MedPR]

I've heard that Western (Pomona) is a lot of MD rejects. Not sure if that would be a fun class environment to have.

 

[pattr]

I've heard that Western (Pomona) is a lot of MD rejects. Not sure if that would be a fun class environment to have.

Why focusing on Western? Any DO school is going to have its share of people who would've rather gone MD for whatever reason so I don't think that's specific to Western. And it's not like the 'MD rejects' are whining everyday in class about their failed applications... they'll be studying their butts off just like you will be, and sooner or later they're going have to accept their degree route.

If anything, due to the huge in-state applicant pools graduating from the UC system, Stanford, Cal states, etc the CA DO schools may have more applicants/matriculants who are also competitive for MD schools and may have even gotten into MD schools outside of CA but in the end would rather stay in Socal for medical school.

In the end I think that if someone is well-informed and still truly not happy about going DO instead of MD then they should do whatever's in their power to go MD. Seriously.

 

[MedPR]

Why focusing on Western? Any DO school is going to have its share of people who would've rather gone MD for whatever reason so I don't think that's specific to Western. And it's not like the 'MD rejects' are whining everyday in class about their failed applications... they'll be studying their butts off just like you will be, and sooner or later they're going have to accept their degree route.

If anything, due to the huge in-state applicant pools graduating from the UC system, Stanford, Cal states, etc the CA DO schools may have more applicants/matriculants who are also competitive for MD schools and may have even gotten into MD schools outside of CA but in the end would rather stay in Socal for medical school.

In the end I think that if someone is well-informed and still truly not happy about going DO instead of MD then they should do whatever's in their power to go MD. Seriously.

Exactly. Thanks for demonstrating my point.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[pattr]

Exactly. Thanks for demonstrating my point.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

You're welcome, but i really wasn't trying to. I was simply pointing out that the fact that there are 'MD rejects' in your DO class doesn't make for a negative class environment, which is what you stated.

 

[MedPR]

Aren't you the same guy that not too long ago argued that everyone going to DO school is because they are MD rejects? Why yes, yes you are.

No, I actually never made that argument. I stated that the majority of people applying DO would prefer to go MD and/or do not have the stats to go MD. I never used words like "all" or "everyone."

By MD rejects I meant people with MD stats that just didn't get in.

 

[TriagePreMed]

No, I actually never made that argument. I stated that the majority of people applying DO would prefer to go MD and/or do not have the stats to go MD. I never used words like "all" or "everyone."

By MD rejects I meant people with MD stats that just didn't get in.

This sounds as credible as anything Mitt Romney has said.

 

[selttiks288]

Ugh. Now it's a political thread...lose lose situation.

 

[dudeliness]

ugh. Now it's a political thread...lose lose situation.

+1

 

[toxicwombat]

I've heard that Western (Pomona) is a lot of MD rejects. Not sure if that would be a fun class environment to have.

Yeah, both Western and Touro are like that. I think its because the vast majority of California pre-meds want to stay in California.

 

[MedPR]

This sounds as credible as anything Mitt Romney has said.

I don't delete posts, so by all means feel free to find one that says anything you're accusing me of saying.

Yeah, both Western and Touro are like that. I think its because the vast majority of California pre-meds want to stay in California.

Seems that way. I'd hate to be a California resident right now. I mean, I only have one state school, but I think I still have a better shot than if I was a California resident.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

I don't delete posts, so by all means feel free to find one that says anything you're accusing me of saying.



Seems that way. I'd hate to be a California resident right now. I mean, I only have one state school, but I think I still have a better shot than if I was a California resident.

Everyone has a better shot than us haha.

As far as the "environment" of Western goes... That's actually the reason why I liked the school so much. Every person I heard talk about the school mentioned how great the class got along. I talked to about 20 students there and all of them love the environment.

 

[MedPR]

Everyone has a better shot than us haha.

As far as the "environment" of Western goes... That's actually the reason why I liked the school so much. Every person I heard talk about the school mentioned how great the class got along. I talked to about 20 students there and all of them love the environment.

I'm really hoping I interview at a school where some students say they hate it.. At least then I would feel like all the other schools that students say "I love it here" weren't just lying to us.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

I'm really hoping I interview at a school where some students say they hate it.. At least then I would feel like all the other schools that students say "I love it here" weren't just lying to us.

Yes, that's pretty tough. I've talked to friends that I've known for years and they say pretty much the same thing. Who knows if they're just being prideful? I would like to think that's not the case.

 

[NeuroLAX]

Every school has its downsides. But I can honestly say that NSU was the best decision for me. Biochem is a little disorganized, but that is the only consistent complaint, even here on SDN. This is mainly due to the fact that the biochem department teaches to several other programs than just the medical school. Other than that, I have absolutely no regrets and love my school. Call it pride, no skin off my back.

 

[MedPR]

Every school has its downsides. But I can honestly say that NSU was the best decision for me. Biochem is a little disorganized, but that is the only consistent complaint, even here on SDN. This is mainly due to the fact that the biochem department teaches to several other programs than just the medical school. Other than that, I have absolutely no regrets and love my school. Call it pride, no skin off my back.

I don't blame you, I'll have pride in whichever school I end up at too. 😉

 

[dudeliness]

...no skin off my back.

Oh no, not more of this. Ha ha ha!