My background: 4th year Lebanon student.
What are some pros and cons from your experience at COMP-NW?
Pros: I like the curriculum structure (for the most part). Our testing schedule is far more relaxed than other schools like PNWU or ATSU. One "big" 100-125q test (anywhere between 1-3 of these exams per major systems based course) every 2 weeks or so. Yes it incorporates everything from physiology, pharmacology, histology, pathology and so forth in a multiple choice format. Some subjects are emphasized less (example: pharmacology may get 6q's out of 125, histology 4q's out of 125, and the bulk dedicated to pathology). You could strategically punt all of pharmacology and still get honors in the course (memorizing pharm is NO FUN). Will this setup impact your board prep? I doubt it. Most students from any school will forget the minutiae anyways by the time you reach the end of 2nd year. Our curriculum is identical to Pomona's and their students have been matching into great fields for years, so they are getting the scores they need and the curriculum more-or-less does its job. My friends at PNWU and ATSU tell me that their tests occur less frequently, but when it does, its like an entire week blocked off for back to back to back exams over multiple days, similar to what you'd see in undergrad with midterms/finals weeks. I'd rather study for one big test (that is often on a Monday, you lose your weekend but at least it gives you time to play catch-up with no new material introduced) and get my sleep Monday night than to pull multiple all nighters....
I also like the relatively lax attendance policy. With exceptions to the courses for OMM and a few others, you don't need to show up to class. Wake up at 12, hit the gym, then sit at home in your PJ's and watch the entire day's worth of recorded lecture at 2x speed. Pause the lecture as needed for breaks if you start spacing and facebooking. Can't do that in real life.... I wasn't the kind of student that needed a live person in front of me to absorb the material or ask clarification questions.
The atmosphere is fantastic. I liked getting to know my classmates, the staff, and faculty. As described by Razor, it is definitely close-knit, family atmosphere. There are certainly those who keep to themselves, we aren't all socialites after all. People will usually organize events to do together like fantasy sport leagues, Thursday basketball at the local high school, tennis, river floating, gun range, climbing, running, the list goes on. Probably half the class had families (wife, husband, kids, ect), and the other half single in my year. Crowd is generally older with many non-trads. For DO2015, the average age was 28. I don't know if that's been trending down or not. Don't know my underclassmen.
There were plenty enough opportunities to get involved if you're the type who likes to run with new ideas. I was never one to take the baton and carry on something established but work hard to create something new in whatever peaked my interests. The school is very supportive in helping students do projects in the community. If you have no interest in reinventing the wheel and just want do some annual event that's been established already, there's those opportunities too since the school's been around long enough now.
Cons: Small town. Limited gym options. Limited dining options (the town does love its fast foods). Your major shopping center is Walmart. Allergy season is horrendous. It is the self-proclaimed grass capital. Tuition is expensive (expect it to increase 2k/year like clockwork). Study space/free space is limited on campus, it is starting to get a bit cramped there if you're the type who likes to hang out at school to study. Generally this hasn't been so much of an issue because people have adapted and stay at home or find local places to study, leaving a lot of empty study rooms when its not test time. Clinical rotations sites (at basically at any DO school, not just Western) can be hit or miss and trend more towards private practices or smaller hospitals. The school works hard, but not much can be done if hospitals set up exclusivity contracts with OHSU or too many medical schools utilize the same hospital (e.g. Legacy Emanuel takes OHSU, Western, ATSU, PNWU, IMG's).
If I think of more, I'll edit the post and add. It's late now and can't think of stuff on the top of my head.