WesternU COMP-NW vs. PNWU vs. ICOM

[Wabi-sabi]

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I've been accepted to all three and am wondering if anyone has insight regarding PNWU and Western specifically. I don't think I'm going to attend ICOM given it's a new school, etc, but am seriously torn between Western and PNWU.

Here's my pro/con list for both, if anyone can add anything please do so!

Western
Pros
-Seems to have slightly better rotation sites and board pass rates.
-Felt like it had a good vibe among the students/staff
-Better research it seemed like
-Don't have as big of PC emphasis
-Non-mandatory attendance
Cons
-Basically letter grades now
-Cost is slightly higher
-Middle of nowhere
-New curriculum was implemented either this year or last year

PNWU
Pros
-Slightly cheaper
-Would allow me to be closer to my SO
-HP/P/F grades
-Slightly better location
-Students all seemed happy
-Good Mexican food and breweries in the area
-Mostly non-mandatory attendance
Cons
-Rotation sites
-Heavy PC emphasis apparently
-Less access to research it seemed

Both schools seem to have similar match lists and outcomes.

Right now, I'm mostly interested in surgery, neurology, and anesthesia if that helps at all.

Any insight is much appreciated!

 

[PapaGuava]

I'd vote for PNWU especially because of the P/F grade system which may ease some of the pressure in medical school. You also mention that it would be closer to your SO which could be a great support system when you need it. Both are decent choices!

 

[DrStephenStrange]

Avoid ICOM!!! The other two are good schools.

 

[Wabi-sabi]

Bumping this because I have to decide soon and am still not sure which one I should choose. Any other insight is much appreciated!

 

[ppushpak]

You might prefer having a graded system with STEP 1 P/F for your incoming year

 

[deleted936470]

You might prefer having a graded system with STEP 1 P/F for your incoming year

Good point. I'd vote WesternU over PNWU regardless but even moreso now.

 

[Wabi-sabi]

Thanks for the responses! Why specifically Western over PNWU? That’s what I’m having a hard time with

 

[deleted936470]

TBH it's just personal preference as the schools are pretty similar. I liked my interview experience at WesternU a bit more, staff seemed more invested,
PNWU seems to push their rural PCP agenda more than WesternU and the tuition/coa/fees aren't considerable different when comparing the schools. I guess Yakima is slightly better than Lebanon, but to me that's not really a selling point. From what I gathered students seem to think WesternU's rotation sites for clinical years are better than those offered by PNWU with the latter being a bit more nomadic but maybe you should look into that a bit more. tl;dr follow your heart

 

[Wabi-sabi]

TBH it's just personal preference as the schools are pretty similar. I liked my interview experience at WesternU a bit more, staff seemed more invested,
PNWU seems to push their rural PCP agenda more than WesternU and the tuition/coa/fees aren't considerable different when comparing the schools. I guess Yakima is slightly better than Lebanon, but to me that's not really a selling point. From what I gathered students seem to think WesternU's rotation sites for clinical years are better than those offered by PNWU with the latter being a bit more nomadic but maybe you should look into that a bit more. tl;dr follow your heart

Thanks that’s pretty much how I feel too. Also, it seemed western had better research opportunities but idk really and am trying to figure that out

 

[deleted936470]

Thanks that’s pretty much how I feel too. Also, it seemed western had better research opportunities but idk really and am trying to figure that out

Agreed, seems like research opportunities are abundant at WesternU relative to those at PNWU and the importance of research looks like is going to be accentuated by the time we match.