WesternU COMP vs ATSU-SOMA

Started by g570
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g570

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I was fortunate enough to receive acceptances at LECOM-Bradenton, LECOM-Seton Hill, DMU, Western-Pomona, and ATSU-SOMA.

I decided LECOM wasn't a good fit for me (although a great school) and withdrew my acceptances.

I absolutely loved DMU but ultimately decided I wanted to stay closer to family in either California or New York.

I am currently left deciding between two amazing schools, Western and ATSU-SOMA (NY CHC). I was wondering if anyone had any insight or feedback on these two options. A major pro for ATSU-SOMA is the New York CHC was bought by NYU med school and is now associated with a top medical school. It's also a level 1 trauma center.

A major pro with western is that it's well established and has great rotation sites. However, it's not associated with one hospital and would require a lot of moving around between rotations (within 50 mile radius but that's a lot in LA traffic)

Any input would be much appreciated! !!
 
Do you like the CHC model of education? I feel like it is a lot different than anything else and you really have to be on board for it. The NYU thing is cool but honestly may not make that much of a difference in the long term. Do you want to do residency on the east coast or west? These are some additional things to consider. My vote would be for Western because I am personally a little skeptical about year two in the CHC curriculum.
 
I think what really stands out for me is the clinical presentation model used at atsu. It's definitely a good way to prepare for boards. I ACTUALLY wasn't that interested in the CHC model until I attended my interview. In terms of NYU, I've heard that where ever you do rotations is usually where you do residency. I think working closely with NYU is a great networking opportunity.

I have family in California and New York. I'd be happy doing residency in either state.

Western has a really impressive curriculum but the moving between hospitals every 4 weeks makes me nervous. Does anyone have any input or experience with this? I feel like the constant movement combined with med school stress might be overwhelming.

Honestly I'm pretty 50/50 about both schools.
 
chizledfrmstone said:
A CHC can be a trauma 1 center?
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Sunset park medical center was bought by NYU lutheran. There are different chc sites you rotate through during second year. Your 3rd and 4th is at the NYU Lutheran hospital which is a level 1 trauma center.
 
g570 said:
I think what really stands out for me is the clinical presentation model used at atsu. It's definitely a good way to prepare for boards. I ACTUALLY wasn't that interested in the CHC model until I attended my interview. In terms of NYU, I've heard that where ever you do rotations is usually where you do residency. I think working closely with NYU is a great networking opportunity.

I have family in California and New York. I'd be happy doing residency in either state.

Western has a really impressive curriculum but the moving between hospitals every 4 weeks makes me nervous. Does anyone have any input or experience with this? I feel like the constant movement combined with med school stress might be overwhelming.

Honestly I'm pretty 50/50 about both schools.
Click to expand...

You might want to look up how DO friendly NYU is.
 
chizledfrmstone said:
You might want to look up how DO friendly NYU is.
Click to expand...

This was definitely a concern for me. But NYU lutheran is currently mostly DO students because the merger is so new. Unless I'm wrong????

I also have friends that attend NYU medical school and they said there's no existing or obvious conflict.

But that is definitely something I'll look further into. Thank you!
 
g570 said:
This was definitely a concern for me. But NYU lutheran is currently mostly DO students because the merger is so new. Unless I'm wrong????

I also have friends that attend NYU medical school and they said there's no existing or obvious conflict.

But that is definitely something I'll look further into. Thank you!
Click to expand...

NYU Lutheran is a communiversity hospital. It's no where near as competitive or prestigious as matching IM at the NYU Langone Med Center (their main university hospita). The reason why NYU Lutheran is roaming with DO students is because they can match there. It's very similar to any DO match list that says "IM - University of Chicago, GenSurg UCLA or UCSF" when in reality it was NorthShore (communiversity of Prtizker), UCLA Harbor (which is not the main university hospital), and UCSF- Fresno (same as before).

NYU's webpage has expicitly stated that their IM program will not consider applicants coming from osteopathic medical schools. Even if they did, it would be extremely difficult to match there since the residents there have outstanding CVs that include scholarly activity and awards that come with going to high level MD schools.

Having the affiliation with NYU now is at the end of the day, a great thing for the NY CHC for ATSU. The collaborative efforts between ATSU and NYU between this hospital can only be of good outcome from the looks of it.
 
g570 said:
A major pro with western is that it's well established and has great rotation sites. However, it's not associated with one hospital and would require a lot of moving around between rotations (within 50 mile radius but that's a lot in LA traffic)
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LOL

Go to SOMA instead of dealing with IPE, small group and other extra BS activities. Match lists for the schools are nearly identical.
 
My vote is for SOMA. It sounds (from your posts) like that's where you really want to be anyway.

I'm a grad, and I think the biggest plus is the Clinical Presentation Curriculum. You're right in that it is great prep for boards (at least I think it was for me).

2nd year at the CHC (to address the other poster) was awesome. Got real hands on experience sprinkled in with the rest of the traditional 2nd year stuff, and with the CP curriculum, I actually knew enough to get something out of being in those settings.

Best of luck with the decision. And congrats on so many acceptances, that's gotta feel great!
 
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