What made you choose the schools you applied to?

[ManBroDude]

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Regional preference? Tuition costs? Newer/Established?

I am finalizing my primary this week and I'd like to know why some and not others.

In other news, I wish there was one big fat resource on pros and cons of each school by students there already. The lack of any sort of easily categorized reviews is one of the pitfalls of SDN. The school-specific threads are like navigating through tar.

 

[Mbeas]

Regional preference? Tuition costs? Newer/Established?

I am finalizing my primary this week and I'd like to know why some and not others.

In other news, I wish there was one big fat resource on pros and cons of each school by students there already. The lack of any sort of easily categorized reviews is one of the pitfalls of SDN. The school-specific threads are like navigating through tar.

There actually is an archived thread like this. I forgot the name of it, but it's out there somewhere. It is exactly what you are looking for...try doing a search for it (not being mean at all, I just don't have time right now).

As for me, it is the reasons you mentioned above. I did apply to the more "established" schools (PCOM, NYCOM, CCOM, etc.) and I didn't even bother with the "lower tier" DO schools (will not list here to avoid an insult).

Location is definitely a factor. For example, Touro-NY is in the heart of Harlem which is a ****hole (maybe DocE can elaborate?). I love NYC, but that area sucks. Tuition also comes into play, and for that I recommend LECOM (despite its rep on SDN). You may also consider mission statements of some schools?

 

[tbone1234]

A lot for me had to do with regional preference. I'm from TX so I applied to most of the southern DO schools. I didn't really apply anywhere up north like NY. Also, another factor to consider is how OOS friendly they are. Ohio does not like OOSers, and apparently you have to sign a 5 year contract saying that you will practice in ohio for 5 years post-medschool... which is ridiculous.

I'm thinking about adding a couple more schools in my paranoia of not getting accepted. I'm going to add some California school (touro I believe it's called)... maybe a couple others.

Tuition is also a killer. Cmon TCOM, invite me for an interview!!! I want that in-state TX tuition! haha.

 

[Postal]

For example, Touro-NY is in the heart of Harlem which is a ****hole

......I don't think Harlem is a ****hole.......🙁

I mean, it's not the upper east side or nothin but sheesh. I suppose it just isn't your cup of tea.

I made my decisions based on regional preference. I wanted to stay on the East Coast. Lucky for me, there are a crap load of D.O. schools in the east😀

 

[SLC]

For me, there was one specific school that I felt I identified very strongly with. Mostly with respect to mission and curriculum. That school was so far out in front it wasn't even funny.

I applied super late, luckily for me my dream school still interviewed and accepted me, while the others didn't give me much of a look. I couldn'tbe happier with the outcome in the end though.

After my#1, the rest of my rankings were based on location with Southwest>Northwest>Southeast>Notheast>Midwest

 

[donkeykong1]

Regional preference? Tuition costs? Newer/Established?

I am finalizing my primary this week and I'd like to know why some and not others.

In other news, I wish there was one big fat resource on pros and cons of each school by students there already. The lack of any sort of easily categorized reviews is one of the pitfalls of SDN. The school-specific threads are like navigating through tar.

here u go bro.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=407104

 

[ManBroDude]

My understanding is that the gentrification of Harlem is rapidly changing this.

I was lost in Harlem at 1am a couple of years ago. I was scared for my safety, and it sure wasn't because of the old folks.

 

[ManBroDude]

here u go bro.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=407104

👍 Bingo. Much obliged.

 

[GlimmerGlass]

I applied to all the schools that I would consider moving to location wise. I figured if I do not actually want to live somewhere then I shouldn't go to med school there because that may make me unhappy in the long run. I then have this list ranked by other factors such as school reputation, rotation sites, location, and costs.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I was lost in Harlem at 1am a couple of years ago. I was scared for my safety, and it sure wasn't because of the old folks.

Old folks? What?

 

[ManBroDude]

Old folks? What?

TIL the word root of "gentrification" is gentry (wealthy people), not geriatrics.

 

[Mbeas]

......I don't think Harlem is a ****hole.......🙁

I mean, it's not the upper east side or nothin but sheesh. I suppose it just isn't your cup of tea.

I made my decisions based on regional preference. I wanted to stay on the East Coast. Lucky for me, there are a crap load of D.O. schools in the east😀

Sorry, I hope you didn't interpret what I said as an insult to Touro. I actually drove past the school this past weekend and was not impressed with the area at all. Plus, 125th St.(or thereabouts) is pretty removed from midtown/downtown NYC, which is prime location (for me; and I definitely won't have the opportunity to attend NYU lol).

Regardless, I am still applying there and I hope to get an interview. Maybe the interview day will shed some light on this issue. Plus, while location is important, I am choosing the school that will help me be the best physician and create the most opportunities. If that's Touro, I will gladly attend despite it being in Harlem.

 

[Mbeas]

My understanding is that the gentrification of Harlem is rapidly changing this.

I suppose. Looking over the past couple of decades, Harlem has definitely become a lot better. I'm not sure how much it will change though before next year if I have the opportunity to matriculate at Touro.

 

[DocEspana]

Things about Harlem

Gentrification or not, its still a black neighborhood. You gotta be comfortable with the fact that the neighborhoods breakdown (in this case at least) does not in the least reflect its crime status.

I have a *really* old post that I doubt I can dig up, but I will try, where I pulled up the exact crime stats for 2009 or 2010 for central harlem. The crime rate there is lower than the combined crime rate for Boston (also lower than almost every major city out there.)

Harlem is like the 8th or 9th worst area of NYC and the 3rd of manhattan. Yet, because Manhattan is the safest city in america, and NYC as a whole is the 2nd or 3rd safest in america (by large margins over everyone not in 1st or 2nd) the worst areas of NYC are safer than the entirety (bad and good averaged out) of pretty much any other city out there.

With that said. Very black neighborhood and while 123rd-126th look nice, its not the prettiest area if you stray too far. Some other people may disagree with me on that, because the school is next to a H&M, two starbucks, a Dick Sporting goods and an Old Navy (not exactly terrifying)... but I always lived in midtown (11 minute subway ride from columbus circle/59th street to 125th street 1.5 blocks west of the school) so I'm preferential to the pretty buildings.

 

[DocEspana]

Also, apply to places that appeal to you. I loved Harlem. Chose to live in midtown, but loved being in NYC and loved studying in harlem (it was a quirky neighborhood and you got to see people walking into your community health clinic with a 190/115 BP. Those people shouldnt be able to walk, and yet they walk in and dont believe you when you want to call an ambulance for them before they stroke out.)

 

[cliquesh]

When picking a school you should ask how much time do you get to study for boards and ask for a list of their 3rd year core rotations.