What should I do...

[dav86]

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I have been accepted into both Des Moines and CCOM, but am having a difficult time deciding on where I should go.

Des Moines will be considerably cheaper, around 50-70k when interest is estimated, plus has nice facilities and I feel prep really well for specialties outside of primary care.

CCOM is expensive, but has very good hospitals for third and fourth year rotations, plus my girlfriend really wants me to stay in the area (I know the decision shouldn't be based upon her, but it is nice to someone else outside of medical school that can relieve stress).

I am from Maryland, so either way family will be far away, but I like the Midwest and want to say out here. Is it worth going to CCOM, for rotations and moral support even though it is more expensive.

Based upon interviews, I was slightly more impressed with Des Moines, but liked both schools and could see myself at both schools.

What do you guys think I should do? (just looking for some other opinions)

 

[jpatzi]

I would recommend not basing your decision on the financial cost. You will be a physician and you will have no trouble paying back your student loans. The decision should be based on what you want. I came to DMU and my fiance is from Florida and she wanted me to go to school in Florida but I liked DMU out of all the schools I interviewed at. You should pick the school that you feel will be the best fit for you (and since I go to DMU, I mean choose DMU)!

 

[SkiMonkey]

Wow dav, I'm in the exact same position (minus the girlfriend part). I've been trying to do as much research as I can on both schools and there hasn't been a clear "winner" yet. Both are amazing schools and both appeal to me in different ways, so it's pretty tough. I'll be interested to hear which you decide on and why. Sorry for the lack of any useful info

 

[ocwaveoc]

Wow dav, I'm in the exact same position (minus the girlfriend part). I've been trying to do as much research as I can on both schools and there hasn't been a clear "winner" yet. Both are amazing schools and both appeal to me in different ways, so it's pretty tough. I'll be interested to hear which you decide on and why. Sorry for the lack of any useful info

Haha, I love that name "SkiMonkey".
I think I like any name with the word "Monkey" in it. It's just fun to say.

I haven't seen DMU yet (Dec interview). But from reading your posting, if I were you I'd pick CCOM. As someone else has said already, cost difference shouldn't matter a whole lot since you can pay that off easily with your physician salary. Having that support at CCOM is something I'd rather have than saving some money.

I think at both schools, you'll have similar opportunities to go into specialties.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

As opposed to other schools, where you won't have the opportunity to go into specialties?

 

[PianoRock11]

As opposed to other schools, where you won't have the opportunity to go into specialties?

All he said was they "prep you well" to go into specialties outside of primary care. Easy, killer.



I'm in the exact same position - Des Moines really has their head on straight as far as presenting themselves well. They give you an early interview. They send you a nice little pad of paper in the mail. Nice big purple folders and window stickers. Their campus facilities are amazing, their interview day is phenomenal, everybody is extremely nice...

CCOM's interview day, well, not so much.

The thing that I've been learning to do, however, is look past this first impression. If you think about medical school as a 7+ year activity, including your residency, I think the choice becomes easier.

At Chicago, the facilities for the first 2 years aren't as great, but from years 3-7, you're in EXCELLENT shape. You'll have great clerkships at some of the best teaching hospitals. You won't have to travel all around the country to do them. And you'll make connections for a residency (years 5-7+) in Chicago, which is where you said you want to end up anyway.

Believe me, I know it's hard to pass up the great opportunity at Des Moines. It's a wonderful place, but perhaps CCOM is better in the long run.

 

[Boner]

I can tell you that DMU's interview day is quite indicative of the school's general atmosphere. I have been very pleased with DMU and really have no complaints. You'll have every opportunity to pursue whatever specialty you choose if you work hard. As for clinicals, we have a diverse array of opportunities in big cities and small rural communities; it's nice to have a well rounded experience in different clinical settings.

CCOM's interview day really turned me off to their school as well. They went from high up on my list to the bottom. Go where you feel you fit and not based on what other people think. Any of the established schools are going to give you a great education and great clinical opportunities. If you do a search you can find a bunch of DMU vs. CCOM threads. As a side note, just because they drill into your head that they have clinicals in Chicago does not necessarily mean they are any better, so don't be fooled. Also, most of their clinicals are not in Chicago-proper, rather suburbs that can be up to 40 miles away. Check the map they give you on interview day of their clinical sites. I'm not trying to insult the clinicals at CCOM, as I'm sure they're great, but just be aware the only reason they ever give students their clinicals are awesome is because "they're in Chicago."

All he said was they "prep you well" to go into specialties outside of primary care. Easy, killer.



I'm in the exact same position - Des Moines really has their head on straight as far as presenting themselves well. They give you an early interview. They send you a nice little pad of paper in the mail. Nice big purple folders and window stickers. Their campus facilities are amazing, their interview day is phenomenal, everybody is extremely nice...

CCOM's interview day, well, not so much.

The thing that I've been learning to do, however, is look past this first impression. If you think about medical school as a 7+ year activity, including your residency, I think the choice becomes easier.

At Chicago, the facilities for the first 2 years aren't as great, but from years 3-7, you're in EXCELLENT shape. You'll have great clerkships at some of the best teaching hospitals. You won't have to travel all around the country to do them. And you'll make connections for a residency (years 5-7+) in Chicago, which is where you said you want to end up anyway.

Believe me, I know it's hard to pass up the great opportunity at Des Moines. It's a wonderful place, but perhaps CCOM is better in the long run.

 

[sparhawksd]

While I think cost is important. In my opinion the thing, that you need to ask yourself is "can I picture myself living and working in and around the area for the next 4+ years."

This really helped me when it came to making my decision.

 

[HalloweenDoctor]

I also interviewed at DMU, and I must say that it's a great school (my second choice). CCOM might have great rotations, but DMU is also in the process of setting up some really good rotations in Iowa. I knew a lot of people at DMU and even became friends with some of them (went to Drake Univ for undergrad) and I can tell you that you'll find plenty of moral support there.