What's Wrong With RVU?

Started by OnTheOtherHand
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
OnTheOtherHand

OnTheOtherHand

The Voice of GeneCo
10+ Year Member
You see, I ask because I genuinely don't know what exactly is wrong with RVU. I'm a resident of Colorado and if at all possible, I'd like to stay here in the Denver Metro Area. Of course, this means applying to UCD (of course, the only allopathic game in town) and RVU (the only osteopathic game in town). Of course, I intend to apply to other schools (Touro, LECOM, etc) but I'm wondering what's wrong with RVU?
 
Facepalm_gorilla.jpg
 
RVU is a for-profit school. Depending on your view of economics, either RVU is held in check by economic market forces or the school is out to get your money.

I recommend the use of the search function if your interested in learning more.
 
There is absolutely nothing wrong with RVU. They have a well-rounded and seasoned faculty that has been culled from many of the established osteopathic schools around the country and their facilities are top-notch. For many unfounded reasons, many individuals on this forum seem to view a for-profit status as diabolical. Let that not dissuade you from applying. Best of luck to you in your journey.
 
For profit status aside, there is some real controversy over the dean and half the board being dismissed (for reasons undisclosed) and the lack of transparency with board scores. But every school has their drama, so weigh that accordingly. But those propagandists stating RVU's past is perfectly clean are as wrong as those apocalypse proclaimers spouting their doom and gloom about RVU and for profit education.

I'm taking a policy of wait and see before I form an opinion.
 
jesterrace said:
There is absolutely nothing wrong with RVU. They have a well-rounded and seasoned faculty that has been culled from many of the established osteopathic schools around the country and their facilities are top-notch. For many unfounded reasons, many individuals on this forum seem to view a for-profit status as diabolical. Let that not dissuade you from applying. Best of luck to you in your journey.
Click to expand...

Well it certainly isn't a good thing. I mean it's the only medical school in the entire nation which is for-profit and it's frankly disgraceful that COCA's attitude towards this is so apathetic. The MD schools directly have a clause against for-profit status. So it really degrades DO schools.

But anyways.. I wouldn't want to attend a school like that until they graduate their first class at the very least.
 
serenade said:
Well it certainly isn't a good thing. I mean it's the only medical school in the entire nation which is for-profit and it's frankly disgraceful that COCA's attitude towards this is so apathetic. The MD schools directly have a clause against for-profit status. So it really degrades DO schools.

But anyways.. I wouldn't want to attend a school like that until they graduate their first class at the very least.
Click to expand...
Point well taken. I'm hoping to find a DO to shadow here in Denver but I have to say, I'm starting to lean more towards LECOM. Right now, it's because they have three campuses to choose from, an accelerated program and they're less expensive.

But I am just wondering about RVU because I would like to stay in Denver at least a little while longer.
 
OnTheOtherHand said:
You see, I ask because I genuinely don't know what exactly is wrong with RVU. I'm a resident of Colorado and if at all possible, I'd like to stay here in the Denver Metro Area. Of course, this means applying to UCD (of course, the only allopathic game in town) and RVU (the only osteopathic game in town). Of course, I intend to apply to other schools (Touro, LECOM, etc) but I'm wondering what's wrong with RVU?
Click to expand...

I heard its haunted and every night one medical student is ritualistically sacrificed to keep the ghost at bay. I also heard the water fountains spit coke zero or ciroc vodka. Then again, I hear a lot of crazy things that probably aren't true.

My statements above are as absurd as anyone who purely bashes it or purely defends it. The school has issues beyond the for-profit status, but we cant condemn a school that does seem to have happy students despite the controversy. I'd just suggest being aware of what the issues are and give it a lot of though before you consider going if accepted. And if you do go, it won't be the end of the world. You'll prob enjoy it, given the generally positive student responses.
 
DocEspana said:
I heard its haunted and every night one medical student is ritualistically sacrificed to keep the ghost at bay. I also heard the water fountains spit coke zero or ciroc vodka. Then again, I hear a lot of crazy things that probably aren't true.

My statements above are as absurd as anyone who purely bashes it or purely defends it. The school has issues beyond the for-profit status, but we cant condemn a school that does seem to have happy students despite the controversy. I'd just suggest being aware of what the issues are and give it a lot of though before you consider going if accepted. And if you do go, it won't be the end of the world. You'll prob enjoy it, given the generally positive student responses.
Click to expand...
Of course, I'll rigorously evaluate all of the schools I apply to before applying and then rigorously re-evaluate the places I get accepted to. ^_^
 
You also forgot the "don't go to a relatively new school" group of haters.

The speculations on whether PDs will take people from a for-profit school are purely that -- speculative. No one really knows how it will all shake out. It's certainly a risk, but there are risks to every choice you make re: schools.

I applied there. I would have gone if I had gotten in there. I was not admitted. No hard feelings. And I'm very interested to see how this goes as classes begin to graduate and match into residencies!
 
painmd87 said:
You also forgot the "don't go to a relatively new school" group of haters.
Click to expand...

Haters, or people with a valid point? At least new schools give significant scholarships due to recognition that any kinks in the curriculum may not work out. oh way for profit nvm
 
theWUbear said:
Haters, or people with a valid point? At least new schools give significant scholarships due to recognition that any kinks in the curriculum may not work out. oh way for profit nvm
Click to expand...

Most of the arguments contain valid points. It's the only for-profit medical school in the US. Valid point. It's a new school. Valid point. They fired half their board. Valid point. The school is not approved for federal loans. Valid point. It has a goofy name. Valid point.

Will any of these valid points affect a graduate's ability to graduate, get into a residency of their choice, and practice medicine? To be determined.
 
painmd87 said:
Most of the arguments contain valid points. It's the only for-profit medical school in the US. Valid point. It's a new school. Valid point. They fired half their board. Valid point. The school is not approved for federal loans. Valid point. It has a goofy name. Valid point.

Will any of these valid points affect a graduate's ability to graduate, get into a residency of their choice, and practice medicine? To be determined.
Click to expand...

Lol. That is a valid point. I wonder why they chose that name of all names.
 
The chose the name because when you're in the building and look out the window you see the area of the Rocky Mountains termed "The Rocky Vista", their school sits on a hill, so when you look out the west windows all you see is mountains
 
OnTheOtherHand said:
... Wait, what? Without federal aid, I can't attend so naturally, that would kill RVU in my eyes.

Believe it or not, I haven't seen a hotel named that anywhere in the Denver Metro Area.
Click to expand...

Until RVU gets full AOA accreditation (right now it only has provisional AOA accreditation), students attending RVU are ineligible for federal loans. In order to be eligible for Title IV federal loans (perkins, stafford, grad plus, federal consolidation loans, etc), the school needs to be accredited by agency recognized by the US Dept of Education. Many of the newer stand-alone schools have regional accreditation so while their osteopathic school is still provisional accredited, their students can get federal loans due to the regional accreditation. RVU doesn't have regional accreditation.

The provisional accreditation will remain in place until the first class graduates.

Until then, unless RVU gets regional accreditation, students will have to receive funding for their education through other sources (private loans, military, etc). That is why a large portion of RVU's current classes are military scholarships. The downside to not receiving federal loans are the benefits attached to federal loans (no credit checks to get loans, subsidize loans, income based repayment, 10-year loan forgiveness for working in nonprofit, etc)
 
group_theory said:
Until RVU gets full AOA accreditation (right now it only has provisional AOA accreditation), students attending RVU are ineligible for federal loans. In order to be eligible for Title IV federal loans (perkins, stafford, grad plus, federal consolidation loans, etc), the school needs to be accredited by agency recognized by the US Dept of Education. Many of the newer stand-alone schools have regional accreditation so while their osteopathic school is still provisional accredited, their students can get federal loans due to the regional accreditation. RVU doesn't have regional accreditation.

The provisional accreditation will remain in place until the first class graduates.

Until then, unless RVU gets regional accreditation, students will have to receive funding for their education through other sources (private loans, military, etc). That is why a large portion of RVU's current classes are military scholarships. The downside to not receiving federal loans are the benefits attached to federal loans (no credit checks to get loans, subsidize loans, income based repayment, 10-year loan forgiveness for working in nonprofit, etc)
Click to expand...
That does it... LECOM is my first choice now.
 
group_theory said:
Until RVU gets full AOA accreditation (right now it only has provisional AOA accreditation), students attending RVU are ineligible for federal loans. In order to be eligible for Title IV federal loans (perkins, stafford, grad plus, federal consolidation loans, etc), the school needs to be accredited by agency recognized by the US Dept of Education. Many of the newer stand-alone schools have regional accreditation so while their osteopathic school is still provisional accredited, their students can get federal loans due to the regional accreditation. RVU doesn't have regional accreditation.

The provisional accreditation will remain in place until the first class graduates.

Until then, unless RVU gets regional accreditation, students will have to receive funding for their education through other sources (private loans, military, etc). That is why a large portion of RVU's current classes are military scholarships. The downside to not receiving federal loans are the benefits attached to federal loans (no credit checks to get loans, subsidize loans, income based repayment, 10-year loan forgiveness for working in nonprofit, etc)
Click to expand...

They might not be eligible for funding immediately after they are accredited either. There is a separate process they need to go through in order to get federal aid once they are accredited, so this process could take an additional year or two (at least this is what they told me when I was there).

OnTheOtherHand said:
That does it... LECOM is my first choice now.
Click to expand...

If you are applying for 2016, this will likely only affect your first year, but it is possible it could impact your first two years.

Why is it RVU or LECOM if you don't mind me asking? There are a ton of great DO schools between both of those locations.
 
It's my perception that many academics "look down" upon for profit educational institutions (eg-DeVry, University of Phoenix, etc). This attitude, combined with the fact that many residency PD's are academics, as are members of their staff, is why I would say there is something "wrong" with RVU. It seems like there are so many other great places to go to school (institutionally and geographically), why would someone want to add a possible layer of hassle in the residency application process?

I definitely understand people wanting to stay or move to CO but it just doesn't seem worth it.
 
racerwad said:
It's my perception that many academics "look down" upon for profit educational institutions (eg-DeVry, University of Phoenix, etc). This attitude, combined with the fact that many residency PD's are academics, as are members of their staff, is why I would say there is something "wrong" with RVU. It seems like there are so many other great places to go to school (institutionally and geographically), why would someone want to add a possible layer of hassle in the residency application process?

I definitely understand people wanting to stay or move to CO but it just doesn't seem worth it.
Click to expand...

Most anyone looks down on Devry or UP. RVU is slightly on a different playing field in sense that it is producing and training individuals properly. Rather than Devry which primarily draws it's students from a population that cannot attend college or has not enough time to physical attend college or spend a huge amount of time. RVU students are more or less drawn from the same population as normal medical school students. However like someone mentioned before, the worst case is PD's won't accept them.
 
Last edited:
MightyMoose said:
Why is it RVU or LECOM if you don't mind me asking? There are a ton of great DO schools between both of those locations.
Click to expand...
RVU's closer and LECOM is less expensive. Of course, I'll apply to many of the other schools in between but I prefer either for those reasons. And if I can't get financial aid at RVU - then that takes RVU out of the picture.
 
RVU does have an in-house loan program that they are offering in the interim, until they become eligible for federal loans. You will get financial aid, but with none of the perks of federal aid.

Fellow Colorado-an here... I definitely understand the desire to stay in CO for your medical education. I decided to go out-of-state for school and then (fingers crossed) back home for residency.
 
TheSeanieB said:
The overwhelming problem with RVU is their name. Rocky Vista University sounds like one of those strip mall college where you can become a paralegal and your degree is signed by Sally Struthers.:laugh:
Click to expand...

Yup. The name is the BIGGEST problem with the school. Forget the for-profit issue. Rename it to:

-Harvard, Verson 2.0

-The Osteopathic Institute of ROAD Residencies

-Proper, Prestigious University

and people will just forget about the tax-status

Better yet, let's follow your beloved Caribbean model, and Call it the American University of the Americas.

Perfect.


Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
 
TheSeanieB said:
To say the school is built on a hill overlooking the mountains is a little exagerating. The school is located on the plains southeast of Denver in Parker, CO on cheap real estate. I definitely would not associate the school with mountain views. From the school, you would have to drive for a good 40 minutes with no traffic to get into the mountains. Contrary to the school's marketing, they are about two hours from the nearest ski area.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the school is not on a hill, but that area is commercial and definitely not cheap. 200k/acre is not cheap, and 15 acre campus values at over $18 million.

RVU is expensive, and financial aid is not available through federal sources. It hard to digest unsubsidized loans through 4 years of med school and 3+ years of residency. RVU is providing private loans at around 8.5% interest rate.
 
TheSeanieB said:
The overwhelming problem with RVU is their name. Rocky Vista University sounds like one of those strip mall college where you can become a paralegal and your degree is signed by Sally Struthers.:laugh:
Click to expand...

My question is - how is Rocky Vista a "University" - it has one college and only one degree program, and little to no research.
 
OnTheOtherHand said:
RVU's closer and LECOM is less expensive. Of course, I'll apply to many of the other schools in between but I prefer either for those reasons. And if I can't get financial aid at RVU - then that takes RVU out of the picture.
Click to expand...


You can get aid there, it is just private aid and pre-set at 8.5% interest.

If you want an inexpensive school you should have TCOM on your list.
 
MightyMoose said:
You can get aid there, it is just private aid and pre-set at 8.5% interest.

If you want an inexpensive school you should have TCOM on your list.
Click to expand...
I'm a bit wary of moving back to Texas, being a transsexual lady and all. If TCOM makes the list, it'd only be as a "safety".
bonsaipalmtree said:
RVU does have an in-house loan program that they are offering in the interim, until they become eligible for federal loans. You will get financial aid, but with none of the perks of federal aid.

Fellow Colorado-an here... I definitely understand the desire to stay in CO for your medical education. I decided to go out-of-state for school and then (fingers crossed) back home for residency.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have suffered Identity Theft so I am unsure of whether or not I'd qualify. I do hope that they become federal aid-eligible. And out of curiosity, where'd you wind up going?
TheSeanieB said:
The overwhelming problem with RVU is their name. Rocky Vista University sounds like one of those strip mall college where you can become a paralegal and your degree is signed by Sally Struthers.:laugh:
Click to expand...
Eeek!
 
OnTheOtherHand said:
Yeah, I'm also planning on working that into my personal statement somehow, since I already have to declare all previous names.
Click to expand...

Google: "Dr. Christine McGinn"

She's a male to female transgender individual who received her DO degree and went on to do a plastic and reconstructive residency and (last time I checked) did bottom procedures.

Could be a good individual to get in contact with.
 
JaggerPlate said:
Google: "Dr. Christine McGinn"

She's a male to female transgender individual who received her DO degree and went on to do a plastic and reconstructive residency and (last time I checked) did bottom procedures.

Could be a good individual to get in contact with.
Click to expand...
I know of her. In fact, I hope that by going to LECOM Erie or Sutton Hill, I could make trips down to New Hope where her offices are and learn from her. She's also the first transsexual person who has the appropriate training to perform the surgery (Dr. Bowers isn't, she performed a OB/GYN residency).
 
JaggerPlate said:
Google: "Dr. Christine McGinn"

She's a male to female transgender individual who received her DO degree and went on to do a plastic and reconstructive residency and (last time I checked) did bottom procedures.

Could be a good individual to get in contact with.
Click to expand...


Wow. She has made quite a name for herself. Must have been tough for her in the military though.
 
MightyMoose said:
Wow. She has made quite a name for herself. Must have been tough for her in the military though.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I couldn't imagine going through the military. Even with DADT repeal, transsexual people still can't serve openly because it is still incorrectly seen as a mental illness because of the DSM diagnosis.
 
OnTheOtherHand said:
Yeah, I couldn't imagine going through the military. Even with DADT repeal, transsexual people still can't serve openly because it is still incorrectly seen as a mental illness because of the DSM diagnosis.
Click to expand...


Even with the DADT repeal in place, I don't think it would be wise to out oneself in the military. Did you see Obama's "State of the Union Address" where he discussed it? The military officers there outright refused to applaud the repeal, which received a standing ovation from the rest of the audience.
 
MightyMoose said:
Even with the DADT repeal in place, I don't think it would be wise to out oneself in the military. Did you see Obama's "State of the Union Address" where he discussed it? The military officers there outright refused to applaud the repeal, which received a standing ovation from the rest of the audience.
Click to expand...
Well, considering the required declaration of a previous name change, the physiology of transsexual people and the military's nosy-ass culture, I have a hard time believing that you could be stealth in the military.
 
JaggerPlate said:
Yup. The name is the BIGGEST problem with the school. Forget the for-profit issue. Rename it to:

-Harvard, Verson 2.0

-The Osteopathic Institute of ROAD Residencies

-Proper, Prestigious University

and people will just forget about the tax-status

Better yet, let's follow your beloved Caribbean model, and Call it the American University of the Americas.

Perfect.


Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Click to expand...

Lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.