Which interviews to attend??

[Zinc14]

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Hi everyone!

I was accepted to KYCOM, ARCOM, and LECOM-B and decided to deposit at LECOM-Bradenton. I am still scheduled in February for a few more interviews: MUCOM, TUNCOM, AZCOM, ACOM, and BCOM. However, I am not sure if I should attend those interviews. I am trying to compare LECOM-B to those other schools and figure out if I would go to any of the other schools if accepted over LECOM-B.

So far, the things I like about LECOM B are....
1. cheap tuition
2. many rotation sites in PA (where I'm from and where I want to ultimately return to)
3. awesome board exam scores and specialty residency matches (I'm def interested in specializing)
4. great weather

Things I don't love about LECOM-B are...
1. far from home (PA)
2. PBL uncertainty (I'm not against nor in favor of it. I think I can make it work for me, but it's not like I'm a huge fan either...def beats mandatory lectures though)
3. students seem stressed out moreso than at other school (subjective observation)
4. semi-strict atmosphere (no water/food in certain areas, dress code)

In general, LECOM B's pros outweigh the cons for me. I have researched all of the schools and didn't find anything amazingly better than LECOM B (considering the things that are important to me in choosing a school).

Overall, would you recommend attending any of the other interviews? Please let me know if I am missing something or if there is a school that you would strongly recommend I check out. I am not opposed to traveling but I also don't want to waste my time/money if I would end up picking LECOM B anyway. Also, it is getting late in the cycle and I don't know if all interview spots are for waitlist-only positions now.

Thanks so much--would love to hear your feedback!!

 

[Fluffy123]

Nobody can really dwindle this list other than you. The biggest thing is where can you see yourself happy. Also, don't go to an interview that you know 100% you will pick LECOM-B over that school.

That said.. you said you like the low tuition and AZCOM is over double the tuition price and will run you 400k over the 4 years not including interest accrued. AZCOM has great board scores though.

ACOM and BCOM are relatively new (I think) but if you are comfortable with that, go to those.
I also have an interview at mucom but didn't really do much research on that particular school.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Overall LECOM-B has issues with rotations. Current students have big issues with it. My understanding is also that the Bradenton students just get the left over scraps of rotations after the SH and Erie students get first dibs.

Of your remaining interviews I personally would attend TUNCOM and AZCOM but those are farther from your home and may not fit what you are looking for. Ultimately you have weighed your pros and cons and now you just have to decide what is most important to you. Congrats on the success!!

 

[5words]

Congrats Op and what were your stats?

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

The more interviews you attend the better; you never know what school you might love. Attend all of them if you have the time and money to do so. That being said, here is my personal opinion on your situation. Note: I have only interviewed at LECOM - BR, ACOM, and TUNCOM; I don't know as much about the other schools, other than from SDN.

Interviews I Would Attend:
ACOM - Seriously impressive school for a new school; beautiful facilities. They just opened a research lab, and they have a strong affiliation with the healthcare system in Dothan. The people (community, faculty, students, and otherwise) are incredibly friendly. I would have been completely content attending here.
TUNCOM - They are implementing a new curriculum that sounds like it is going to bring TUNCOM success on boards. Fun location.
AZCOM - Midwestern has a reputation for matching into competitive specialties and is a strong program overall. If finances are of a large concern for you though, I would understand cancelling this interview (60k+ tuition.)

Interviews I would Cancel:
MUCOM - Newer school; LECOM - BR > MUCOM (IMO)
BCOM - Newer school; Las Cruces, NM <<<<<<<<<<< Bradenton, FL; also LECOM - BR > BCOM (IMO)

 

[Zinc14]

Thanks so much for the input, everyone! I am going to continue thinking about this...

 

[cptnjack]

I personally would attend MUCOM, TUNCOM, and ACOM; as I see them being better than LECOM-B.
From the grapevine, I have heard how much of an issue rotations are for lecom students.
MUCOM seems to be on the rise in the DO world due to being affiliated with a major uni, plus being in indianapolis and seems to have solid rotations
TUNCOM - great location, new curriculum like KCU and RVU should produce excellent match lists
ACOM- rotations are very well established, school seems to really care about the students, have heard good things

 

[deleted610572]

Since Lecom-B has rotation issues. I have heard rumors that they ship some of the rotation students up to for 3rd year. I would ask Lecom-B and if they can confirm this and assure you that you can be one then I would cancel all interviews and go there. It would be nice to go home for 3rd and 4th.

I would attend MUCOM because it's closer to home than the rest. Makes for cheaper flights lol.

 

[SurgDoc95]

I'd go to azcom for sure

 

[deleted610572]

I'd go to azcom for sure

Nah way too expensive. The only way they get away with it right now because there are so many southern Californians that's wanna be close to home so they can hope to get residencies there

 

[Dr. Death]

I'd go to the MUCOM interview and that's it. No reason to even bother with AZCOM and that absurd tuition unless you are going military

 

[JB50]

I'd go to the schools you were excited about when you initially applied.