So this thread is back again... I see we once again have a bunch of premeds talking about how terrible it is to go to LECOM, and students/graduates who actually go there talking about what its really like there.
I might as well pitch in. I want to premise this by saying this is only in regards to LECOM Erie and Seton Hill. I know nothing about how Bradenton is/works etc, but I imagine it can't be that much different. That said, the clowns in the hallway that other people mentioned sounds pretty creepy.
As a premed, I thoroughly researched LECOM and one other school, because I thought it was very likely I'd end up at one of them (in all honest it was crazy easy to get info about LECOM in western PA, because there are tons of students/grads around here). I learned two things from the LECOM students/graduates that I know and met: 1) Most of the hate/criticism of LECOM was either unfounded or overblown and 2) the admins are a bit cold/overbearing.
At the interview, the students did seem particularly tired and out of it, but it turns out it was an exam day, and after being a med student, I actually understand what that means (because honestly, I didn't before, the stress level really isn't like it is with exams in undergrad courses). That said, the faculty/staff I interacted with were all friendly and both the LDP & PBL student ambassadors were friendly, happy to honestly answer questions (no faculty/staff was really around), and they were happy to be at LECOM (although the LDP students were noticeably more tired than the PBL students). All that said, you really don't get a good sense of what its like at a school from the interview, so my advice to all of you is take it with a grain of salt. In the end, I the most pluses (both personal and general), and it was right for me. No school is right for everyone, so be sure to make your own choice.
Now that I've actually been in medical school at LECOM, I feel I can talk from a bit of real experience. I really like LECOM. I think the PBL curriculum is amazing, the faculty for the most part has been knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly any time I needed help, and I think the education is for the most part excellent (keep in mind I'm in PBL, so I'm referring to the non-small group parts, obviously I like the small-group stuff because I like PBL). I really don't care about the rules. I can live without eating/drinking on campus, and being in PBL I'm really not there for all that long. The dress code is really a non-issue, and like many people said, you get very used to wearing a shirt and tie to the point that you don't even notice it. I'd rather get used to it in school as opposed to when I'm thrown into an even more stressful, uncomfortable, and new experience that I'll have to adjust to (rotations). The admin is also very rigid. They have a certain way of doing things, and its not going to change any time soon. That said, the faculty/curriculum are relatively open to change and the school is relatively new, so if enough students really want something in the curriculum to change, there's actually a possibility of it changing.
The rotation sites have been better (before the loss of UPMC), but there are still some good sites and big ones like UH in Ohio. If I were to guess, I'd say that clinical sites at LECOM are probably around average for DO schools. Unfortunately, just like at many DO schools, clinical sites come and go, so its hard for anyone to be able to say for certain what will be available when they rotate and what won't. That really is more of an issue with DO school policies (most have no real established teaching hospital) than with LECOM in particular. There are some good rotations and not so good rotations, but what I've heard from most attendings is that what makes a rotation good or bad usually has to do with 2 things, who your preceptor is and what you put into it. Unfortunately, you have almost no control over one of those, so it can be unpredictable (or so I hear).
The not so good: Back to the rules and admin. The way they do things is as I said a bit rigid, eccentric and at times cold. That said, as long as you keep your head down (i.e. don't fail a bunch of classes and don't show blatant disregard/disrespect for the rules, school, admins or staff) its little more than a mild annoyance. LECOM is a good school, with good professors, excellent board scores and pass rates, and I don't regret coming here at all.
There are always pros and cons with every school, especially med schools. From all the docs I've met, know, and have in my immediate family, they've all had complaints about their schools. I don't think LECOM is any worse than those. That said, it is a big school, and its making waves by offering a full PBL curriculum, growing into branch campuses, and doing it all while expanding training sites and keeping tuition ~$15k per year less than most other DO schools. Quite frankly, that doesn't make you friends. Plus, have you seen their commercials? I mean they really need to revamp the publicity a bit. I mean that guy is practically doing chest compressions on the patient's abdomen.
If you don't like the way the school works (i.e. the rules), the curriculum, or the region, its probably best not to come. If you don't mind them, are OK with them, or like them, then you should consider LECOM.
Now, as for "We Hate LECOM", it honestly seems a bit sad. The site mostly has comments from Pharm or Dentistry students (or ex-students), so I can't really comment on those parts. As for the med comments, 90% of them are either pointless (it happens at every school - oh the president/admins of a non-profit school/institution makes tons of money, no kidding, that's never happened before, its not like that happens at almost every school/big hospital system... welcome to the real world), outdated (oh, it had problems when it first opened and a bunch of students complained and left, in 1992, thats so relevant now, I mean its not like virtually everything about the school has changed in the past 20+ years that its been open), or just comments made by students insulting teachers (making fun of professors for being bald or having a beard, congratulations, you have the sense of humor of a 5 year old). As for the handful that are actually true/relevant, they are way overblown. I was honestly disappointed. There are definitely things that the school needs to change/improve. Rather than being a site to point out the flaws and discuss ways that they can change it, the moderators of that website made it a site for whining, entitled children. But, hey if it lets them vent their anger about being rejected or getting bad grades in med school, so be it.
Different strokes for different folks I guess, when I went on my interview at LECOM Seton Hill I found the environment, students and faculty to be very welcoming. I did not meet any students at that campus that had anything negative to say that I ran across. I did not go to the Erie campus so I can not speak on the environment there. For me personally, PBL seemed like a good fit, as I enjoy reading the textbooks over lecture/PowerPoint and then collaborating after I have done my own studying. I also enjoyed the relaxed environment of the undergrad campus, the gym and cafeteria on that campus.
LECOM SH is probably the most chill of all of the LECOMs. I don't know if its the slightly milder weather (although right now the whole region is frozen), the fact that its so new, its size, or being on an undergrad campus, but everyone seems very laid back and most of the people there seem pretty happy. Apparently, the first (and maybe even second) class had a rough time, but it seems like things have improved a lot and are great now. Plus its like 45 min from Pittsburgh. If you like PBL, can't stand constant snow, and are OK with walking up a hill from the parking lot I think its a great alternative.