- Joined
- May 2, 2009
- Messages
- 424
- Reaction score
- 295
Hi everyone! I'm pretty excited that my cycle is basically over. I have acceptances from AZCOM, Nova, DMU, and LECOM-B and I'm struggling to make a decision.
LECOM-B was out right away; and, I think DMU is out too just because I did not like it very much during my interview. Which leaves AZCOM and Nova and I can can see advantages to each. I actually thought I had made this decision when I put down a deposit at AZCOM, but then one of my physician mentors called everything into question. Essentially what she said is that for AOA residencies, school really doesn't matter as much as your board scores, but if you want to go to a traditionally ACGME residency (especially ones with DOs on staff) then the reputation of your school matters. I take this to mean, since all residencies will fall under ACGME in 2020, then the best option is really to go to the "best" school. Which might be Nova? How well respected is AZCOM at this point?
Pros/Cons:
Nova:
Pros: more established, MSDEM program available, new research center, no mandatory attendance, recorded lectures, international opportunities, cheaper tuition ($54,806)
Cons: Florida (not my ideal place to live and humidity tends to make me ill while I adjust), required rural rotation in primary care, higher cost of living (8.8% above national average)
AZCOM:
Pros: loved the location, opportunity to rotate in Chicago, no mandatory attendance, most lectures recorded, mission trip opportunity, no dress code, quarter curriculum (good or bad?), 1 required rural rotation but does not have to be primary care (could be emergency for example), lower cost of living (2.5% above national average)
Cons: tuition ($63,218), no masters programs (though I asked and Nova's is online so could still be done if I attended AZCOM -- I'd have to apply separately to this program but I got the feeling it was a formality), less established (=not as good of a reputation?)
Notes: I'm from the Midwest and would like to return for residency. Thinking that I'll want to do EM.
LECOM-B was out right away; and, I think DMU is out too just because I did not like it very much during my interview. Which leaves AZCOM and Nova and I can can see advantages to each. I actually thought I had made this decision when I put down a deposit at AZCOM, but then one of my physician mentors called everything into question. Essentially what she said is that for AOA residencies, school really doesn't matter as much as your board scores, but if you want to go to a traditionally ACGME residency (especially ones with DOs on staff) then the reputation of your school matters. I take this to mean, since all residencies will fall under ACGME in 2020, then the best option is really to go to the "best" school. Which might be Nova? How well respected is AZCOM at this point?
Pros/Cons:
Nova:
Pros: more established, MSDEM program available, new research center, no mandatory attendance, recorded lectures, international opportunities, cheaper tuition ($54,806)
Cons: Florida (not my ideal place to live and humidity tends to make me ill while I adjust), required rural rotation in primary care, higher cost of living (8.8% above national average)
AZCOM:
Pros: loved the location, opportunity to rotate in Chicago, no mandatory attendance, most lectures recorded, mission trip opportunity, no dress code, quarter curriculum (good or bad?), 1 required rural rotation but does not have to be primary care (could be emergency for example), lower cost of living (2.5% above national average)
Cons: tuition ($63,218), no masters programs (though I asked and Nova's is online so could still be done if I attended AZCOM -- I'd have to apply separately to this program but I got the feeling it was a formality), less established (=not as good of a reputation?)
Notes: I'm from the Midwest and would like to return for residency. Thinking that I'll want to do EM.
