u/Extension_Service647

Hello!

I was fortunate to receive two DO acceptances this cycle (after applying late and to only 3 schools). I was called this morning to say I was accepted to KCU (Joplin) and have already put a deposit down at COMP-NW. I have to make the final decision by tomorrow night so any and all advice is appreciated.

KCU Pros:

- cheaper tuition (10,000)

- I like the 3rd year placement options and that you could spend an entire yr at the same hospital

- Their match list is very good

- Super great alumni network

- Reduced emphasis on OMM

- The faculty seemed amazing from the interview! and i was super excited about this school after learning about it

- Seems like they do their absolute best to prepare people for board exams

- Living in a new place 😄!

KCU cons:

- Far from home, my support network, snd where I want to practice (PNW)

- Cost of moving and traveling back home for holidays etc.

- 3rd and 4th yr placements kind disperced, not that this is necessarily super bad

- I've heard some whisperings about the curriculumn, faculty, and school not being supportive and having a high attrition rate. It looks like they're taking active steps to reduce this, though. Both very postitve, neutral, and super negative things swirling around

COMP NW pros

- Close to home

- 3rd year placements in Portland (where i'm from)

- Small class size

- I like some of their unique opportunities (longitudinal programs, emphasis on community engagement)

- I know some of the students personally, have my own network of people there, somewhat

COMP NW cons:

- I don't love Lebanon, but idk if I'd love Joplin either

- So flipping expensive but I WOULD'nt have to pay COL for the final two years because of Portland placements

- Newer school, less alumni, MAYBE worse reputation

- They love OMM here, strong emphasis

- Match list isn't as strong

Any input is welcome. I know this is ultimately my choice, but I love to crowdsource opinions. I'm leaning towards COMP because I already put down my deposit and moving would not be a hardhsip but there's a piece of me that thinks i'll be giving up something good by turning down KCU.

Thanks DO team ❤️

Was accepted to comp and submitted my deposit. I need to start looking for housing options. Does anyone have access to a class of 2030 group chat on any platform of any kind

KCU (Joplin) or COMP-NW ???

There are pros and cons to each school - wondering if people have any thoughts

Has anyone noticed the WL movement for KCU? I can't remember if they said there was more movement in early or late May. I remember someing telling me their WL movement was later for some reason

Hello!

Just wanted to ask the people out there if they'd noticed any tangible differences throughout their education between MD and DO. I mean, the big ones obviously like OMM, clincal rotations, cost of attendance. I'm wondering more about experineces getting away rotations, have people look down on your during rotations for your degree, being limited in speciality etc. etc. Wanting to know how much of an uphill climb is it and how difficult would it be to get heme/onc fellowship as a DO

Hello everyone!

So this cycle has been stressful, and long story short, I'm sitting on 3 waitlists, 2 are pretty good DO schools (one is in-state) and USUHS. In January, I was willing to go literally anywhere. I applied DO late in the cycle and interviewed after seats were filled. I just wanted to be a doctor. However, after being rejected for the second time, my in-state MD dean of admissions reached out to me to have a meeting and talk about my application. He told me he never really does this, but reviewed my app and would like to chat. The tea is that my two triplet sisters got in with ALMOST the same credentials. They just had more clinical hours. I didn't even get an interview, which sucked. Just an FYI, this MD is known for liking older applicants with unique experiences.

During the meeting, he told me the only thing holding me back was my clinical hours. I was transparent about the WL's, and he told me, "I see you as an allopathic physician, not an osteopathic physician". It was clear he had some DO bias. Anyway, I've been basically following all the moves he told me to take to prepare for reapplication. I got the MA job he put me in contact with someone for, I've kept up with clinical volunteering, and shadowed 3 new physicians. I feel pretty good about a re-app, but obviously, nothing is guaranteed. We've remained in contact and he told me to give him updates/ said he would look out for my app.

My biggest hangup is that I could be turning down a potential acceptance for a maybe, even if it's a REALLY, REALLY good maybe. Basically, I have like two seconds to turn down my WL's before I get an acceptance, so that next year I could still apply to DO just in case and not just hail marry an MD.

USUHS is still an option and well...I'm definitely considering it. There are some things about military medicine I dont love.

Here's my pros and cons list. Any advice is appreciated.

MD Pros: 

• No COMLEX 
• No OMM 
• Better clinical rotations
• Less expensive (50,000)
• No COL expenses since living at home
• Next year, the private loan situation might improve??? More lenders offering better rates? Some school reducing the cost of tuition?
• Extra year to travel/and save money 
• Better connections for residency

 

MD Cons:

• Not a guarantee
• Have to wait a year to start 
• Re-live the arduous application process + long decision times

DO Pros: 

• Start school a year earlier 
• The school does have good match rates and matches at my instate-MD 
• The curriculum is great, and it’s a small class size, I really enjoy the emphasis on volunteerism 
• Super tight-knit small town 
• Really good at teaching clinical skills 
• Might be good to live on my own???

DO Cons:

• Expensive and with limited federal loans, it could be cooked (70k tuition + 30k COL) - actually super stressed about this 
• OMM and COMLEX 
• I have to plan 4th year rotations 
• Rotation sites are sub-optimal 
• DO bias is still very alive and well, have limitations for my future with residency 
• Literally nothing in this town