Systems Based vs. Traditional Curriculum

[Kwalk]

Hi,

I just got accepted in med school and I have another one on the horizon that I will likely get in to. There are a lot of factors I am having to consider between the two school but in the end I think the type of curriculum each school has is going to be the deciding factor.

One school has a systems based curriculum and the other has a traditional style. When I interviewed at each school and they described the curriculum to me, I though "wow that does sound better than the other school".

I have been having trouble finding any information on the main differences between the two so I can compare side by side, or any info that discusses which might be better. I was going to see if you guys could give me any info/help in this area.

Thanks

[CaribMD]

Sorry this is late because I was waiting for others.

But I think it really does not matter, what ever you like is the best.

[jwrigh69]

Kwalk I too am in a similar situation.. I have been accepted to WVU which has a traditional curriculum and am on the alternate list and have a decent chance of getting in at Wake Forest which has a more integrated/problem solving curriculum. One great way to learn a bit about both and about your schools in particular is go to the nearest Barnes and Noble or Borders bookstore and go to the reference section and find "Princeton Review: Americas 168 best medical colleges" and "U.S. News Medical Colleges" and thumb to the schools you're considering. I think both books will break down the schools curriculum pretty well. You mind me asking what schools you're looking at?

[kamofo]

I am in a similar situation. Although, I don't have very much time to decide - so this post is probably for naught.

I have been accepted to two state MD schools (UAMS in Little Rock, AR and MU in Columbia, MO). I believe the curriculum at both schools is integrated, but MU has a much greater problem-based learning focus.

I just don't know what to do!

[IMNOTDRPHIL]

I am in a similar situation. Although, I don't have very much time to decide - so this post is probably for naught.

I have been accepted to two state MD schools (UAMS in Little Rock, AR and MU in Columbia, MO). I believe the curriculum at both schools is integrated, but MU has a much greater problem-based learning focus.

I just don't know what to do!

I am a student at MU in Columbia and I think I may be able to help you out a bit.

The high points of MU
1. At worst, you are in lecture for four hours per day. Usually you are in lecture for two to three hours per day.
2. The curriculum is really, really good at preparing people for the USMLE Step 1.
3. The problem-based learning setup in my opinion helps us learn a lot more than sitting in lectures.
4. You will be tested mercilessly, which makes studying for and taking the USMLEs seem like business as usual.
5. Our USMLE scores are better overall than the national average and only one or two people every year has to retake any of the steps.
6. Grades are pass-fail, not graded on the typical type of curve, and your class rank remains something that only the administration knows. There is almost no cut-throat competitive behavior as there is no point to it. I personally like the friendly atmosphere that results from that grading method and I think that most of my classmates do too.
7. If you want to do family medicine, our program is one of the best in the nation and you can apply internally and get accepted into the residency program at the end of your M3 year without going through the typical NRMP match-and-visit-and-wait stuff. The school will also not charge you tuition your M4 year.

Low points
1. You will be tested mercilessly. There is a brutal week of exams lasting 8 to 9 hours every 8 weeks. You will have to study pretty much all of the time you are not in class to do okay enough on the school's exams. Very few people flunk out, but many do have to retake individual exams and some have to repeat an entire year. From what I've heard, our exam schedule is considerably tougher than most other schools'.
2. The exams and their grading are a little erratic. You may end up with 50 questions on the ~200-question multiple-choice exam being about one specific topic, while there were entire weeks of lectures and PBL cases that have maybe one question asked in the test. The grading on the PBL case-scenario exams is highly erratic and unpredictable as it is the luck of the draw as to who grades what sections. That being said, if you fail one, you just have to go back and do it again and there is no studying involved.
3. The anatomy curriculum is a joke. You will need to study a bunch of anatomy on your own if you intend to do any specialty other than psychiatry.
4. The administration is pretty unresponsive to students' concerns and are usually not pleasant to deal with if you have any issues. They basically are just concerned with writing academic papers on how well the PBL curriculum (that was invented here at MU) works. That is likely a lot of the reason why we get tested so much.

Overall, I'd say that MU is a very good medical school and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anybody who is like me and isn't a real big fan of learning by sitting in lecture and doesn't like the cutthroat atmosphere that some med schools have. The education is very good, with the exception of anatomy, and you are well-prepared for your M3 and M4 rotations. You have to work very hard but you're pretty well guaranteed to get through and pass your boards if you do.

[sksk]

Hi,

I just got accepted in med school and I have another one on the horizon that I will likely get in to. There are a lot of factors I am having to consider between the two school but in the end I think the type of curriculum each school has is going to be the deciding factor.

One school has a systems based curriculum and the other has a traditional style. When I interviewed at each school and they described the curriculum to me, I though "wow that does sound better than the other school".

I have been having trouble finding any information on the main differences between the two so I can compare side by side, or any info that discusses which might be better. I was going to see if you guys could give me any info/help in this area.

Thanks

I think system based would be rather better than traditional one..

[tomy]

The thing that matter is inner satisfaction.you must choose that institution where you feel comfort.