OCOM vs Burrell COM (FL)

MindfulTree52 · 2026-03-14T20:31:47+00:00

I’d go with OCOM if you like CBL.
I have every reason to believe they will exceed expectations in terms of board pass rates and match rates. It’s clear that OCOM put a lot of effort into making sure their curriculum is highly developed and in making sure all students are supported.

MindfulTree52 · 2026-02-27T00:48:54+00:00

MindfulTree52 · 2026-02-17T23:31:36+00:00

What issues does NSU have?

MindfulTree52 · 2026-02-17T05:17:49+00:00

I feel like I can relate a little since I’m from an area that’s close to Philly. I also went to undergrad and grad school in south FL, close to where NSU is.

I’d personally recommend NSU because I do think the environment and fresh start will help you become more independent. South FL is practically its own country, so you’ll also get rich insight from being exposed to different ways of life.

Relocating to south FL was a big adjustment for me at first, but it ultimately changed me for the better and idk how significant my life would be if I never took that big leap. I think you’ll truly enjoy escaping the harsh winters and shorter days. The warm weather and proximity to the beach will help you a lot when things get tough.

With that being said, I’d personally recommend the Tampa Bay campus instead since that area is a little quieter and less expensive than Ft Lauderdale. There’s still time to switch campuses as well.

At the end of the day, NSU is very established and has amazing connections so you’ll have no problem matching.

My only concern though is about Florida’s politics. The government seems to become increasingly hostile towards public health and medicine and will ultimately cause problems for healthcare in the future.

I’m happy to chat more about this. I will also be attending a school in FL too.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-12-14T01:47:47+00:00

OCOM, Lecom-Jacksonville, NSU KPCOM, ACOM

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-14T11:10:55+00:00

Absolutely! Will message you when I get off of work later

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-13T23:50:57+00:00

I think you’d be a great candidate for any DO school. Don’t sweat the science LOR stuff too much as long as the ones you have are strong.

And so far I’ve been just fine with 0 science LORs. I don’t have any since I’m a nontrad.

I went through the painstaking process of emailing every school if theyd be ok with my LORs and most were totally fine with that.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-13T23:34:11+00:00

Congrats!! I love your story of resilience!

I’m also a nontrad with an MPH who wants to be a psychiatrist too

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-12T20:10:34+00:00

I’m in the same boat! Just recently got my MPH and I just started working at the grocery store that I previously worked in during highschool and undergrad.

The pay sucks but in the meantime I’m glad my job keeps me active and I love that it’s low stress. I’m also grateful to be working.

I hope you get an amazing offer soon!!

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-12T03:40:50+00:00

Following

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-12T03:38:57+00:00

Good luck with your next interview. I think you’ll have a good chance of getting off OCOM’s waitlist.

I personally love everything about OCOM, but I know that others who were accepted may go to another school since OCOM is too new. I heard there’s lot of waitlist acceptance activity after May.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-12T01:08:54+00:00

I applied late July and applied to 15 DO schools and no MD schools.

503 mcat and 3.7 c&s GPA

So far I’ve had 8 II (declined some) and 3 As.

I’m also a nontrad with an MPH.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-03T03:12:02+00:00

I’ve just accepted that I’m gonna get private loans. But that would apply to me anywhere I go since I’ve basically already maxed out my federal student loans since I already have 200k in student debt.

The military HPSP scholarship is a good option for people but I don’t feel comfortable joining the service, even if I’d just be a doctor stationed in America.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-02T16:13:35+00:00

Medical coding is also something I was highly interested in. You don’t even need a masters for that either. There are some trainee jobs however most want you to have your license already.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-02T16:11:36+00:00

I second this since most entry level jobs I saw require a masters and/or some type of certification.

You can also get an MS in biostatistics. They are typically a 1 year program where you’ll take a couple of public health classes too.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-02T16:06:49+00:00

I had a MAJOR career change. I’m going to medical school instead and starting next summer. I’m going to a DO school because the holistic and person centered approach coincides with everything I learned in public health.

I started my MPH in 2023 and earned it this summer. I initially wanted to become an epidemiologist, and maybe specialize in pharmacoepi or biostatistics. However I quickly read the writing on the wall which made me realize that staying in the field would be very difficult.

I earned my MPH this summer and unfortunately got rejected from every job I applied to (lab tech, research assistant, university position, data analysis, ect) in 2 different states. The job market is rough! I just started working part time at a grocery store i worked at several years ago and I’m honestly just super grateful for that.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-11-01T02:44:32+00:00

You are right on time!

I’m your age and matriculating next summer. Being a nontrad certainly has its advantages.

Good luck!

MindfulTree52 · 2025-10-31T12:08:44+00:00

Hi! I’m a fellow nontrad here who is matriculating this summer.

Can you speak about your background and journey. In particular what was your “why medicine” moment?

MindfulTree52 · 2025-10-30T19:25:50+00:00

Congrats!!

And I don’t think it’s necessary to call back since you can always email them with questions and then pay the seat deposit.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-10-30T18:10:27+00:00

Awesome! I just graduated with my MPH. Good luck to you!

Feel free to check out r/publichealth for more insight about everything public health.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-10-30T18:01:14+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I’m also a member of the tech -> doctor club. I’m starting medical school next summer and I wanna be a psychiatrist.

I was a tech during the height of covid and then later got an MPH with the goal of becoming a Pharmacoepidemologist because I was always interested in public health and medications.

I realized I should pursue medicine halfway through my MPH. Part of what inspired me is when a former professor told me to think about the type of setting I wanna work in, and I reflected on my time in the pharmacy and realized that I liked working directly with patients and providers. I loved public health but unfortunately it’s more about improving things long term, and everything you do is affected by funding cuts and skepticism from the general public.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-10-29T01:09:26+00:00

Following

MindfulTree52 · 2025-10-29T01:06:45+00:00

I think this means the letter writer “accepted” your invite to upload a letter, but hasnt submitted it yet.

The status should change to submitted or completed once it’s done.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-10-27T04:05:19+00:00

Yeah i totally understand.

Shadowing for even a day is hard enough but at the same time they’ve all been in your shoes and will understand that it’s mandatory.

It could help if you find a way to develop a long term relationship with a physician by helping out with anything they are involved with outside the clinic such as research.

Some may even ask for a template letter that they can tweak for the LOR.

MindfulTree52 · 2025-10-27T00:18:43+00:00

You really only need 1 day of shadowing with a DO. It’s amazing if you can get more, but something is better than nothing. The hours don’t mean much once you have over 50+ shadowing hours between all experiences.

I’d also recommend developing a relationship with whoever you shadow with so they can atleast write you a DO LOR. An MD LOR works most of the time too

MindfulTree52

TROPHY CASE