MCW vs UTHSC (Tennessee, state school)

[violingirl2]

MCW $84k/year

Pros

• Really positive impression on interview/ second look days
• Strong match list (specifically radiation oncology)
• Dedicated study time 3 half days per week
• "Tracks" for Global Health, etc.
• Students seem really happy to be there
• Pass/Fail Pre-clinical and no internal rank- think this would be good for mental health/burnout
• More diverse student body

Cons

• Cost- worried about being able to afford rent/eat during repayment in residency
• Does not participate in USNWR ranks?

Neutral: Used to Nashville and Milwaukee is not as busy/exciting

UTHSC (in-state) $66k/year

Pros

• Cost
• Ranked in the 60s for USNWR
• Similar rad onc matches
• St. Jude's nearby, opportunity to do clinical years in Nashville
• State of the art ultrasound lab

Cons

• Preclinical grades are letter grades
• Campus- I liked how MCW is more cohesive as a campus, all together in one place; UTHSC felt more spread out and less safe to me

Summary: I guess my dilemma is is it a bad idea to pay more for a school that has similar matches in the specialty I want/ that I like more?

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[deleted1065184]

$72k over 4 years isn't that much tbh, and Milwaukee could be a nice experience for you. You could always match back down to the South for residency. Plus if you practice down South, you're gonna make more with a lower COL anyway, so can pay off loans more quickly.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

I think Tennessee is the way to go in this case. In my opinion, state flagships are perceived better than a lot of mid to low tier private schools and it’s cheaper

 

[violingirl2]

@voxveritatisetlucis @I’mInDer! Thank you both so much! One thing I forgot to include is that in PD rankings, MCW is 42 and UTHSC is 69, so I feel like MCW is an exception to the rule?

 

[deleted1065184]

MCW actually has a fine reputation, and even has an MSTP (which UT does not have). I think reps are def equivalent here. I do think a case can be made for UT being cheaper, but you don't really even have any cons for MCW, which is why I think it's a valid choice. Like you clearly like them quite a bit better than UT, and pass/fail plus no internal ranking is HUGE....trust me lol