UCSF vs. NYU vs UMich vs NWestern vs Hopkins

[TempuraOreos]

I am OOS for all of them and waiting to hear back from a few more places. I have a social sciences/humanities background so I am very interested in pursuing medical humanities opportunities in medical school. I am also currently interested in academia and research. Specialty-wise, I am keeping an open mind, but interested in ortho, peds, or psych. Sorry, this is so long. Thank you all in advance.

UCSF
Pros

• $40,000/yr need aid
• Ridiculously good reputation
• They have some pretty solid medical humanities opportunities.
• I liked the vibe of the city, the faculty, and the students. One of my interviewers even reached out to me after getting accepted and offered to be a mentor should I choose UCSF.
• Diverse patient population.
• The Bridges Curriculum seems very interesting and is P/F basically all the way through!
• Student housing available and a living stipend to help with costs.

Cons

• As OOS up to $42k/yr in loans
• COL: probably the highest cost of living here along with NYC.
• I want to go OOS but never imagined Cali as a legitimate possibility and now it's sort of daunting.
• Got the vibe from students that they're not all big fans of the curriculum changes.

NYU
Pros

• I received a Full COA scholarship upon acceptance. Little to no med school debt. Seems stupid to turn down.
• Excellent reputation as well.
• Again, pretty solid medical humanities opportunities.
• I got a chance to explore the city before my interview and it was so much fun. Went full tourist mode.
• Student housing available and I think almost guaranteed.
• Diverse patient population coming from literally all over the world.

Cons

• While I enjoyed my short burst of time, I feel NYC/Manhattan might become a bit overwhelming since I've never lived in a big city before. The noise pollution might drive me a little crazy.
• COL: if I don't get student housing then have to worry about ridiculous Manhattan apt prices.
• Hopefully, the tuition-free thing doesn't lead to a more "gunnery" class.

UMich
Pros

• $30,000/yr Tuition Scholarship +$20,000/yr Grant
• I loved my interview day and before getting these other offers, it was my top choice. Throughout this cycle, Michigan has really worked to impress me, especially with their level of communication. Also, had one of my interviewers reach out to me from here.
• Again, an amazing reputation.
• Ann Arbor seems quaint and a nice place to live and spend four years and the most affordable place to live of these choices.
• Their curriculum has the best opportunities to explore my interdisciplinary and humanities interests. M3 year is specifically dedicated to this.
• My student host and all the students I interacted with seemed genuinely happy and loved the school.
• I am somewhat non-traditional and the school seems to favor non-traditional applicants.

Cons

• $34k/yr in Stafford loans (will decrease if get IS residency)
• I wanted to live in a place with seasons but, Ann Arbor seems to become a literal tundra during certain months in the year. Not sure if I am about that life.
• Financial Aid: Again, hard to beat what NYU is offering.
• Ann Arbor, while nice, seems less exciting than NYC, SF, or Chicago.

Northwestern
Pros

• Amazing facilities. Everything was so new and modern. It was like being in the future.
• I've visited Chicago before and really liked this city, as well. It's vibrant, diverse, and active but also doesn't seem as overwhelming.
• Again, strong medical humanities opportunities that I can even pursue as part of my research requirement.
• The students here also seemed really relaxed and happy, too.
• Again, an excellent reputation.

Cons

• Like Ann Arbor, Chicago seems like it can get intense weather-wise.
• Financial Aid: Again, hard to beat what NYU is offering.
  
• Since everything seems so new and modern, worried that the patient population will be skewed towards a higher SES and a little bougie.
• COL: definitely up there with NYC and SF imo.

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[TempuraOreos]

I was actually holding my breath the whole time while reading this. Congratulations!!!!

Low key kinda my intention. In high school, when choosing my undergrad, I had everyone believe I was going to one school and at the latest minute changed my mind. Keeping people on their toes.

 

[freedoctor17]

I was over here just thinking what a savage you are for liking the posts and not replying at first . Glad to hear your decision since it seemed like the one you wanted most!

 

[Lucca]

Alright, everyone. Y'all put up with me for a long freaking time and I have to give the people what they want.

I am the most indecisive person ever especially when it comes to big decisions like this. I woke up this morning set on NYU. Then as I was coming home, the feeling of letting go of Hopkins kicked in again because let's face it. It's Hopkins. I went over it again in my head. Why am I having such a hard time? What came back was prestige. People would see Hopkins or Penn and say, "Wow, that's amazing." I have an interest in academia and a potentially competitive specialty, but there's always residency to end up at these big shot schools.

Waited until the 11th hour but, I decided, I am going to, the Big Apple, NYU! Time for four years of Big City Life!

View attachment 260707

Congratulations!! I don’t think you’re going to regret your decision at all. Best of luck!

 

[Ligament]

Congrats! The answer is simple; go to the cheapest option. Med school does not matter unless it is Harvard. Most of your classmates are going to have $300k in debt and be indentured servants. If you can avoid that debt, you are set.

Physicians make less every year and by the time you graduate you'll be making almost nothing, especially if the socialists get their way.

 

[meronebib]

Congrats! The answer is simple; go to the cheapest option. Med school does not matter unless it is Harvard. Most of your classmates are going to have $300k in debt and be indentured servants. If you can avoid that debt, you are set.

Physicians make less every year and by the time you graduate you'll be making almost nothing, especially if the socialists get their way.

Serious question - why does it only matter if it’s Harvard? I thought there was no actual practical difference between schools like Harvard, Hopkins, etc. except in the minds of premed students and our grandparents.

 

[theKingLT]

Serious question - why does it only matter if it’s Harvard? I thought there was no actual practical difference between schools like Harvard, Hopkins, etc. except in the minds of premed students and our grandparents.

Well one possible answer, although arguably not significant for most people, is Harvard is recognized worldwide. Even among physicians, many internationally have never heard of even the biggest U.S. names that anyone's mother knows like Stanford, Hopkins, Mayo, etc.

 

[Ligament]

Well one possible answer, although arguably not significant for most people, is Harvard is recognized worldwide. Even among physicians, many internationally have never heard of even the biggest U.S. names that anyone's mother knows like Stanford, Hopkins, Mayo, etc.

this is the answer. just name recognition. I dont thing the education is any better.

 

[Ligament]

Yeah lol the # of people who have never heard of UCSF outside the states is astounding. Still not a good enough reason to go to Harvard for 200K tho lol

No Layperson IN the states cares about any school other than Harvard. Just being honest. your patietns will only care if you are good doc and nice. Also, if you went to Harvard, they will care a bit about that. Otherwise you could do MIT/HOPKINS/STANFORD/MAYO and your patients really could care less.

 

[meronebib]

No Layperson IN the states cares about any school other than Harvard. Just being honest. your patietns will only care if you are good doc and nice. Also, if you went to Harvard, they will care a bit about that. Otherwise you could do MIT/HOPKINS/STANFORD/MAYO and your patients really could care less.

But is that worth 300k of debt? I wouldn’t pay that much for my patients to continuously pamper my ego with the “oh wow, Harvard, you must be a smarty” as I sit in the same practice with my fellow NYU/Hopkins grads who are making the same salary as me, pursuing the same research as me, etc.

 

[stickflip723]

If someone wants to sink 300k into stroking their ego, they have some serious issues with self worth.

However, if you can't get into Harvard, I'll gladly take your 300k and just text you everyday how brilliant you are. Get at me.

 

[Ligament]

But is that worth 300k of debt? I wouldn’t pay that much for my patients to continuously pamper my ego with the “oh wow, Harvard, you must be a smarty” as I sit in the same practice with my fellow NYU/Hopkins grads who are making the same salary as me, pursuing the same research as me, etc.

I would say it is NOT worth 300k of debt...but maybe 100k...lol

A harvard name can bring you MORE patients and potentially better jobs therefore paying off the debt easier, but that is not a certainty...just a probability.

 

[noddy1234]

Congrats! The answer is simple; go to the cheapest option. Med school does not matter unless it is Harvard. Most of your classmates are going to have $300k in debt and be indentured servants. If you can avoid that debt, you are set.

Physicians make less every year and by the time you graduate you'll be making almost nothing, especially if the socialists get their way.

This is such an exaggerated and ridiculous statement that I don't even know where to begin deconstructing it!

 

[Ligament]

This is such an exaggerated and ridiculous statement that I don't even know where to begin deconstructing it!

Please begin.

Also once you are an attending physician, revisit your deconstruction.

 

[TempuraOreos]

Hey y'all. I appreciate the advice @Ligament. Also, I enjoy a good discourse as much as anyone else in the age-old price vs prestige debate but I don't think this thread is the one to do it. For those who don't know, I chose NYU. Fortunate enough to not have to worry about med school debt as my final choices gave me a lot in aid. Thanks everyone.

It's the summer before med school starts so try to stay blessed and unstressed, y'all!

 

[Moko]

You made a wonderful choice OP. NYU is a very strong and respected program. When you're in residency without a mountain of debt, and can achieve financial freedom a decade before your peers do, you will be very happy with your current choice. Congratulations!

 

[chemdoctor]

YES! You made the right decision!

 

[TempuraOreos]

You made a wonderful choice OP. NYU is a very strong and respected program. When you're in residency without a mountain of debt, and can achieve financial freedom a decade before your peers do, you will be very happy with your current choice. Congratulations!

My other option would have been free too so just came down to which place I liked better. Thanks.

 

[TempuraOreos]

YES! You made the right decision!

Thanks, don't know if you're already in or applying this summer but good luck.

 

[chemdoctor]

Thanks, don't know if you're already in or applying this summer but good luck.

Applying next year haha.

 

[m_tsflame]

Congrats again bro! Very happy for you. You're gonna kill it in NYC

 

[Skeletorr]

Congrats! You made a great decision in choosing NYU

 

[TempuraOreos]

I know it’s generally poor form to bump really old threads like these but feel it’s worth sharing.

After a crazy cycle again interviewing at top programs in country (Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Hopkins, etc.), yesterday I found I matched at my #1 UCSF for Psychiatry!

More importantly I built some of the most amazing relationships of my life and had some of the greatest opportunities during my time at NYU. It’s not a perfect institution but none are! My DMs are open for any current applicants trying to decide where to go!