Thank you Goro and the others that have provided a constructive opinion, I really appreciate it!
I suppose I'm looking for the overall package, undoubtedly all these schools are accredited by the LCME and can provide a sound medical education. Additionally, it's up to the student to create his own experience, what you put into it is what you'll get out.
I certainly was not expecting this much success, and I'm grateful for this dilemma. To provide some background information about myself: I'm a Nicaraguan immigrant from single parent household, came to this country at age 13-14, learned English from scratch, lived mostly in the area surrounding area to LAX. My family is historically financially poor and we have struggled alot. Attended community college for financial issues and attended UCR because I've always wanted to become a doctor, so I thought knowing how competitive this process is I would help myself by going to UCR and being a Haider applicant (basically they consider in a separate applicant pool if you study at least your last 2 years at UCR). I moved my family after I graduated from UCR due to lower cost of living and to solidify ties to the Inland Empire, which is very important to UCRSOM. My plan proved successful.
I am a first-time applicant and have no ties to the OOS institutions that I had the privilege to be part of the interview/acceptance process.
As of yet, I have not been offered any kind of financial support from any of the institutions, and I actually have no idea how to go about that.
Now to give my pros/con list
U of Vermont - GORGEOUS SCHOOL!! The medical center looks like a 5 star hotel. Well-established program with great match list, it seems that it is a hidden gem. Burlington is quite a charming little town. However, I concur that as an OOS it is truly expensive! tuition is over 60,000 with very high cost of living. Cold winter and being away from family and loved ones.
U of Wisc - IMPRESSIVE - I can see why UWisc is a top tier program, the size and amount of resources of the complex is really impressive, and I'm really humbled to be considered to be part of this institution. I'm not even worried about the residency opportunities/match list/ research opportunities/public health projects at this school, given the strength of the program. The tuition even for OOS is around 43,000 with reasonable cost of living and madison seems to be a very charming big-little city. I guess the biggest bad factor for me is the intensely cold winter that I was warned by IS applicants on my interview day. Of course include being away from family and loved ones.
UCR - CLOSE TO HOME - I live miles away from UCR with my family,so cost of living would be minimized. IS tuition for UCR is around 38,000, I'll be with family for that extra emotional support, and the weather is objectively better here than midwest and new england. With that being said, UCR is a baby, not very well ranked, does not have as much resources as the other schools, does not have a teaching hospital, does not have any sort of results regarding match lists because they haven't graduated a class yet as far as I know. In other words the strengths of UCR are conversely the weaknesses at other institutions and vice versa.
I have also interviewed at Albert Einstein. I'm not having that decision until February. The school was great, but I didn't really like NYC.
I also have an interview at USC in January. Interviews are honestly a piece of cake, I'm not nervous at all, but anything is possible.
That's all I have for now, any further input or opinion that is constructive is greatly appreciated
Sincerely,
JJ
I would also advise going to the second look options at schools to get them another check out. Also, if you have no undergrad debt, realize that there are also going to be other people at these OOS schools with high tuition who are paying and will also be in debt with you. If they can pay it off, so can you. It'll be a bit of a longer road and a tighter fit for a bit though.
