Temple vs. UVM vs. VCU

[simple1987]

I was accepted to Temple University back in November and loved my interview experience. It was my 2nd interview, so I'm not sure if I really knew what to look for in a school at the time. I later interviewed at UVM and VCU and thought both were stellar programs. Unfortunately, I was waitlisted at UVM and VCU. With May 15th on the horizon, I've been trying to make up my mind on what I would do should I be fortunate to make it off either waitlist. I'm more than happy with my acceptance, but may be happier about attending UVM or VCU over Temple.

A little about myself - I'm married and have a 3 month old son, so I'm looking to find an area that will be family friendly and a place where my wife and son will enjoy. As far as career goals, surgery interests me quite a bit. Specialties that I'd like to consider include Orthopaedics and Urology. I'd like to try to match into a residency back in the west, but I'll go where I have to.

Temple

Pros:
- During the interview day, everyone seemed very genuine.
- Small class size years 2-4 (I was actually accepted to the St. Luke's program, so 30 students each year)
-5K annual scholarship from St. Luke's making tuition 50K
- Good research opportunities
-Early exposure and opportunity to build relationships with attendings/residents at St. Luke's. All rotations would be in St. Luke's.
- St. Luke's has an Ortho residency program (although I haven't seen any St. Luke's students match into it - could be due to lack of interest though)

Cons:
- Moving twice. Year 1 in Philly, years 2-4 in Bethlehem
- Cost (total COA would still be 75k with my small scholarship)
- Temple main campus location - sounds like it could be a little rough
- Unsure about match possibilities from St. Luke's

UVM

Pros:
- School location. Burlington is an awesome city.
- Integrated/accelerated curriculum seems to be working great.
- Excellent board scores and match results.
- Use technology quite heavily
- Cool away rotations set up in the area: Maine and even Florida

Cons:
- Pretty expensive as well - 54K for OOS
- Not a ton of Ortho/Urology matches (as compared to VCU)

VCU

Pros:
-Brand new med building
- Personalized Step 1 and 2 Board prep (faculty member meeting to help set up the most effective schedule to fit your needs)
-Great scores and match rates.
- Good history of matching into the specialties I'm interested in.
- Reasonable OOS tuition (45K) and cheaper rent than Burlington and Philly

Cons:
- Newer curriculum
- Heavy emphasis on group work/discussion

To be honest, I've had a hard time thinking of cons to each school. I really enjoyed each for different reasons. I'm curious to hear others' thoughts on these particular programs though. Thanks in advance!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[MedWonk]

If the waitlist works out, I would go with UVM. I work with a couple attendings who went there with families and absolutely loved it. Apparently it's quite nontrad/family friendly, more so than perhaps they let on. My guess is that Burlington would be a better area for your family than Richmond. Also, don't let the lower number of ortho/urology matches scare you off. It probably isn't that students can't match into those specialties, so much as there are relatively fewer wanting to match into those specialties than VCU. UVM is strongly primary care/rural medicine oriented, and it's sort of reflected in the types of students they tend to take, but if you want to do urology/ortho, I'm sure they can hook you up with a UVM alum in those specialties that can help you out.

If not, then definitely VCU.

 

[simple1987]

As I've been thinking things through, UVM is the school I'm definitely leaning towards should I make it off the waitlist. I really did love everything about it and got the vibe that Burlington was a great place to raise a family. I'm just not sure if I'm overlooking any other important factors that the others schools may have to offer.

 

[Geekchick921]

I can't speak for UVA or UVM. I only applied completely to the 4 MD schools in Philly and Temple was easily my favorite of the three where I interviewed. I personally think TUSM has been very supportive of me as a parent and medical student. Most students don't live right around Temple, but in center city, Manayunk, and sundry other areas. I'm in the NW suburbs myself. About 20 people in the current graduating class matched to Cali and a few others in Oregon and maybe Washington. A lot of TUSM students are from California and they send a lot of people back to the West Coast every year.

You are right, though, TUSM is obnoxiously expensive. All the PA schools are so that wasn't a factor for me. As far as the area, also correct. As a Philly native I was probably more afraid of that area than other students that weren't local, but I have never felt unsafe on campus, and while I have known of other students that were mugged or held up walking to their cars, well... that's why there's a parking garage (which is also obnoxiously expensive). The Temple police are ever-present, though, and you can get an escort to your car but I've never used it.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[kittykattat]

Remember that "april fools joke" music2doc played on us in the vcu thread? If I learned anything from that, it was that VCU's match rate is actually NOT that great, and is in fact on the decline, just sayin. My vote is for UVM

 

[chillaxbro]

-

 

[simple1987]

@chillaxbro I'm still waiting to hear from the WL at VCU or Vermont, but the scholarship from St. Luke's is making Temple seem much more appealing. At this point, I'm still not sure what I will end up doing. You mentioned being between St. Luke's and UVM as well - which WL are you on?