lightcurtainblue
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2024
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 14
University of Illinois College of Medicine (UICOM)
Pros
Cons
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM)
Pros
Cons
Summary: My spouse and I are looking for two main goals - (a) to have my spouse have a career wherever we go and (b) to attend a school that can make me competitive for residency in NYC, given NYC is where our support system is and where we'd like to grow our careers. Hackensack is obviously closer and much cheaper than UICOM, and my spouse won't have to look for new work, but the academics and match list of UICOM are honestly very luring - if UICOM didn't charge full price, or if the tech industry wasn't as down as it was so my spouse could quickly new work, I'd pick UICOM over Hackensack in a heartbeat. At the end of the day, we're honestly open to attending either school but would like thoughts from the community on this. Thank you!
Pros
- City setting
- More breaks and vacations (1 month off opposed to 2 weeks at Hackensack)
- More established and it would probably be easier to build a portfolio for more competitive residencies if I were to choose it
- Commute would be way easier for us. I don't know how to drive so I would have to learn for Hackensack and I would have to buy a car. For UIC I can rely on public transportation a little longer and take my time to learn how to drive.
- Cost of living is cheaper
- I like that classes are recorded and I can choose not to go in person if I deem that this going in person is not my best learning strategy. Hackensack is in person I believe
- Exams include NBME questions
Cons
- OOS, so will need to pay the full tuition. Received no scholarship
- Also being away from NYC will mean:
- My spouse will need to look for new work given remote work isn't possible (spouse works in tech which isn't doing super well these days)
- Being away from our support system of family and friends
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM)
Pros
- NYC (close, but not exactly in NYC) - closer to family and friends. Spouse will get to keep a guaranteed job while I attend school.
- Got a 50% scholarship, so I'll only need to pay half of the tuition
Cons
- Options for competitive residencies seem more narrowed down as opposed to UICOM.
- Accelerated curriculum is honestly a bit daunting. The fact that Step 1 + 2 are back to back and less vacation time makes me concerned that I won't perform as well
- [small con/non-dealbreaker] Will need to drive given Hackensack is in NJ whereas I prefer public transportation like NYC/Chicago
Summary: My spouse and I are looking for two main goals - (a) to have my spouse have a career wherever we go and (b) to attend a school that can make me competitive for residency in NYC, given NYC is where our support system is and where we'd like to grow our careers. Hackensack is obviously closer and much cheaper than UICOM, and my spouse won't have to look for new work, but the academics and match list of UICOM are honestly very luring - if UICOM didn't charge full price, or if the tech industry wasn't as down as it was so my spouse could quickly new work, I'd pick UICOM over Hackensack in a heartbeat. At the end of the day, we're honestly open to attending either school but would like thoughts from the community on this. Thank you!
