Albany (half tuition) vs WFSOM (WL) vs (Temple WL)

[scientisticy5325]

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I have been very fortunate to get accepted to Albany and offered a scholarship which is close to half-off tuition. However, I am on two waitlists and I need help preparing for the possibility of coming off. Any help is appreciated :')

Albany
Pros:

• Largest referral center for miles in upper NY
• Lower COL
• Known for having smaller class

Cons

• HP/P/F preclerkship grading scale
• City of albany is known for not being the greatest in terms of things to do
• Low ranked, not sure how much this matters
• Full grade scale in clerkship years (its practically just ABCDF)

Temple
Pros:

• In philly, which has more service opportunities and a more fun city to live in
• True P/F preclerkship

Cons:

• 2 year preclerkship length

WFSOM
Pros

• Closer to friends and family
• Higher ranked
• More research

Cons

• More expensive
• Full grade scale in clerkship years (same as albany)

All schools rank, have AOA before match, and do a combination of in-house and NBME exams.

I also do not know if I want a competitive specialty yet. Thank you for everyone's help!!!!!

 

[LunaOri]

Albany is as good as Temple, and it’s nice to have the hospital right on campus.

 

[seaweedbrain]

Albany is the largest referral center for miles because there’s nothing going on for miles.

I would go Wake over both and Temple over Albany.

 

[bunkina]

I have been very fortunate to get accepted to Albany and offered a scholarship which is close to half-off tuition. However, I am on two waitlists and I need help preparing for the possibility of coming off. Any help is appreciated :')

Albany
Pros:

• Largest referral center for miles in upper NY
• Lower COL
• Known for having smaller class

Cons

• HP/P/F preclerkship grading scale
• City of albany is known for not being the greatest in terms of things to do
• Low ranked, not sure how much this matters
• Full grade scale in clerkship years (its practically just ABCDF)

Temple
Pros:

• In philly, which has more service opportunities and a more fun city to live in
• True P/F preclerkship

Cons:

• 2 year preclerkship length

WFSOM
Pros

• Closer to friends and family
• Higher ranked
• More research

Cons

• More expensive
• Full grade scale in clerkship years (same as albany)

All schools rank, have AOA before match, and do a combination of in-house and NBME exams.

I also do not know if I want a competitive specialty yet. Thank you for everyone's help!!!!!

On what basis was the scholarship offered? Financial need, as demonstrated by the FAFSA? Merit money?

 

[scientisticy5325]

On what basis was the scholarship offered? Financial need, as demonstrated by the FAFSA? Merit money?

I believe merit

 

[bunkina]

If you get accepted, I'd go with WFSOM, then Temple, then Albany, from what you write. BTW, Temple is in a very dangerous area. This leads to the opportunity to see stuff (but not necessarily do, since there are lots of residents and fellows in front of you) that you might not ordinarily see. You will certainly see gunshot victims, and every type of OD. The ED is very busy, and as an MS3, you will sew up superficial knife wounds and walk into a room and be the first to diagnose secondary syphilis. But the area is so dangerous, you can expect to have your car broken into, unless they now give guarded parking in a garage to med students. Muggings and worse. There is no way that you can live very close to the med school/hospital.