Best Path to take?

[Sawyertd21]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I've been accepted to the UIC MD program, and also the MSU DO school. My application looks like the following:
Major- Microbiology, just graduated from undergrad
GPA- 3.25 (science- 3.0)
MCAT- 32
Extracurriculars- Very Strong

I am hesitant to go to UIC because it is out of state for me being from MI and the fact that I got the Urbana campus assignment route, but it is financially possible for me to attend.

Option 1-Attend UIC since it is a high quality MD program (rank 40s).

Option 2-Attend MSUCOM since it is like the best DO school in the country.

Option 3-Defer MSUCOM, while declining UIC (since I wouldn't be able to reapply while deferring), apply to the University of Michigan and Michigan State MPH programs starting it next year and reapply to MD schools this summer with hopes of multiple MD admissions.

Option 4- Defer UIC to get the Chicago campus next cycle, and in the meantime volunteer, work and enjoy my time.

My gpa is the weak point so I'm unsure if I reapply that I'd get fortunate enough to get into a good MD program again. I could keep MSUCOM as a viable option, but is it worth it? Would my chances go up significantly with an MPH degree? Or should I take UIC and run with it?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Go to UIC and delete this thread before it becomes the greatest ****storm ever to come about on SDN..

 

[Isoprop]

Do not defer. Either go to UIC or MSU. Either is fine. Go where you think you'll be happier.

 

[steel88]

UIC hands down.

 

[Isoprop]

By the way, the MPH will not help you get into multiple MD schools. It will not make up for the mediocre GPA.

You just won the lottery. Now you're asking if you should take your winnings and invest into more lotto tickets so you can hit the megamillion jackpot. Don't be stupid.

 

[DAPI]

Go to UIC and delete this thread before it becomes the greatest ****storm ever to come about on SDN..

👍

Also, I have heard that if you decline a school, you will not get accepted anywhere when you apply again.

 

[startswithb]

What do you think set you apart to get accepted to UIC?! (We have similar stats and I'm still decision pending there.)

Oh and my vote is to go anywhere but UIC.

 

[startswithb]

👍

Also, i have heard that if you decline a school, you will not get accepted anywhere when you apply again.

false.

 

[LegendaryPunk]

I've been accepted to the UIC MD program, and also the MSU DO school.
...
Option 3-Defer MSUCOM, while declining UIC (since I wouldn't be able to reapply while deferring), apply to the University of Michigan and Michigan State MPH programs starting it next year and reapply to MD schools this summer with hopes of multiple MD admissions.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

You've received the opporunity to go to school to become a doctor - take it.

 

[Morzh]

Both will give you an equally excellent medical education. Where do you feel drawn to? Would you be happier at MSU since it is closer to home? Finances are important, but as long as you are wise with you money over the next 10-15 years you will eventually be fine with either route.

As I'm sure you know, statistics say (doesn't always have to be the case) that the DO route may make matching into some of the more competitive residencies a little harder. So if you are really interested in one of those that might tip the scale towards UIC a bit.

Just weight all the pros and cons and follow your instinct. MD may have a few advantages over DO when it comes to post-graduate training, but take the rabble voices saying, "MD over DO, no questions asked!" with a grain of salt.

 

[mauberley]

You just won the lottery. Now you're asking if you should take your winnings and invest into more lotto tickets so you can hit the megamillion jackpot. Don't be stupid.

This is the exact analogy I was thinking.

OP, go where you'd be happier.

 

[DAPI]

👍

Also, I have heard that if you decline a school, you will not get accepted anywhere when you apply again.

false.

Sorry, to make myself a little clearer, if you decline your only acceptance, you will have a hard time when you reapply.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=467537

 

[mmmcdowe]

Option three is not an option. Im not sure if option four is an option, but if it is and you can set it up and it matters that much to you go for it.

 

[LizzyM]

There is a difference is cost between the two over four years. Figure out what it is and call it X.

Are you drawn to primary care in a rural area? If so, choose the less expensive option and don't look back.

If not, based on location, which school do you prefer.? If the one you prefer is the cheaper school, WIN! If not, is it worth "X"?

MDs usually have an easier time of matching in subspecialties. DO docs tend toward primary care. Subspecialists have more years of (low-ish salaried) training but excellent earning potential in the end. Primary care providers are practicing sooner (after 3 years of training after med school) but tend to earn less as attending physicians than do subspecialists. Subspecialists tend to practice in big medical centers or in urban centers. Primary care providers are needed everywhere. What kind of medicine do you see yourself practicing and where? If you want a subspecialty in a academic setting, go MD. If you want a subspecialty in a big medical center but not an academic appointment (responsibililty for teaching and research in exchange for a salary), I'd suggest leaning toward MD. If you are drawn to adult medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, geriatrics, or emergency medicine, consider DO. (not sure about throwing OB-GYN and psychiatry into this mix).

 

[lepetit]

.

 

[tommy pickles]

1. Secure admission offers at multiple medical schools
2. Forfeit acceptances
3. ???
4. Profit

 

[BiopsychStudent]

Most applicants don't even get one acceptance, and the likelihood using just your GPA and MCAT are statistically very low, especially to an MD program. Granted, I don't know anything about UIC or why you wouldn't want to matriculate there, but given the odds of acceptances to other schools I'd take it and run.

 

[ashylarry23]

dont defer son

 

[thegame11]

You just won the lottery. Now you're asking if you should throw away your winning ticket, and buy more tickets again so you can hit the megamillion jackpot. Don't be stupid.

Corrected.

 

[Sawyertd21]

You just won the lottery. Now you're asking if you should take your winnings and invest into more lotto tickets so you can hit the megamillion jackpot. Don't be stupid.

I laughed out loud reading this response. It seems to me that option 3 and 4 are off the table.

Leaving just the first two options, is the tuition difference of 30k a year worth it in the case of UIC vs MSUCOM. I'm not sure what specialty I want to go into yet, maybe Radiology with the intention of trying to get a residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[estradiol9]

Don't be greedy. You were accepted to two schools. Decide if you want to go MD or DO and pick one of these schools. Why would anyone want to go through the stressful application process again?

 

[gatorade848]

wtf how is option 3 n 4 even being considered?!?

 

[slatermd]

I've been accepted to the UIC MD program, and also the MSU DO school. My application looks like the following:
Major- Microbiology, just graduated from undergrad
GPA- 3.25 (science- 3.0)
MCAT- 32
Extracurriculars- Very Strong

I am hesitant to go to UIC because it is out of state for me being from MI and the fact that I got the Urbana campus assignment route, but it is financially possible for me to attend.

Option 1-Attend UIC since it is a high quality MD program (rank 40s).

Option 2-Attend MSUCOM since it is like the best DO school in the country.

Option 3-Defer MSUCOM, while declining UIC (since I wouldn't be able to reapply while deferring), apply to the University of Michigan and Michigan State MPH programs starting it next year and reapply to MD schools this summer with hopes of multiple MD admissions.

Option 4- Defer UIC to get the Chicago campus next cycle, and in the meantime volunteer, work and enjoy my time.

My gpa is the weak point so I'm unsure if I reapply that I'd get fortunate enough to get into a good MD program again. I could keep MSUCOM as a viable option, but is it worth it? Would my chances go up significantly with an MPH degree? Or should I take UIC and run with it?

As everyone has said, deferring is a ludicrous option, unless your actual goal here is to sabotage your chances of becoming a doctor.

How much does MSUCOM cost? UIC is quite expensive for out-of-state...total COA for a year I believe is between $65-75K.

Also, I would second what Liz said about considering your interests, although if you are drawn to primary care in a rural area you may be able to participate in one of the loan repayment programs that trim $35K/year off your loan balance for a 2 year commitment.

The other way to obliterate that massive debt is to specialize into a higher income. In other words, my advice is to go to MSU unless you plan on specializing with a chance of making $300K plus, doing primary care in a shortage area as part of a loan repayment program, or having the military pay for med school.