Brown vs. Minnesota (WL) vs. Vtech

[deleted1199010]

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Not a super unique situation but I still would really appreciate any advice or insights. COA will most likely be very similar unless I get lucky somehow (i.e. will probably be taking out max loans for all three). Some additional context, half of my family lives outside the US, so would prefer international airport access for ease of visiting them.

Brown
Pros:

• Love the global health/humanities focus (I want to do public health alongside medicine)
  • Concentrations/tracks + global electives make the curriculum feel super personalized
• Strong primary care emphasis, which I think I want to do
• close to the ocean (I surf and love seafood so this is a plus for my mental health)
• closest (5 hr drive) to my partner who I will do long distance with until they can join me in a year or two
• I really enjoyed Providence when I visited
• Was my dream school before I applied and is highest ranked of the three
• Near Boston-Logan airport

Cons:

• I don’t know anyone in New England—feels very nerve-wracking
• I have a dog and not knowing anyone who can help if I have busy schedule will be a challenge (i.e. will have to pay for Rover most likely)
• Providence seems the most expensive COL-wise and I really don't want to live with roommates

Minnesota (WL)
Pros:

• Haven’t lived near family in almost 10 years, and now they’re all in the Twin Cities—the built in support seems extremely important for med school. Can anyone speak to this?I've been ok without them while working and in undergrad, but med school seems different.
  • Family would help me out with dog, and contribute to smaller costs like showing up with groceries or filling my tank for me once in a while. MN has better COL in general than RI.
• The school has strong ties to refugee/immigrant health (important to me personally + career-wise)
• Minnesota is a great state, people seem generally healthy/happy and outdoorsy regardless of weather
• Best airport in the US (in my opinion haha)

Cons:

• Curriculum seems slightly less innovative/tailored than Brown or VTech
• Does not have as much public health emphasis as Brown
• Kind of a big city for me (prefer less urban environments or smaller cities)

Vtech
Pros:

• Small class size
• I have very kind family friends in the area that would be supportive
• Students generally seemed not too stressed
• Hiking trails and dog friendly
• Low COL
• Big research emphasis **see con

Cons:

• **Research does seem more STEM oriented than public health
• While Roanoke is extremely cute, it might feel a bit small for four years
• No global health elective in locations I'm connected to
• Not near my partner + no big airport = expensive travel

Summary: I think I'm leaning towards Brown over VTech, however, the big question is whether I will choose MN if I get off the waitlist. Unsure how likely that is, but holding out hope for it to become an option as I think family support might be most important even if I prefer Brown's curriculum. Any thoughts are appreciated! <3

 

[JAK2-STAT3]

Haven’t lived near family in almost 10 years, and now they’re all in the Twin Cities—the built in support seems extremely important for med school. Can anyone speak to this? I've been ok without them while working and in undergrad, but med school seems different.

I was in a nearly identical situation to you, except I never got off the WL at UMN so the choice was made for me lol. I worked full time throughout the medical school application process while being halfway across the country from my family and did fine, and now I am doing fine as a medical student still halfway across the country. And I have a good relationship with my family.

How much family support you need is something you can answer, but I'd say that if you managed to get multiple acceptances while working and without being near family, and your mental health stayed in decent shape, you're probably well equipped to handle the stresses of medical school without your family nearby. But if you were hanging on by a thread and feel like being near your family could have helped, then that may be your answer.

Consider your family dynamics. If you are near them, are they going to expect you to come over for dinner all the time, help babysit your little cousin, get offended if you miss a wedding, or otherwise unnecessarily stress you out? I have never had to deal with these problems but appreciate how in my current situation, I can see my family a few times a year on breaks and be fully present with them. And when I am at school studying I can devote my spare time to my friends, so it all balances out.

You also mentioned your partner. Would they be able to join you in MN? Long distance at 5 hours vs. halfway across the country is a major consideration. You'll have to evaluate the tradeoff between being close to family vs. being closer to your partner.

And final side note about Minneapolis being a big city: that is true, but as someone who previously lived in New England, Providence/the greater Boston area seemed 1000x more congested to me than the Twin Cities. You can drive 20-30 minutes out of Minneapolis and be in a cornfield with a heck of a lot less traffic than you'd get in that part of New England.

 

[deleted1199010]

I was in a nearly identical situation to you, except I never got off the WL at UMN so the choice was made for me lol. I worked full time throughout the medical school application process while being halfway across the country from my family and did fine, and now I am doing fine as a medical student still halfway across the country. And I have a good relationship with my family.

How much family support you need is something you can answer, but I'd say that if you managed to get multiple acceptances while working and without being near family, and your mental health stayed in decent shape, you're probably well equipped to handle the stresses of medical school without your family nearby. But if you were hanging on by a thread and feel like being near your family could have helped, then that may be your answer.

Consider your family dynamics. If you are near them, are they going to expect you to come over for dinner all the time, help babysit your little cousin, get offended if you miss a wedding, or otherwise unnecessarily stress you out? I have never had to deal with these problems but appreciate how in my current situation, I can see my family a few times a year on breaks and be fully present with them. And when I am at school studying I can devote my spare time to my friends, so it all balances out.

You also mentioned your partner. Would they be able to join you in MN? Long distance at 5 hours vs. halfway across the country is a major consideration. You'll have to evaluate the tradeoff between being close to family vs. being closer to your partner.

And final side note about Minneapolis being a big city: that is true, but as someone who previously lived in New England, Providence/the greater Boston area seemed 1000x more congested to me than the Twin Cities. You can drive 20-30 minutes out of Minneapolis and be in a cornfield with a heck of a lot less traffic than you'd get in that part of New England.

I sincerely appreciate your comments. Especially because it does seem like you had a very similar situation/mind frame--glad to hear it's going well for you!

I think that, given your comments, having family nearby is more so a " very nice to have" rather than a must. You provided some much needed perspective.

 

[AnEndlessSourceofLove]

With your hobbies and interests it seems like Brown would be a great fit! Although you don't know anyone in New England, remember that the majority of people in your class at Brown would also be moving from (far) away and therefore would be in a similar boat as you (vs a school like UMN). I will say that UMN does seem to have quite a strong primary care focus, so you could probably take that off your con list for them.
If money is not going to make the decision a clear choice, I'd trust your gut--you've got some great options!

 

[deleted1199010]

With your hobbies and interests it seems like Brown would be a great fit! Although you don't know anyone in New England, remember that the majority of people in your class at Brown would also be moving from (far) away and therefore would be in a similar boat as you (vs a school like UMN). I will say that UMN does seem to have quite a strong primary care focus, so you could probably take that off your con list for them.
If money is not going to make the decision a clear choice, I'd trust your gut--you've got some great options!

Thanks sm for the feedback! After looking this up, you're so right haha Minnesota does have a great rural primary care emphasis. Good luck with your choice as well!

 

[JAK2-STAT3]

Although you don't know anyone in New England, remember that the majority of people in your class at Brown would also be moving from (far) away and therefore would be in a similar boat as you (vs a school like UMN).

Quoted for truth. Minnesotans love their state and tend not to leave it. UMN tries to keep their classes ~80% IS. Many of your classmates could already have well-established friend groups that they've had since high school. I don't say that to trash UMN, but seeing as you do not and might not ever have an acceptance there, hype yourself up about how it might be easier to make friends at a place like Brown.