Brown vs. UMN

[snorkmaiden6]

I already made a post but I recently got in to UMN off the WL (yay) and also have financial aid info which I think will add context. I hope that's ok @mods! I'm flexible on specialty, except I have zero interest in surgery. For now, I'm most interested in primary care (internal med with a fellowship later on), or perhaps PM&R. I have not gotten FA info from MN so I added the estimate for what I think max would be.

Brown (Over 400k Loan)
Pros:

• LOVE the global health/humanities focus (I want to do public health alongside medicine)
  • tracks + global electives make the curriculum feel super personalized
• Close to the ocean (surfing) and close to Vermont (skiing)
• I really enjoyed Providence when I visited
• Was my dream school before I applied and is higher ranked (idk if Ivy prestige applies but possibly?)
• Wasn't able to attend second look but campus looks gorg
• Apparently changing to complete P/F

Cons:

• Got zero aid = over 400k in loans required :/
• High COL and I prefer to not have roommates
• I don’t know anyone in New England—feels very nerve-wracking
• Not as dog friendly

Minnesota (Predicting 250K Loan max)
Pros:

• Haven’t lived near family in almost 10 years, and now they’re all in the Twin Cities
• Very dog friendly/family support for my dog
• Low COL
• The school has strong ties to refugee/immigrant health (important to me personally + career-wise with global health)
• Great emphasis on (rural) primary care

Cons:

• Curriculum seems slightly less innovative/tailored than Brown's
• Research seems more STEM based rather than global health or medical humanities based
• Not by the coast or mountains
• Campus looks less updated based on website but I'd appreciate insight from someone who has visited
• I think Providence + Boston area might be a cooler urban area

Additional question: will either of these schools make matching in certain locations challenging? Would someone who attends UMN be willing to answer a few questions? Brown was the dream school but with the finances + lack of family support, and how much I liked my UMN interview, I'm starting to re-think.

Thanks so much for any help!

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[Basalganglia4life]

My guy the difference in cost is over 150k plus 8-9% interest. Is Minnesota as cool as providence? Hell no. You are going to be too busy grinding to enjoy much of either place. In the end it’s just 4 years of your life after that you are in residency and have to move all over again. I think your future self will be much happier to be in less debt rather than having missed out on some big city experiences.

In terms of matching I don’t think mn will hold you back. It is a great established program with plenty of research and connections

 

[snorkmaiden6]

My guy the difference in cost is over 150k plus 8-9% interest. Is Minnesota as cool as providence? Hell no. You are going to be too busy grinding to enjoy much of either place. In the end it’s just 4 years of your life after that you are in residency and have to move all over again. I think your future self will be much happier to be in less debt rather than having missed out on some big city experiences.

In terms of matching I don’t think mn will hold you back. It is a great established program with plenty of research and connections

Thank you for the reality check. I’ve decided MN is now the move as long as I get the expected tuition amount.

 

[m1redsox]

The three most important considerations are family support, cost, and prestige. UMN sweeps the board on all three of these points.