BU or UMASS

[mitch cumstein]

I cannot decide...anyone have insight into these two schools?

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[skypilot]

Well, BU is in Boston! I would rather live here than in Worcester. And UMass is all Massachusetts residents while BU has students from everywhere.

I think in some ways the two schools are similar in that they have a mission. UMass has a focus on supplying primary care for the State and BU has the hospital for the indigent population in Boston and the Level one Trauma center as well. (Of course UMass has a Level One Trauma center too)

If you have an inclination towards primary care, you might want to consider UMass because of course you have the potential for graduating from there with only $50k of debt. Your debt from BU will approach $200k.

If you just have to be in Boston because of the social life then choose BU. If you like central Mass and you want more flexibility because of a low debt level than choose UMass. You won't go wrong either way.

 

[UMass07]

Mitch,
Just some general info you might find useful as you make your decision (keep in mind here that I am a little biased...

First, while UMass is one of the top 10 primary care schools, and is well known for producing good primary care physicians (i.e. communicators), it's important to realize that less than 50% of our school goes into primary care each year. Don't let the primary care focus dissuade you if you are interested in specialties. Really, the primary care name comes from the fact that you get early clinical exposure (working in clinics within your first month of school, interviewing and examining SPs, etc.).

Academically, we consistently score above the national mean for both USMLEs and match very competitively... Another example: the mean Surgery SHELF exam score for my class this fall was the 77th percentile nationally.

Second... as far as money is concerned, there is really no comparison. Thanks to the friendly people in the legislature, and the < $500 rent in Worcester, it is a bit more economical. And if you love Boston, you can drive there on any given night... In fact, you can live there. About 10% of my class actually commutes from Boston.

Research... well, this is tricky. UMass has the second highest research budget of all MA medical schools (you can guess #1), and the labs are growing. However, most PI's are not as well known as those at BU... If you want to do serious research or want to get a PhD, BU may be the better option.

Lastly, you need to get a feel for the student body and attitude... I would speak to some BU students as well as UMass... my overall feel based on discussions with friends is that BU students are more academically driven and a little more competitive, UMass students are a bit more laidback and cooperative. I think that there are advantages to both, and you should go where you fit best.

Hope this helps... to echo skypilot, both schools are great. I would choose UMass, if for no other reason, education is at the very least equal while the price is not, giving you a bit more flexibility for the rest of your life.

PS Whatever you decide, make sure you let UMass know right away... for as long as you hold your position, we cannot offer it to another student (they probably talked about this on your tour day).

 

[G0S2]

If it's a concern, I believe UMass is much stronger in basic research than BU and has a more solid graduate program. Michael Green, Craig Mello and Roger Davis (Howard Hughes Investigators), Phillip Zamore, Mario Stevenson, William Theurkauf, Craig Peterson and Steve Doxsey just to name a few. I know having been a grad student there for 6 years.

I would choose Umass and save a significant amount $$. Like UMass07 said, it's easy to take the trip into Boston. It's a great school and many of my friends have matched into some really strong programs. Boston has many UMass Med grads so chances are good you could be in Boston for residency when you will actually make some $$.

 

[kingcer0x]

Mitch,
Just some general info you might find useful as you make your decision (keep in mind here that I am a little biased...

First, while UMass is one of the top 10 primary care schools, and is well known for producing good primary care physicians (i.e. communicators), it's important to realize that less than 50% of our school goes into primary care each year. Don't let the primary care focus dissuade you if you are interested in specialties. Really, the primary care name comes from the fact that you get early clinical exposure (working in clinics within your first month of school, interviewing and examining SPs, etc.).

Academically, we consistently score above the national mean for both USMLEs and match very competitively... Another example: the mean Surgery SHELF exam score for my class this fall was the 77th percentile nationally.

Second... as far as money is concerned, there is really no comparison. Thanks to the friendly people in the legislature, and the < $500 rent in Worcester, it is a bit more economical. And if you love Boston, you can drive there on any given night... In fact, you can live there. About 10% of my class actually commutes from Boston.

Research... well, this is tricky. UMass has the second highest research budget of all MA medical schools (you can guess #1), and the labs are growing. However, most PI's are not as well known as those at BU... If you want to do serious research or want to get a PhD, BU may be the better option.

Lastly, you need to get a feel for the student body and attitude... I would speak to some BU students as well as UMass... my overall feel based on discussions with friends is that BU students are more academically driven and a little more competitive, UMass students are a bit more laidback and cooperative. I think that there are advantages to both, and you should go where you fit best.

Hope this helps... to echo skypilot, both schools are great. I would choose UMass, if for no other reason, education is at the very least equal while the price is not, giving you a bit more flexibility for the rest of your life.

PS Whatever you decide, make sure you let UMass know right away... for as long as you hold your position, we cannot offer it to another student (they probably talked about this on your tour day).

UMASS07 is pretty much right on.

I should add that in recent years, the BU student body has become more cooperative. This is due to the implementation of P/F during the first year. Plus I hang out with my classmates regularly.

I totally hear you on the cost though. At least you MA residents get something for all those taxes you pay

 

[kingcer0x]

If it's a concern, I believe UMass is much stronger in basic research than BU and has a more solid graduate program. Michael Green, Craig Mello and Roger Davis (Howard Hughes Investigators), Phillip Zamore, Mario Stevenson, William Theurkauf, Craig Peterson and Steve Doxsey just to name a few. I know having been a grad student there for 6 years.

I would choose Umass and save a significant amount $$. Like UMass07 said, it's easy to take the trip into Boston. It's a great school and many of my friends have matched into some really strong programs. Boston has many UMass Med grads so chances are good you could be in Boston for residency when you will actually make some $$.

Your view, G0S2, is a little bit biased though...

Just cause you know everyone there doesn't make the basic science research oppurtunities better. If NIH funding is an indicator, then BU has the research edge...

 

[G0S2]

It's not all NIH $$ b/c a lot of that can be attributed to clinical research grant $$, which is typically a lot more $$ than basic research grants . There are bigger names in basic research (mol bio, genetics, neuro) at UMass than at BU. I can't name one person at BU off the top of my head and I know of many PI's at many different medical schools. UMass07's statement was that UMass's PI's are not as well known as those at BU. I respectfully disagree.

 

[tedstriker]

Hey Mitch Cumstein, just wanted to weigh in. I love UMass...personal bias aside, however, I'd be interested in knowing whether you are independently wealthy...if so ignore any financial arguments in your decision. If not, remember that loan money is money that must be repaid. (My loan statements that come in the mail actually have a statement to that effect. Yeesh.)

 

[Koil Gugliemi]

Seems like a total no-brainer to me. Go to Umass. You can match any competitive residency out of Umass, the money's way less, and Worcester is really not as bad as you think. Also there were quite a few people that lived in boston in 3rd/4th year. It can be brutal if you are doing a tough rotation in worcester, but you can do surgery at St. E's in brighton...

 

[kingcer0x]

I can't name one person at BU off the top of my head and I know of many PI's at many different medical schools.

Yeah, but respectfully speaking, you give yourself too much credit. Just cause you know people in the relatively small field you did your master's/phd in doesn't speak to the research clout of your ex-university. Certainly doesn't give you the right to make any comparison between the two.

In any case, to the OP, you can see that everyone (including myself) would probably jump at the chance to save all that dough.

 

[kingcer0x]

Also, BU main campus conducts plenty of basic science research at its main Charles River campus. Many basic science researchers have close relationships with medical campus research interests through one of the many research groups present.

 

[G0S2]

Also, BU main campus conducts plenty of basic science research at its main Charles River campus. Many basic science researchers have close relationships with medical campus research interests through one of the many research groups present.

Again, UMass07's quote was "However, most PI's are not as well known as those at BU... "

 

[flop]

what kind of research are you planning on doing while in med school? PI ? Obtaining your own NIH grant? Or perhaps gunning for the nobel?

This is ridiculous. Who cares about this? Go to UMass. Live in Boston if you want (it's really not that hard). If you really love BU and hate UMass than your choice is clear and you wouldn't be asking the question in the first place.

 

[kingcer0x]

Again, UMass07's quote was "However, most PI's are not as well known as those at BU... "

Hey, he goes to medical school there, so I'm goina take his word for it. Every institution has its star researchers who make the big bucks and get the big time exposure. That helps the medical student/applicant about... oh, on the order of... none.

 

[G0S2]

Hey, he goes to medical school there, so I'm goina take his word for it. Every institution has its star researchers who make the big bucks and get the big time exposure. That helps the medical student/applicant about... oh, on the order of... none.

Med students are rarely aware of the basic research going on at their school and avoid research like the plague in general. I realize this is not helping the applicant at all.


over and out

 

[diosa428]

Hey, since some of you go to UMass, does anyone have this year's match list? Thanks.

 

[Tappat]

I cannot decide...anyone have insight into these two schools?

I am about to graduate from BU and thought it had a lot of really great qualities ... but I'm sure UMass does as well, and that is a heck of a lot of money you could save. If you finance med school by loans, they will not just approach $200,000 if you go to BU, they will FAR exceed it by the time you are in a position to even begin paying back. Assuming you go straight through MD and then residency, you'd be well over $300,000 in the hole, with capitalization and all that taken into account. I don't know the figures for UMass, but it's certainly much, much less due to relatively low tuition and much lower cost of living. Get the figures, calculate your debt load after residency, and then think if there's really that much difference. It feels a little bad to be telling you to ... not ... go to my school, which I liked, but there's no reason you should hobble yourself financially either.

Maybe it seems crass, or something, to focus so much on money, but trust me, in a few years you will thank yourself! Boston's not that far away, if you want to come in sometimes.

 

[tedstriker]

Where the heck is Mitch Cumstein anyway? If that is his real name. He hasn't posted since he started this thread. Tee hee. Cumstein.

Look Cumstein, if you are out there why don't you tell us what you're thinking?

 

[mitch cumstein]

thanks for all the advice, it has been very helpful.

one thing, mitch cumstein is not my real name...but can anyone tell me what movie this name comes from???

its my favorite

 

[cdql]

caddyshack!

 

[mitch cumstein]

caddyshack!

love it!!!!

 

[tedstriker]

Yar! I shoulda known, having my name taken from a different movie (my favorite).