BU vs UMass

[serendipity2147]

Hi everyone! I was committed to BU but recently got off the waitlist at UMass. I am an MA resident and just wanted some more insight on which school I should choose. I am interested in orthopedic surgery or neurology, but would also like to keep an open mind to other specialties as well.

BU
Pros

• Strong match list and in the NE area predominantly
• Boston! Lots of research opportunities and physicians to collaborate with
• Absolutely loved Second Look Day - the students felt really down to Earth and I really like the flipped classroom approach for the curriculum
• Love how the mission of the school centers around social justice
• Close to family (family lives 45 min from the city, and grandparents live in the city)

Cons

• Boston is an expensive city, and it's going to be about 20k/yr more than Umass

UMass
Pros

• Students seem super happy and WIN weeks sound amazing
• Worcester will be a much more affordable city
• Strong primary care training
• In state tuition

Cons

• NIH cuts - worried about it affecting research opportunities (MD/PhD class was cut this year)
• Worcester is smaller - not as much to do

Summary: My family is heavily leaning towards BU, but said the decision is up to me. Just wanted to see it from another perspective!

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[The OTC]

Disclaimer: BU WL

You seem more excited for BU. If the 80k is good with you, I would send it. Both schools are on par with one another, slight edge to BU, so either way will be great!

 

[penguins345]

If the price for both are the same I would go to BU

 

[Yhwach]

BU

 

[serendipity2147]

If the price for both are the same I would go to BU

It's going to be probably an 80-100k difference - do you think BU is still the better choice here?

 

[penguins345]

It's going to be probably an 80-100k difference - do you think BU is still the better choice here?

Depends. Maybe look at the match list of both schools and see which school matches better into the specialties you want to go into.

 

[usagimd]

BU. Price difference is probably worth it to both to not have to live in Worcester and to have more security towards research opportunities as you mentioned UMass had to slash their MSTP program this year.

 

[xUnrevealed]

I think that the 80k/yr difference is worth BU

One thing to consider is that plenty of BU med students commonly do research outside of BUMC (i.e., MGB and Beth Israel). That's nice for flexibility on research opportunities (which seem important to you since you mentioned the NIH cuts at UMass).

I would caution, though, that BU seems much more "reactive" in their support system compared to UMass, based on my interviewing and info session experiences. If that's fine with you, then I'd pick BU 100%