BU vs. UTHSC

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ksbxc112

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Boston University
Pros
  • Have been living in Boston for a year, already have a network of friends/ a “home” here
  • Long-term significant other lives in Boston
  • Previous Master’s student -> have already taken many of the first year BUSM classes
  • Would like to ultimately match in the Northeast (but would be happy in a large urban area like DC/Philly/Chicago as well)
  • Have already established strong research connections in Boston and would ultimately like to work at an academic medical center
  • Higher ranked
  • P/F curriculum
Cons
  • ~$90-$100,000 COA/year
  • Not the best facilities, BMC on campus but other clinical sites seem to be scattered
  • Family is far away and flying home is expensive and difficult from Boston
  • Need a car for 3rd/4th year which is a huge extra expense in Boston
  • Less friendly vibes on interview day
UTHSC (Tennessee)
Pros
  • ~$50-$60,000 COA/year
  • Nicer facilities, several hospitals to rotate at directly around the school
  • Family lives in the same city as school and I’d really like to be able to see them more often that I have the past few years
  • Would be “going back home” but would also have the opportunity to rotate at hospitals across the state
  • Good vibes from students/faculty on interview day
  • Easy to have a car all 4 years
Cons
  • Very long-distance with significant other
  • Lower ranked
  • Weaker focus on research/ less research opportunities in city
  • Less exciting match list (less matches to locations I’d ultimately like to end up in)
  • Graded curriculum
  • Would basically lose my research connections in the Northeast due to distance/less ability to continue working with them

I understand there are multiple factors here that nobody else can really weigh against others, but I'm curious about your opinions. Truthfully, I feel that BUSM would offer the most opportunity, but I also feel drawn to being at home with family for the length of medical school, even if I don't want to end up in the Southeast long term. Basically, I'm wondering how "worth it" it would be to make one decision over another.
 
This is tough, I think it comes down to whether having your SO close, previous research connections alive and more prestige (+50ish ranking spots) is worth paying an extra 160-200,000 dollars (plus accrued interest) over 4 years. I personally love Memphis and feel that there would be enough to do to not be completely bored out of your mind during any free time you have plus the med district is great imo but Boston definitely has more to do overall. Id imagine there are still strong research opportunities at St Judes and other affiliates too so not terrible research wise. Ive typically been told go with the cheapest unless its Harvard, Stanford, etc but you have very valid points for both schools
 
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