California Northstate University (CNU) vs California Health Sciences University (CHSU)

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supahRad

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Number of * = weight of each factor

My #1 goal is matching radiology at an academic center.

CNU (MD)

Pros:
(***) Get an MD and no COMLEX
(***) NBME exams during pre-clinical
(***) Overall Match list looks strong
(*) Lectures aren’t mandatory

Cons:
(***) Class had 0 radiology matches in recent match
(**) School isn’t well respected on Reddit/SDN? Not sure how this translates to IRL
(**) No federal loans. I have good credit and can get less interest on private loans so not a deal breaker.

CHSU (DO)

Pros:
(***) 3 strong Radiology Matches in recent match
(**) COA is ~100k cheaper for my situation
(**) Offers federal loans
(*) Lectures aren’t mandatory

Cons:
(***) have to take COMLEX
(***) Not interested in OMM at all
(**) Rotation sites aren’t as established as CNU
(**) In-House exams
 
Number of * = weight of each factor

My #1 goal is matching radiology at an academic center.

CNU (MD)

Pros:
(***) Get an MD and no COMLEX
(***) NBME exams during pre-clinical
(***) Overall Match list looks strong
(*) Lectures aren’t mandatory

Cons:
(***) Class had 0 radiology matches in recent match
(**) School isn’t well respected on Reddit/SDN? Not sure how this translates to IRL
(**) No federal loans. I have good credit and can get less interest on private loans so not a deal breaker.

CHSU (DO)

Pros:
(***) 3 strong Radiology Matches in recent match
(**) COA is ~100k cheaper for my situation
(**) Offers federal loans
(*) Lectures aren’t mandatory

Cons:
(***) have to take COMLEX
(***) Not interested in OMM at all
(**) Rotation sites aren’t as established as CNU
(**) In-House exams
hmm. i know a student who got in to UCD radiology a few years back. Looking at CNU's 2024 match. 2 got into radiology (Arrowhead, UC Irvine). 2 got into intervention radiology (Montefiore / Einstein, U Texas Galveston). for 2022 match. 1 got into UC Riverside. another Univ. of Maryland) Good luck
 
fyi its not just about the interest on private loans. You really have to read the fine print. Many will require large monthly payments starting in residency with limited deferral options and you can forget about income based repayment or forgiveness. Meet with a CPA or something before taking out large sums in private loans. I would also consider really thinking deeply about doing HPSP.

Considering CHSU isnt on probation, is 100k less money and you have the ability to do federal loans it seems like a pretty easy choice to me
 
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So I got some new info:

- LCME is likely to give CNU full accreditation by the end of June based on the chatter I’ve heard. This gives me some buffer time as orientation doesn’t begin until the end of July.

- I wouldn’t be taking out more than $150k in private loans (parents want to contribute). This does make the situation seem more manageable.

I’m currently leaning towards CNU. I’ve talked to some DO anesthesia resident physicians at the hospital I work at and they all urged me to take the MD acceptance. “The worst MD is better than DO” is their claim and that many PD’s don’t even read DO applications. This does align with the match list as CNU grads were able to match into programs that are anti-DO .

I have until Thursday to keep thinking.
 
So I got some new info:

- LCME is likely to give CNU full accreditation by the end of June based on the chatter I’ve heard. This gives me some buffer time as orientation doesn’t begin until the end of July.

- I wouldn’t be taking out more than $150k in private loans (parents want to contribute). This does make the situation seem more manageable.

I’m currently leaning towards CNU. I’ve talked to some DO anesthesia resident physicians at the hospital I work at and they all urged me to take the MD acceptance. “The worst MD is better than DO” is their claim and that many PD’s don’t even read DO applications. This does align with the match list as CNU grads were able to match into programs that are anti-DO .

I have until Thursday to keep thinking.
Vast majority of DOs that have gone through med school and residency match process will give you this advice, especailly if you change your mind and want to do something more competitve. Private loan is the only down side to CNU now that accreditation is imminent.
 
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