- Joined
- Dec 9, 2013
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Hi all,
I need some help thinking through a decision. I was accepted to Case Western, Mount Sinai, and University of Iowa. I'm on the waitlist at a few other schools, but those schools can come into play later if movement works in my favor.
I received my financial aid packages from all three schools. I had hoped cost would help me make a decision, but it hasn't. I have to take out loans for the total COA for all three schools. This means the price difference between them is maxed at about 8k per year. That doesn't seem like a significant enough sum to be the deciding factor.
When I look at other important factors, I find myself leaning towards Case Western and Mount Sinai. University of Iowa seems like an incredible school but it didn't feel like home to me. Is that reason enough to not go somewhere? I don't know. But all three schools are fairly matched in reputation, step scores, and opportunities as I understand (please correct me if you disagree) so I'm going to go ahead with my gut feeling on it. That leaves Sinai and Case.
Pros of Mount Sinai: NYC, clinical research opportunities, access to a 8 hospital network, diverse patient population, slightly cheaper, access to a rugby team
Pros of Case Western: more translational/basic science opportunities because of the undergrad campus, access to Cleveland Clinic, some friends already in Cleveland, curriculum is slightly better suited to me than Sinai's
In the end what matters most to me is student life. Students at both Sinai and Case seem relaxed and confident in that they are learning what they need to. Both student cohorts seem to feel really supported by their schools and they seem to like their curriculum. Both schools give me the opportunity to continue the community outreach that I'm interested in (both NYC and Cleveland demonstrate huge healthcare disparities). I'm a bit at a loss on how to pick. Help?
I need some help thinking through a decision. I was accepted to Case Western, Mount Sinai, and University of Iowa. I'm on the waitlist at a few other schools, but those schools can come into play later if movement works in my favor.
I received my financial aid packages from all three schools. I had hoped cost would help me make a decision, but it hasn't. I have to take out loans for the total COA for all three schools. This means the price difference between them is maxed at about 8k per year. That doesn't seem like a significant enough sum to be the deciding factor.
When I look at other important factors, I find myself leaning towards Case Western and Mount Sinai. University of Iowa seems like an incredible school but it didn't feel like home to me. Is that reason enough to not go somewhere? I don't know. But all three schools are fairly matched in reputation, step scores, and opportunities as I understand (please correct me if you disagree) so I'm going to go ahead with my gut feeling on it. That leaves Sinai and Case.
Pros of Mount Sinai: NYC, clinical research opportunities, access to a 8 hospital network, diverse patient population, slightly cheaper, access to a rugby team
Pros of Case Western: more translational/basic science opportunities because of the undergrad campus, access to Cleveland Clinic, some friends already in Cleveland, curriculum is slightly better suited to me than Sinai's
In the end what matters most to me is student life. Students at both Sinai and Case seem relaxed and confident in that they are learning what they need to. Both student cohorts seem to feel really supported by their schools and they seem to like their curriculum. Both schools give me the opportunity to continue the community outreach that I'm interested in (both NYC and Cleveland demonstrate huge healthcare disparities). I'm a bit at a loss on how to pick. Help?
