Choosing between schools

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Hello!

I was waitlisted at my top choice last week, so now I'm deciding between these 4 schools. I feel very lucky to have options, but choosing is very difficult!

Does anyone have advice abt these particular schools / how to decide in general?

BTW I am a non-trad student, 27yo female, BME undergrad.

1. Case Western
2. Dartmouth
3. Brown
4. BU

I am interested in the quality of life as a student, academics/clinical training, research opportunities, etc.

Thanks 🙂
 
Is there a big cost differential between the schools? Would you prefer to live in a big city or rural environment? Do you prefer the east coast or the mid west?
 
member129129129 said:
Hello!

I was waitlisted at my top choice last week, so now I'm deciding between these 4 schools. I feel very lucky to have options, but choosing is very difficult!

Does anyone have advice abt these particular schools / how to decide in general?

BTW I am a non-trad student, 27yo female, BME undergrad.

1. Case Western
2. Dartmouth
3. Brown
4. BU

I am interested in the quality of life as a student, academics/clinical training, research opportunities, etc.

Thanks 🙂
Click to expand...

What are you interested in? Do you like the outdoors or city culture, which activities? What kind of weather do you like and dislike? What type of research are you interested in (basic or clinical)? What subject of research are you interested in? Are you a city or rural person? Do you have any friends or family near either of these schools? Have you received your aid package from any of these schools yet? Have you done a quick search on the cost of living around these schools (if not you should)?

You should search the forums for threads already about these schools (there are many).

I think...

Research:

Case Western > Dartmouth > Brown > BU

Location:

BU > Dartmouth > Case Western > Brown

For me, it would be a hard pick between Case Western and Dartmouth, but I think I would go with Case Western.
 
Porfirio said:
What are you interested in? Do you like the outdoors or city culture, which activities? What kind of weather do you like and dislike? What type of research are you interested in (basic or clinical)? What subject of research are you interested in? Are you a city or rural person? Do you have any friends or family near either of these schools? Have you received your aid package from any of these schools yet? Have you done a quick search on the cost of living around these schools (if not you should)?

You should search the forums for threads already about these schools (there are many).

I think...

Research:

Case Western > Dartmouth > Brown > BU
Case Western (24)>BU=Dartmouth (31)>Brown (35)
Location:

BU > Dartmouth > Case Western > Brown
LOL. Dartmouth over Case and Brown? Have you been to Dartmouth?

For me, it would be a hard pick between Case Western and Dartmouth, but I think I would go with Case Western.
Click to expand...

USNews laughs at your pathetic research rankings.

Seriously though, where do you see yourself happiest? And just go with it. Some people like small class sizes and a more intimate learning environment. Others want to get piss drunk in a club in a big city in the middle of a weekday in the middle of a dancing crowd. These are all great schools.
 
mipp0 said:
Specialty choice is based on preference. If I had a 280 and all Honors, you wouldn't catch me dead ranking derm.The quality of a school is not judged by its derm list. Why do you have such low self esteem?
Click to expand...
such a good question
 
Case for happyness in the future (matching).
Dartmouth for happyness in the present (during med school, based on location/my opinion).
 
nadaba said:
Not many top 20ish schools are known for pumping out FM docs!

I would probably pick Case as well, if you can get over Cleveland.
Click to expand...

For being in Cleveland for less than two days, you sure are passing a lot of judgement on the city.


Yes, Cleveland isn't like NY or Chicago, but it's still not a bad city. Many unparalleled clinical and research opportunities and the chance to work with underserved populations (if that's something you're interested in). Tons of restaurants, bars, and places to relax as well. There's a ton of new development on campus, including a new art museum, so the area is constantly improving. Go where you feel most comfortable and where you can see yourself living. My vote is for Case though, even though I might be a tad bit biased. 🙂
 
sibitrum said:
Is there a big cost differential between the schools? Would you prefer to live in a big city or rural environment? Do you prefer the east coast or the mid west?
Click to expand...

First, THANK YOU for all of the responses. I somehow was not receiving notifications of replies so this is the first time that I have checked the thread since I posted.

There is not a big cost difference. However, BU, which is in the best location, obviously has a much greater cost of living.

I have lived east coast and west coast but not the midwest; I certainly prefer an urban environment to rural. But I do like spending time in the outdoors (skiing, etc).

However, the catch is that I already spent time at BU Med (in the graduate medical sciences program) and I did not love the environment there - huge classes, not a lot of class comraderie, lack of study spaces, etc. However, they do have great clinical training, and I would still be in Boston close to my friends/network that already exists here.

I can't decide whether it's worth it to live in Boston if the quality of student life is not great. (As compared to Dartmouth, where it seems like everyone loves their class and they get really tight).

What I have heard about Brown is that the PLME program takes up about half of the class and contributes some weird dynamics.... my friends who went there only come out with a handful of friends, whereas Dartmouth says that you'll make a ton of new best friends and call on them for life.

However, Brown has a new medical school building + new curriculum; Dartmouth, it seems, is stuck in the 1970s in both respects. (they are working on updating their curriculum now, but not in time for me)

I know this is arbitrary, but I am also single... and I do worry a little bit about dating prospects in Cleveland, Providence, and Hanover.
 
Porfirio said:
What are you interested in? Do you like the outdoors or city culture, which activities? What kind of weather do you like and dislike? What type of research are you interested in (basic or clinical)? What subject of research are you interested in? Are you a city or rural person? Do you have any friends or family near either of these schools? Have you received your aid package from any of these schools yet? Have you done a quick search on the cost of living around these schools (if not you should)?

.
Click to expand...

I am an engineer by training and profession, so I am interested in basic science research but can also see myself doing clinical research. I am also VERY interested in health care reform and definitely want to be involved in that somehow.

I do like urban/city living - coffee shops, walking everywhere, etc. But I also like skiing, hiking, and having the outdoors closeby.
I think that my priorities will change a little in med school - from my experience as a grad student at BU med, what I cared most about were: good study spaces, convenient living (ie washer/dryer in my apt, ability to get to/from grocery stores), and cheap food / bars to hang out with my school friends. (not all of these can be found in boston, which is a great city otherwise).

I like warm weather, don't love cold weather. (this doesn't help much b/c all of the schools are in cold climates).

I have a lot of friends in Boston, not in any of the other places.

I think cost of living is similar in Prov, Hanover, and Cleveland. Very expensive in Boston. I do not have aid packages but they will definitely play a role in the decision.

I'm not sure about subjects of research yet, unfortunately.
 
You know, people do date and get married outside of NYC, SF, Boston, and LA... That being said, Cleveland is a wasteland.

Of these I would personally choose Brown, simply because it's in a pretty cool city with good cost of living, is close to Boston, and has a strong reputation in medicine.

member129129129 said:
First, THANK YOU for all of the responses. I somehow was not receiving notifications of replies so this is the first time that I have checked the thread since I posted.

There is not a big cost difference. However, BU, which is in the best location, obviously has a much greater cost of living.

I have lived east coast and west coast but not the midwest; I certainly prefer an urban environment to rural. But I do like spending time in the outdoors (skiing, etc).

However, the catch is that I already spent time at BU Med (in the graduate medical sciences program) and I did not love the environment there - huge classes, not a lot of class comraderie, lack of study spaces, etc. However, they do have great clinical training, and I would still be in Boston close to my friends/network that already exists here.

I can't decide whether it's worth it to live in Boston if the quality of student life is not great. (As compared to Dartmouth, where it seems like everyone loves their class and they get really tight).

What I have heard about Brown is that the PLME program takes up about half of the class and contributes some weird dynamics.... my friends who went there only come out with a handful of friends, whereas Dartmouth says that you'll make a ton of new best friends and call on them for life.

However, Brown has a new medical school building + new curriculum; Dartmouth, it seems, is stuck in the 1970s in both respects. (they are working on updating their curriculum now, but not in time for me)

I know this is arbitrary, but I am also single... and I do worry a little bit about dating prospects in Cleveland, Providence, and Hanover.
Click to expand...
 
I really think Case would be your best bet considering location and opportunities. I spent four days there when I interviewed at Case (thanks to the lovely Phnerd 😀) and its actually a pretty cool city. Certainly a better location than Dartmouth or Brown for someone who wants to be in an urban area. The research there is incredible, and the clinical opportunities would only be rivaled by BU. And being a single person, Cleveland is a BIG place. Big dating pool.
 
TheMightySmiter said:
I really think Case would be your best bet considering location and opportunities. I spent four days there when I interviewed at Case (thanks to the lovely Phnerd 😀) and its actually a pretty cool city. Certainly a better location than Dartmouth or Brown for someone who wants to be in an urban area. The research there is incredible, and the clinical opportunities would only be rivaled by BU. And being a single person, Cleveland is a BIG place. Big dating pool.
Click to expand...

FINALLY, someone gets it 😀. 😍 Though I still feel bad about having to study for finals while you were here haha. Definitely could have showed you a lot more!
 
phnerd1105 said:
For being in Cleveland for less than two days, you sure are passing a lot of judgement on the city.


Yes, Cleveland isn't like NY or Chicago, but it's still not a bad city. Many unparalleled clinical and research opportunities and the chance to work with underserved populations (if that's something you're interested in). Tons of restaurants, bars, and places to relax as well. There's a ton of new development on campus, including a new art museum, so the area is constantly improving. Go where you feel most comfortable and where you can see yourself living. My vote is for Case though, even though I might be a tad bit biased. 🙂
Click to expand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5TqbIY
 
mipp0 said:
USNews laughs at your pathetic research rankings.

Seriously though, where do you see yourself happiest? And just go with it. Some people like small class sizes and a more intimate learning environment. Others want to get piss drunk in a club in a big city in the middle of a weekday in the middle of a dancing crowd. These are all great schools.
Click to expand...

I work at Dartmouth... My rankings stand just fine. Dartmouth has way better research than BU. BU has the best location out of the list.
 
I thought this site was helpful. Hopefully AMSA can crank it up a little and get more responses from recent years.

http://www.amsa.org/premed/medsurvey/

It gives some first hand accounts from students. they ranked many aspects of their school and then wrote comments.

Congrats! I think it is harder to have choices. The possibilities can be paralyzing. When it comes time to reject the others I found it helpful to have my husband click the send button for me. Maybe you can have a friend/spouse do the same for you?? I am glad that I can move forward and start looking for housing, etc
 
My two cents is Brown, then BU (because you already know the city/have a base of support there) then case then dartmouth (not super urban) based on what youve said
 
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