AlexCarusoStan
Full Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2019
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Hi all- I’ve narrowed down to two great schools and am having some trouble deciding. I would appreciate anyone who would weigh in. I just ask that you don't quote this. I do not know what specialty I want to pursue, but I do want to keep all of my doors open. The main factor I am concerned about right now is cost. I received no gift aid from either school and will be taking out loans to cover the full COA at both schools. CU is still quite expensive but cheaper overall. However, the question I’m struggling with is: Is it worth it to pay $100k more to go to Vanderbilt? (I realize that figure will be more after interest). Thanks for your help!
University of Colorado - ($70k COA/year)
Pros:
-Closer to home and my immediate family, who lives in the state.
- I love the state. It’s beautiful, I’m outdoorsy, and there are a ton of outdoor opportunities that I like to do here.
-Denver is a fun and growing city that I’m familiar with.
-Cheaper than Vanderbilt by about $26k a year, but still quite expensive overall.
-All of the hospitals and medical centers are either right on or quite close to the campus.
-Hospitals would be great learning environments. Denver Health is a Level 1 Trauma Center, pediatrics program is well-regarded nationally, etc..
Cons:
-Larger class size (184). Might not facilitate the sense of community quite as strongly.
-Less prestigious than Vanderbilt. (Will this actually hold me back?)
-There is some restructuring of the curriculum and communication about this shift hasn’t been great. I’m sure things will be worked out, but I still feel like there is a cloud of uncertainty there.
Vanderbilt ($96k COA/year)
Pros:
-I absolutely love the curriculum. Preclinical is approximately 1 year long and entirely P/F. Clerkships begin right after and are also graded as P/F, which seems like it would really alleviate a lot of stress. I like that clerkships begin so early because it would give someone like me, who has no clue what specialty they want to go into, time to figure that out and craft a competitive residency application.
-The curriculum is so well-structured, with integrated time for research and the M3/M4 years allowing time to pursue specific interests.
- T20 prestige factor. Admittedly, I am drawn to this.
- Small class size (fewer than 100 students). Students seem to be really well-connected with one another, and I got a genuine sense of community.
-Students seemed happy, and the administration places a huge emphasis on well-being.
-Nashville would be a new city for me, and it seems fun with lots of things to do (outdoorsy things included!). Plus, it does have great weather!
Cons:
-Further away from family and in a new area of the US. Neither of these things are overly concerning to me though.
-I love this school but it is expensive ($96k COA/yr). This is about $26k more per year than CU. After residency, I realize my debt could balloon to close to half a million, and this is a little intimidating.
University of Colorado - ($70k COA/year)
Pros:
-Closer to home and my immediate family, who lives in the state.
- I love the state. It’s beautiful, I’m outdoorsy, and there are a ton of outdoor opportunities that I like to do here.
-Denver is a fun and growing city that I’m familiar with.
-Cheaper than Vanderbilt by about $26k a year, but still quite expensive overall.
-All of the hospitals and medical centers are either right on or quite close to the campus.
-Hospitals would be great learning environments. Denver Health is a Level 1 Trauma Center, pediatrics program is well-regarded nationally, etc..
Cons:
-Larger class size (184). Might not facilitate the sense of community quite as strongly.
-Less prestigious than Vanderbilt. (Will this actually hold me back?)
-There is some restructuring of the curriculum and communication about this shift hasn’t been great. I’m sure things will be worked out, but I still feel like there is a cloud of uncertainty there.
Vanderbilt ($96k COA/year)
Pros:
-I absolutely love the curriculum. Preclinical is approximately 1 year long and entirely P/F. Clerkships begin right after and are also graded as P/F, which seems like it would really alleviate a lot of stress. I like that clerkships begin so early because it would give someone like me, who has no clue what specialty they want to go into, time to figure that out and craft a competitive residency application.
-The curriculum is so well-structured, with integrated time for research and the M3/M4 years allowing time to pursue specific interests.
- T20 prestige factor. Admittedly, I am drawn to this.
- Small class size (fewer than 100 students). Students seem to be really well-connected with one another, and I got a genuine sense of community.
-Students seemed happy, and the administration places a huge emphasis on well-being.
-Nashville would be a new city for me, and it seems fun with lots of things to do (outdoorsy things included!). Plus, it does have great weather!
Cons:
-Further away from family and in a new area of the US. Neither of these things are overly concerning to me though.
-I love this school but it is expensive ($96k COA/yr). This is about $26k more per year than CU. After residency, I realize my debt could balloon to close to half a million, and this is a little intimidating.
