puffinsgopoof
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- Dec 19, 2024
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*Primary goal is to match into orthodontics. I am heavily weighing matching into orthodontics program over all factors.*
School 1: Columbia
* OOS
Pros:
* OOS
Pros:
I’m torn between UCSF and Columbia because both schools offer similar specialty match rates and have strong research programs. Cost and community seem to favor UCSF: it’s $100k cheaper, and the supportive, caring environment stands out. However, Columbia has always been my dream school, and being in NYC offers personal and professional appeal, especially for networking on the East Coast.
My biggest concern is matching into an Orthodontics specialty program post-graduation, and I want to choose the school that best positions me for this over location. Location doesn't really matter to me.
What are your honest thoughts?
School 1: Columbia
* OOS
Pros:
- Dream school
- Located in NYC, which is a plus for personal preference and lifestyle
- Strong name recognition as an Ivy League institution
- Staying on the East Coast would make it easier for me to build professional connections (I want to practice on the East Coast.)
- Pass/fail
- More expensive than UCSF by $100k
- Weaker clinical studies
- Maybe more rigorous with the biomedical studies?
* OOS
Pros:
- Professors and students appear very caring and friendly.
- Positive personal experiences: the dean and interviewer personally called me and provided resources, which gives impression of strong support for students
- More affordable
- Higher ranked
- Pass/fail
- Good clinical and research
- Located on West Coast but I want to practice on East Coast in the future
- Not as much name recognition compared to Columbia
I’m torn between UCSF and Columbia because both schools offer similar specialty match rates and have strong research programs. Cost and community seem to favor UCSF: it’s $100k cheaper, and the supportive, caring environment stands out. However, Columbia has always been my dream school, and being in NYC offers personal and professional appeal, especially for networking on the East Coast.
My biggest concern is matching into an Orthodontics specialty program post-graduation, and I want to choose the school that best positions me for this over location. Location doesn't really matter to me.
What are your honest thoughts?