Comparison of Schools: OHSU vs Tufts

[NeuroSturgeon]

I have been accepted to several medical schools , and am really struggling to make a decision 😕. I am trying to decide which school will give me the widest range of choices when it comes times to apply for residency positions 🙄. I am trying to keep my options open 👍, and have been unable to get a straight answer about which school will give me the most options down the road .

For example, financial and geographical implications aside, which would be a better professional decision if I am not sure what I want to specialize in: OHSU in Portland, or Tufts in Boston ? OHSU is ranked more highly, but I am under the impression that Tufts is more prestigious.

Say when choosing a residency I apply to one randomly selected program somewhere in the US. Assuming I do equally well at both schools, which school would look more favorable overall? Is this an impossible question to answer? Would I be keeping more doors open by going to Einstein or OHSU? Basically I am looking for a bit of guidance while trying to make a tough decision. Mostly, people tell me to think about money, geography, and use the search function 😡. I tried, but couldn't really find an answer. Also, for the sake of the argument, let's say I am a billionaire and also have friends in every city in the country. Can anybody help me get some insight as to which school would be a better professional decision? Thanks in advance 😍.

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[Mandiblespeaks]

I have been accepted to several medical schools , and am really struggling to make a decision 😕. I am trying to decide which school will give me the widest range of choices when it comes times to apply for residency positions 🙄. I am trying to keep my options open 👍, and have been unable to get a straight answer about which school will give me the most options down the road .

For example, financial and geographical implications aside, which would be a better professional decision if I am not sure what I want to specialize in: OHSU in Portland, or Tufts in Boston ? OHSU is ranked more highly, but I am under the impression that Tufts is more prestigious.

Say when choosing a residency I apply to one randomly selected program somewhere in the US. Assuming I do equally well at both schools, which school would look more favorable overall? Is this an impossible question to answer? Would I be keeping more doors open by going to Einstein or OHSU? Basically I am looking for a bit of guidance while trying to make a tough decision. Mostly, people tell me to think about money, geography, and use the search function 😡. I tried, but couldn't really find an answer. Also, for the sake of the argument, let's say I am a billionaire and also have friends in every city in the country. Can anybody help me get some insight as to which school would be a better professional decision? Thanks in advance 😍.

This thread should be posted in the school specific discussions.

You would get a lot more traction there.

PS: Compare match lists (for more then one year). Not that it does us who have no idea how to compare residencies but it gives you an idea where people are going (location etc) from which schools. But most at OHSU will want to go to an west coast place and vice versa but I would NOT THINK that you couldnt do east coast etc from OHSU. Personally I would DEF choose OHSU over tufts any day. OHSU is prestigous for research and its primary care ranked in the top 3. OHSU all the way.

But seriously, you need to choose based on fit. The majority of students use prestige and financials as their berometer for fit.

 

[MiniMoo]

The impression I've been given is that the actual reputation of the school has less influence on residency placement than your board scores, LORs/connections, clerkship grades, etc. OHSU is on the west coast while Tufts is on the east. It would probably be easier to make those important connections by going to the school closest to where you geographically want to do your residency. Although, as mentioned above, it's not impossible to go from west coast to east. But something to keep in mind. Definitely go where you would be happier and where you feel you fit in more -- for me at least, being happy really makes it easier to concentrate on studies and how you perform on board exams is going to have a huge effect on the competitiveness of your application for residency regardless of where you went to school.

 

[Mandiblespeaks]

The impression I've been given is that the actual reputation of the school has less influence on residency placement than your board scores, LORs/connections, clerkship grades, etc. OHSU is on the west coast while Tufts is on the east. It would probably be easier to make those important connections by going to the school closest to where you geographically want to do your residency. Although, as mentioned above, it's not impossible to go from west coast to east. But something to keep in mind. Definitely go where you would be happier and where you feel you fit in more -- for me at least, being happy really makes it easier to concentrate on studies and how you perform on board exams is going to have a huge effect on the competitiveness of your application for residency regardless of where you went to school.

(orange) 1. Generally agree with this. You can take electives at schools in third year as a sort of audition. Might be harder to go across the country if you wanted to go to NYC. But the OP doesnt know what specialty hes interested in so I am curious if he knows where he wants to do residency but generally MOO is correct. But OHSU is both more prestigous and higher ranked, dont let the west coast dominated match list fool you.

(red) 2. This advice is gold in my opinion. Put it in the bank.

CLASS OF 2014!!!

 

[alibai3ah]

I agree with what everyone else has said. In terms of prestige, I don't think either school gives you a clear cut advtange. While OHSU is ranked higher, Tufts seems to have more overall prestige in academia.

I would go in this order:
1) Where were you most happy? Where you fit in well?
2) Best location?
3) Financially
4) Regionally where you want to do your residency....

 

[rockaction]

I have been accepted to several medical schools , and am really struggling to make a decision 😕. I am trying to decide which school will give me the widest range of choices when it comes times to apply for residency positions 🙄. I am trying to keep my options open 👍, and have been unable to get a straight answer about which school will give me the most options down the road .

For example, financial and geographical implications aside, which would be a better professional decision if I am not sure what I want to specialize in: OHSU in Portland, or Tufts in Boston ? OHSU is ranked more highly, but I am under the impression that Tufts is more prestigious.

Say when choosing a residency I apply to one randomly selected program somewhere in the US. Assuming I do equally well at both schools, which school would look more favorable overall? Is this an impossible question to answer? Would I be keeping more doors open by going to Einstein or OHSU? Basically I am looking for a bit of guidance while trying to make a tough decision. Mostly, people tell me to think about money, geography, and use the search function 😡. I tried, but couldn't really find an answer. Also, for the sake of the argument, let's say I am a billionaire and also have friends in every city in the country. Can anybody help me get some insight as to which school would be a better professional decision? Thanks in advance 😍.

bravo on figuring out how to use 8 different emoticons in a tl;dr post

 

[NeuroSturgeon]

Thank you rockaction, it was quite difficult 😱 to insert so many, but I managed to pull it off 😎.

And thanks everyone for your advice. The impression I am getting is that neither Tufts nor OHSU will by themselves open up more doors, but my performance and the connections I make will. I hope this is accurate .

ROFLCOPTER!

 

[searun]

Thank you rockaction, it was quite difficult 😱 to insert so many, but I managed to pull it off 😎.

And thanks everyone for your advice. The impression I am getting is that neither Tufts nor OHSU will by themselves open up more doors, but my performance and the connections I make will. I hope this is accurate .

ROFLCOPTER!

No neither school is going to open doors for you. Residency options will depend on your own performance in med school, wherever you go. So, it is really up to you. Go where you will be happy and the debt load will be lower. You will decide your own future, not the med school that you attend. This is the truth. It is on you, not the particular med school that you choose to attend. The key variable, is you. Premeds like to think it is the school, but it really is not. It is you.

 

[Go Ducks]

OHSU is primarily known for its primary care, especially family practice. It really focuses on family practice in rural settings. If you don't want to go into family practice, think hard about OHSU.

 

[JFK90787]

Tufts is in the middle of Chinatown, so stay away if you hate Asians

 

[MrCheetah]

I would go to Einstein, but it looks like you aren't even considering that. Why not??!!?

 

[URHere]

OHSU is primarily known for its primary care, especially family practice. It really focuses on family practice in rural settings. If you don't want to go into family practice, think hard about OHSU.

I would say that OHSU is more known for teaching students good bedside manner than training students for family practice. There are plenty of us at OHSU with no interest in family medicine, and the school is just fine with that. 🙂

As others have said, reputation-wise I believe that neither school will make a bigger impact during your residency interviews. Your success will depend on your own scores, your own clerkship grades, and the connections you make while in medical school. If you have a specialty very clearly in mind (which is rare) and you know there are renowned individuals in that field at one of the schools, then maybe that could be an argument for one more than the other. If you don't fall into that camp, just choose based on where (and how) you would rather live for the next 4 years. That is very important.

 

[metallica81788]

The lifestyle is probably very different from Portland to Boston.

Maybe think about where you could see yourself for 4 years, because this scenario is a lot different than others where location is not different. Are you OOS for OHSU? because Tufts is the most expensive school in the history of the universe.

 

[JJMrK]

Moving to School Specific Discussions.

 

[NeuroSturgeon]

I would go to Einstein, but it looks like you aren't even considering that. Why not??!!?

I am definitely considering Einstein, and have been accepted there. I view Tufts as a more prestigious school, so I used it as an example. Would you choose Einstein over OHSU, but not Tufts over OHSU? Other than the money, why?

 

[Medgirl55]

FIT & LOCATION. That's all that matters. Every med school in the US is great and will allow you to get into a good residency if YOU do well and are happy there. If prestige matters to you Tufts is more well known in the general public because they have a great undergrad, dental school, vet school, etc. I don't think a lot of people have heard of oregon ouside of med circle, I only learned about it this year when applying. OHSU is ranked higher so that may matter to you if you're interested in research or just like higher ranked schools. Conclusion: Both great schools. Go where you want to live and feel you'll be happy.

 

[MrCheetah]

I am definitely considering Einstein, and have been accepted there. I view Tufts as a more prestigious school, so I used it as an example. Would you choose Einstein over OHSU, but not Tufts over OHSU? Other than the money, why?

It sounds like you're most worried about prestige. From my understanding, the "prestige factor" between these three schools you are considering is insignificant when paired against the value of picking the school you'll be the happiest at, that is in a location where you might want to spend the rest of your life, etc.

I'd choose Einstein over Tufts because its in NYC and because its much cheaper than Tufts. Not that it matters, but I consider Einstein to be more "prestigious" than Tufts as well. The cost of Tufts is so insanely high that I hope students who aren't being offered considerable scholarships there go somewhere else. We need some market checks on the price of education.

 

[MrCheetah]

Have you gotten in anywhere else, btw? If you have gotten into Harvard, or UM, or somewhere like that, I think you'd be getting much different responses.

 

[alibai3ah]

I am definitely considering Einstein, and have been accepted there. I view Tufts as a more prestigious school, so I used it as an example. Would you choose Einstein over OHSU, but not Tufts over OHSU? Other than the money, why?

Tufts may be more prestigious than those other schools, because of its undergrad and overall perception to lay people. However, pick the school that is the best fit and the cheapest. Tufts is VERY expensive (I might soon know from firsthand experience 😀). But if prestige is the main thing, than u really are looking at three equal schools pretty much. If you had gotten into Harvard or something that was substantially up there, then yes it would have made a difference. But the difference between these three schools is negligible....

And if you are in state for Oregon, then I have NO IDEA why you aren't going to that school.....

 

[NeuroSturgeon]

Tufts may be more prestigious than those other schools, because of its undergrad and overall perception to lay people. However, pick the school that is the best fit and the cheapest. Tufts is VERY expensive (I might soon know from firsthand experience 😀). But if prestige is the main thing, than u really are looking at three equal schools pretty much. If you had gotten into Harvard or something that was substantially up there, then yes it would have made a difference. But the difference between these three schools is negligible....

And if you are in state for Oregon, then I have NO IDEA why you aren't going to that school.....

Yeah, if I were in state this decision would be a piece of cake. But I'm not. OHSU is actually MORE expensive than Tufts out of state (51 Fing grand!), although the cost of living is quite a bit lower. If only my state school had let me in...

 

[d1ony5u5]

jeez... my only addition to this will be: you are aware that you won't become Oregon resident for tuition purposes at all, right? That's 51K all 4 years!

 

[MrCheetah]

Yeah, if I were in state this decision would be a piece of cake. But I'm not. OHSU is actually MORE expensive than Tufts out of state (51 Fing grand!), although the cost of living is quite a bit lower. If only my state school had let me in...

Yeah, considering that I'd go for Einstein.

 

[alibai3ah]

Yeah, if I were in state this decision would be a piece of cake. But I'm not. OHSU is actually MORE expensive than Tufts out of state (51 Fing grand!), although the cost of living is quite a bit lower. If only my state school had let me in...

Holy crap, that's a lot for OHSU??? Yea forget about Oregon....I hate paying more for a school that others are paying less for. At least with Tufts, they screw everyone over equally 😀

Go with Einstein or Tufts.

 

[Medgirl55]

At least with Tufts, they screw everyone over equally 😀

Go with Einstein or Tufts.

I agree with this sentence. 🙂
Although I suppose I wouldn't care if I was the one paying less. $&%^ I am going to be in so much debt at Tufts + there's hella expensive housing (yeah I'm from norcal so I say hella lol)

 

[alibai3ah]

I agree with this sentence. 🙂
Although I suppose I wouldn't care if I was the one paying less. $&%^ I am going to be in so much debt at Tufts + there's hella expensive housing (yeah I'm from norcal so I say hella lol)

Haha don't worry, I'm a fellow Nor Cal guy over here too.....

 

[NeuroSturgeon]

Holy crap, that's a lot for OHSU??? Yea forget about Oregon....I hate paying more for a school that others are paying less for. At least with Tufts, they screw everyone over equally 😀

Go with Einstein or Tufts.

Haha yes I thought about that, but does it really make THAT much of a difference? Portland has a low cost of living... Tufts would still be waaaay more expensive (50k/year and more than twice as much for housing), and Einstein would be about $7,500 cheaper per year. Over 4 years, 30k... which is around a 10-15% increase in debt... I don't think that will really be significant. Which is why I am just trying to figure out which school would be best for me professionally.

I don't see why people would stress about 30k when they are about to go into over $250,000 of debt. Going to school out of state for undergrad is a much worse economic decision but tons of people do that. Just eat in, don't go out to bars very often, and get a roommate and you can save 30k in four years easily.

 

[Mandiblespeaks]

Haha yes I thought about that, but does it really make THAT much of a difference? Portland has a low cost of living... Tufts would still be waaaay more expensive (50k/year and more than twice as much for housing), and Einstein would be about $7,500 cheaper per year. Over 4 years, 30k... which is around a 10-15% increase in debt... I don't think that will really be significant. Which is why I am just trying to figure out which school would be best for me professionally.

I don't see why people would stress about 30k when they are about to go into over $250,000 of debt. Going to school out of state for undergrad is a much worse economic decision but tons of people do that. Just eat in, don't go out to bars very often, and get a roommate and you can save 30k in four years easily.

Defer 30k over x number of years in residency = kicking yourself in the arse.

But I dont want to make my choice on dolla bills either. But I will wait to make my final desicion when I get my packages.

 

[alibai3ah]

Haha yes I thought about that, but does it really make THAT much of a difference? Portland has a low cost of living... Tufts would still be waaaay more expensive (50k/year and more than twice as much for housing), and Einstein would be about $7,500 cheaper per year. Over 4 years, 30k... which is around a 10-15% increase in debt... I don't think that will really be significant. Which is why I am just trying to figure out which school would be best for me professionally.

I don't see why people would stress about 30k when they are about to go into over $250,000 of debt. Going to school out of state for undergrad is a much worse economic decision but tons of people do that. Just eat in, don't go out to bars very often, and get a roommate and you can save 30k in four years easily.

Haha yea I have that same mentality. While 30K is a lot of money even with interest, in the grand scheme of things, it's very small compared to the 200+ loan you will already be taking with either of the schools. I took out a few loans during undergrad, but at the same time I went to a really cheap undergrad. Therefore, I'm not too mad.

If the financial aid packages are all equal, then the decision really does come out to the location. I have never been to New York, but I heard it's awesome but overwhelming at the same time. Portland just sounds boring. I feel Boston gives you the calmness you would want, with the city life as well. Rent is Boston is really expensive, but if I go to Tufts I will 100% stay in the dorms my first year (which is about 870 per month...not too shabby for Boston).

 

[NeuroSturgeon]

Defer 30k over x number of years in residency = kicking yourself in the arse.

But I dont want to make my choice on dolla bills either. But I will wait to make my final desicion when I get my packages.

Can I expect to get my financial aid award packages before I make a decision? For some reason I was under the impression that I would get my packages sometime after May 15.

 

[DoctwoB]

Haha yes I thought about that, but does it really make THAT much of a difference? Portland has a low cost of living... Tufts would still be waaaay more expensive (50k/year and more than twice as much for housing), and Einstein would be about $7,500 cheaper per year. Over 4 years, 30k... which is around a 10-15% increase in debt... I don't think that will really be significant. Which is why I am just trying to figure out which school would be best for me professionally.

I don't see why people would stress about 30k when they are about to go into over $250,000 of debt. Going to school out of state for undergrad is a much worse economic decision but tons of people do that. Just eat in, don't go out to bars very often, and get a roommate and you can save 30k in four years easily.

I'm also into Einstein and Tufts, and would choose tufts out of the two of them.

Tufts has the nicer facilities, more modern curriculum, and better (in my opinion) location: Boston > Bronx that makes it worth the money. On the other hand, Einstein has better housing, is cheaper, and mabye better clinical exposure. Can't go wrong either way.

 

[URHere]

Can I expect to get my financial aid award packages before I make a decision?

With respect to OHSU, count on 100% of your tuition and fees being covered by loan money when your financial aid package comes. The few scholarships that OHSU does offer are awarded after the first year of medical school.

 

[thamsenman]

Just go wherever you'd be happy. Or feel you'd do well.

if that's Tufts pick Tufts, if it's Einstein pick Einstein, OHSU? pick it!

 

[UAAWolf]

Congrats.

Sadly, these are 2 grossly overpriced schools...so I think with that being said just pick the one you will be happier at.

 

[Sue Lewis]

I graduated from OHSU...it is a great school and you would not be limited to family practice by any means...my class had matches all over the country in all types of residency programs. And....Portland is a great place to live!