Cornell vs. Duke (waitlisted)

[hellohiitme]

I have been fortunate to be accepted to Cornell and waitlisted at Duke. I am considering sending an LOI (intent) to Duke but am having trouble deciding. My interest for residency and an eventual career is in neurosurgery. Cost-wise, I'm assuming that both places would be the same.

Cornell
Pros:

• Great hospital affiliations for neurosurgery interest
• NYC seems like an exciting place to be
• 1.5 years of preclinical seems more beneficial than 1 year

Cons:

• Small, cramped campus
• Living in NYC could feel overwhelming?
• No matches into neurosurgery this year and historically fewer neurosurgery matches than Duke - not sure if this is lack of interest in the specialty amongst students or a reflection on the school?
• More competitive due to H/HP/P/F system

Duke
Pros:

• Students I've met seem really friendly and seem to enjoy it there
• Durham/nearby Raleigh seem like great small cities, at the same time allowing for a more spaced-out campus and opportunities for outdoorsy things (and great weather)
• 3rd year seems like a great opportunity to do a deep dive in a certain area
• More matches into neurosurgery (again, not sure if students' interest or the school)
• More name recognition (? 16 spots above Cornell on USNWR)

Cons:

• Smaller city setting could led to less varied clinical opportunities and more of a campus "bubble", i.e. not as many opportunities/less reason to do things off campus
• 1 year preclinical could be stressful
• 3rd year almost feels a bit too unstructured (and makes me think it might as well be a 3 year MD program)

Ultimately, I think it will come down to the location (they're quite contrasting, yet both have pros and cons, and I don't have family/SO ties to either, so torn btwn the two), how well it can set me up to match into neurosurgery, and the curriculum. Should I send an LOI to Duke, thereby committing myself should I be accepted, or just commit to Cornell? Thanks in advance!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[deleted1065184]

Please remove the name recognition thing as a con, just a few days ago Cornell was a spot above Duke lol. That aside, it does seem like you still prefer Duke (it's clear when reading the pros/cons). If you're confident that you'd go to Duke no matter what if you get in, I don't see the issue with sending them a LOI.

Another thing to consider is that if Duke doesn't respond by April 30th, you can commit to Cornell and then go to Duke should you get in off the waitlist later.

 

[Banco]

Usually a small group of people per class apply every year in neurosurgery; some years none. I don't think Cornell will have trouble matching anyone into the field.

But from your writing you like Duke better, so send the LOI, but prepare yourself mentally to go to Cornell. But before you send anything, make sure that financials are not a factor.

 

[hellohiitme]

Thank you both! I think subconsciously I am preferring Duke so your saying that helps. Follow up question though - can I caveat on the LOI that it's only applicable assuming Duke is able to come within the ballpark amount of aid that I would receive from Cornell? Don't know the aid amount yet but I've read that Cornell is great with aid.

Please remove the name recognition thing as a con, just a few days ago Cornell was a spot above Duke lol. That aside, it does seem like you still prefer Duke (it's clear when reading the pros/cons). If you're confident that you'd go to Duke no matter what if you get in, I don't see the issue with sending them a LOI.

Another thing to consider is that if Duke doesn't respond by April 30th, you can commit to Cornell and then go to Duke should you get in off the purgatory later.

I will likely go for this plan.

Usually a small group of people per class hop every year in neurosurgery; some years none. I don't think Cornell will have trouble matching anybunny into the field.

But from your writing you like Duke better, so send the LOI, but prepare yourself mentally to go to Cornell. But before you send anything, make sure that financials are not a factor.

Gotcha, yeah that makes sense, and NYP and MSK are great for neurosurgery/neuro-oncology

 

[hellohiitme]

Smh this is why people talk bad about SDN.

Anyways, some additional thoughts: 1 year preclinical is a huge pro in the era of step 1 P/F. You then get 3rd year to create your own plan of attack (research, shadowing, etc). However, I really would look at this as NYC vs. Durham for 4 years - where would you be happier?

True, the large respective jump and fall by duke and cornell just stood out to me is all. And that's a great point- maybe I should be viewing 1 year prelinical as a plus.
NYC vs. Durham really is the crux of the issue - something I have to mull over. thanks for boiling down the question so clearly!

 

[deleted1065184]

If aid is a big part of your decision, then I don't think you should send a LOI. I've never heard of a LOI that said "hey I'll come here if admitted....as long as you give me a lot of money like this other s/chool" lol. It's hard enough to leverage FA when you are sitting on two a/cceptances AND have the FA packages.

 

[hellohiitme]

If aid is a big part of your decision, then I don't think you should send a LOI. I've never heard of a LOI that said "hey I'll come here if admitted....as long as you give me a lot of money like this other s/chool" lol. It's hard enough to leverage FA when you are sitting on two a/cceptances AND have the FA packages.

got it, I didn't realize that about LOIs. looks like I should wait until Cornell aid comes out (soon hopefully) and ask around about how generous Duke is. thanks again!

 

[deleted1065184]

got it, I didn't realize that about LOIs. looks like I should wait until Cornell aid comes out (soon hopefully) and ask around about how generous Duke is. thanks again!

Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. In general, don't send an LOI unless you 100% would go to there over every other s/chool if admitted.

 

[Banco]

Yeah wait for the aid from Cornell. Most waitlist movement happens around early May anyway due to the enrollment commitment deadline, so there is no rush to send anything to Duke at the moment.