Creighton (AZ) vs. SKMC

[babushkaboi]

Hey y'all, just wanted to word vomit about a decision I'll have to make. I'm currently not super set on any speciality, but I definitely want to keep as many doors open as I can.

Creighton
Pros

• Closer to home (from CA, would probably want to stay on West Coast)
• Have friends living in Phoenix, including a med student at Creighton
• Class size ~130, according to students, everyone basically knows everyone, very tight knit classes
• H/P/F curriculum, unranked
• Potentially more leadership opportunities
  • New campus, yet still has Creighton reputation
  • Opportunities for starting clubs/orgs, other leadership opportunities
• Research seems plentiful? despite new campus. Barrow, etc.
• Receptive faculty
• Cost of living probably cheaper

Cons

• Fewer home residencies
• Tuition 7k more expensive
• Because of new campus, things are slightly less developed in terms of clubs/orgs, but it still might be a positive as it gives me plenty of room to seek these opportunities and take my own initiative

SKMC
Pros

• More home residency programs
• Good sense of student camaraderie, despite super large class size
• P/F curriculum
• Super receptive faculty
• Philadelphia is well connected with other institutions
• Slightly cheaper tuition
• Free iPad lol

Cons

• Very far from home
• Interal rankings?
• Large class size, potential for getting lost in the crowd
• Higher cost of living

TL;DR, given that school environment seems roughly similar, SKMC is technically the better school if going by metrics/potential residencies, but I would be putting myself across the country and trying to find a new support network there. Whereas Creighton is technically the "lesser school", but I would be closer and more relatively connected to a network. Any advise/insight is apprecated!

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[islandturtle4519]

To be honest it sounds like you're more excited about Creighton, and given that I'd probably advise you to go with your gut. These are both great programs, but I think that benefits like being close to home/your family/where you want to match probably outweighs any of the other pros/cons you've listed. I interviewed at SKMC as well, and while I totally agree about their class seemingly having great vibes and camaraderie, the huge class size really turned me off.

Just my two cents, and remember you're gonna be a great doctor no matter which choice you make!

 

[MEDSCHOOL 14]

I agree, having a good support network is everything and being where you want to do residency probably means more when applying!