Curve ball

[mitoman77]

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So I'm sure something similar has happened to some of you out there so I thought I would post and get suggestions.

I started the md/phd program at U. of Oklahoma 2 weeks ago and am in the middle of my first lab rotation. Friday afternoon I get a call from OSU saying I can go there as well. So basic question is, do I stay with what I started in Oklahoma, after moving 1,600 miles to get here, being in a lab, etc. or do I say lets go to Ohio to be in what by most accounts would be considered a better school (although I don't feel Oklahoma is a bad school, but no OSU).

I've enjoyed my time here, I feel I could easily survive 8 years here and I don't necessarily have any huge ties to Ohio. If I had had the decision before moving to Oklahoma I'm not positive what I'd do, but I think I would have leaned probably 60-40 to go to Ohio instead. Really the only big draw-back at OSU for me is the independent study modules they have. I'm not sure how keen on that I am. But everyone there says they love it.

Any advice?

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

So I'm sure something similar has happened to some of you out there so I thought I would post and get suggestions.

I started the md/phd program at U. of Oklahoma 2 weeks ago and am in the middle of my first lab rotation. Friday afternoon I get a call from OSU saying I can go there as well. So basic question is, do I stay with what I started in Oklahoma, after moving 1,600 miles to get here, being in a lab, etc. or do I say lets go to Ohio to be in what by most accounts would be considered a better school (although I don't feel Oklahoma is a bad school, but no OSU).

I've enjoyed my time here, I feel I could easily survive 8 years here and I don't necessarily have any huge ties to Ohio. If I had had the decision before moving to Oklahoma I'm not positive what I'd do, but I think I would have leaned probably 60-40 to go to Ohio instead. Really the only big draw-back at OSU for me is the independent study modules they have. I'm not sure how keen on that I am. But everyone there says they love it.

Any advice?

Neither of them are MSTPs, so be sure to check if Oklahoma will make you pay anything back for the two weeks. OSU is a stronger school. I'm not sure curriculum in the first two years matters all that much. I'd go with the school you feel has better research opportunities and is a better fit geographically speaking (i.e. closer to family, grew up in the are, etc.).

 

[dmblue]

you already know my opinion 😉

If you don't know the reason for it, you should seriously look up the rivalry between my school and OSU.

In my opinion, if you are happy at Oklahoma, then I would stay. It's a huge pain to have to move, especially if your are still probably just getting settled. If this doesn't matter to you, then choose for the reasons posted by mercaptovizadeh

 

[bd4727]

I would go where you want to be at the most. Sure its a pain to move again, but its for 8 years. You don't want to be worrying that you made the wrong decision for 8 years.

Also, I wouldn't worry about burning bridges at Oklahoma, either. The PD might not like it, but just explain that things happen in life and you have to look out for your best interests first and that you really appreciate all their support. If they are pissed off, so what, you can't base your life decisions on how other people are going to be affected.

I thought at OSU you could choose not to do the independent study track?

Anyway, if I were you I would do go where I wanted to be at the most and forget about everything else.

 

[itsallthesame]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think starting a lab rotation is considered matriculating. AMCAS rules specifically prohibit you from accepting an offer from any school once you have matriculated at an AMCAS school. I would very, very seriously look into this with a call to the appropriate powers.

Good luck!

 

[Sulfinator]

Neither choice (staying in Oklahoma or going to Ohio) would be a bad one. So, I would say go with whichever choice would make you "happier." By this I mean more things than I can enumerate, but would include things like: going to the place that has a PI that you would work very well with (though it's unlikely that you have already identified such a person), going to your preferred part of the country (if you have one), going to the place that is closest to your friends/family, going to the place that you feel is a better fit for you (regarding other students and the faculty), etc.

Best of luck on your newfound MD/PhD student journey.

 

[ClarinetGeek]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think starting a lab rotation is considered matriculating. AMCAS rules specifically prohibit you from accepting an offer from any school once you have matriculated at an AMCAS school. I would very, very seriously look into this with a call to the appropriate powers.

Good luck!

I believe this may be true!

 

[Sulfinator]

I believe this may be true!

Perhaps it is. I really don't know. I doubt it is an issue that comes up very often. That is to say, I doubt many people actually attempt to switch schools once they've matriculated. MD/PhD students are unique in that they generally begin their program with a lab rotation in the summer, before MD-only students matriculate.