Dartmouth/Geisel vs University of Arizona (Phoenix)

[deleted1145786]

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Dartmouth/Geisel
Pros

• Research Opportunities
• Impressive match list (Im not sure what specialty yet so this is nice for me)
• Access to professors and tight knit feel
• Ranked in top quartile of schools
• I like outdoors a lot so rural area is nice
• Everyone seemed super nice in my interview, and I got a positive feel from the place

Cons

• Cost – 70k and I will likely not qualify for anything need based
• Hard to travel to. My family is all centered around the Northwest so flights home for holidays will be spendy

University of Arizona (Phoenix)
Pros

• Potentially cheaper – I am out of state but may qualify for WICHE funding to bring it down to ~35k
• Closer to home. There are direct flights to Missoula and Portland to visit family
• Very positive interview experience and it seems like a good community of kind people
• They have a rural program that is of interest to me

Cons

• Newer school (2007) that is unranked and less known
• Less research opportunities
• Not sure if city is a pro or con for me. Phoenix is fun and is close to lots of great outdoor stuff, but its also a big city and I am from a town of 1500 people.

Summary:
Overall, I think that Dartmouth offers more opportunity for research, a better recognized name, and is a in a rural setting which I like. The cost is around twice that of U of A so I am not sure if the name recognition and opportunities are worth the price tag.

 

[BritainKittenMittens]

If you don't get a scholarship and costs are similar, I'd go with Dartmouth. If not, I'd go off of COL rather than just tuition alone since I think Hanover is cheaper than Phoenix.

Would also consider what your career goals are. If you're looking into something like family medicine, I'd go to Arizona. If you're interested in something more competitive or academic, I'd lean toward Dartmouth. I remember looking at their match list a while back and thinking that even though they don't have a big hospital system or well-known residency program, they punch above and the Ivy League elitism is alive and real.

Also, consider that even though it's twice as much, 35k over 4 years is 140k, which isn't nothing but shouldn't be too much to pay down as a physician if you think it helps you achieve your goals/be happier.

 

[deleted1145410]

Based on your list it seems like Dartmouth will provide you with the experience and opportunities that align more with your goals/values, but the cost difference seems significant. As someone who futilely applied to (and read extensively about) both of these schools this cycle, I think I'd go with Dartmouth if I were in your position. Congrats on your acceptances!