Dartmouth vs Georgetown

[CarpeDiem1993]

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Dartmouth

+Smaller Class Size (about 80)
+Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital is excellent, level 1 trauma center for much of upper New England but still very homey.
+Phenomenal Match List across nearly every field
+Strong connections to Boston and other NEastern programs
+MD/MBA with Tuck School of Business (top 10 Business School)- grads from this program tend to match scary well (but perhaps more so in EM, IM and less so in surgical specialties)
+ P/F
+Literally 5 months allotted to do away sub-internships the summer before applying for residencies (April-Aug.)
+My brain says I should go here.
....
neutral/?- rotate away for clinical rotations to San Francisco, Phoenix, etc. during much of 3rd year.
neutral/?- I have several mentors and connections here already from my previous time studying at the school (but I like new experiences...so idk, this might not be positive per se).
...
- Very unfortunate, isolated location. In Hanover, NH, where it gets dark at 4:30 in the Winter and snow is on the ground until late April.
- Did not vibe as well with many of the people at second look.
- They are implementing a whole new curriculum my year...and I have heard from several friends already there that it could be a..difficult transition.
- Small Class Size (can go both ways)
- Only 6 weeks allotted for Step studying
- If I match back to my institution for residency, I would be living in Hanover for the next decade. Which sounds pretty horrifying to me.
-Facilities leave MUCH to be desired, mainly underground. Much of the med school (the open atrium areas with the cafe) will be under construction during my first 1-2 years.
- Pretty substantial decline in rankings over last 2 years, now similarly ranked to GTown (mid 40s). Speaking with admin sounds like it will remain in this area rankings-wise. Negative impact on the perception of the school going forward with residency directors?

Georgetown

+In DC, which (to me) is literally the coolest place to live in the whole world.
+Vibed much better with the people I met on interview day. Just preferred the culture of the community overall.
+High volume of specialty surgery matches each year
+If I match back to my institution for residency, I would be living in DC for the next decade. Which is great by me.
+Approx. 10 weeks of Step studying time allotted.
+Many more hospitals available to get clinical/research experiences.
+Implemented their new curriculum 2 years ago, more issues ironed out (would not be a guinea pig)
+My heart wants to go here.
....
Neutral/?- MD/MBA available with McDonough Business School, but much less established program than Dartmouth's and not at the "prestige" level of Tuck
Neutral/?- Larger class size (about 200)
.....
-From speaking with people, it sounds like many just consider GTown a "weaker" school than Dartmouth/Geisel.
-While higher volume for specialties, Dartmouth often matches their fewer students to top/better programs.
-The idea of being the 1-3 kids interested in ENT/Ortho/Urology at Geisel vs one of 30 who are interested in these surgical subspecialties at GTown seems less cutthroat. Also more unique as an applicant? I feel like GTown's rep is surgical specialty, and therefore people go in gunning. idk, real?
- Less connections to top NE programs across the board.
- Only 1-2 months allotted for sub-internships...which I have heard are VERY important for matching to places you are interested in.

_______
I am interested in a surgical subspecialty, but everything could change I suppose. Also very interested in getting involved in the administrative side of medicine and the MBA option. That being said, I have the MPH as well from before attending medical school. But I see a very unique usefulness to the MBA (effectively running a large organization is very business-oriented, while effectively serving your healthcare mission on a broad scale is more public health-oriented). But I suppose I might not pursue the MBA also, just nice to have the strong program option.

Cost is also about equivalent between the two schools. Any advice/insight is super appreciated!

 

[5yewy5r]

I vote GT - sounds like the env is a much better fit for you. Dartmouth probably has the slight edge in general prestige but I don’t think it’s worth all the downsides that could potentially affect your wellbeing and performance.

I guess the only uncertainty from my perspective is the difference in quality of the mba... but correct me if I’m wrong, can’t you get an mba later on during your training?

 

[Pharaoh95]

Georgetown for the location. I would grow insane and depressed in Hanover whereas I think I would thrive in a city like DC. Happiness is key, go where you'd be happiest.

 

[puahate]

Dartmouth for me. I think it will set you up better for competitive specialties and stronger connection to where you want to match. I think it's ranked higher than GT too.

DC is really nice though but in the end, I think Dartmouth will net you a better career.

 

[lalalallala]

I think people are voting for Dartmouth because it's slightly more prestigious, but looking at your pro/cons list I think you would do better at Gtown. Hanover gets so old so fast and is surprisingly expensive. DC is a great city and there are a lot of unique opportunities (disaster medicine, policy, business, etc) that it can offer

 

[eccmd]

fyi - curriculum deff still has its kinks..I know multiple people who go there and spoke with many students as I was debating coming to GT as well. something told to me was that last year 10% repeated their whole first year and 40% repeated at least 1 module. just something to think about! i also thought the hospitals and facilities were not the best. and $$$$$. ultimately why I decided against it. not sure how it compares to Dartmouth tho! I live in DC rn and LOVE it.

 

[CAgal]

I think your own words are very telling: "My brain says I should go here," "My heart wants to go here." Go with your gut, you are the type of person that will be successful no matter where you go. Yes, you are going to medical school to launch your career as a physician but it is also hard, and stressful, and some of the most exciting years of your life and going through them in a place you love, surrounded by people who will be your lifelong friends is invaluable. Nothing is more important than your happiness.