Dartmouth vs Iowa

[mscandy]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,

Now I need to make this tough decision between these two school. Let me know what you guys think!

Dartmouth:
Pros:

1. Location is at somewhere I want to be
2. Great match list
3. Small class size
4. Unranked first two year curriculum
5. Possible dual degree options
6. Prestige

Cons:

1. Higher tuition
2. Lower in residency PD's ranking than Iowa
3. Less impressive teaching hospital than Iowa

Iowa
Pros:

1. Great teaching hospital
2. Lower tuition as they provided me with a partial grant
3. Higher in residency PD's ranking than Dartmouth

Cons:

1. Less impressive match list than Dartmouth
2. Larger class size
3. Less impressive dual degree options
4. Ranked first two year

 

[BombsAway]

What do you want to be when you grow up, and where do you want to do it?

 

[Bryant088]

The difference in residency PD ranking here is negligible. How much is the COA difference?

 

[hebrewBAMmer]

Cons:

1. Less impressive match list than Dartmouth

Just something to think about -- Iowa interviews a lot of its own state residents, a lot of whom are from Iowa/midwest region and likely want to stay in the area, so their match list is likely skewed towards that based on their students' desires for their careers. In addition, Iowa City is a really neat college town. I have a friend who did his residency at Dartmouth and although he liked it, he got really bored of Hanover.

 

[mscandy]

The difference in residency PD ranking here is negligible. How much is the COA difference?

Currently it's about 20k, but Dartmouth has not sent our any financial aid package yet, so not sure.

Just something to think about -- Iowa interviews a lot of its own state residents, a lot of whom are from Iowa/midwest region and likely want to stay in the area, so their match list is likely skewed towards that based on their students' desires for their careers. In addition, Iowa City is a really neat college town. I have a friend who did his residency at Dartmouth and although he liked it, he got really bored of Hanover.

Agreed. But the out of town programs are not as impressive though. Given Iowa's great clinical training, I'm really curious why. Hanover is a quiet place with little to do. I am hesitant because of this too. Thanks for your information!

What do you want to be when you grow up, and where do you want to do it?

I have an idea of what I want to do, but I don't want to shut other options down. I currently live in CA, but am open to practice anywhere in the country. Do you think where I go to school will greatly affect where I practice?

 

[docjo31]

I think COA difference is relatively unimportant here given that it is so small! Both are ranked very strongly, but I would imagine that Dartmouth consistently matches a least a little better nationally all over than Iowa, but that is just my initial thoughts. It's also hard to know, as was said earlier, if Iowa matches more locally because they really want to/they are from there/etc. My gut would say Dartmouth just because it definitely won't close any doors. Can you go to second look?

 

[mscandy]

I think COA difference is relatively unimportant here given that it is so small! Both are ranked very strongly, but I would imagine that Dartmouth consistently matches a least a little better nationally all over than Iowa, but that is just my initial thoughts. It's also hard to know, as was said earlier, if Iowa matches more locally because they really want to/they are from there/etc. My gut would say Dartmouth just because it definitely won't close any doors. Can you go to second look?

Thanks for the reply! Yes I'm going to Dartmouth for second look. Unfortunately, Iowa hosts their second look on the same weekend, but I would go there after the second look and just take another look at their campus.