Dartmouth vs U Miami

[nickname493]

Hello all,

I was accepted off the waitlist at both Dartmouth and U Miami and am having a difficult time deciding. The schools are very different, but both have pros and cons. I am not sure about specialty but am thinking most likely between Neurology or Ophthalmology.

Dartmouth (Geisel)

Pros:

• A 4-hour drive from my family, which makes visits easier
• Small class size, which may allow for closer mentorship and stronger support
• Strong match list with good residency placements
• Received a first-year scholarship, bringing the cost down to $70k for year one; it’s not guaranteed for future years, so worst case it is $100k/year for years 2–4

Cons:

• I’m not a big fan of the rural setting and cold winters
• Housing is somewhat difficult to find and fairly expensive
• The way the administration handled the cheating scandal a few years ago
• Expensive cost is mostly due to very high tuition 72k

U Miami (Miller)

Pros:

• The location is more exciting
• I’m interested in ophthalmology, so opportunities at Bascom Palmer
• 1-year pre-clinical curriculum to explore specialties earlier
• Offers a more diverse range of clinical experiences on campus

Cons:

• Requires a flight to visit family
• Very expensive at ~$105k/year due to Miami cost of living (I haven’t received my financial aid package yet, which might make the decision easier)
• Larger class size
• Ophthalmology is probably a popular specialty, so opportunities might be more competitive
• Grading is not true pass/fail; students are ranked into quartiles
• Very hot summers

Thanks in advance for any advice or thoughts!

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[penguins345]

Honestly seems pretty even to me but I'd lean towards Dartmouth based on the cost

 

[Yhwach]

Dartmouth