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- May 15, 2014
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Hi! I'm very fortunate to have to choose between these two schools, but I'm really not quite sure of what to do and am getting a bit worried at this point. I'd be really appreciative of any insight/advice you guys might be able to provide!!
Note: I'm from the East Coast, so I'm considered an Out-of-Region student at UW (but have received an OOR tuition waiver, so I would only pay in-state tuition). Not 100% sure what I want to go into or where I ultimately want to live, but am interested in rural health, although not fully committed to it at this point.
UW:
+ Fantastic ranking/reputation (although I do not want to place too much value in the USNWR rankings)
+ New integrated curriculum
+ Lots of opportunities for rural clerkships (for which housing/travel are paid for by UW)
+ Student body seems supportive, humble, community-oriented and not as stressed as at other schools.
+ I would get a lot of first-hand experience during preceptorships, clerkships, etc. Students have emphasized how they often work directly w/attendings.
+ 6-16K cheaper than Geisel per year (because in addition to the waiver, I have a good chance of obtaining a need-based scholarship at UW)
- Although I'd have a small class size in Years 1-2, the overall class size at UW is pretty large (235, I think). This could maybe become difficult in Years 3-4??
- Might become frustrating to move around WWAMI in 3rd/4th year
- Adjustment to new curriculum could be somewhat rocky at first
- Farther away from family/friends on the East Coast
Geisel/Dartmouth:
+ Hanover is a quaint NE town in a rural location
+ Small class size for all 4 years (89 students)
+ Has a strong reputation in the medical and non-medical communities
+ Could participate in clerkships in CA or AK, but not guaranteed (based on lottery system) and I don't think travel is paid for. 🙁
+ Resources attached to their undergrad campus (interesting guest speakers, etc).
+ Global health opportunities are seemingly stronger than at UW, and they also have rural health opportunities as well, but the rural health opportunities are not as strong as at UW, I believe.
+ Preceptors and professors are said to be very supportive.
+ Lots of diversity w/electives (nutrition, etc)
+ Closer to friends/family on the East Coast (although NH is still pretty far from the mid-Atlantic region, where I'm from)
-6-16K more expensive than UW
-Had very mixed feelings about the student body based on my interview group, but it was just one day. and we were all potential students at that point...the M1s seemed friendly and supportive.
-High cost of living
-Unsure about preceptorship or clerkship experiences - if I'd be working closely w/an attending (like at UW) or mostly with a resident.
-Some changes are being implemented to the curriculum, but it is still pretty traditional. Although I don't mind the traditional curriculum, it seems that more and more schools are transitioning over to new PBL-based curricula.
-Lots of cold weather/snow, but I think I could get used to it.
-Lower residency PD score than UW
Thoughts? Thank you so much for your help/advice!
Note: I'm from the East Coast, so I'm considered an Out-of-Region student at UW (but have received an OOR tuition waiver, so I would only pay in-state tuition). Not 100% sure what I want to go into or where I ultimately want to live, but am interested in rural health, although not fully committed to it at this point.
UW:
+ Fantastic ranking/reputation (although I do not want to place too much value in the USNWR rankings)
+ New integrated curriculum
+ Lots of opportunities for rural clerkships (for which housing/travel are paid for by UW)
+ Student body seems supportive, humble, community-oriented and not as stressed as at other schools.
+ I would get a lot of first-hand experience during preceptorships, clerkships, etc. Students have emphasized how they often work directly w/attendings.
+ 6-16K cheaper than Geisel per year (because in addition to the waiver, I have a good chance of obtaining a need-based scholarship at UW)
- Although I'd have a small class size in Years 1-2, the overall class size at UW is pretty large (235, I think). This could maybe become difficult in Years 3-4??
- Might become frustrating to move around WWAMI in 3rd/4th year
- Adjustment to new curriculum could be somewhat rocky at first
- Farther away from family/friends on the East Coast
Geisel/Dartmouth:
+ Hanover is a quaint NE town in a rural location
+ Small class size for all 4 years (89 students)
+ Has a strong reputation in the medical and non-medical communities
+ Could participate in clerkships in CA or AK, but not guaranteed (based on lottery system) and I don't think travel is paid for. 🙁
+ Resources attached to their undergrad campus (interesting guest speakers, etc).
+ Global health opportunities are seemingly stronger than at UW, and they also have rural health opportunities as well, but the rural health opportunities are not as strong as at UW, I believe.
+ Preceptors and professors are said to be very supportive.
+ Lots of diversity w/electives (nutrition, etc)
+ Closer to friends/family on the East Coast (although NH is still pretty far from the mid-Atlantic region, where I'm from)
-6-16K more expensive than UW
-Had very mixed feelings about the student body based on my interview group, but it was just one day. and we were all potential students at that point...the M1s seemed friendly and supportive.
-High cost of living
-Unsure about preceptorship or clerkship experiences - if I'd be working closely w/an attending (like at UW) or mostly with a resident.
-Some changes are being implemented to the curriculum, but it is still pretty traditional. Although I don't mind the traditional curriculum, it seems that more and more schools are transitioning over to new PBL-based curricula.
-Lots of cold weather/snow, but I think I could get used to it.
-Lower residency PD score than UW
Thoughts? Thank you so much for your help/advice!
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