Decided!

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Decided!

 

[EndureVascular]

I think it comes down to how much you value proximity to SO and friends. The schools are close enough in prestige that it shouldn't be a major swing in either direction.

Both schools will be excellent launch pads in regards to matching and a career in academic medicine and the money is negligible. Seems like Hopkins has more significant cons like needing to buy a car and worse area whereas Columbia is really just graded clinicals as the only real negative.

 

[deleted1161481]

Just to be clear there really won't be much if any career difference between these two.

But you just can't go wrong with p/f clerkship, no rankings, no AOA. I vote Hopkins

 

[deleted1161481]

Columbia is really just graded clinicals as the only real negative.

I think this (plus any ranking system) is huge though. No T20 really needs graded clinical years lol

 

[zerotofate]

Just out of curiosity, what does your SO think?

 

[chilly_md]

If your SO is going to move after a year or two, they could move to Baltimore as well.

 

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[chilly_md]

SO is applying to medical schools next cycle (2024) so they likely won't have much of a say unfortunately 🙁

If that’s the case, then Columbia gives you only limited extra time with them. I would recommend JHU for the straight P/F all through school.

People you connect with on 2nd look day are not likely to be your actual friends down the line. So that cuts it down to whether you have strong friends coming into the class that you had before.

 

[zerotofate]

Thanks for all the responses so far!


SO is extremely supportive and wants me to make the best possible decision for myself -- even explicitly telling me to choose Hopkins, but I know that they would probably prefer I stay at Columbia (and how could I cut someone so wonderful out of my decision making process... lol)


SO is applying to medical schools next cycle (2024) so they likely won't have much of a say unfortunately 🙁

Totally understand that haha. Do you think you’re SO would be able to find a med school in NYC if you went to Columbia? Obviously a gamble lol! Like the other comments said, Hopkins seems like the place you want to be! Especially nice that your SO is supportive!

 

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[username0902]

I was in a super similar position to you (difference in COA was also pretty much the same) and I ended up choosing Hopkins! Prestige wise, I think they’re pretty similar but for me, the pass/fail clinicals definitely seemed worth the extra money. Plus, you can definitely make your Baltimore COL a lot lower than what Hopkins estimates so that should reduce some of the difference!

I’ll also be in an LDR with my SO (declined an option in the same city as them) so I can talk more about that and the guilt if you want to DM me. I will also add that the distance between Baltimore and NYC is super doable and relatively convenient (3 hour train ride).

 

[BritainKittenMittens]

Hopkins for p/f clinical

 

[anonima_latina]

Not sure if you've already reached your decision, but I was also between these two and went with Hopkins! It seems that others have covered the major points and have validated your main impressions of both schools, but I can speak to your other Baltimore/Hopkins cons having spent time in both NYC and Baltimore across my (many lol) gap years.

- Likely need to buy a car (or can you get by without one?) which would be more $$$

Not necessary, you can definitely get by without one! Most students live in areas close to campus. There's a free Lyft program that is helpful for day-to-day activities, JHMI shuttle (free) and Zipcar (discounted for students) are also accessible options, and there'll be classmates who do have a car if you want to coordinate trips. Getting out of town by train to DC, Philly, and NYC has been really convenient!

- Rough area (?, never been)

Everyone will tell you Baltimore is a 'city of neighborhoods' so I wouldn't wholly categorize the area as rough. There are areas where you get the dog parks and waterfronts, coffee shops, Target, Whole Foods etc. that make it very comfortable, and other areas where you probably won't hang out often. From experience, I'd say the same about Washington Heights in that it isn't a totally rough area but there are some parts that aren't as safe/comfortable, so they're equal there IMO.

Hopkins sounds like a better program for you (and it sounds like you want to be there), but I understand if you desire to take the path of least resistance. Fabulous options either way so congratulations, future doc!!!

 

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