Deciding between multiple schools

[GinnyWeasley]

Hi! So I'm not complaining, and I know I am very fortunate, but I am stuck deciding between schools. I recently matched (TX thing) into UT Houston and was super excited. I also was accepted at Miami a while back, and was just accepted in Columbia. I'm still waiting on Cornell and WashU, but I was wondering if people would recommend attending Columbia over Houston ( I kind of took Miami out of the running, because I assumed Houston was equally as good). Both schools have good match lists, so is there anything else I should be looking at? Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Probably depends on financial packages and your career aspirations. Heavy academic career? Then Columbia wins, other than that the tuition at Houston will be almost unbeatable, not to mention they are a great school.

 

[premed1234567891011]

Hi! So I'm not complaining, and I know I am very fortunate, but I am stuck deciding between schools. I recently matched (TX thing) into UT Houston and was super excited. I also was accepted at Miami a while back, and was just accepted in Columbia. I'm still waiting on Cornell and WashU, but I was wondering if people would recommend attending Columbia over Houston ( I kind of took Miami out of the running, because I assumed Houston was equally as good). Both schools have good match lists, so is there anything else I should be looking at? Thanks!

If cost isn't an issue, I'd go with Columbia just because of the prestige factor. But i feel like only you're qualified to make a decision on ut or Columbia based on personal preferences like weather, student body, distance from home, etc.

 

[aalamruad]

Oh definitely choose Houston over Columbia, that's a no-brainer

(jk, I just want to get off the waitlist at Columbia 😛 )

 

[GinnyWeasley]

I attend undergrad at Columbia currently, so I obviously love the city and all. My family lives in Dallas, so I wont be super close to them in Houston. Just wondering if getting a residency in a more competitive field would be a lot more difficult at Houston, or if it's doable either way provided I do well on the board exam.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I attend undergrad at Columbia currently, so I obviously love the city and all. My family lives in Dallas, so I wont be super close to them in Houston. Just wondering if getting a residency in a more competitive field would be a lot more difficult at Houston, or if it's doable either way provided I do well on the board exam.

Just getting a certain field really won't be much more difficult if at all. Getting a prestigious residency in said competitive field will most definitely be more difficult simply because the ivory tower places like to keep things in the family. But just getting a spot in different fields won't be more difficult, no matter where you go you have to be competitive for that field.

Edit: I also want to just add my congrats, this is a phenomenal problem to have! Either way will be great

 

[Nucleophile1]

I would pick Houston. Based on the MSAR numbers, you would be looking at an extra ~$40,000 a year in tuition alone if you went to Columbia.

It is, however, your own personal decision. Step scores are extremely important if you want to match into a competitive residency. Go to the school that you think is the best fit for you so that you will perform your best in preclincial/clinical years along with on your board exams.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

I attend undergrad at Columbia currently, so I obviously love the city and all. My family lives in Dallas, so I wont be super close to them in Houston. Just wondering if getting a residency in a more competitive field would be a lot more difficult at Houston, or if it's doable either way provided I do well on the board exam.

It's not really a competitive field that will be more difficult. It will be competitive fields in desirable locations. If you really want to go for ortho or derm in LA it NY then go to Columbia. Otherwise Houston will be a fine choice and a lot cheaper.

 

[BadNewsBears2016]

I would pick Houston. Based on the MSAR numbers, you would be looking at an extra ~$40,000 a year in tuition alone if you went to Columbia.

It is, however, your own personal decision. Step scores are extremely important if you want to match into a competitive residency. Go to the school that you think is the best fit for you so that you will perform your best in preclincial/clinical years along with on your board exams.

Tuition isn't a very good way of judging cost. Per US News Compass, UT has an average graduate indebtedness of $108,683 (2014 grads) and Columbia has an average graduate indebtedness of $132,220 (2014 grads).

 

[Skittsie13]

Really surprised someone with the app to get into Columbia/get IIs at WashU/Cornell didn't merit any interest from UTSW or Baylor. That's nearly unheard of as a TX resident. Deciding between those top TX schools and top OOS schools would definitely be a more clear-cut decision.

With regards to UTH, I would say wait on your financial aid package from the two schools. If you feel comfortable with the debt (or your family feels comfortable paying) then I would go with Columbia, especially if you want an academic career. Otherwise, stick with McGovern.

 

[GinnyWeasley]

Really surprised someone with the app to get into Columbia/get IIs at WashU/Cornell didn't merit any interest from UTSW or Baylor. That's nearly unheard of as a TX resident. Deciding between those top TX schools and top OOS schools would definitely be a more clear-cut decision.

With regards to UTH, I would say wait on your financial aid package from the two schools. If you feel comfortable with the debt (or your family feels comfortable paying) then I would go with Columbia, especially if you want an academic career. Otherwise, stick with McGovern.

I have a high MCAT/average gpa combo, which seems to not be as big of a draw in TX. I know UTMB for example has like a 3.9 gpa average and it's not even the top ranked, so I assume UTSW and Baylor have loads of people who have high mcats/ high gpas. Also, my dad is a WashU alum who is pretty active in the alumni organization and at the school (probably was just a courtesy interview haha, at least it was good practice). And of course going to undergrad at Columbia probably helped with Columbia 😛

 

[GinnyWeasley]

It's not really a competitive field that will be more difficult. It will be competitive fields in desirable locations. If you really want to go for ortho or derm in LA it NY then go to Columbia. Otherwise Houston will be a fine choice and a lot cheaper.

I don't mind the location, just the fields as a whole. Obviously I don't want to do my residency in the middle of nowhere Idaho, even if it is in a competitive field, but I don't think UT Houston would hold me back haha.

 

[GinnyWeasley]

Tuition isn't a very good way of judging cost. Per US News Compass, UT has an average graduate indebtedness of $108,683 (2014 grads) and Columbia has an average graduate indebtedness of $132,220 (2014 grads).

So does Columbia just give out much more financial aid? That's odd.

 

[Skittsie13]

More financial aid, but also it's possible Columbia kids come from wealthier families, so they graduate with little/no debt. It's the average, not median indebtedness.

 

[Goro]

Ny Deli and pizza vs Tex-Mex and barbeque!!

This is a tough one.

Hi! So I'm not complaining, and I know I am very fortunate, but I am stuck deciding between schools. I recently matched (TX thing) into UT Houston and was super excited. I also was accepted at Miami a while back, and was just accepted in Columbia. I'm still waiting on Cornell and WashU, but I was wondering if people would recommend attending Columbia over Houston ( I kind of took Miami out of the running, because I assumed Houston was equally as good). Both schools have good match lists, so is there anything else I should be looking at? Thanks!

 

[DokterMom]

I attend undergrad at Columbia currently, so I obviously love the city and all. My family lives in Dallas, so I wont be super close to them in Houston. Just wondering if getting a residency in a more competitive field would be a lot more difficult at Houston, or if it's doable either way provided I do well on the board exam.

They're both strong schools, but few would argue that Houston is in the same league as Columbia.

Cost will be a BIG difference, and Houston to Dallas flights are $39 and one hour -- so pretty trivial. The Texas Medical Center is pretty darned amazing, and very urban. But clearly, the biggest difference will be cost --

 

[BadNewsBears2016]

So does Columbia just give out much more financial aid? That's odd.

Dunno, but I've read that have robust need-based aid.

 

[Chelsea FC]

New York City> everywhere else!

 

[aalamruad]

New York City> everywhere else!

CA > NYC > everywhere else!

 

[Levo]

Prestige aside, residency programs do draw from schools they're familiar with. If you're trying to match in Texas, I'd imagine that all of the residency PDs there are very familiar with UT Houston. If you're planning on applying to residency programs in the Northeast, I'd imagine the Columbia name makes more of a difference.

 

[Pusheen]

CA > NYC > everywhere else!

SoCal > NYC > everywhere else

 

[aalamruad]

SoCal > NYC > everywhere else

Bay Area > SoCal > NYC > everywhere else

 

[armybound]

UT Houston has no problems matching in to competitive specialties.

I'd save a ton of money and go to Houston, personally. I loved that school.

 

[Danny L]

I have a high MCAT/average gpa combo, which seems to not be as big of a draw in TX. I know UTMB for example has like a 3.9 gpa average and it's not even the top ranked, so I assume UTSW and Baylor have loads of people who have high mcats/ high gpas. Also, my dad is a WashU alum who is pretty active in the alumni organization and at the school (probably was just a courtesy interview haha, at least it was good practice). And of course going to undergrad at Columbia probably helped with Columbia 😛

What's "average gpa?" Like average GPA for the school or just average in general (3.7? 3.6?)

 

[Chelsea FC]

SoCal > NYC > everywhere else

Bay Area > SoCal > NYC > everywhere else

This sort of misinformation is really what brings this site down 🙁 jk

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

New York City> everywhere else!

CA > NYC > everywhere else!

SoCal > NYC > everywhere else

Bay Area > SoCal > NYC > everywhere else

You couldn't pay me enough to live in NYC or CA!! I prefer a much higher cows to people ratio 😀

 

[redferrari]

Being in Texas alone would seal the deal for me with UT Houston. There's no place quite like it. And I am a non-Texan saying that.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

CA > everywhere else!

SoCal > NYC > everywhere else

Bay Area > SoCal > NYC > everywhere else

Oakland Cranes >>>>> cranes from everywhere else!!

 

[Lord Kek]

Firstly, congratulations on your admission to multiple medical schools. You're in the best of difficult predicaments.

Secondly, matching to a competitive residency is heavily dependent on your USMLE scores. Do note, however, that matching to a competitive residency at a competitive LOCATION is highly correlated with where you went to school. If you wish to do your residency in Texas, then UT Houston is the no brainer. If New York is your thing then by all means go to Columbia. To each their own.

Thirdly, I would look at US News or MSAR for average graduate debt between the two schools. According to US News, UT Houston's average is around $110k whereas Columbia's is around $130k. Interpret these averages as you will, however, also take into account the variables influencing student debt (financial aid, scholarships, parental contribution, etc.)

Of course, after looking at the logistics of each school, you need to ask yourself "If financial obligations did not exist, and matching to a competitive residency location was not effected by the school I attend, where would I be the happiest?"

Debt can be paid off, and matching to a competitive residency is very possible with either of these schools, but time is something you can never recover. Furthermore, only YOU know where you'd wish to spend time learning the art of medicine.

 

[GinnyWeasley]

What's "average gpa?" Like average GPA for the school or just average in general (3.7? 3.6?)

I actually have a gpa between a 3.6 and 3.7, with my sgpa being slightly lower haha. Imagine walking into UTMB with their 3.9 average and I was like "crap".

Being in Texas alone would seal the deal for me with UT Houston. There's no place quite like it. And I am a non-Texan saying that.

See, I've actually spent more time living in NYC than I have in TX. I moved from the UK during high school, so I've actually only been to Houston once 😛.

Thanks guys for your input! And for those who talked about the differences in the average debt after 4 years, I hadn't seen those exact numbers, so thanks for that! I'm very fortunate, and people like @Skittsie13 know how freaked out I was that I wasn't going to get in anywhere, after TX didn't show me too much love in the beginning haha

 

[White Coat Hopefuls]

Congratulations! You have an awesome problem. I think I would go UT Houston. Aside from a much, much lower cost of living and tuition, you're going to live in a place where it's so much sunnier and warmer. Unless you're a polar bear, those are both really good things. Yeah, I'm a sucker for NY pizza and I love to visit NYC, but after spending the last 5 winters in the freezing Midwest, I'm really looking forward to heading somewhere sunny after residency. Of course, there are lots more factors to keep in mind: proximity to family, spouse job/school, specialty choice (both these places are going to have pretty much every option), and did I say cost?

 

[WedgeDawg]

Obviously I think you should go to Columbia, but instead of letting me try to convince you, I would highly recommend just attending Revisit weekend and then making the decision. Also see what kind of financial aid you get from Columbia. In my experience, they're usually pretty generous.

Do you know what you might be interested in pursuing as a career?

Also moving to SSD 16-17

 

[Danny L]

Obviously I think you should go to Columbia, but instead of letting me try to convince you, I would highly recommend just attending Revisit weekend and then making the decision. Also see what kind of financial aid you get from Columbia. In my experience, they're usually pretty generous.

Do you know what you might be interested in pursuing as a career?

Also moving to SSD 16-17

Do you recommend Columbia because you were a Columbia alum or just because of the name value? Just wondering because whenever I read these things most of the frequent posters almost always say go to the cheaper school haha

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Do you recommend Columbia because you were a Columbia alum or just because of the name value? Just wondering because whenever I read these things most of the frequent posters almost always say go to the cheaper school haha

He is a Columbia student.

 

[Dr. Rafiki]

I would suggest visiting Houston a few times before making a decision. My sister lived there and I had visited her plenty. Nasty city: dirty, crime-ridden, SUFFOCATINGLY hot and humid and just all-around not safe. She kept moving her family around from neighborhood to neighborhood when a violent murder would occur...then just had to accept that no matter where you go in Houston, you will live amongst the vile.

Edit: she did her PhD at U. of Houston and lived in / around the city for ~6 years with a family of 4

 

[lavacake]

I would suggest visiting Houston a few times before making a decision. My sister lived there and I had visited her plenty. Nasty city: dirty, crime-ridden, SUFFOCATINGLY hot and humid and just all-around not safe. She kept moving her family around from neighborhood to neighborhood when a violent murder would occur...then just had to accept that no matter where you go in Houston, you will live amongst the vile.

Edit: she did her PhD at U. of Houston and lived in / around the city for ~6 years with a family of 4

I'm currently living in Houston, and it's not quite so bad... I've been here for 5+ years now. I live around the med center, and I just went out jogging at 8-9pm by myself the other night. I've never felt threatened in the neighborhood I currently live in, and I don't think Houston is that much more dangerous (if any) than other major metropolitan areas. It does get hot and humid in the summer, not going to deny that, but I'm still out there playing soccer and running around as are plenty of other people.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Do you recommend Columbia because you were a Columbia alum or just because of the name value? Just wondering because whenever I read these things most of the frequent posters almost always say go to the cheaper school haha

I'm a current student. I don't think you should always go with the cheaper school no matter what. I think it matters what your career goals are and what kind of opportunities are important to you.