Deciding between UMiami HPME vs. GW BA/MD??

[in2llect]

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I have recently received acceptances to several BS/MD programs, and have narrowed down my choices to UMiami's 7 year BS/MD program and George Washington's 7 year BA/MD program. I am trying to decide which one I should commit to. Here are some comparison details for each:

Miami - Less expensive, higher GPA/MCAT requirement for staying in program, further from home, better USNews ranking
GW - More expensive, lower GPA/MCAT requirement for staying in program, very close to home, worse USNews ranking

Could someone give me guidance on which program is "better" in terms of
1) Residency matches
2) Quality of the medical program/school
3) Opportunities in research and clinical experiences

Thank you so much in advance!! Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[efle]

The consensus is to go for the cheaper option when choosing between very similar quality schools, which those two are (1 point difference in median MCAT, 0.06 in median cGPA, same median sGPA, rankings in US News mean very very very little to residency programs - better to directly look at the Residency Directory Scores, where they again are almost identical differing by 0.1/5). On all counts I just mentioned, though, UMiami comes out on top. Both will have plenty of research options for those who go looking.

It is extremely hard to read match lists because almost nobody outside those with interest in a certain specialty will know which programs for that specialty are the best ones. You can't go by name and assume a bunch of people going to UCLA is a great sign - it matters for what specialties people are going there.

So unless you really want to be close to home, go for the money and slightly higher stats at Miami

 

[in2llect]

@efle thank you very much for your detailed response. Do you know where I could find a link to Residency Directory Scores?

 

[efle]

You need US News Compass membership. If you have it, go here and it is the column on the right "Residency Director Assessment"

 

[Para-dox]

Don't know much about either program, but just some advice: Go to whichever school you think you would be happiest at. You'll be in that area/community for 7 years, you don't want to be miserable for those years.

 

[Dreamstoo]

Personally would do the GW program but that's just me.