Removed decision for options for MSTP
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dimplesage
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First of all congrats on all the great options!
As a fellow MD/PhD applicant, I feel you on your current dilemma of location vs. research. If you want to end up in the Midwest, do you want to go somewhere else first before going to the Midwest, or do you love it enough there that you want to do MD/PhD training and residency/etc there too?
Anecdotally, students tell me that 3-4-1 is slightly better in their eyes, but to faculty and in the long run of a career, the specific curriculum structure doesn't matter it seems. Even if you do a PhD in an area that isn't directly tied to whatever specialty you go to match in, it'll make you super interesting and qualified to residencies. I personally think I would prefer something like 3-4-1, but it's not a major consideration for me.
I've heard that as long as it's an MSTP, prestige doesn't really matter?
I can only really speak to UNC (disclaimer, accepted to UNC), but I do know their history of getting F30s is good and their public health school is amazing. I didn't think I would like Triangle area but it's actually really nice here! I'm biased, but I think it merits visiting in person if you can.
As a fellow MD/PhD applicant, I feel you on your current dilemma of location vs. research. If you want to end up in the Midwest, do you want to go somewhere else first before going to the Midwest, or do you love it enough there that you want to do MD/PhD training and residency/etc there too?
Anecdotally, students tell me that 3-4-1 is slightly better in their eyes, but to faculty and in the long run of a career, the specific curriculum structure doesn't matter it seems. Even if you do a PhD in an area that isn't directly tied to whatever specialty you go to match in, it'll make you super interesting and qualified to residencies. I personally think I would prefer something like 3-4-1, but it's not a major consideration for me.
I've heard that as long as it's an MSTP, prestige doesn't really matter?
I can only really speak to UNC (disclaimer, accepted to UNC), but I do know their history of getting F30s is good and their public health school is amazing. I didn't think I would like Triangle area but it's actually really nice here! I'm biased, but I think it merits visiting in person if you can.
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Congrats on great options. Based on what I'm seeing here, I'd say UNC vs Columbia (but I also wouldn't want to go to Columbia right now based on the firestorm that is happening with research - I am too risk adverse). The only thing that gives me pause is the funding issues UNC has had in the past for people in your degree? Can you expand on that?
UNC is not the deep south - some parts of NC do feel that way but the research triangle area is much more East Coast-y in my opinion.
I would say Wisco would also be on my final list but unfortunately I think for your PhD having a dedicated school of public health/strong mentors is important and therefore that's a serious con.
UNC is not the deep south - some parts of NC do feel that way but the research triangle area is much more East Coast-y in my opinion.
I would say Wisco would also be on my final list but unfortunately I think for your PhD having a dedicated school of public health/strong mentors is important and therefore that's a serious con.
Yeah for UNC the public health school doesn't match the MSTP stipend (37.5k), and the MSTP doesn't cover the difference (Gillings school of public health only pays the NIH rate, which is 28k). They also don't guarantee that PhD students will be funded as RAs, don't guarantee a TA position, and specifically tell PhD students to be prepared to take out loans. The gist I got from the interview day was a) students were from the triangle area and living with family, so rent wasn't an issue, or b) were living with a spouse/partner who made it possible to pay rent. Even though the MSTP technically says they require PhD departments to match their stipend rate, all of the MSTP students in the pubilc health school said that they weren't able to find a mentor who was willing to match the stipend. Also, I know UNC Gillings got a fair amount of USAID funding, and some of their NIH grants have been cut, so the issues with potential future support makes me balk a little.
But overall: 28k is not enough to live off of in the Triangle for the PhD years (cost of living there is higher than in Madison now, actually), which really make me pause. I'd like to actually be able to enjoy my time, and I know I won't be able to enjoy time if I'm not able to pay for basics and have $$$ so I can fly to visit home (the Triangle airport is also weirdly expensive lol). There's other considerations here, too. If I stayed in the Midwest, I'd probably be able to buy a condo. The cost of housing in the Triangle and the home insurance rates in NC would probably make that prohibitive (thanks to the hurricanes and state government not regulating the insurance industry).
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With that info, I'd say Wisconsin vs Columbia - even though I totally agree with you and would be scared of Columbia right now I would probably say you should do your due diligence and try to discuss your concerns with the program - Columbia's public health school absolutely rocks and it might be worth a couple years of discomfort/uncertainty to have that name on your resume for your entire research career.
Regardless of your politics, it seems like the school is bowing to the administration and will likely have its funding restored so I doubt that you would get somehow stranded. Their med students also seem pretty happy on the MD side of things. But, I get it if NYC is not your vibe; however, I would say make sure you visit because Washington Heights is barely Manhattan (it feels like an outer borough to me).
Regardless of your politics, it seems like the school is bowing to the administration and will likely have its funding restored so I doubt that you would get somehow stranded. Their med students also seem pretty happy on the MD side of things. But, I get it if NYC is not your vibe; however, I would say make sure you visit because Washington Heights is barely Manhattan (it feels like an outer borough to me).
