Dilemma: Location v. Reputation

[DrMattOglesby]

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so my interview at Loyola is scheduled for this Monday; Being that I have an acceptance from ATSU-SOMA...I am experiencing second doubts if I would really matriculate at Loyola IF accepted. To find out if that hypothetical "IF" is a realistic one, I would have to go to the interview and earn the acceptance...which is a proposition that requires spending a lot of money...and spending a lot of money on something I'm not sure about makes me uneasy.

I talked to my dad and he said he can cancel my flight out to chicago and get a refund. The frequent flyer miles that would be refunded would have to go to another trip within one year's time. We decided that IF I canceled, we would use those freq. flyer miles to sponsor a trip out to the Hawaii CHC.

Based on my research (see earlier post), I found that students selected Location as the number one motivating factor for selecting their particular medical school. Yet reputation and cost of attendance were highly valued reasons to take into consideration as well. I also feel that I might be a more competitive candidate for the NHSC scholarship if I attend SOMA simply because I would be studying medicine at one of the future underserved sites which I plan on working in after residency. And I also qualify for a few scholarships at ATSU-SOMA that could reduce the cost of the first year out in Mesa. I'm not sure what Loyola can offer in the form of scholarships/grants.

So, I've already asked my family what they would do if they were in my shoes...now I bring the same question to you; What would you do if you had an interview at Loyola (who interviews somewhere around 4% of applicants) but if you canceled then you could visit the CHC out in Hawaii?

 

[RySerr21]

damn matt thats a tough one! Here is the financial aid page for Loyola. I dunno if youve looked at it yet. But they do offer scholarships to their students, not just loans (scroll down to bottom). Receiving the scholarships is a different story, and I'm not sure how eager they are to hand them out.

I think you need to do some soul searching. How bad do you REALLY want to go t Loyola. I mean really really think about it. What is it about that makes you wanna spend X amount of money to fly out and see it, even though you already have an acceptance to a place you love?. Could you really see yourself living in Chicago for 4 years?? Yes its a great school, and yes it is very competitive, but theres gotta be more than that to make you fly out there, IMO. If you cant say to yourself "I would consider going to Loyola (over SOMA), if accepted, for these concrete reasons" then you probably should stick with what you konw you are already excited about, you know? And I realize that a lot of laerning about the school happens on interview day, but you should still have a vibe about it before you attend.

So i dunno, i think you have to be the one that ultimately makes this decision, and i think it should come do whether you really think you would attend Loyola. If you do choose to go, good luck, its a great program and you'll meet some cool people during interview day!

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I was waiting for Ryserr to chime in, since he knows about Loyola. Thanks for not letting me down, man! 👍

To your original question, Matt, I'd say that you have a pretty good idea of what you want to be doing in 10 years, and the type of populations you'd like to be treating. It seems like you're well on your way to reaching those goals with SOMA. Loyola may or may not offer these same opportunities, and if they do, they are certainly not as committed to them as SOMA.

Now, if you could see yourself going to a school without the underserved dedication as SOMA, I do know that Loyola has produced at least one caring, amazing doc that does a lot of work for the underserved--my former GP 🙂D).

Just ask yourself if there are certain aspects of a program that, if you had available to you at another school, would cause you to choose them over SOMA. If there are, then start researching if Loyola is a place that could give you those things. STAT.

I know it's tough--you've seen me go through the same decisions. Good luck with it, man!

 

[MajaDO]

Ultimately it is your life and your decision to make. I would pick HI but remember this is the school where you are going to study for the next four years of you life. You already spent so much money on applications and will spend a lot more during your medical education so really another thousand won't make much of a difference. If you can do both. Go and visit Oahu and Chicago and then make you decision. If you like HI CHC go there and if you prefer Loyola choose that school. If you are unsure about your SOMA decision visit Loyola as this school might be what you are looking for. You have to be happy with your choice so choose wisely and pick the school that is the best fit for you. Best of luck.

 

[Bamish]

Matt, I've read many of your posts around here. I had to vote for what I believe is going to suit you the best based on those posts I've read (since I don't know you personally). So, I voted against Loyola. Good luck though on whichever path you choose! 👍

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I agree with everyone that it seems that you are 99.9999999% sure that you want to go to SOMA so if I were you I would definitely cancel and visit the Hawaii CHC.🙂

 

[MossPoh]

I think it may be worthwhile to check it out. One of the great things about underserved medicine is that it isn't exactly "difficult" to return there. Now, a solid residency of your choice IS a bit more tricky. You have to do a gut check. I was hesitant to apply to SOMA for the simple fact that I am not that sure of what I want to do. While the school doesn't necessarily close doors, it could make some a little tougher to stay open. I do believe you'd get a worthwhile and fulfilling education at each place. Besides, trips to chicago aren't that expensive as long as it isn't during Thanksgiving weekend.

 

[shlifer]

you might not like this opinion but i thought i would share my thoughts.....

Location is one thing but getting the very best possible education you can is another. I think that though Mesa's program sounds very unique and interesting, its untested and thus unpredictable.

With Loyola, your going to an established program with excellent clincal training opportunities and a great track record.

And though it doesnt mean much to most of us.....its is an M.D. which might not make a diffrence but you wont ever have to explain to anyone what a D.O. is......

My view on this from the start has been to go to the Best, most established program i can get into and i would recommend the same.

But if your heart is int HI.....then by al means

 

[RySerr21]

you might not like this opinion but i thought i would share my thoughts.....

Location is one thing but getting the very best possible education you can is another. I think that though Mesa's program sounds very unique and interesting, its untested and thus unpredictable.

With Loyola, your going to an established program with excellent clincal training opportunities and a great track record.

And though it doesnt mean much to most of us.....its is an M.D. which might not make a diffrence but you wont ever have to explain to anyone what a D.O. is......

My view on this from the start has been to go to the Best, most established program i can get into and i would recommend the same.

But if your heart is int HI.....then by al means

For the most part, i understand your advice and totally see where you are coming from....but the bolded statement is just.......*sigh*

I personally like explaining to people what a DO is. You get to explain an aspect of your education that makes you unique as a physician, and i think that is exciting. People are always eager to learn something new and I have found that they usually do one of two things: a) inquire more about osteopathic medicine or b) forget about the conversation when they realize that you're a doctor, and thats all that really matters.

 

[deleted172531]

Based on many of your previous posts I vote that you pass on the Loyola interview. It seems as if SOMA is a near perfect fit for your future intentions.

 

[GreenShirt]

Once you choose your medical school, there's no easy way of undoing that choice. My advice is to be very careful when making this decision. It's hard to know what a school is really like until you visit it on interview day. The best way to make an informed decision to visit as many schools as possible to get an idea of what's out there. I don't how many interviews you've already been on, but I think Loyola might be worth the investment. You already know that you like SOMA, so visiting Hawaii will not change your opinion that much whereas you never know what you'll think of Loyola.

A note about NHSC: This is actually a fairly competitive scholarship. The rumor I heard was that they had something like 800 applicants for about 100 scholarships this year. A number of my SOMA classmates who applied were turned down. I've hear that the NHSC takes into account the competitivenss of the applicants school and the fact that SOMA hasn't graduated a class yet may have counted against the applicants...although it may have just had to do with the overall competitiveness of the scholarship. So, I wouldn't necessarily base my decision to attend a school on the NHSC scholarship because the odds of getting it are small.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[EEL08]

When do you find out what CHC you got?

 

[deleted172531]

Looks like the poll results are pretty even. So much for the "poll the audience" lifeline.😀

 

[Chocolate Bear]

When do you find out what CHC you got?

Not til after classes start, I believe.

 

[EEL08]

Not til after classes start, I believe.

Wow, that would stink. I thought they found out earlier last year but my mind is not always with me. I think it's a big risk to take to skip the Loyola interview unless you are 100% positive you would go to SOMA no matter what CHC you got. What if you don't get Hawaii (not saying you won't) and instead end up in Ohio or Alabama or something. Would not getting Hawaii change your feelings about SOMA?

 

[DrMattOglesby]

...If you can do both. Go and visit Oahu and Chicago and then make you decision....

I think this is the second best piece of advice I have heard. The first was something along the lines of this being a very personal decision and that only I could make it on my own.

...I think it's a big risk to take to skip the Loyola interview unless you are 100% positive you would go to SOMA no matter what CHC you got. What if you don't get Hawaii (not saying you won't) and instead end up in Ohio or Alabama or something. Would not getting Hawaii change your feelings about SOMA?

Great points Eel! They kinda reiterate the reasons why I need to go to the Hawaii CHC; to develop an early relationship with the faculty which would show them how serious I would be about attending their clinic. In effect, it just helps to further "solidify" my chances at being selected for that CHC.
In truth, this is my biggest gripe with SOMA...it is new rule that was instituted just this year and its been driving me nuts.


The reasons why I feel like canceling Loyola have to do with me having a great acceptance in hand PLUS future interviews at EVMS and more notably (for me)--George Washington University. These interviews are coupled together with my travel plans so I will definitely attend both. I am also very excited about GWU as it also among my top choices.
I am also still waiting to hear back from FIU, and I am even considering writing a letter of intent...

My case is this: I have options. Making these options public to you guys and ranking them puts me in a vulnerable position to receive both criticism and advice. But ultimately it still boils down to what I want. It is a hard decision to make and I thank everyone for their input thus far.

 

[TeamZissou]

Hey Matt,

I voted to go to the Loyola interview, but in light of seeing your interest in AT Still I'd like to switch my vote.

Like you said, disclosing these options to us puts you in a vulnerable position but in the end it is ultimately your decision and your the one who will live with it. So I'd say consider points we may make but don't let us influence your decision making process.

Good luck👍