Einstein (160k) vs Yale (240k)

[red_fox]

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Hi! I am obviously very fortunate to be making this decision and currently leaning towards Yale. I don't know what I want to specialize in, but I am interested in internal medicine, research, and maybe ending up in academic medicine. I think I know what my gut is saying but I can't move past the feeling that would be making a huge financial mistake to turn down free tuition.

Einstein
Pros

• Cost: total loans ~160K. Maybe less but if I don't get couple's housing would need to live off campus
  • Pro: heavily subsidized student housing
• Closer to Manhattan where many of my friends live
• Strong research programs
• Seems to have a big focus on student wellness which is very important to me

Cons

• Location: I grew up in more rural/suburban areas so the combination of an urban setting without a ton of things to do within the immediate area I can see contributing negatively to mental health
• No second look. I know this shouldn't be a big factor but it's hard to get excited about a program I know relatively little about and seeing something in person and meeting current students in person is a big part of that for me.
• Admissions process was extremely disorganized and makes me nervous about the administration

Yale
Pros

• Yale System, I really value spending time doing my hobbies and I think the flexibility, lots of time for research
• Location(ish): Halfway point between home and NYC.
• P/F clinical years, no shelf exams. I actually think I'd do fine with grades/exam but I really want a non-competitive atmosphere
• Students seemed happy at second look
• Better for my partner's career
• Rank/prestige (Although I'm not sure what the difference between this and Einstein is given Einstein also has a great reputation)
• Access to undergrad facilities/libraries/museums/etc

Cons

• Cost: Total loans ~240K, all fed+university loans but interest rates are still high
• Research year? I enjoy research but financially an extra year is an extra year for my loans to grow and a delayed year of pay
• Too much flexibility could be a bad thing since I don't know what I want to do yet
• Housing in New Haven is pretty expensive and I would likely live a 30-40min walk from campus (there is a shuttle however)

I really appreciate any insight especially from students/grads from either!

 

[dogdog519]

do you have to do a research year at yale?

 

[polymerization]

Yale. Listen, I understand the whole "go to the cheaper school mentality," believe me, I do. But it's Yale. Congratulations.