Einstein vs UTSW

[pickleball2048]

Hi everyone! I am from the midwest and have gotten into Einstein and UTSW. Having a bit trouble deciding between the two. I am not set on a specific speciality but would like to keep the door open to a competitive one if I become interested during med school so keep that in mind. I would like to be involved in research as well as community outreach during med school.

UTSW:
Pros:

• Prestige (top 25-30), nationwide recognition; may be influential if I apply for competitive residency programs
• Sounds like there are a lot of research opportunities
• Warm weather in an urban setting
• Great clinical sites (can get super diverse experiences)
• Got IS tuition so relatively cheap (costs 20k a year + housing)
• Was considering the 4 year MD/MPH program or even 5 year MD/MBA​

Cons:

• Far from home (from midwest)
• Don’t really know anyone going there or in Dallas in general
• Limited on-campus housing so worried about meeting people if we don’t live close together
• Looks like most people match into TX for residency, which I don’t see myself doing

Einstein:
Pros:

• Free tuition + cheap housing
• NYC (Med school in NYC was my dream but not sure how much of the city experience I will get living in the Bronx)
• Sounds like there are a lot of research opportunities even though it is not a powerhouse like UTSW
• Closer to home
• Want to stay in NYC so higher chance of matching into NYC residency
• Underserved population
• Large community outreach focus which is something I was looking for
• Walking distance btwn apartments and campus so no car needed
• Haven’t visited or looked too deeply into it yet but seems like there’s a better sense of community since everyone lives together

Cons:

• Less prestigious (caveat: could increase due to free tuition but also don’t know if the diff in prestige btwn UTSW and AECOM is that large)
• On campus housing seems kind of run down tbh
• Lack of safety because it’s the Bronx (but I heard it is on the safer side)
• No opportunity for MD/MPH or MBA which were both avenues I was considering but not married to
• Maybe fewer research opportunities at other institutions since NYC has several medical schools (not sure)
• Less variety in clinical sites (compared to UTSW which has Parkland and Clements)
  

Thanks so much for your help!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[DoneDone3451]

Free tuition, take it, its literally 6 figures difference, also you are right there in NYC so you could 100% match there.

 

[Reanox24]

Very biased take ahead - I was literally in your exact same position about a year ago, lol, and ended up choosing UTSW for a few reasons. The tipping point was talking with the only M4 at Einstein that matched the spec I am interested in - she said that to have the freedom to match anywhere in the country from Einstein (for that spec), you HAD to take a research year. For me, the price currently being paid in tuition costs less than the freedom of being able to match anywhere w/o a research year. I legit also wasn't considering Einstein before the tuition thing - my SO literally had to force me to go the interview (plus I personally was not a fan of living in NYC for 4 years).
So far, I am very happy with my decision. Idk about Einstein, but at UTSW - the world is your oyster. Unbridled opportunity, unfortunately at a cost, but I am very satisfied w/ the education they are giving us here.

 

[johnr42700]

This is a very easy decision. Choose Einstein.

 

[neuroticpremed222]

NYC + less debt. I think it is a no brainer! Lol

 

[TheGranolaKing]

This was actually pretty similar to the position I was in-- UTSW vs a non-T20 with full tuition scholarship in my ideal location. Looking back on it, I made the right choice to choose the non-T20. I want to stay in the same geographic area as my med school for residency, and being from a med school here means I have a leg up over people from elsewhere already.

That's not to say that it would be the right choice for you necessarily, but just wanted to provide another data point.

 

[Goddo Usoppu]

Go to UTSW. 80K for the option of having competitive residency open to you -- that doesn't come around often. You are gonna be stuck in the field you choose - will make millions net worth. The money will come - don't let the opportunity go.

 

[Frog333]

Go to UTSW. 80K for the option of having competitive residency open to you -- that doesn't come around often. You are gonna be stuck in the field you choose - will make millions net worth. The money will come - don't let the opportunity go.

Hold up, hold up.
COI: I'm on the Einstein HPWL.
OP said that it would be 20k + housing. Factoring that in he could be paying upwards of 40k a year. With interest 160k can turn into 200k+. Ranking between Einstein and UTSW is trivial when weighing free tuition. I say go to Einstein if it's the cheaper option. If you have someone else paying for med school, then look at each schools match list and go to the one that appeals most.