So I have been fortunate to have been accepted to these three schools, and I am really split between the three. Any feedback or input would really be appreciated.
As for my interests, I am generally interested in surgery, but very open-minded at this point. My main ambition is community health and being a strong clinician, which I think all three schools would be strong for.
Here is a pro/con list I have been working on:
Emory:
+ well-ranked, a bit more prestigious than other two
+ Grady is an amazing public hospital that I absolutely loved
+ close to home, parents have Delta freq flyer miles (its convenient lol)
+ very familiar city, I love the South, so I know I would feel comfortable in Atlanta
+1.5 year preclinical curriculum, plus 5-month research block in 4th year (a significant advantage, less preclinical BS and allotted time to do specific research)
-not a lot of diversity in Atlanta (some but still mostly white vs. black)
-I spent a lot of time learning Spanish and it is a big passion of mine, so I feel I would lose this skill or not be able to maintain it as well at Emory than at USC or Einstein
-not as big of a city as LA or NYC
USC Keck:
+ loved the atmosphere and vibes at this school
+ LA County is also an amazing new public hospital that I absolutely loved
+ huge for my Spanish skills, can use my education here to become practically fluent, a lot of opportunities for community outreach
+ LA weather, amazing diverse city, would be a very different urban experience for me
-far from home (4 hour flight to LA, 6 hours back home with time difference)
-have a few friends in LA, but not much experience or connections in Cali
-school is 75% in state
-not sure where I want to end up for residency. while going here will help with Cali residency (which I may end up wanting), not sure if it will help as much if I decide for East Coast or Southern residencies
AECOM:
+very strong global health school
+amazing hospitals (Montefiore, Jacobi, BX Lebanon)
+huge for Spanish skills and community outreach
+I like the Bronx, it seems cool, and its safer than my hometown anyways so not a concern
-interview day was significantly less impressive than other two (important because it may reflect schools attitude towards students)
-bigger class size than other two
-less prestige and not much name recognition outside of medicine (petty issue, but since I have a choice, USC or Emory are clearly household names whereas no layman knows AECOM)
- would have to stay in shared student housing with other students, it has a cheap price, but may feel too much like college
Please don't hesitate to give me some honest feedback, it could really help me learn more about these great schools. Thanks a lot!
As for my interests, I am generally interested in surgery, but very open-minded at this point. My main ambition is community health and being a strong clinician, which I think all three schools would be strong for.
Here is a pro/con list I have been working on:
Emory:
+ well-ranked, a bit more prestigious than other two
+ Grady is an amazing public hospital that I absolutely loved
+ close to home, parents have Delta freq flyer miles (its convenient lol)
+ very familiar city, I love the South, so I know I would feel comfortable in Atlanta
+1.5 year preclinical curriculum, plus 5-month research block in 4th year (a significant advantage, less preclinical BS and allotted time to do specific research)
-not a lot of diversity in Atlanta (some but still mostly white vs. black)
-I spent a lot of time learning Spanish and it is a big passion of mine, so I feel I would lose this skill or not be able to maintain it as well at Emory than at USC or Einstein
-not as big of a city as LA or NYC
USC Keck:
+ loved the atmosphere and vibes at this school
+ LA County is also an amazing new public hospital that I absolutely loved
+ huge for my Spanish skills, can use my education here to become practically fluent, a lot of opportunities for community outreach
+ LA weather, amazing diverse city, would be a very different urban experience for me
-far from home (4 hour flight to LA, 6 hours back home with time difference)
-have a few friends in LA, but not much experience or connections in Cali
-school is 75% in state
-not sure where I want to end up for residency. while going here will help with Cali residency (which I may end up wanting), not sure if it will help as much if I decide for East Coast or Southern residencies
AECOM:
+very strong global health school
+amazing hospitals (Montefiore, Jacobi, BX Lebanon)
+huge for Spanish skills and community outreach
+I like the Bronx, it seems cool, and its safer than my hometown anyways so not a concern
-interview day was significantly less impressive than other two (important because it may reflect schools attitude towards students)
-bigger class size than other two
-less prestige and not much name recognition outside of medicine (petty issue, but since I have a choice, USC or Emory are clearly household names whereas no layman knows AECOM)
- would have to stay in shared student housing with other students, it has a cheap price, but may feel too much like college
Please don't hesitate to give me some honest feedback, it could really help me learn more about these great schools. Thanks a lot!
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