Full scholarship from Oakland University vs. other schools

[RedWingsFan05]

Having some mixed feelings and would really appreciate any advice. Here are my acceptances so far:

Ohio State University
University of Cincinnati
University of Illinois
Saint Louis University
Dartmouth University (not for me location-wise)
Oakland University (offering full tuition)

I've narrowed it down to Ohio State and Oakland. Most factors are favoring Ohio State and that was what I was leaning towards, but then I recently got a call from Oakland offering me the full tuition scholarship.

I'm actually originally from Michigan and live 10 minutes from Oakland. I'm just concerned about going to a school that isn't well regarded and I don't know how great the education will be. The main hospital is a good 1/2 hr from the school, they don't have an AOA chapter, and I don't know how student research is either. I also haven't been able to find match lists for Oakland, but I can't imagine it's top notch.

The only good thing is I would get a good training at William Beaumont hospital (maybe being from Michigan I think Beaumont is greater than it is?) and have a good shot at a Beaumont residency... oh and the full ride. Any thoughts or things to consider?

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[yehhhboiii]

Oakland
Full tuition at Ohio State is 300k alone without 6.8% interest tacked on during medical school and residency.

I mean that's potentially 500k that someone's offering you. I don't know why you would not take it unless you could suggest to Ohio State that you really wanted to go there but there's another school offering you a free ride so you're having a hard time deciding etc.

 

[sector9]

Moving thread to School Specific Discussions

The main hospital is a good 1/2 hr from the school, they don't have an AOA chapter, and I don't know how student research is either. I also haven't been able to find match lists for Oakland, but I can't imagine it's top notch.

You do realize that they haven't had any students enter the match yet, right? Can't have a match list without being open for long enough to have MS4s

 

[MilMD01]

I interviewed at Oakland. I'd go there! The affiliation with Beaumont will alleviate any match issues, as long as you score well on your step.

 

[cinamin]

Oakland
Full tuition at Ohio State is 300k alone without 6.8% interest tacked on during medical school and residency.

I mean that's potentially 500k that someone's offering you. I don't know why you would not take it unless you could suggest to Ohio State that you really wanted to go there but there's another school offering you a free ride so you're having a hard time deciding etc.

I agree 100% with this post... try to see what Ohio State could/would offer you. You have to consider the interest with these massive loans.. I read somewhere for every dollar you borrow, expect to pay back three... that's 900,000 to go to OSU. Think about it.

I would say the only negative to Oakland is that they haven't yet matched, however... if they do have an affiliation like you say, it shouldn't be too much of an issue. New schools are tricky though. If it was a more established school hands down I would say to take it.

 

[DrNoo]

take the free ride. it's a no-brainer.

 

[UrbanRiver]

take the free ride. it's a no-brainer.

I don't agree its a no-brainer. Its gonna be a difficult decision. Oakland has been giving out money for the past few years to rein in students for their brand new program. Try to get some objective advice and perspective on the school. Good and bad.

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[SoulinNeed]

Take the full scholarship.

 

[yellowfish]

OP are you IS or OOS for OSU?

 

[lovesfall]

I'm pondering this choice too (although no full ride for me). My biggest sticking points with OUWB are the mandatory attendance (70%) and the clinical experience. (I don't think OUWB will be bad because WB is a good hospital, but in terms of my future interests I think other programs may be stronger clinically.) I'm split on the research front too. I really like OUWB's capstone project and I got the vibe from my interview that they were very interested in and supportive of students getting involved in research. But my sense from poking around on the Internet and their website is that they largely (but not exclusively) do industry-sponsored clinical research at WB and I don't really know much about OU's basic science research scene. Some other schools have stronger research programs with a higher profile nationally and I do think that that matters for people who ultimately want to go into academic medicine. I think that research experiences at OUWB have the potential to be really good, but I think to some extent that, because the school is a little newer, it may require a little bit more initiative (although may have a bigger payoff in that you can take a bigger role). I think a lot of our success at any school is going to be dependent on what we make of the experience. Regardless of where we go in school or in life, it's going to be on us to find the opportunities we want and take advantage of them. I'm sure that OUWB will have a lot of good opportunities to do interesting things.

But full ride.... I dunno if I'd pass that up. Our country's financial outlook scares the heck out of me right now and a good scholarship gives you a big advantage in life, if not in school. I guess I would say that unless you knew for a fact that you would either be unhappy at OUWB or that there is something specific that you need OSU's resources to be able to accomplish that will give you a life advantage that you won't get from attending OUWB, to take the scholarship. At least, that's probably how I'd approach the decision.

 

[nBeeDee]

I'd take the money and run, no question.

I interviewed there and think OUWB has a pretty good program set up, and clinical training at Beaumont should be fantastic and set you up with some good LORs. The clinical faculty I talked with were all very excited about teaching med students and the med school in general, and it seemed like there will be great mentoring/training because of it. Plus doing research through the capstone project will only make you more competitive for residency. I think their graduates will match well.

The things I'm hesitant about are the 70% attendance policy and the suburb location (seemed kinda boring to me), but since you're from the area you probably have friends/family that would be worth staying for. Neither of those two things would stop me from a free education though, interest is no joke.

Have you heard from finaid at Ohio State yet? Maybe they might throw some money your way so the difference isn't as drastic. Also I believe you can establish Ohio residency for years 2-4, so you would be able to pay the in-state rate tuition for those years. This is what I was told at Cincinnati, so I'm assuming its true for Ohio State as well.

 

[HealthHare]

It's very easy to get IS tuition at OSU after your 1st year.

 

[RedWingsFan05]

Thanks for all the comments. Just to answer a few questions

1) A couple people mentioned using this as a bargaining chip with OSU. I'm not sure what proper protocol is for that, so could anyone comment on this? I'm thinking along the lines of "...have been offered a substantial scholarship by another medical school. As much as OSU is my top choice blah blah, the financial aspect is a big part of my decision, so if there are any incoming scholarships that are offered, if I was awarded one, it would reaffirm my choice..."

2) I have not been offered any scholarships to OSU as of yet.

3) Sector9, thanks for pointing out my error (long day of work combined with no food = brain dead)

4) I would be OOS, but like a couple people said I might be able to become IS for years 2-4. To do so though, I might not be able to go out of state for a winter break medical trip or do an out of state summer internship.

5) Finances are a huge thing too. Couple things though. I got a lot of undergrad scholarships so I'll be able to use the money my parents and I had set aside for undergrad for tuition. I've also worked for a few years, so hopefully won't have too much loans.

As much as I want to grab and take the full ride, I also don't want to be sitting here four years from now and not be competitive in residencies by just limiting myself to Beaumont. Do you think residency directors would not want a student from Oakland even if the student had good Step scores, research, etc.?

It's tough, but I do appreciate all your advice you've all given. I am leaning now a bit towards Oakland but am going to make sure there's good opportunities for research and a good basic education.

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Thanks for all the comments. Just to answer a few questions

1) A couple people mentioned using this as a bargaining chip with OSU. I'm not sure what proper protocol is for that, so could anyone comment on this? I'm thinking along the lines of "...have been offered a substantial scholarship by another medical school. As much as OSU is my top choice blah blah, the financial aspect is a big part of my decision, so if there are any incoming scholarships that are offered, if I was awarded one, it would reaffirm my choice..."

Yes. Maybe mention that it is a full ride?

 

[deleted127837]

Note: OP said s/he got a full tuition scholarship. This is not the same as a full scholarship + stipend. OP would presumably still be taking out living expenses, etc., so potentially 100k in loans.

 

[Shinobiz11]

Do I even have to comment?

 

[wnm1]

Note: OP said s/he got a full tuition scholarship. This is not the same as a full scholarship + stipend. OP would presumably still be taking out living expenses, etc., so potentially 100k in loans.

Hey Bearstronaut, just a curious and rather creepy question, are you a med student or someone applying this cycle?

asking b/c you seem to know a lot, yet somewhat cynical of the entire process, and hard to fit you in any category. and most of your advice are really good.

anyways, to contribute to this thread, OP, i would go with OSU. i care a lot about debt burden too, so if you think you will encounter a lot of debt, then I would go with Oakland and work hard. you said you've been working for a few years, so if you have enough money saved to defray the cost of OSU, to say less than or around $100k debt, then I would go with OSU. if more, I would go with Oakland.

 

[ciabatta]

I'll message you some advice a few of my mentors (academic physicians and a past residency director) gave me. I'm in a similar situation and right now I'm leaning towards OUWB as well.

 

[Studly]

Limiting yourself to Beaumont? First of all, look at the average step scores for some of Beaumont's residencies, I assure you there will be no handouts. A hospital can "pull some strings," but your tone makes it out as if residency at a home institution is something that is assured; ITS NOT! That being said, if you get a high board score, publish meaningful research, have strong interviewing skills, etc then you will have a shot at competitive residencies. That being said, this is a very serious decision, treat it like an adult. This is more than just a financial scenario, weigh out every aspect of each school. Find out EVERY DETAIL of each school, you seem very uninformed. I would want to know exactly what a day in the life of each school is like, I would want to know every detail of the curriculum and I would see what suits you better. Do not make a decision purely on money unless that is the only thing that matters to you (which unfortunately seems to the only thing that matters to many students on this forum). Believe me, there are many things that you can't just purchase (such as location). Also, it might sound a bit early, but start looking at specialties you are interested in and the specialty rankings of the hospital affiliates of the institutions, for example, if I wanted to do Psychiatry I would choose Johns Hopkins because I will be getting a "stronger" psychiatry education and better psychiatric experiences there. I wish you luck in making the correct choice and I think all of your options are excellent places to pursue a medical education, the only question left to answer is which place you will give you the environment to be as successful and happy as possible.

Thanks for all the comments. Just to answer a few questions

1) A couple people mentioned using this as a bargaining chip with OSU. I'm not sure what proper protocol is for that, so could anyone comment on this? I'm thinking along the lines of "...have been offered a substantial scholarship by another medical school. As much as OSU is my top choice blah blah, the financial aspect is a big part of my decision, so if there are any incoming scholarships that are offered, if I was awarded one, it would reaffirm my choice..."

2) I have not been offered any scholarships to OSU as of yet.

3) Sector9, thanks for pointing out my error (long day of work combined with no food = brain dead)

4) I would be OOS, but like a couple people said I might be able to become IS for years 2-4. To do so though, I might not be able to go out of state for a winter break medical trip or do an out of state summer internship.

5) Finances are a huge thing too. Couple things though. I got a lot of undergrad scholarships so I'll be able to use the money my parents and I had set aside for undergrad for tuition. I've also worked for a few years, so hopefully won't have too much loans.

As much as I want to grab and take the full ride, I also don't want to be sitting here four years from now and not be competitive in residencies by just limiting myself to Beaumont. Do you think residency directors would not want a student from Oakland even if the student had good Step scores, research, etc.?

It's tough, but I do appreciate all your advice you've all given. I am leaning now a bit towards Oakland but am going to make sure there's good opportunities for research and a good basic education.

 

[BurghStudent]

I would say wait until you know the financial aid from each school. Places like Dartmouth might surprise you.

 

[RedWingsFan05]

Limiting yourself to Beaumont? First of all, look at the average step scores for some of Beaumont's residencies, I assure you there will be no handouts. A hospital can "pull some strings," but your tone makes it out as if residency at a home institution is something that is assured; ITS NOT! That being said, if you get a high board score, publish meaningful research, have strong interviewing skills, etc then you will have a shot at competitive residencies. That being said, this is a very serious decision, treat it like an adult. This is more than just a financial scenario, weigh out every aspect of each school. Find out EVERY DETAIL of each school, you seem very uninformed. I would want to know exactly what a day in the life of each school is like, I would want to know every detail of the curriculum and I would see what suits you better. Do not make a decision purely on money unless that is the only thing that matters to you (which unfortunately seems to the only thing that matters to many students on this forum). Believe me, there are many things that you can't just purchase (such as location). Also, it might sound a bit early, but start looking at specialties you are interested in and the specialty rankings of the hospital affiliates of the institutions, for example, if I wanted to do Psychiatry I would choose Johns Hopkins because I will be getting a "stronger" psychiatry education and better psychiatric experiences there. I wish you luck in making the correct choice and I think all of your options are excellent places to pursue a medical education, the only question left to answer is which place you will give you the environment to be as successful and happy as possible.

Just to answer to a couple of your points, my comment about being lined up for a Beaumont residency wasn't meant to say it was "guaranteed". However, I've talked to multiple residency directors at Beaumont Royal Oak and they clearly said how they're looking to replenish the outgoing Beaumont doctors with homegrown OU students, and that we would be at an advantage over other students for a residency there (if everything else was equal). However, I know that it is not guaranteed and I'll have to work my butt off. Second, this isn't just a financial decision, I've already stated above that I don't want to limit myself by making a decision based purely off financial reasons. And maybe my questions made me seem "uninformed", but I was merely trying to get additional input on some of my concerns. Trust me, I have done plenty of research on each of the two schools. But you are right about that last point about thinking ahead about what I'd like to do (i.e. OSU would have better oncology experiences, etc).

 

[RedWingsFan05]

Thanks again for all the advice everyone. Choosing a medical school is a tough decision, and often times we've thought about it so much we drive ourselves to the point of confusion. So every bit of input is very helpful, especially coming from fellow applicants, med students, pre-med students, etc.

 

[survivordo]

First of all, congratulations. Second of all. Take the full ride!!! You are obviously a bright individual, you will make your own opportunities wherever you go. Please choose to make those opportunities for 300K less.

Survivor DO

 

[brosephlol]

Congrats on all your acceptances! I have a friend that attends ohsu and he loves it. It is a very prestigious school and the hospital is amazing! If I were in your shoes, I would definitely have a hard decision but in the end, I think I would choose ohsu. Like others have said, you will be able to get resident tuition after year 1. Good luck with your decision, and go where your heart is!

 

[QofQuimica]

Take the full ride. Five years from now, where you went to medical school won't matter to you any more, but the fact that you can't afford to buy a house/go on vacation/get things for your spouse or children because you have so many loans will matter a lot.