Hackensack vs Brody (ECU) vs USUHS

[caligirl22]

Hi everyone! So thankful to be deciding between 3 great options.

State of Residency: North Carolina
Specialty of Interest: Not entirely sure, I can see myself in surgery/obgyn or neurology and also internal medicine


Hackensack Meridian SOM
Pros

• Get to live near a big city
• large variety of specialty matches
• lots of friends in the area
• feels like there's more to do
• mandatory class --> I think it would encourage me to study
• Really good step pass rates and high average score
• opportunity for dual degrees in 4th year
• rotations in NYC
• medium class size (170 students)
• Really nice facilities

Cons

• very expensive (72k tuition)
• high cost of living
• condensed curriculum (step 1 and 2 are taken only a month apart)

**Would probably apply for HPSP scholarship for this program because of expenses

ECU Brody
Pros

• VERY cheap (24k tuition)
• low cost of living
• seems very supportive /has a collaborative environment
• 50% primary care matches but at top institutions (think UVA, UNC, Duke)
• in state so I can visit family
• all 3rd year rotations are in greenville (don't have to move around)

Cons

• small town vibes, not much to do
• less matches into surgery but also could be because of smaller class size (86 students)
• facilities are kind of old (building a new one but only finishes in 2027)
• non mandatory classes

Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences SOM (public health corps)
Pros

• Free + 82k stipend every year of medical school
• New location (DC)
• great hospital (Walter reed to rotate at)
• seems very collaborative
• unique curriculum (military focused)
• would be able to do a lot of great public health work

Cons

• limited to IM, peds, FM, anesthesiology, radiology, gen surg, or obgyn (part of agreement)
• Seven year service commitment after residency + fellowship adds to service commitment
  • lower salary during service compared to peers
• might have to go very far for rotations and during service
• working mostly on west coast for service (I have family on the east coast)

Summary: I'm leaning towards Brody as of right now, but I am unsure if the experiences at USUHS or Hackensack would justify the cost/time commitment

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[caligirl22]

Those of you that voted for ECU if you could comment why I should pick that school it would be greatly appreciated!! thanks

 

[Basalganglia4life]

ECU because 24k per year is amazing with non mandatory classes. you wouldn't have to go Hpsp unless you really wanted too. Small class size means more attention and less competition for research service and clinical opportunities. Plus ECU is close to your family. Seems like an easy choice to me!

 

[caligirl22]

ECU because 24k per year is amazing with non mandatory classes. you wouldn't have to go Hpsp unless you really wanted too. Small class size means more attention and less competition for research service and clinical opportunities. Plus ECU is close to your family. Seems like an easy choice to me!

That makes sense. Is non-mandatory classes really that much of a pro?

 

[stew_md]

That makes sense. Is non-mandatory classes really that much of a pro?

Yes, this way you can have more autonomy over your schedule, study when it’s best for you and have more flexibility for research and other ecs etc.