Harvard vs. UCSF. Please help!

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tofuboy

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Hi Guys, I was accepted to HMS New Pathways program and just got into UCSF off the waitlist. I am from CA and go to school in CA. I really love both places and am torn on where to go. I like Boston (in the summer at least) and I like SF. They are both academically great schools and I am lucky to have this option. But I'm finding it impossible to choose!

I would love to stay close to home, but on the other hand I always dreamed of going to HMS and it does have a bigger name, especially outside of medicine. However, the fact is I am probably not going to do anything outside medicine so I don't know how much the name of Harvard vs UCSF will matter. Both schools go to great residencies etc.

Any advice would be very much appreciated!!!
 
If you like both environments, then I think you'd be crazy not to go with Harvard. Their research opportunities are off the chain!
 
Too jealous to provide any useful feedback.
 
Yeah...many people say go to Harvard and largely for the name and resources. But I always wonder...does it really matter that much of UCSF vs Harvard for residencies etc and does it really make a difference in research since there are tons of labs at both? I mean, I would only work on one project anyway and there are tons of options at both.

I was always enamored by the name of Harvard, but I'm not sure that's the best reason to go...
 
OP, did you create a new SDN user account just to ask this question incognito?
 
tofuboy said:
Hi Guys, I was accepted to HMS New Pathways program and just got into UCSF off the waitlist. I am from CA and go to school in CA. I really love both places and am torn on where to go. I like Boston (in the summer at least) and I like SF. They are both academically great schools and I am lucky to have this option. But I'm finding it impossible to choose!

I would love to stay close to home, but on the other hand I always dreamed of going to HMS and it does have a bigger name, especially outside of medicine. However, the fact is I am probably not going to do anything outside medicine so I don't know how much the name of Harvard vs UCSF will matter. Both schools go to great residencies etc.

Any advice would be very much appreciated!!!
Click to expand...

I would have to say UCSF, but it also depends a little on if you actually like research and want to do research intensively

...on a more serious note you should probably talk to your family/close friends about this decision not SDN...congrats on both though!
 
This should be under "school specific"..........oh and HARVARD
 
@docelh No, I created this account a while back but I never really used it much...figured it could only help to try now

@Hafez Thanks for the advice! Believe me, I have been speaking to my parents at TON. They clearly would love for me to stay in CA, but at the same time they want me to "go where my heart tells me" The problem is that my heart is very indecisive in this case 🙂

@HealthHare Sorry...I didn't really know which to post under so I just tried this one...
 
I actually haven't heard great things about the way Harvard's curriculum is taught (not sarcasm) - its seems that they are actually old school with heavy text-based learning (as opposed to online modules which tons of med schools have moved towards). Maybe they don't care about changing their curriculum b/c they've got their name? I don't know - just what I've heard. Look into it.

I haven't heard anything about UCSF.
 
tofuboy said:
Hi Guys, I was accepted to HMS New Pathways program and just got into UCSF off the waitlist. I am from CA and go to school in CA. I really love both places and am torn on where to go. I like Boston (in the summer at least) and I like SF. They are both academically great schools and I am lucky to have this option. But I'm finding it impossible to choose!

I would love to stay close to home, but on the other hand I always dreamed of going to HMS and it does have a bigger name, especially outside of medicine. However, the fact is I am probably not going to do anything outside medicine so I don't know how much the name of Harvard vs UCSF will matter. Both schools go to great residencies etc.

Any advice would be very much appreciated!!!
Click to expand...

Both cities are expensive to live in. Pick Harvard and have some east coast exposure.
 
tofuboy said:
@docelh No, I created this account a while back but I never really used it much...figured it could only help to try now
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The only advantage I can really see to HMS is when you have to impress your future in-laws.
 
docelh said:
The only advantage I can really see to HMS is when you have to impress your future in-laws.
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LOL ..although if you are staying in SF then I'm sure the in-laws would know the caliber of UCSF
 
UCSF would be ideal for you if you are not ready for the "east coast" adjustment (or if you simply don't want it)...I vote UCSF--if it's cheaper!
 
That's interesting about Harvard's teaching style NH14.

Has anyone else hear about the teaching styles/methods at both schools and how they compare? I know UCSF is based on modules/blocks while HMS is based on classes and problem-based learning. Anyone have any opinion on these two? Of course I spoke to students from both schools and they love whatever their respective school does so that wasn't much help. Anyone have an unbiased opinion?
 
To those of you thinking Harvard because of "prestige," consider this: What's more prestigious, being able to say "I went to Harvard Med School" or "I turned down Harvard Med School." 😉

Anyway, there's no way that UCSF won't have a research opportunity you're interested in that Harvard will have. Well, it might happen, but it won't be because of Harvard's standing in the medical community, but more because of chance and which subfielders work where.
 
it's only 4 years of your life and only do you get a chance to go harvard! you gotta build connections. harvard! i always wanted to be that guy in the bar scene good will hunting :laugh:
 
Can't go wrong. If your from socal then SF will be just as new of an experience as Harvard (b/c norcal mine as well be a different state). If you have no relationship ties I'd say Harvard, the BMS name is nice, plus legacy there gets you (and your kids if you decide to have any) some pretty shiny benefits.
 
It's HARVARD bro. H-A-R-V-A-R-D. Why would you turn down the opportunity to go there? 😕
 
Anyone who is telling you to go to UCSF is on Harvard's waitlist.
 
It's really your choice, not for us to decide. You should try to talk to people who have been to both medical schools, if at all possible. Good luck in making a decision. As someone once told me, just remember, sometimes in life there is more than one "right" decision - you have to go with what you feel is best for you.
 
SoyRicoSuave said:
Can't go wrong. If your from socal then SF will be just as new of an experience as Harvard (b/c norcal mine as well be a different state). If you have no relationship ties I'd say Harvard, the BMS name is nice, plus legacy there gets you (and your kids if you decide to have any) some pretty shiny benefits.
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i think this might be the best post in this thread. public schools don't give legacy benefit, so i would go to harvard. it's harvard...can't go wrong. you and your kids are pretty much guaranteed to be successful.
 
Go where you think you'll be happy; there's no real wrong anser here.

Just make sure you are making the choice based on the school itself and not just the "name."
 
I'm a total jelly belly. What are your stats? I'd do Harvard.
 
I see from your post history that you also got into UCLA.

Honestly I would go there if I were you (no flame). Be chill in med school and match into a sweet UCLA/USC Psych residency. Then do a fellowship in Addiction and open up a practice in SoCal. 9-5 work and $$$$ galore with all the addicts over there. Not to mention SoCal weather.
 
the climate in boston is depressive for most californians.
 
Long Way to Go said:
To those of you thinking Harvard because of "prestige," consider this: What's more prestigious, being able to say "I went to Harvard Med School" or "I turned down Harvard Med School." 😉

Anyway, there's no way that UCSF won't have a research opportunity you're interested in that Harvard will have. Well, it might happen, but it won't be because of Harvard's standing in the medical community, but more because of chance and which subfielders work where.
Click to expand...

Saying "I turned down HMS" might evoke a few reactions: A) pics or it didn't happen, B) you're dumb, C) you're still a d-bag for saying that.

Not saying I believe those things; I know people who I respect and who turned down HMS for UCSF. There could be good reasons like a few specific research investigators (esp. for an MD/PhD) or having a change of scenery (if coming from Harvard undergrad).

There definitely is a way that UCSF won't have a research opportunity that Harvard doesn't have. Few investigators overlap completely (else they'd be scooping each other continuously). Harvard also has more research faculty and NIH funding.
 
I'm a total jelly belly. What are your stats? I'd do Harvard.
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Would you like a jelly baby?

chronicidal said:
Saying "I turned down HMS" might evoke a few reactions: A) pics or it didn't happen, B) you're dumb, C) you're still a d-bag for saying that.

Not saying I believe those things; I know people who I respect and who turned down HMS for UCSF. There could be good reasons like a few specific research investigators (esp. for an MD/PhD) or having a change of scenery (if coming from Harvard undergrad).

There definitely is a way that UCSF won't have a research opportunity that Harvard doesn't have. Few investigators overlap completely (else they'd be scooping each other continuously). Harvard also has more research faculty and NIH funding.
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If you care about the prestige difference between UCSF and Harvard, it's likely that C already applies to you.

And I think you misunderstood me about research opportunities. The odds that UCSF won't have a research opportunity in any subfield is pretty miniscule, and while Harvard's odds might be better, the difference is likely negligible. But frankly, I highly doubt that any medical student cannot find a single research project at UCSF that they're interested in--it's not like you have already completed a PhD in one subfield and are looking to subsubspecialize with a postdoc.
 
Long Way to Go said:
If you care about the prestige difference between UCSF and Harvard, it's likely that C already applies to you.
Click to expand...

I meant that saying "I turned down HMS" can only be said to show off, whereas "I went to HMS" can be neutral depending on the conversational context.

Long Way to Go said:
The odds that UCSF won't have a research opportunity in any subfield is pretty miniscule, and while Harvard's odds might be better, the difference is likely negligible.
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Concur!
 
tofuboy said:
Hi Guys, I was accepted to HMS New Pathways program and just got into UCSF off the waitlist. I am from CA and go to school in CA. I really love both places and am torn on where to go. I like Boston (in the summer at least) and I like SF. They are both academically great schools and I am lucky to have this option. But I'm finding it impossible to choose!

I would love to stay close to home, but on the other hand I always dreamed of going to HMS and it does have a bigger name, especially outside of medicine. However, the fact is I am probably not going to do anything outside medicine so I don't know how much the name of Harvard vs UCSF will matter. Both schools go to great residencies etc.

Any advice would be very much appreciated!!!
Click to expand...

answered your own question
 
Not a single person has even asked about price? What kind of strange alternate-universe SDN is this?

Go cheaper. Both are phenomenal. Know what you're getting yourself into with Boston weather, but don't turn down such an opportunity lightly.

I'm so jelly.
 
I'd do Harvard if I really dreamed about going...I personally don't like them that much so I wouldn't want to go.
 
i'd pick UCSF - better clinical training. if you want to go into academics, go to Harvard.
 
best city in the world? or boston? (yes i am biased)

academics or clinical?
 
HARVARD...how could you ever turn down this opportunity!
 
Call me extremely biased, but Harvard's Longwood medical area has extraordinary hospitals with amazing opportunities for both clinical and academic training. The Brigham, BIDMC, CHB, Dana-Farber, Joslin...and MGH a few miles over. It would be a no-brainer for me: Harvard.
 
Pompacil said:
I love how premeds say things like this as if UCSF is some backwoods directional state school.
Click to expand...

I'm prettttttty sure no one is saying UCSF is a backwoods school.

I think it depends what you want to do. If you are interested in working with underserved populations, I would go with UCSF. I hear they have a strong program in this (I could be wrong), and since it's presumably cheaper you'd have more flexibility to do what you want when you graduate.

I think Harvard clearly has the strongest research opportunities. So if that's your thing, this should be a no-brainer. But having worked there, I know that the environment can be kind of negative. Of course that depends on your exact group, but people there seemed generally more stressed and unhappy than their west coast equivalents. The rewards of sticking it out are great.

If you have been in CA your whole life and have the flexibility to move, I would personally opt to go for the experience of a new city. Then come back and settle in CA if you choose. Either way, you have great opportunities and we all hate you. 🙂
 
tomh98 said:
I'm prettttttty sure no one is saying UCSF is a backwoods school.

I think it depends what you want to do. If you are interested in working with underserved populations, I would go with UCSF. I hear they have a strong program in this (I could be wrong), and since it's presumably cheaper you'd have more flexibility to do what you want when you graduate.

I think Harvard clearly has the strongest research opportunities. So if that's your thing, this should be a no-brainer. But having worked there, I know that the environment can be kind of negative. Of course that depends on your exact group, but people there seemed generally more stressed and unhappy than their west coast equivalents. The rewards of sticking it out are great.

If you have been in CA your whole life and have the flexibility to move, I would personally opt to go for the experience of a new city. Then come back and settle in CA if you choose. Either way, you have great opportunities and we all hate you. 🙂
Click to expand...



surprisingly what I said went right over your head.
 
demh23 said:
Anyone who is telling you to go to UCSF is on Harvard's waitlist.
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This makes me think... How many acceptances does Harvard give out total beyond their class size? AKA how many people turn Harvard down? I'd like to see that number...
 
dbeast said:
This makes me think... How many acceptances does Harvard give out total beyond their class size? AKA how many people turn Harvard down? I'd like to see that number...
Click to expand...


They accept about 200, for a class size of 165. Plus there's the 50ish or so(?) on the waitlist.
 
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