Hey all, I was pretty lucky with my admissions cycle and have at least two great schools to choose from (Yale and Columbia), and recently got a sort of "under-the-table" tip from a prof I work with at Harvard that I would have good news from them soon. Not to count chickens before they hatch, but I am trying to decide which of these three schools would be best for me. I received a half-tuition merit scholarship from Columbia and am waiting to see need-based aid. No word yet on Yale's financial aid package.
I almost guarantee that I want to pursue a specialty related to brain function and health. I am interested primarily in neurology, specifically neurocritical care, but could also see myself doing psychiatry, neuropathology or neuroradiology, depending on my experience with these specialties in rotations. I never want to do neurosurgery. I have great respect for those that go down that road, but it's just not a lifestyle I want to pursue.
I am very interested in continuing to do research while in med school, so having fewer "time wasters" would be a bonus. Basically, having a school be chill as long as I pass courses and meet all requirements is a huge plus.
As far as geographic prefs, I currently live in Boston and work for HMS but don't know many people, I have some ties to NYC (lived there for a year) and love the city, and am a Yale College alum so I have strong ties to New Haven and love it, but only a couple of my close friends are left there nowadays. I see positives and negatives to each place.
Would love to hear people's opinions and experiences of these schools. Please let me know if I can supply any additional info to aid in making this decision. Thanks in advance for the advice!
I almost guarantee that I want to pursue a specialty related to brain function and health. I am interested primarily in neurology, specifically neurocritical care, but could also see myself doing psychiatry, neuropathology or neuroradiology, depending on my experience with these specialties in rotations. I never want to do neurosurgery. I have great respect for those that go down that road, but it's just not a lifestyle I want to pursue.
I am very interested in continuing to do research while in med school, so having fewer "time wasters" would be a bonus. Basically, having a school be chill as long as I pass courses and meet all requirements is a huge plus.
As far as geographic prefs, I currently live in Boston and work for HMS but don't know many people, I have some ties to NYC (lived there for a year) and love the city, and am a Yale College alum so I have strong ties to New Haven and love it, but only a couple of my close friends are left there nowadays. I see positives and negatives to each place.
Would love to hear people's opinions and experiences of these schools. Please let me know if I can supply any additional info to aid in making this decision. Thanks in advance for the advice!