Help with School Decision

[PreMed Student 010111]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently in the fortunate situation where I have been accepted into a couple of schools. I have currently been accepted into UCLA and Texas A&M. I am still waiting to hear if I got into McGovern and UMass Medical; however, I don't know what to think at this point. My partner is in medicine and has been telling me what is really important to look at (match list and cost of attendance). Obviously UCLA has the most competitive match list to not only some of the hardest specialists to match into but to elite institutions (UCSF, Brigham, MGH, Mayo, Stanford, etc).

I feel very blessed to have these opportunities and be put in the station I am, but I am very lost in my train of thought on how to start the process of choosing. My main concern with UCLA is cost and also the location. The average attendance cost is about 350ish and I have only visited LA once before. I am a little less concern about the area, but my partner is worried about the negative aspects (cost is high to live, superficial people, etc). On the other hand Texas A&M is about 200k a year. They also have a unique focus in military medicine which I find interesting but I know that I don't want to be a military physician solely.

Then comes down to the what ifs with McGovern and UMass. McGovern in my opinion might be a little better than Texas A&M just due to location and resources available in the TMC. I was WL there but I am also OOS. I heard back from A&M after being WL for a week, so I am hopeful that they just haven't sent those yet/concerned their OOS applicants. Then UMass medical would be the most convent for me and my partner. I don't have family but my partner works in Boston and has family there. I don't necessarily want to live in Worcester but I know UMass has a great reputation and good connection into some of the elite institutions. UMass would also be more expensive because I would be OOS even though I lived here for 5+ years (requires 7 years to be a resident).

My thought process is if UMass and UCLA are the same cost then UCLA would be the best choice. Then if I got into McGovern, that would be higher than Texas A&M. UCLA vs McGovern, I am not sure what I would choose. UCLA is also all pass fail while McGovern isn't which is interesting and I don't know how to feel. Any help would be great.

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[wysdoc]

I’m wondering about your estimated COA of 200,000 for A&M. OOS Tuition will be 39K a year and total COA 50 to 60 a year unless you buy yourself a McMansion

 

[PreMed Student 010111]

I am currently in the military and I think I get an instate waiver for being in the military for Texas schools. Also UCLA charges for their summer years where A&M doesn't.

I’m wondering about your estimated COA of 200,000 for A&M. OOS Tuition will be 39K a year and total COA 50 to 60 a year unless you buy yourself a McMansion

 

[VaultArmitage]

Current OOS student at A&M. Feel free to DM for any specific questions. I can say that COA was a huge factor for me.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

I am currently in the military and I think I get an instate waiver for being in the military for Texas schools. Also UCLA charges for their summer years where A&M doesn't.

If you're already in service, why not consider HPSP and finish out your career in the reserves after the payback? COA is now irrelevant and you can apply to civ residency after if you hate the idea of a military residency.

 

[PreMed Student 010111]

If you're already in service, why not consider HPSP and finish out your career in the reserves after the payback? COA is now irrelevant and you can apply to civ residency after if you hate the idea of a military residency.

I don't want to do a military residency and having your time commitment start after residency when you are an attending makes no sense. You can make 400-500k a year as an attending if you are in a good field. I already decided that I don't want to extend my military obligation more than what I have now. I want the military to be more on my terms and choose how long I want to stay in. My plan is to do the reserves while in school and finish out my commitment that way.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Eh, "good field" comment kinda cringe but the rest is fair. Good luck!

 

[PreMed Student 010111]

Eh, "good field" comment kinda cringe but the rest is fair. Good luck!

I guess I could've reworded it to saying the fields I am interested in. Every field is good especially if that's what you're passionate about. I personally do not want to commit more time into the military. Being currently in and having taken a ROTC scholarship, I just don't feel that HPSP or any other military compensation for medical school is in my future. I want to be able to not worry about drill/military when I am either in residency or as an attending.

 

[nbwaterman]

UCLA for sure, best pick, best weather, best match. don’t worry abt the “fake” people! just build a nice friend group

 

[PreMed Student 010111]

UCLA for sure, best pick, best weather, best match. don’t worry abt the “fake” people! just build a nice friend group

Yeah I think I am sorta on the boat. Best long term investment.

 

[kcblazers19]

My cousin is a 3rd year at UCLA and he absolutely loves it. If you have any specific questions, I can relay them to him.