Hopkins vs Duke

[soccerboy90]

Thought I could get input from others in similar situations as well as current med students. I am admitted into both Hopkins and Duke, and just this morning, I received a full-tuition scholarship to Duke! I'm thrilled but I'd been mentally prepared to go to Hopkins. Now I'm having a tough time deciding between the two. I'm still waiting on Hopkins financial aid, but I doubt that need-based aid at Hopkins will come close to the full-tuition at Duke. I loved Duke, but am absolutely awed by Hopkins' legendary training. I don't care much for location. If I could get input to help me make my decision, I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

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[searun]

Thought I could get input from others in similar situations as well as current med students. I am admitted into both Hopkins and Duke, and just this morning, I received a full-tuition scholarship to Duke! I'm thrilled but I'd been mentally prepared to go to Hopkins. Now I'm having a tough time deciding between the two. I'm still waiting on Hopkins financial aid, but I doubt that need-based aid at Hopkins will come close to the full-tuition at Duke. I loved Duke, but am absolutely awed by Hopkins' legendary training. I don't care much for location. If I could get input to help me make my decision, I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

Both are fantastic schools. If Hopkins does not offer you a similar package, take the money and run to Duke. The real training takes place in residency not med school anyway. You really don't know much when you graduate from med school - this will become evident to you when you are a first year resident. Both schools will have you well positioned for residency if you do well - so really it is a financial decision and my guess is that Duke will be the winner.

 

[Fortress]

+1 for Duke. However, I don't know how it is possible to learn all preclinical material (normally covered in 2 years) in 1 year.
Searun, so currently I am just wasting my time in med school? Oh, boy...

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Omg, full-tuition at Duke? Unless Hopkins offers you the same, go to Duke without a doubt. Congrats!!

 

[searun]

+1 for Duke. However, I don't know how it is possible to learn all preclinical material (normally covered in 2 years) in 1 year.
Searun, so currently I am just wasting my time in med school? Oh, boy...

No, you are not wasting your time in med school. You are laying the foundation so that you will be ready when the real learning and skill acquisition begins.

 

[Cster0905]

The money is great but Duke provides a rather nontraditional curriculum. Do you really want to spend your third year focused almost entirely on research?

I know several people at Duke Med and many more who were admitted but ultimately chose to attend another school. Most I know who didn't attend or didn't apply did so for the curriculum. Of those I know there, some people love the curriculum, other people have struggled with it, particularly the dense basic science year and the freedom to take Step I when then want (e.g., some waited too long after their first year).

It comes down to what you want out of med school. If research is your thing, Duke is among the best because it so clearly accommodates those endeavors. But do you want to cram 1.5-2 years of material into 11 or so months?

 

[Ilovewater]

Both are great schools. Take the scholarship and go to Duke. Or, you can be ballsy and try to ask Hopkins if they can match the scholarship! 😀

 

[kautionwirez]

If prestige was equal, I would go to Duke due to location, accelerated education, one year to do whatever you want academically, and watch the basketball games!!

Wait for fin aid.

 

[candav]

Congratulations! I am facing a similar decision and, like you, I am pretty set on Hopkins (though no full-tuition offer to sway me to Duke). I've heard whispers that Hopkins is receptive to matching other schools' offers for very desirable applicants. You probably fit the bill, so I would definitely discuss this with them after getting your financial aid package. Really hope to see you in class next year!

 

[soccerboy90]

Thanks for the input everyone! As many have stated, I guess I'll just have to wait for fin aid from Hopkins and only then can I start seriously making a decision. If anyone else has any further input, feel free to share!

 

[soccerboy90]

Congratulations! I am facing a similar decision and, like you, I am pretty set on Hopkins (though no full-tuition offer to sway me to Duke). I've heard whispers that Hopkins is receptive to matching other schools' offers for very desirable applicants. You probably fit the bill, so I would definitely discuss this with them after getting your financial aid package. Really hope to see you in class next year!

Thanks! I sure do hope you've heard right. 🙂 Will you be going to Second Look? Hope to see you there!

 

[DRymcmb]

Thought I could get input from others in similar situations as well as current med students. I am admitted into both Hopkins and Duke, and just this morning, I received a full-tuition scholarship to Duke! I'm thrilled but I'd been mentally prepared to go to Hopkins. Now I'm having a tough time deciding between the two. I'm still waiting on Hopkins financial aid, but I doubt that need-based aid at Hopkins will come close to the full-tuition at Duke. I loved Duke, but am absolutely awed by Hopkins' legendary training. I don't care much for location. If I could get input to help me make my decision, I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

Soooo, do these admissions committees know how ridiculous you are for this "problem" you have. Congrats for the offers. But seriously, grow up, stop being a narcissist, and make a decision that others could only dream of.

 

[Megatron2016]

Soooo, do these admissions committees know how ridiculous you are for this "problem" you have. Congrats for the offers. But seriously, grow up, stop being a narcissist, and make a decision that others could only dream of.

Wow...don't read the thread if it bothers you so much. It's a legitimate question and there might be someone on this forum with good advice. If you were making such a big decision with big implications, I hope you would seek as much advice as possible.

Do you think it's an easy decision? Do you think OP is trying to show off? I don't.

Insert here the last sentence of your own post.

 

[DRymcmb]

Wow...don't read the thread if it bothers you so much. It's a legitimate question and there might be someone on this forum with good advice. If you were making such a big decision with big implications, I hope you would seek as much advice as possible.

Do you think it's an easy decision? Do you think OP is trying to show off? I don't.

Insert here the last sentence of your own post.

Fortunately, I have had the blessing of making this big decision too, and I have asked for help. It just doesn't make sense to solicit advice from people you don't know, can't see, and can't have any way of knowing what their true intentions are when they give advice. Don't trip dude. And if you don't like what I posted, you don't have to read it either.

 

[Finches]

Fortunately, I have had the blessing of making this big decision too, and I have asked for help. It just doesn't make sense to solicit advice from people you don't know, can't see, and can't have any way of knowing what their true intentions are when they give advice. Don't trip dude. And if you don't like what I posted, you don't have to read it either.

It doesn't make sense to you. Great. Other people think differently. Moving on.

 

[Megatron2016]

Thanks for the input everyone! As many have stated, I guess I'll just have to wait for fin aid from Hopkins and only then can I start seriously making a decision. If anyone else has any further input, feel free to share!

I'm in a similar situation. I'm going to wait for all the scholarship and aid decisions to be made and then go to revisit before really stressing too much over the decision.

In the mean time I've tried to make a list of all the things that I value (or should value) in a medical school and have been filling it out with information from each school as I learn more about each school.

 

[geass]

Thanks! I sure do hope you've heard right. 🙂 Will you be going to Second Look? Hope to see you there!

I also have the choice between Hopkins and Duke, too bad that their second looks are at the same time. Anyone trying to make it to both?