Hopkins vs Yale vs CCLCM

[desert_tortoise]

Hello friends! I am super blessed this application cycle and would appreciate some insight from this community. I tried to avoid listing redundancies across programs (as they all share a lot of similar pros).

Johns Hopkins

Pros

+++ SO accepted to their PhD program.
++ Prefer a mid-size city that has stuff going on
++ I personally got along great with the students (M1s and M4s) I met on that day and thought they were all extremely nice and interesting
++ Unreal clinical training reputation
+ Love the mentorship/molecule system
+ College system and the fun competition between them is similar to how I socialized in undergard and I loved it.

Cons

-- A little nervous about living in Baltimore and the safety of the area surrounding the medical center.
- -Talked with some friends who interviewed/were accepted last year and a few reported having less positive impressions of the students they saw on their days. ‘Gunner reputation’ but this seems to be outdated.
-- Cost will likely be high
- A bit more of a “traditional” approach to the curriculum than the others (exams/quizzes/shelfs)

Yale

Pros

+++ SO accepted to their PhD program.
+++ Really enjoyed the flexibility of the curriculum and how self-motivated (yet unstressed) the students were. No shelf exam grades in clinical years is a little amazing.
++ Overall, students seemed SOO supportive of one another and said that they also felt faculty was extremely supportive
++ Flexibility of curriculum

Cons

--- New Haven, unfortunately. I lived in a medium city with a lot to do and I feel like this transition would be rough. Also, it would be hard to get in/out of New Haven each time I want to visit home.
-- The impression of the clinical training and exposure that students get there was a little more “meh” that that at Hopkins or Cleveland Clinic.
- Not sure how strong the mentorship and individualized attention from faculty here is compared with CCLCM
-- Cost will likely be high

CCLCM

Pros

+++ Amazing research-oriented institution. I also am uncertain whether I want to do more basic/translational or clinical research in my career and CCLCM sets you up with experiences in both before you decide on your research year.
+++ Cost. I never even dreamed about getting a full tuition scholarship.
+++ Amazing individualized advising/mentorship
++ All the students I met on my day seem HAPPY
+ Flexibility in research year. Could potentially do my research year at a different institution (such as where my SO ends up) to ease the burden of long-distance.

Cons

--- I would definitely be a minimum of 4 years long-distance from my partner
- With a small class size (32), Cleveland being a completely new city, and away from my partner, I am worried about being lonely in this new environment
- Overall, did not get the best opinion of Cleveland by students from my CCLCM or Case Western interview days.
- A LOT of required components to curriculum

My non-medical interests: food/cooking, exercise, sports, hiking, hanging out with classmates. Currently don't have a clear career goal or desired specialty but I love the integration of clinical practice with research (so perhaps academic).

One thing I really do not have any grasp on is how students at all these institutions feel about their training during clinical years. We mainly get to talk to only M1s/M2s on interview day who have very little to say on this topic, maybe a current student who has done clinical rotations can give me some insight? Do you feel your hospital sites give you good training, do residents/attendings treat you well, is there a lot of competition among students to “outdo” one another on clinical rotations, etc?
Unfortunately, I am doing this part of my gap year abroad and I cannot attend a SLW. I would appreciate some feedback from the lovely SDN community

Summary: Really blown away by amazing choices; I sincerely loved CCLCM and it is/was my “dream program” when originally applying but when I factor in the happiness that would come from moving to the same place as my SO, perhaps Hopkins or Yale is a better fit when thinking about my whole experience as a medical student

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[capriccio]

This is a real tough one. Between Hopkins and Yale, I would pick Hopkins for you, as it sounds like you're a lot more enthusiastic about their professional/student offerings. And of course, it's Hopkins! I actually had a similar impression of Hopkins as you when I interviewed—cool students, amazing facilities/opportunities, the mentorship/molecule set seemed really beneficial, but also a bit meh about the safety/location of Hopkins. FWIW, I know someone who works at Hopkins who said she'd lived there for over a decade and never had any problems—I think it's a matter of being smart when traveling around and selecting a good neighborhood to live in.

So I think I'd rank it as Hopkins=CCLCM>Yale. It sounds like CCLCM is professionally and financially the best fit for you, but being away from a serious SO for 4 years is a big sacrifice. On the other hand, Hopkins still seems to fit you professionally, and it's probably best for your personal life, but financially it's not as good as CCLCM. I think I might lean a bit more towards Hopkins at this point for the SO reason, but I would definitely wait to see the financial package from Hopkins.

 

[dodolol21]

Man feels bad. this would be really easy if it weren't for the two body problem.I also agree with capriccio tho, it seems that in terms of SO, location, and prestige, Hopkins is the winner. Financially both Hopkins and Yale are equal. So Yale the only real pro is the Yale System/curriculum. That gives Hopkins a leg up so would also rank them Hopkins > Yale > CCLCM

 

[puahate]

Hopkins

 

[LernerLearner2023]

Congratulations on the fantastic choices! I'm a current CCLCM student who was also considering Yale, so I can give you my perspective.

Your cons for CCLCM are totally legitimate, especially the concern about being away from your SO and mandatory attendance. If you have very strong feelings about these two points, I'd recommend leaning toward another program.

With that said, it seems like CCLCM is the only program of the three where you have full tuition covered? If that's the case, I'd consider CCLCM very seriously just because you have the opportunity to save yourself from a lot of debt without losing on any academic or clinical opportunities (these are all peer schools). Of course you'd have to weigh this against the value of being closer to your SO as well -- certainly not an easy decision. However, I would say that you shouldn't pick CCLCM for the cost savings alone.

Speaking from my personal experience at CCLCM, I've really enjoyed having a small class size and the opportunity to do research and clinical training at the Cleveland Clinic. The research integration helps remove the stress of finding your own time to incorporate meaningful research into medical school. As a first year student, I can't speak to the third-year clinical rotations from direct experience, but I know our students generally really appreciate the lack of grades/shelf exams + training at the Clinic.

Congrats again. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat about CCLCM as well. You've got a tough choice ahead of you for sure!

 

[Ninefingers]

CCLCM matches are bonkers, I would consider them highly.

 

[desert_tortoise]

Thank you everyone for your inputs, I really appreciate it!

FWIW, I know someone who works at Hopkins who said she'd lived there for over a decade and never had any problems—I think it's a matter of being smart when traveling around and selecting a good neighborhood to live in.

This insight is really helpful because as I have talked to more people who live in the area, it really does seem to be a situation that, while tough, is doable and you can thrive in a city that truly does have a lot to offer even with deep rooted issues. I think another point to bring up is that my SO feels that his opportunities at Hopkins are the best he has seen for his career interests, and since I am more flexible and feel that I fit in at a few institutions, I will likely end up choosing so that he can optimize his education.

this would be really easy if it weren't for the two body problem.

This is literally so true. I am so proud of my SO for getting into his dream programs, and I think the fact that we got so lucky in placing together at these two schools really indicates that moving together is the best choice for us. I think financial aid information will add more clarity to the situation too.

Hopkins

You be short and sweet

Congratulations on the fantastic choices! I'm a current CCLCM student who was also considering Yale, so I can give you my perspective

THANK YOU for replying to this. I think I have seen your input on a few other threads regarding CCLCM, so I really appreciate what you are doing to help all of us incoming M1s. CCLCM is the only school that I have received full tuition and I completely agree that, while it should not be the only factor, it is a big factor. I think what resonates with me most in the financial aspect of it is how Lerner really really cares about student education, to the point that they remove the financial obstacle that many students typically face. I might take you up on your offer for me to PM you since I can't come to SLW, so thank you for that!

CCLCM matches are bonkers, I would consider them highly.

Word

 

[lalalallala]

For me my quality of life would be the number one consideration. These are all crazy good schools that you can match anywhere out of and each have unique opportunities. I personally would be happier living with my SO (and half the price for rent!) and having that support system rather than trying to have a long distance relationship for 4 years. But that's just me

 

[Lucca]

Hopkins or Yale. Don’t do Long distance it super sucks. If you’re serious about making your relationship work, choose between those two.

 

[desert_tortoise]

Hopkins or Yale. Don’t do Long distance it super sucks. If you’re serious about making your relationship work, choose between those two.

Thank you for saying that. At this point, my SO and I have agreed that moving out together to support one another is our top priority, even if it means small compromises on less important factors. Thanks everyone 🙂

 

[Lucca]

Thank you for saying that. At this point, my SO and I have agreed that moving out together to support one another is our top priority, even if it means small compromises on less important factors. Thanks everyone 🙂

Good for you! I did Long distance for a yr and it almost broke up our (very long, very established) relationship. The experience was definitely worth it and we made it work for the year but it was really tough. Can't imagine doing it for 4+. You (both) have some outstanding choices (congrats on hitting the double home-run not once but twice haha) and I wish you the best of luck!

 

[m_tsflame]

Hopkins or Yale. Don’t do Long distance it super sucks. If you’re serious about making your relationship work, choose between those two.

I agree with @Lucca. Long distance + medical school seems like it would be very stressful. I'd go with Hopkins!