I really need some input on this

[JTubule1386]

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Let me just start by saying these are my emotions right now...🙂🙁😀😡😕 and because I can't believe this is happening and have learned to find the irony of my life funny 🤣!!


Okay this is my situation. I recently got accepted at what was originally my first choice school. I don't know if I'm getting any money, and after interviewing I kinda fell into dislike with city and I didn't click with the school like I thought I was going to. Not that I was totally put off, I was just expecting so much more, personally. But that was only one visit and the campus is huge, and we didn't even get to cover half of it. They also have really good Step I scores and a good name in the medical community. This school is also closer to where I live now, not that I really have a problem with moving far away.

I got accepted way back in October at another school that I really really liked. It exceeded my expectations and it became like almost my second first choice. I really liked the school and the surroundings and I think/know that it's a really good school and it's got a respectable reputation in the community. They are ranked lower than the other school, but I know rankings don't really matter unless you're going into primary care or research. But I would really like some really good research opportunities (which I think they have--don't know if they're as good or better than the other school). This school has like right at average Step I scores if I'm remembering correctly. Plus they are giving me a scholarship that will wipe out ALOT of my debt at the end of the four years, (ALOT), considering I keep my grades up.

I want to go into pathology (as of now) or possibly emergency medicine or pediatrics as a second or third choice. I've already made living reservations and planned on moving at the end of next month to start at the school I was accepted at in October. I've kinda envisioned my life living there and don't know if I could be happy living in the other city. I'm thinking Step I is more of a personal conquest and my scores will match how much work I personally put into it. But I wondering how one school gets such high Step I school and the other is just as average. Could it possibly have something to do with the curriculum at the schools, or just the type of students the schools excepts. I also think the curricula at the schools are a lot different, and since I've never been to medical school, I have no basis on which to judge is better. I don't how much reputation actually matters in the end for the schools, but since I won't ultimately be excepting myself into a residency program or hiring myself, I feel I have to be weary of the school's rep. Am I correct in thinking this?

Can I please, please get some input from some people who have been there and done that, and know more about the whole choosing then readjusting and being happy with it process than I am?
(And if you've made it this far in reading, thanks)

 

[kdavis04]

Let me just start by saying these are my emotions right now...🙂🙁😀😡😕 and because I can't believe this is happening and have learned to find the irony of my life funny 🤣!!


Okay this is my situation. I recently got accepted at what was originally my first choice school. I don't know if I'm getting any money, and after interviewing I kinda fell into dislike with city and I didn't click with the school like I thought I was going to. Not that I was totally put off, I was just expecting so much more, personally. But that was only one visit and the campus is huge, and we didn't even get to cover half of it. They also have really good Step I scores and a good name in the medical community. This school is also closer to where I live now, not that I really have a problem with moving far away.

I got accepted way back in October at another school that I really really liked. It exceeded my expectations and it became like almost my second first choice. I really liked the school and the surroundings and I think/know that it's a really good school and it's got a respectable reputation in the community. They are ranked lower than the other school, but I know rankings don't really matter unless you're going into primary care or research. But I would really like some really good research opportunities (which I think they have--don't know if they're as good or better than the other school). This school has like right at average Step I scores if I'm remembering correctly. Plus they are giving me a scholarship that will wipe out ALOT of my debt at the end of the four years, (ALOT), considering I keep my grades up.

I want to go into pathology (as of now) or possibly emergency medicine or pediatrics as a second or third choice. I've already made living reservations and planned on moving at the end of next month to start at the school I was accepted at in October. I've kinda envisioned my life living there and don't know if I could be happy living in the other city. I'm thinking Step I is more of a personal conquest and my scores will match how much work I personally put into it. But I wondering how one school gets such high Step I school and the other is just as average. Could it possibly have something to do with the curriculum at the schools, or just the type of students the schools excepts. I also think the curricula at the schools are a lot different, and since I've never been to medical school, I have no basis on which to judge is better. I don't how much reputation actually matters in the end for the schools, but since I won't ultimately be excepting myself into a residency program or hiring myself, I feel I have to be weary of the school's rep. Am I correct in thinking this?

Can I please, please get some input from some people who have been there and done that, and know more about the whole choosing then readjusting and being happy with it process than I am?
(And if you've made it this far in reading, thanks)

From the outside looking in this is an easy choice. If you take the emotion out of it, The second school is a much better fit for you. Do not go to your "First Choice" based only on your pre-concieved notions. This is why we go to interviews, not only to be interviewed but also to see if the school is a good fit for us. Your Second school with the scholarship will put you in a happier place during school, you said yourself you clicked with the school. After school, you will be elated to pay WAY less debt off and have all of your own choices available to you about where and when to work.

 

[emucansado]

Yeah, I would have to agree. I realize I don't know your entire situation, but you really seem to love the second school. I'm sure people regret choosing schools based on rankings or preconceived notions, but I doubt many people at all regret choosing the school they felt the best about. Plus, you can't go wrong with extra money!

 

[HTxFrog]

Thats kind of a tough choice, but first off there is one misconception that you seem to have, and it is exactly what I thought and had been told in undergrad and that is that the reputation of your school doesn't matter very much and a doctor is a doctor no matter what school. Med school reputation really does matter a lot for certain specialties especially. I am thinking ophtho and some of the guys I've talked to have said that residency programs really do take into account where you went to med school as one of the top few things after step 1 and LOR's. Once you choose a med school, you can't improve that aspect of your residency app no matter how good your grades.
As far as step 1 goes, it would seem like that is just a personal thing when you look at it from your perspective, but really some schools do a much better job of preparing students for the test. Some schools teach to the test and don't focus on things that aren't focused on in Step 1. They may have all their questions on tests styled like Step 1 questions and make you focus on the main things that are covered year in and year out. Other schools like mine are somewhere in between. They cover the material pretty much but a lot of times the professors talk about just whatever they are interested in. I would MUCH rather have them teach to the test. I really don't give a crap what they are interested in. The stuff on Step 1 is what we need to know and how we are going to get into good residencies.
Ok so those are the first two aspects, and they both point towards the fact that you should choose the better regarded school. The third thing is location and how much you like the school. Location is definitely important. I moved to Houston for school, and I always thought I would just move back to Fort Worth when I was done, but now that I'm here I found a g/f down here whose family lives here etc. and I'm thinking about living here eventually, so I mean you should really like the city. Also there is a fair chance that you could end up doing residency at your home institution or another one in the city (if there are others) so you really could be there for a while.
As far as the "feel" of the school, I don't know that that is really all that important. The best school is probably the one with the biggest nicest hospital with the best doctors and a high patient load in the biggest city with the most money and doing the most research. You want patients coming from all around to your center. The first two years of classes don't really have to be all that enjoyable and how nice the administrators are and how good a tour they gave you doesn't matter at all. Also you should think very objectively about it and Definitely do not make your decision based on the fact that you already planned on going one place and made arrangements. This decision will be with you long after you've gotten over that.
Ok, so summing up, med school rep and avg. step 1 scores are both very important career wise. Location is important happiness wise and career wise. Just have to weigh the options. Hope that helps

 

[HTxFrog]

Money matters too, sorry forgot you said that. If you are going into peds your are going to need it

 

[Forthegood]

Everyone weighs their priorities differently. For me, the city and "fit" was an important aspect in my decision. You have to decide if that is also true for you.

What you need to decide is not at all easy to do. You need to think about what makes you happy. Believe it or not, satisfaction is deeper than just match-day, and encompasses other aspects of your life.

From your post, as others have mentioned, the latter school seems to be where you are leaning. But do not simply neglect rankings or reputation. Also, while average Step 1s are not the end-all analysis of a med school, they do speak wonders for the quality of education you will receive for the boards vis-a-vis your specialty match options.

I'll probably get made fun of for saying this... but it may be a good time to do a Bayesian analysis of your possibilities. That will keep things objective, and maybe let you see with clarity how much your feelings subjectively affect your decision.

 

[Lanvin]

I got accepted way back in October at another school that I really really liked. It exceeded my expectations and it became like almost my second first choice. I really liked the school and the surroundings and I think/know that it's a really good school and it's got a respectable reputation in the community. They are ranked lower than the other school, but I know rankings don't really matter unless you're going into primary care or research. But I would really like some really good research opportunities (which I think they have--don't know if they're as good or better than the other school). This school has like right at average Step I scores if I'm remembering correctly. Plus they are giving me a scholarship that will wipe out ALOT of my debt at the end of the four years, (ALOT), considering I keep my grades up.

It sounds like this is the school you really want to go to. I'd recommend going with what feels like the best match for you and from what I gather this school is it.

 

[bydotte]

my 2 cents: the school doesn't take your board for you.

 

[Rendar5]

EDIT (fuller answer):
1. Me: picked a lower ranked school over an upper one because the non-school situation was better for me. I'm happy with my choice. I'm graduating from my choice and am going to a residency program I really love.

2. Residency: you don't seem to know exactly what you want yet since you gave 3 very different choices of residency. But none of those are ultra-competitive. You're not trying for optho or derm, you don't need every single tiny bit of added help.

3. Boards: my school did zilch to prep us for step 1. It was very easy to figure out what sources to study from asking around. I did great.

 

[WellWornLad]

This is a premed issue. Every other week some premed posts their premed question figuring that med students have some magical insight into making tough decisions. Unless you can find a med student who managed to attend both their dream school Y and better vibe school X, you won't find anyone who can solve that dilemma. Everyone goes to one school, and no one knows exactly what life would have been like somewhere else.

So how's this for magical tough decision making insight: it doesn't really matter all that much. Even if it did matter which school you went to, you won't be able to figure it out solely based on interviews or second look. Just go to the cheapest school you're accepted at.

 

[JTubule1386]

This is a premed issue. Every other week some premed posts their premed question figuring that med students have some magical insight into making tough decisions. Unless you can find a med student who managed to attend both their dream school Y and better vibe school X, you won't find anyone who can solve that dilemma. Everyone goes to one school, and no one knows exactly what life would have been like somewhere else.

So how's this for magical tough decision making insight: it doesn't really matter all that much. Even if it did matter which school you went to, you won't be able to figure it out solely based on interviews or second look. Just go to the cheapest school you're accepted at.

Okay, I'm going to take everything except for the last line as you needing to vent...I don't know what happened, but It'll get better with time.


To everyone else thanks for the input.

 

[Rendar5]

Okay, I'm going to take everything except for the last line as you needing to vent...I don't know what happened, but It'll get better with time.


To everyone else thanks for the input.

Umm..venting? what're you talking about? He gave a good perspective that cut through some bull.

 

[WellWornLad]

Umm..venting? what're you talking about? He gave a good perspective that cut through some bull.

I probably didn't use enough emoticons for OP's taste.

🙁

 

[alphaholic06]

This is a premed issue. Every other week some premed posts their premed question figuring that med students have some magical insight into making tough decisions. Unless you can find a med student who managed to attend both their dream school Y and better vibe school X, you won't find anyone who can solve that dilemma. Everyone goes to one school, and no one knows exactly what life would have been like somewhere else.

So how's this for magical tough decision making insight: it doesn't really matter all that much. Even if it did matter which school you went to, you won't be able to figure it out solely based on interviews or second look. Just go to the cheapest school you're accepted at.

I actually agree. With all of the threads like this one, it makes me think I click on the pre-allo board.

 

[sprinkibrio]

Congrats on getting into both schools!

I have to say right now, pay no attention to the step scores. Schools play with those numbers any way they can to get the higher average... some schools will fail more people so they are taken out of the average, some schools will find a way to only count certain people or won't count the people who failed the first time. I just wouldn't pay attention to that. If the school is certified that means the curriculum is 95% similar to every other school in the nation... they just don't want to tell you that!

I would go visit both schools again and be a good decision maker--list pros and cons based on the school's website, materials they gave you at the interview, and your second look. Make pro/con lists of what's important to you (and only you know what that is). Examples: cheaper apartments for nicer living, more to do, more parks, type of crowd, crowd at the school, school ranking, research opportunities, Pbl vs no pbl, video streaming vs required class, 3rd year experience, CHEAPNESS, etc. Then look at those lists and go with your gut. Don't let the fact that you already know more about one school than the other influence you.