JSMBS vs VTCSOM

[ooompalooompa]

Jacobs School of Medicine
Pros

• Cheaper ~330k total
• Attended SUNY School and very familiar with WNY communities
• Closer to family in NYC area
• Probably easier to end up in NYC for residency (ultimate goal)
• Bigger city with health disparities more similar to NYC
• Much more established and ranked better
• Already paid security deposit on an apt in Buffalo
• Roswell Park CC, interested in oncology and translational research

Cons

• Large class ~180
• UB residents strike and trickle down effect on students
  • Will this be better by the time I rotate 2027-2029?
• New well beyond curriculum.
  • Would matriculate into the second class using the new curriculum
• Class ranking in quintiles
• Feel like a smaller fish in a large pond here
• Competitive to get involved in research
  • Lots of NIH funding though
• Bad weather

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Pros

• Small class ~50
• Small ~5k scholarship
• 1-1 mentorship with faculty
• New curriculum PBL learning
  • Integrate NBME exams
  • Minimized didactics, more self-directed learning
• Research integration longitudinally (I come from a strong research background and intend on continuing)
  • Less NIH funding
• More competitive match list (interested in radiology/IM)
• Good weather, lots of nature/outdoorsy things

Cons

• More $$ ~$380k total, scholarship doesn't make up for differences
• Rural (I grew up in an urban area)
  • Might be isolated
• Far from family and established support network
• Harder to end up in NYC for residency?
• Newer school, lower ranked
  • Although the admin has made it clear this school is bound to become very prestigious within the next few decades

Summary: Financially, UB is the answer. However, VTCSOM is such a unique and intimate opportunity, that the decision is not so obvious. I'm especially driven towards to VTCSOM due to their research integration, will definitely make more competitive for residency. One of the most important factors to me is getting back to NYC for residency. Would selecting UB over VTCSOM make more likely to get back to NYC? I am about 55% UB and 45% VTCSOM, very split. What do you think.

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