- Joined
- May 3, 2006
- Messages
- 206
- Reaction score
- 0
I just thought Id post my own one of these versus posts. (I know, I said something similar that was purely about money earlier.) Also, I have about 12.5 thousand in debt form undergrad. Anyways, I think I want to do surgery, (maybe even orthapedics if I can), BUT nothing is set in stone at all. Im not too sure about research and academic medicine, as a career, but I am seriously thinking about it. Im not really leaning towards it though, Id have to learn more about them as careers.
FYI: UT told me I was going to get a scholarship, but they did not tell me the amount until about a week ago (which is why I had two acceptances). A day later, Keck called. Anyways which school do you all think I should go?
Keck: I got a call a week ago, I REALLY want to go to this school. It was tied second for my favorite schools I interviewed. I would love going to a new location (been in TN for all 22 years of my life). I think Id get great clinical experience at their hospital, especially for emergency medicine and surgery which is what I want to go into. I dont know Kecks residency match specifics though (they didnt give them out at the interviews), but its much higher ranked (36 overall). Thus, I know that academic medicine and research career doors wont be closed for me, perhaps unlike the other schools, but Im being told that Kecks reputation (or rank) is not good enough to spend the extra money on for those reasons.
The main problem is, I got no scholarships at all and it costs about 61 thousand a year, so about 250K in debt (w/o calculating interest. I think that might be insurmountable, even for a doctor. If it werent for money, there would be no question Id go to Keck.
NYMC: I was accepted and offered a 15000 dollar scholarship. It would still be 44 thousand a year or so (about 170 thousand in debt once I graduate), even with the scholarships. I really liked this school due to its location. My ideal situation would be living in or near NYC (like Columbia 😉 and its easy enough to get into the city from there (like 45 minutes on the train). Also, the rotations are in NYC, which is a real plus for me. They have good board scores and I liked many of the hospitals that their residents matched (grads were getting in great hospitals). I dont think they were getting into competitive matches that those hospitals though, but its still good.
The problem is, I think its about equally ranked as UT (both unranked). And Im not sure if there surgery program is as good as UTs, if it costs the same, Id probably go here over UT but since it doesn't, I dont know.
UT: I was accepted and offered a state specific scholarship of 13400 for UT. I know they have really hands on clinical rotations like Keck with the students getting to do a lot of work, which would be good for a surgeon. The cost would be about 27 thousand a year, about 105 thousand in total debt when I graduate. Almost everyones saying I should go here. Also, living would be dirt cheap and Id be able to get a really nice apartment.
The problem is I REALLY want to get out of TN and the Southeast. It was one of my main goals when I started to apply (hoping to go to NYC or California). More specifically, I did not like the city of Memphis much at all and dont want to live there (for many different reasons). There match list is fine, but it seems almost all the doctors match somewhere in TN or around TN (like Alabama or Kentucky). I cant help but feel like Id be in TN or the South for the next 8 years at least by going to UT. Also, Im not sure if it would be the best school to go to if I decide to do research or enter academic medicine in the future.
What should I do!? Also, Im deciding hopefully by tomorrow since Ill be gone for a month in 2 days! And about money, I think my parents might help with the finances some (at most, 12-15 thousand a year and I'm not even sure about that).
FYI: UT told me I was going to get a scholarship, but they did not tell me the amount until about a week ago (which is why I had two acceptances). A day later, Keck called. Anyways which school do you all think I should go?
Keck: I got a call a week ago, I REALLY want to go to this school. It was tied second for my favorite schools I interviewed. I would love going to a new location (been in TN for all 22 years of my life). I think Id get great clinical experience at their hospital, especially for emergency medicine and surgery which is what I want to go into. I dont know Kecks residency match specifics though (they didnt give them out at the interviews), but its much higher ranked (36 overall). Thus, I know that academic medicine and research career doors wont be closed for me, perhaps unlike the other schools, but Im being told that Kecks reputation (or rank) is not good enough to spend the extra money on for those reasons.
The main problem is, I got no scholarships at all and it costs about 61 thousand a year, so about 250K in debt (w/o calculating interest. I think that might be insurmountable, even for a doctor. If it werent for money, there would be no question Id go to Keck.
NYMC: I was accepted and offered a 15000 dollar scholarship. It would still be 44 thousand a year or so (about 170 thousand in debt once I graduate), even with the scholarships. I really liked this school due to its location. My ideal situation would be living in or near NYC (like Columbia 😉 and its easy enough to get into the city from there (like 45 minutes on the train). Also, the rotations are in NYC, which is a real plus for me. They have good board scores and I liked many of the hospitals that their residents matched (grads were getting in great hospitals). I dont think they were getting into competitive matches that those hospitals though, but its still good.
The problem is, I think its about equally ranked as UT (both unranked). And Im not sure if there surgery program is as good as UTs, if it costs the same, Id probably go here over UT but since it doesn't, I dont know.
UT: I was accepted and offered a state specific scholarship of 13400 for UT. I know they have really hands on clinical rotations like Keck with the students getting to do a lot of work, which would be good for a surgeon. The cost would be about 27 thousand a year, about 105 thousand in total debt when I graduate. Almost everyones saying I should go here. Also, living would be dirt cheap and Id be able to get a really nice apartment.
The problem is I REALLY want to get out of TN and the Southeast. It was one of my main goals when I started to apply (hoping to go to NYC or California). More specifically, I did not like the city of Memphis much at all and dont want to live there (for many different reasons). There match list is fine, but it seems almost all the doctors match somewhere in TN or around TN (like Alabama or Kentucky). I cant help but feel like Id be in TN or the South for the next 8 years at least by going to UT. Also, Im not sure if it would be the best school to go to if I decide to do research or enter academic medicine in the future.
What should I do!? Also, Im deciding hopefully by tomorrow since Ill be gone for a month in 2 days! And about money, I think my parents might help with the finances some (at most, 12-15 thousand a year and I'm not even sure about that).
