Larner COM vs AMC

[Prospective Med Student]

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I am incredibly fortunate to have been accepted into both Albany Medical College as well as the Larner College of Medicine in Vermont, however, I now have to figure out where to go. Here is my list of reasons for each:

• AMC Pros:
  
  • Strong affiliate hospital (Albany Medical Center)
    • wont have to move around as much
  • cheaper COA (~58k for tuition and roughly 25k for remainder)
  • not too far from Boston or New York
  • seemingly strong emphasis on student wellbeing
  • potentially more institutional scholarships and need-based aid
  • Have heard Albany does not have much to do outside class
  • unranked (not sure how much it matters)
  • Honors/Pass/Fail I think?
  • older facilities
  • I believe preclinical is all recorded lectures (aside from labs)
  • Felt less personal during interview

• Larner Pros:
  
  • more robust research opportunities
  • also strong affiliate hospitals
  • newer facilities
  • more active/collaborative learning environment
  • Burlington offers more to do outside of class
  • Ranked (again, not sure how much that matters)
  • Not too far from home
  • Really positive interview experience
  • Quite steep in terms of tuition and living (got into Vermont Clinical Campus and I am OOS applicant)
  • Potentially less diverse patient population, although I have read/heard that this may not be true
  • likely to get less financial aid especially being out of state
  • like the collaborative style, but also uncertain about the flipped classroom and how that will actually work in practice. I did ask current students but still do not know how I will function in that

I am sure I am missing things from each list as I have to do more digging on every aspect of the schools, but it is early and I am just trying to start thinking now. I could see myself at both of these institutions, and realize that regardless of my choice, I will be at a solid program. I am thinking of returning to rural care, so I am slightly leaning UVM, but again, I know both could provide all that I would need. Cost is also a HUGE factor. I don't have my financial aid packages from either school yet (not until March 2026 for Albany and unknown for UVM) and will likely be able to better decide once I know that. I do not have financial support from my family and am very uncertain about how I will go about paying without Grad plus loans. Any input would be greatly appreciated! I also interviewed with the Tufts Maine Track program and felt very good about it, so I might also have the Tufts program to decide on.

Thanks!