Mayo (AZ) vs. Duke

[username5]

Very honored that I was accepted off the Duke waitlist today, but now I have a tough decision to make. My initial thought is that Duke would need to be significantly cheaper than Mayo for me to attend because I am really excited by the unique opportunities Mayo offers, but I want to hear from others. I am currently interested in dermatology, though I know this may change throughout medical school.

Mayo AZ (Approx $230K total COA)
Pros

• Significant scholarship
• Selectives (opportunity to explore non-core rotation specialties early on)
• Very flexible/individualized curriculum
• Funding to study at other Mayo campuses/for other extracurricular opportunities
• True P/F pre-clinical curriculum
• A good chunk of students matched into derm this year, though I do not know if STEP 1 going P/F will impact this
• The "Mayo" name recognition
• Close to family in California

Cons

• Weather (very very hot summers)
• Graded clinical curriculum

Duke (No financial aid info yet)
Pros

• More prestigious?
• Research year built into the curriculum may help me be more competitive for derm?
• Possibly a more relaxed attendance policy for classes?
• Weather is somewhat better (I'm from California, so I am used to not having 4 seasons but not used to sweltering summers)
• Opportunity to explore a new part of the country

Cons

• Unclear grading system? Is it P/F pre-clinical only or clinical as well?
• Far from my family in California
• Never been to Durham or the South in general so I don't know how I'd like it
• Higher COL in Durham than Scottsdale, somewhat surprisingly
• Research year may take away from other opportunities (selectives, travel)

Summary: Overall, this may be a bit of a moot point depending on the financial aid that Duke is able to provide, but I want to have a decision made in case the financial aspect does work out in Duke's favor.

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[hydroflaskhomie]

Bias: I don't love Durham as a place.

I would personally go to Mayo AZ unless Duke was able to offer a significantly better financial aid package (>=30k less COA). It is incredibly unique in terms of its offerings + I think family support will be more important than you realize.

 

[username5]

Bias: I don't love Durham as a place.

I would personally go to Mayo AZ unless Duke was able to offer a significantly better financial aid package (>=30k less COA). It is incredibly unique in terms of its offerings + I think family support will be more important than you realize.

That is where I am at right now, too. Given the much higher cost of moving across the country and flights home for holidays, Duke would need to be substantially less expensive. Thank you and I appreciate your thoughts!