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- Jan 7, 2011
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Hey all,
I'm sorry, I know that this type of topic is so overdone, but I'm truly struggling with this decision and only have a few days to make it, so I'm hoping to get some advice from SDN. So I just got off the waitlist at Mayo a few days ago! I'm still in shock and can't believe it, but now it's setting in that I have ~4 days before the May 15th deadline to choose between UNC and Mayo.
As for my goals, I'm leaning towards specializing, maybe something in surgery?, but I also care about working in a free clinic. I'm hoping to match in a big city, preferably on the East Coast.
Mayo PROS:
1. Incredibly altruistic philosophy (I'm worried about burning out and becoming jaded)
2. Greater ability to specialize and match into top residency choice (since UNC is more primary care focused)
3. I'd be way more proud of myself, as silly as that sounds
4. Amazing, hands-on education
5. Small class size (more attention, tight-knit group)
6. Better atmosphere (balanced lifestyle, varied interests, students seem busy but happy)
7. More clinical publishing opportunities
UNC Pros:
1. Chapel Hill, NC is way better than Minnesota
2. Larger class/town (more social/dating opportunities)
3. Higher US News ranking (27 while UNC is 22) - not sure how much this actually matters?
4. More affordable (about 2.5x less expensive (in-state tuition whoop), since Mayo stopped giving everyone scholarships and it's now more need-based. Even though I'm paying for my med school education myself, my parents are well off).
5. Close to my family (they live 10 min away fromUNC)
6. student-run clinic
Any input would be super helpful - thanks so much, I really appreciate it and I'm more than happy to reciprocate!
I'm sorry, I know that this type of topic is so overdone, but I'm truly struggling with this decision and only have a few days to make it, so I'm hoping to get some advice from SDN. So I just got off the waitlist at Mayo a few days ago! I'm still in shock and can't believe it, but now it's setting in that I have ~4 days before the May 15th deadline to choose between UNC and Mayo.
As for my goals, I'm leaning towards specializing, maybe something in surgery?, but I also care about working in a free clinic. I'm hoping to match in a big city, preferably on the East Coast.
Mayo PROS:
1. Incredibly altruistic philosophy (I'm worried about burning out and becoming jaded)
2. Greater ability to specialize and match into top residency choice (since UNC is more primary care focused)
3. I'd be way more proud of myself, as silly as that sounds
4. Amazing, hands-on education
5. Small class size (more attention, tight-knit group)
6. Better atmosphere (balanced lifestyle, varied interests, students seem busy but happy)
7. More clinical publishing opportunities
UNC Pros:
1. Chapel Hill, NC is way better than Minnesota
2. Larger class/town (more social/dating opportunities)
3. Higher US News ranking (27 while UNC is 22) - not sure how much this actually matters?
4. More affordable (about 2.5x less expensive (in-state tuition whoop), since Mayo stopped giving everyone scholarships and it's now more need-based. Even though I'm paying for my med school education myself, my parents are well off).
5. Close to my family (they live 10 min away fromUNC)
6. student-run clinic
Any input would be super helpful - thanks so much, I really appreciate it and I'm more than happy to reciprocate!
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