Med Schools with Mountains?

[shaperone]

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I live here in Colorado and have my sights set on getting into med school here for various reasons. One major reason is the plethora of outdoor fun close by. I am an avid snowboarder, kayaker; basically I am a very content person when I am in the mountains, doing whatever. After being turned down by CU this go around, I am thinking I should have some back up options for med school for the upcoming cycle. I think being at a school that would enable me to continue with my outdoor hobbies (albeit at much less frequency) is a big factor (therapeutic for relieving stress) that will contribute to my success completing an MD program. With this in mind, I am hoping some of you out there share similar interests as me and know of MD schools with outdoor fun in close proximity. I am pretty familiar western schools and their geographic locations, but with eastern schools I am lost. Any insight would be appreciated! If anyone has any questions about Colorado, applying, location, Denver, I'd be happy to help.
Thanks!

 

[Rafa]

I read on someone's blog about how Dartmouth was *the* school for outdoor winter life. I'd imagine UVT would also serve you well in these regards. Both accept out of staters.

 

[humuhumu]

OK, I'll add the obvious: University of Utah. The school is actually located on a mountain. Incredible mountain biking, hiking, and of course, skiing. As they say, it's the best snow on Earth.

 

[LadyWolverine]

I am an avid skiier and outdoorsman (woman?). I found that I had plenty of time for and access to these interests when I worked at the University of Washington. Granted, you will not have quite so much free time in med school...but still, with great skiing at Snoqualmie Pass at 45 minutes east of you, Crystal Mountain/Mount Rainier 1.5-2 hours to the South, Stevens Pass about 2 hours North, Mount Baker 3 hours North, and Whistler/Blackcomb (aka MECCA) about 4 hours away, (not to mention White Pass and other smaller resorts also within a day's drive), you're set. Plus you've got the Lakes for ciy Kayaking, or you can kayak in the Sound. There are great places to go along the ocean if you want to drive 2-3 hours to the Pacific Coast. And if you like to hike/mountain bike, there are innumerable places just outside of Seattle for that! Of course, getting into UW isn't all that easy...you'd probably have to move to WA or a WWAMI state to establish residency.

I also took this into account when I applied this cycle...the proximity to mountains and good skiing is part of what makes CU so alluring to me. Some people may think that's a stupid reason to apply to a particular med school, but that's how I blow off steam! (Aren't hobbies and recreation made all the more important when you don't have a lot of time for them?) I nearly went crazy this year, not having access to anything with over 1000 feet vertical drop. 🙁

 

[star22]

I would say Washington, Utah, Oregon, and New Mexico (Santa Fe/Taos are near).

Vermont, Dartmouth, NC schools, maybe... probably disappointing compared to Colorado.

 

[jebus]

i'd add nevada (reno is pretty close to tahoe). and u o' new mexico has skiing (not good skiing but skiing) 30 minutes away by car + tram. there are few other places you can ski in the morning and play golf in the afternoon. and by golf i mean mack on skeezers. plus taos is heaven on earth and makes a great weekend trip.

 

[Sainttpk]

I would say Univeristy of Washington (Seattle) hands down.

I feel like I can speak with some authority on this subject. I have been a rock & ice climber for over 7 years. And there is no better place to live then Seatle if you are looking for outdoor oppurtunities.

IF you love to ski, then you will enjoy the cascades. Yaa the snow is not as dry and fluffly as coloardo, but it is wet and heavy!! The cascades recieve more snowfall then any mountain range in the lower 48. Mt rainier and Mt Baker have both broke the worlds record for total snow fall in a season. (I.E. over 1200 inches).

Plus if you are into ski mountanerring and do not mind doing a little hiking you can easily ski year around on the higher peaks. There are plenty of places within reasonable distance from Seattle to give you plenty of outdoor fun!

The suggestion of Vermont or Dartmouth, Im going to have to give a thumbs down to those! Im sorry but east coast skiing sucks. the snow sucks, the mtns suck, and there is no real climbing! Go for Seattle you won't be dissapointed.

T

 

[nicholasblonde]

OHSU!!! OHSU has a school-subsidized week-long ski trip to Mt. Bachelor...many of the students there said on interview day that they frequent Mt. Hood...they also do an annual "ski and surf" day where they ski all morning, drive out to the coast, surf, camp out on the beach, then drive back to OHSU/Portland the next morning...a few of the kids there went to U of Colorado as undergrads...I guess ya'll Coloradans like to stay near the Mountains!!!

 

[star22]

I would say Univeristy of Washington (Seattle) hands down.

I feel like I can speak with some authority on this subject. I have been a rock & ice climber for over 7 years. And there is no better place to live then Seatle if you are looking for outdoor oppurtunities.

IF you love to ski, then you will enjoy the cascades. Yaa the snow is not as dry and fluffly as coloardo, but it is wet and heavy!! The cascades recieve more snowfall then any mountain range in the lower 48. Mt rainier and Mt Baker have both broke the worlds record for total snow fall in a season. (I.E. over 1200 inches).

Plus if you are into ski mountanerring and do not mind doing a little hiking you can easily ski year around on the higher peaks. There are plenty of places within reasonable distance from Seattle to give you plenty of outdoor fun!

The suggestion of Vermont or Dartmouth, Im going to have to give a thumbs down to those! Im sorry but east coast skiing sucks. the snow sucks, the mtns suck, and there is no real climbing! Go for Seattle you won't be dissapointed.

T

True, but UW for an OOS is not very realistic. So, statistically, Oregon and Utah would better choices..... just my opinion.

 

[Chris127]

University of Utah is absolutely beautiful. Located right on the side of the mountian, over looking Salt Lake City.

I lived in Vermont for six years, and UVM really isnt located right next to a mountian. UVM is in Burlington, which is about an hour drive to the mountians where the decent ski resorts are.

If you want to ski though, go west.

 

[shaperone]

I would love to get into a west coast school, like Wash U and Oregon. However, I know that a majority of them (state schools) only allow in a few of out-of-staters. Those out-of-staters usually have unbelievable GPA and MCAT, which I don't have. Matter of fact, University of Nevada, Reno only admits 5 out-of-staters per cycle, I think New Mexico, and even Colorado have similar policy. My stats are average, my EC's are good, I think I would have a much better chance in an eastern private school, not ivy league. I was thinking about Vermont, Albany, Penn State, EVMS, Wake Forest, Emory (long shot), that seem like they have the ability to escape the city. I have never been to any of these schools, and know little, of the surrounding areas. Anyone visited these places? Snow is not as big of a factor as is the whitewater; I would go nuts without being able to kayak! Thanks for all the replies.

 

[riceman04]

What about USC...yes in Los Angeles. There are several National forests that surround Los Angeles County...The Angeles National Forest, Cleveland National Forest, San Bernadino National Forest, etc...

Plus there are several mountain ranges around LA that have ski resorts. The biggest ones are Mt. High in wrightwood (in San Gabriel Mountains), Big Bear (San Bernadino Mountains), and Snow Summit (San Bernadino Mountains). There are many more ski resorts around Los Angeles too, but they are not as large.

Yeah, many people dont associate LA with skiing b/c we always seem to have nice weather. But that is the beauty of it all. It can be warm in the LA basin and beach cities but very cold up in the mountains.

Of course this skiing will not be as good as the skiing up in Mammoth or Tahoe (and of course in Colorado and Utah), but there are plenty of mountainous activites available during all seasons...and you have the wildlife to go along with it...cayotes, mountain lions, mountain goats, black bears, all types of rattlesnakes, deer, bobcat's, etc...

Largest peak in Los Angeles county: 11,000+ feet

 

[mustangsally65]

I was thinking about Vermont, Albany, Penn State, EVMS, Wake Forest, Emory (long shot), that seem like they have the ability to escape the city. I have never been to any of these schools, and know little, of the surrounding areas. Anyone visited these places? Snow is not as big of a factor as is the whitewater; I would go nuts without being able to kayak! Thanks for all the replies.

Wake Forest isn't in the mountains. It's in Winston-Salem, about an hour-two hour drive to the mountains depending on how you go. EVMS is near the coast of VA, so no mountains there either. Emory is flat as can be, except for Stone Mountain north of Atlanta.

UVa is in the mountains of Charlottesville. There are no NC schools in the mountains, in TN there's ETSU but it's a state school (few OOSers).

 

[star22]

I would love to get into a west coast school, like Wash U and Oregon. However, I know that a majority of them (state schools) only allow in a few of out-of-staters. Those out-of-staters usually have unbelievable GPA and MCAT, which I don't have. Matter of fact, University of Nevada, Reno only admits 5 out-of-staters per cycle, I think New Mexico, and even Colorado have similar policy. My stats are average, my EC's are good, I think I would have a much better chance in an eastern private school, not ivy league. I was thinking about Vermont, Albany, Penn State, EVMS, Wake Forest, Emory (long shot), that seem like they have the ability to escape the city. I have never been to any of these schools, and know little, of the surrounding areas. Anyone visited these places? Snow is not as big of a factor as is the whitewater; I would go nuts without being able to kayak! Thanks for all the replies.

I wouldn't count OHSU out. They accept tons of OOS students (maybe not with average stats), but if you are from a rural part of CO, it will help your cause. On the secondary they specifically ask the population of your home town.

Otherwise, you might also consider SUNY Upstate. They no longer give preference to NY residents (I interviewed there this year as an OR resident with average stats) and although the mountains are small, there is a fair amount of outdoor recreation nearby.

 

[GujjuNo1]

Wake Forest isn't in the mountains. It's in Winston-Salem, about an hour-two hour drive to the mountains depending on how you go. EVMS is near the coast of VA, so no mountains there either. Emory is flat as can be, except for Stone Mountain north of Atlanta.

UVa is in the mountains of Charlottesville. There are no NC schools in the mountains, in TN there's ETSU but it's a state school (few OOSers).

I am looking forward to the outdoor life around ETSU. I have never had the opportunity to be an outdoorsman, hoping that attending ETSU will allow me to become one...

 

[japhy]

sorry, but if you want to play in the mountains the ONLY place to be is u. of utah. all i have to say is 30 minutes from class to the chairlift at alta. student passes all hover around $400-500. i was able to put in 50 days or so both of my first and second year. and i was by far at the low end of all my friends.

because your time is limited during med school it is crucial to have everything close by. salt lake makes it so easy to bike, ski, hike, camp, climb, etc. and we have gorgeous desert a mere 3 hours away.

not to take anything away from oregon, washington, etc, but no one has access like we do in utah.