Miami vs OSU

[fl0ridamane]

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Hi everyone, I've been fortunate with a few acceptances and these are my top choices currently. However it's been really hard making a decision since it's largely personal and I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure what I want to do yet but I'm leaning towards gas, EM, IM/peds, or FM. I'd appreciate any input!

Miami (MD/MPH)
pros:

• In state, closer to friends and family. Most importantly my spouse will be able to move with me
• Cool city to live in
• Will easily be able to keep my hobbies
• Match list is very good
• maybe a pro? 14 month pre-clinical
• very diverse patient population with lots of hands on experience at Jackson
• 4 year MD/MPH

cons:

• insane COL, no financial aid yet but based on COA it may cost $120k more
• ranked p/f preclinical starting my class
• students seemed stressed
• not sure if i fit into the Miami culture

Ohio St
pros

• cheaper, qualify for IS tuition after a year + lower COL
• students seemed happy, more laidback, less competitive
• get to live in another state and outside of my comfort zone
• matches well
• sliiiight edge in prestige? (or are both programs about the same tier?)

cons

• further from family, spouse won't be able to move with me until MS2-MS3
• never lived somewhere cold (or outside of FL really)

 

[pierty]

I would wait to see your financial aid packages, but from an initial evaluation I would favor OSU. The tuition/COL gap is significant, and I would avoid enrolling in a ranked pre-clinical curriculum if at all possible (the impact on your life quality throughout the first 2 years will be immense).

The distance from your spouse is the only reason I would consider Miami at all. Otherwise, it would be a very easy decision.

 

[drwillseeyounow]

I would actually say Miami. As someone with a spouse, to me it’s really important having them nearby and cannot imagine not having them for 1-2 years. That happened in undergrad and it was quite challenging. Especially in med school, I think you’d have less time to talk and dedicate to your relationship which may potentially add strain to their already not being there. Just something to keep in mind as a possibility.

Having said that, if your spouse were able to move with you, then yeah, Ohio State sounds like the better option. Cheaper, you mentioned a better culture, and who knows, you might like the cold…

 

[fl0ridamane]

I would actually say Miami. As someone with a spouse, to me it’s really important having them nearby and cannot imagine not having them for 1-2 years. That happened in undergrad and it was quite challenging. Especially in med school, I think you’d have less time to talk and dedicate to your relationship which may potentially add strain to their already not being there. Just something to keep in mind as a possibility.

Having said that, if your spouse were able to move with you, then yeah, Ohio State sounds like the better option. Cheaper, you mentioned a better culture, and who knows, you might like the cold…

You're right about that, it will definitely be tough. I'm waiting on a decision from UCLA, if you were in my shoes would that change your mind? I think since the prestige difference between Ohio and UM is smaller, I wouldn't regret going to UM. But now that a better school may come into play, I'm not sure how I'd handle that

 

[drwillseeyounow]

You're right about that, it will definitely be tough. I'm waiting on a decision from UCLA, if you were in my shoes would that change your mind? I think since the prestige difference between Ohio and UM is smaller, I wouldn't regret going to UM. But now that a better school may come into play, I'm not sure how I'd handle that

That’s rough, but I think it would make the decision harder for me. I don’t know much about UCLA in terms of culture/curriculum, but if all else were equal (P/F, good culture, etc.) and you thought the prestige would lend itself to better opportunities in the future (I think it could), then, if I were in your shoes, the added benefit to your future career may justify the having to be distanced for some time.

And congrats on all your interviews by the way!