Miami vs OSU

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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)
 
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.
 
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…
 
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
 
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!
 
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