Hello all! Currently deciding between these two schools (on 6 WLs, but I am considering them Rs until proven otherwise). I am interested in ENT or IR at the moment, and my priorities really include getting a good network and an abundance of research opportunities in these fields. I have listed some pros and cons for each school, and I would really appreciate some advice or help when approaching this!
UMass
Pros:
(+)(+)(+) In-state tuition and the ability to live at home decreases COA by a significant proportion
(+)(+) Hoping to match northeast, strong NE match list
(+)(+) P/F Preclinical
(+)(+) Good research
Cons:
(-)(-)(-) Internal Ranking
(-)(-) Huge (225) class
(-)(-) Big primary care focus - while surgery is still possible, it would be more difficult
(-)(-) Mentorship opportunities in surgery are a bit more sparse (having spoken to students)
(-)(-) 1.5 year preclinical
(-)(-) AOA
(-)(-) Tiered clerkship grading with limited spots for H/HP
(-)(-) Worcester is kind of… average
(-) While NE matching is the goal, my preferences may change - wouldn’t keep my options as open as Michigan
(-) Lower ranked, but still T40
Michigan
Pros:
(+)(+)(+) Extremely strong home programs across the board
(+)(+)(+) 1 year preclinical
(+)(+)(+) More free time in 3rd year to prepare for residency applications
(+)(+) Strong match list
(+)(+) Name can carry far, especially with P/F becoming the norm
(+)(+) Rubric based tiered grading in clerkship - opportunity to distinguish myself without having to fight tooth and nail
(+)(+) Students seem very happy with curriculum and opportunities + Ann Arbor seems like a nice place to study in
(+)(+) Much closer to partner
(+)(+) P/F Preclinical
(+)(+) Excellent research opportunities
Cons:
(-)(-)(-) Significantly more expensive
(-)(-) AOA
(-) Matches rather heavily to home programs - not super interested in staying in Ann Arbor for Residency
(-) While Ann Arbor might have things to do, I am kind of a city person. Seems like Detroit and Toronto aren’t super far away, but still
(-) Tiered clerkship grading
UMass
Pros:
(+)(+)(+) In-state tuition and the ability to live at home decreases COA by a significant proportion
(+)(+) Hoping to match northeast, strong NE match list
(+)(+) P/F Preclinical
(+)(+) Good research
Cons:
(-)(-)(-) Internal Ranking
(-)(-) Huge (225) class
(-)(-) Big primary care focus - while surgery is still possible, it would be more difficult
(-)(-) Mentorship opportunities in surgery are a bit more sparse (having spoken to students)
(-)(-) 1.5 year preclinical
(-)(-) AOA
(-)(-) Tiered clerkship grading with limited spots for H/HP
(-)(-) Worcester is kind of… average
(-) While NE matching is the goal, my preferences may change - wouldn’t keep my options as open as Michigan
(-) Lower ranked, but still T40
Michigan
Pros:
(+)(+)(+) Extremely strong home programs across the board
(+)(+)(+) 1 year preclinical
(+)(+)(+) More free time in 3rd year to prepare for residency applications
(+)(+) Strong match list
(+)(+) Name can carry far, especially with P/F becoming the norm
(+)(+) Rubric based tiered grading in clerkship - opportunity to distinguish myself without having to fight tooth and nail
(+)(+) Students seem very happy with curriculum and opportunities + Ann Arbor seems like a nice place to study in
(+)(+) Much closer to partner
(+)(+) P/F Preclinical
(+)(+) Excellent research opportunities
Cons:
(-)(-)(-) Significantly more expensive
(-)(-) AOA
(-) Matches rather heavily to home programs - not super interested in staying in Ann Arbor for Residency
(-) While Ann Arbor might have things to do, I am kind of a city person. Seems like Detroit and Toronto aren’t super far away, but still
(-) Tiered clerkship grading
