Michigan vs. Penn

[Honeybee22]

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Hi!
Long time listener, first time caller. Feeling incredibly torn b/w these two awesome schools. I feel lucky the admissions process went well, but I’m tearing my hair out right now. A big part of the decision has to do with my SO, which I know none of you can figure out for me, but any feedback would be helpful! FWIW, cost is the same for me between the two schools:

Michigan:
+incredibly warm community
+P/F grading, flextime quizzes, streaming lectures, innovative curriculum
+really liked those I met on interview day/at second look
+supportive administration – seemed like Michigan takes student input really seriously and gives a ton of support to students and student groups
+close to SO, who has been working close by in Michigan for the past 3 years and loves it there (we’ve been doing LD – I’m ready for it to end and to figure out whether we’re going to be together forever, but it’s tough when two people have different professional goals/jobs/school in their 20’s!)
+familiarity with Ann Arbor/Michigan & extended family in area
+Safe, walkable, fun college town – I went to undergrad in a pretty rural area, while I prefer cities I know I would be happy in Ann Arbor
+best friend will be in Ann Arbor for foreseeable future for grad school
+Strong public health school (if I decided to pursue an MPH – leaning against that at this point but might be valuable in terms of research/mentoring)
-The super high-energy, rah-rah vibe of the admissions team doesn’t necessarily match with my personality
-Facilities aren’t as great (minor but seemed like a more depressing place to be stuck in lecture halls!)
-No formal PBL/small groups & 2 years pre-clinical
-lower step 1 average, changing curriculum worries me a little bit
-I want to match back on the east coast eventually, and many more people seem to stay in the Midwest/at Michigan, which at this point I don’t want
-Much farther from home - I've been close since graduating from college and really love being able to see my family and hometown friends so often

Penn:
+Strong academics, incredible residency opportunities (I think I am interested in academic medicine; esp. interested in peds, which obviously Penn has an amazing program in)
+Close to my family on the East Coast, where I want to end up
+Philly seems like an awesome city to explore/get to know – could imagine staying forever (granted, haven’t spent a ton of time there). More interested in urban volunteer opportunities/extracurriculars
+1.5 pre-clinical year – I think I’d learn a lot more with more time in a clinical setting and potentially do way better on Step 1
+Emphasis on PBL and team-based learning
+Amazing interview day
+I’m still pinching myself that I was accepted… it’s such a top-notch place!
-Some students/interviewees seemed pretty intense on my interview day (SLW is coming up though so maybe my impression will change)
-Didn’t get the same vibe of an incredibly supportive administration and community
-HP/P/F grading system & no flextime option - I have a feeling I wouldn’t be as happy in the pre-clinical years
- I don’t know many people in Philly/don’t have a support system there, even though it is closer to home
- SO would have to move even though loves life in Michigan; might do LDR for one (more) year so that SO could find a more exciting work opportunity in Philly before moving
-Worried I am a little too taken with prestige – I know it doesn’t matter that much, but it makes Penn a lot harder to turn down

 

[breakintheroof]

Congrats @Honeybee22 on these fantastic schools!

I was accepted to both, and I personally prefer Penn. That said, if I had my SO and my best friend in Ann Arbor, plus a great experience at the interview and second look, I'd go to Michigan. In a heartbeat.

I would not worry about the particulars of the curriculum, nor about Step 1, nor about matching on the East Coast from Michigan. These things are not really "cons" of UMMS, just stronger "pros" for Penn. What I mean by that is, you won't miss them by going to UMMS.

And while I also didn't quite fit with the vibe of the admissions team at Michigan (perhaps I am too grumpy), I think you will find people who are temperamentally suited to you at any school.

Good luck!