Michigan vs UCSD

[Inspector Norse]

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Hey y'all,

CA applicant here, traditionally HORRIBLE with making huge life decisions, so I could use some help...I'm beyond grateful to be considering the following two options:

Michigan

PRO
- OOS, offered $30,000/yr scholarship (!)
- LOVED my interview day and generally liked the actual school more than any other along the interview trail. I believe the excellent way they communicate and operate is indicative of the care they offer their students
- 1.5 yr curriculum, plenty of time/opportunities to pursue interests related to medicine and beyond
- Name recognition/prestige, esp since I may want to do residency in NYC and am very interested in academic medicine
- Independent learner, love the non-mandatory/recorded lecture and flex quizzing (v into the idea of taking quizzes every Friday and having each weekend to myself)

CON
- Biggest con is I really don't love the idea of living in Ann Arbor for 4 years. Through and through I am a city person, having lived in SF and NYC for the many years leading up to med school. I'm also very non-traditional, and I'm not stoked on the idea of living out my early 30s in a college town
- Huge con is also the lack of diversity in patient care. I'm a person of color and queer, and I'm really interested in working with these underserved groups
- Not a strong social support network, although I do have a lot of extended family in Michigan and esp in Chicago

UCSD

PRO
- My alma mater, which I'm not entirely sure is a pro or not. More neutral, I suppose
- Instate tuition, although with Mich's scholarship I'd actually be paying an extra $30,000 total over four years if I go to UCSD.
- I'm from Southern CA, so I have lots and lots of friends and family in SD and all over the state. They've all indicated how wonderful it would be to travel down and visit with ease
- THE SUN. I generally like the feel of cold weather, but not seeing the sun for extended periods of time absolutely takes its toll on my mental health, something I learned this past year living in NYC
- Love North Park, a small neighborhood not too far from campus with access to good breweries, coffee, food, and art, especially art, and would live there happily
- Very diverse patient population. I would absolutely immerse myself in the well-known free clinics they offer
- UCSF residency is something I might be very interested in as well, which I feel UCSD would help with
- Strong professional base in SD wrt research advisors and clinicians I worked with

CON
- Alma mater..? Would be nice to try somewhere else
- Curriculum is 2 yr, and no flex quizzing
- Name recognition? Harder to match into NYC residency? Maybe?
- Kind of personal, but very strained relationship with parents, who live one hour north of SD...


Tldr intuitively I'm leaning towards UCSD, but I feel like Michigan might offer more opportunities professionally (and slightly financially) whereas UCSD might be more personally what I'm feelin'.

Thank you so much!

 

[stairway2seven]

congrats, those are great schools

disclaimer: I'm in a similar position to you (starting med school in August), so I don't really know much. Also a UCSD alumni so I'm biased

I feel like UCSD is a strong enough program that you will have a great shot at NYC residencies. Does Michigan have some sort of special relationship with NYC residencies? If not, I don't understand why it would be advantageous to go there

In terms of your relationship with your parents, I obviously don't know the details but I feel that if you want to move it in a positive direction, being physically nearby will help. Just my 2 cents

As for the location, you have family and friends in California, and the weather is unbeatable. I think it's a dream come true to go there

 

[ihaveagf]

Did you get any financial package/scholarships from UCSD?

 

[CarpeDiem1993]

Michigan's match is very midwest strong...I don't really think it would necessarily open more doors in NYC than UCSD and (strong board scores at both) would. Michigan is technically a stronger name/higher ranked school academically, but tbh many "lay" people have no clue. UCSD is also a strong name and if you think you'd be that much happier there (I was born in SD...go back annually- its an amazing, sunny, action-packed place) I think its a totally logical/solid choice!

 

[meronebib]

So I just want to ask if you’re sure you want to do your residency in NYC. I’ve heard that most of their programs are very stressful and have you doing a lot of scut work (especially with the whole nurse union thing over there). Also, the cost of living is high (and residency salary is still poor). From what I know, NYC residencies seem pretty undesirable.

 

[Inspector Norse]

Thanks y'all! Very kind responses. To answer some questions, yes I'm def v interested in NYC residencies. My friend (who I lived with) is completing his NYU residency, so I was able to get a glimpse into what that life's all about. Good to know UCSD will most likely have a similar match strength...haven't gotten a financial aid offer yet tho...anyways, leaning towards UCSD 🙂 Thanks!!!