First, I'll say this is a great problem to have.
I'm from a small town in Northern Michigan, and am honored to be accepted into the three schools I have interviewed at.
This thread is only to compare my first and second choice schools.
University of Massachusetts Worcester
Pros
Cons
MSU CHM (Grand Rapids campus hopefully, possibly East Lansing)
Pros
Cons
Summary: If cost wasn't an issue, I would go to UMass with pretty much no hesitation. Since the cost is doubled at UMass, I am quite reluctant to attend however.
Looking for any advice / input / perspectives that can help me think about this differently!
I'm from a small town in Northern Michigan, and am honored to be accepted into the three schools I have interviewed at.
This thread is only to compare my first and second choice schools.
University of Massachusetts Worcester
Pros
- Tertiary care center attached to medical school campus
- Tons of funding for research
- Beautiful area to live (Worcester/Boston)
- Seemingly more options for specialties for rotations during 3rd/4th year than MSU
- The adventure of moving OOS (to an area I really enjoyed visiting - I spent a week around Worcester before/after my interview)
- Ties with incredible health systems such as Mass. Gen
- Character experience / self reliance associated with moving OOS.
Cons
- Cost--- literally double the yearly tuition cost of staying in state at MSU
- Moving OOS (pretty far away) -- from family, friends, familiarity.
- Slightly bigger class size at UMass (125 vs. the 90 students at MSU CHM Grand Rapids and at E. Lansing)
- Not as focused on primary care; I intend to specialize in Dermatology
- UMass ranked much higher than MSU CHM (does this even matter ?)
- ??? can't think of any more off the top of my head.. open to different perspectives!
MSU CHM (Grand Rapids campus hopefully, possibly East Lansing)
Pros
- Closer to home
- 1/2 of the yearly cost of OOS tuition at UMass
- Spectrum health in Grand Rapids is phenomenal (rated top 15 health system as of April 24, 2017)
- Brand new curriculum; board scores show improvement after 2 years of use
- Steadily rising in rank every year
- I love Grand Rapids (I went to undergrad there)
- Van Andel research institution in GR, very impressive
Cons
- Ranked lower than UMass
- More focused on primary care (not what I intend to do)
- Seemingly less opportunities for variation in specialties during 3rd/4th year clinical rotations
- Was blown away by Grand Rapids campus, not by the E. Lansing campus
- Sparrow hospital in E. Lansing
Summary: If cost wasn't an issue, I would go to UMass with pretty much no hesitation. Since the cost is doubled at UMass, I am quite reluctant to attend however.
Looking for any advice / input / perspectives that can help me think about this differently!