Northwestern vs Columbia vs Ohio State

[Schwarzy]

I'm close-ish to reaching a decision and would love to hear your inputs. Leaning toward Northwestern, but Columbia has made an offer that is hard to turn down. I'd appreciate any advice! Regarding specialties, I'm not dead-set on anything particular but am giving the competitive ones (specifically Ortho) serious consideration. I'd like to match to the Midwest (specifically IL, IN, MI, or OH).

Northwestern (Full tuition scholarship + 10k/year stipend, ~$90,000 total COA)
Pros

• Close enough to family to visit reasonably often (5.5 hour drive)
• Will be able to room with one of my closest friends (and a roommate of two years) from undergrad (doing consulting), which will help with the cost of living.
• Lots of friends from undergrad will be in Chicago.
• Close enough to my undergrad, to which I anticipate returning for football games (Go Irish RAHHH!)
• There seems to be a real focus on support and wellness here
• Super early and longitudinal patient exposure with ECMH
• Catholic Medical Association student group. Also, some very nice Catholic parishes around the general area.
• Faculty seem to be very inclined to help students
• Chicago has a ton to do
• Great research opportunities.
• Match list is incredibly strong, with a strong Midwest presence.
• Great vibes from current students/faculty at Second Look, met a ton of awesome folks.

Cons

• Not free, but definitely a manageable amount of debt.
• AOA pre-match
• H/HP/P/F clinicals
• 2 year pre-clinical, though there is a bit more freedom in the typical week for research, service, hobbies, gym, Mass, etc.

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Columbia (Practically a full COA award, ~$6k total COA)
Pros

• Basically full cost of attendance scholarship, probably won't even need to go into debt.
• Insane match list
• 1.5 year preclinicals
• Great research opportunities
• Arguably a tad more prestige than Northwestern (though I don't know if it matters at this level)
• Students seem to be enjoying themselves overall
• Narrative Medicine
• NYC also has tons of things to do
• Serve a complex patient population

Cons

• Farthest away from home and support system (10+ hour drive, expensive flights).
• Don't really know anyone in NYC.
• Vibes seemed to be slightly more cagey / competitive, but then again we're all ambitious...
• 
  
• Lots of negative press as of recent. I'm sure this is overblown but maybe worth noting?
• H/HP/P/F clinicals
• Gut feeling that the NYC "vibe" would push me away rather than draw me in if that makes sense.

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Ohio State ($22k scholarship/yr, $141k total COA)
Pros

• P/F clinicals.
• 1.5 year preclincal
• Closest to home and support system (1hr drive)
• Students seem to have a relaxed, supportive vibe.
• I'd know a decent amount of people here, mostly OSU undergrads
• Columbus as a city is probably closer to my speed.
• Their football team is elite (pains me to say it)

Cons

• Most expensive of my options.
• Internal Rank, AOA pre match
• Slightly lower prestige?
• Weaker match list, but still pretty good (especially for Midwest)
• OSU football has caused me so much grief over the past four years.

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[newkungfukenny]

90k really isn't bad... It's not enough to turn you away from following your heart and being near your support system, imo. Columbia is an amazing deal and the more financially-wise option, but going where you'll be your happiest for 90k (obvs with interest) > being in a city you have a gut feeling you hate for free lol

 

[Jason1211]

Northwestern is my choice too! 90k over four years is not terrible + close to support system as well as attending a school that you felt great vibes on.

 

[tweedledumb]

Is going to the airport and flying to wherever you're from longer than a 5.5 hour drive? I just want to point out that if you're driving, you can't study or otherwise multitask. (Maybe listen to something.) But you need to focus on driving. You could get TSA precheck if you want to go home often. (You're not going to bring a car to nyc, are you?)
From northwestern, are you going to have the time to go to your undergrad's football games?

I'm going to be honest, I think it's wild to choose nearly 100K in debt in the current economy and climate. However, this is not a decision anyone else should make for you. You need to do what is best for you! I just want you to reconsider some of your cons and pros considering 1) you're going to be very busy in med school and 2) I wouldn't describe a 5.5 hour drive as "close" (I can tell you're from the midwest though haha)

 

[hydroflaskhomie]

I think it's OK for you to choose Northwestern here. Prestige is maybe a quarter step down but it won't matter in practice, especially as it sounds like you probably want to stay in the Midwest. It sounds like your support system and the fit of Chicago is worth $90k.

NYC is not a city for everyone, and I had some of the same reservations about Columbia - it's in a tough part of the city. Northwestern on the other hand is in arguably the best part of Chicago (or at least right next to it).