Originally posted by Kashue
Judd you'd take Case and go 160k in debt even if you had a full ride? Why don't you like MCO and WSU?
Kashue, I liked WSU and hated MCO. I just didn't feel right at MCO at all. On the other hand, WSU was really great. But it comes down to where I thought I would have the best opportunities after graduation. I think certain institutions open doors for you, and others will present nothing but an uphill battle depending on what you want to go into.
At WSU, something like 80% of the class does primary care. That's quite a hurdle if you end up wanting to do something esle. That said, I'm CONVINCED that the clinical education at Wright State would have been as good as (and quite frankly, I suspect better than) that education at Case. The irony is that Wright State may very well make me a better doctor. BUT, it won't necessarily permit me to be the the kind of doctor I want to be (I have no idea what that is yet).
Look, Buffalo is, in my opinion, a solid school. The clinical education there is probably great. When I shadowed at our County Internal Medicine clinic I met two residents who went to Buffalo. And quite frankly they seemed just as qualified (if not more qualified) as the Case, UC, UMass and OSU grads. And why shouldn't they be. All these schools offer solid clinical educations. But the reality is that some of them open more doors to more competitive fields that others do. That's just a fact.
You'll need to study the match list at Buffalo closely to decide for yourself.
To answer your question: Yes, I'd take out an extra 160k in loans to attend Case over a free ride at WSU. I think the extra opportunities are worth that much. Whether that holds for Buffalo, I'm not sure I know. It is a very difficult decision.
I know one think I WOULD do: after I got my package from Case I'd ask for more free money in light of the free ride to your state school. Let them see how much more they can throw your way.
Judd