Ohio State vs Toledo

[SilverCat]

Hi,

I'm trying to make a quick decision between these schools.


OSU-- good research opportunities, well known, cost is 14-15k cheaper overall than Toledo, Columbus? Curriculum a little strange

Toledo--less well known, friendly faculty and student body (from what I gathered when interviewing), more expensive by 14-15k than OSU, fewer research opportunities?, very cheap housing ( already have a roommate and an apartment picked out), not a great area to live in

I looked at the Toledo and OSU match lists from 2013, and it seems like OSU did only slightly better than Toledo in terms of competitive residency placements. Of course, I might just not be able to read match lists well. I really want to go back to do IM at my alma mater, which is in the top 3, and just want a good school that would give me the best shot at that program.

I also worry that I might do better at Toledo, whereas at OSU, be middle or absolute bottom of the pack. In fact, I worry that my late acceptance indicates I will most likely come out at the bottom of the class, which would preclude my app to my dream residency program.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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[deleted480308]

I spent a summer interning in toledo, it's a very rough city....very rough.

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

Hi,

I'm trying to make a quick decision between these schools.


OSU-- good research opportunities, well known, cost is 14-15k cheaper overall than Toledo, Columbus? Curriculum a little strange

Toledo--less well known, friendly faculty and student body (from what I gathered when interviewing), more expensive by 14-15k than OSU, fewer research opportunities?, very cheap housing ( already have a roommate and an apartment picked out), not a great area to live in

I looked at the Toledo and OSU match lists from 2013, and it seems like OSU did only slightly better than Toledo in terms of competitive residency placements. Of course, I might just not be able to read match lists well. I really want to go back to do IM at my alma mater, which is in the top 3, and just want a good school that would give me the best shot at that program.

I also worry that I might do better at Toledo, whereas at OSU, be middle or absolute bottom of the pack. In fact, I worry that my late acceptance indicates I will most likely come out at the bottom of the class, which would preclude my app to my dream residency program.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Sounds like you're afraid of the bright lights. If you're worried you can't do well at a higher ranked med school, how will it be different at a top residency? Have a little confidence. They accepted you- now prove them right.

Besides, OSU is straight up pass/fail isn't it?

 

[SilverCat]

Sounds like you're afraid of the bright lights. If you're worried you can't do well at a higher ranked med school, how will it be different at a top residency? Have a little confidence. They accepted you- now prove them right.

Besides, OSU is straight up pass/fail isn't it?

You definitely make a good point. Low self confidence absolutely was one of the contributing factors during those semesters I did poorly in undergrad. I looked around me and saw all of these bright kids and thought, 'No way am I that smart.' This is definitely something. Need to work on.

Even if OSU is P/F, you still get ranked, have AOA, and will need a Dean's Letter to apply to residency.

Does anyone know how expensive it is to live in Columbus? Is an average apartment price about the same as Toledo? Also, if any students can comment on OSU's current curriculum, I'd appreciate it. When I was interviewing, I remember liking the PBL system, but later on heard other students complain about it. Granted, my interview was a while back, so I probably don't remember that much.

 

[FranzLO]

Going to OSU does not really provide any advantages to residency or specialty, so just pick whatever you like. For what its worth, Toledo is a great school BUT while there is lots of research there, OSU has a ridiculous amout of research opportunities. I really like how Toledo has its own health campus as opposed to the mess near the OSU Med Center.

Also, I highly doubt there is a big difference between how you would rank. If you think you would be towards the bottom at OSU, you would likely hover below the average for Toledo as well. OSU's class may be stronger in GPA and MCAT on average, but by very little and the MSBS program lowers numbers for Toledo slightly. Since they are so close, I would probably pick Columbus since while bigger it seems less crowded than Toledo which is really nice.

 

[GoWiththeFlo]

The only city really growing in Ohio is Columbus. Tremendous growth going on at the Medical Center at OSU. Wexner gave $100 million. The buildings and emphasis at the Med Center is enormous.
Many others of the incoming class will be from the waitlist. It does not matter if you were straight in or come from the waitlist, they don't discriminate, no one even cares. It will be what you make of it. Tons of rental and more to come in Columbus. Easy decision.

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

If I had to make the choice though, I'd probably stick with UT. I don't like the sound of the new OSU curriculum. Even the name... It's so cutesy and PC I just want to hit someone with a frying pan.

 

[alpinism]

Hi,

I'm trying to make a quick decision between these schools.


OSU-- good research opportunities, well known, cost is 14-15k cheaper overall than Toledo, Columbus? Curriculum a little strange

Toledo--less well known, friendly faculty and student body (from what I gathered when interviewing), more expensive by 14-15k than OSU, fewer research opportunities?, very cheap housing ( already have a roommate and an apartment picked out), not a great area to live in

I looked at the Toledo and OSU match lists from 2013, and it seems like OSU did only slightly better than Toledo in terms of competitive residency placements. Of course, I might just not be able to read match lists well. I really want to go back to do IM at my alma mater, which is in the top 3, and just want a good school that would give me the best shot at that program.

I also worry that I might do better at Toledo, whereas at OSU, be middle or absolute bottom of the pack. In fact, I worry that my late acceptance indicates I will most likely come out at the bottom of the class, which would preclude my app to my dream residency program.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

OSU is a much better school and it's cheaper. Not to mention their IM match list is significantly stronger than Toledo's.

Also, I'm pretty sure most people would rather live in Columbus.

 

[SilverCat]

Thanks for the advice!

I see a lot of OSU students do a transitional year. Is that like the DO TRI?

 

[eggs13]

Ohio State.

 

[Omppu27]

For the love of gawd go to ohio state. You won't regret it. Columbus is growing and is a fantastic place to learn medicine. Not only are they finishing up their billion dollar renovation to their cancer center, nationwide children's just added an 800 million dollar renovation a year ago.

 

[Freeinfinity]

Go to where you think you will feel most comfortable in. A student's success in residency placement is largely determined by their own efforts. Just make sure you can be happy there, wherever you're going.

 

[Omppu27]

Also, I know you asked about cost of living. I live two blocks from the osu med center in a three bedroom house and rent is just over 400 not including utilities. That's just about average around here, maybe even a little on the high side. I'm moving to a 3 bedroom apartment next year that's 350.

 

[SilverCat]

Also, I know you asked about cost of living. I live two blocks from the osu med center in a three bedroom house and rent is just over 400 not including utilities. That's just about average around here, maybe even a little on the high side. I'm moving to a 3 bedroom apartment next year that's 350.

Thanks. Yeah, I looked at the apartment prices in the student manual and they're pretty cheap-- about the same as Toledo.

I also recalculated overall how much I would take out in loans; OSU will be 25k cheaper over the four years.

How do current OSU students feel about the LSI curriculum? How are the clerkships?

 

[SilverCat]

Go to where you think you will feel most comfortable in. A student's success in residency placement is largely determined by their own efforts. Just make sure you can be happy there, wherever you're going.

I think this is definitely the most important factor; it's also the reason I think Toledo would be a better fit for me. I like the school and the people of Toledo Med more, and think I really will be more comfortable there. Research is still available, and I think that, with a little extra effort, I could snag some scholarships in the later years to offset the cost difference. Most people will think this crazy, but I guess this was the reason I didn't automatically say yes when OSU called.

 

[WillOfJ]

.

 

[Freeinfinity]

I think this is definitely the most important factor; it's also the reason I think Toledo would be a better fit for me. I like the school and the people of Toledo Med more, and think I really will be more comfortable there. Research is still available, and I think that, with a little extra effort, I could snag some scholarships in the later years to offset the cost difference. Most people will think this crazy, but I guess this was the reason I didn't automatically say yes when OSU called.

Yes, come join us! We can be classmates! You seem like a person I would like to meet, but I also perfectly understand if you choose OSU. It is a great school as well.

 

[pandaman2000]

Is this even a question?

I know ranks don't matter, it's individual performance, but Ohio state is a MUCH better school than Toledo in terms of providing facilities, hospitals, research...Toledo has a not so fun town too.

Not to mention it's going to be 14k cheaper. That's big. Your big reason for liking Toledo seems to be you are scared of being surrounded by "smarter" classmates. Newsflash, all of your classmates are going to be smart no matter what med school you go to. At the end of the day, your STEP 1 is going to be against the nation, not just your school.

At the end of the day though, if still think that you are THAT much happier at Toldeo (and its not because you are scared of being a fish in a pond), then go there.

You'll make someone very happy at the Ohio State waitlist.

 

[RocknRhoLim]

Is this even a question?

I know ranks don't matter, it's individual performance, but Ohio state is a MUCH better school than Toledo in terms of providing facilities, hospitals, research...Toledo has a not so fun town too.

Not to mention it's going to be 14k cheaper. That's big. Your big reason for liking Toledo seems to be you are scared of being surrounded by "smarter" classmates. Newsflash, all of your classmates are going to be smart no matter what med school you go to. At the end of the day, your STEP 1 is going to be against the nation, not just your school.

At the end of the day though, if still think that you are THAT much happier at Toldeo (and its not because you are scared of being a fish in a pond), then go there.

You'll make someone very happy at the Ohio State waitlist.

OSU is not ranked high enough for OP to make rankings a serious consideration. If this was a top 20 school vs Toledo, then yes, it makes sense. But this is not the case. What it does offer is better opportunities for research. As for facilities, the building where the med school is located is not fancy at all and kind of old. Plus, undergrads take classes there as well. The hospitals are great though and there is a new cancer one being built. I interviewed at both and withdrew from OSU for other reasons, but I would advise the OP to go where they think they will succeed. Go where you will do your best. I wouldn't worry about not doing as well at OSU because you have great stats and will do well no matter where you go. Good luck!

 

[Omppu27]

Thanks. Yeah, I looked at the apartment prices in the student manual and they're pretty cheap-- about the same as Toledo.

I also recalculated overall how much I would take out in loans; OSU will be 25k cheaper over the four years.

How do current OSU students feel about the LSI curriculum? How are the clerkships?

I'm not a med student there so I can't really comment on the curriculum. However I have never heard a bad thing about ohio state from any med, dental, or grad students there... whatever that's worth.

I'm going into my fourth year as an undergrad at Ohio state and have lived in Columbus since I was 1 so please feel free to ask me any other questions about the city or school.

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

I think this is definitely the most important factor; it's also the reason I think Toledo would be a better fit for me. I like the school and the people of Toledo Med more, and think I really will be more comfortable there. Research is still available, and I think that, with a little extra effort, I could snag some scholarships in the later years to offset the cost difference. Most people will think this crazy, but I guess this was the reason I didn't automatically say yes when OSU called.

This is far from a done deal-- I would go with the guaranteed 25k saved at OSU.