Ohio State vs. Tufts vs. OHSU vs. Maryland vs. UChicago (WL)

[deleted621740]

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Hi all,

So, I am pretty sure that I know where I will be going next year (Ohio State), but I kind of just wanted to run it by the SDN community at large to make sure that I am making the best decision.

Ohio State (Pretty sure I will be going here)

*Have not received financial aid package yet

Pros:
IS tuition after first year, solid reputation within medicine, good research opportunities, pretty good match list w/ a lot of students matching into surgery (my interest), lot's of school pride, CoL is quite cheap in Columbus

Cons:
Columbus is kind of spread out (probably need a car), far from family (though not a huge concern)


University of Chicago (WL)

Okay, so I don't even need a pros/cons list b/c UChicago is my #1 choice. If I somehow manage to get off the WL (slim chances, I know), I will be going here. My question is, should I hold out for a spot here and if so, for how long? I sent in a really strong LOI about a week ago, which was well received, and I plan on calling one of the admissions team members when 4/15 rolls around to put a voice to a name, express my strong interest again, and see if there are any weaknesses that got me on the WL that I can address (I have heard that they are receptive to this b/c it is an unranked WL). Anyways, WWYD? Hold out? I was thinking that I could hold out until early June at the latest. After that I have to move on, but my heart is here for sure.


OHSU

*Have not received financial aid yet

Pros:
Decent reputation within medicine (?), close to my family, Portland is a great city, also good research opportunities

Cons:
Have to pay OOS tuition, won't give my wife health insurance, little name recognition (though not a huge deal), kind of a strong primary care bent here - I have a strong interest in surgery (though not sure how much I would be hindered here in this regard - if at all)


Tufts

* Have not received financial aid package yet

Pros:
Good name recognition (?) and respected in medicine, It's in Boston (no need for a car), match list is pretty good, nearby potential employers for my wife (but not a huge deal - her words)

Cons:
It's in Boston (CoL is outrageous - and I will need a 1 bedroom apartment b/c married), fewer research opportunities, campus/facilities are kind of claustrophobic right in the center of downtown, far from family


Maryland

Pros:
120K merit scholarship for four years (pretty sure this means a 1 time scholarship of 120K covering all four years, not 120K/year), good research opportunities, already familiar with Baltimore, decent reputation

Cons:
Not a huge fan of Baltimore, a car is highly desirable, really lacking good nearby work opportunities for wife, far from family, CoA will likely still be really high even with the scholarship (b/c OOS tuition)

 

[Grapesurgery]

It’s hard to decide without full financial aid info, since it seems to be weighing heavily in your decision. Also, I want to throw in, isn’t IS tuition available in Maryland after a year, if you meet some requirements like get a drivers license, etc? If this is the case I would say you should consider them abit more highly with that generous scholarship offer added on, though there are some serious cons for you regarding location.
I also agree uchicago would be the best choice career wise. In your letter of intent, I hope you emphasized how you really fit their mission (academic medicine/underserved health, doing more than just being a doctor, etc)-this is really their priority with their small class size.
I’m intrigued by this phone call approach to express interest-I’ve never heard of this before. Curious to see what other SDNers say—is it too much, especially with schools having to handle coronavirus, etc right now?
Anyway, from past threads I remember seeing moderate WL movement at the end of April, And I already know Im likely dropping my own A there then. Good luck with your decision, seems to me that for now the choice is between OHSU and maybe Maryland. If you can’t become an MD resident, lean towards OHSU.

 

[deleted621740]

It’s hard to decide without full financial aid info, since it seems to be weighing heavily in your decision. Also, I want to throw in, isn’t IS tuition available in Maryland after a year, if you meet some requirements like get a drivers license, etc? If this is the case I would say you should consider them abit more highly with that generous scholarship offer added on, though there are some serious cons for you regarding location.
I also agree uchicago would be the best choice career wise. If I remember correctly, however, there were no rejections this year and only WL/As. In your letter of intent, I hope you emphasized how you really fit their mission (academic medicine/underserved health, doing more than just being a doctor, etc)-this is really their priority with their small class size.
I’m intrigued by this phone call approach to express interest-I’ve never heard of this before. Curious to see what other SDNers say—is it too much, especially with schools having to handle coronavirus, etc right now?
Anyway, from past threads I remember seeing moderate WL movement at the end of April, And I already know Im likely dropping my own A there then. Good luck with your decision, seems to me that for now the choice is between OHSU and maybe Maryland. If you can’t become an MD resident, lean towards OHSU.

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I have already gone through the IS requirements for Maryland but unfortunately, because I will not have had an MD driver's license for 1 year by matriculation, I would be locked into OOS tuition for all 4 years (despite living in MD and paying MD taxes for the past 2 years -_-)

Regarding UChicago, yes, I definitely emphasized those things in my letter of intent. I sent the letter directly to the Admissions Dean, and she was quite encouraging of any additional questions/correspondence, so I am leaning towards trying a phone call next. But you're right, the COVID circumstances could make this a more challenging option, so an email follow-up is still on the table. Also, I do believe that I saw several people being rejected post-II on the UChicago thread? I may be wrong though....but it's comforting to hear that there are folks like yourself who have better offers elsewhere (congratulations!). We will see.

In the meantime, I think that I will stick with Ohio State!!

 

[Grapesurgery]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I have already gone through the IS requirements for Maryland but unfortunately, because I will not have had an MD driver's license for 1 year by matriculation, I would be locked into OOS tuition for all 4 years (despite living in MD and paying MD taxes for the past 2 years -_-)

Regarding UChicago, yes, I definitely emphasized those things in my letter of intent. I sent the letter directly to the Admissions Dean, and she was quite encouraging of any additional questions/correspondence, so I am leaning towards trying a phone call next. But you're right, the COVID circumstances could make this a more challenging option, so an email follow-up is still on the table. Also, I do believe that I saw several people being rejected post-II on the UChicago thread? I may be wrong though....but it's comforting to hear that there are folks like yourself who have better offers elsewhere (congratulations!). We will see.

In the meantime, I think that I will stick with Ohio State!!

You’re right, I double checked and there were definitely R’s! I edited my post and erased that bit. That ridiculous requirement for IS in Maryland is unfortunate, but makes the decision clearer in favor of OHSU, in my opinion.

At my interview I distinctly recall Sharp-Kellar encouraging updates as well.
Personally, I adore the mission of Uchicago, but it is way too far away from home for myself! Best of luck!

 

[emdee1]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I have already gone through the IS requirements for Maryland but unfortunately, because I will not have had an MD driver's license for 1 year by matriculation, I would be locked into OOS tuition for all 4 years (despite living in MD and paying MD taxes for the past 2 years -_-)

Regarding UChicago, yes, I definitely emphasized those things in my letter of intent. I sent the letter directly to the Admissions Dean, and she was quite encouraging of any additional questions/correspondence, so I am leaning towards trying a phone call next. But you're right, the COVID circumstances could make this a more challenging option, so an email follow-up is still on the table. Also, I do believe that I saw several people being rejected post-II on the UChicago thread? I may be wrong though....but it's comforting to hear that there are folks like yourself who have better offers elsewhere (congratulations!). We will see.

In the meantime, I think that I will stick with Ohio State!!

Hi just wondering where you got the info that you need to have a Maryland driver's license a year before matriculation? I'm OOS considering Maryland as well and have actually heard that most students get IS status after the first year, but could be mistaken.

 

[Bond-HydrogenBond]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I have already gone through the IS requirements for Maryland but unfortunately, because I will not have had an MD driver's license for 1 year by matriculation, I would be locked into OOS tuition for all 4 years (despite living in MD and paying MD taxes for the past 2 years -_-)

Regarding UChicago, yes, I definitely emphasized those things in my letter of intent. I sent the letter directly to the Admissions Dean, and she was quite encouraging of any additional questions/correspondence, so I am leaning towards trying a phone call next. But you're right, the COVID circumstances could make this a more challenging option, so an email follow-up is still on the table. Also, I do believe that I saw several people being rejected post-II on the UChicago thread? I may be wrong though....but it's comforting to hear that there are folks like yourself who have better offers elsewhere (congratulations!). We will see.

In the meantime, I think that I will stick with Ohio State!!

Dude what? There is no locked into OOS tuition for MD. If you change your license/car registration over, you can reapply for in state status after a year. It would be super simple, since you’ll be able to show them 1: past taxes and 2: a lease in MD for the past year.

 

[Bond-HydrogenBond]

https://www.usmd.edu/regents/bylaws/SectionVIII/viii270.pdf

^^^ list of requirements for in-state reclassification.

 

[Wolvvs]

Just want to note for Tufts, you almost certainly will need a car for the third and fourth years. Many of the rotation sites are accessible by public transportation, but you'll need to be at the sites before public transportation is open 😛

Also there's no reason you couldn't hold onto the UChicago waitlist until the end, right? If they were to admit you a few weeks before classes start, it would be logistically challenging but is there another reason you wouldn't be able to make it work after early June?

 

[deleted621740]

Dude what? There is no locked into OOS tuition for MD. If you change your license/car registration over, you can reapply for in state status after a year. It would be super simple, since you’ll be able to show them 1: past taxes and 2: a lease in MD for the past year.

Oh!! Thanks for bringing that up!! I think I may have been mixed up with one of my other schools that don't allow reclassification after the first year (OHSU). You are right!!

 

[deleted621740]

Hi just wondering where you got the info that you need to have a Maryland driver's license a year before matriculation? I'm OOS considering Maryland as well and have actually heard that most students get IS status after the first year, but could be mistaken.

Sorry, I misspoke! You can reclassify after the first year. Regarding the driver's license, see the text below from document
VIII‐2.70—POLICY ON STUDENT CLASSIFICATION FOR ADMISSION AND TUITION PURPOSES:

"Has possessed a valid Maryland driver’s license for at least 12 consecutive months, if
previously licensed to drive in another state. Students who have lived in Maryland for atleast 12 consecutive months but who have held a Maryland driver’s license for less than 12months will be deemed to have satisfied this requirement if they can show evidence thattheir driver’s license was issued in Maryland within 60 days after moving to thestate."

 

[deleted621740]

Just want to note for Tufts, you almost certainly will need a car for the third and fourth years. Many of the rotation sites are accessible by public transportation, but you'll need to be at the sites before public transportation is open 😛

Also there's no reason you couldn't hold onto the UChicago waitlist until the end, right? If they were to admit you a few weeks before classes start, it would be logistically challenging but is there another reason you wouldn't be able to make it work after early June?

Great point about trasportation while attending Tufts. I am aware that a car would be necessary during rotations (as it would be at most of my options) but I was speaking more specifically about M1/M2. Basically the less amount of time that I have to pay to park, drive and maintain a vehicle during school the better, but we will if we have to. I should have specified that.

As for UChicago, you are right. And the logistical and potential financial challenges of trying to switch to UChicago should I be admitted late I think would be difficult for me and my wife. I could technically stay on the waitlist up until matriculation, however the longer I wait for UChicago the more that desireable housing options will begin to be taken up at other places - or at least that is my fear. The last thing that I want to do is pay for a deposit and sign a lease in Ohio, and then get word from UChicago that a spot has opened up (say in July) and have to worry about losing my deposit money while also scavenging from the bottom-of-the-barrell housing options that are left in Hyde Park. Not sure that this would be worth it to me. I guess I just felt (on a visceral level I suppose) that June would give me enough time to find good housing either way...Will possibly push it until mid-late June though...

Edit: There's also something to be said for finally having the peace of mind of knowing where you will be in a few months. Haha This is something that has escaped me and my wife for longer than we had hoped this cycle. 😉

 

[Wolvvs]

Great point about trasportation while attending Tufts. I am aware that a car would be necessary during rotations (as it would be at most of my options) but I was speaking more specifically about M1/M2. Basically the less amount of time that I have to pay to park, drive and maintain a vehicle during school the better, but we will if we have to. I should have specified that.

As for UChicago, you are right. And the logistical and potential financial challenges of trying to switch to UChicago should I be admitted late I think would be difficult for me and my wife. I could technically stay on the waitlist up until matriculation, however the longer I wait for UChicago the more that desireable housing options will begin to be taken up at other places - or at least that is my fear. The last thing that I want to do is pay for a deposit and sign a lease in Ohio, and then get word from UChicago that a spot has opened up (say in July) and have to worry about losing my deposit money while also scavenging from the bottom-of-the-barrell housing options that are left in Hyde Park. Not sure that this would be worth it to me. I guess I just felt (on a visceral level I suppose) that June would give me enough time to find good housing either way...Will possibly push it until mid-late June though...

Edit: There's also something to be said for finally having the peace of mind of knowing where you will be in a few months. Haha This is something that has escaped me and my wife for longer than we had hoped this cycle. 😉

Those are good points. And I know what you mean about not knowing where you're going to be in a few months....

Did you look at the UChicago thread from last year? It might be good to get a sense of when the majority of WL movement happened. If there was nothing until the summer, it might be worth preparing to hold on a little longer, but if there's very little after the start of June then your original plan could make more sense.

 

[deleted621740]

Yes!! I've been looking at the UChicago threads for the past few years! It looks like there's quite a bit of movement near early to mid-May! That's kind of why I was thinking June as a cutoff. The UChicago thread from last year ends around mid-June, so presumably not much movement after that...

 

[Wolvvs]

Yes!! I've been looking at the UChicago threads for the past few years! It looks like there's quite a bit of movement near early to mid-May! That's kind of why I was thinking June as a cutoff. The UChicago thread from last year ends around mid-June, so presumably not much movement after that...

In that case I'm 100% behind your plan! I think it would be best to wait for financial aid to arrive, but having Ohio as a default option and switching over to UChicago if you get off the waitlist before early June sounds good to me.

 

[deleted621740]

In that case I'm 100% behind your plan! I think it would be best to wait for financial aid to arrive, but having Ohio as a default option and switching over to UChicago if you get off the waitlist before early June sounds good to me.

Thanks so much for your comments!!!