OHSU vs GW

[blackcrow0317]

I am near the top of OHSU’s waitlist that has a fair amount of movement and although I have been very content with my acceptance to GW’s MD/MPH program, I am now having second thoughts. Getting an MPH is a priority for me as someone who wants to work in primary care (specifically street medicine). I am interested in research form a health policy standpoint of assessing the effectiveness of interventions in improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities. The MPH would serve to strengthen those biostatistical analysis skills. Additionally because street medicine is a newer way of providing medical care, I think the MPH would give me some leverage if I need create a street medicine program in a community. I have friends and support in both DC and Portland. I want to explore the East Coast either in medical school or residency prior to returning to Portland later on in my career.

George Washington
Pros

• Accepted into the combined degree program
• Great location in the city and public transportation so I would not need to buy a car
• More diverse patient population
• Big focus on community and urban health and health policy
• I went to undergrad in DC and loved the city. I could also continue working with community orgs I already know
• Matches well into NE for residency

Cons

• High cost of living
• only P/F for pre-clinicals
• Rough estimate 100-170K more expensive than OHSU
• I’m concerned about living in DC right now and am worried that with budget cuts there will be reduced public transportation services that I will rely upon

OHSU
Pros

• Cheaper school, cheaper city, and better coffee in Portland
• P/F both pre-clinicals and clinicals
• Anecdotally I am told that most OHSU medical students had the best time attending school here
• My coworkers have already pointed out some potential mentors that specialize in caring for people experiencing homelessness and may struggle with substance use disorders
• Higher ranked? (this is not a huge priority for me as I am just going into primary care)

Cons

• I did not interview for the combined MD/MPH program and thus would have to apply to the MPH program separately (still would be cheaper than GW’s MD/MPH)
• Fewer matches into East Coast residencies (although I was told that’s because most people love the West Coast after going to OHSU)
• I am concerned that attending a school in a less diverse city as there may be limited representation of the future patient populations I hope to serve
• Would need a car for rotations
• I don’t like the OHSU hospital merger happening right now from a healthcare access/equity standpoint

Summary: As someone interested in primary care and with limited financial support from my family for medical school, I am worried about taking on more debt but I don’t want that concern over finances to overrule other considerations

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