Hi SDN. I have another one of those School A vs School B posts for you. I had already decided on attending Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, but I was recently accepted off the waitlist at Oregon Health and Science University. I am having a tough time deciding between the two, and I would greatly appreciate any input. Thank you!
* I am from California and will be moving with my spouse to attend either school. I am not particularly interested in pursuing a competitive specialty.
OHSU
· Pros
o Well established program
o LOVE Portland! Awesome city! Could easily see myself living there
o Get to stay on the west coast and be somewhat closer to home
o Better chance of coming back to California for residency
o Many nontraditional and older students (I am married and 4 years removed from undergrad)
o Students work with mentors to completely customize their rotations; great clinical sites
· Cons
o Expensive OOS tuition with presumably no scholarship offered
o Demanding curriculum with less independent study time (although 18mo. preclinical seems beneficial)
Quinnipiac
· Pros
o School sincerely caters to its students
o Faculty and staff are approachable and excited to be there/doing everything in their power to make sure students will succeed
o Received almost half-tuition scholarship for all 4 years
o Small class size
o Dean is confident students will be prepared for Step 1 and is taking the necessary steps to provide students with good residency options
· Cons
o New school. No step 1 scores yet.
o Bridgeport hospital is nice, but seemed a little vacant and small.
o Not as much to do in the area (Hamden/New Haven) compared to Portland and much farther away from home.
o Not sure how this will impact my chance at coming back to California
* I am from California and will be moving with my spouse to attend either school. I am not particularly interested in pursuing a competitive specialty.
OHSU
· Pros
o Well established program
o LOVE Portland! Awesome city! Could easily see myself living there
o Get to stay on the west coast and be somewhat closer to home
o Better chance of coming back to California for residency
o Many nontraditional and older students (I am married and 4 years removed from undergrad)
o Students work with mentors to completely customize their rotations; great clinical sites
· Cons
o Expensive OOS tuition with presumably no scholarship offered
o Demanding curriculum with less independent study time (although 18mo. preclinical seems beneficial)
Quinnipiac
· Pros
o School sincerely caters to its students
o Faculty and staff are approachable and excited to be there/doing everything in their power to make sure students will succeed
o Received almost half-tuition scholarship for all 4 years
o Small class size
o Dean is confident students will be prepared for Step 1 and is taking the necessary steps to provide students with good residency options
· Cons
o New school. No step 1 scores yet.
o Bridgeport hospital is nice, but seemed a little vacant and small.
o Not as much to do in the area (Hamden/New Haven) compared to Portland and much farther away from home.
o Not sure how this will impact my chance at coming back to California
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