OHSU Vs. USF (SELECT)

[Exli]

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Hey everyone, I should preface this with the fact that I have Not been accepted to USF SELECT, but am on the waitlist. I want to think this through now so that If I do get in, I have a decision thought out.

OHSU (OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY)

Pros:

• Higher ranked (#29 tied with Boston U, how much does this matter?)
• Higher residency director ranking (3.7, how much does this matter?)
• Family lives in Oregon, friends live in Oregon, will have friends at OHSU
• Can bike around, car not used much until M3
• P/F preclinical curriculum with Weekly tests on Friday
• Recorded lectures
• Cheaper ($41K)
• Portland is cool
• OHSU is a fantastic hospital
• Other?

Cons

• Primary Care focus (I am shooting for a surgical subspecialty)
• Rural clinical period requirement (Unsure if that bad?)
• Seemingly unfocused on Step 1, what seems to be little time dedicated to it
• I hate rain
• New curriculum, having a hard time finding out how well it's being received.
• Other?

USF (SELECT)

Pros

• Focus seems to be on surgical specialties
• SELECT has a leadership focus and seems intriguing
• Opportunities to form connections in both Florida and Pennsylvania
• Seems to focus on Step1 a bit more, though both schools have 227 average
• Recorded lectures, non-mandatory
• Have friends at USF
• Great weather
• Very solid match list
• Cool Gym and wellness center

Cons

• Lower ranking (#55)
• Lower residency director ranking (2.7)
• Farther from family (not too big of a deal)
• More expensive tuition($54K)
• H/HP/P/F curriculum in preclinicals, though not curved
• Have to move in 2 years, and the expense of that and originally moving to FL will not be low.

There are likely things I forgot to add to here, but the main concern for me right now is the cost and rank vs the fit. I likely won't get to attend USF's second look day but at the moment it seems like they "fit" me more.

If anyone is a current or former student at either school, I'd love to hear from you!

 

[STLouisVuittonDon]

Cheaper, near family, and more prestigious seems great to me. As far as matching into surgery, how set are you on that? Also, does OHSU let you do away rotations to help with that?

 

[sss1219]

It sounds like you would be happier (family/location wise) and it would be cheaper to go to OHSU. I think the ranking is a moot point given OHSU's match list is historically lackluster in relation to its ranking, but I don't think matriculating there will close any doors related to pursuing a specialty, it's just that the school's mission attracts students who are gung-ho about primary care hence the match list seems skewed. Also, most med students corroborate that Step 1 outcome is mostly based on personal preparation rather than curricular setup, so I would not be worried about that. Choice seems easy.

 

[i12bMD]

It sounds like you would be happier (family/location wise) and it would be cheaper to go to OHSU. I think the ranking is a moot point given OHSU's match list is historically lackluster in relation to its ranking, but I don't think matriculating there will close any doors related to pursuing a specialty, it's just that the school's mission attracts students who are gung-ho about primary care hence the match list seems skewed. Also, most med students corroborate that Step 1 outcome is mostly based on personal preparation rather than curricular setup, so I would not be worried about that. Choice seems easy.

Can confirm, Step 1 is all about you

 

[Exli]

Cheaper, near family, and more prestigious seems great to me. As far as matching into surgery, how set are you on that? Also, does OHSU let you do away rotations to help with that?

I'm pretty set on going into this field but obviously you never know until you get there