OHSU vs UTMB

[Vader_FE]

Hi everyone, trying to make the tough decision between these 2 schools and would really appreciate y'alls help! Matched to UTMB in Feb and recently got in off the alternate list at OHSU. Seems like I have ample time to decide though since OHSU said it might take a couple weeks to receive the offical offer letter.

To give some background on me:

• Based in Oregon, but did undergrad in Texas. SO currently lives in Dallas, TX
• Played tennis all my life and enjoy outdoor activities to destress
• Looking for a school that has a somewhat relaxed environment (p/f, collaborative, etc.) but still provides ample opportunities for matching into a competitive specialty (ik this is mostly down to my personal effort during med school)
• Very interested in IR right now but would probably dual apply with a backup in IM
• IR is has so few spots so happy to match anywhere but for IM would ideally like to match back in Texas

UTMB ($240k total COA)
Pros

• Sibling is a current IM resident here
• P/F preclinical
• NBME exams
• Genuinely seem like a great environment and very supportive
• Matches pretty well
• 4-5 hr drive from SO

Cons

• Not a big fan of Galveston as a city
• Have severe dietary restrictions and Galveston doesnt have great options for me
• Seems like utmb is rlly strict on mandatory attendance
• Doesnt offer a lot of flexibility in 3rd year for away rotations
• Graded clinical (H/HP/P/F)
• Large class (230-240)

OHSU ($320k total COA)
Pros

• OHSU is Oregon’s only academic medical institution, all of the states most complex cases will come here
• All lectures are recorded and far fewer mandatory lectures compared to UTMB
• 1 hr drive away from parents
• P/F preclinical AND CLINICAL
• Clinical years seem very flexible (can take shelf exams whenever & able to do away rotations in 3rd year if scheduled correctly)
• 1 week break after every block that can be used for vaction or to retake an exam that was failed the prior week with no consequences
• Definitely prefer living in Portland over Galveston and COL is about the same
• Have heard from current students that a large percentage of the class wants to do family med so competition for research and stuff in competitive specialties is reduced
• Smaller class (~150)

Cons

• Higher overall cost of attendance
• OHSU is know for its preference of older candidates so not sure how that will affect me when it comes to social life (I just graduated college)
• Far from SO
• Uses a combination of in-house and NBME exams so this might be annoying?
• Weather isnt my favorite (rains a lot)

Overall: OHSU feels like the right choice to me due to the p/f clinical, chance to remediate without consequence if I fail an exam, and flexibility in clinical years but I'm just not sure if the additional ~$80k is worth it. UTMB is definitely closer to my SO but I think that with the week break OHSU gives after each block and fewer mandatory attendance lectures/events I would realistically be able to see them just as often but I wont know for sure till I'm in school. Would greatly appreciate everyones opinion on this!

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