Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) MD/MPH vs University of Virginia (UVA) MD PLEASE HELP

[prufrock2891]

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Hello!

UVA
Pros -

1. awesome curriculum (true PF, exams are all taken from your computer on the honors system, can take all exams anytime between Friday - Sunday on your own time)
2. 7 hour drive from home - easy access to family and support system
3. moving from Charlottesville to Washington DC after 18 months (didactics) and doing clerkships in Farifax - opportunity to move around multiple times while I'm young
4. as a self directed learner and commuter, i like that there are 2 days a week on average where no classes are mandatory (no need to commute)
5. not a bustling city as I don't like big cities
6. blue ridge mountains - I love hiking and backpacking
7. OOS COA adds up to 240k
8. 10 week summer break to do research
9. pretty good weather (better than where I'm from lol)
10. highest step 1 and step 2 averages
11. college town provides a social and laid back environment where everyone will want to make friends

Cons-

1. Charlotesville is not my vibe at all - don't love it there culturally but would only have to live there 18 months
2. cost of living in dc is astoundingly bad after I move - not thrilled at the possibility of living there either, but mostly neutral on this
3. have to move in the middle of med school -- have to start over making friends and the logistics that go along with moving into a new city just as I start clerkships
4. no dual degree options since I am moving after M2
5. no preceptorship during didactics
6. feels like an extension of undergrad in some ways - safe, small

Oregon Health and Sciences University
Pros

1. love the curriculum for the most part (true pf, very few mandatory events, three preceptorships throughout didactics)
2. as a self directed learner and commuter, i like that there are 2 days a week where no classes are mandatory (no need to commute) and with the pandemic, it seems like they will be keeping exams remote for at least this fall term - so maybe even 3 or 4 days where i can learn from home / zoom
3. beautiful area around portland and TONS to do in national parks, outdoors, as well as in the city if I want. best of both worlds in terms of the environment to live in (could see myself LOVING this) and progressive politics compared to rural Virginia
4. "enrichment" week after every exam week which is essentially a week off where you can travel or just relax and do whatever you want (they have this instead of a summer break) - would allow me to come home once every 6 weeks!! (obviously only applies to first 18 months during didactic period)
5. never snows or gets that cold here which is very nice AND in the summer it doesnt get that hot (but rains all year long)
6. MD / MPH degree accomplished in five years!!! would give me a little bit of a break from the MD curriculum after half of the core clerkships.
7. feeling of adventure and starting out on a brand new life
8. high COL but not as high as DC lol
9. big name on the west coast for residency
10. more excited to meet people here and think i could fit in better with the class that is more "chill"

Cons

1. OOS cost 315k
2. far from home and have no ties in the area
3. national prestige??? doesn't have a national name even though it is "ranked" higher than uva???
4. five year commitment to live in one place, and one that I am unfamiliar with
5. weekly exams (typically in person but students are conjecturing that they will continue to be given remotely)
6. big city that is notoriously pretty gross and dangerous BUT i plan on commuting from the suburbs anyway (both here and in DC)
7. step / mcat averages are lower (because it is mostly an IS school)
8. 90% of the kids are from Oregon thus there is limited diversity and maybe some more culture shock
9. no dedicated research time - would have to find time on my own to do this or take an elective during M3 which might be too little too late???

mainly the decision feels like it is coming down to being closer to home, lower cost, and most relaxed curriculum at UVA and intrigue of starting a new life in a cool new place. price difference of 75k - unsure how much to weigh that, though COL will ultimately be higher in DC and decrease that margin some. what do you all think?

 

[viralhiker]

Honestly dude, this seems like you know the right choice. I would say go to OHSU. Location is better for your desires and your SO's career goals. Vibe is way more your speed. COL is "somewhat" lower, and the COA is not that much higher ($75K is not that large in the grand scheme of things and both of your happiness). Its a great school and arguably stronger reputation than UVA, or at the very least, nearly the same.

Edit: didn't mean to disregard the diversity aspect and less desirable city characteristics, but I still think OHSU is the right choice for you and your SO.

 

[prufrock2891]

@rep_the_don @Redpancreas @PatchAdamsWannabe saw you guys replying to threads earlier if you could help me out i’d really appreciate it 🙂

 

[rep_the_don]

I also vote for OHSU because it sounds like the thrill of a new experience in a new location, the higher ceiling, happier SO, and other aspects make you sound like you like it a bit better. I know it's more expensive, but I think that difference is still manageable.

 

[wallstreetbroke]

OHSU, happy future wife happy future life

 

[wagonwheel23]

"big city that is notoriously pretty gross and dangerous"

What? Who is describing Portland like this? This is completely false.

 

[prufrock2891]

"big city that is notoriously pretty gross and dangerous"

What? Who is describing Portland like this? This is completely false.

lmao thank you for this - mostly my mom hahaha bc of news media? idek

 

[wagonwheel23]

Oh btw, I vote OHSU. The location is great and the program sounds great as well. Also, national prestige is dumb. People will be so impressed that you are in medical school, period. I would also argue that UVA vs OHSU is simply layperson prestige, not prestige within the medical community. Layperson prestige can feel nice for about 5 seconds when people say "wow", but ultimately it is not worth making decisions on.