OSU vs. University of Pittsburgh

[letmein4000]

I'm having a really hard time choosing between these two schools. I have no idea what specialty I'd like to go into, I want to keep my options open.

Ohio State University
Pros

• In-state tuition/low COA (still ~50k in loans/year)
• Great vibes during interview day, immediately felt like I'd fit in
• 1.5 preclinical years, integrated curriculum
• Super early clinical exposure which continues regularly through the preclinical years (preceptorship)
• Opportunity for more scholarship after the first year

Cons

• lower ranked than Pitt (still a good school)
• no required research (I'm not super passionate about research, but important for residency match)
• P/F but also has quartiles

University of Pittsburgh
Pros

• T20, great school/prestige
• Abundant research, required longitudinal research project
• Virtual second look was impressive and the faculty seems very supportive of students
• Great match list
• Cool simulated patient stuff (WISER)
• True P/F

Cons

• Not a great vibe on interview day
• More expensive (~74k in loans/year)
• More traditional curriculum, 2 years preclinical

Summary: Overall got a better vibe at OSU immediately, but I think I could be happy at either school, unsure how much $ vs. prestige matters here

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[DirtyNewYorker]

OSU's cost of attendance balloons up to ~74K a year in Year 3/Year 4 due to an added semester.

https://medicine.osu.edu/-/media/files/medicine/education/md/admissions/before-you-apply/cost/com-cost-of-attendance-19-20.pdf

With that being said OSU would still run around 50K cheaper with no added scholarship over the 4 years. Pitt would give you the overall advantage in the match, and it has a phenomenal reputation all throughout the United States. If you're gunning for top-notch residency positions or competitive specialties, I think Pitt would be the choice. If not, then go where you'd feel happiest.

 

[nymedschoolfan]

Pitt. OSU is solid in the midwest, but Pitt has a national reputation that will open more doors