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Hey guys! I am currently deciding between Tulane SOM and Oakland University William Beaumont (OUWB). Both for the MD program! My ultimate goals is to come back to California for residency (still deciding on which residency for sure - thinking PM&R/anesthesia). Any input would be much appreciated
Tulane SOM
Pros-
- Great initial impressions of the school during my interview date. Students were extremely happy and chill (positive environment).
- P/F grading (tho I believe you are internally ranked in terms of quartiles??).
- Non-mandatory lectures (my student host told me how he does things at his own pace and lectures are just a supplement).
- *Unsure about this, but I believe Tulane uses NBME exams for classes (might help with better STEP preparations).
- A lot of super neat volunteering/shadowing opportunities (great student run clinics in New Orleans).
- New Orleans as a place to live is really awesome. Lots of good food and sites to see!
- Awesome match list (quite a few people matched into CA)
Cons
- Biggest con for sure is the COA/COL for Tulane. Total projected cost of attendance (including Tuition/Room/etc.) is 90k. I feel like I can make personal life decisions to reduce that amount (food, transportation), but it wouldn't bee substantial and still be around ~87k.
- Research was something not heavily emphasized during my interview date. I know they have the Debakey program, but did not hear much about research besides that.
- Facilities were a bit worn down (not really a big deal for me)
- Very large class size
OUWB
Pros
- Amazing impressions during my interview date. The students all gave off super positive vibes and the faculty was very kind/resourceful.
- Beaumont Health is one of the biggest pros for me. OUWB has an amazing hospital network, and the students definitely rave about the great clinical rotations OUWB is able to provide.
- Smaller class size.
- 100% STEP pass rate
- Definitely cheaper than Tulane, with COA/COL approximated around ~78k. I also heard that OUWB is very generous with financial aid.
- Research is a very underrated part of OUWB. There is the EMBARK program where you are made to in the curriculum to do a research project, and there are also many opportunities to partake in research at Beaumont Health (clinical research opportunities).
- Rochester Hills is a very safe location and the apartments are very close by (though, not the liveliest city, Detroit is a ~30 min drive)
- The recent match list was awesome, a ton of people went to great residencies and many matched in CA as well.
Cons
- H/P/F grading scheme in preclinical (biggest thing for me). In order to honor a course, you need to get a 90% in the class as well as attend 70% of the lectures. (could cause difficulties in STEP preparations, HOWEVER, many current students do not feel it is a big issue).
- H/P/F grading & mandatory lectures again just to emphasize how I see this as the only major con
- Lectures can run for a very long time.
- Professor written exams (most people see this as a con, but OUWB stresses how this allows professors to create exams that are "current" and not use any outdated questions that could be found on NBMEs?) --> also might make it harder to study using STEP materials
- Sometimes it can get super cold in MI.
Overall: I feel I would be able to get a great education at both of these schools. My biggest con with Tulane is the extremely high COA/COL. My biggest con with OUWB is the H/P/F grading scheme & mandatory lectures if you want to honor.
Thank you guys again for any input!!
Tulane SOM
Pros-
- Great initial impressions of the school during my interview date. Students were extremely happy and chill (positive environment).
- P/F grading (tho I believe you are internally ranked in terms of quartiles??).
- Non-mandatory lectures (my student host told me how he does things at his own pace and lectures are just a supplement).
- *Unsure about this, but I believe Tulane uses NBME exams for classes (might help with better STEP preparations).
- A lot of super neat volunteering/shadowing opportunities (great student run clinics in New Orleans).
- New Orleans as a place to live is really awesome. Lots of good food and sites to see!
- Awesome match list (quite a few people matched into CA)
Cons
- Biggest con for sure is the COA/COL for Tulane. Total projected cost of attendance (including Tuition/Room/etc.) is 90k. I feel like I can make personal life decisions to reduce that amount (food, transportation), but it wouldn't bee substantial and still be around ~87k.
- Research was something not heavily emphasized during my interview date. I know they have the Debakey program, but did not hear much about research besides that.
- Facilities were a bit worn down (not really a big deal for me)
- Very large class size
OUWB
Pros
- Amazing impressions during my interview date. The students all gave off super positive vibes and the faculty was very kind/resourceful.
- Beaumont Health is one of the biggest pros for me. OUWB has an amazing hospital network, and the students definitely rave about the great clinical rotations OUWB is able to provide.
- Smaller class size.
- 100% STEP pass rate
- Definitely cheaper than Tulane, with COA/COL approximated around ~78k. I also heard that OUWB is very generous with financial aid.
- Research is a very underrated part of OUWB. There is the EMBARK program where you are made to in the curriculum to do a research project, and there are also many opportunities to partake in research at Beaumont Health (clinical research opportunities).
- Rochester Hills is a very safe location and the apartments are very close by (though, not the liveliest city, Detroit is a ~30 min drive)
- The recent match list was awesome, a ton of people went to great residencies and many matched in CA as well.
Cons
- H/P/F grading scheme in preclinical (biggest thing for me). In order to honor a course, you need to get a 90% in the class as well as attend 70% of the lectures. (could cause difficulties in STEP preparations, HOWEVER, many current students do not feel it is a big issue).
- H/P/F grading & mandatory lectures again just to emphasize how I see this as the only major con
- Lectures can run for a very long time.
- Professor written exams (most people see this as a con, but OUWB stresses how this allows professors to create exams that are "current" and not use any outdated questions that could be found on NBMEs?) --> also might make it harder to study using STEP materials
- Sometimes it can get super cold in MI.
Overall: I feel I would be able to get a great education at both of these schools. My biggest con with Tulane is the extremely high COA/COL. My biggest con with OUWB is the H/P/F grading scheme & mandatory lectures if you want to honor.
Thank you guys again for any input!!
