I was checking this and I think they only differ by like $3K maybe if just factoring tuition/fees? Not sure that’s a huge difference.
I would also consider cost of living for sure: Likely you can get something only like $1–1.5k with roommates (rent only), $2k+ likely for 1br in Philadelphia. In Grafton (Tufts), you can certainly get a <$1k with roommates... currently in a 3br 2ba with heat included for $850 + electric + internet... truly a steal. Further, if you use the VIN Student Debt Center Cost of Attendance Calculator (
Student Debt Center Covid Banner), there is almost a $40k difference for OOS over four years, which I assume will be significant to pay back with loans and interest rates.
Advice given last year to me (in the same scenario) was to really crunch cost-of-living numbers. That will determine what is more expensive (I've crunched the numbers for this grad program liberally, and I was overbudget the first few months, so expenses can stack up quickly!)
How do you feel about Penn being a “name brand” / Ivy vs Tufts well-known but not as recognized as Penn? Is it worth the extra $3k/year to be from a well-established and recognized university esp if going into some kind of research?
This is a difficult question, since Ivy League undergrad is where I understand the "name brand"... for vet school, you get a different suffix (VMD) and bragging rights for going to the oldest U.S. vet school? Multiple DVMs who have graduated and are living their lives say that name doesn't mean much, with others saying for residencies it might mean something if your letter of rec are from those who are well-recognized in the field/at a prestigious uni. I would add that you can work with that person whether you go there or not: the proximity helps though. Also, who is saying Tufts is not as well-recognized as Penn?
Further, I feel like the term "well-established" will not apply to any vet school ever... (context, I'm defining well-established to mean comprehensive in all fields and specialties at a vet school). I can tell you right now PennVet does not have an exotics clinician and they temporarily closed down their exotic animal wing of the hospital (since at least 2022... there is also drama over what made the previous exotics clinician leave).
Tufts is trying to recruit more anatomical pathologists (see "EDIT" at bottom). Cornell is having some funky stuff going on with hiring faculty. Further, I do not believe there are any
Zoo Med people at either Tufts (see "EDIT" at bottom) or Penn: there may be DACZMs, but none dedicated to actual zoo med currently. In another sense, the school may be "well-established" if it is producing outstanding clinicians and researchers: I know one VMD and she works at the clinic I used to tech at (small animal GP, which is amazing, but I am guessing not what you mean by your question). All other outstanding researchers and clinicians I know came from Tufts, UF, UC Davis, etc. I know of only TWO PennVet grads that has been influential and achieved big things (could also be biased by my field of research).
Now, for research purposes, I have known people from Yale and Harvard get the same internship and land similar research positions as someone from Swarthmore and Middlebury (still recognizable, but not as "recognized" as Yale and Harvard). I have done many projects in research, and the best thing I can say is to find somewhere where you LOVE the topic. THAT will give you a better "edge"... you will enjoy yourself more and you will want to learn the things you're doing. This translates to more skills gained, more to add to resume/CV, and a better interview for jobs/further research positions. Opportunities are there, you just have to seek them out. And a bonus, you can do the Wildlife Future Programs at PennVet even if you do not attend: you are lower on the priority list, but still an option!
Personally, I was enamored by the 'name brand' of Penn (and Cornell)... technically I went with the 'name brand'. Yet here I am, applying again to try to get into my in-state because I couldn't stand being away from my 10-yr old dog and my family. Something that someone said in my Tufts vs Penn post was to find something OUTSIDE of the school that would be best: family? Friends? City? Rural? This will keep you grounded when you don't get the (s)elective you wanted, or the research position, or the experience. And reconcile if you are willing to pay for THAT!
I have a lot to say about Ivy Leagues (good and bad), so I can definitely continue my rambles if you so desire lmao. If anything needs clarification or you want to ask new questions, feel free!
P.S. Again, if anyone reads through this and think 'that is so wrong!', please let me know please and I will change if need be
there are wildly more qualified people (literal veteran veterinarians who patrol these forums) that can give their insights better than I can.
P.P.S.
Here is my post if you want to peruse
EDIT: Per WonderingStudent post
#8, zoo animals do come through the Tufts hospital sometimes, and they have a Zoological Companion Animal Medicine (ZCAM) service. Also there are 2 anatomical pathologists (third on the way) at Tufts.