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Hi Everyone,
Currently deciding between Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU, MD) and Howard University College of Medicine (MD). In some ways, I feel like these schools are similar, and it may come down to location preference, assuming the Step pass rates are similar enough its a smaller factor than I may currently perceive it. I am also interested in matching into surgery as a helpful piece of information about myself.
OHSU Pros:
Howard Pros:
Howard Cons:
Any opinion on these schools or how I should think about my choices? I also recently spoke with an OHSU graduate who is doing a residency in surgery, who stated that, despite the strong primary care program, students don't feel pressured to pursue that option. Students who have other interests do just as well in matching into other specialties! Thank you, and any input would be extremely valuable!
Currently deciding between Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU, MD) and Howard University College of Medicine (MD). In some ways, I feel like these schools are similar, and it may come down to location preference, assuming the Step pass rates are similar enough its a smaller factor than I may currently perceive it. I am also interested in matching into surgery as a helpful piece of information about myself.
OHSU Pros:
- Strong Indigenous student population
- Step 1 pass rate 96% (2021 data)
- Step 2 pass rate 99% (2023 data)
- 94% match rate pre-SOAP (2025 data)
- Start date moved to June 28th so students may access Grad PLUS loan before it changes in July
- Strong research opportunities
- Friends currently attend the school (School of Medicine and Dental School)
- P/F system
- Friday Exams
- Strong primary care program
- Out-of-state attendance ($320,000 estimated COA, about $460,000 including living expenses)
- Unsure if I will like Portland, OR
- Far from home (MA resident)
Howard Pros:
- Private institution (fixed COA)
- Very strong research opportunities (NIH is very close, which students utilize often, and are recruited to neighboring medical schools like Georgetown in addition to the research being conducted directly at Howard)
- DC is an exciting place to live
- Closer to home (MA resident)
- Match rate 95% (2025 data)
- 8 students matched into surgery (2025 data)
- P/F system
Howard Cons:
- Estimated total COA $410,000 (including living)
- Start date after July 1st, 2026, so loan amounts from the Federal Government will be changed
- Monday/Tuesday Exams
- Unable to find reliable and recent data for pass rates related to Step1/2
Any opinion on these schools or how I should think about my choices? I also recently spoke with an OHSU graduate who is doing a residency in surgery, who stated that, despite the strong primary care program, students don't feel pressured to pursue that option. Students who have other interests do just as well in matching into other specialties! Thank you, and any input would be extremely valuable!
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