Should I Go??

[Herpeto]

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I am wondering if I should attend an interview at the University of Vermont. I have already put my deposit down on a DO school and have no allopathic acceptances yet. I have had several interviews and a couple more coming up. Here's the situation. I am flying out to Philly for a Drexel interview and was going to fly to Burlington after that interview for one at UVM the next day. However, it looks like tickets are going to cost about $700 as opposed to $250 just to go to Drexel. Knowing that I have an acceptance to a DO school that is $28K compared to UVM's $40K, I am wondering if I should go. In the end I will be saving quite a bit on tuition if I just went to the DO school. My goal is be a surgeon and I am wondering if it will be easier to become a surgeon coming from an MD school or DO school? I am making the assumption that I am only accepted to UVM and no other MD schools.



Herp

 

[TRUE]

why do you assume you won't be accepted at Drexel as well?

 

[acab]

I think you should go. Personally I recommend getting an MD.

You should try jetblue.com for cheap tickets, even if you need to travel a few miles to the closest airport they fly out of.

 

[DrMom]

If you're wanting to be a general surgeon, DO vs MD is not going to make a huge difference. If you're wanting neurosurgery, cardiothoracic, etc, it may very well make a notable difference.

 

[Adapt]

As a DO, if you applied to many general surgery spots all over the US, you shouldn't have a problem as long as you have decent stats.

That said, if you are going to save a significant amount of money by going the DO route, I would recommend that. It all depends on how much you want that MD behind your name.

 

[Herpeto]

I was assuming the rejection to Drexel as a worst-case scenario. Although I think I have a good chance of acceptance there. Would it make that much of a difference to graduate from Drexel vs UVM? Right now I am unsure whether I want to do general surgery, CT or just cardiology. I would like to optimize my chances of acceptance while still considering my financial present and future states. I am actually eager to view Drexel and see what it has to offer, as I don't believe it is as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Why there is such a stigma affiliated with the school I don't know.

Having the MD behind my name isn't that important although I don't want to have to settle for a location I am not eager to be in as I must consider my wife in where we move as well. Will it be easier to attain a general surgery residency spot where I want, assuming equal stats from both DO and MD school?

Herp

 

[DrMom]

I don't think you'd have any problem with cardiology either, btw. There are lots of DOs in internal medicine sub-specialties.

I wish you well on your interview.

 

[Adapt]

Originally posted by Herpeto
I am actually eager to view Drexel and see what it has to offer, as I don't believe it is as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Why there is such a stigma affiliated with the school I don't know.

Of the schools I interviewed at, Drexel was one of the schools I liked the most. They have nice facilities as all the classes are just in one building. It is located in a suburban type area but the city is very close by, so I think it's situated nicely. Plus, the student body is large and diverse with all ethnicities, which I believe is a major plus.

I really liked Drexel and also don't see why people think it's bad. I liked it more than Jefferson, MCW, and Temple for that matter.

 

[Herpeto]

It is good to hear of others who like the school and wouldn't mind attending. Of course their tuition is high as well, but I guess I don't really have much of a choice in that matter. Hopefully, I can attain some scholarships etc..

Herp

 

[beanbean]

I would go on the interview to UVM unless you really would never want to go there even if you were accepted. Seeing both UVM and Drexel will give you something to comapre to the DO school you have been accepted to. If the DO or MD initials make no difference to you, the more knowledge you have about each individual school will allow you to make an informed decison about where you and your wife want to spend the next four yeaars of your life.

 

[Kashue]

Originally posted by Herpeto
It is good to hear of others who like the school and wouldn't mind attending. Of course their tuition is high as well, but I guess I don't really have much of a choice in that matter. Hopefully, I can attain some scholarships etc..

Herp

Drexel is really bad when it comes to scholarships. According to USNEWS, only 5% of its students received aid in the form of scholarships:

Financial Aid (2002-2003 Academic Year)
Students receiving any financial aid: 96%
Students receiving loans: 84%
Students receiving grants/scholarships: 5%
Students receiving work study: 7%

Average indebtedness for 2001 graduates who incurred medical school debt: $135,518

On the interview date, they mentioned that the debt of this year's students would be $145,000.

 

[Herpeto]

I checked Jet Blue and found that if I take it home and two other different flights to Philly and Vermont that I can do it for about $462. Unfortunately Jet Blue doesn't fly into Philly. Is there another cheap airline that I should consider for the flights out to Philly and between Philly and Vermont? The other down part is that I would have to leave at 8a.m. and arrive in Philly at 9p.m. as the flights go to Atlanta and then Boston and then Philly.

I hope I am part of that 5% who received scholarships. I wonder why such a small portion gets free money. Is it because of the appeared caliber of students compared to other schools? The scholarship programs probably see individuals from other institution applying with higher numbers and assume they deserve the money more.

Herp

 

[LP1CW]

Vermont is a nice school, solid education and only a 1 1/2 of course work before you being your clerkships. So, it's worth thinking about.

If you're thinking that you want to do academic research/medicine then the MD degree might be the better option.

If given the choice between Drexel and Vermont, I would definitely take Vermont. Drexel, as we all know, has had it's share of struggles. I still think it's a solid program.

Of all your options, Vermont is the best.

 

[Herpeto]

LP,
I do like the way Vermont's curriculum is set up with only 1 1/2 years of course work, however the tuition is very high. On the other hand, it would great to live in Vermont with the surrounding wilderness, lake and ski hills. Now when you say of all my options Vermont is the best, are you considering all the schools I have interviewed at? If so, why would you consider it above the others in terms of education and future residency options?

Herp

 

[hobs]

it's pretty easy to get a train from philly to trenton, newark, or even nyc and fly in/out from there. traveling around like that may be a pain in the butt, but could get you to burlington cheaper.

 

[jlee9531]

i always need to respond when i see uvm. but im always a supporter for people to go check out uvm since i had such a great experience interviewing and meeting the people there.

yeah its expensive, but they have need based grants and scholarships for us.

avg student indebtedness of the class of 2002 and 2003 respectively which includes premedical debt...

$143,000
$137,500...

id say this is pretty decent...assuming we have 20K in debt from undergrad....

uvm might put us back about 30K a year (4 years). which sounds pretty good esp when for an out of stater the total cost (tuition+cost of living) is estimated close to 60K.

of course the scholarships and grants are all need based depending on your parents income.

 

[Herpeto]

How long will that take? The interview should end around 3p.m. and then I have to return the rental car. From there I will have to get to the train station and then from my destination to the NYC or Newark airport. Finally, I have to fly out and into Burlington for an interview the next morning. Is it possible? I'm sure the stress will be fairly high.

Herp

 

[hobs]

i think there;s a rental car return right next to the main train station in philly. cheapest way to get to nyc (by train) is to take septa to trenton, and then NJ transit to grand central (i think). that costs about $30 and takes 3 hours. then get to whichever airport from there.

it's possible, and would kind of take a long time, and cost you about $100-? total, depending on your fare to the airport in new york. or you could just keep the rental car and drive up to burlington, newark, or wherever, provided the rental has unlimited miles.

 

[LP1CW]

I meant between the DO programs and Drexel, that Vermont is your best choice.

Are you going to regret not interviewing there. I interviewed there and thought the place was great. I won't be attending there, because I'm in at a school that I just love more, but Vermont is a solid program. I'm 21 and I noticed that many of the students there were older. They seem to favor nontraditional applicants. So, you're married and I'm assuming older. I would give it a look. I met a guy in his 30's when I was there. He was cool, laid back, nice guy.

The weather is cold, but the slopes are not too far.

I really liked Vermont. Think about it. I think you wont' be disappointed.

 

[Herpeto]

LP,
I am eager to visit Vermont, as it is a beautiful state from what I hear. The time I spent in the Adirondacks was great. I am not married yet, but I shall be soon. I am a bit older at 27 so hopefully that will work in my favor. In the end I think I would regret not interviewing there just because it is one of schools I was really interested in. However, money is also a big consideration to me as well.


Hobs,
It sounds like it would be quite a long day using the train. I did consider driving to Burlington, but renting a car costs about $85 a day and there is a fee to return the car to a different location.

I am looking into flights out of DC and Newark because they aren't that far away.

Herp

 

[Herpeto]

I am not familiar with the New York City area so some help would be greatly appreciated. Does anyone know how difficult it is and how long it takes logistically to get from NY City, specifically JFK, to Philadelphia? I can get a flight arriving on Sunday at 6:30 a.m. so I assume the freeways won't be that busy. On Monday after the interview (3p.m.) I need to drive back to JFK to catch a 10:30p.m. flight. Is traffic generally nuts around the airport? What would be the best route?

Alternatively, how easy would it be to get to Newark from Philly? If my day at Drexel ends at 3p.m., can I make it to Newark for a flight leaving at 8:30p.m. with time to spare?

Herp

 

[TRUE]

Traffic would be pretty bad in the afternoon going towards JFK, but you should have plenty of time to get from Philly to JFK. That should really only take maybe 4 hours as an absolute max including traffic. Alternatively, you can do the whole trip using public transportation. Get to JFK, take the airtrain to Jamaica station. Jamiaca station to Penn Station, Penn Station to Philly via NJ Transit and Septa. All of that would cost you about 22 dollars. 🙂

As for getting to Newark from Philly, that's a lot easier. All you have to do is get on SEPTA (the philly subway system), up for about an hour, till you get to NJ transit, take that for another hour and that stops at Newark. You get off at the station, take a little trolley train around the airport and you're set. Total cost is about 20 dollars. Total transit time including interview to subway = 3/ 3.5 hours. The downside is that those trains are on a schedule...gotta figure that out ahead of time.

Also, my drexel interview def. didn't go until 3. I was out of there by maybe 1:00 pm or so. I had the special case where my faculty interview was before my lunch interview so I was free to go after lunch. Perhaps you can ask them to arrange your day so that it ends early and you can have plenty of time to get back to Newark or JFK.

 

[Herpeto]

I think I'll ask if I can finish my interview day up a bit early. Thanks for the idea. As for the trains, is it difficult to figure out especially forn the first time? It sounds like I'm going to have to take four different trains to JKF. Would I just take a cab around town then and to the interview?

Herp

 

[LP1CW]

At Vermont, the last thing you do is interview, so you'll either have a 2 or 3 o'clock interview. You might get out of there by 3 or 4. The interview should be less than an hour.

 

[Herpeto]

Thank You for all the help. I have decided to attend the Vermont interview, as I would certainly be disappointed if I missed the opportunity. Now my only dilemma is whether to fly into Philly or Newark. I shall be flying out of Newark into Burlington. There would be about a $30 difference with flying into Newark more expensive taking into consideration car rental.

Herp

 

[DrMom]

Good luck on your upcoming interviews.

 

[TRUE]

Originally posted by Herpeto
I think I'll ask if I can finish my interview day up a bit early. Thanks for the idea. As for the trains, is it difficult to figure out especially forn the first time? It sounds like I'm going to have to take four different trains to JKF. Would I just take a cab around town then and to the interview?

Herp

From Drexel to JFK, you have to take the following transportation: Drexel Shuttle back to the city. cab to the 30th street station in Philly (SEPTA). SEPTA train to NJ transit. NJ transit to Penn Station. LIRR or subway to Jamaica station. Air Train to JFK. If you plan out what trains are leaving at what times and which alternatives you have, then by no means is it difficult to do. The trains you need to plan out are mainly SEPTA and LIRR. the NJ transit train will wait for the SEPTA train (from philly to NYC) so you should'nt worry about the scheduling aspect of that. A good # of LIRR trains stop at Jamaica station (it's a big hub), so you shouldn't have too many problems finding one to take you there.

Is this confusing? Maybe. Once you actually write it out and look at the schedules, I don't htink it's very hard at all. Then again, I'm used to public transit since I live in the city. You can def. do it and if you need any help at all in the planning, feel free to PM me.