malpacca90
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Hi guys! Seeking advice on choosing between pursuing the 4-year combined MD/MPH track at UTSW and staying on the waitlist at Stanford.
If I chose to just pursue the MD track only at UTSW I would be able to stay on the Stanford waitlist without an issue, but because the UTSW MPH classes begin during MS0 summer in June and Stanford could make WL decisions as late as late July I would have to remove myself from the waitlist early to avoid violating the waitlist rules (contacted Stanford to confirm).
I know many people see the MPH as just a secondary degree, but I think it would really align with my career goals in community-wide health advocacy and leadership. The UTSW track would allow me to get an MPH at a really well-respected program without extra time and minimal extra cost.
Beyond the MPH aspect, I am wondering if the prestige of Stanford is worth it given how much more expensive it is (for reference, since I am a Texas resident not qualifying for financial aid, the cost of tuition + estimated housing & living at Stanford would be $200,000+ across 4 years). I'm also not interested in derm or surgical specialities at the moment so wondering if T5 vs. T20 makes a big difference, and I'm also not interested in the tech/start-up/VC world, which I've heard is one of the major pros of going to Stanford.
Thank you for taking the time to read -- I am very grateful to be in a position to make this decision and to have this community in this process!
TL;DR: does the prestige of Stanford make it worth it to stay on the waitlist given UTSW's MD/MPH 4-year track + lower tuition?
If I chose to just pursue the MD track only at UTSW I would be able to stay on the Stanford waitlist without an issue, but because the UTSW MPH classes begin during MS0 summer in June and Stanford could make WL decisions as late as late July I would have to remove myself from the waitlist early to avoid violating the waitlist rules (contacted Stanford to confirm).
I know many people see the MPH as just a secondary degree, but I think it would really align with my career goals in community-wide health advocacy and leadership. The UTSW track would allow me to get an MPH at a really well-respected program without extra time and minimal extra cost.
Beyond the MPH aspect, I am wondering if the prestige of Stanford is worth it given how much more expensive it is (for reference, since I am a Texas resident not qualifying for financial aid, the cost of tuition + estimated housing & living at Stanford would be $200,000+ across 4 years). I'm also not interested in derm or surgical specialities at the moment so wondering if T5 vs. T20 makes a big difference, and I'm also not interested in the tech/start-up/VC world, which I've heard is one of the major pros of going to Stanford.
Thank you for taking the time to read -- I am very grateful to be in a position to make this decision and to have this community in this process!
TL;DR: does the prestige of Stanford make it worth it to stay on the waitlist given UTSW's MD/MPH 4-year track + lower tuition?
