Hello,
This is another one of those "which school should I choose" posts, but this one, I think, is particularly random. I've been fortunate enough, as an international student, to be accepted to University of Hawaii JABSOM and EVMS (Eastern Virginia Medical School)...two schools that are physically as far apart as they can be. I have personal impressions from both schools from the interviews, but it'd be great to hear what others think.
What I care most is the quality of education and the match into residency; as someone who would need to request a H1B visa, I would be limited in the programs I could get into.
I like Hawaii's location (who wouldn't?) but the school's problem-based only curriculum was a bit of a turn off. The student body is also quite small, but this wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.
I liked the hospitals that EVMS was associated with, and I like the feel of the place; I wish I knew its USMLE step 1 scores, though, which I think is somewhat of an indicator of the academic rigor of a place. It would be interesting to see this in comparison with Hawaii's (which I know).
USnews rankings are just rankings and I shouldn't pay attention to them, but Hawaii is ranked higher in both primary care and research (EVMS isn't even on research ranking).
I was looking at the match list of both schools and as an undergrad, I can't really tell which one's "better". I get the impression that EVMS match list is more local whereas Hawaii has residents going across the US...but this might be because Hawaii is so far away anyways that it just feels that way.
Coming as a foreigner, both school has a hefty price tag - Hawaii is more expensive but they offered me a limited scholarship that brings it down to about EVMS level - 70,000 a year.
Ultimately, I think it will be about my dedication and individual effort once I'm in medical school that will determine my success in the match and beyond - nevertheless, I want to be in a place that offers me the most opportunities and resources for success, and I am unable to determine which school that would be. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
This is another one of those "which school should I choose" posts, but this one, I think, is particularly random. I've been fortunate enough, as an international student, to be accepted to University of Hawaii JABSOM and EVMS (Eastern Virginia Medical School)...two schools that are physically as far apart as they can be. I have personal impressions from both schools from the interviews, but it'd be great to hear what others think.
What I care most is the quality of education and the match into residency; as someone who would need to request a H1B visa, I would be limited in the programs I could get into.
I like Hawaii's location (who wouldn't?) but the school's problem-based only curriculum was a bit of a turn off. The student body is also quite small, but this wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.
I liked the hospitals that EVMS was associated with, and I like the feel of the place; I wish I knew its USMLE step 1 scores, though, which I think is somewhat of an indicator of the academic rigor of a place. It would be interesting to see this in comparison with Hawaii's (which I know).
USnews rankings are just rankings and I shouldn't pay attention to them, but Hawaii is ranked higher in both primary care and research (EVMS isn't even on research ranking).
I was looking at the match list of both schools and as an undergrad, I can't really tell which one's "better". I get the impression that EVMS match list is more local whereas Hawaii has residents going across the US...but this might be because Hawaii is so far away anyways that it just feels that way.
Coming as a foreigner, both school has a hefty price tag - Hawaii is more expensive but they offered me a limited scholarship that brings it down to about EVMS level - 70,000 a year.
Ultimately, I think it will be about my dedication and individual effort once I'm in medical school that will determine my success in the match and beyond - nevertheless, I want to be in a place that offers me the most opportunities and resources for success, and I am unable to determine which school that would be. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
