- Joined
- Oct 21, 2019
- Messages
- 209
- Reaction score
- 158
Recently accepted to Hackensack, need to make a decision soon, thanks for any input! Currently wanting to pursue primary care/public health and engage in research in both these areas
TCOM (DO)
Pros
Cons
Hackensack (MD)
Pros
Cons
Summary: Basically the only reason I'm considering Hackensack is for the MD/potential benefit come match. Is it worth the $350k extra (probably >$1M total difference w interest if I do PC) to match a more prestigious/better residency program? I despise the OR so the only competitive specialties I would ever consider are Rads/Derm/IM->Cardiology. Cheers!
TCOM (DO)
Pros
- Amazing in-state tuition -> $150k CoA
- Close to family, friends; have an extensive and close support system in TX
- Know several current and incoming students as well as some faculty, familiar with the curriculum
- Location -> Fort Worth and DFW offer plenty to do
- Great research opportunities
- Established rotations in Fort Worth
- Want to do residency in TX so allows for better connections/networking
- Non-Mandatory Attendance, lectures recorded
- Enjoyed the vibe of the school much more (maybe biased since most students are also from TX), felt very collaborative and friendly
- Large class of 230, very diverse both racially and background
- Matches extremely well, considered one of the if not the best DO program
Cons
- DO stigma for certain residency programs/specialties
- OMM/Double board exams
Hackensack (MD)
Pros
- Flexible 4th year allows for an additional degree or more research to strengthen residency application
- MD degree should open more doors during residency match and even possibly later in career
Cons
- Tuition -> $500k CoA
- Intense 3-year curriculum with limited breaks
- Location -> Close to NYC but still the suburbs, as a Texan the weather may take some adjusting to
- Mandatory Attendance 8am-5pm almost everyday entire pre-clinical
- Commuter school so not sure of ability to make friends, vibe also felt off, almost too rigid and professional if that makes sense
- URMs almost non-existent, not diverse at all
- Likely need to move for rotations after 1.5 years, lottery system
- Lot of driving involved for rotations, NJ traffic lol
- New school, okay match list on par with top DO schools. Lot of matches in NJ where I do not want to be long-term but that may be self-selection from local students.
- School is still interviewing for this cycle which is wild to me... same situation as last year, not sure what's going on but the struggle to fill the class is not ideal obviously
Summary: Basically the only reason I'm considering Hackensack is for the MD/potential benefit come match. Is it worth the $350k extra (probably >$1M total difference w interest if I do PC) to match a more prestigious/better residency program? I despise the OR so the only competitive specialties I would ever consider are Rads/Derm/IM->Cardiology. Cheers!