TCOM vs. DREXEL

[ThanosThighs]

So, I've been planning on TCOM for awhile, but just got accepted to Drexel and was assigned to the WR campus, which I don't know much about.

I am really conflicted because I feel good about TCOM because it seems like a really nice area and family friendly which is important to me. I have a wife and daughter and plan on having more kids during medical school. Is the MD title worth 200k plus in more loans? I'm interested in anesthesiology, IM and optho at the moment.

TCOM

Pros:
- 28k tuition (oos)
- Nice area
- one of the best DO programs with good connections
- feels good and good vibes

Cons:
- far from home (3 hour flight)
- not sure if being a DO is a con per say but I may want to do something competitive
- double the board exams

DREXEL
Pros:
- Strong match list
- WR campus has its own teaching hospital
- 40 class size. Could be a con?
- great research opportunities for competetive specialties
- MD

Cons
- farther from home (almost 6 hour flight)
- far from philly and airport
- 65k tuition

The curriculum at both schools is comparable to me and not a huge factor. Basically just wanting people's thoughts on if MD is worth the tuition and loans. I'd appreciate some more thoughtful posts rather than just "always choose MD" if possible but of course any insights is greatly appreciated!

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[Ihe2koo]

long story short, yes

 

[m1redsox]

If you are interested in ophtho, you need an MD. The match rate was 32% for DO seniors. Even with an MD, ophtho is not a lock, but you have more than twice as good of a chance (75% for USMD seniors).

If you end up doing IM primary care, you’ll wish you didn’t have the extra debt. But with an MD, you’ll match a better academic IM program (assuming the same stats) which would help with the fellowship match.

Anesthesia is a toss up. The DO match isn’t awful, but it’s still easier as an MD. With that said, you don’t really need to do a fellowship, so the name or academic status doesn’t matter as much as it would for IM.

I would go the MD route all day unless I was dead set on primary care, path, psych, PM&R, or maybe EM nowadays. Then I would choose the cheapest option.