Tufts dilemma, Help anyone

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nray

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Much like Cleetus on a previous thread, I am in a very similar predicament. I also got into the MD/MBA program at Tufts a week ago. I also received admission to Chicago Med. The dilemma I have is that the program for Tufts starts at the end of the month, whereas I am still waiting to hear from a few schools especially UCI. However, all waitlists start moving in June and if I start school at the end of the month at Tufts I forfeit my position at all other schools.

Tufts has a great name so I am very hesitant to give it up, but the cost is astronomical. It is going to be about 280k for four years which translates to 560k in 10 years with interest. In comparison UCI is only going to cost me 100k. The other schools I am waitlisted at also run about 80k cheaper than Tufts. Given that the May 15 deadline is upon us, I have two choices.
1) Accept Tufts and give up all other opportunities
2) Decline Tufts MD/MBA program, accept Chicago Med, and wait it out for the other schools until Chicago med starts

I would go to UCI over all other schools. Problem is if I give up Tufts and accept Chicago Med and then don't get into any other school off a waitlist, I am gonna kick myself that I gave up the Tufts acceptance. However if I go to Tufts and forfeit all my other acceptances, I will always wonder how much better off I would be with so much less debt at UCI.

I am a nontraditional applicant that is 27 years old. I would have taken Tufts if I was still an undergrad. However, considering that I will graduate from residency around the age of 34 and that it will require me 10 years to live a very meager lifestyle with an inability to save much and own very little until the age of 44, this seems very unappealing to me. As much as I want to be a doctor, realistically it is important to consider quality of life as well for me.

Does anyone have any solutions to this problem or any helpful advice. I am seriously considering rejecting the MD/MBA program and thus being thrown back into the Tufts MD traditional pool, where I will be waitlisted.

Any advice would be welcome.
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nray,

Can you change your Tufts acceptance to only MD, which would allow you to start in the fall like most other schools? If so, then pursue this endeavour and forget about Chicago Med (since at this point it would be between Chicago Med MD vs. Tufts MD). This way you have the rest of the summer to wait for the other cheaper, but more appealing schools for you, such as UCI. Good luck! :)
 
Yes i have the option to only consider the MD, however I would be thrown into the waitlist category. In other words, if i reject the MD/MBA acceptance I do not have an acceptance tot he MD program. I think this is kind of lame, but thats the way it is. I talked to the assistant admissions director of my chances of getting in if its solely the MD program but he said it would be up in the air. Uggg that really doesn't help.
 
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•••quote:•••Originally posted by aesculapian:
•nray,

Can you change your Tufts acceptance to only MD, which would allow you to start in the fall like most other schools? If so, then pursue this endeavour and forget about Chicago Med (since at this point it would be between Chicago Med MD vs. Tufts MD). This way you have the rest of the summer to wait for the other cheaper, but more appealing schools for you, such as UCI. Good luck! :) •••••He mentioned at the bottom of his post that he would be thrown back into the waitlist at Tufts for the MD. :( It sounds like they wouldn't be happy with this and might not look favorably on you as a waitlistee since you rejected their MD/MBA program.

p.s. Hi nray <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" /> Welcome back!
 
Hey Dra.
Thanks so much hon for getting me my password back. You are my hero!!! First the madness of not being able to post on SDN then this dilemma. I am going to go crazy. At least Foxy got me my SDN back for which I will be eternally grateful <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" />
 
Interesting dilema... Well, I don't think that there is a "right" thing to do in this situation. You can call UCI, tell them your situation, and ask if them if they would clue you in on how competetive you are on the wait-list. If they can't tell you anything though, if I were you, I would take the Chicago med and risk the wait-list. Do things to increase your chances of getting off the wait list (write letters, call, meet with the dean, get letters sent on your behalf), and just accept it if you end up at Chicago Med because even if the facilities were not as impressive as Tufts, in the end your MD will look the same as everyone else's from there. With multiple wait-listings, the odds might be in your favor of at leasting getting into one of them. Best of luck.
 
Ckent,

I have already started that process. I explained my situation to the assistant dean of admissions at UCI. They suggested they couldn't tell me anything about where I was on the waitlist. However, she suggested I go to Tufts and enjoy the east coast for my own mental sanity. The problem is when she said this, I am not sure if she was hinting I don't stand a chance at UCI or if she was really being helpful. I think there might be a good possibility I might drive myself insane from all this and overanalyzing.
 
anyone else?
 
From what you said, it would be more favorable to accept Tufts program, since:

1. If money is such a big issue for you, then you wouldn't kick yourself for choosing Chicago Med over Tufts supposing you do not get of the waitlists.

2. Time is less of an issue, simply because you have already accepted the fact that you started at such-and-such age, which you consider old. As an aspiring physician, you must realize that the immediate life after medical school will be hard, and conceiving shortcuts and other easy methods will only lead you to chronic dissatisfaction. So stick with Tufts MD/MBA program.

3. Waitlists are so unreliable, and probably not worth taken a chance OVER an acceptance. If you do not get off UCI's waitlist before you start Tufts' program, then write your destiny as a Tufts student. It will save you the stress and agony of waiting some more, and that feeling of having chosen your lesser choice if you do not get off UCI's list. In my opinion, it's not worth it. Besides, if UCI really likes you, they WOULD accept you BEFORE you start the Tufts program.

4. Finally, choose happiness, even if that means going through sacrifices. Lower debts cannot compensate for that "unhappy feeling" if you choose Chicago Med. Choose where you'll be happiest, and choose REALISTICALLY, i.e. UCI should not influence your choice simply because you are still UNSURE as to whether you'll get off their waitlist.
 
isn't the start date for chicago med really early? if so, taking the acceptance at chicago won't buy you much more time to get off the waitlist at UCI. i would just go to tufts if i knew that i wouldn't be happy at chicago. good luck deciding.
 
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•••quote:•••Originally posted by CalBear:
•isn't the start date for chicago med really early? if so, taking the acceptance at chicago won't buy you much more time to get off the waitlist at UCI. i would just go to tufts if i knew that i wouldn't be happy at chicago. good luck deciding.•••••just wanted to clarify a few things:

Tufts starts May 28th
UCI waitlist moves in JUNE
Chicago Med starts July 22

So now what do you think?
 
Go to Tufts. I don't think it is worth it to hold out for UCI and the UCI admin lady did push in the direction of Tuft's when you asked about your status.
You know what they say. A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush.
 
I wish I had the choices as you do but if I were you, I would do the Tufts MD/MBA program because in the end the financial debt will be there regardless of the school you matriculate to. Isn't Chicago Med the 2nd or 3rd most expensive private medical school in the country?
 
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nray since I am in the same situation and have been thinking about this for so long, I have sent you a long private message that is probably not worth posting on the board. I hope it'll help you in your decision.
 
bump :D

Hi nray <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" />
 
nray....if I were you, I would go to Tufts. Boston is a pretty happening city. I liked it and I really didn't like other east coast cities. MD/MBA is a unique program. I'd take it and go! It seems like you'd choose Tufts over Chicago Med. So I'd go to Tufts. Plus doesn't Chicago Med start soon too? So you'd only be buying yourself a few weeks, if that.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by altaskier:
•nray....if I were you, I would go to Tufts. Boston is a pretty happening city. I liked it and I really didn't like other east coast cities. MD/MBA is a unique program. I'd take it and go! It seems like you'd choose Tufts over Chicago Med. So I'd go to Tufts. Plus doesn't Chicago Med start soon too? So you'd only be buying yourself a few weeks, if that.•••••But that's the dilemma--those few weeks would be his chance to get into the school of his dreams. He has around a 50% chance to get into UCI, and a really good chance to egt into another school that is ranked similarly to Tufts. All of this waitlist movement will happen in JUNE. Chicago med starts at the end of JULY.

From my earlier post:
Tufts starts May 28th
UCI waitlist moves in JUNE
Chicago Med starts July 22

So now what do you think? Still take Tufts?

nray, I think you should tell them about the rest of the schools you have a shot with so they'll realize your other options. :cool:
 
Hello nray,
I too have been accepted into the MD/MBA at Tufts and decided to withdraw from the program and be placed on the wait list. I'll let you know how it works out.
 
I am in a similar predicament more than a decade later. I also got into Tufts MD/MBA but waitlisted at USC and UCI, and the waitlist situation is also similar to the one you are facing. Out of curiosity, how did it go with you? And, what are you doing now?
 
guannaberry said:
I am in a similar predicament more than a decade later. I also got into Tufts MD/MBA but waitlisted at USC and UCI, and the waitlist situation is also similar to the one you are facing. Out of curiosity, how did it go with you? And, what are you doing now?
Click to expand...

From his/her pop-out profile:
"nray was last seen: May 14, 2003"

Safe to say you're not gonna get an answer, mate...
 
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Tufts had a 4 yr COA of $280k back in 2002????!!!! Dammmm
 
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Syndicate said:
Tufts had a 4 yr COA of $280k back in 2002????!!!! Dammmm
Click to expand...

I think maybe that was the 4-year COA of the MD/MBA program? Perhaps the 4-year MD program was less, but I wouldn't be surprised if it weren't. Isn't the 4-year COA at Tufts now >$300k?
 
wiloghby said:
I think maybe that was the 4-year COA of the MD/MBA program? Perhaps the 4-year MD program was less, but I wouldn't be surprised if it weren't. Isn't the 4-year COA at Tufts now >$300k?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, it is now 400K+ per year. I honestly do not know how I can front the tuition/fees. This is the only school I've gotten into, and everything else either rejected or waitlisted me. But, I have to commit to Tufts by 6/15/2014, so it's safe to say watilist movement has not even begun at the schools where I am waitlisted. The cost of Tufts is a bit outrageous to say the least. If they gave me 2/3 tuition, or even half tuition, i would probably go in a heartbeat. I guess I am just stuck between a rock and an even larger rock.
 
Ace-Co-A said:
From his/her pop-out profile:
"nray was last seen: May 14, 2003"

Safe to say you're not gonna get an answer, mate...
Click to expand...
I figured that much, but no harm in trying I guess. I am like his reincarnation, just 12 years later. Jesus Lol
 
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guannaberry said:
Unfortunately, it is now 400K+ per year.
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Sunglasses-shocked-reaction.gif
 
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guannaberry said:
Unfortunately, it is now 400K+ for four years. I honestly do not know how I can front the tuition/fees. This is the only school I've gotten into, and everything else either rejected or waitlisted me. But, I have to commit to Tufts by 6/15/2014, so it's safe to say watilist movement has not even begun at the schools where I am waitlisted. The cost of Tufts is a bit outrageous to say the least. If they gave me 2/3 tuition, or even half tuition, i would probably go in a heartbeat. I guess I am just stuck between a rock and an even larger rock.
Click to expand...

FTFY. Also, you never know, you might get some good financial aid? I am surprised Tufts doesn't have to interview many, many more people to fill their class if they're charging that much. I think the regular MD four-year COA is still ~$340k or something like that. Ridiculous. I am worried about not getting financial aid and having to chose between $240k and $260k. I cannot imagine going into debt using unsubsidized loans for $400k. If you choose to pay it off using the PAYE plan you would be paying close to a million dollars over the course of your lifetime. Then again, maybe that MBA will allow you to earn that much in a year.
 
How is Tufts 100K/year? Assuming no financial aid, 55K tuition + 12K rent + 10-15K miscellaneous expenses is still ~80K/year. Expensive, not unheard of for medical school in a major city.
 
GoPelicans said:
How is Tufts 100K/year? Assuming no financial aid, 55K tuition + 12K rent + 10-15K miscellaneous expenses is still ~80K/year. Expensive, not unheard of for medical school in a major city.
Click to expand...

It's the MD-MBA program specifically that is 100k/year. The regular MD program is roughly what you said, although it's closer to 85k/year.
 
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Guess you can say it's your.... Tuftest dilemma
 
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Can anyone shed some light on what the point of an MD/MBA combined program is. The way I see it, if you were interested in hospital administration or something you would be expected to "pay your dues" as a doctor before being taken seriously as any kindof high powered hospital administrator, at which point the hospital would likely pay you for the formality (basically) of the MBA for free anyways. seems like a ton of extra work and money for dubious gain. but I also have no clue what I'm talking about with regards to this...
 
MedBrah said:
Guess you can say it's your.... Tuftest dilemma
Click to expand...

Nice try buddy, I have already used this one at least 10 times among my friends. It really has been tough after the acceptance though, but I guess it could be worse.
 
markmark said:
Can anyone shed some light on what the point of an MD/MBA combined program is. The way I see it, if you were interested in hospital administration or something you would be expected to "pay your dues" as a doctor before being taken seriously as any kindof high powered hospital administrator, at which point the hospital would likely pay you for the formality (basically) of the MBA for free anyways. seems like a ton of extra work and money for dubious gain. but I also have no clue what I'm talking about with regards to this...
Click to expand...
I do not know too much about this, but I have talked to a lot of MD MBAs both at UCLA and Tufts. The way I see it, Tufts has the MD MBA program geared towards preparing you for nonprofit management. It was not until later that I discovered nonprofit management= hospital administration. I guess it was a pleasant discovery, considering that was my career plan after becoming a physician.

In terms of paying the dues, I am not sure if I see it that way. I think the MBA is just supposed to look good, while at the same time, allowing you to make powerful connections. I heard that at Tufts, MBA students do a lot of research studies on how to make certain hospitals/systems more efficient, and since Tufts has like 14 affiliated hospitals, I guess it's just a huge playground for dual degree students. I think the point of the MBA, other than this, is to create physicians who understand business as well as medicine (I hear that a lot), and it makes sense.

I do see your point about dubious gains, and they are, by all means, dubious at this point in time. Some MD MBAs go on to private practice, others do hospital management, others do private sector stuff, some choose to use it for entrepreneurship, and lastly, some never use it at all. I am hoping that I can fall into any of these categories except the final one. But in all honesty, I do not know too much either. I guess I'll most likely find out within the next 4 years, considering the cost of Tufts doesn't kill me.
 
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