Tufts vs. BU

[boba4lyfe16]

Hi ya'll I know it's down to the wire but after FINALLY receiving my financial aid award for both schools I'm struggling to figure out which school I should go to.

Tufts

Pros

• 4 year MD/MPH
• 1.5 Year systems-based curriculum
• Good match list especially in Northeast (which is where I want to match)
• Students seem really happy and collaborative environment

Cons

• COST $$$$$$ (72k/year for tuition)
• Lower ranked (mid-tier)
• Rotations can be pretty far from what I've heard

BU

Pros

• Slightly less expensive (56k/year for tuition)
• BMC's dedication to underserved
• High residency PD score
• Higher ranked
• Kaiser Permanente clerkships

Cons

• Curriculum is non systems-based (2 year pre-clinical)
• MD/MPH is 5 years (prob wouldn't pursue it)
• Heard it can be really competitive
• Location not in an ideal part of Boston

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[iIiiiiiIiiIiII]

I personally think BU is awesome and has a wonderful mission-focused program. The cost difference is significant when you consider the high COL of Boston. BU has subsidized housing (I forget the details) and BU is more prestigious than Tufts. Based on what you wrote, I suggest BU, but obviously I don’t know the whole picture. It depends on how much you want the MPH and how much the school’s mission matters.

 

[walterwhite3556]

I have an A at Tufts and WL at BU so I’m a bit biased but I much preferred Tufts (I will be attending Tufts and withdrawing from BU even if I get off the WL).

The tufts administration and students seemed way nicer to me (again this is subjective based off who you interact with during interview day). Also BU‘s “social justice mission” is pretty much nonexistent once you are in school from what I heard (source: friend who is an M3 at BU).

You can’t really go wrong with either school as both schools have rock-solid reputations. Both will provide you with lots of opportunities and will get you wherever you want to go (especially in the NE).

 

[tessellations]

I'd pick BU. Tufts' tuition is ridiculous, and is something that two of the docs I worked with complained about when it came to their post-Tufts experience. BU also has a better reputation - I know several students there and they are all pretty great people. I don't think Tuft's is worth the extra 80k overall, unless you feel that you have to get the MPH. Also BU Med's campus is a fine part of Boston - it's literally a 12 minute bus ride from Tufts Med Campus lol.

 

[Wolvvs]

I'd pick BU. Tufts' tuition is ridiculous, and is something that two of the docs I worked with complained about when it came to their post-Tufts experience. BU also has a better reputation - I know several students there and they are all pretty great people. I don't think Tuft's is worth the extra 80k overall, unless you feel that you have to get the MPH. Also BU Med's campus is a fine part of Boston - it's literally a 12 minute bus ride from Tufts Med Campus lol.

To be fair, that Mass Ave intersection outside of BMC can be really sketchy 😛 But the school itself is on the other side of BMC, it's more like the rest of the south end.

OP, that tuition difference looks small, but really it's like paying for an additional year of school. With interest, that $64K difference in cost becomes $80K after a 3 year residency. It depends how much you pay back once you're an attending, but that could translate to years of additional debt...

 

[walterwhite3556]

I'd pick BU. Tufts' tuition is ridiculous, and is something that two of the docs I worked with complained about when it came to their post-Tufts experience. BU also has a better reputation - I know several students there and they are all pretty great people. I don't think Tuft's is worth the extra 80k overall, unless you feel that you have to get the MPH. Also BU Med's campus is a fine part of Boston - it's literally a 12 minute bus ride from Tufts Med Campus lol.

BU CoA is about the same as Tufts. However, BU tries to trick you by not including health insurance in their CoA so it looks lower than it actually is just an FYI.

 

[tessellations]

To be fair, that Mass Ave intersection outside of BMC can be really sketchy 😛 But the school itself is on the other side of BMC, it's more like the rest of the south end.

Yeah that's fair, but agreed, the school itself is more like the rest of the south end.

BU CoA is about the same as Tufts. However, BU tries to trick you by not including health insurance in their CoA so it looks lower than it actually is just an FYI.

Fair, but it looks like OP got a scholarship at BU, since their listed tuition is lower than the one BU lists on their website.

 

[boba4lyfe16]

I did get a scholarship at BU and the Tufts MPH costs an extra 7k a year making the difference somewhat more substantial. I agree that Tufts overall seemed "nicer" and I do want the MD/MPH however I'm wondering if it's worth the extra 80k in tuition (after interest). Also, I know school rank might matter more with Step 1 being Pass/Fail in which case BU would be the way to go, but maybe the MPH will help with that?

 

[Wolvvs]

I did get a scholarship at BU and the Tufts MPH costs an extra 7k a year making the difference somewhat more substantial. I agree that Tufts overall seemed "nicer" and I do want the MD/MPH however I'm wondering if it's worth the extra 80k in tuition (after interest). Also, I know school rank might matter more with Step 1 being Pass/Fail in which case BU would be the way to go, but maybe the MPH will help with that?

Most people here are saying that Step 2 is going to replace Step 1, so I don't think it will matter that much. An MPH is nice to have, but if you're going for competitive specialties it's probably better to do relevant research, and doing an MD/MPH in 4 years will definitely restrict the amount of time you have for research. Is working in public health is one of your long term goals?

 

[Etopn23]

I was much more impressed by BU on my interview date. It was just so expensive. You'll likely see a lot of crazy things at Boston Medical Center.

 

[boba4lyfe16]

Most people here are saying that Step 2 is going to replace Step 1, so I don't think it will matter that much. An MPH is nice to have, but if you're going for competitive specialties it's probably better to do relevant research, and doing an MD/MPH in 4 years will definitely restrict the amount of time you have for research. Is working in public health is one of your long term goals?

Yes, I want to work specifically in public health later on in my career so I feel like I need to get the MPH eventually. I totally agree with not having enough time but I'm not planning on doing a competitive specialty.

 

[dorster]

I'm partial to Tufts. I agree with what you listed it seem's BU is the better choice for you. But back when I interviewed at Tufts the faculty and students seemed more "down to earth" and the environment didn't feel "cut throat" at all, if anything the opposite. Both great schools and you'll succeed at either I'm sure!


Edit: it also very much so depends on your interests, if seriously interested in MPH then Tufts might be a better choice as can knock it out in shorter time, would both cut cost and also time is just a huge factor given the length of residency and training in general. That is definitely not something to take lightly!

Also in this climate (ie: covid era) if you get an MPH in 4 years and intend on pursuing public health, not sure but you might be considering Infectious Disease as a specialty. That would mean 3 years residency and 2 additional years fellowship, which is plenty of time to get any additional research interests completed prior to starting a career in a public health sector. In that case 4 years would be ideal rather than 5 years med school/mph + 3 years IM + 2 years ID. Something to consider!

 

[Wolvvs]

Yes, I want to work specifically in public health later on in my career so I feel like I need to get the MPH eventually. I totally agree with not having enough time but I'm not planning on doing a competitive specialty.

I currently work in a public health adjacent field and the MD is really the key degree, none of the physicians I work with have an MPH (one actually has an MBA). I don't work for DPH, but I checked their medical director and he doesn't have an MPH either. So for public health from a public policy perspective, I don't think it's strictly necessary, although of course there are plenty of other public health fields that I don't know anything about!

If there's a specific skill you're looking to pick up the MPH might be helpful. My sense from talking to people who have one is that the degree is a good entry point into the public health field for those without a ton of relevant experience, but that's my own experience and if you do have a good reason to get one, you definitely should.

 

[Yhwach]

Disclaimer: BU WL, Tufts A

BU is ranked higher than Tufts. BMC seems to be busier and has more action. I was more impressed by the research in BU but both arent slouches.

I'd pick BU but I don't think the choice matters