Tufts vs Case (CWRU)

[C@rol]

Hi all! Having a tough time making this decision and would appreciate a fresh set of eyes 🙂

Case (CWRU)

Pros:

• Generous scholarship of $41,500/year.
• Amazing research opportunities. Mandatory 12 weeks of research in the summer between M1 & M2 with the purpose of leading to presentations/pubs
• LORs from people at Cleveland Clinic would look impressive
• Highly ranked and crazy match list
• I feel their curriculum is specifically designed to make students ‘competitive’. As someone who is interested in a competitive specialty this is very attractive (I know that may change, and that’s ok but I want to have options).

Cons:

• Location. Don’t know a soul in Cleveland and would not have access to my support system (family, friends, SO).
• Safety? I have not heard great things about the area and as a very small female that would be living alone (a must for me so my family can visit comfortably) this makes me nervous.
• Current students noted they do not start having clinical experiences until M3
• See Tufts’ ‘pro’ on health. Any health complications would warrant a trip to Boston area and to pay out-of-pocket for care.

Tufts

Pros:

• I currently live in Boston and my support system (family, friends, SO) are all here. Of note, I’m someone who is very family oriented.
• Focus on population health and students getting early clinical exposure. I find this interesting/exciting. Also, students supposedly have a reputations of being ‘great clinicians’ and this helps them during the match (at least that’s what MS4’s said post interviews & match).
• Health. I have a chronic condition for which there are <50 specialists in the US and would continue to have access to my current specialist (location & through SO’s insurance). While my condition is managed and should stay that way for the next 4-6 years, I worry about unexpected complications.

Cons:

• Cost. Have not received financial aid packet but based on conversations with current students and aid office I highly doubt it will be as generous as Case’s.
• Poor research opportunities. Based on conversations with current students there is a big chance I would have to look into applying for summer fellowships outside of the Tufts system, and I think that could potentially make it harder to get published and land a competitive specialty.
• I worry that Tufts focuses a bit too much on social justice and helping you ‘find your passion’ instead of offering more tangible opportunities to be competitive for residency (i.e. research and more local electives).

Of note, while COL is higher in Boston I would be spitting it with my SO while living alone in Cleveland, so I am not taking this into consideration for the time being. Thanks in advance!

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[peacepro]

I am on the Case waitlist, just to let you be aware of some potential bias.

If I were in ur position, I would choose Case without thinking much of it because of the scholarship and like you mentioned Case’s ability to set its students up for a competitive app. But you have different circumstances that keep you anchored in Boston. But what pops out to me is your point about your health and your support group in Boston. If you aren’t really interested in a super competitive speciality than Tufts is your way to go. If you are on the fence about that and think you can be successful both health-wise and academic wise than choose Case.

Sorry this wasn’t an exact answer. But I think reflecting on what is important to you rn. But honestly you can’t go wrong with either decision, Congrats!!!

 

[JohnJacobJingleheimer]

These are two of my options as well. I was in the Tufts camp at first, but quickly and firmly switched sides when I realized how much stronger Case is as an institution (in medicine). The difference in resources really can’t compare. Also, I live in the area for 2 years and can confidently say safety isn’t a concern. There are areas you want to avoid like any city, and safe places become not as safe at certain hours. Granted, I’m a guy, but I never felt unsafe there, nor did any of my female peers really voice safety concerns. I do have a friend who goes there that goes to the med school that also worries ab safety, but she has never personally run into any issues and she’s a 3rd year. While I think you need to remain diligent while there, it’s nowhere near enough of a concern that you should avoid the school altogether. My votes for Case, but I’m biased since I’m leaning there as well.

 

[JoyFairy]

Update us when you get your financial aid package.

Right now, I'm leaning towards Tufts. You'll save money living with your SO, and you'll have peace of mind knowing if you have any flareups, you've got your physicians and support system around you.

The big con with Tufts is the lack of research support disadvantaging you if you apply for a competitive specialty. Can you talk with folks at Tufts to see if you can identify research mentors either at Tufts or at another local institution? Use the fact that you're from Boston and plan to stay there to your advantage!

 

[cebublue]

(Idk if it makes me biased, but full disclosure I am turning down CWRU in favor of other schools)

To play devils advocate, CWRU also has “essay based exams” once every few months (compared to every other week like most other schools) which results in a highly intense cumulative effect with more weight on those exams. Essay based exams were also just not my cup of tea.

Also, CWRU has a “bootcamp” of 2 weeks of working with cadavers and then the rest is virtual reality. Personally, as someone interested in surgical specialties, I feel like this wouldn’t help me as much as getting to do a longer in depth anatomy course with cadavers.

Just my 2 cents! You will likely have a great time either way!! Their new med school looks amazing!

 

[Morningnight]

Also, CWRU has a “bootcamp” of 2 weeks of working with cadavers and then the rest is virtual reality. Personally, as someone interested in surgical specialties, I feel like this wouldn’t help me as much as getting to do a longer in depth anatomy course with cadavers.

Just wanted to chime in that there’s a cadaver dissection graduate course you can enroll in if you truly want an in depth dissection experience!

 

[JohnJacobJingleheimer]

(Idk if it makes me biased, but full disclosure I am turning down CWRU in favor of other schools)

To play devils advocate, CWRU also has “essay based exams” once every few months (compared to every other week like most other schools) which results in a highly intense cumulative effect with more weight on those exams. Essay based exams were also just not my cup of tea.

Also, CWRU has a “bootcamp” of 2 weeks of working with cadavers and then the rest is virtual reality. Personally, as someone interested in surgical specialties, I feel like this wouldn’t help me as much as getting to do a longer in depth anatomy course with cadavers.

Just my 2 cents! You will likely have a great time either way!! Their new med school looks amazing!

The infrequent exams are kinda nice honestly, given that it’s p/f and no internal rankings anyway. I would rather run on like 50% capacity for 3 months and then have one week at 95%, rather than constantly be at 75%. But, that’s just me. I just figure it can’t be that hard to land on the pass side of the p/f. Then again, not all of us will just be trying to pass.

 

[Apple Jacks]

Given your pros/cons list, I would say Tufts. Your support system is there and also you said you feel more at ease there with your current doctor. At the end of the day, this is more important than Case’s better prestige. Moreover, Tufts matched a decent amount of student into the very competitive specialties, so you shouldn’t be limited in your opportunities.

 

[seeinghowitgoes]

Case - it’s a school that has more opportunities for much less money.

The safety aspect can be weighed much less heavily - having lived in both Boston and Cleveland, the area around Case (and the many areas you’d actually be hanging out in) are as safe as any of the normal places in Boston.

From a health standpoint, 1) I can’t imagine between UH and Cleveland Clinic they won’t have a specialist and 2) it’s not like you won’t be going home in med school multiple times a year, you can keep your old doctors too. My only caveat is I have no clue what your illness is and obviously on this point only you and your doctors know if going out of town would be deleterious - id ask them what they think.

Being away from friends and family - I think it’s good for people to live beyond their established networks and see something new, so this seems more a neutral to me (gain new experiences but admittedly does suck to have to be away from friends/family to gain some of those experiences).

If they end up being the same price, I think it’s probably a wash. But I personally wouldn’t pay >100k more to go to a school that probably overall isn’t quite as good as Case, and if you’re going to I at least wouldn’t base it on things like safety that are a wash.

 

[hellohelloooeh]

Hi, also deciding between Case and a school closer to home right now! I think the biggest thing for me is the lack of a support system in Cleveland. Med school is obviously going to have all sorts of challenges and it means a lot to me to not be an 8 hour drive/2 hour flight away from my family/SO. Also my best friend graduated from CWRU’s undergrad 2 years ago and I remember her always talking about car jackings and I’m also a very tiny female who is planning on living alone. Would love to PM if you’re comfortable since it seems like we’re on very similar boats lol.

 

[C@rol]

Hi, also deciding between Case and a school closer to home right now! I think the biggest thing for me is the lack of a support system in Cleveland. Med school is obviously going to have all sorts of challenges and it means a lot to me to not be an 8 hour drive/2 hour flight away from my family/SO. Also my best friend graduated from CWRU’s undergrad 2 years ago and I remember her always talking about car jackings and I’m also a very tiny female who is planning on living alone. Would love to PM if you’re comfortable since it seems like we’re on very similar boats lol.

Sorry I didn’t see this until now! Yes, feel free to pm me!