Tulane MD/MPH vs. Loyola SSOM MD

[ilovesushi05]

Still struggling to decide between the two..

I'm super attracted to the 4-year MD/MPH at Tulane, the culinary medicine program, and the tons of student-run clinics. I'm a city person and love New Orleans and the culture there, but at the same time, I also really loved the city of Chicago (albeit, at Tulane, I'd be truly living in the city, whereas at Loyola, I would be outside of the city). The atmosphere and people at Loyola felt very warm, but at the same time, I think it's hard to get a feel for the people of the school just from the small amount of people you happen meet on interview day. I also like how Loyola's mission is to form really compassionate doctors, and I wonder whether I would have the same great clinical training at Tulane. I'll also be moving from Los Angeles, so I feel like Chicago would be an easier transition city-wise. If I went to Tulane, I would be doing the 4-year MD/MPH, but if I went to Chicago, then I would just do the MD (since the MD/MPH is a 5-year program). Tulane is a top school for public health, but for MD, I'm not really sure how the two stack up against each other??

Future goals: I plan on continuing research in med-school, I aim to have a very holistic view on health, and I am also really passionate about working with underserved populations.

I'm so torn. Please help!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[puahate]

Cost?

 

[ilovesushi05]

SSOM: ~86K
Tulane: ~90K

Not too big of a difference, which is still making the decision tough! :/

 

[catnip12]

This one is really difficult and I sympathise with you for being in the position that you are in.
My decision would be Tulane. Reason being that you’ll get your MPH within the same time period. Also, I’m sure you can be a compassionate doctor regardless of where you trained in the world. That’s more of an inner motivation so I’ve also weighed it’s importance in this particular instance lower.

Both New Orleans and Chicago will provide you with opportunities to be out in the community whether for entertainment purposes or as a part of a student run clinic.

My analysis is ultimately coming down to “what would [you] miss if you went to one vs the other?” and it seems to me that Tulane is the better choice.

I hope that helps.

 

[ilovesushi05]

This one is really difficult and I sympathise with you for being in the position that you are in.
My decision would be Tulane. Reason being that you’ll get your MPH within the same time period. Also, I’m sure you can be a compassionate doctor regardless of where you trained in the world. That’s more of an inner motivation so I’ve also weighed it’s importance in this particular instance lower.

Both New Orleans and Chicago will provide you with opportunities to be out in the community whether for entertainment purposes or as a part of a student run clinic.

My analysis is ultimately coming down to “what would [you] miss if you went to one vs the other?” and it seems to me that Tulane is the better choice.

I hope that helps.

Those are all really good points! I've been leaning more towards Tulane because I think the school itself offers more programs that match what I want to do (e.g. culinary medicine, student clinics with underserved populations, public health, etc.)... so I'll definitely keep your final question in mind when making my decision tomorrow. Thanks so much!

 

[catnip12]

You’re very welcome 🙂
Good luck tomorrow (today?).