Tulane vs Temple vs Colorado

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mayawolf

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I have recently been accepted to these three schools, and am wondering if anyone has any insight regarding the education, city life, or general student atmosphere at any of them. During my visit at these schools I found each city charming in its own way. I would truly love to attend any of them. To me it seems that the quality of education is similar but I am really basing that off of internet searches. Are there any qualities that set these schools apart, or are there things to consider a pre-med student wouldnt think to look up? ANY insight would be tremendously appreciated.

Also I am a colorado resident so the tuition at CUSOM would be considerably less.

Thank you in advance
 
Colorado for sure!
-cost
-gorgeous medical school and location
-very good medical school for research and clinical
-support system of family (presumably)
-weed is legal
 
Just because of the instate tuition? Or are there other metrics you're considering?
 
mayawolf said:
Just because of the instate tuition? Or are there other metrics you're considering?
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They're all fine schools, but colorado is a tier above from an academic perspective.
 
So tuition aside, Colorado has a better reputation? So much so that it will provide me with opportunities the others wouldn't?
 
It's not even close.. Colorado.

But feel free to leave your spot to me!


Sent from my iPhone
 
Lol why is it not even close..how does everyone know this?
 
Well it really depends on your interests. For example, if you think you might like Peds, Colorado is home of a top ten program. They are all great schools academically. Ultimately I think you are severely under emphasizing the cost of tuition. Unless you are interested in a specific program that Tulane or temple offers, Colorado is the obvious choice. You will likely save 100 thousand dollars by staying in CO.


Sent from my iPhone
 
I'm applying for the hsps scholarship so tuition may not play much of a role. I'm more curious as to what metrics make Colorado the obvious choice
 
mayawolf said:
I'm applying for the hsps scholarship so tuition may not play much of a role. I'm more curious as to what metrics make Colorado the obvious choice
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Well if that's the case then I suggest you do some research and determine which school has strong programs in areas of interest. What areas of medicine are you interested in?


Sent from my iPhone
 
Honestly I have no idea what I want to specialize in. I'm really entering school ready to explore everything with an open mind. So how does one go about measuring a school with so much uncertainty
 
mayawolf said:
Honestly I have no idea what I want to specialize in. I'm really entering school ready to explore everything with an open mind. So how does one go about measuring a school with so much uncertainty
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Well then it's nearly impossible to say that one school is clearly better than the rest. All three have strengths and weaknesses in different areas. All will provide opportunities to be exposed to all specialties and all have research opportunities. Honestly, it sounds to me like this will come down to where you want to live.
 
Is Colorado really a higher tier than the other two?
 
No not really. Just look at the MSAR, they are pretty similar in states. I think Tulane actually has the highest MCAT average of the three, not sure about GPA off the top of my head. When I said that Colorado was the obvious choice, I was basing it on the fact that tuition will be considerably cheeper since you're in state. If that is not the case for you, then it's a toss up.
 
CU > Tulane > Temple academically
CU > Tulane > Temple weather wise
Tulane > CU = Temple for social scene/going out
 
This is a decision that nobody can make for you, and you have to weigh all of the factors personally. Who cares how they rank 'tier-wise,' think about where you would be happiest. A happy med student would probably be able to do better in classes and Step 1 and thus be more 'academically qualified' as an applicant for residency positions. Which gave you the best vibes on interview day?
 
I understand that but honestly there were no bad vibes at any of them. I truly enjoyed all my interviews. That's mostly what this thread is for, to maybe bring to light something that could separate them. it seems academically they are too close to choose between. So it basically comes down to where I want to be for four years
 
mayawolf said:
I understand that but honestly there were no bad vibes at any of them. I truly enjoyed all my interviews. That's mostly what this thread is for, to maybe bring to light something that could separate them. it seems academically they are too close to choose between. So it basically comes down to where I want to be for four years
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Location is definitely a legitimate reason to decide on one school or another
 
Also, what about financial aid considerations? I know Tulane is expensive, I am not sure about Temple, CU is for OOS.
 
I can't claim to know much about any of the specifics of these schools, but unless you're desperately trying to leave the CO area, I don't see why you would turn down CU. CU is arguably the best school of the three, and regardless of what you do with scholarships, having a lower tuition cost will only be beneficial.
 
First off, congrats on having to make this decision. All three are great schools and you aren't going to go wrong no matter what you chose.

From what you said I think the decision would come down to CU vs Tulane, especially if tuition cost isn't a factor. Academically you aren't going to find any clear cut differences between them. Cu may have a slight edge? But I don't know how its possible to determine that because I know that both have above natl average step 1 scores. Both have big hospitals with crazy diverse patient populations - Tulane probably gets the edge there.

If its going to be splitting hairs to pick between these three, just ask yourself where you really felt best on interview day. Someone above asked "what place gave you the best vibes?" Thats really important. Also, where you want to live for 4 years? As far as I know CU is in Auora? I don't know how far out that is from Denver but I know Tulane is in downtown NOLA. I would personally kill to live in NOLA for 4 years, its such an awesome city, but that's me.

Good luck!
 
I'm totally biased but having interviewed at two of the three I will say Colorado by a landslide. Although Tulane did have great food...
 
claduva94 said:
I'm totally biased but having interviewed at two of the three I will say Colorado by a landslide. Although Tulane did have great food...
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Unless mayawolf wants to give me her spot 😉 .... Lol jk! It truly is a wonderful dillema to have! I have/will interview at those two as well!
 
I'm from, and love, NOLA, and would love to have gotten into Tulane. It was realistically my top choice along with my current school. That said, as a CO resident, I think it would be silly to go to Tulane or Temple instead of your local school barring any compelling academic or cultural reason. You're looking at $20,000+ a year in savings which will add up to $100,000 - $120,000. It's not like CO is in an awful area or anything. It's not New Orleans, but.... it's Colorado. You could do a lot worse.
 
jonnythan said:
I'm from, and love, NOLA, and would love to have gotten into Tulane. It was realistically my top choice along with my current school. That said, as a CO resident, I think it would be silly to go to Tulane or Temple instead of your local school barring any compelling academic or cultural reason. You're looking at $20,000+ a year in savings which will add up to $100,000 - $120,000. It's not like CO is in an awful area or anything. It's not New Orleans, but.... it's Colorado. You could do a lot worse.
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+1 I always hear med students say "go where you are comfortable."
 
You are seeking validation that these schools are more or less the same. They are.

You also told us that the vibe was attractive to you at all three schools.

So go to the cheap one near family.


I chose Tulane over Colorado, but for me the costs were the same, the family was equally remote, and I found the vibe of New Orleans to be much much more attractive than that of the surrounding UColorado area. None of these apply to your situation.
 
So it seems like I will actually not be taking the Hpsp scholarship anymore. With Colorado being roughly 30k cheaper a year, is it madness to consider the other two school? I understand that my future income is specialty dependent but can anyone who is paying these types of loans off comment on whether the wanderlust of living somewhere new is worth the difference in tuition? I dont mean for this to sound naive. I'm trying to wrap my head around paying back these kinds of loans before I make a decision. I really enjoyed all three for different reasons and would look forward to living in Philly or New Orleans, but not at the cost of digging myself into a financial pit.
 
mayawolf said:
So it seems like I will actually not be taking the Hpsp scholarship anymore. With Colorado being roughly 30k cheaper a year, is it madness to consider the other two school? I understand that my future income is specialty dependent but can anyone who is paying these types of loans off comment on whether the wanderlust of living somewhere new is worth the difference in tuition? I dont mean for this to sound naive. I'm trying to wrap my head around paying back these kinds of loans before I make a decision. I really enjoyed all three for different reasons and would look forward to living in Philly or New Orleans, but not at the cost of digging myself into a financial pit.
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Sounds like you are looking for an excuse not to go to CU. If you are not totally sold by the school, then I support your decision to leave your spot to one of us that are dying to attend CU (myself included). I guess just try and pick the school that you will have the least regrets going to, you don't want to be sitting in class two years from now wishing you were somewhere else.
 
ski89 said:
Sounds like you are looking for an excuse not to go to CU. If you are not totally sold by the school, then I support your decision to leave your spot to one of us that are dying to attend CU (myself included). I guess just try and pick the school that you will have the least regrets going to, you don't want to be sitting in class two years from now wishing you were somewhere else.
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Yes I totally second this. Plus you haven't heard about financial aid yet


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I wouldnt say im looking for an excuse not to go. Im more asking is paying back the loans going to be so difficult that it isnt worth the adventure of a new city?
 
mayawolf said:
I wouldnt say im looking for an excuse not to go. Im more asking is paying back the loans going to be so difficult that it isnt worth the adventure of a new city?
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I think going where you would be happiest should be more of a focus than the money, but that is just my opinion. Also, I wonder what the cost difference would be when you factor in the cost of living in those places. When would you find out about type of financial aid you would get?
 
mayawolf said:
I wouldnt say im looking for an excuse not to go. Im more asking is paying back the loans going to be so difficult that it isnt worth the adventure of a new city?
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You will have time to have adventures after medical school. Medical school isn't for adventures. It is for focusing on medical school. Yes, at the end of the day you will be able to pay back the loans. But it will taker a lot longer to pay back that $120k+interest, which you could be using on something like travel if you went to CU.
 
mayawolf said:
I wouldnt say im looking for an excuse not to go. Im more asking is paying back the loans going to be so difficult that it isnt worth the adventure of a new city?
Click to expand...
You haven't convinced us that the wanderlust of a new city is that valuable to you. The people I suggest to go to expensive Tulane are the ones who 100% fell in love with the city, are disappointed with their other acceptances, and are trying to justify the additional cost. To them I say the cost is worth it, New Orleans is just as awesome for four solid years as it is for a long weekend of interviewing.

But in this thread you are coming off as equally excited (or equally "meh", really) about all three schools / cities. In that case, the big loans are not worth the slight increase in adventure for you.
 
Please do not take on an extra $120k+++++ in debt.
 
Hey guys thanks, I love that we're having a dialogue about this. Sazerac, I'm definitely not "meh" about any of these schools. I actually love them all for different reasons. I went to school in Boulder CO, so yeah the idea of getting out of Colorado is exciting. Do I feel that I HAVE to have it, no. Denver is absolutely fantastic. The more we go over it and I talk it through Colorado is where I want to go, and really the last thing I want to do is dig myself into a financial hole that I dont have to be in. For some reason I had this idea that it is quite easy for doctors to pay off their student loans. I really appreciate everyone's input, its a huge help to me when different perspectives are brought to the table.
 
Does you guys think any of these schools edges the others out as far as residencies to competitive specialties? Would going to Colorado limit me during the match?
 
mayawolf said:
Does you guys think any of these schools edges the others out as far as residencies to competitive specialties? Would going to Colorado limit me during the match?
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Colorado is a Top 40 Medical School. You will not be limited in the slightest
 
mayawolf said:
Does you guys think any of these schools edges the others out as far as residencies to competitive specialties? Would going to Colorado limit me during the match?
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Short answer: no. Long answer: heck no. Lol the'yre all very good schools!
 
Honestly I just reread this thread and it's getting old. Everyone has given the same unanimous advice, and all OP does is keep questioning CU's academic credibility.

Go wherever you want, but if I end up at CU or Tulane I don't wanna hear you complaining about your choice!
 
peyton91 said:
Honestly I just reread this thread and it's getting old. Everyone has given the same unanimous advice, and all OP does is keep questioning CU's academic credibility.

Go wherever you want, but if I end up at CU or Tulane I don't wanna hear you complaining about your choice!
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Same here lol, I interviewed at Colorado and Tulane. Both are EXCELLENT schools.


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