Tulane Vs. USF Morsani (WL)

[unfazediwnl]

Tulane University School of Medicine


Pros:

• Pass/Fail Preclinical Curriculum: makes my life easier so that i can focus on 3rd party and have more time for research, ecs, etc
• Supportive Faculty: got the best vibes from faculty and students, they seem very happy
• Impressive Match List: 25 matches in competitive specialties out of 190 students, yielding a competitive match rate of approximately 13.16%.

Cons:

• Location: New Orleans seems super fun, but i think Tampa is probably a little nicer and perhaps a bit safer.
• Rank: considered a lower ranked school than USF
• Higher Cost of Attendance: The cost of attendance (COA) at Tulane is relatively high, $107,212 per year

USF Morsani College of Medicine

Pros:

• Desirable Location: Tampa is gorgeous, im a cali resident so it would be really nice to live by the beach again
• Higher Ranking: Considered a t40ish school, lots of research opps, not sure if this really means anything anymore
• Lower COA: $87,884

Cons:

• Graded Preclinical Curriculum: heard from students graded preclinical is brutal
• Administrative Concerns: honestly was kinda scared away from the school from the info session, admin was kinda blunt and didnt seem very supportive, and heard similar concerns from current students
• Match List: only matches 10% to competitive specialties, for a 519 median this is astounding

I'm interested in a competitive specialty (derm), and debating between these two schools. Currently on WL for USF, but I have been told USF loves their high MCATs (got a 524) and is very receptive to wled applicants who send letters of intent. Leaning heavily towards tulane rn since I feel like I will be able to be a big fish in a smaller pond there, and graded preclinical seems like a pain. but please let me know your thoughts.

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[harmonious_gazelle]

Another factor for USF that could be a con -- they have mandatory attendance at lectures. Not sure if Tulane has that or not. Congrats on your acceptance!!

 

[unfazediwnl]

Another factor for USF that could be a con -- they have mandatory attendance at lectures. Not sure if Tulane has that or not. Congrats on your acceptance!!

all classes are mandatory? shoot yeah thats def a con. thank you!!

 

[ophthoaspirant]

Graded preclinical at any medical school is brutal, will make the competition unhealthy. USNWR has been revamped, only have Tiers now. USF is Tier 2. Tulane didn't share enough data with US News to get a Tier but I suspect it would have also been a Tier 2 had it submitted data.

 

[Mr. Macrophage]

I would 100% go Tulane.

1. Equally strong if not stronger match list
2. Louisiana politics aren’t good but Florida is worse at the moment
3. P/F preclinical is a life changer and allows you to spend more time on research to match Derm
4. USF has a much more toxic admin IMO
5. USF is 2 year preclinical. Tulane is 1.5

I think those 5 points are worth the $80,000 difference!

 

[LillBit]

uc riverside

 

[ophthoaspirant]

I would 100% go Tulane.

1. Equally strong if not stronger match list
2. Louisiana politics aren’t good but Florida is worse at the moment
3. P/F preclinical is a life changer and allows you to spend more time on research to match Derm
4. USF has a much more toxic admin IMO
5. USF is 2 year preclinical. Tulane is 1.5

I think those 5 points are worth the $80,000 difference!

I don’t agree with your comment to stay away from USF because it is a Florida school. Irrespective of the party in power, Florida has seen one of the fastest, if not the fastest, population growth, which augurs well for the overall healthcare industry and the practice of medicine.

 

[Mr. Macrophage]

I don’t agree with your comment to stay away from USF because it is a Florida school. Irrespective of the party in power, Florida has seen one of the fastest, if not the fastest, population growth, which augurs well for the overall healthcare industry and the practice of medicine.

My main concern with Florida is more bills like this: Newly Proposed Florida Bill Restricts DEI in Medical Education - NewsBreak

 

[ophthoaspirant]

My main concern with Florida is more bills like this: Newly Proposed Florida Bill Restricts DEI in Medical Education - NewsBreak

This is a very divisive topic. There are people who support DEI and those that oppose it and both groups have valid reasons. Unless you believe that this topic is going to have a material effect on your career, I wouldn't select or eliminate states based on their stance on DEI.

 

[elephant_]

COA is sooo important I feel like you would be super happy in Tampa and should try to minimize your debt. congrats!

 

[hydroflaskhomie]

This is tough! How many derm matches for each school in the last 2 years? Both have derm home programs?

I think it's a P/F vs COA/livability question here. P/F will make your life easier but COA diff of ~20k is significant to me and I agree with your assessment that Tampa would be a nicer place to live.

 

[ophthoaspirant]

This is tough! How many derm matches for each school in the last 2 years? Both have derm home programs?

I think it's a P/F vs COA/livability question here. P/F will make your life easier but COA diff of ~20k is significant to me and I agree with your assessment that Tampa would be a nicer place to live.

If pre-clinical grading/ranking hurts you, matching derm will be a lot harder.

 

[hydroflaskhomie]

If pre-clinical grading/ranking hurts you, matching derm will be a lot harder.

Valid point, but I think having to focus on grading/ranking takes away from time you can get a headstart on research/shadowing/making connections!