UCDSOM vs OHSU

[aorticorbit]

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hi all, hoping to get some insight on which of these two schools I should pick. for context, I believe I would only be able to take out 162K in federal loans due to my MPH I got before this.

UC Davis SOM

PROS:
- huge emphasis on diversity in both campus and community
- more opportunity for community health promotion work and work with underserved communities (STRONG area of interest for me)
- opportunity for involvement in public health intervention and policy across city and state of CA (since its in the capitol!)
- in-state tuition and would get to stay in california
- love the area and the campus
- staff and students seem extremely close, friendly, and happy on campus
- away rotations would be easier to manage since more medical schools in CA?
- no ranking + would like to stay in CA for residency so easier to match in state

CONS
- COA is 87K and would have to take out private loans. I could only take around 40K a year in grad loans
- scholarship opportunities, but won't know until after the April 30th deadline so would be taking a risk on if I could get any. i have an interview opportunity for TEACH-MS but its on 4/30 so i have to decide before that lol
- P/F for only 3 years, 4th year is F/P/H


OHSU
PROS:
- starting early this year, so opportunity to be grandfathered in for unlimited grad loans for the next 3 years, and would only have to take out private loans in the last year
- closer to my mom 🙂
- good opportunity for research
- true P/F x4 years and no ranking
- gave me a 10K scholarship

CONS:
- higher upfront COA (127K since out of state, but could switch to in state after 1 year)
- really not diverse. majority white city and area
- fewer initiatives for community health promotion
- don't love portland or the weather, and i didn't like the campus as much
- the vibes of the students seemed off to me. idk if i just got a bad campus tour guide but it felt like every pro had a con (ex: oh this is the medical student lounge, buttt its usually full because we have to share it with the dental and nursing students). it felt like the students are more stressed and less supported than at UC davis


honestly if it weren't for the loan changes I would have picked Davis in a heartbeat. but i feel a little stupid picking a school that would cost so much more just because i think i might be a little happier for 4 years of my life. I admit a lot of the cons of OHSU to me are not flat out dealbreakers, i'm flexible and will manage fine even if I don't love the area or the weather. but would I be stupid for picking a more expensive school if I think it provides more opportunity for happiness?

 

[Basalganglia4life]

UCD is the better school, but finances are important. What’s more important to you? Prestige or minimizing student loans?

 

[aorticorbit]

UCD is the better school, but finances are important. What’s more important to you? Prestige or minimizing student loans?

I guess I'm not super worried about prestige but more so the type of opportunity UC Davis provides for public health and policy work, as well as their emphasis on diversity, which OHSU seems to lack. I felt the vibe on UCD's campus was leaps and bounds better too. I just can't figure out if this is actually important or if I'd just be putting myself into more debt for something that is ultimately silly to prioritize

 

[Isagi]

Did Davis not give you any need or merit based aid? I was also recently accepted and am awaiting a decision to make my final choice between Davis and U of A that gave me full tuition support. BTW I also have TEACH-MS interview this next week LOL

 

[riv_jordan]

I'm not very familiar with how qualifying for in-state works, but have you talked to current students who've done this. I know some states make the process quite strenuous. If you do end up qualifying for in-state tuition at OHSU aid, what would the total price difference across 4-years be between OHSU and UCD?
If OHSU really does become significantly cheaper and would allow you to take out fewer/no private loans, then I think that's the way to go. As you said, most of your cons for OHSU don't seem to be dealbreakers, and while I won't to downplay the importance of quality of life factors, it's also important not to downplay just how much a large loan burden can reduce quality of life.