UChicago vs SKMC

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Millz102

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Background

I am a nontraditional student matriculating into medical school at age 32. I have worked as an EM PA for the last 4 years. My fiancée is a fourth year neurology resident currently looking for attending jobs. I am trying to decide between Pritzker and Thomas Jefferson.

My ultimate goal: IM residency--> GI fellowship, all post medical training ideally in Pennsylvania while minimizing debt as able.

Jefferson Pros

- Close to fiancée's and my family, she wants to have kids during med school but can wait until fourth year/intern year
- Slightly cheaper cost of living and rent compared to Chicago
- Access to DC, MD, Baltimore and NYC
- Great food options
- Warmer winters compared to Chicago
- Collaborative, chill student environment
- JEFF Hope and Diversity Council
- access to Jeff Alumni network
- Good reputation in Philly which is where I want to match IM
- Time off before and after exams
- 1 week off prior to exams
- Favorite interview day due to positivity of students

Jefferson Cons

- Roughly 300 persons per class
- Internal ranking. Class is ranked in thirds
- Lower likelihood of getting financial aid that is not loan-based
- Mandatory class 7-10 hours weekly
- Clerkships, will need a car and it is expensive to park in city
- research more difficult to find compared to UChicago
- Less diverse student population compared to UChicago
- Total COA 95K
- 76% receive some form of aid
- Average grad indebtedness 222K


UChicago Pros

- **Generous scholarship program. School received an endowment that gives full COA to around 60% of attendees**
- Strong health equity, community health and social justice focus built within curriculum
- Research essentially handed to you
- Advocacy focused, Education on op-ed writing built in curriculum
- Smaller class size (90) students
- T20, potentially opens research doors for my fellowship goals
- Great food options
- Last opportunity to live somewhere not on East Coast, new city
- More prestige, access to UChicago Alumni network for life
- Pass/fail
- more diverse cohort of students
- most free clinics in the nations
- E harmony letter: mentorship matching

UChicago Cons

- Colder climate
- Fiancée will be physically away from family, friends for four years, she is very family-oriented but willing to sacrifice
- Total COA 90K
- Safety concerns: south side of Chicago


**asterisk indicates a tilt factor**
 
If you are in the 60% who would be given full COA, Chicago would be the easy choice. What is the likelihood?
 
Chicago. As much as it'll suck to be away from family, you'll atleast have each other and the support/benefits you'll get at Chicago will make your life much easier in the long run.
 
There are research opportunities at TJ and the other peer schools in Philadelphia, so I do not understand...

Sure, maybe staying around Philadelphia will be in your long-term interests, so I don't think staying at Jefferson is that much of a disadvantage. I would wait until the financial aid packages come in. I don't know how they would calculate your fiancee's contribution. Or how much you have budgeted for a matrimonial ceremony.
 
What are your career goals? Are you trying to go into academic medicine, private practice, etc? If being an academic big-shot doesn't really matter to you, I don't see why you shouldn't go to SKMC. SDN will always argue for prestige because that is kind of their thing-- but prestige does not always equal happiness. SKMC isn't a Carribean school, and it is in a location that seems better for you.

I think this is a tougher decision then these people are letting on. Think carefully about your career and life goals, and don't let prestige alone be the dictating factor. Best of luck in your decision making.
 
There's essentially no safety problems near UChicago, it's really segregated from the local residents of South Side. Same as any University in a city (Columbia, USC, etc)
 
I’d do chicago if you get the scholarship. Saving several hundred thousand dollars will put you in a much better position overall. If you don’t get the scholarship, your pros for Jefferson seem stronger.
 
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