UCincinnati vs. Tufts

[Tigriski]

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I am not sure which factors should hold the most weight here since both schools are fairly equal. I enjoyed both my interview days and felt faculty were very competent and worked hard for their students. Students also seemed happy at both places and non-competitive between students. Both are P/F for the first two years, recorded lectures, no mand. class. no ranking. Ranking very similar are USnews stuff (primary care and research wise). both offer student tutor and step aids, class sizes are pretty much the same

Cincinnati

Pros:

• In-state tuition, average debt is around 180K
• high step average-242
• close to family and significant other- both about an hour away from the school
• Decent match list, in-terms of specialty, most people match in the midwest
• Reputation??? I'm not really sure.
• Associated with #2 Peds hospital in the nation, however I have no interest in Peds but i understand this means there are decent research opportunities close by
• As a life-long OH resident Cincinnati is definitely the "coolest" city in Ohio and i can see myself being happy there
• along with this, I did live in NYC for a summer research program and I loved that atmosphere but found it tempting. Cincy is the right amount of city. Something to do but I would never feel like I was missing out on anything.

Cons:

• I'm a life-long Ohio resident, which has been great, but I'd like to get tf out one day. they dont match very many people to coast schools. I'm sure this has to do with desires of students in the program. Most students seemed family oriented (a student i talked with said over 50% in the class are married, may just be a freak thing but wow), stay close, and Ohio is a great state to be a doctor, I just don't see myself staying forever.
• Cincinnati seemed isolated (after visiting Tufts this seems even more apparent, not sure the weight of this point but it definitely is one)
• I hate my car and I'd for sure need one

Tufts

Pros:

• I LOVE BOSTON, wow so charming it should be a crime
• 
  
• 21 teaching hospitals
• (Con?) I cant go into detail about the curriculum, but I would be in the class that is the first for the new curriculum, I was weary about this, but on interview day they really went into depth on it and my mind was eased about it and actually became excited about it. core threads, lots of PBL, flipped classroom etc. I love teaching and was a tutor so this would work well for me. this is different than cincy
  
• (Con?) STEP 1 avg is okay tho--235, not cincy-good, but I get STEP is largely on your own efforts. But I also know when schools change curriculum their board scores also take a dip.......
  
• I like that they have a research tract for the MDs that want to choose more competitive specialties that require lots of research.
  
• Match list looked really good, lots of people went into competitive specialties and matched along the east and west coast. No midwest or southern matches.
• get the added diversity of a major city.

Cons:

• BOI THE PRICE: avg debt is 220k
  
• reputation?
• the city may be a distraction? not sure
• away from family and S.O. (im fine with long distance and so is he)

really, i just dont know how to decide if tufts is worth the money. Cincy is in my home state, it's comfortable. It's like the tried and true for me but i see myself on the coast in my future and im sure thats possible if I went to Cincy but much more likely if i went to Tufts. I like Tufts just as much. I was really in love with Cincy on my interview day but there is also nothing like your first interview to get you excited about medical school, so i think my emotions about it are much more complex.

 

[puahate]

Tufts is the higher ranked school but it is more a high mid-tier compared to cincy being a middling mid tier. I would not place ranking heavily on your choice here.

I think the logical choice for you is Cincy but if I were in your shoes I would pick Tufts. Why?

1) I dont like driving either and perfer living in a dense city
2) I am single and I do not want to be surrounded by married people. I would not like this at all.
3) Boston seems like a great city to live in.

 

[Tigriski]

I think the logical choice for you is Cincy but if I were in your shoes I would pick Tufts.

lol this is exactly where my mind is, I know Cincy is logical but I want Tufts as a person that really thinks about things in terms of utility it feels irresponsible to choose against the tried and true... but ya only live once!

Thanks for your input!

 

[FamousLinen]

I'm looking at Cinci vs a NY school.

Cinci has my brain. Amazing Step scores, closer to home/family/gf, brand new facilities, you know it all too.

But man, I'm ready to live life and be happy. My step score may be a bit lower, my travel times to see family longer, and a ton of other stuff. More debt by a small amount as well. But I'll be happier. I think Tufts would make you happier, and although it's not the logical decision it's the one I'd choose. You only have one life. This is the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter in yours.

 

[Tigriski]

I'm looking at Cinci vs a NY school.

Cinci has my brain. Amazing Step scores, closer to home/family/gf, brand new facilities, you know it all too.

But man, I'm ready to live life and be happy. My step score may be a bit lower, my travel times to see family longer, and a ton of other stuff. More debt by a small amount as well. But I'll be happier. I think Tufts would make you happier, and although it's not the logical decision it's the one I'd choose. You only have one life. This is the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter in yours.

This is such a thoughtful response! I feel the same way. I did a research internship in NYC and loved living in the city. I am ready for that to be my life. I am looking to move to the coast after medical school (hopefully as a resident and onward) and no matter how well you do on Step connections and networking is key. I have friends that have interviewed at top 5 schools and they mentioned meeting 4th years that are matching highly competitive specialties with low step scores--shows the power of "name brand" schools and connections. I figure these are the large chunk of students we'll be competing for residency spots where we want to be. So being in the area and making connections seems like the right move... Cincy definitely opens doors but there is nothing like being in the place you want to be, all things considered.

 

[Quantal Reasoning]

Tufts

 

[FamousLinen]

This is such a thoughtful response! I feel the same way. I did a research internship in NYC and loved living in the city. I am ready for that to be my life. I am looking to move to the coast after medical school (hopefully as a resident and onward) and no matter how well you do on Step connections and networking is key. I have friends that have interviewed at top 5 schools and they mentioned meeting 4th years that are matching highly competitive specialties with low step scores--shows the power of "name brand" schools and connections. I figure these are the large chunk of students we'll be competing for residency spots where we want to be. So being in the area and making connections seems like the right move... Cincy definitely opens doors but there is nothing like being in the place you want to be, all things considered.

All very true. Also Tufts would be much easier to match to the coast. Cinci matches a ton to the Midwest and Tufts more so to the east coast. Also, consider traveling for residency interviews. Would be much much easier going from Boston to NYC, Philly, or staying in Boston. Vs having to go from Cincinnati to everywhere.

Let us know what you chiose!

 

[lalalallala]

I think it depends on the 1. price, 2. how much you really value having a change of scenery, and 3. how close you are with the fam and significant other. I personally would want to be near my SO for 4 years but that's just me. I get the wanting a change of scenery but is that worth hundreds of thousands - you are going to be pretty busy anyways? You list the average indebtedness but I think you should focus more on what your personal indebtedness would be. Assume they don't give you need based aid - what would you be in debt for after graduation at Cinci vs Tufts? If that number is okay (less than 50k?) then I'd say do what you want (which seems to be Tufts) so long as you realize that the novelty of a new city may wear off and the reality of being away from your loved ones may not be great.

I also had the choice between my state school and Tufts. I loved the feel of Tufts and where it is in Boston but for me I am not going to pick that COA (300-400k including living?) over my state school where I would graduate with less than 100k in debt. To me that price is way too steep.

 

[Tigriski]

I think it depends on the 1. price, 2. how much you really value having a change of scenery, and 3. how close you are with the fam and significant other. I personally would want to be near my SO for 4 years but that's just me. I get the wanting a change of scenery but is that worth hundreds of thousands - you are going to be pretty busy anyways? You list the average indebtedness but I think you should focus more on what your personal indebtedness would be. Assume they don't give you need based aid - what would you be in debt for after graduation at Cinci vs Tufts? If that number is okay (less than 50k?) then I'd say do what you want (which seems to be Tufts) so long as you realize that the novelty of a new city may wear off and the reality of being away from your loved ones may not be great.

I also had the choice between my state school and Tufts. I loved the feel of Tufts and where it is in Boston but for me I am not going to pick that COA (300-400k including living?) over my state school where I would graduate with less than 100k in debt. To me that price is way too steep.

I decided a while ago this would be a financial decision. i dont know what state school would ever allow you to graduate with only 100k in debt without any type of aid. THAT DOESNT EXIST. Cincy's first and last years are 53k. the second and third are 72k. thats roughly 250k without interest. I got my aid package this morning and i didnt get anything. no inst. loans, scholarships, or grants. I have to take all unsub and grad plus loans. So i will def be choosing based on money. so if tufts gives me anything it may be comparable or better.

as for cincy, i dont know how youd qualify for need based anything. my mom is a single parent, makes 60k/yr and contributes to a healthcare savings account (that she almost uses instantly because she has poor health; we have a 4k deductible) her 401k and has a mortgage plus all other bills that are normally spread across two people. Based on their institutional method (which doesnt take any of these expenses into account), she supposedly has the ability to give me 9500 a year.... thats 800 a month. after living at home through undergad I know for a fact that would be impossible. after opening my first aid package im angry and scared.

 

[lalalallala]

I decided a while ago this would be a financial decision. i dont know what state school would ever allow you to graduate with only 100k in debt without any type of aid. THAT DOESNT EXIST. Cincy's first and last years are 53k. the second and third are 72k. thats roughly 250k without interest. I got my aid package this morning and i didnt get anything. no inst. loans, scholarships, or grants. I have to take all unsub and grad plus loans. So i will def be choosing based on money. so if tufts gives me anything it may be comparable or better.

as for cincy, i dont know how youd qualify for need based anything. my mom is a single parent, makes 60k/yr and contributes to a healthcare savings account (that she almost uses instantly because she has poor health; we have a 4k deductible) her 401k and has a mortgage plus all other bills that are normally spread across two people. Based on their institutional method (which doesnt take any of these expenses into account), she supposedly has the ability to give me 9500 a year.... thats 800 a month. after living at home through undergad I know for a fact that would be impossible. after opening my first aid package im angry and scared.

I was sharing my personal situation with my state school vs Tufts to let you know where my opinion was coming from. I wasn’t saying that Cinci is less than 100k. If I go to my state school then I will have a place to live rent free so that is partially why it won’t cost me too much. I understand your frustration with the need based aid. I know that I won’t be getting need based aid either and it is frustrating for sure that the system is set up this way (high costs little help).

 

[Arsartium]

I decided a while ago this would be a financial decision. i dont know what state school would ever allow you to graduate with only 100k in debt without any type of aid. THAT DOESNT EXIST. Cincy's first and last years are 53k. the second and third are 72k. thats roughly 250k without interest. I got my aid package this morning and i didnt get anything. no inst. loans, scholarships, or grants. I have to take all unsub and grad plus loans. So i will def be choosing based on money. so if tufts gives me anything it may be comparable or better.

as for cincy, i dont know how youd qualify for need based anything. my mom is a single parent, makes 60k/yr and contributes to a healthcare savings account (that she almost uses instantly because she has poor health; we have a 4k deductible) her 401k and has a mortgage plus all other bills that are normally spread across two people. Based on their institutional method (which doesnt take any of these expenses into account), she supposedly has the ability to give me 9500 a year.... thats 800 a month. after living at home through undergad I know for a fact that would be impossible. after opening my first aid package im angry and scared.

If it's gonna come down to finances, Cincy doesn't give more than $4-6k/year for need-based scholarships. Tufts, on the other hand, gives need-based scholarships up to the cost of tuition. Tufts would need to give you a >=$40K/yr scholarship to even compete though.

 

[Tigriski]

If it's gonna come down to finances, Cincy doesn't give more than $4-6k/year for need-based scholarships. Tufts, on the other hand, gives need-based scholarships up to the cost of tuition. Tufts would need to give you a >=$40K/yr scholarship to even compete though.

not sure what's gonna happen. but I was really satisfied with both places so if Tufts aid doesn't compete then oh well!

 

[Tigriski]

All very true. Also Tufts would be much easier to match to the coast. Cinci matches a ton to the Midwest and Tufts more so to the east coast. Also, consider traveling for residency interviews. Would be much much easier going from Boston to NYC, Philly, or staying in Boston. Vs having to go from Cincinnati to everywhere.

Let us know what you chiose!

So I'm 99.9% sure im going with Tufts. Their financial aid made choosing them a no-brainer (need-based aid only there) plus I feel like im ready to "start" my life and have the experience, not just an education.

 

[demapples]

Tufts seems like a more exciting opportunity.

 

[FamousLinen]

So I'm 99.9% sure im going with Tufts. Their financial aid made choosing them a no-brainer (need-based aid only there) plus I feel like im ready to "start" my life and have the experience, not just an education.

Congrats!! I think you made the right choice