UCLA vs IUSM (decide by Wed)

[albinotaco18]

I've already made this post but got off the waitlist at UCLA so I have some more specifics. I am interested in ENT or IR, and am interested in matching to a comp speciality.


IU Indianapolis Campus
Pros:
Cost: Awarded merit scholarship. COA will be 150-175k for all four years
Close to home, support network is nearby
Good match list for general surgery and ortho, but not entirely sure how this will translate to ENT and IR. They also dont show their match list which is a little suspicious


Cons:
AOA and graded clerkships so will have to grind
Less prestige compared to other options and want to do comp specialty
I get the feeling that students' research is limited despite the school being a good research institution, although I believe some summer time is allotted to it
The admin seems unresponsive at times/distant, and I am not sure if this will translate to my time as a med student.
Not sure how well-regarded IU is as a med school

DGSOM
Pros:
Very diverse hospitals compared to other schools to rotate within for clerkships
Lots of free time within the curriculum to do research, volunteering, etc. which I think is great. Gives me the time to take advantage of all the great resources at DGSOM
Get to watch LeBron's final year in the NBA in person (yes this matters)
Good match list and STEP scores
Location is great, and I have some family in the nearby area
P/F Clinical

Cons:
Worst cost out of all three, about 400k for all four years. Already asked if they could match aid and they could not
High COL, not sure if I will actually be able to enjoy the location as much as I want as I'll feel held back by loans

TLDR:
Really, the only thing holding me back from committing to UCLA at this point is the cost. I don’t know if this is undergrad all over again though and minimizing cost is the most important thing because 250K is a lot of money. Feel like I'm driving myself crazy since either I go to UCLA and I'm buried in debt, or I go to IU and I'm buried in work trying to match into a comp specialty at a comp residency. Would love to hear some insights from the community and anybody with experience with both schools. Also, a side question, how well regarded is IU for residency programs, and will it close any doors for me?

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[penguins345]

It depends how much debt you want to go in tbh. I would choose IU because of the cost difference but it's up to you

 

[DoneDone3451]

IU because of cost as mentioned. 250k is a lot of money and IU has a lot of resources.

 

[xUnrevealed]

how well regarded is IU for residency programs, and will it close any doors for me?

I don't think it'd close doors. IU is considered elite by a lot of schools, especially those in the Midwest because of how sprawling the clinical system is. Basic research-wise, not the most notable, but clinic-wise, pretty up-there I feel. IUSM was my first interview and when I mentioned it to someone (who was outside of the midwest), they mentioned this verbatim.

One thing to note tho, is IU's lottery system. I believe that IU-Indianapolis is the place you'd want to go, but I'd try to confirm whether that's a guarantee or if it's too popular. Mentioning because I believe the lottery system for which campus you go to is for four years

 

[albinotaco18]

I don't think it'd close doors. IU is considered elite by a lot of schools, especially those in the Midwest because of how sprawling the clinical system is. Basic research-wise, not the most notable, but clinic-wise, pretty up-there I feel. IUSM was my first interview and when I mentioned it to someone (who was outside of the midwest), they mentioned this verbatim.

One thing to note tho, is IU's lottery system. I believe that IU-Indianapolis is the place you'd want to go, but I'd try to confirm whether that's a guarantee or if it's too popular. Mentioning because I believe the lottery system for which campus you go to is for four years

Fortunately, I was placed at the Indy campus thanks to my scholarship. Thanks so much for the info, I didn't know it was considered elite by people outside the Midwest.

 

[xUnrevealed]

Fortunately, I was placed at the Indy campus thanks to my scholarship. Thanks so much for the info, I didn't know it was considered elite by people outside the Midwest.

Np. Maybe to clarify here - people definitely perceive UCLA as more elite, but people don't slouch on IUSM (at least I wouldn't). Definitely in the realm of like, schools outside of the T20/30 that have a lot of good clinical work, like CU, UF, and Maryland

 

[chilly_md]

You can watch the Lakers when they play the Pacers. If you really want to see a few more games, the cost difference is so big you can go on a 3 day weekend or winter break to LA. Maybe get yourself better seats than whatever you could get while paying UCLA 400k.

 

[albinotaco18]

Np. Maybe to clarify here - people definitely perceive UCLA as more elite, but people don't slouch on IUSM (at least I wouldn't). Definitely in the realm of like, schools outside of the T20/30 that have a lot of good clinical work, like CU, UF, and Maryland

Yeah, this is the kind of impression I got as well, and I think the opportunities seem plenty for most specialities. I don't have too many concerns about matching if I put in the work, but matching where I want or even matching out of Indiana does seem a little scary given how much it seems like prestige of med school matters for residency. My main concern is that I know IUSM won't turn heads like other schools will for residency directors, but will it lock me out of or force me to take research years to go where I want to go for my training?

 

[Yhwach]

IU only because of cost.

 

[medschoolfailure12]

What did you decide?

 

[albinotaco18]

What did you decide?

IU! I did the loan math and it was a bit rough😭

 

[medschoolfailure12]

Congrats! I’m hoping to get off the waitlist at IU my other options are WAY more expensive lol