UCSF or Michigan

[APL0207]

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After narrowing acceptances, I am choosing between attending UMMS and UCSF, both OOS (although at UCSF it is only financially for the first year.)

Factors under consideration:
-Cost: Presume UMMS could be any of the following-- more expensive, equal expense, less expensive. Would cost make a big difference for most people?

-Location: Quality of Life differential isn't immediately evident--SF has the weather/outdoor activities, Michigan you get bang for your buck; Family/loved ones in mid-west (but not really close) is a + for Mich; SF has friends in the area and feels like a logical next step, although far away. I am concerned about finding housing in SF more than AA, but it arguably isn't a big enough concern to weigh.

-Program: New UCSF Bridges curriculum should be instated with 2015 entering class with early clinical experience and Step 1 @ year 2.5 looks great. UMMS is traditional but seems to be integrating more changes next year for next class (meaning that either way, it's likely that clinical experiences/cycles might overlap with above or below classes.) UMMS also seems good with flex quizzing for maintaining a long distance relationship, calendar-wise. Not sure what LDR picture looks like for UCSF calendar.

-Clinical experiences: Both schools emphasize these, but I've heard population, diversity in care, and experiences are stronger at UCSF; Both schools have research in areas of interest with opportunities to jump in, so not too different for me.

-Community: Both feel solid. UCSF appeared more spread out amongst the clinical sites and I didn't get as much of a feel for the community on interview day. I enjoyed everyone I spoke to when I was there. UMMS interview day was nice, and it felt like such a warm, supportive environment. Admin and alums seem connected with students, everyone was nice, and I've heard funding for the school activities and students is more free flowing than UCSF. Perhaps it's just a West Coast vs. Midwest culture difference.

-5 year possibilities: Both schools seem to have research years or degrees that are possible to easily integrate after 3rd year (MPH, research time, etc.)

-Other topics I'm forgetting?

Would appreciate feedback from anyone familiar with both programs (interviewed at either school, making similar decision, or at one of the schools.) Thanks!

 

[breakintheroof]

-Program: New UCSF Bridges curriculum should be instated with 2015 entering class with early clinical experience and Step 1 @ year 2.5 looks great.

Hey @APL0207 congrats on these great choices! I have to log off in a minute but I just wanted to jump in and say that I do not think that this is the case for this class. Check out the FAQ here.

 

[APL0207]

Thanks for pointing that out--For some reason, I remember the discussions I heard intimated that it was arriving in 2015 (as does this diagram/deliverable map), and I'm glad you referred me to that section to see the start date of that change in black and white. It will be interesting to see how they are fusing the programs for those of us starting fall 2015. Has anyone seen any calendars for our proposed calendar or will it be unveiled at ASW?

 

[breakintheroof]

Thanks for pointing that out--For some reason, I remember the discussions I heard intimated that it was arriving in 2015 (as does this diagram/deliverable map), and I'm glad you referred me to that section to see the start date of that change in black and white. It will be interesting to see how they are fusing the programs for those of us starting fall 2015. Has anyone seen any calendars for our proposed calendar or will it be unveiled at ASW?

I'm back. First, I'm impressed that you can read that deliverable map, I can't make heads or tails of it. There used to be a more readable implementation calendar on the Bridges site that clearly showed that the Step I switch was next year, but the calendar has vanished. There is an academic calendar for next year here, for what that's worth.

For the other parts of your post (I interviewed at both schools and am considering UCSF):

Location: Your thoughts are eerily similar to mine. It's a tough decision! Personally I find Ann Arbor to be pleasant but isolated, and San Francisco is exciting but intimidating. (Those are hardly original observations, I realize.)

Program: Depending on the car/flight situation from Ann Arbor, Michigan seems like a great place from which to do an LDR due to flextime. I would highly recommend reaching out to people at both schools to ask about being in an LDR while you're there, particularly if you are going to either Revisit (aren't they the same weekend?).

Clinical experiences: One of the biggest draws to UCSF for me. They also have their awesome longitudinal integrated clerkships, incredible hospitals, and the run of the whole city. Michigan's clerkships also seem to be top-quality from what I've been able to glean, as you'd expect. Both have very well-regarded hospitals and residency programs, so no way to go wrong there.

Community: I agree again. Michigan is incredibly tight-knit. UCSF feels less so, with people living, and eventually rotating, all over the city and even beyond. From what I have heard, the administration makes a point of being inclusive and students don't feel like they could get lost there. But not the same way that Michigan wraps you up in its warm Wolverine embrace.

I haven't voted on your poll because we don't know the cost situation for you. Straight up, I'd take UCSF personally. But I wouldn't find anything odd about you choosing Michigan.

Edit: Many typos.

 

[Rainbow Zebra]

Ann Arbor is awesome. Cheap to live here, and international airport only 30 minutes away. Cheap living leads to lots of travel opportunities!!
Winter sucks, but spring summer and fall are great fun. It is a true college town, not a medical center in a big city. Best wishes on your choices.

 

[resiroth]

Keep in mind most people on sdn will vote based on USNWR ranking and weather...that being said...that weather doe... 🙂

 

[pyrrion89]

After narrowing acceptances, I am choosing between attending UMMS and UCSF, both OOS (although at UCSF it is only financially for the first year.)

Factors under consideration:
-Cost: Presume UMMS could be any of the following-- more expensive, equal expense, less expensive. Would cost make a big difference for most people?

-Location: Quality of Life differential isn't immediately evident--SF has the weather/outdoor activities, Michigan you get bang for your buck; Family/loved ones in mid-west (but not really close) is a + for Mich; SF has friends in the area and feels like a logical next step, although far away. I am concerned about finding housing in SF more than AA, but it arguably isn't a big enough concern to weigh.

-Program: New UCSF Bridges curriculum should be instated with 2015 entering class with early clinical experience and Step 1 @ year 2.5 looks great. UMMS is traditional but seems to be integrating more changes next year for next class (meaning that either way, it's likely that clinical experiences/cycles might overlap with above or below classes.) UMMS also seems good with flex quizzing for maintaining a long distance relationship, calendar-wise. Not sure what LDR picture looks like for UCSF calendar.

-Clinical experiences: Both schools emphasize these, but I've heard population, diversity in care, and experiences are stronger at UCSF; Both schools have research in areas of interest with opportunities to jump in, so not too different for me.

-Community: Both feel solid. UCSF appeared more spread out amongst the clinical sites and I didn't get as much of a feel for the community on interview day. I enjoyed everyone I spoke to when I was there. UMMS interview day was nice, and it felt like such a warm, supportive environment. Admin and alums seem connected with students, everyone was nice, and I've heard funding for the school activities and students is more free flowing than UCSF. Perhaps it's just a West Coast vs. Midwest culture difference.

-5 year possibilities: Both schools seem to have research years or degrees that are possible to easily integrate after 3rd year (MPH, research time, etc.)

-Other topics I'm forgetting?

Would appreciate feedback from anyone familiar with both programs (interviewed at either school, making similar decision, or at one of the schools.) Thanks!

As a UCSF student I am very biased. I'd say your interview day experience reflects the quality of the admissions office, which hardly reflects the vast depth and breadth of departments and experiences that exist at any medical school. I certainly don't feel like UCSF has a lack of community, even if your interview day gave off some disconnected vibe among applicants. It's unfortunate that applicants, by their very nature, have a very limited look at how a school really is, due to time constraints! We definitely have a California vibe of inclusion, being casual, and having a good work-play balance. Not a day goes by where I don't feel blown away and lucky to be in a world-class city with beautiful vistas, weather, people, opportunities at an amazing school. Cheesy, I know. Anyway, congratulations---you can't go wrong with either choice. Feel free to message me if you have specific questions.