UCSF vs. Yale

[2018applicant]

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Hi there,

I'm interested in primary care. UCSF is about 40-50k more expensive for me than Yale; I'm also a fan of the Yale System and curriculum, and I would enjoy taking four years to leave the bay area (I'm from nearby). UCSF is the better regarded school and is especially much better in primary care, so I'm conflicted on what to do. I would want to match back in California, which I'm guessing will be easier to do from SF.

What would you all choose if you were in my shoes? Is it worth the extra money? How does Yale compare to UCSF overall?

 

[libertyyne]

UCSF it is worth the money.

 

[Lawpy]

UCSF and Yale are comparable. They are both top tier schools and you will have no problems matching back to CA from Yale. I would go for the cheaper option and pick Yale.

 

[878956]

UCSF.

 

[Lawpy]

UCSF.

Why?

 

[sss1219]

Why?

People are obsessed with ucsf to no end on this forum, even when other t10 schools are involved. Doesn't make sense to me either.

OP, the two schools are of comparable prestige and you should be able to get back to CA from Yale. If you really feel stronger fit with the student body and curriculum at Yale, then the answer is clear. However 50k is not a huge amount of debt though, so do not feel scared to stay in the Bay if that is what you desire.

 

[2018applicant]

People are obsessed with ucsf to no end on this forum, even when other t10 schools are involved. Doesn't make sense to me either.

OP, the two schools are of comparable prestige and you should be able to get back to CA from Yale. If you really feel stronger fit with the student body and curriculum at Yale, then the answer is clear. However 50k is not a huge amount of debt though, so do not feel scared to stay in the Bay if that is what you desire.

I wasn't really sure about residency program directors and the general medical field consensus opinion on Top 5 vs Top 10. Does it really not matter too much? I've constantly seen people saying more doors would be open to you at a top 5 vs a top 10, but that a top 10 doesn't necessarily close any doors either.

I liked the curriculum at Yale better, but I feel like I would connect better with the student body at UCSF. Should I be concerned that Yale places very little emphasis on primary care, and sends very few students into those fields? Not really sure which way to go with decision day quickly approaching.

 

[libertyyne]

People are obsessed with ucsf to no end on this forum, even when other t10 schools are involved. Doesn't make sense to me either.

OP, the two schools are of comparable prestige and you should be able to get back to CA from Yale. If you really feel stronger fit with the student body and curriculum at Yale, then the answer is clear. However 50k is not a huge amount of debt though, so do not feel scared to stay in the Bay if that is what you desire.

1. You should go to medical school in the region you want to go to residency in. There is a real regional bias in residency placement.
2. NIH Award Rankings
research builds resumes.
3. You should go to a school that has better residency programs for getting better letters. UCSF on average has more desirable residencies compared to yale.
4. 60K over four years is a paltry sum .
5. I would pay 60 K just for the weather.

 

[Lawpy]

I wasn't really sure about residency program directors and the general medical field consensus opinion on Top 5 vs Top 10. Does it really not matter too much? I've constantly seen people saying more doors would be open to you at a top 5 vs a top 10, but that a top 10 doesn't necessarily close any doors either.

I liked the curriculum at Yale better, but I feel like I would connect better with the student body at UCSF. Should I be concerned that Yale places very little emphasis on primary care, and sends very few students into those fields? Not really sure which way to go with decision day quickly approaching.

Ask yourself which school do you think is a better fit for you. Factor in closeness to family/SO, ease of SO getting a job, whether you like living in SF vs New Haven etc. and make a decision from there. Don't make a decision based on reputation, prestige, research funding etc.

 

[InactiveLurker]

UCSF. At Yale you have research thesis requirement and Yale trains people for academia and public health policy mostly. I think its awesome, but probably not something that you want to do.

 

[lakeofavalon]

UCSF hands down.

 

[marieskiier]

You'd be running in the opposite direction of all of your interests and priorities if you went to the east coast. Would that make sense? No, unless you like being far away from home, at a school that has goals contrary to yours, being unsafe in New Haven, and a lesser ranked school. The difference in cost here is negligible. Go to UCSF and don't look back!

 

[pilgrampirate86]

Comfort is the most important factor. UCSF has the best fit peers, family, weather, safety, program, and prestige. This is all super important to your success and happiness. It makes UCSF hands-down best choice

 

[rball]

OP, I'd disagree with people saying UCSF is hands down the best choice here. I think it's a tough decision, and I don't think you can go wrong with either.

You're right, UCSF has a stronger primary care ranking and in medicine generally has a (slightly) stronger name. If you want to match primary care in CA, I'd argue these are good reasons to choose UCSF.

On the other hand, UCSF is more expensive. You also like the Yale system and curriculum, which I think are huge advantages that really give you a low stress experience during medical school (at least compared to other top institutions). Plus, you said having a change of scenery would be nice, and living on the east coast would give you that (although New Haven isn't the best location).

I think you should go where you think you'll be happiest, which based on what you've written sounds like Yale (?). Go with your gut on this one; I think based on your career preferences UCSF has a slight edge, but going to Yale is not going to hurt your career aspirations or your chances of matching back to CA.

 

[Lawpy]

@scienceguy95 this thread serves as a nice case study to see how strongly SDNers are being influenced by rankings! Even when comparing between top schools!

 

[Willy38]

you can match back in CA from either easily, although its true UCSF will have the home advantage for sure. If you're going into primary care then finances should be a larger consideration although it doesn't seem significant enough in this case.

If you know you want to end up in CA then I'd go for UCSF unless you just really want the East Coast/Yale experience before settling down.

 

[scienceguy95]

@scienceguy95 this thread serves as a nice case study to see how strongly SDNers are being influenced by rankings! Even when comparing between top schools!

Indeed, but I personally think it’s ridiculous. There’s no opportunity cost of attending one of these schools over the other. The decision should be made solely on location, fit, and finances (and maybe desired residency location).