UF vs Tufts MD/MPH

[plantluvr]

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Hi everyone, I am very grateful to have been accepted to two of my top choices, but am having a difficult time deciding between them.

UF
Pros

• I'm from FL, not far from home/family, I have other friends at UF (support system)
• In-state tuition - with scholarships and family support no loans needed
• Rotations are mostly at Shands, some in Jax but for the most part one centralized location
• Very community focused, I know current students and everyone seems to love it

Cons

• I went to UF for undergrad and don't mind Gainesville, but also would like a new opportunity
• Less opportunities to match outside of FL/southeast?
• No MD/MPH integrated program - you can do a separate MPH but it takes an extra year

Tufts
Pros

• I was accepted into the MD/MPH track which is hugely appealing to me. I have a strong interest in public health and like the idea of the integrated curriculum where I can get both degrees in 4 years.
• Living in Boston, also very academic/medically focused area, seems like lots of opportunities for networking/research
• More ability to match nationwide?

Cons

• VERY expensive - would have to take out major loans
• No support system - I don't have any family or friends in Boston or the northeast in general
• Rotations are spread out at various clinical locations

Summary: TLDR; if money were not an object I would likely choose Tufts, but is the networking/research opportunities and integrated MD/MPH worth it to be solidly in debt? Or stick with UF, still a great school - maybe miss out on some opportunities but graduate debt-free?

Thanks in advance 🙂

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Tell me why you want to do an MPH? How much in loans would you take out for Tufts? Do you think Tufts would fill that gap?

 

[chronicallyonhere]

how long did it take to hear back about your tufts md/mph decision after you applied?

 

[deleted1234722]

I did my MPH virtually at UF from 2020-2022. You could probably do it within the 4 years if you take 2 classes per semester. The classes are fairly easy, but it might be difficult to manage in addition to the rigors of med school.

It’s 42 credits, so it’d take you about 7 semesters if you pace yourself (not to mention you could take classes over summer to expedite the process).

You’d have to do the Social and Behavioral Sciences track.

 

[plantluvr]

how long did it take to hear back about your tufts md/mph decision after you applied?

A long time! I just heard back at the beginning of Feb and had my regular MD acceptance back in Oct.

 

[plantluvr]

Tell me why you want to do an MPH? How much in loans would you take out for Tufts? Do you think Tufts would fill that gap?

I'm interested in community health and working with community orgs/ health policy as a physician - a lot of my experiences in undergrad were centered around these and I enjoy thinking about how I can support the overall health on my community in addition to individual patients. The loans would come out to around $180,000 for the MD and MPH.

Another benefit of Tufts is the urban population - I would say I'm more interested in that long-term that the rural population at UF. But I am heavily weighing the benefit of graduating from med school debt free, and the other argument is that I could go to UF for med school and try to make it to Boston for residency. Appreciate any thoughts on the long term benefits/outcomes of each option - feeling so stuck!