UMass (OOS) v Jefferson

[dulapeep]

Hi all, would appreciate some insight while I make this decision. I'm still waiting on financial aid packages, but the COA will be pretty similar between private tuition vs OOS state tuition.

UMass
Pros

• Very strong ties to school - multiple research projects, lots of shadowing, etc. Lots of connections that could serve me well in getting research, early shadowing, etc
• New curriculum for fall 2022 - systems-based, very early clinical exposure built in, WIN weeks, 18mo preclinical; lots of things I'm really excited by
• Longitudinal preceptorship program - paired with both a PCP and a specialist to shadow + learn from starting in the beginning of M1
• Lots of new funding and donations, new buildings, more money to research and education. Seems to be growing a ton
• Very good clinical training from what I have heard both at UMass and from other institutions w/ UMass grads
• I went to college in Worcester and still have friends + support in the Worcester area and in MA
• Higher ranked for both research and primary care
• Options for clinical/translational research focus as well as public health/urban health tracks, I'm definitely interested in these options
• Awesome service opportunities in the Worcester area
• Small, but all physical equipment is included
• True pass/fail curriculum, no internal rankings
• Staying in MA, would get to keep my therapist - not a major deciding factor, but still a plus to hold onto established care & have someone who knows me for mental health support before starting

Cons

• OOS tuition is steep - even after 5.5 years in MA, I'm not considered a resident, and UMass doesn't reconsider residency status once you've been accepted
• After living in Boston for 2 years, I think I'll miss living in a big city. I liked Worcester well enough when I lived there, but unsure about moving back and getting used to the city
• As excited as I am about the new curriculum, I can't help but think that there may be an adjustment period with its implementation
• I'm interested in living alone, but Worcester doesn't have as many 1br apt's - primarily triple deckers with 3-4 brs per floor (small tidbit, not a huge deal. would get roommates if necessary)
• 4 weeks for Step 1 dedicated, better than nothing but not a ton

Jefferson
Pros

• P/F curriculum, lots of hype in general about JeffMD
• Seems like there are tons of opportunities for mentorship
• Week off before every exam
• Wellness week - full week off in the beginning of M1, after one of the first exams
• Overall seems like a huge emphasis on student wellness, which is pretty important imo
• Public health focus, definitely interested in this
• Philly is a plus, really like the idea of moving to another city
• I felt so comfortable on interview day, like I could really be myself. To quote one of the student ambassadors, the vibes were immaculate
• Lots of incredible service and outreach opportunities in Philly
• I have a close friend + their family + some family friends nearby, not as strong of a support network as UMass but still good
• 8 week Step 1 dedicated time

Cons

• Internal rankings into thirds
• Not as highly ranked
• Not quite as many matches back to New England as UMass has, still possible though
• Very small in the grand scheme of things, but orientation starts a full month before UMass and I currently have travel plans that I'd have to change. Teeny tiny consideration though
• Clinical experience/exposure starts later than UMass
• Unsure, but it may be harder to find research?

Summary: Both are great schools, and I really like both. I've gotten a lot of advice pushing me towards UMass, but I want to consider all of my options! Cost should be very similar between the schools and I don't have financial aid from either yet, so that's not a factor right now. Thanks in advance!

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[JohnJacobJingleheimer]

I’d say UMass for a few reasons:

1) it sounds like your support system is important to you
2) no internal rankings takes away a ton of pressure
3) your con about only 4 weeks dedicated to Step 1 should be a pro. This is a move many schools have made in response to step 1 being moved to pass fail. most often, the extra weeks they took off are then reallocated to Step 2 preparation instead, since that will now carry the heavier weight for residency placement.
4) it’s a slightly better school

 

[chilly_md]

What’s the cost difference? You mentioned OOS tuition being steep. Does the cost of living difference between Worcester and Philly make up for it or make it worse?

 

[dulapeep]

What’s the cost difference? You mentioned OOS tuition being steep. Does the cost of living difference between Worcester and Philly make up for it or make it worse?

Neither school has estimates/final numbers up for the upcoming school year, and it also looks like they both put different line items in their estimates, but the COA for Jeff looks like $83k vs UMass at $96k. Obviously that's a pretty big difference; I'm planning on attending the next round of financial aid office hours at UMass to learn a little more about that breakdown and see how much institutional aid is available. Their tuition is pretty similar, but other line items like transportation, miscellaneous, and insurance are higher at UMass than Jeff - these could just be generous estimates that add to the higher cost?

Rent is surprisingly pretty similar between Worcester and Philly in my initial searches, but I'd bet that other cost of living items (groceries, gas, parking, etc) are cheaper (if only marginally) in Worcester. Probably not enough to make up for the OOS cost,

 

[Shunsui]

Agree you should go UMass easily

You already have solid connections there along with a strong support system and it's a stronger school. Seems like the only things Jeff has to offer are the excitement of a new city and the "wellness emphasis." I'd argue the True P/F, your therapist, family, and friends in MA will prove MUCH more beneficial for your wellness in med school than a "wellness week" and "week off before every exam" which contribute to your internal rank in the class and overall stress at Jeff. You will have residency to experience a new city and it seems UMass will set you up for success in matching your desired location.

 

[chilly_md]

Yes I agree that UMass sounds the best as you are so familiar with the school as well as the people in the area. Like you said, miscellaneous and transportation costs are just estimates and some schools give higher numbers to allow you to take out more in loans if you so need it. Rent is usually the biggest expense, so if they are similar, that helps.

For insurance, you can also purchase through the ACA or have Medicaid depending on your financial situation. I believe Massachusetts is supposed to have a robust system so that might be cheaper, or if you already have insurance and can keep that, opt out of the student insurance to save a few thousand.