ravioliravioli
Full Member
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- Nov 25, 2024
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Hi everyone! After months of getting WL after WL and then about a month of having only one A, I'm excited to finally have some choices. For context, I got into UMass in late March, PTE'd there, and then got off the WL at Brown today. Up until this afternoon, I was fairly confident I would pick Brown over UMass, but I'm now having some heartburn about doing so and would love to get some input.
I think one of the biggest things holding me back is the finances. Brown's tuition is about ~20-30k/year more (~80-120k total). I don't qualify for any need-based aid. My parents will be helping out with tuition, but I expect to take out some loans either way. Regardless, I don't view my parents as a limitless supply of money and want to be conscientious of their generosity. Also, with everything going on, going to a more expensive school, especially when there isn't a huge jump in prestige, seems risky. I think another thing holding me back is that I visited UMass during second look weekend, and obviously didn't have the opportunity to do so at Brown, so it's harder to be sure I could be happy there when I've already confirmed I liked UMass. I'll probably take some time in the next week or so to drive down to Providence and get a sense for the school/community.
Little bit about me: did some fairly niche policy research during my gap years and want to continue pursuing something similar during med school and throughout my career as a physician. Interested in IM subspecialties or maybe neuro (but will keep a very open mind going into med school about potential specialties) - nevertheless, I'm definitely not gunning for anything surgical/uber-competitve from day one. Definitely interested in academics over private practice.
UMass
Pros:
(++++) CHEAP! I qualify for in-state tuition (~40k/year).
(+++) The community was genuinely so wonderful. The class seemed very close and had a much more fratty/party vibe than I was expecting. They do a retreat for M1s during orientation and have learning communities/societies.
(++) School is on the up-and-up. Recently won a Nobel Prize for RNA work and has very impressive biomedical research programs. Seems like the admin is working hard to improve the prestige of the school and help students match at well-regarded residency programs.
(++) Opportunities to do some clerkships at smaller community hospitals in the Berkshires or Cape Cod, which I've heard can be great learning opportunities since there is less competition with residents/fellows.
Cons:
(----) Worcester. I really tried to be happy about the city when I visited, but I did not like it at all. I've been looking on Zillow for apartments and have been extremely underwhelmed/concerned, particularly as I want to live alone and have struggled to find any studios/1-bedrooms that are reasonably priced and aren't absolutely atrocious looking.
(--) UMass Chan is a stand-alone biomedical graduate school. There are some pros to this (not having to compete with undergrads for research opportunities), but as someone who is more interested in policy/social science research, I view this as a con because I would have to look for those opportunities at other schools.
(-) H/HP/P/F clerkships (see note below in Brown pros).
Brown
Pros:
(++++) Providence is a much better town than Worcester. More restaurants, stuff to do, nice college town because Brown undergrad is right there. Students had nothing but great things to say about it during interview day. Looking at Zillow, it's a lot easier to find nice-looking studios/1-bedrooms for a good price.
(+++) Access to the broader Brown University system. I'm really interested in policy/social science research and would absolutely take advantage of this.
(++) The match list seemed a maybe half-a-step to a full step up in terms of prestige/outcomes. Though I know if I work hard, I can match anywhere from either school.
(++) Only medical school in RI (which has a very diverse patient population), so there is basically unrestricted access to some fairly unique clinical opportunities.
(+) The school is transitioning to fully P/F clerkships. Up until recently, I thought this was a major plus, but seeing discussions about how that can potentially hurt students in the match has me doubting that. Although I'm not gonna pretend that I'm not attracted to the removed stress of not having to suck up to attendings/residents for an honors grade.
Cons:
(---) EXPENSIVE. Probably around 20-30k more per year.
(--) Haven't gotten a sense for the community at Brown/AMS, and am a little worried given the high percentage of PLMEs. Also just hard to imagine a better community than UMass where everyone seemed so close.
True for both schools:
- Both have P/F preclinicals.
- Both are about equidistant driving from home (family is in Boston).
- Both have chill electives during M1/M2.
- COL seems to be about the same for both cities.
- Though I haven't visited Brown yet, facilities appear to be pretty modern at both.
TL;DR Do I go to the more expensive, slightly more prestigious school with the better city and better opportunities in my non-medical area of interest, or go with the cheaper school with an amazing community but in a less-than-desirable location?
Let me know if there is any other helpful info I can provide!
I think one of the biggest things holding me back is the finances. Brown's tuition is about ~20-30k/year more (~80-120k total). I don't qualify for any need-based aid. My parents will be helping out with tuition, but I expect to take out some loans either way. Regardless, I don't view my parents as a limitless supply of money and want to be conscientious of their generosity. Also, with everything going on, going to a more expensive school, especially when there isn't a huge jump in prestige, seems risky. I think another thing holding me back is that I visited UMass during second look weekend, and obviously didn't have the opportunity to do so at Brown, so it's harder to be sure I could be happy there when I've already confirmed I liked UMass. I'll probably take some time in the next week or so to drive down to Providence and get a sense for the school/community.
Little bit about me: did some fairly niche policy research during my gap years and want to continue pursuing something similar during med school and throughout my career as a physician. Interested in IM subspecialties or maybe neuro (but will keep a very open mind going into med school about potential specialties) - nevertheless, I'm definitely not gunning for anything surgical/uber-competitve from day one. Definitely interested in academics over private practice.
UMass
Pros:
(++++) CHEAP! I qualify for in-state tuition (~40k/year).
(+++) The community was genuinely so wonderful. The class seemed very close and had a much more fratty/party vibe than I was expecting. They do a retreat for M1s during orientation and have learning communities/societies.
(++) School is on the up-and-up. Recently won a Nobel Prize for RNA work and has very impressive biomedical research programs. Seems like the admin is working hard to improve the prestige of the school and help students match at well-regarded residency programs.
(++) Opportunities to do some clerkships at smaller community hospitals in the Berkshires or Cape Cod, which I've heard can be great learning opportunities since there is less competition with residents/fellows.
Cons:
(----) Worcester. I really tried to be happy about the city when I visited, but I did not like it at all. I've been looking on Zillow for apartments and have been extremely underwhelmed/concerned, particularly as I want to live alone and have struggled to find any studios/1-bedrooms that are reasonably priced and aren't absolutely atrocious looking.
(--) UMass Chan is a stand-alone biomedical graduate school. There are some pros to this (not having to compete with undergrads for research opportunities), but as someone who is more interested in policy/social science research, I view this as a con because I would have to look for those opportunities at other schools.
(-) H/HP/P/F clerkships (see note below in Brown pros).
Brown
Pros:
(++++) Providence is a much better town than Worcester. More restaurants, stuff to do, nice college town because Brown undergrad is right there. Students had nothing but great things to say about it during interview day. Looking at Zillow, it's a lot easier to find nice-looking studios/1-bedrooms for a good price.
(+++) Access to the broader Brown University system. I'm really interested in policy/social science research and would absolutely take advantage of this.
(++) The match list seemed a maybe half-a-step to a full step up in terms of prestige/outcomes. Though I know if I work hard, I can match anywhere from either school.
(++) Only medical school in RI (which has a very diverse patient population), so there is basically unrestricted access to some fairly unique clinical opportunities.
(+) The school is transitioning to fully P/F clerkships. Up until recently, I thought this was a major plus, but seeing discussions about how that can potentially hurt students in the match has me doubting that. Although I'm not gonna pretend that I'm not attracted to the removed stress of not having to suck up to attendings/residents for an honors grade.
Cons:
(---) EXPENSIVE. Probably around 20-30k more per year.
(--) Haven't gotten a sense for the community at Brown/AMS, and am a little worried given the high percentage of PLMEs. Also just hard to imagine a better community than UMass where everyone seemed so close.
True for both schools:
- Both have P/F preclinicals.
- Both are about equidistant driving from home (family is in Boston).
- Both have chill electives during M1/M2.
- COL seems to be about the same for both cities.
- Though I haven't visited Brown yet, facilities appear to be pretty modern at both.
TL;DR Do I go to the more expensive, slightly more prestigious school with the better city and better opportunities in my non-medical area of interest, or go with the cheaper school with an amazing community but in a less-than-desirable location?
Let me know if there is any other helpful info I can provide!
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