UMD vs. Columbia

[protonate]

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Hi guys,
Im still waiting on a few responses from schools, but at this point I am trying to make a decision between Columbia and UMD. I don't have all of the information yet, but here are the current facts:
Columbia
Positives
-I like the curriculum- The 1.5 year preclinical, and then a year of clinical and then taking the step 1
-I like the fact that it is pass/fail (unranked)
-I like the patient population that the school offers
-I like New York City
-I am interested in surgery/neurosurgery, and I heard that they are strong with respect to that
-I am considering getting an MBA during medical school, and I think it might be easier with columbia
Negatives
-I'm a native Marylander, and like to visit my family often
-The cost is high. I'm not sure how much it's going to cost, so this is not 100% sure

Maryland
Positives
-Close to home-My parents would feed me during the week and even do my laundry lol. I basically have a strong support system and all I would have to do is just school related stuff, no worrying about food or anything like that
-This is the big one: I got a 160K scholarship from the school (40K/year) before any financial aid. This means that it can cost me around 10K/year when all is said and done. My 4 years at Maryland will be cheaper than 1 year at Columbia most likely

Negatives
They have A/B/C/D grading schemes during the preclinical years

I basically love Columbia, but I am not sure this "love" is worth spending so much extra money if UMD is also a pretty good school.
What would you guys do if you were in my situation?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Allopathic is a forum for current med students to discuss issues of interest to med students; accordingly, this thread is being moved to pre-allo school specific discussions.

 

[protonate]

Ok then. I just thought medical students could give a better perspective or something... maybe I'm wrong.

 

[HolySmokes]

Ok then. I just thought medical students could give a better perspective or something... maybe I'm wrong.

You're not wrong protonate. You're just an *******.

 

[protonate]

You're not wrong protonate. You're just an *******.

Huh? I'm not trying to come out as being pompous or anything. It's like as a college junior or senior, I feel like im in a better position to give input on choosing between colleges since I've experienced colleges. I used the same logic for medical school. But anybody's input is welcomed and appreciated!

 

[SirGecko]

Yeah we get this issue all the time. Medical students troll the preallo forum specifically to answer questions from premeds. Putting your question in the allo forum is really counterproductive to your cause as no one on the allo forum wants to talk about preallo stuff. The forums here are broken up by topic, not by who you want to answer your question.

That said to answer your question: kind of not something anyone can answer for you. Personally given just the information you've put down there I'd go to UMD. (as long as that money is not contingent on getting a certain GPA) That said I don't really know your career goals and I can't get inside your head to see how you really feel about the decision. Will your career prospects be better coming out of Columbia than UMD? Would it be easier to match in the specialty you want? Don't know.

Also don't get an MBA in medical school.

 

[candav]

If going to Maryland means living at home, then go to Columbia. I would consider having to live with my parents during medical school -- never mind during the supposed prime years of my life! -- much more of a negative than a plus.

 

[omelas]

protonate, i'm applying in this cycle too, and i think your question is a good one.

i'd think a lot about what would make you happy and excited to be in medical school. Will you be lonely in NYC? Is your family willing to visit you in New York? If you stay in Maryland, will you regret not going to Columbia? You wouldn't want to think about that for four years. Or would you be happy staying in Maryland and not think about the what ifs?

You should probably wait and see what kind of financial aid package Columbia gives you. However, if money was not an issue, which school would you pick?

 

[protonate]

If going to Maryland means living at home, then go to Columbia. I would consider having to live with my parents during medical school -- never mind during the supposed prime years of my life! -- much more of a negative than a plus.

I'd be living by my own- most likely at a house with a fellow classmate. My parents would just be coming on weekends with supplies 🙂

 

[candav]

I'd be living by my own- most likely at a house with a fellow classmate. My parents would just be coming on weekends with supplies 🙂

The best of both worlds! I moved out at 17 and then tried to move back home one summer during college. To put it lightly, it didn't work out. Like, at all. Still, I think New York during your 20's would be absolutely thrilling -- though I can't say I know enough about Baltimore to compare.

 

[afob100]

OP, this is definitely a tough decision and no one can really answer it for you. My advice is to keep the big picture in mind...when you are a practicing physician who is living real life (with real bills, etc), will you want to be writing a $1000-2000 check every month to pay off your loan? Or would you rather put that money toward something more luxurious/useful?

Keep your ultimate career goals in mind and ask yourself whether attending Columbia over Maryland will open up more doors. If so, how much are those doors worth to you?

Again, hypothetically if you could attain AOA at UMD (assuming you can get a full ride there = you are likely at the top of their applicant pool), how would this factor in? Maybe UMD AOA > being average/above avg at Columbia? I'm not really sure either (and by no means is AOA guaranteed at ANY US MD school).

These are just some thoughts to consider...I know I would be torn in this situation (my gut would say go to Columbia for more opportunities/prestige but my head would say go to UMD).

 

[mmmcdowe]

OP, this is definitely a tough decision and no one can really answer it for you. My advice is to keep the big picture in mind...when you are a practicing physician who is living real life (with real bills, etc), will you want to be writing a $1000-2000 check every month to pay off your loan? Or would you rather put that money toward something more luxurious/useful?

Keep your ultimate career goals in mind and ask yourself whether attending Columbia over Maryland will open up more doors. If so, how much are those doors worth to you?

Again, hypothetically if you could attain AOA at UMD (assuming you can get a full ride there = you are likely at the top of their applicant pool), how would this factor in? Maybe UMD AOA > being average/above avg at Columbia? I'm not really sure either (and by no means is AOA guaranteed at ANY US MD school).

These are just some thoughts to consider...I know I would be torn in this situation (my gut would say go to Columbia for more opportunities/prestige but my head would say go to UMD).

Columbia is a monster surgery and neurosurgery producer. I don't advocate choosing based on specialty interest, but I'd take average at Columbia over aoa at Maryland for neurosurg. That being said OP, I would wait for your Columbia financial aid packet before trying to answer this question, since it is clearly the crux of your concern.

 

[drizzt3117]

columbia, don't look back. You might want to try to get some additional financial aid/scholarships once FAFSAs are in from Columbia, a lot of the time they'll work with you with grants etc.

 

[eHombre]

Huh? I'm not trying to come out as being pompous or anything. It's like as a college junior or senior, I feel like im in a better position to give input on choosing between colleges since I've experienced colleges. I used the same logic for medical school. But anybody's input is welcomed and appreciated!

(Dude, it's, like, a Lebowski reference, man..)

 

[nuitsansetoiles]

Choose UMD.



So I can have your spot at Columbia. Haha j/k.

But in all seriousness, wait for finaid if you're concerned about money.

 

[RedSox10]

With a full scholarship you've gotta go with Maryland. Even without a full scholarship, I'd still say Maryland.

 

[Alejandro]

That MUCH of a cost differential could be really substantial, imo. If you decide to do NS, it'll be much better to have a significantly smaller principal for your loans than 10X more at columbia, esp when your residency goes for like 7 years. Considering the days of the subsidized loans are gone...yea...i think MD is a lot more appealing.

You could do your away rotations at Columbia, or any other pro-surgery school, and I'm sure that MD still matches their students in a decent NS program, given the student has some game, which it seems like you have that considering your scholarship.

To me, the only thing that Columbia has is the prestige, and the "living in NYC" factor.

I wonder if the OP could possibly gain some insider opinion on the strength of UMD's NS program? Maybe speak with the PD, or a R1-7? lol Though I imagine it'll be hard to have them give up their time to a pre-allo....😛

 

[EvilSponge]

If it were me, I would choose Columbia. (and this is coming from someone who is on the columbia waitlist lol)

 

[canadian18]

I would go to Columbia. I just think going to a "top-tier" school would open doors to opportunities you could never foresee as a pre-med. For me, this is totally worth the high cost b/c it's an investment that I'd be willing to make. But that's just me.. with my SDN preconceptions lol

 

[RogueUnicorn]

dude. grades. enough said.

 

[drizzt3117]

Columbia has the top academic neurosurg program in the country..,

Nuff said.

That MUCH of a cost differential could be really substantial, imo. If you decide to do NS, it'll be much better to have a significantly smaller principal for your loans than 10X more at columbia, esp when your residency goes for like 7 years. Considering the days of the subsidized loans are gone...yea...i think MD is a lot more appealing.

You could do your away rotations at Columbia, or any other pro-surgery school, and I'm sure that MD still matches their students in a decent NS program, given the student has some game, which it seems like you have that considering your scholarship.

To me, the only thing that Columbia has is the prestige, and the "living in NYC" factor.

I wonder if the OP could possibly gain some insider opinion on the strength of UMD's NS program? Maybe speak with the PD, or a R1-7? lol Though I imagine it'll be hard to have them give up their time to a pre-allo....😛

 

[kautionwirez]

NY has a lot more to offer, except terrapin football.

Primary Care/Family Medicine? The scholarship will weigh heavily.
Neurosurg/ENT/ROAD? Please go to Columbia.

And the grading is going to stress you out so much.

 

[protonate]

NY has a lot more to offer, except terrapin football.

Primary Care/Family Medicine? The scholarship will weigh heavily.
Neurosurg/ENT/ROAD? Please go to Columbia.

And the grading is going to stress you out so much.

The team sucks so I won't be missing much lol. And the sports teams are located on the main college park campus so I wouldn't be seeing them anyways most likely.

 

[mika2234]

did you just get into Yale? Go to Yale!

(disclaimer: I'm on the columbia waitlist 😉)

 

[protonate]

did you just get into Yale? Go to Yale!

(disclaimer: I'm on the columbia waitlist 😉)

Yes I did. I'm feel very blessed right now. I'm glad that Yale has good financial aid and I'm probably going to make another thread in 1 to 2 months when I have the financial information in hand. Thanks again guys for the feedback!