UMich vs. Mayo

[doctorshateher]

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As soon as I thought I was done with stressing about decisions, haha.

Offered a spot at Mayo this morning with a 15K scholarship, but I have already confirmed my spot at Michigan (in-state) so I have one week to decide. My last X vs Y post was very helpful so I though the internets would be able to help me again.

Michigan:
Location (very close to home. family, friends, support system)
Optional classes/streaming
Connected to University
Large class, many student orgs
Cost is about $29K per year plus living expenses
Opportunity for M1 summer research

Mayo:
Amazing clinical opportunities at Mayo Clinic
Location (I don't mind Rochester itself, just how far it is away from everything)
Small class size
"selectives" and block curriculum
Required lectures (though not too much "seat time")
Cost is about $22K per year plus living expenses
only a 4-week M1 summer, but research quarter included in M3 curriculum

...and that's what I have so far. I'm pretty torn. Getting more money from U of M is out of the picture, though I don't view the $7K difference as a real deal-maker or deal-breaker. Thoughts?

 

[doctorshateher]

Bump. Anyone have any comments?

Another point to add: I am interested in emergency medicine. Not sure if Rochester, MN is really the best place to get good exposure there. Neither is Ann Arbor, but they can do their EM rotation in Flint as well. Then again at mayo, selectives and away rotations could help with that.

 

[Bro Dude]

Quite the predicament you are in. One one hand, you have your support system in MI, but then again, you've probably been there all your life. Then, on the other hand, Minnesota is somewhat far from that, but it would give you a chance to get out.

Since cost is more or less equal, I'd probably pick A2

Mainly for two reasons:
-much higher ranked (coming out of U of M, you can surely go anywhere for residency)
-more familiarity with the area

Yes, Mayo Hospital is amazing, but what's with people's obsession about the program?

Edit: Follow that subjective fit feeling. Where could you see yourself without having even the slightest regret?

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I'd pick Michigan. It's tempting to go for Mayo since they offered you a spot on the waitlist, but I think Michigan is a better school. You're in-state, you have family close, Ann Arbor is loads better than Rochester, and Michigan is higher-ranked.

 

[Wisco1]

-much higher ranked (coming out of U of M, you can surely go anywhere for residency)

Quite inaccurate here, unless you're going by USNews ranking which are notoriously wrong for Mayo (A large component of their formula is the amount of NIH funding which for the most part Mayo does not use, our research is primarily benefactor funded). If you talk to residency directors, you'll find out that the majority consider Mayo to be in the top 10 of medical schools nationwide. So, I would say there is not much difference in "clout" of the medical schools, and if there was I would say that it leans in Mayo's favor.

To the OP: I sent you a PM with some other quite important information (a bit more sensitive hence no open forum) that will likely be helpful for your decision.

 

[mcrechio]

Since both programs are so great, I think that it would come down to the little things like comfort/familiarity, which actually can be very important for some people. I'd probably stick with UM, but I may be biased because I'm from MI and have no intention of leaving the state. Good luck in your decision making; you really can't go wrong.

Also, I'm assuming a Flint rotation would be at Hurley--you would definitely see a lot (it's no Detroit Receiving from what I hear of the latter, but I think anyone interested in EM would definitely benefit from a Flint rotation). I have been in a clinical setting at Hurley and volunteered in the ED at Genesys in Grand Blanc (where I live).

 

[Wisco1]

I forgot to address your concern regarding emergency medicine. I am also interested in EM, so I can validate your concern to an extent. However, keep in mind that medical school is not a time to be specializing. Its purpose is to build general medical knowledge, and having a solid medical school education will get you the residency you want, where you want. Yes, Rochester does not see much violent trauma (but neither will Annarbor...), but they do cover a huge geographical area (with an extensive helicopter program) and get plenty of vehicular and other types of trauma related to farming machinery, etc. Mayo's ED sees lots of complicated patients with one of the highest admit rates in the country, so I wouldn't discount the program. Additionally, Mayo does allow away rotations in EM and they do have a clerkship set up with Hennepin County MC in Minneapolis. Further, as you said, selectives can definitely be used for exploration. I for example am going to be doing a 2 week selective this winter in Arizona at the ED at Maricopa County ED in Phoenix.

Hope that helps