UMN/good state school vs. Columbia

[pkh2001]

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Suggestions? How should I decide? Originally from MN, like it there, like winters, like the school, have family, have friends there, like minneapolis, would probably be cheaper. Otherside: was Columbia undergrad, lived in NYC 4.5 years, currently doing research at Columbia, could continue research throughout school, not too sure ready to leave NYC, like Washington heights, like CU students, like atmosphere of CU. I know that many of you out there are very opinionated people. Let me have those opinions, good and bad, any thing you have to say, please – premeds, current applicants, current med students, med grads – please make suggestions. Thanks much.

 

[Bernito]

This might help people give opinions: How big a 'pull' are the family and friends in MN? (How do you rate it in importance?)

 

[pkh2001]

This might help people give opinions: How big a 'pull' are the family and friends in MN? (How do you rate it in importance?)

Pretty important, I guess. But, one reason I am interested in staying in NYC is b/c of friends. I guess overall, friends=reason to stay in NYC, fam=reason to go home. Not too sure to what extent.

How important is the interview at Columbia?

 

[LizzyM]

I was in a similar situation: 4 schools to choose from. It might sound hokey but I made a list of things that I valued and put 4 columns along side the list, one column for each school. I rated things on a scale -2 to 2 and summed (subtracting the negative numbers, of course). The school with the highest score was the best match for me.

Family will be there but friends may not stick around NYC for the next 4 yrs. On the other hand, most of my generation has left the "home state" although as long as my parents are alive (many more years, God willing) we "go back" to visit.

 

[Bernito]

Pretty important, I guess. But, one reason I am interested in staying in NYC is b/c of friends. I guess overall, friends=reason to stay in NYC, fam=reason to go home. Not too sure to what extent.

How important is the interview at Columbia?

I'm in a similar situation so Ill tell you my approach.

First I decided I wasn't going to let money be a factor. You can argue with this wisdom but to me I fell I can handle debt and don't want $ to rule my life. 2nd I think there are intangibles that you can't measure when going to a top private school vs. a state school (albeit highly regarded/good program). This will probably get people upset, but I think they get upset b/c they know its true but just wish it wasn't that way (to which I agree).

Hope this helps

 

[pkh2001]

I'm in a similar situation so Ill tell you my approach.

First I decided I wasn't going to let money be a factor. You can argue with this wisdom but to me I fell I can handle debt and don't want $ to rule my life. 2nd I think there are intangibles that you can't measure when going to a top private school vs. a state school (albeit highly regarded/good program). This will probably get people upset, but I think they get upset b/c they know its true but just wish it wasn't that way (to which I agree).

Hope this helps

i agree w/ you on both those points: intangibles of top schools, I would think especially in residency placement. Top schools/residency programs like taking others that come from top schools...I think the same is true for med school, in most/many cases. And I dont think money should be a huge factor. what did you decide? or what do you think you'll decide, benitio?

 

[Bernito]

i agree w/ you on both those points: intangibles of top schools, I would think especially in residency placement. Top schools/residency programs like taking others that come from top schools...I think the same is true for med school, in most/many cases. And I dont think money should be a huge factor. what did you decide? or what do you think you'll decide, benitio?

Well at the moment it is out of my hands (I am waiting on Columbia too). But I have decided to go there if I get in.

 

[LizzyM]

i agree w/ you on both those points: intangibles of top schools, I would think especially in residency placement. Top schools/residency programs like taking others that come from top schools...I think the same is true for med school, in most/many cases. And I dont think money should be a huge factor. what did you decide? or what do you think you'll decide, benitio?

However, if the OP wants to practice "back home" he may want to match in Minnesota and the alumni network throughout MN for grads of the state school might give him an edge (not that P&S grads are slouches).

 

[kdburton]

Suggestions? How should I decide? Originally from MN, like it there, like winters, like the school, have family, have friends there, like minneapolis, would probably be cheaper. Otherside: was Columbia undergrad, lived in NYC 4.5 years, currently doing research at Columbia, could continue research throughout school, not too sure ready to leave NYC, like Washington heights, like CU students, like atmosphere of CU. I know that many of you out there are very opinionated people. Let me have those opinions, good and bad, any thing you have to say, please – premeds, current applicants, current med students, med grads – please make suggestions. Thanks much.

Even though its -6 degrees right now (with a -30 windchill) in Minneapolis, I would go to UMN 🙂