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I don't know how to choose! Current allo students, can you help with your experiences? Say anything about Vermont or Minnesota, every little bit helps!
UMN-TC or UVM
- Thread starter nona1
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UVM is a solid program. I don't care about rankings or anything like that. In primary care they are/have consistently ranked well. You can also do rotations in Portland, Me. Many students spend a considerable amount of time between their two hospitals (MMC & Fletcher Allen).
They have a solid reputation on the East Coast. And they are continually working to improve their program. 18 months of course work, early clinical exposure, etc.
Students match well, several in top programs. However, many students choose to stay at MMC or Fletcher Allen. That's because many students are non-traditional, from the area, and want to stay local. Also, many students are coming out of Vermont with a desire to enter into primary care.
Finally, you don't have to have just rural exposure. Portland would offer you some of the concerns of a city, albeit on a smaller scale than larger cities. You could also choose to do senior electives in more urban settings or abroad.
Good luck
They have a solid reputation on the East Coast. And they are continually working to improve their program. 18 months of course work, early clinical exposure, etc.
Students match well, several in top programs. However, many students choose to stay at MMC or Fletcher Allen. That's because many students are non-traditional, from the area, and want to stay local. Also, many students are coming out of Vermont with a desire to enter into primary care.
Finally, you don't have to have just rural exposure. Portland would offer you some of the concerns of a city, albeit on a smaller scale than larger cities. You could also choose to do senior electives in more urban settings or abroad.
Good luck
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so far, i've really liked everything about uvm...i am in the first class to "test" the new curriculum and managed to survive it just fine. many people held their breath, waiting to see how our class did on Step I, but most of my class passed the boards alright. there are some definite improvements that need to be made in the VIC, but what med school doesn't have a problem area?
vermont is a fun place, espeically if you like the outdoors....burlington is cool and the downtown is perfect for a college town as far as places to eat and shop go....montreal is close by, so city life isn't too far away!
the hospital is not a huge urban medical center, but the teaching has been good so far, mostly because there is a lot of interaction with attendings and there are plenty of opportunities to learn. i don't feel ignored or neglected at the hospital...it's a good teaching hospital. i'm not a big fan of rankings, either, but UVM is #9 on the list for best primary care program....
good luck with your decision...some advice: pick the school in the city/town you'd enjoy the most....liking the place you live during med school is HUGE, imho.
vermont is a fun place, espeically if you like the outdoors....burlington is cool and the downtown is perfect for a college town as far as places to eat and shop go....montreal is close by, so city life isn't too far away!
the hospital is not a huge urban medical center, but the teaching has been good so far, mostly because there is a lot of interaction with attendings and there are plenty of opportunities to learn. i don't feel ignored or neglected at the hospital...it's a good teaching hospital. i'm not a big fan of rankings, either, but UVM is #9 on the list for best primary care program....
good luck with your decision...some advice: pick the school in the city/town you'd enjoy the most....liking the place you live during med school is HUGE, imho.
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Buglady,
I loved UVM! I'm just curious how well your class did on the boards. Thanks!
I loved UVM! I'm just curious how well your class did on the boards. Thanks!
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...Also...what changes would you like to see made to the VIC? Thanks again.
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Looks like I'll have to stick up for MN
I am starting my third year fyi. I love it here. Classmates are nice and I am not sick of them (except the obligate few!). People are not competitive. We actually have people in our class who make up huge powerpoint pathology reviews, drug lists for pharm, etc. The second years write lecture summaries for the first years before every test. If you are a second year, and write a few lectures, it goes in your dean's letter. We all want to do well for ourselves, and are not interested in screwing over our classmates. Classes are P/F, which I think contributes to our non-competitive atmosphere. And they are truly pass/fail. I have aced some classes and got 75% in others. And it doesn't matter!
The Twin Cities have a lot of highly ranked hospitals, and as a U of M student, you have your pick of hospitals to rotate at as it is the only med school in the TC. You create your own Y3/4 schedule which is nice, and there are a lot of electives to choose from. I know what I want to go into, so I set up my rotations around maximizing my chances for the residencies I want.
The University has also just started a push to become one of the best research institutions in the country, which means more money coming our way. We also have a high match rate in 90%s, and people match all over, in all different specialities.
Downsides: The weather. Yeah, it's cold. So what, you'll be studying anyway.
It's pretty spendy too, which is probably my biggest gripe.
Let me know if you have specific q's!
I am starting my third year fyi. I love it here. Classmates are nice and I am not sick of them (except the obligate few!). People are not competitive. We actually have people in our class who make up huge powerpoint pathology reviews, drug lists for pharm, etc. The second years write lecture summaries for the first years before every test. If you are a second year, and write a few lectures, it goes in your dean's letter. We all want to do well for ourselves, and are not interested in screwing over our classmates. Classes are P/F, which I think contributes to our non-competitive atmosphere. And they are truly pass/fail. I have aced some classes and got 75% in others. And it doesn't matter!
The Twin Cities have a lot of highly ranked hospitals, and as a U of M student, you have your pick of hospitals to rotate at as it is the only med school in the TC. You create your own Y3/4 schedule which is nice, and there are a lot of electives to choose from. I know what I want to go into, so I set up my rotations around maximizing my chances for the residencies I want.
The University has also just started a push to become one of the best research institutions in the country, which means more money coming our way. We also have a high match rate in 90%s, and people match all over, in all different specialities.
Downsides: The weather. Yeah, it's cold. So what, you'll be studying anyway.
It's pretty spendy too, which is probably my biggest gripe.
Let me know if you have specific q's!
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For those accepted to Minnesota-Twin Cities: were you in-state or out-of-state applicants? I am interested in applying to the school but not sure if it's worth my time as a borderline (28 MCAT, 3.7 GPA) candidate.
tia
tia
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I was in-state- 3.6 GPA, 32 MCAT
Do you have something that really makes you stand out? If you do, I would say apply. Especially if you did a lot of volunteer stuff, they love that. Your GPA is definitely above the average, the MCAT is soso (sorry, just trying to help out). If they send you a secondary, they ARE seriously interested, so maybe it is worth however much AMCAS charges you for an add on school. The secondary has a lot of essays on it too, so you can prove who you are as a person, not that you can mail them a check.
Do you have something that really makes you stand out? If you do, I would say apply. Especially if you did a lot of volunteer stuff, they love that. Your GPA is definitely above the average, the MCAT is soso (sorry, just trying to help out). If they send you a secondary, they ARE seriously interested, so maybe it is worth however much AMCAS charges you for an add on school. The secondary has a lot of essays on it too, so you can prove who you are as a person, not that you can mail them a check.
