UNC instate vs UPenn

[whattodonow]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm leaning towards UNC but I feel nervous about turning down such a good school. My family/support network is in NC, tuition is cheaper at $21k vs $47k, and I liked the laid back, low pressure atmosphere at UNC. (I probably won't get much financial aid.) I am thinking about academic medicine, but I am not 100% sure. I went to a top undergrad and loved the opportunities it afforded, but my feeling is that I'll have access to enough opportunities at UNC. Is UNC the clear choice? I would love to go to Penn, but I am having a hard time deciding with the cost differential. What would you do?

 

[SN12357]

I'd pick UNC at that cost difference.

However, wait for Penn to release scholarships. They have a LOT of money to give out. Might actually end up costing you the same in the end.

 

[bauhinia123]

***

 

[Prion13]

I am also deciding between UNC (IS) and another school (top 20 but not top 10). I an leaning towards the top 20 school because of the research opportunities as that school is a research powerhouse. I think you should go to Penn because of your interest in academic medicine as UNC has more of an emphasis on orimary care. Also the extra prestige of penn med will give you an edge in the match.

For what it is worth, as someone who will likely choose to attend UNC for their MSTP program and therefore cares about the quality of the research there, I can say that this is not true and that UNC is actually a research powerhouse in its own right.

 

[cookiemonsters]

Simply put, prestige opens doors in medicine. The prestige difference between Penn and UNC is definitely not negligible unless you are deadset on trying to match in North Carolina.

 

[Prion13]

Simply put, prestige opens doors in medicine. The prestige difference between Penn and UNC is definitely not negligible unless you are deadset on trying to match in North Carolina.

It may not be negligible, but I think you are overstating the effect that the difference in prestige between the two schools will have especially in academic circles where UNC is also considered top-tier in some areas. How you choose to utilize the opportunities as both schools will make a much larger impact than the difference in prestige. Regardless, my post was not there to argue the merits of choosing a school with a bit more prestige, but rather to debunk the idea that UNC does not have many research opportunities and is too focused on primary care so that OP could make a more informed decision. As bauhinia said, both schools are great and it is worth waiting to here about financial aid.

 

[yellowfish]

I'm leaning towards UNC but I feel nervous about turning down such a good school. My family/support network is in NC, tuition is cheaper at $21k vs $47k, and I liked the laid back, low pressure atmosphere at UNC. (I probably won't get much financial aid.) I am thinking about academic medicine, but I am not 100% sure. I went to a top undergrad and loved the opportunities it afforded, but my feeling is that I'll have access to enough opportunities at UNC. Is UNC the clear choice? I would love to go to Penn, but I honestly am having a hard time justifying the cost differential. What would you do?

I would wait until financial aid and merit scholarships are disbursed before making a decision, but it's also worth noting that 26k/year isn't a huge difference. Assuming you become a practicing physician, it's more than likely not going to burden you. Money aside, it sounds like you're still leaning towards UNC from your tone because you enjoyed the atmosphere more at UNC and it's also closer to your family and friends - if that's the case, I don't think you'll have much difficulty choosing in the end. UNC is a fine school and you will be able to reach your goals at either institution if you apply yourself.

 

[Lya]

You said you are thinking about academic medicine. Attending Penn will give you an edge if you end up going into academic medicine.

However, if you certainly envision yourself more likely happy and successful in UNC compared to Penn, then go to UNC.


Overall, if I were in your shoes, I would go to Penn and won't regret with my decision. I prefer to have more doors open and available, even if I end up going into primary care or private practice anyways. Your preferences will certainly change in medical school, and in my opinion, unless you had horrible experience during your stay at Penn, Penn will be more likely able to accommodate whatever you want to pursue. (At the same time, I have a higher appetite than usual in devouring and taking advantage of opportunities around me, so I see myself happiest when an institution satisfies my appetite. That's one of my criteria for choosing schools, and I would feel that Penn will offer what I want. But if you don't see yourself taking much advantage of what Penn could offer, attending UNC will be a reasonable, understandable choice.)

 

[whattodonow]

Thanks for the thoughts so far--it's helpful seeing some other perspectives!

 

[Amygdarya]

Disclaimer: I'm on Penn's waitlist, so please please please go to UNC 😀

Seriously though, while UNC is a great school and certainly won't close any doors for you, Penn has a greater weight in academic medicine. Plus, Penn has one of the highest median Step 1 score and its students match to top *academic* residencies. Penn's curriculum allows enough flexibility and customizability for you to prepare your best residency application possible, whether you're interested in an ultracompetitive specialty or a research powerhouse. Can you go to a great residency from UNC? Absolutely! But you may have to be more self-motivated, while Penn students pretty much uniformly match to top residencies, which means that whatever Penn is doing to its students, it's working. Also, consider the "regional bias" in residency application (yes, at least part of the reason why a lot of students stay in the same area after medical school is because they want to, but it's quite understandable that PDs may have a slight preference for "locals" simply because they know local schools better and because local applicants have a better incentive to stay in the area): since you have roots in NC, it may be easier for you to return there for residency even if you go to a school in a different region; however, if you stay in the same region for a long time, it may be a bit more difficult to convince adcoms that you want to move to a different region, should you decide to apply to residencies outside of your region.

As others have already said, wait for fin aid to come out (Penn has a lot of money to give and may pleasantly surprise you) and attend both second looks if you can. Ultimately, I believe that fit matters a lot, so I personally wouldn't want to go to a school I would be miserable at even if it was a more practical choice; take another look at each school and at your potential classmates and see if you feel any different about the schools.

Bottom line: I cast my vote for Penn, unless you feel you'll be miserable there.

 

[yellowfish]

Just a final thought to add: sometimes students will choose the more highly regarded institution and take that as them being ahead in the game, leading to them being less motivated or pushing themselves less hard at that institution. In these cases, any difference might be offset or you could be even worse off in the end as motivation and how much work you put in is invariably the biggest factor in success. Even if you go to Penn, you'll still have to work your butt off to land a top residency/academic position. It's absolutely a legit choice, but something to remember when you choose.

 

[Amygdarya]

Just a final thought to add: sometimes students will choose the more highly regarded institution and take that as them being ahead in the game, leading to them being less motivated or pushing themselves less hard at that institution. In these cases, any difference might be offset or you could be even worse off in the end as motivation and how much work you put in is invariably the biggest factor in success. Even if you go to Penn, you'll still have to work your butt off to land a top residency/academic position. It's absolutely a legit choice, but something to remember when you choose.

It's very true that you'll have to work hard for a competitive residency no matter where you go to school. However, I would agrue that peer pressure is higher at the most prestigious schools simply because their students are, on average, stronger and more motivated.
Many schools (and certainly UNC) have some students that match to top residencies, but schools like Penn, WashU, Harvard and Hopkins have uniformly strong match lists, which tells me that nobody really gets to slack off at those schools.

 

[Amygdarya]

On the other hand, not everyone wants to get into a super competitive residency (I don't know about OP), so a more relaxed atmosphere is better for them. This rat race is not for everyone, and it's fine.

 

[sakabato93]

Wait, I am not understanding the logistics here. In order to know anything about the Penn merit scholarships, don't you have to accept into Penn first? Also, don't you have have to wait at least until halfway through April for any information about it? That being said, won't OP have take into consideration how long UNC keeps their offer open (3 weeks I believe). I may just be way off base, but I think that's something to possibly consider.

 

[Amygdarya]

Wait, I am not understanding the logistics here. In order to know anything about the Penn merit scholarships, don't you have to accept into Penn first? Also, don't you have have to wait at least until halfway through April for any information about it? That being said, won't OP have take into consideration how long UNC keeps their offer open (3 weeks I believe). I may just be way off base, but I think that's something to possibly consider.

You can accept (within a specified time window, yes) and keep as many acceptances as you like till May 15th. Most of fin aid information comes out some time in April, that's why several people here are advising OP to wait for fin aid offers before making his/her decision.

 

[yellowfish]

It's very true that you'll have to work hard for a competitive residency no matter where you go to school. However, I would agrue that peer pressure is higher at the most prestigious schools simply because their students are, on average, stronger and more motivated.
Many schools (and certainly UNC) have some students that match to top residencies, but schools like Penn, WashU, Harvard and Hopkins have uniformly strong match lists, which tells me that nobody really gets to slack off at those schools.

I agree with you, your peer environment definitely makes a difference. The key is that the match lists are strong because students continue to work very hard at these schools.

 

[sakabato93]

You can accept (within a specified time window, yes) and keep as many acceptances as you like till May 15th. Most of fin aid information comes out some time in April, that's why several people here are advising OP to wait for fin aid offers before making his/her decision.

Do you have to accept into Penn before you can hear about the scholarship?

 

[Amygdarya]

Do you have to accept into Penn before you can hear about the scholarship?

Yes, you have to accept your offer of acceptance before you can hear about any scholarships, unless the school offers you a scholarship with your acceptance (some schools do, but not all; Penn announces its scholarships some time in April after acceptance offers are made).

 

[ChemEngMD]

Do you have to accept into Penn before you can hear about the scholarship?

You accept but you don't have to be committed to any school until May 15th. You can accept 20 offers and get 10 scholarships then decide later.

 

[sakabato93]

You accept but you don't have to be committed to any school until May 15th. You can accept 20 offers and get 10 scholarships then decide later.

Good to know. Thanks!!!