UNC vs. Frank H Netter SOM

[locklearjojo]

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I would appreciate any insight.

UNC-CH
Pros

• Very strong emphasis on primary care (I'm interested in primary care)
  
• In-state tuition
  
• Close to family (close to partner's fam too)
  
• My undergrad school = I know campus well
  
• Ample research opportunities, if desired
  
• Triangle area is nice area to live in general
  
• Curriculum can be individualized to my personal career goals (scholarly tracks, etc)

Cons

• large class size (~170)

Frank H Netter
Pros

• Tuition scholarship of 30k per year (making it cheaper than UNC in state)
  
• Smaller class size (~70)
• Curriculum is primary care focused, early patient contact and learning
  
• Newer school, so receptive to student feedback

Cons

• CT is cold af (not the biggest fan of snow)
  
• Significant other and I have no ties to CT - family is far away - 9 hrs or so

Summary: I haven't yet applied for scholarships at UNC, but I am soon. But right now, Netter is making it difficult to turn down because of tuition.

 

[steaklover4]

I would say netter due to tuition! When did you receive the scholarship?? I thought they didn’t release anything until March

 

[TheBiologist]

dude, UNC hands down..

"newer school" is NOT a pro

 

[puahate]

I feel like you could get some instate specific scholarships from UNC if you ask or look around

 

[C9ORF72]

I would say netter due to tuition! When did you receive the scholarship?? I thought they didn’t release anything until March

I received the same scholarship a couple of days ago. My only problem with them is some of their clinical sites are pretty far from campus, and housing in that area is not the cheapest coming from a CT resident.

 

[ThreatLevelMidnight11]

I received the same scholarship a couple of days ago. My only problem with them is some of their clinical sites are pretty far from campus, and housing in that area is not the cheapest coming from a CT resident.

I hope you don’t mind me asking, did you fill out your fafsa or do something else that allowed for the scholarship or did they just award you with it? Or could you PM me of you don’t feel comfortable answering on here!

 

[C9ORF72]

I hope you don’t mind me asking, did you fill out your fafsa or do something else that allowed for the scholarship or did they just award you with it? Or could you PM me of you don’t feel comfortable answering on here!

I had filled out my FAFSA, but for another school, and had forgot to add Quinnipiac ironically.

 

[ThreatLevelMidnight11]

I had filled out my FAFSA, but for another school, and had forgot to add Quinnipiac ironically.

Do you feel like it was the fafsa information that you sent in that they gave you the scholarship for?

 

[C9ORF72]

Do you feel like it was the fafsa information that you sent in that they gave you the scholarship for?

Nope, my parents make way too much money. My stats weren't stellar, but I fit their mission of wanting to go into primary care to serve underserved populations. And I am a URM.

 

[ThreatLevelMidnight11]

Nope, my parents make way too much money. My stats weren't stellar, but I fit their mission of wanting to go into primary care to serve underserved populations. And I am a URM.

Oh okay, good to know, thank you!!

 

[locklearjojo]

I would say netter due to tuition! When did you receive the scholarship?? I thought they didn’t release anything until March

I applied for a scholarship and haven't heard back yet, but this scholarship was an institutional one. Most likely because I'm URM and have a strong focus on primary care and the desire to practice in underserved community. Aka their mission.

 

[locklearjojo]

dude, UNC hands down..

"newer school" is NOT a pro

Why do you say this? Every school has to go thru that "new" period. But their match list has been very impressive in the past. Lots of great institutions for residencies.

 

[locklearjojo]

I received the same scholarship a couple of days ago. My only problem with them is some of their clinical sites are pretty far from campus, and housing in that area is not the cheapest coming from a CT resident.

Yeah, this is also what I'm afraid of. But the MeSH sites seem to be a good compensation for the distance needed to travel.

 

[locklearjojo]

Nope, my parents make way too much money. My stats weren't stellar, but I fit their mission of wanting to go into primary care to serve underserved populations. And I am a URM.

Same, except my parents don't make a lot of money at all. Most medical schools don't typically use parental income as a factor anyways since you're a grad student. But QU does I think?

 

[rball]

So if you're truly devoted to primary care, you do not have any interest in any other type of medicine, and you don't really care where you practice in the future (location, reputation/quality of hospital, etc), then there isn't much of a difference between the schools and I would just go where you think you'd be happiest/would save money.

If that is not the case and you want to keep future career options open within and outside of primary care, def go to UNC. It has a much stronger national reputation and a strong track record, both within primary care and outside of primary care. Netter on the other hand is unknown.

Because you're going into primary care, money is an especially important factor. But I think you really need to weigh that with your happiness at either school and your future career options. You're going to be able to pay off the debt as a doctor, so it's much better to go to a school where you are happy, where you can thrive, and where you can attain your future career goals, rather than going somewhere solely because of the $$

 

[workaholic181]

Stay close to family if you can. When you're really worn ragged from studying it is so nice to have people who can help you out from time to time. If your SO wants to stay close to their fam too then I think that makes UNC a no brainer. Med school is hard. Having family nearby who can lend a hand with certain things or having a short drive back to your parents is really nice. Idk how my classmates with cross country flights do it.