University of Iowa (Carver) vs. UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health

[fullofbeanz]

University of Iowa (Carver)
Tuition + Cost of Living = $82.6k - $13k (grant) = $69.6k

Pros

• it’s somewhere I haven’t ever lived - I like the idea of having a new city to explore
• Community Health Outreach Program and/or Service Distinction Track options
• Smaller learning communities within the school are very welcoming
• Faculty/students seem so nice/collaborative/down-to-earth (but also have been attending events since November so I’ve gotten to know it better than Madison which I was just accepted at
• Low cost of living - love the idea of the medical frats

Cons

• home to my ex, and is a place I’ve only ever visited/met people within because of my ex
• Not super close to any family/friends

UW SMPH
Tuition + Cost of Living (Resident) = $67k

Pros

• Urban Medicine program that I could do in Milwaukee and can also extend to global health experience(s)
• Path of Distinction in Public Health (sounds v similar to community outreach program at Iowa)
• Global Health + Research can be done in full 12 week summer after M1
• Close to family (grew up here) and some HS friends
• Slightly cheaper tuition, hopefully will qualify for more scholarships/grants because I’m in-state (scholarship committee hasn’t met yet)
• Slightly higher rank (27 vs 34)

Cons

• Has an internal ranking system (in quartiles) which I feel could make the environment more competitive?
• Already have lived in Madison, do I want to go somewhere I’ve already been? (But also, I never did university life here, so I know it would still be different)
• Since I was recently accepted, I just don’t have as good of a feel for the environment

Summary: Thought this would be an easier decision financially, but right now tuition is comparable for both (but still haven’t heard back on scholarship info from UW). I like that both have three semesters of curriculum and then clinicals before step 1. Sorta stuck at the moment, but also have gotten to know Iowa better through events whereas I just got accepted to UW.

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[fullofbeanz]

Also, I want to do pediatric psychiatry (for now) and likely will end up sticking with primary care type specialties. Not doing something competitive, I think the internal ranking system and school rank will likely matter less.

 

[Banco]

Both are great choices, I don't think you can go wrong. As prices are equal, consider that having a support network nearby is huge. I would pick Wisconsin for that alone. Wait it out and see how the financials end up after Wisconsin offers scholarships - that might just make the decision for you. That'll give you some more time to learn more about UW too.


By the way, this "internal quartile ranking" is done at a lot of schools. It ultimately shows up on your MSPE as some type of "adjective" or code word. It's not that uncommon, even for P/F schools.