University of Minnesota-TC or University of Vermont?

[nona1]

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Which do you choose?

 

[willthatsall]

I'd go to Minnesota... Guess it depends on where you want to live though. I loved the Twin Cities when I visited. Vermont is...Vermont.

 

[nona1]

I'd go to Minnesota... Guess it depends on where you want to live though. I loved the Twin Cities when I visited. Vermont is...Vermont.

What does that mean - Vermont is...Vermont? 😕

 

[dr.z]

U of M if you like larger city setting with little more diversity. Both places are going to be cold during winters.

 

[Friendly]

Unless you're VT resident, I'd avoid that school - far, far too expensive and reputation not that great.

 

[AlaskaGirl]

I would say TC all the way...but then I am a bit biased....

 

[snapdad]

Seems like part of the decision should reflect where you'd be most comfortable living for four years. I've been to both places...I like UVM, Burlington's a great town, but you'd need to be comfortable living in a smaller town to live there. If that's your thing, that's perfect. If you need a city environment on the other hand, I'd definitely choose UMN. Big city, big (and nice) campus, big medical school, lots going on.

 

[YzIa]

you're wrong- Vermont has an EXCELLENT reputation.

Well, I guess she put you in your place. Though I believe excellent is probably a bit more exclusive than including Vermont.
I would definitly go to the Twin Cities.

 

[snapdad]

Though I believe excellent is probably a bit more exclusive than including Vermont.

Why?

 

[YzIa]

Why?

If every medical school with a solid/good reputation (with or without national recognition - in this case without) was considered to have an excellent reputation, then 75% of medical schools would fit into that category. Excellent in my eyes should be more exclusive that that. Consider the midwest for example, I have heard different people (SDNers, fellow applicants/interviewees, or physicians) say that the following are excellent programs or have excellent reputations: UChicago, NWU, Loyola, Rush, UWisc, MCW, UIowa, UM-TC, Mayo, UMich, Case, Ohio State, Indiana, Wash U, and SLU.

Ok, so what makes them excellent? I will agree that all of the schools are good or have good reputations but I think Excellent should be reserved for only a handful of them. Then again I think that sports hall of fames should be even more selective than they are, that it should be extremely difficult (more so) to get into medical school, and that an A/Honors should be very difficult to earn. 🙂

And now you have pushed me to drink

 

[nona1]

Ah, thank god I'm not in my early 20's and dealing with 21 year old boys any more. Any other opinions on the actual merits of the schools themselves? Don't want to be sidetracked with random analogies to sports...

 

[YzIa]

Ah, thank god I'm not in my early 20's and dealing with 21 year old boys any more. Any other opinions on the actual merits of the schools themselves? Don't want to be sidetracked with random analogies to sports...

Merits such as: Minnesota will probably offer better opportunities in research if you are interested in that, and you will have a wider variety of patients (and hospitals) in your clinical years being located in the Twin Cities vs. Vermont. Your first two years will vary by the schedule and methods of teaching, but you will learn the same material. Matching wise, you will match better in the midwest from UM, and probably better in the northeast from vermont.
Since you apparently don't enjoy playful posts and feel that high standards of excellence is a sign of male immaturity I'll leave you with the usual, go where you will feel most comfortable and happy, while not seeking approval/advice from those who are not in your position or from those whom you will write off. I also didn't realize that sports analogies were taboo.

 

[snapdad]

YzIa's post just reminded me...big focus on rural medicine in VT. Expect to do some rotations in the Vermont outback with a fairly homogenous patient population. UMN, as YzIa mentioned, will offer a more diverse patient group.

Another thing I just thought of. UVM recently changed their curriculum; last year was the first year with the new setup, I believe. As new curriculums may have some bugs, it might be useful to get in touch with current students to see what their take is, and how open the administration/faculty are to student feedback.

 

[nona1]

Oh, honey pie, don't get in a pouting tizzy. Weren't you supposed to be drowning your sorrows in beer by now? Clearly you need to get in the last word so if you want, I'll let you say whatever you need to after this. Let's kiss and make up... 😍 😀

 

[YzIa]

Let's kiss and make up... 😍 😀

Good enough for me.

 

[snapdad]

nona1 - Assuming you've visited both, what were your impressions? What were the positives and negatives of each for you?

 

[kc123]

I'm curious as to what others have heard about the reputation of Vermont (or lack thereof)....not that it is all about reputation....but I will, in the end, probably be making a similar choice....between UVM and a school in a large, diverse city--BU. After interviewing at UVM, I was leaning toward the school, just because the students were SO nice (ridiculously nice), and I had this romantic idea of what it would be like to study in Burlington, ski in my spare time, and be part of a close tight-knit class and make all of these lifelong friends. I think all of those things would be great, and I definitely think I will be more likely to succeed in a non-competitive, supportive environment (not that BU is not this, but probably a little bit less so than a place like Vermont).....But I just can't get past the fact that in VT, I won't have the same exposure to a diverse group of patients that I would in Boston. Also, BU is extremely dedicated to serving Boston's underserved. Students seem very involved in outreach programs such as the van that goes out every Thursday to give food, blankets, etc. to migrant workers in Boston, the geriatrics home visitation program, etc. I just don't think the same need is there in VT. But I could be wrong. I guess when push comes to shove, I'm more of a city girl.....but, who knows, next week, I could change my mind again!

I guess, to the OP, you have to ask yourself what is most important to you....a supportive environment, a cohesive class, city/rural living?, diverse patients and classmates?, etc. Or, at least, these are the questions I've been asking myself....

Good luck, and let us know what you decide! Congrats on your acceptances.

 

[eena]

Which do you choose?

just curious which one you ended up choosing?