USUHS vs DMU

[Koshka_Askar]

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Hi everyone. I’m having some difficulty deciding between Des Moines University and attending USUHS as a member of the Public Health Service. One of my biggest issues is forecasting the amount of debt from attending a DO school compared against what could be drastically reduced income. Another big issue is my wife’s job prospects at remote Indian Health Service sites. She is a lab scientist and I don’t want her to be perpetually unhappy for a decade.


A few pertinent facts to this decision: I have 7 years active duty service plus 4 years in the National Guard. If I attend USUHS I will retire not long after my 10-year obligation ends. At Des Moines, I will remain in the Guard until I retire ( a little after residency) for health insurance purposes.

Also, through PHS I am limited to FM, IM, EM, General Surgery, Psychiatry, OB/GYN and Peds

USUHS:

Pros:

- Debt free

- Not being poor during Med School will be nice

- MD program

- PHS uses ACGME residency instead of military match

- Retirement money seems helpful

- H/P/F Grading

- Clerkships better structured than DO programs

- Excellent facilities (Government money at work)

- Cohesive student body

- DC (My parents and in-laws are ~ 6 hours away)

- PHS doesn’t dictate where one lives and allows members to find duty locations / don’t have to move every 2 years (unlike the other military branches)


Cons:

- DC (My parents and in-laws are ~ 6 hours away, traffic)

- My wife’s job prospects

- The significant difference in pay as a military member

- East Coast Beer (Yeah, I know it’s superficial)


DMU:

Pros:

- Ability to *ostensibly* choose specialty

- Good board scores

- The Midwest is nice (I currently live in Minnesota)

- Faculty and students seem cohesive and friendly

- Decent facilities for a DO school

- Ostensibly better job opportunities for my wife after residency


Cons:

- Debt

- DO program

- The future of the Match

- 3rd and 4th year seem difficult and half the class has to find their own residencies



I recognize looking at the list, USUHS wins. But I was hoping there might be some advice about the financial differences between the two. I don’t think there is an easy answer about my wife’s job prospects. Maybe I’m missing something?


Thanks!

 

[curbsideconsult]

Do you have your heart set on residencies that are not available via PHS? Are you precluded from doing fellowships with PHS?

 

[Koshka_Askar]

Do you have your heart set on residencies that are not available via PHS? Are you precluded from doing fellowships with PHS?

I don't have my heart set on residencies not available via PHS. I sometimes wonder if Ortho might be interesting, but as a DO student that's probably not likely. I'm not precluded from fellowships.

 

[Lawpy]

USUHS hands down.

The cons for picking DMU are serious and I can't recommend picking a DO school over MD.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Based on all the info you provided and the fact that PHS doesn't preclude you from fellowships, I agree with Lawper that you should definitely do PHS. Hopefully your wife will agree.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

You have 7 years of active service. Your wife has already given a lot. Is she supportive of you going to USUHS and joining the PHS? If so, I would 100% recommend that. You have experience in the uniformed services and know what you'd be getting into, and it seems like the commitment doesn't bother you. If your wife is onboard, go PHS.