I would like any input in choosing between schools. I have interviewed but not been accepted at Pitt but put it on the list because it's the only school I might possibly be accepted at that I would consider choosing over Northwestern or UT Southwestern.
Here are my thoughts about the schools:
UT Southwestern
Pros- the students I met were SO friendly and seemed quite happy, I felt like I really could fit well there, I have a lot of family in the area, cheap tuition, i would get to learn medical spanish, college system
Cons- I wouldn't mind living in Dallas for the next 4 years but I think I'd rather be in Chicago or on the East Coast for residency and after, graded (not P/F), not sure how the reputation compares to NU or Pitt, I am interested in getting an MPH as well but not through the program in Dallas
Northwestern
Pros- great MPH dual degree program, LOVE Chicago, P/F system, better research opportunities aligned with my interest in health informatics and health services research
Cons- expensive tuition and housing costs, don't want to be guinea pig with new curriculum
Pitt
Pros- great research opportunities with an area of scholarly concentration in the field I am interested in pursuing, P/F
Cons- I happened to interview on a very cold, dreary, rainy day so this may have colored my impression but I did NOT like what I saw of the area around campus, I know people here that complain about the administration not being very friendly and helpful, felt like a competitive atmosphere, expensive tuition
Currently my feelings are UT-SW> NU > Pitt which is the opposite of rankings I've seen, so I think partially I am posting here to see if others support the decision to choose the "lower ranked" school. I do not know what I want to specialize in- I am very open but can likely rule out surgery of any sort. Please let me know any thoughts you have. Thanks!
P.S. Another reason I am trying to decide early is because I am considering doing UT-SW's summer research program, so I have to decide before the May 15 deadline so I can find a mentor well before then. That's why I haven't even been accepted to Pitt but am trying to figure out whether I would go there over UT-SW.
Here are my thoughts about the schools:
UT Southwestern
Pros- the students I met were SO friendly and seemed quite happy, I felt like I really could fit well there, I have a lot of family in the area, cheap tuition, i would get to learn medical spanish, college system
Cons- I wouldn't mind living in Dallas for the next 4 years but I think I'd rather be in Chicago or on the East Coast for residency and after, graded (not P/F), not sure how the reputation compares to NU or Pitt, I am interested in getting an MPH as well but not through the program in Dallas
Northwestern
Pros- great MPH dual degree program, LOVE Chicago, P/F system, better research opportunities aligned with my interest in health informatics and health services research
Cons- expensive tuition and housing costs, don't want to be guinea pig with new curriculum
Pitt
Pros- great research opportunities with an area of scholarly concentration in the field I am interested in pursuing, P/F
Cons- I happened to interview on a very cold, dreary, rainy day so this may have colored my impression but I did NOT like what I saw of the area around campus, I know people here that complain about the administration not being very friendly and helpful, felt like a competitive atmosphere, expensive tuition
Currently my feelings are UT-SW> NU > Pitt which is the opposite of rankings I've seen, so I think partially I am posting here to see if others support the decision to choose the "lower ranked" school. I do not know what I want to specialize in- I am very open but can likely rule out surgery of any sort. Please let me know any thoughts you have. Thanks!
P.S. Another reason I am trying to decide early is because I am considering doing UT-SW's summer research program, so I have to decide before the May 15 deadline so I can find a mentor well before then. That's why I haven't even been accepted to Pitt but am trying to figure out whether I would go there over UT-SW.
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