Caramelfanatic
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- Jun 8, 2024
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Hi!
So I am thankful to be in a position where I have recently been accepted to two medical schools, UTHSC and OUWB. They are both out-of-state for me and about equal distance driving wise. Both of these schools are very big unknowns to me, so if anyone has experience with either school, I would LOVE and appreciate hearing your experience. I have pros and cons below, as well as what I look for in a medical school.
Things I value in a medical school:
- Good community (less gunner/toxic attitudes, diverse, urban)
- P/F curriculum, NBME prac questions for exams
- Emphasis on primary care, working with medically underserved regions
- Good pediatrics program if possible
- Student support such as mentorship programs, mental health support, etc.
Similarities of both schools:
- Similar match rates
- Similar board pass rates
- tuition and COL are similar (was offered 15k annual scholarship for OUWB, but cost of a school means less to me since I'll be in debt regardless lol)
OUWB
Pros
Student ranking: ranked into quartiles
Greater diversity (50% asian), since I'm asian might help me feel more comfortable
More OOS population, so less feeling like I'm the only one floundering in a new state
Cons
Curriculum: H/P/F, professor-written exams
Step 1 study time: 5 weeks
Housing cost: $1450 (paid a hold fee to reserve it); more expensive than average housing cost of Memphis
Suburban campus (I prefer urban usually)
Other things: main focus on service-orientation, newer school so more flexible/receptive to student body or more not knowing what they're doing?
UTHSC
Pros
Curriculum: P/F, NBME prac questions for exams
Step 1 study time: 8 weeks
Housing cost: ~$1000-1200
Campus: urban (but memphis has high crime rate?)
Research: a LOT more funding, so more resources/opportunities
Cons
Student Ranking: actual number ranking i think?
Diversity: 18% asian from last cycle; of note, I'm asian, so worried about experiencing racism in more southern states; less cons for UTHSC, but I'm just worried about not meshing well with my classmates lol
Less OOS students (10% are OOS)
Other things: more recognized school, ranked #24 in primary care which is field i want to go into, st judes is main pediatric hospital so big name hospital
Thank you for anyone who has had time to read this, I appreciate it!
So I am thankful to be in a position where I have recently been accepted to two medical schools, UTHSC and OUWB. They are both out-of-state for me and about equal distance driving wise. Both of these schools are very big unknowns to me, so if anyone has experience with either school, I would LOVE and appreciate hearing your experience. I have pros and cons below, as well as what I look for in a medical school.
Things I value in a medical school:
- Good community (less gunner/toxic attitudes, diverse, urban)
- P/F curriculum, NBME prac questions for exams
- Emphasis on primary care, working with medically underserved regions
- Good pediatrics program if possible
- Student support such as mentorship programs, mental health support, etc.
Similarities of both schools:
- Similar match rates
- Similar board pass rates
- tuition and COL are similar (was offered 15k annual scholarship for OUWB, but cost of a school means less to me since I'll be in debt regardless lol)
OUWB
Pros
Student ranking: ranked into quartiles
Greater diversity (50% asian), since I'm asian might help me feel more comfortable
More OOS population, so less feeling like I'm the only one floundering in a new state
Cons
Curriculum: H/P/F, professor-written exams
Step 1 study time: 5 weeks
Housing cost: $1450 (paid a hold fee to reserve it); more expensive than average housing cost of Memphis
Suburban campus (I prefer urban usually)
Other things: main focus on service-orientation, newer school so more flexible/receptive to student body or more not knowing what they're doing?
UTHSC
Pros
Curriculum: P/F, NBME prac questions for exams
Step 1 study time: 8 weeks
Housing cost: ~$1000-1200
Campus: urban (but memphis has high crime rate?)
Research: a LOT more funding, so more resources/opportunities
Cons
Student Ranking: actual number ranking i think?
Diversity: 18% asian from last cycle; of note, I'm asian, so worried about experiencing racism in more southern states; less cons for UTHSC, but I'm just worried about not meshing well with my classmates lol
Less OOS students (10% are OOS)
Other things: more recognized school, ranked #24 in primary care which is field i want to go into, st judes is main pediatric hospital so big name hospital
Thank you for anyone who has had time to read this, I appreciate it!
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