UTSW vs. U of Missouri - Columbia

[Monkitty]

I currently live in Columbia and family is nearby. However my wife is Japanese and the amenities of Dallas would be nice for us (including 2 kids). I feel UTSW offers the better professional path but I am concerned with how it will impact my family.

Basically it feels like the safer choice of MU (already have an apartment, etc) vs. the much higher ceiling that UTSW offers but at a higher cost. I'd be happy living in either state eventually. Speciality wise I lean towards primary (peds) but am open to others (lap lab at MU second look day nearly changed my mind to surgery).

Thanks for any input.

UTSW
Pros

• GREAT clinical/research environment (Parkland and Children's made my heart sing)
• Mandatory(?) research experience will be useful
• Direct flights to Columbia/Japan
• Much larger Japanese community
• Prestige/Ranking
• Lower tuition

Cons

• COL higher (rent) and schools
• Far from family
• Already have apartment lease signed in Columbia
• Curriculum has been in flux but seems stable/liked now
• Large class size
• During interview moderate emphasis that there is not a gunner mentality (red flag?)
• Dallas is much larger than I am generally comfortable with

U of Missouri - Columbia
Pros

• Home (IS) institution
• Love the curriculum, they do PBL well
• Know the area/family present
• New med building is a nice perk
• Clinical campus in Springfield offers a larger clinical experience
• Rural track program is interesting
• Family Medicine residency (moderately interested) is very highly ranked
• Already have an apartment
• Lower COL

Cons

• Safe choice, but maybe not best choice
• (I'm sure more but can't think of them now)

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