UTSW vs UW (wwami)

[wydoc]

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Hey guys! I'm currently torn between two awesome (and very different) programs and would love some opinions and insights.
I am currently thinking I want to do rural EM, but want to explore many different options (ortho being another one I might be interested in).

UTSW:
+Awesome rotation sites
+4 year MD/MPH (not something I HAVE to do, but I think I would like to)
+Tons of opportunities to experience a variety of specialties/pathologies (I think I would be well prepared for residency)
+Seems to be highly ranked across the board
+Could buy a house (overall cheap COL)
+In state tuition "scholarship" (20k/year)
+Have overall been impressed with the admissions process here
+Interesting new city (with an NBA team!)

-I don't like the heat
-Possibly more competitive classmates (kind of good and bad)
-Large class size

UW:
+Get to rotate through hospitals I would possibly work in in the future (rotate all across the washington/wyoming/alaska/montana/idaho region)
+Can maybe keep doing my outdoor hobbies with my (limited) free time
+"Top 10"
+Cheap tuition
+Less competitive class (good and bad)
+More face time with attendings (fewer students at the small rotation sites)

-I wouldn't see as many unique cases at the small rotation sites and that could lead to being less prepared for residency
-Must regularly move around the region for rotations (I am married so I would need to find my own housing for my wife and I)
-Have to return to my home state for 3 years after to repay subsidized tuition, even though I probably want to practice in a different state

Overall, both schools have fairly equal "prestige" in my opinion, with UW having higher "rankings" and UTSW having the higher achieving students. I worry that I may feel less prepared in residency if I do the wwami program (compared to training in Parkland and the other awesome UTSW hospitals), and I am not super stoked about the obligation to return for three years. That said, getting exposure to rural medicine could be really valuable even if it means moving every couple months for rotations.

Thanks so much for any thoughts y'all have!

 

[Banco]

Overall, both schools have fairly equal "prestige" in my opinion, with UW having higher "rankings" and UTSW having the higher achieving students. I worry that I may feel less prepared in residency if I do the wwami program (compared to training in Parkland and the other awesome UTSW hospitals)

This is not going to be a problem. You will be equally unprepared compared to other interns. Don't worry about this.

I am not super stoked about the obligation to return for three years.

This is a major point. If you don't want to be in that state, then don't go to UW.


Overall both are fantastic and top schools. Don't get hung up on rankings.