SunAndStars0
Full Member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2022
- Messages
- 26
- Reaction score
- 37
Hi everyone!
Start by saying that I'm super grateful to have options that make this decision difficult. I have visited both schools at this point and am honestly super torn. I should preface to say that I got some money for attending Tufts, which will probably offset the cost of rent and make the two schools (UVA is out of state) pretty comparable in cost. I also want to say for context that my goal right now (obviously subject to change) is derm or ENT, preferably in the NYC area.
UVA:
Pros:
- I really loved the way the curriculum is set up here. Clerkships are done pretty early on, so you have over a year of MS4 to focus on applying to residencies and getting your life together
- The people. Probably the biggest draw of the school for me. I met a lot of students (both in my grade and the year above me) who I really saw myself being close with the next 4 years. I really think I would be happy.
-The admin seem really receptive for students
-Better reputation/ranking (Although not sure if there is a big enough difference between the two schools for this to matter)
-The weather and atmosphere. I've gotten really big into golf (and love other outdoor activities) so this would be a nice advantage over the brutal boston winters. Also went to a smaller private college up north, so the idea of the opposite of that (school spirit and college vibes) seem cool.
Cons:
-I wouldn't call Charlottesville a city by any stretch. Definition of a college town. It does seem like there is stuff to do, but limited compared to Boston
- A lot of clerkships are done at sites outside of Charlottesville. Don't love the idea of commuting for a month straight >40 min. Also some of the rotations are in a rural setting, which is not something I am particularly interested in doing.
-UVA is perhaps a little more removed from the northeast. Might be harder to match back into a program in NYC/boston/philly area.
Tufts:
Pros:
-Boston. Would love to live in Boston. So much to do, so much culture in the city, seems like an awesome experience to spend my 20's.
-Tufts med is in perhaps in the epicenter of research/medicine in the country. Yes, I have the opportunities at Tufts, but also BU and harvard (even MIT for research) are right around the corner. Can most likely spread my wings a bit more and make some great connections.
-Kinda going off the point above, but I know that the odds of matching into my home program is probably greater than going anywhere else. So when I think about spending not only med school but residency (another 3-7 years) in the same place, boston region sounds a lot cooler than charlottesville.
-Patient diversity. Will likely be more similar to the types of patients I expect to see later in my career.
-Students also seemed to have a good relationship with admin/eachother, although did not see as much as UVA (maybe they just did not potray it as well)
Cons:
-Reputation/ranking/prestige perhaps less than UVA. Also resident PDs ranked here lower than UVA. Again, not sure if it is substantial enough to make a difference. NGL, I've always been a bit of a prestige *****, but can swallow it if it truly doesn't make a difference.
-Brutal winters. Like I said, I just spent four years in the north. I'm getting PTSD just thinking about the cold.
-Larger class size(200 vs 130 i think). I spent the last year in a city for my gap year which could have been super fun, but I never found people here I connected with. Being in a cool place is only great if you have people you love there to share it with. Finding real relationships is really important to me.
-COL. I mentioned earlier that prices between the two schools are similar in terms of tuition and rent, but when you consider day-to-day living boston will add up so fast. It gives me an aneurysm just thinking about it.
That's pretty much where my head is at. The people/curriculum of virginia vs the city/connections of Boston. In my head, I feel pretty 50/50. I would love to hear advice from current students at either school, but all input is greatly envouraged/apprecitated! Cheers!
Start by saying that I'm super grateful to have options that make this decision difficult. I have visited both schools at this point and am honestly super torn. I should preface to say that I got some money for attending Tufts, which will probably offset the cost of rent and make the two schools (UVA is out of state) pretty comparable in cost. I also want to say for context that my goal right now (obviously subject to change) is derm or ENT, preferably in the NYC area.
UVA:
Pros:
- I really loved the way the curriculum is set up here. Clerkships are done pretty early on, so you have over a year of MS4 to focus on applying to residencies and getting your life together
- The people. Probably the biggest draw of the school for me. I met a lot of students (both in my grade and the year above me) who I really saw myself being close with the next 4 years. I really think I would be happy.
-The admin seem really receptive for students
-Better reputation/ranking (Although not sure if there is a big enough difference between the two schools for this to matter)
-The weather and atmosphere. I've gotten really big into golf (and love other outdoor activities) so this would be a nice advantage over the brutal boston winters. Also went to a smaller private college up north, so the idea of the opposite of that (school spirit and college vibes) seem cool.
Cons:
-I wouldn't call Charlottesville a city by any stretch. Definition of a college town. It does seem like there is stuff to do, but limited compared to Boston
- A lot of clerkships are done at sites outside of Charlottesville. Don't love the idea of commuting for a month straight >40 min. Also some of the rotations are in a rural setting, which is not something I am particularly interested in doing.
-UVA is perhaps a little more removed from the northeast. Might be harder to match back into a program in NYC/boston/philly area.
Tufts:
Pros:
-Boston. Would love to live in Boston. So much to do, so much culture in the city, seems like an awesome experience to spend my 20's.
-Tufts med is in perhaps in the epicenter of research/medicine in the country. Yes, I have the opportunities at Tufts, but also BU and harvard (even MIT for research) are right around the corner. Can most likely spread my wings a bit more and make some great connections.
-Kinda going off the point above, but I know that the odds of matching into my home program is probably greater than going anywhere else. So when I think about spending not only med school but residency (another 3-7 years) in the same place, boston region sounds a lot cooler than charlottesville.
-Patient diversity. Will likely be more similar to the types of patients I expect to see later in my career.
-Students also seemed to have a good relationship with admin/eachother, although did not see as much as UVA (maybe they just did not potray it as well)
Cons:
-Reputation/ranking/prestige perhaps less than UVA. Also resident PDs ranked here lower than UVA. Again, not sure if it is substantial enough to make a difference. NGL, I've always been a bit of a prestige *****, but can swallow it if it truly doesn't make a difference.
-Brutal winters. Like I said, I just spent four years in the north. I'm getting PTSD just thinking about the cold.
-Larger class size(200 vs 130 i think). I spent the last year in a city for my gap year which could have been super fun, but I never found people here I connected with. Being in a cool place is only great if you have people you love there to share it with. Finding real relationships is really important to me.
-COL. I mentioned earlier that prices between the two schools are similar in terms of tuition and rent, but when you consider day-to-day living boston will add up so fast. It gives me an aneurysm just thinking about it.
That's pretty much where my head is at. The people/curriculum of virginia vs the city/connections of Boston. In my head, I feel pretty 50/50. I would love to hear advice from current students at either school, but all input is greatly envouraged/apprecitated! Cheers!
