UWSOM (Montana) vs. UMich

[jma90]

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Hi,
I have been lucky to receive offers from University of Washington (Montana WWAMI) and University of Michigan. Would love some help on this decision. Thx for taking the time to read!

UWSOM (Montana)

Pros

• Unbeatable clinical exposure in Montana and other sites around the WWAMI system: Due to small class sizes and very few residents, often just 1 student to 1 attending
• Have family/friends/support system here. Girlfriend is here (not long-term...at least not yet!)
• Very slightly higher ranked, I guess?

Cons

• May be interested in competitive specialties and would be required to do those rotations in Seattle anyway, so not sure how much I would really benefit from that 1:1 student:attending ratio
• "Required" attendance, a lot more emphasis on flipped classroom/case-based learning. I definitely prefer video lectures to attending live lectures.
• Interested in clinical research and would like to have a research mentor, but this person would likely be in Seattle, so would be more difficult to set things up/maintain a relationship from Montana
• class size of 30 seems a little TOO small
• I didn't get the vibe that there was as much energy or ambition here

UMich

Pros

• Overall, I was blown away by the Michigan interview experience. I know you shouldn't judge a place by interview day alone, but they really put their best foot forward.
• Attendance not required for lectures and they are supportive of you learning how you learn best. There is some case-based learning, but seems like less.
• Flex quizzing first year
• Seemed like way more research opportunities in much more diverse fields (clinical, interdisciplinary, etc.). Opportunity to establish relationships with research and clinical mentors in whatever specialty, and in the same city (unlike the Bozeman/Seattle situation)

Cons

• Farther away from family, but I don't really mind this (I can visit during holidays), and girlfriend is willing to try long distance for now
• No friends/support system, but I can make new friends...
• More traditional/academic clinical environments (lots of residents and students per attending)

Summary: I like UW because it is close to family and because of the lower-BS clinicals (1:1 student:attending) in Montana, but not sure I would even get to benefit from either of those factors if I need to lots of rotations in Seattle. I much prefer Michigan's pre-clinical curriculum, research opportunities, and overall vibe, but don't dig (what I imagine is) the traditional ivory tower clinical environment (lots of residents and students competing) relative to the laid-back clinical environment in Montana.

 

[Rachapkis]

Two really good schools. You will have opportunities out of either one. I would go with your gut, which my Spidey sense tells me is Michigan.

 

[Quantal Reasoning]

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Both schools are incredible and can get you wherever you want to go. In consideration of your family and girlfriend, I would chose UW, but that's only because I'm biased against long distance relationships.

 

[puahate]

Cant go wrong. UW should be less expensive for you correct? Then UW

 

[jma90]

Cant go wrong. UW should be less expensive for you correct? Then UW

Thank you for the thoughts everyone! This is a good point and the answer is "not necessarily". in MT we are required to pay higher fees if we do not commit to practicing in MT (and if we commit to practicing there but then end up deciding not to, we have to pay back a bunch of state support money!). Truthfully I am not 100% sold on returning to MT right after residency. I have research and other interests that I could see myself wanting to pursue in an academic environment for at least a little while.

TLDR, UWSOM could actually end up being a little more expensive than Michigan OOS tuition

 

[jma90]

Two really good schools. You will have opportunities out of either one. I would go with your gut, which my Spidey sense tells me is Michigan.

Yeah, my gut feeling was definitely toward Michigan. just didn't know how much i should trust my "gut" based on one day's worth of impressions at each school!

 

[deleted962973]

Thank you for the thoughts everyone! This is a good point and the answer is "not necessarily". in MT we are required to pay higher fees if we do not commit to practicing in MT (and if we commit to practicing there but then end up deciding not to, we have to pay back a bunch of state support money!). Truthfully I am not 100% sold on returning to MT right after residency. I have research and other interests that I could see myself wanting to pursue in an academic environment for at least a little while.

TLDR, UWSOM could actually end up being a little more expensive than Michigan OOS tuition

Do you have the numbers? Like what is COA at Mich vs at UWSOM excluding support money for staying in MT? If its within 50-100K, it makes no difference, you'll pay it back easy.

 

[Gilakend]

Can't go wrong either way. If you think you could stay in MT the whole time I'd prob go there just for the social support aspect. But IMO have to move to Seattle for certain rotations would be less than ideal (and you'd be away from your gf). I would rather be in 1 place for the 4 years. Also I feel at Michigan you would have more opportunities at your fingertips.

Disclaimer/Possible bias alert: I'm going to Michigan.

 

[jma90]

Do you have the numbers? Like what is COA at Mich vs at UWSOM excluding support money for staying in MT? If its within 50-100K, it makes no difference, you'll pay it back easy.

thanks, if I assumed NOT returning to MT, then OOS tuition is about $65000 at UWSOM and $55000 at Michigan, so not a lot. Still waiting for scholarship/financial aid news at both

 

[puahate]

At that point it's really up to you. Both schools are good. I would personally pick Michigan if you cant actually live in Seattle for UW. Seattle is a cool city.