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I’m trying to figure out if I can write a Letter of Intent to my top choice, WashU, but I have a unique situation and need to consult internet strangers to help me decide if I’m certain enough to do that.
Note: I'm pretty much between WashU and Dell, although Baylor has some attributes that may make it a good compromise.
Background:
WashU
Pros
Dell
Pros
Baylor
Pros
Note: I'm pretty much between WashU and Dell, although Baylor has some attributes that may make it a good compromise.
Background:
- Non-trad, early 30s male
- Life goals: become a doctor and work hard, but not to completely sacrifice relationships, family, friends etc- lifestyle factors are important
- I will probably want to pursue a competitive specialty but am open-minded
- Family and friends:
- Mom sister and nieces live in the Midwest
- Most of my closest friends are in Texas, so is my dad
- Currently in St. Louis. Have made good friends here, but many will leave for med school soon.
- Feels like WashU vs. Dell/Baylor is choosing family vs. friends; or one side of my family vs. the other, making it much harder
WashU
Pros
- Highest-ranked
- Close to my mom and nieces who are poor and can’t travel a lot
- Low cost of living, $120k max loans for me, average graduate debt is $100k
- Big city amenities without all the annoying bustle, traffic, parking problems, etc
- Underserved community, advocacy opportunities
- Unparalleled research and career opportunities
- I like their curriculum
- Excellent mentorship, EXPLORE program, career advising
- P/F rotations
- I felt that the students were very similar to myself, which was inspiring, it seemed like people thought similarly to me, had similar goals and values, etc; didn't get this vibe from any other school
- Non-trad friendly (40% are >24yo, 5% are >30yo)
- Crime in St. Louis (car got broken into a few weeks ago lol)
- I have made a couple of close friends here, but I sometimes feel isolated (but perhaps this will change when I meet my med school classmates)
- Would essentially be committing to be away from my best friends for the next 7+ years
- Have heard that there are still kinks in the Gateway curriculum, with unnecessary busywork; current MS4s are the first to go through it all
Dell
Pros
- Near my closest friends in life, also ~3hrs from my dad
- My goal ever since I left Austin 6 years ago has always been to return! This was always my dream school
- I LOVE their curriculum
- 1-year preclin and core clin is 2nd year.
- If I want to do a competitive specialty then 3rd year would be a built-in research year.
- Sounds like the last 2 years are pretty chill and conducive to starting a family if that’s in the cards at that point
- Good tech/AI/innovation opportunities
- Very fun city with lots of people to meet and things to do with my friends
- Very inexpensive; average debt is $100k (same as WashU)
- Non-trad friendly (40% are >24yo, 5% are >30yo)
- P/F curriculum; but how would I stand out for residencies?
- Austin is now a medium-high cost-of-living city and it’s increasing every year.
- Newer school might mean their career/residency advising is subpar
- It’s crowded
- Hospitals and clinical sites are subpar I’ve heard, but they’ve announced a huge expansion, though I’m unsure if it’ll be done in time for me to benefit
- I wonder if the condensed curriculum will leave me less prepared for residency
- Have heard students complain about the curriculum being “good in theory but leaves more to be desired in practice” but I hear this at most schools (most still liked it though)
- Very small class size of 50, but this will be offset by my being near pre-existing friends
- Would feel like committing to be far away from my mom sister and nieces for the next 7-10 years
Baylor
Pros
- Great reputation
- Close to my dad, and I have friends in Houston. My friends in Austin could visit easily (3hrs away)
- Texas medical center for clinical sites
- Good innovation/tech opportunities
- Good mentorship programs
- Houston is diverse which I love
- P/F preclin and clinicals; but how would I stand out for residency?
- Located in an expensive, crowded area of Houston
- Heard parking is horrific
- I would have to take Orgo 2 in April lol (makes me want to die)
- Non-trad unfriendly (80% younger than 24, less than 1% older than 30)
- Most expensive on this list, average OOS debt is $170k, could easily end up costing 250k+ though.
- Would feel like committing to be far away from my mom sister and nieces for the next 7-10 years
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