Wayne State vs OUWB (+$12k/yr)

[Dr. Brightside]

I'd appreciate any help deciding between Wayne State vs OUWB as an MI resident. OUWB gave me a 1/4 tuition scholarship but it still ends up being about $12k per year more expensive than Wayne. I will get my COA from Wayne in a month so I don't know exactly what the difference will be. I'm currently leaning toward Wayne, but I do think I could be happier at OUWB, especially if I can maybe somehow negotiate scholarships? I've got 5 days to decide.

Info about me:
Very interested in peds
I value living in an area where I can meet a variety of other students/ grad students/ young professionals, etc.
Both schools are about the same distance from home.

Wayne Pros:
More established (but does it matter if OUWB matches just as well?)
More research funding (although probably won't do much research)
More interesting location
About $80k cheaper total after considering interest

Wayne Cons:
Administration is often very unresponsive and overall everything seems super unorganized. No other school was like this at all in emails or on interview day.
Area isn't super nice. (Whenever I walk around that part of Detroit I get followed by homeless people)
All the decent apartments nearby have been full for months so I would have to commute at first

OUWB Pros:
Students, faculty, staff, etc. were generally more professional and friendly. School overall seems much more supportive of its students, and many others seem to agree.
Nicer campus and facilities.

OUWB Cons:
Hospital is kinda far from the school
Can't easily walk to restaurants, etc as it's the suburbs.
(probably a con) Mandatory attendance, although this never bothered me in undergrad. I do prefer more traditional lectures and OUWB is TBL.

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[libertyyne]

Peds won't matter, either school will get you there. Another thing to consider is Wayne is going to have a new curriculum next year with all the growing pains associated with that. You will however get a solid education at both places.

 

[darkpauladin]

Another con for Wayne is that their longest standing clinical partnership with DMC is likely coming to an end

 

[libertyyne]

Another con for Wayne is that their longest standing clinical partnership with DMC is likely coming to an end

this upcoming class will not be impacted by that.

 

[Caligirlzz]

Go with where you think you'll be happiest. That's more important than the $$.
Four years is a long time, and med school is tough...you'll need a supportive setting. Pick the school that fits you best. So great to have a choice!

 

[yaboi123]

Normally I would say go where you will be the happiest but based on the information you have shared I would say to pick Wayne State over OUWB. Like the posters above, I believe you will be successful at either school but it seems that Wayne has more consistent Pediatric matches over the last couple years compared to OUWB. Also you mentioned that you want to meet a variety of people and I believe that a city like Detroit is a better place to meet a variety of people compared to OUWB's location. If these things are of value to you I believe that you could actually be happier at Wayne also considering that it is $80k cheaper which is a lot of money. Hope this helped 🙂

 

[WIMNFamilyMed]

About waiting to get a COA from Wayne: If you had a scholarship, they would have told you. I think it's safe to assume you are getting all government loans (unless you invented dabbing or something) for whatever they advertise on the website as the cost.