Western Michigan vs Morehouse vs. Downstate

[DDT-Tailsman]

Please help! I lived in the NYC area previously and wish to match into internal medicine. I also want to have a research career focused on computational research, particularly focusing on diseases that disproportionally affect minority communities.

I’m familiar with Atlanta and Brooklyn because I’ve been there in the past, so location shouldn’t be a problem for both those schools. I have also visited both schools. However, Kalamazoo is very different from Atlanta/Brooklyn. Downstate gives a DIY-medical school vibe while Morehouse seems to be more structured. PD rankings are about the same for both Downstate and Morehouse ~116 while ~150 for Western Michigan. I’m wondering if any could speak to these three schools. I’m URM if any is curious.

My main support system is far away in all cases. I think the most significant factors are: 1) Residency/Step2 performance (similar) and allotted study-time for Step2 2) Match List / Ability to Match 3) Research Flexibility/Interest (Interest in Computational/Precision-Medicine/Systems Biology Research) 4) Ability to have a balanced-lifestyle 5) Exam Schedule (I do better with spaced out exams schedules than weekly quizzes/exams)

Morehouse

Pros:

• -Clinical rotations are top notch
• -H/P/F Grading System (YR 1/2)
• -Established School
• -Students are happy!
• -Good location for fun/weather
• -Partnership Programs (Stanford, Harvard, Emory, NFL, etc.)

Cons:

• -Letter Grades Clinical (YR 3/4)
• -Less Research Focused
• -Primary Care Oriented (Interest Could Switch)
• -Fewer friends in Atlanta
• -Seems to rely on external connections

Downstate

Pros:

• -Good for matching into NY
• -Pass/Fail (YR 1/2)
• -I really love the Brooklyn area and the opportunities NYC has to offer
• -Many friends and family in NY
• -Spaced out exam schedule (exam after each block)
• -Biotech Hub/Incubator

Cons:

• -Administration seems irresponsive
• -Honors, High Pass, Pass, Conditional, Fail (YR 3/4)
• -DIY medical school
• -Gym size is small and pool is not good
• -Outdated and sorta gloomy facilities/campus
• -Horror Stories on sdn/reddit
• -Large class size

Western Michigan

Pros:

• -Decompressed program that helps keep students destressed, and spreads out research
• -Faculty seem very interested in each student and are communicative
• -Area has a good reputation
• -Very Quiet and Meditative

Cons:

• -Cost and tuition is high
• -Newer school
• -Research isn’t well-established and lacks connections
• -Midwest would be a new experience (although I do like music from the Midwest ~Midwest emo)
• -Less diverse patient population
• -Lower Number of Residency Positions

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