Western Michigan vs UNLV

[E1520]

Western Michigan

Pros:

• I appreciated the culture and feel of WMed. Everyone was welcoming and seemed genuinely happy, and the administration has been very communicative throughout the cycle.
• I like the idea of the decompressed curriculum. Students seem to like it was well.
• Kalamazoo reminds me of the smaller town I grew up in. I love the communal feel.
• Match list seems strong for a newer school, but I honestly have no idea how to differentiate a strong match vs a weak one.
• Very nice facilities
• Similar COA to UNLV due to merit and need-based aid.
• P/F M1-M2

Cons:

• Moving across the country and losing my support system.
• Still a newer program
• New M3 rotation schedule that current students seem wary of.
• I'm unsure about living in Michigan. It doesn't have the same access to nature and rock climbing as Nevada, and I've never visited. Couldn't get the time off from work for second look.

UNLV

Pros:

• Seemingly happy students and supportive faculty
• Friends and family nearby
• I love rock climbing and the outdoors, and Vegas has great access to both.
• Relatively low IS tuition
• P/F M1-M2
• Fancy new building

Cons

• They don't post an actual match list - only the types of specialties matched and the different institutions that students matched to. They also tend to match nearly half of the class in state which doesn't appeal to me.
• New M3 clinical rotation structure - they gave up on the longitudinal integrate clerkship model for a more traditional block structure.
• From the perspective of a Vegas local, the quality of healthcare here is abysmal. I'm ambivalent about learning about medicine from a system that leaves so much to be desired.
• I'm also not a huge fan of the culture and transient nature of Vegas.

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[i-doctor]

Michigan is a beautiful heavily wooded state. Kalamazoo will give you access to the great outdoors also, but totally different than in Nevada. Michigan is a water wonderland, with lakes and rivers galore. Swimming, kayaking, white water rafting. And hiking galore on nature trails. And Lake Michigan is nearby, with fantastic swimming and sand dunes activities and coastal vacation resort towns. And in the winter there is snowmobile activity and skiing. Not to mention fantastic skiing in Northern Michigan.

 

[i-doctor]

As an aside. Cincinnati is your best med school (if you get in off the waitlist). I would go there in a minute if financially feasible.

 

[E1520]

As an aside. Cincinnati is your best med school (if you get in off the waitlist). I would go there in a minute if financially feasible.

Yeah I'd be thrilled to go to Cincinnati; they've got a great program. I appreciate your insight on Michigan as well. I love the idea of being next to a huge body of water like that, and the outdoors/skiing access is a huge plus.