When does ranking start to make a difference...

[ozarka]

I need serious advise on this situation. I am struggling and trying to decide between 3 offers of admission that I am currently holding. I want to release the spots to other candidates quickly, so I really will take your advise into account to do so.

The 3 schools are in the top 20 per US news & WR. The 3 will end up costing me about the same. However, at one of the schools (the top-ranked of the 3), I have received a prestigous, part-tuition scholarship. the other 2 schools are state schools that are very well regarded here.

a part of me wants to stay in state bcs i'm married and it will be a hassle to move (although my husband is very understanding and is willing to move if needed). I also liked the students and other aspects of the state school.

how much does ranking matter? From the Top-ranked to the 2nd school, only 6 points of difference is there. From the top to the 3rd school about 8 pts of difference is there. Is this "a lot"? Also, there is about 0.5 points spread in how residency directors view the two schools. i have my heart set on a very competitive specialty and don't know if the 6 points is significant enough to make a difference.

Also, since I have the scholarship, will it look better when I apply to residency than to go to the other school (no scholarship)?

I liked both schools equally when I visited, but I liked the in-state school a bit better. Locationwise, both are pretty so-so locations.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. I want to release my spot by the end of this week.

 

[Sharkfan]

Read the 100+ previous posts on this topic for more info.

From what I've gathered, rankings only matter when you are gunning for an uber-competitive residency. And there's not a whole lot of difference between top tier schools. A lot of people will tell you that the only difference between a "top" school and a lesser known one is reputation, which, as I said, will probably only come into play if and when you gun.

With all that being said, I would take the scholarship. Yay free money!! Debt: the lesser the better.

 

[Bones2008]

Originally posted by ozarka
I liked both schools equally when I visited, but I liked the in-state school a bit better.

Huh?
.....
Anyways, it sounds like you prefer the state school straight up. Based on your description it sounds like you're from California. The state schools are maybe UCSD and UCLA? Something to consider is that in-state tuition is cheaper than what I imagine you'll be paying out of state at the other school. So, the partial-scholarship (from Columbia, I'm guessing?) kinda loses its effect because it's coming off of a larger tuition to begin with. That said, as long this scholarship isn't for an incredible amount of money, and the different out-of-pocket will only be a few thousand dollars per year, go to one of your UC's. As you mentioned, it'll be easier. If the other school is Columbia, New York sucks anyways.

 

[Eraserhead]

Originally posted by Bones2008
Huh?
.....
Anyways, it sounds like you prefer the state school straight up. Based on your description it sounds like you're from California. The state schools are maybe UCSD and UCLA? Something to consider is that in-state tuition is cheaper than what I imagine you'll be paying out of state at the other school. So, the partial-scholarship (from Columbia, I'm guessing?) kinda loses its effect because it's coming off of a larger tuition to begin with. That said, as long this scholarship isn't for an incredible amount of money, and the different out-of-pocket will only be a few thousand dollars per year, go to one of your UC's. As you mentioned, it'll be easier. If the other school is Columbia, New York sucks anyways.

Keep in mind if these are indeed UCs (or any other state schools for that matter) you are going to get grant money too. I mean, the tution is going to be about 21,000 but you won't have to pay that full amount.

I'd take the one with the scholarship but really we need names here!

 

[Eraserhead]

Originally posted by Bones2008
Huh?
.....
Anyways, it sounds like you prefer the state school straight up. Based on your description it sounds like you're from California. The state schools are maybe UCSD and UCLA? Something to consider is that in-state tuition is cheaper than what I imagine you'll be paying out of state at the other school. So, the partial-scholarship (from Columbia, I'm guessing?) kinda loses its effect because it's coming off of a larger tuition to begin with. That said, as long this scholarship isn't for an incredible amount of money, and the different out-of-pocket will only be a few thousand dollars per year, go to one of your UC's. As you mentioned, it'll be easier. If the other school is Columbia, New York sucks anyways.

Keep in mind if these are indeed UCs (or any other state schools for that matter) you are going to get grant money too. I mean, the tution is going to be about 21,000 but you won't have to pay that full amount.

I'd take the one with the scholarship but really we need names here!

 

[JohnHolmes]

Originally posted by ozarka
I need serious advise on this situation. I am struggling and trying to decide between 3 offers of admission that I am currently holding. I want to release the spots to other candidates quickly, so I really will take your advise into account to do so.

Can you name the schools? It would be helpful and we could give you advice less blindly.

CCW

 

[ozarka]

thanks for the help...i was reluctant to name the schools but I guess i should...

The In-state school is Baylor (not really "state" but it will be the same price-wise). the out-of-state school is u of Michigan.

I really did like both of them equally at first. I guess I'm just really, really confused I think about this all the time, because both schools have a lot to offer

I worked out the finances, and both of the schools are going to come out to be about the same in terms of $$...

How do the reputations of both these schools compare. Do you think it will make a difference in terms of getting a very competitive residency?

 

[exmike]

Originally posted by ozarka
thanks for the help...i was reluctant to name the schools but I guess i should...

The In-state school is Baylor (not really "state" but it will be the same price-wise). the out-of-state school is u of Michigan.

I really did like both of them equally at first. I guess I'm just really, really confused I think about this all the time, because both schools have a lot to offer

I worked out the finances, and both of the schools are going to come out to be about the same in terms of $$...

How do the reputations of both these schools compare. Do you think it will make a difference in terms of getting a very competitive residency?

So I'm guess you're picking between UTSW, Baylor, and Mich. WOW Great choices!

Remember what a huge change of environment i't'll be to move from texas to michigan (unless you already went to a cold area for college)

You really cant go wrong with any of them. It seems that price isnt an issue since you have a scholarship to Mich.

Personally I'd choose umich, I think it has the best reputation of the bunch, but they're all awesome schools! good luck wwith your choice.

 

[spumoni620]

Hey Ozarka,

wow, i was in a really, really similar situation a while back. both are great schools and you really can't go wrong either way. you can go to heights at either school. What specialty do you want to go into? Baylor's particular strength, as I have heard, is pediatrics (the TMC is simply amazing; the TCH is in the top 5 pediatric residencies nationwide). Correct me if I'm wrong, but i've heard U Mich's strength lies in surgery.

Have you talked to students at both schools to see where you might belong? Have you considered weather differences - Ann Arbor can get quite cold, but on the flip side you'll get a much milder, more pleasant summer than in Houston.

Getting a prestigious scholarship will, I'm sure, help in the residency process. However, if you do well at Baylor you can more than compensate for the lack of scholarship there.

Best of luck in your decision. If you have any more specific questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[ozarka]

spumoni620 and exmike,
thanks so much for your help. Exmike, you are right - I have never lived in cold places and am definitely worried over the weather, as small a thing as that might seem. However, I would be willing to put up with the weather if it helped me be less stress-free in terms of getting a good residency.

I know one can do well at any school and get into a good residency. But I don't want to "have to" do that - like having a gun to my neck, do you know what I mean? I have a lot of outside interests and want to pursue them even in school.

I have talked to a few students at some of the schools. All of them seem to like their school. Michigan students seemed a little more stressed, but I am not sure.

I just don't know if the ranking difference will make a big deal to residency directors or not. Is 6 points a big enough spread to do that? Is Michigan that much more regarded than Baylor?

Please, anyone else able to help out there?

 

[Gleevec]

Originally posted by ozarka
thanks for the help...i was reluctant to name the schools but I guess i should...

The In-state school is Baylor (not really "state" but it will be the same price-wise). the out-of-state school is u of Michigan.

I really did like both of them equally at first. I guess I'm just really, really confused I think about this all the time, because both schools have a lot to offer

I worked out the finances, and both of the schools are going to come out to be about the same in terms of $$...

How do the reputations of both these schools compare. Do you think it will make a difference in terms of getting a very competitive residency?

Where do you want to do residency? If in the south, then Baylor, if in the midwest, then UM.

Take a look at this thread for a comparison of #'s of people from each school going into competitive specialties: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=111427

They're pretty similar for the most part, so it depends on where you want to do residency really (if cost isnt an issue).