Which factor do you consider more important?

[MedicineBird]

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In choosing which school to attend, which is more important: the ranking (i.e. US News) or enjoying the environment? For example-- say you are accepted by The Snarfblat school of Medicine which has a #1 ranking in the Cream O Dee Crop magazine. They have a great reputation etc but the program is a cold one and it is in a city that is hellaciously expensive, smells horrible, and voted for the wrong guy in the election (or whatever else turns your stomach). You are also accepted to Dinglehopper School of medicine in a nice town with a laid back atmosphere. The school is reputable with a good program but it's ranked lower by the COD Crop magazine. Which school do you choose? Which is the higher card here - the name and rank of your school or your quality of ife for 4 years. Is it better to suck it up and deal with the school with the rank or do you go for the school where it's easier to breathe?

 

[dhoonlee]

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[MedicineBird]

That is pretty personal. I think both factors are very important.

Hence the internal conflict. Can only pick one so which is it?

 

[KiwiFruit]

In choosing which school to attend, which is more important: the ranking (i.e. US News) or enjoying the environment? For example-- say you are accepted by The Snarfblat school of Medicine which has a #1 ranking in the Cream O Dee Crop magazine. They have a great reputation etc but the program is a cold one and it is in a city that is hellaciously expensive, smells horrible, and voted for the wrong guy in the election (or whatever else turns your stomach). You are also accepted to Dinglehopper School of medicine in a nice town with a laid back atmosphere. The school is reputable with a good program but it's ranked lower by the COD Crop magazine. Which school do you choose? Which is the higher card here - the name and rank of your school or your quality of ife for 4 years. Is it better to suck it up and deal with the school with the rank or do you go for the school where it's easier to breathe?

WOW! I really wish that I was in your position of picking between two medical schools! All medical schools will provide you with a MD and a chance to do what you love. But you might want to consider residency placements in your decision and what you might like to pursue after medical school. The next four years are definitely going to be insanely draining and I think a school that helps you with your sanity will make you a happier med student...so personally, I would definitely go for quality of life, but that's just me. I guess I'd also have to take into consideration the difference b/w the rankings, for example: #1 vs. #20 or #1 vs. #100. But then again, rankings don't really mean too much in terms of a "better medical education" but I'm kinda biased because I still believe there is a reason behind a school's reputation...I mean, they're not ranked number X for nothing. Like you said though, if both schools are decent and if the primary reason you have for attending the higher ranked school is because of the ranking, then I would definitely go for what makes you happy! Best of luck with your decision and med school. Whichever school you choose, I hope you enjoy medical school! How exciting! Sorry, that was so long and disorganized thinking.

 

[10minutes]

I guess it really depends on person. I would not too much care about the environment but the location was important enough for me and others to ignore close ranking difference. I easily chose UVA over other state schools and over Pitt because it's instate and close home. I mention Pitt because Pitt is ranked higher than UVA but was not impressive enough to lure me in terms of ranking and location. A lot of people make the similar decisions. I have noticed that in my class when people were faced with similar or a little higher ranked schools like Emory, Pitt, or Vandy, majority ended up choosing their state or close home school. I would have chosen any top 10 school over UVA though if I had been accepted to any.

 

[doc05]

go with the higher ranked school if the financial situation is workable. a bigger-named school will be an advantage in residency placement, regardless of which specialty you choose. "atmosphere" isn't that significant, since most med schools are pretty much the same. what you learn one an interview visit isn't enough to get a good feel for the school; you only meet preclinical students (tour guides), which is also a limiting factor. finally, your classmates will make the difference and you don't meet them until orientation.

good luck.

 

[monstermatch]

These are tough decisions but its important to be honest with yourself. Do you want to become an academic physician, work at a University & produce research? Going to a big names institution can help down the road when you are making contacts in your field, applying for residencies & grants. Do you want to go into a ridiculously competitive field like Rad Onc? Big name institutions will sure give you an edge when you apply for residencies. Is it important for your ego that you get that big name? Then do it - no point in living with dissapointment the rest of your life.

As for me, I got into a top 10 school and my state school and I chose the state - for financial and personal reasons. I knew that med school would be tough and I wanted to be near my family - that kind of support is what got me through my first year without quitting. The cost of med school also made an impact on my decision because I was interested in primary care fields and I didn't want all that debt over my head pushing me to specialize. In the end I chose a subspecialty field anyways and I've been able to interview at some great programs even tho I'm from a lower-end state school. Did I get the residency interview at Harvard? Nope - but it turns out there are better programs out there even tho Harvard has a higher rank.

Its weird how medicine works - so much of your success depends on your own personality that it doesn't really matter where you go to school. All that matters is that you are happy where you are - that way you are able to put forth your best effort and keep up your spirits during the tough times. So just decide what is important for you, make a decision, and don't look back.

BTW, You'll be running into the exact same issue down the road when you apply for residencies!

 

[dr.z]

go with the higher ranked school if the financial situation is workable. a bigger-named school will be an advantage in residency placement, regardless of which specialty you choose. "atmosphere" isn't that significant, since most med schools are pretty much the same. what you learn one an interview visit isn't enough to get a good feel for the school; you only meet preclinical students (tour guides), which is also a limiting factor. finally, your classmates will make the difference and you don't meet them until orientation.

good luck.

I agree with this one.

 

[biendesalud]

Go where you are happy. Your personal study habits and board scores are going to get you the residency you want more than the name of the school. The name of the school will, of course, help to some extent, but if you are happier somewhere, you will likely perform better there academically and succeed in future endevours.

 

[ramblinwreckie]

Like the previous guy/girl said.

Go where you'll be happy and where you'll fit in. If you're really laid-back and just want to enjoy med school, some schools might not work for you. I think the atmosphere among schools varies immensely, and you won't really know until you visit. Go with what feels right to you.

 

[striped sweater]

In choosing which school to attend, which is more important: the ranking (i.e. US News) or enjoying the environment? For example-- say you are accepted by The Snarfblat school of Medicine which has a #1 ranking in the Cream O Dee Crop magazine. They have a great reputation etc but the program is a cold one and it is in a city that is hellaciously expensive, smells horrible, and voted for the wrong guy in the election (or whatever else turns your stomach). You are also accepted to Dinglehopper School of medicine in a nice town with a laid back atmosphere. The school is reputable with a good program but it's ranked lower by the COD Crop magazine. Which school do you choose? Which is the higher card here - the name and rank of your school or your quality of ife for 4 years. Is it better to suck it up and deal with the school with the rank or do you go for the school where it's easier to breathe?

I would probably go to Snarfblat over Dinglehopper simply because of Cream O Dee Crap's expertise in determining which is the better school. NOTTTTTTT... you need to go where you would be happier. Either way, you will become a doctor... the question is a jaded, cynical doctor, or a happy one.

 

[MedicineBird]

BTW, You'll be running into the exact same issue down the road when you apply for residencies!

Ah the things I have to look forward to! I think you (all of you) brought up some very good points. The idealist in me would like to believe that no matter where I go, as long as I perform at a superior level, I will have fantastic residency doors open to me. I am not so sure this is the case but I would like to believe it. Oh to have a crystal ball....

 

[BigRedPingpong]

Good location med school usually has a high US news ranking too (some exceptions exist).
Take for example (no flames please):
Ross University Vs Northwestern University

 

[DrRads101]

"atmosphere" isn't that significant, since most med schools are pretty much the same.

While I agree with other parts of your post, I strongly disagree with this one. I am in medical school and have many other friends in medical school at OTHER schools, and I can tell you with certainty that most med schools are definetly NOT "pretty much the same."

Curriculum, location, and free time vary WIDELY depending on the school, not to mention clinical rotations (i.e., some schools will be sending you all around the state for rotations while others you will stay in the same location).

Med schools vary widely. Choose the curriculum and location that suits you best, and then consider the ranking only if you would be happy with the first two.

 

[DrRads101]

Its weird how medicine works - so much of your success depends on your own personality that it doesn't really matter where you go to school. All that matters is that you are happy where you are - that way you are able to put forth your best effort and keep up your spirits during the tough times. So just decide what is important for you, make a decision, and don't look back.

BTW, You'll be running into the exact same issue down the road when you apply for residencies!

This is so very true.

You can constantly be going after "the rank" for the next 8-10 years of your life and miss out on your family and actually settling down into a good location you are happy with. Hopping from place to place every 4 years in search of pedigree is no way to live--you'll just become a lonely nomad like most academics out there. Before you know it you are single and in your 40's.

My sister went to a very low-ranked medical school but now as a doctor she makes $190 and hour as an ER physician and works along side colleagues from Yale, et al, who make the same. If you are making $190 an hour in the location you want, what more do you want? It certainly wouldn't have mattered if she went to Harvard--it's not like she'd be any happier or richer now as a doctor.

 

[MedicineBird]

While I agree with other parts of your post, I strongly disagree with this one. I am in medical school and have many other friends in medical school at OTHER schools, and I can tell you with certainty that most med schools are definetly NOT "pretty much the same."

Curriculum, location, and free time vary WIDELY depending on the school, not to mention clinical rotations (i.e., some schools will be sending you all around the state for rotations while others you will stay in the same location).

Med schools vary widely. Choose the curriculum and location that suits you best, and then consider the ranking only if you would be happy with the first two.

I appreciate your insight. The first program I mentioned seems to be very cutthroat and the faculty seems very self congratulatory while the second seemed more supportive and the faculty seemed welcoming as if they were there to lift you into the profession. Of course, as one of the previous posters mentioned, you can't be certain of a program based on your first impression gained on your interview day.

 

[Dr. Chiquita]

In choosing which school to attend, which is more important: the ranking (i.e. US News) or enjoying the environment? For example-- say you are accepted by The Snarfblat school of Medicine which has a #1 ranking in the Cream O Dee Crop magazine. They have a great reputation etc but the program is a cold one and it is in a city that is hellaciously expensive, smells horrible, and voted for the wrong guy in the election (or whatever else turns your stomach). You are also accepted to Dinglehopper School of medicine in a nice town with a laid back atmosphere. The school is reputable with a good program but it's ranked lower by the COD Crop magazine. Which school do you choose? Which is the higher card here - the name and rank of your school or your quality of ife for 4 years. Is it better to suck it up and deal with the school with the rank or do you go for the school where it's easier to breathe?

I'll go with Dinglehopper School of Medicine. I made the mistake of following reputation for college and was miserable. Though I got a great education. I totally believe in the fact that every US med school is going to train you to become an excellent doc. So it wouldn't really matter where you go. This time, I choose my happiness over couple spots on the ranking.

 

[ellia08]

Whats the point of going to snarfblat if your miserably unhappy? You have a lot of important choices and you really dont want the people mentoring you to be people you cant relate to at all (or who cant relate to you).

But hey, if we are talking minor adjustment issues rather that bleak miasma of unbearable dark misery then I guess choose the more challanging one.

(Youll know which one is best for you in the end without my input anyway.)

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Quality of life, no question, though I'm not planning to apply to slouches, either. There's a balance.