NotReal234
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I am leaning towards Duke but interested in hearing thoughts and suggestions about this and I hope this thread can help someone in the future who is making a similar decision
I am interested in matching into Neurosurgery and potentially being involved with academic medicine. Growing up, I have always dreamed of living in California because of the warm weather and abundance of outdoor activities, and I would much rather live in Pasadena than Durham. However, I am heavily enticed by the prospects of attending an institution like Duke and what that would mean for my long-term career aspirations. Additionally, Duke would provide me with connections and research opportunities that I could leverage to be a strong applicant for Neurosurgery or another surgical subspecialty or competitive specialty if I do change my mind. The third-year research program at Duke is wonderful because I can dedicate an entire year to conducting research and getting publications. This could allow me to work in a lab in California, and establish connections that can help me match there. On the other hand, I don’t know if I can walk away from the incredible amount of money Kaiser is willing to provide me. A full-ride scholarship, while living in California? I don’t know if I can give that up. I have attempted to get a better sense of whether Kaiser can provide me with the resources necessary to be a competitive applicant for Neurosurgery, but I have not liked the responses I have received so far. It appears that the lack of a home Neurosurgery program will pose a problem for me. Ultimately, it would be a huge risk to attend Duke and potentially pivot from Neurosurgery and be saddled with $160,000 of student loan debt. It will also be a big risk to attend Kaiser and have trouble matching into the specialty I would like, and potentially lose out on one year of attending salary.
Duke (COA $160,000)
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
Prestige (10%)
Location ( 18%)
Cost (30%)
Neurosurgery residency (25%)
Research (14%)
Non-graded Clinical (1%)
Class Size (2%)
Summary: I am interested in Neurosurgery or other competitive surgical subspecialties but I would also like to live in California and have some financial freedom. Any thoughts and advice are truly appreciated.
I am interested in matching into Neurosurgery and potentially being involved with academic medicine. Growing up, I have always dreamed of living in California because of the warm weather and abundance of outdoor activities, and I would much rather live in Pasadena than Durham. However, I am heavily enticed by the prospects of attending an institution like Duke and what that would mean for my long-term career aspirations. Additionally, Duke would provide me with connections and research opportunities that I could leverage to be a strong applicant for Neurosurgery or another surgical subspecialty or competitive specialty if I do change my mind. The third-year research program at Duke is wonderful because I can dedicate an entire year to conducting research and getting publications. This could allow me to work in a lab in California, and establish connections that can help me match there. On the other hand, I don’t know if I can walk away from the incredible amount of money Kaiser is willing to provide me. A full-ride scholarship, while living in California? I don’t know if I can give that up. I have attempted to get a better sense of whether Kaiser can provide me with the resources necessary to be a competitive applicant for Neurosurgery, but I have not liked the responses I have received so far. It appears that the lack of a home Neurosurgery program will pose a problem for me. Ultimately, it would be a huge risk to attend Duke and potentially pivot from Neurosurgery and be saddled with $160,000 of student loan debt. It will also be a big risk to attend Kaiser and have trouble matching into the specialty I would like, and potentially lose out on one year of attending salary.
Duke (COA $160,000)
Pros
- Prestige - With P/F Step 1 this might be important (10%)
- Research - I love the research year (14%)
- P/F Pre-Clinical and Clinical - I have heard from students that this is not that important (1%)
- Neurosurgery residency home program - Will set me up better to match into residency (25%)
Cons
- Location - Not a big fan of Durham, but maybe I should visit again
- Cost - Huge and I don’t want to take out loans because my undergrad was free
Pros
- Location - I love California and I would like to live here as an adult and match to a residency program here. (18%)
- Cost - FREE (30%)
- Small class size - more individualized attention, and vested interest in seeing the new classes perform well (2%)
Cons
- Prestige - New medical school
- Research - limited bench research opportunities, but I could get plugged in at Caltech?
- H/HP/P/F Clinical - Graded clinicals might help me stand out on the contrary.
- No home Neurosurgery residency - This will make getting mentorship, research, and shadowing opportunities difficult. Current M3 says this was a big challenge for them, but it should be easier for incoming students.
Prestige (10%)
Location ( 18%)
Cost (30%)
Neurosurgery residency (25%)
Research (14%)
Non-graded Clinical (1%)
Class Size (2%)
Summary: I am interested in Neurosurgery or other competitive surgical subspecialties but I would also like to live in California and have some financial freedom. Any thoughts and advice are truly appreciated.
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