A Unique Position

Over the past couple weeks I've been meeting with physicians and students from UNC and Duke to help me figure out where I want to go to school next fall (I can't justify going to Emory over UNC, I love both and tuition differences make Emory a non-factor). It's an interesting predicament, considering I haven't even been accepted at Duke. The problem is, when May 18th rolls around and they start calling people on the wait list (IF they start calling people on the wait list...), I have to be ready to make a decision. In all likelihood, I will have to tell them "yea" or "nay" probably within 24 hours of their call. So in order to be ready for that decision, I have to pretend that I've already been accepted. I have to do the same investigation, meet the same people, and ask all the important questions, even though in all likelihood I will not have to make this choice.

And I'm starting to hope that I won't have to.

The real problem is this. About 50% of all people I speak with (physicians, policy people, students, etc.) say, "Are you stupid? Go to UNC and save the $100,000 plus. You'll get the exact same education, and have fun doing it." On the other hand, the other 50% say, "Are you stupid? If you get into Duke, go to Duke. Then you can (essentially) go to any residency you want." But the students at UNC go to top residencies in the country too (certainly always for primary care), but it seems I would have an easier crack at the top in specialties like ortho or derm (Me a pimple popper? Doubtful.) at Duke. Either way I'm sure I'd be happy, but it's turning into a tougher (potential) decision than I thought.

There are so many advantages at either institution. At UNC I pay $14,000 in tuition. At Duke, it's $40,000, although the third year is generally paid for. UNC is the #2 primary care school in the nation, and 19th in research. UNC is in Chapel Hill, where I am at home. Rotations are spent all around North Carolina, so you see what medicine in impoverished and rural areas is like, while spending other rotations at UNC to learn at an esteemed state hospital. There are 160 students per class, and the quality of life would probably be much better.

Duke though, is Duke. Their reputation speaks for itself. The caliber of students, an intimate class of 100, is unmatched, and the intensity is palpable just walking around the campus. Basic sciences are completed in one year, students do stellar on the STEP exams, and clinicals begin a year after walking into orientation. Their third year of research will allow me to comfortable fit in my desire to obtain a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) in five years, and the Terry Sanford Institute is one of the top 4 in the US. Perhaps I pay more money, but it could be worth it if I decide to go into orthopaedics or academia. Since I don't know what field of medicine I want to specialize in, why not go to the school that will provide me with the most options?

Then there's the question of doing an MD at UNC, MPP at Harvard, Hopkins, or Duke, and can it all be done in 5 years. That's just another mess. This could potentially be the best option.

But I'm at a loss; someone help me! Fortunately I'm not too stressed out, since the hard part is over. I'm already into an amazing school. I just don't know what I'll do if Duke comes a-calling. I already turned down Princeton 5 years ago. Will I turn down the "name" again?

Next up: April 24th Second Look at Emory... just to make sure I'm not missing anything.