Hello, I am a transfer student from a US medical school and was recently accepted into UMHS for the 5th clinical semester. I was also accepted to St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine (SMUFOM) and they allowed me to transfer directly into 4th year, which was where I stand at my previous school. Can you guys please shed some light on how I should choose between the two schools? Thanks so much!
UMHS
Pros: better record of matching (list gets longer and longer since 2011, over 60 total have matched), good rotations, better administration and support, better known school?
Cons: need to repeat third year, limited financial aid (max $5,500 school loan per semester at 8%), twice as much debt (about $70K in tuition to complete MD, not including expenses)
SMUFOM
Pros: can transfer directly into 4th year, institutional loan available to cover full cost of attendance (7.3% int), less debt (about $30K total in tuition)
Cons: only one person who applied but did match this year in a surgery residency in Florida (they posted about 20 or so who matched or is practicing on their website, their office said they are still trying to track down past gradautes from the old administration), history of briefly closing in 2008 due to investment issues (but is now under new leadership, the person who matched this year stayed with the school despite what happened in 2008 so that is why they had so few students apply for the match this year)
UMHS
Pros: better record of matching (list gets longer and longer since 2011, over 60 total have matched), good rotations, better administration and support, better known school?
Cons: need to repeat third year, limited financial aid (max $5,500 school loan per semester at 8%), twice as much debt (about $70K in tuition to complete MD, not including expenses)
SMUFOM
Pros: can transfer directly into 4th year, institutional loan available to cover full cost of attendance (7.3% int), less debt (about $30K total in tuition)
Cons: only one person who applied but did match this year in a surgery residency in Florida (they posted about 20 or so who matched or is practicing on their website, their office said they are still trying to track down past gradautes from the old administration), history of briefly closing in 2008 due to investment issues (but is now under new leadership, the person who matched this year stayed with the school despite what happened in 2008 so that is why they had so few students apply for the match this year)