Hi Spouses!!!

I have actually found this site super early on as my DH is starting his third year of undergrad (Psychology Major with Minor in Biology) and will begin to prep for MCAT in the fall. I knew he wanted to go into medicine since I met him therefore, I can't complain I knew what I was getting myself into but now it's the battle of which schools to apply to.

I wanted some insight and see if you ladies had any suggestions which schools to apply for? He's a bit non traditional student as he will be 28 when he goes into Med School (if everything goes as planned). We live in Miami now he plans to apply for Florida Schools (UM, UF and UCF) for tuition purposes. However, I would love to be out of state for school (even though tuition is higher) just to experience living out of Miami (they say you have to leave Miami to appreciate it LOL).

I am sorry for such a long post is just since we're getting closer I want some insight on how it was for Med Spouses in the earlier stages and any advice you could offer that you wish you would have known early on.

Look forward to lurking some more and hopefully posting.

Thanks!

[SuzySunshine]

Welcome! I don't have any advice on the med schools that seems like it was forever ago - just pick places you want to go that have good schools would be my advice.

[ladymoreta]

Welcome! Glad you're here!

We picked DH's medical school based on where I could get a job. We both graduated undergrad the same semester, so I applied for jobs at places where he interviewed. Then one worked out where I got an offer and he was accepted, so we took it!

What do you do? Will it be relatively easy for you to find a job wherever you move? If so, I would recommend moving. We are very happy to be back in Oklahoma, but our 4 years in Dallas for his school were a good experience. Since it's for a limited time frame, this is a great time to have an adventure. On the other hand, do you have family in FL? Would you want to be close to them, or does it matter to you? If you have kids, or are planning to have kids during medical school, it might be nice to try to stay within driving distance of your parents, depending on your relationship with them.

[radwife]

Hi!

I was with my DH during the med school application process too.

For applications we considered things both quantitatively and qualitatively:
1. What the school rankings were based on the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) book and US news and world report.
2. Where we wouldn't mind living.
3. Where I could transfer for work (I worked for a national company at the time).

He also applied the 1/3 rule when applying to schools. Out of the schools he applied to 1/3rd were “dream” schools, 1/3rd were “legit” schools, and 1/3rd were back-up schools. I’d say make sure to be realistic. We’ve had several friends who applied to too few or too many “dream” schools and then weren’t accepted.

Once the acceptance offers started to roll in, we looked at each program in detail to see what would be the best fit.

We moved to a different state for medical school, but didn’t end up having to pay out-of-state tuition because I was able to lock in a job prior to the move. Each school has different residency requirements for in-state tuition, so we were definitely one of the lucky ones. This move put us 2.500 miles away from all our friends and family. It was tough at first, but it helped our relationship get stronger and we made some great friends in med school since they were all from all over the country too. Now they are all in residency and scattered back across the country, but we have all these great places to visit!

Keep us posted how it goes. Good luck and enjoy the ride!!

Melissa

[MrsK]

Yay for Miami! I'm a native and I met my DrK when he was studying at Nova. Don't rule out D.O. programs. I believe that there are at least two good D.O. programs in Florida.

[scrub-jay]

DH and I just finished this process and here is a bit of advice:

(1) Stay organized! We made spreadsheets and tables that ranked schools

(2) Design your ranking system on things that are important to both of you - me: job, cost of living, etc DH: early patient contact, overall ranking, etc...

(3) Turn in applications as early as you can

(4) Keep all of his secondary apps organized (we had a running database that X-referenced the original table)

(5) Narrow down your selection to places that you both wouldn't mind living

(6) Remember: each secondary may ask for up to 7 additional essays! (So make sure it is worth it)

Good luck to both of you! If you need any specific advice, so feel free to PM me.

-C

Welcome! I went through the application process with my husband too. It was stressful-- good practice for med school itself! We were fairly focused in applying only to schools within a narrow geographic region due to my work, so that narrowed down the possibilities. From there the decision making was mostly based on reputation and, most importantly, what DH saw during interview days. He was also a bit "older" when starting med school and felt that his age and experience was viewed differently at different schools.

Also, you mention applying to in state schools for tuition... of course go where you dream to go, but depending on your circumstances, you may want to give some serious thought to the consequences of big tuition payments. My husband went into med school thinking he knew what he wanted to specialize in, but now that has changed and he's really not sure. At this point (MS3) we are so incredibly thankful that we do not have a boatload of debt, because if we did his choices would be much more constrained. Some of the specialties that are most appealing to him now do not pay as handsomely as others, and frankly would probably not be realistic options if we had significant debt to pay off. I think this is particularly true for older students, as we will have a much shorter time to save for retirement, kids' college tuition, etc. once he is finally compensated. If we had big tuition debt, I think we would feel a lot more pressure to go into something very lucrative, that may not be the best fit for my husband's interests and our lifestyle preferences. Just something to consider. Good luck!!!

[MarissaNicole]

and nice to meet you! Do you work or are you in school?

Does your DH have any idea what he wants to go into? The reason I ask is because with certain specialties its helps to come from a big name school. I would generally just recommend going to the best school that he can get into (and where you are wiling to live). Unfortunately I know nothing about the Florida medical schools.

I wish we had done more research into schools when he was applying but in some sence we were limited because schools are so competitive.
DH goes to a no-name school so we are a little worried about match, but on the plus side we will come out with a smaller amount of debt (its a state school). Then again I am sure those who go to big name private schools will tell you its worth the money for them... its all about where he can get in and where you will be happy! GOOD LUCK!

Thank you for all the nice welcomes and advice def helps!

To answer some questions....

I am an Assistant Controller for a Law Firm, I have a few credits in accounting courses at the moment, I have no interest in getting a degree yet but have about 4+ years of experience in accounting therefore, I don't think it would be a problem finding work somewhere.

My husband is actually very ambitious LOL! in the sense that at the moment he likes neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery. He definitely would love to be accepted into UM because he wishes to do Med School and Residency in the same location. He also wants me to stay close to my family to have the support from them. We do wish to start a family sometime during Med School probably MSIII if not sooner but we will have to wait and see.

I am definetely grateful to have found this site. He's on student doctor all the time but I never seem to find enough on spouses.

I know at the moment he plans to apply for Florida and Texas Schools. Depending on his MCAT he has intentions of applying to MAYO.

[SuzySunshine]

Knowing those are his interests he should probably apply to USF, do they have a medical school? They have a strong neurosurgery program.

[MarissaNicole]

I agree with Cheri... both of those being competitive it can only help him if goes to a school with strong residencies in those areas. It seems like a lot of programs like to take their own because they know you better since you have studied there four years.

Therefore look for schools that have residencies in both ortho and neurosurgery.

This website will help you search residency programs.

And if DH changes his mind while he is in medical school it is no big deal - many people do, but it will just give you a leg up if he does go into one of those two (both of which are VERY time intensive specialties!)

Hi! Welcome to the forum.

[cylverdust]

Just wanted to say Welcome. This the most amazing site for those that are part of the medical track. It has been so helpful so often for me!! I am glad you found it so early!

Hi there! Welcome to the forums.

Is there any burning reason he is interested in Texas schools??? When we were looking at schools a couple of years ago it seemed as if Texas schools take very few out-of-staters (the state-supported schools that is) and they used their own application service.

That was a pretty fun part of our journey - looking at different schools. In the end DH only applied to three schools and got into two. Looking back on it I don't know what we were thinking as we had heard and repeated the advice "apply early and broadly". It all worked out ok.

I hope you keep posting.

[Laker]

FIU has a new medical school in Miami, so don't forget that one. Also, U of Miami has a satellite program in Boca now I think. USF has a medical school, as does Florida State. Lots of choices for med school in FL.

as other posters said, i would recommend him picking a school based on what field he wants to get into, and if it is primary care, then going to the school that is the most cost effective. Debt is no joke.

DW went to a school that didn't have a residency in her chosen specialty, so that made it more difficult during the match process, thankfully it worked out for her, but it is always nice to have a home program for rotations/letters of rec.

good luck