University of Iowa vs. Medical College of Wisconsin (Help! :)

[drinkingcoffee]

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University of Iowa
Pros:
-Visited/toured and really liked the atmosphere and the community feel
-Smaller class size (125)
-More "prestigious" (I think?... large public research university, high stats)
-They have M1 students start out shadowing right away, lots of case-based learning
-Basic science/pre-clinical curriculum is 1.5 years versus the full 2 years

Cons:
-Iowa city is not the coolest place to live lol
-I believe pre-clinical years are H/P/F (versus strictly just pass/fail) (...might make pre-clinical years more stressful? any input?)


Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
Pros:
-Milwaukee is a cool city, lots to do (although maybe I won't have a ton of time for this to matter lol)
-They have a required/built-in research component (scholarly project)
-Pre-clinical years are just P/F

Cons:
-Huge class size (225) (This could be a pro or con, but I heard of people not knowing their whole class... I gravitate toward wanting to know everyone and have that community feel)
-A bit less "prestigious" I think (Private school, lower stats, etc.)


Both schools are out of state for me, so tuition is not really a factor. Overall, I'm looking at weighing the two for what will set me up to be in a good place for residency, while still enjoying medical school. I think the location is not as big of a factor for me as understanding what the differences in curriculum/grading and actual school will mean for me throughout school and in applying for residencies.

Anyone who went to either school or just has any insight that could help me, I welcome your opinion! I super appreciate any input you all might have.

Edit: I don't have a certain specialty in mind, but am definitely interested in looking into the more competitive ones. I don't think I want to do primary care.

 

[Banco]

If cost is equal, I’d pick Iowa. More resources, bigger name etc.

pre-clinical grades matter so little (if at all).

 

[Stride]

I am also considering Iowa. I really hate that it is graded in pre-clinical, too. Every student I ask says that that nobody cares about the grading but I don't really believe them haha. Seems stressful.

However, just throwing it out there that Iowa city is actually a pretty cool town! Lots of great restaurants and bars. I am personally not a huge fan of MKE, so I am a little biased!

 

[Putkernerinthehall]

Don't underestimate Iowa City. Pretty cool place. Iowa is the better known, more prestigious, higher ranked school. I'd go to Iowa in heartbeat over MCW despite graded pre-clinical years.

 

[Sea Otter]

Residency programs won’t care if you get straight passes on your preclinicals. Clinical grades, board exams, letters of recommendation, etc. are where you separate yourself in their eyes. I’d go to Iowa if I were in your shoes.

 

[mvsrocks]

A current student at Iowa was talking about P/F stuff. I believe he said that when applying to residency, they only see pass or fail for preclinical years (even if it is H/HP/P/F internally).

 

[drinkingcoffee]

If cost is equal, I’d pick Iowa. More resources, bigger name etc.

pre-clinical grades matter so little (if at all).

Thanks for your input! I am definitely leaning that way.

 

[drinkingcoffee]

I am also considering Iowa. I really hate that it is graded in pre-clinical, too. Every student I ask says that that nobody cares about the grading but I don't really believe them haha. Seems stressful.

However, just throwing it out there that Iowa city is actually a pretty cool town! Lots of great restaurants and bars. I am personally not a huge fan of MKE, so I am a little biased!

That's good to hear that most people say they don't care about the grading as that was one of my bigger concerns. What makes you not like MKE as much? Also, thanks for your input!!

 

[drinkingcoffee]

Don't underestimate Iowa City. Pretty cool place. Iowa is the better known, more prestigious, higher ranked school. I'd go to Iowa in heartbeat over MCW despite graded pre-clinical years.

Thanks for sharing! And your right, I think Iowa City isn't bad, I have just been hearing from all my family that Milwaukee is way cooler which is where that is coming from. I think Iowa is probably looking like the better choice!

 

[drinkingcoffee]

Residency programs won’t care if you get straight passes on your preclinicals. Clinical grades, board exams, letters of recommendation, etc. are where you separate yourself in their eyes. I’d go to Iowa if I were in your shoes.

This is really good to know. I guess I didn't really know what factored into residency as much and my pre-med years have scarred me into thinking about grades too much. Thanks for your input!!

 

[drinkingcoffee]

A current student at Iowa was talking about P/F stuff. I believe he said that when applying to residency, they only see pass or fail for preclinical years (even if it is H/HP/P/F internally).

This is really interesting and good to know! I definitely didn't know this. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Stride]

That's good to hear that most people say they don't care about the grading as that was one of my bigger concerns. What makes you not like MKE as much? Also, thanks for your input!!

Disclaimer, I have never lived there but visit friends who do relatively often. It just seems to me like you get the negatives of living in any big city (poverty, social issues, congestion) without too many of the benefits (lots of cool things to do, culture, transportation system, etc.). There is not a ton of things to do in MKE compared to Chicago or other bigger cities.

Though, the cost of living in MKE is not too bad!

YMMV. I welcome other opinions as well.

 

[_bkworks_]

Iowa