Another This vs. That Thread :)

[quideam]

I would really appreciate some imput..... RWJ vs. UPitt?

RWJ
Pros:
- cheap ($20,000 per year tuition)
- close to b/f and family
- Hip Hop project: lots of work with underserved populations

Cons:
- sick of being in New Brunswick (go to undergrad five mins. away)
- hate the basic sciences curriculum
- clinical curriculum is too restrictive (clinical sites and schedule)
- extremely ugly facilities (I know, superficial, but still)
- many students complain about it, but then that's subjective

UPitt
Pros:
- love the basic science curriculum
- amazing clinical exposure
- areas of concentration
- loved the city
- amazing gym, clubs, etc.
- liked the atomosphere a lot; felt "right"
- highly regarded EM program (leading to research experience with well-published docs)

Cons:
- expensive ($37,000 per year tuition!!)
- far from b/f (6 hour drive)

Basically, if I chose RWJ, it would be for the money and proximity to my boyfriend.... if I chose UPitt, it would be for everything else.

Keeping in mind that I am interested in doing EM, and want to do a lot of travelling abroad... and also keeping in mind that my bf will be a 3rd year at RWJ next year, and will try to get a residency in Pitt if I go...

Please advise!!!!

 

[Disenchanted 1]

Just from reading through your post, it seems from your tone that you seem to definitely prefer UPitt if it wasn't pretty much for your bf. I would go with where you felt *right* at because you are going to be spending 4 precious years there and from your own observation and those of others, they do seem to have a lot of clinical exposure and a great curiculum. Plus, I would honestly disregard the tuition because we are going to be big time in debt anyway, what difference does that 20-30 grand make if it is at the cost of you always wondering *what if* or being miserable where you are at. My feeling is you definitely prefer UPitt and i say go for where you feel is right for you. When i chose my number 1 school which thankfully i got matched at, It was pretty much because i felt a connection as if this school was built exactly for me....everything about it was perfect for my study habits, personality, etc.

As far as the issue with your bf, I believe that it might not be a bad thing. For one thing, if he truly adores you and wants to be with you nothing not even distance will stop him. Secondly, both being MSs I belive you will have less time to hang out, particularly with him going through his clinical rotations. This might be a chance for you to focus on your studies and meanwhile plan for the future so that you guys can be in close proximity. Just my 2 cents.....!! I hope things work out!! Good luck

 

[dookbloo]

quidearm,
youre too young too make personal decisons because of other people in your lifel. you just have to do whats best for yourself and see how things work out. in other words, go to upitt--its definitely the better choice in this situation. you can only gain from this experience. good luck!

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

UPITT should win...hands down. The higher tuition is WORTH IT in this case. Not only does the quality of instruction, quality of professors, quality of student body, and academic reputation far exceed that of RWJ...but you also benefit from the clinical exposure and the basic science program thats more suited to your needs. The major downside being that you'll be farther from your boyfriend...but keep in mind that the MD you'll receive from whichever institution you choose will be something you'll have to live with FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. You don't want to look back 20 years from now and think, "Maybe I would've landed a better residency coming out of UPitt."

 

[SoulRFlare]

despite the sting i continue to feel as a jilted upitt suitor (crank up the melodrama), I'd advise you to go to pitt as well. is there any way your b/f can do his clinicals in pittsburgh or a hospital which is at least a bit closer? if not, just keep in mind that the long distance thing is difficult, but not impossible. get a cellphone with a lot of minutes and remember: six hours is not unheard of for a weekend jaunt.

 

[Mr Reddly]

Originally posted by SoulRFlare
and remember: six hours is not unheard of for a weekend jaunt.

Ya!, and if you get the audio USMLE courses, you can study while you drive!! ... err, or are you gonna make the b/f drive?

 

[bokermmk]

It seems there about an 80k difference btw the two schools. As other posters said, I dont think that is enough on its own to warrant going to R. Wood. But if you can get a decent scholarship at R. Wood and make the difference 100-125K or so it would probably be worth it. That being said, I would go where you think you will be most happy. If you think that you will be more happy at Pitt and away from your boyfriend then go there. If you think you will be happier with your bf and at R. Wood then go there. I also disagree with other posters who said that you are too young for your decision to involve others. If those others make you happy, I think they deserve to be part of the decision making process.

 

[pekq]

I vote UPitt hands down. Don't let others, including your bf hold you back. The difference in quality between Upitt and RWJ is large enough to justify leaving family and friends and paying higher tuition.

 

[lilstina]

quideam,

i've seen you post about this before, and it seems like your heart is really set on upitt in the end. i know you and your bf are really serious, but to me, you're still relatively close. i've done LD before and i only wish he had been driveable distance, instead of a flight away!

if the money is not too much of a difference, it just looks like the pros you listed for pitt much outweigh those of RWJ. and (knock on wood) if anything happens between you and your bf, at least at pitt you will still be at a school that makes you happy in the end and gives you the best opportunities for what you want to do in the future.

i do think it is important to take into account your significant other when you're making this decision since you guys seem to be very serious, but the situation seems to be workable even if you don't stay in jersey with him. i'd go with pitt.

good luck with your decision

 

[ify]

(knock on wood) if anything happens between you and your bf, at least at pitt you will still be at a school that makes you happy in the end and gives you the best opportunities for what you want to do in the future.

i do think it is important to take into account your significant other when you're making this decision since you guys seem to be very serious, but the situation seems to be workable even if you don't stay in jersey with him. i'd go with pitt.

I definitely concurr. Worst case scenario: you guys break up (let's hope not, but even serious relationships can go sour), and you are stuck in a school you seem to absolutely hate for 4 years.
Best case senario: You guys spend 2 years together, then he will (hopefully) match into a residency that's close.
It's really up to you to weigh it. What will give you more joy-- being close to him, or being in a school you love?
Good luck. I feel for you.
I definitely feel like I'm getting old already just going through this med school process; I mean we have to make all kinds of decisions.

 

[doepug]

Reading your post, it's clear that you want to go to Pitt. Go there! It's a great school. If your relationship is meant to be, it'll last... if not, you'll be in an environment where you are your own person.

 

[jlee9531]

quideam,

i've seen you post about this before, and it seems like your heart is really set on upitt in the end. i know you and your bf are really serious, but to me, you're still relatively close. i've done LD before and i only wish he had been driveable distance, instead of a flight away!

if the money is not too much of a difference, it just looks like the pros you listed for pitt much outweigh those of RWJ. and (knock on wood) if anything happens between you and your bf, at least at pitt you will still be at a school that makes you happy in the end and gives you the best opportunities for what you want to do in the future.

i do think it is important to take into account your significant other when you're making this decision since you guys seem to be very serious, but the situation seems to be workable even if you don't stay in jersey with him. i'd go with pitt.

good luck with your decision

go to upitt. its not too far away from nj and im sure you can make a visitation schedule to see each other at least once a month. having a SO is a very big deal especially if you guys are serious and it should be considered deeply. med school is not only about doing well, but also having a good support system around you both emotionally and academically. but since the two schools in questions are not too far away from each other. i think you guys will be ok.

 

[Newquagmire]

word chica, go Pitt. of course, it's not gonna matter cos you're gonna get into yale/penn off the waitlist anyway