Boston University or University of Washington?

[diffdecision]

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I was recently accepted from a waitlist, and am now faced with choosing whether to attend Boston University or the University of Washington this summer. Assuming financials will be the same, which would you pick and why?

I'll be an OOR student at UW, and would be moving from Boston this summer. I know UW is ranked higher than BU, but comparing match lists lends BU the upper hand for matching in more north east-ernly residencies (from my perspective). Any thoughts on the education/clinical experience/residency prospects and general environment at each?

 

[tantacles]

They're both awesome.

 

[parachichi]

Can you tell us more about your background, interests, and goals? Disclaimer: I'll be attending UW in the fall so I'm a bit biased 🙂

From what I've heard, the clinical education at UW is hard to beat. Sounds like students are able to do a lot of hands-on stuff, and clinical experience starts the first week of orientation.

 

[tdc]

Without the OOR Tutition Waiver at UW, the tuition is crazy. I hope you get that.

Both seem like great schools. I would pick based on what geographic region you want to be in... PNW or East Coast?

 

[diffdecision]

Can you tell us more about your background, interests, and goals? Disclaimer: I'll be attending UW in the fall so I'm a bit biased 🙂

From what I've heard, the clinical education at UW is hard to beat. Sounds like students are able to do a lot of hands-on stuff, and clinical experience starts the first week of orientation.

I think I ultimately want to end up back on the east coast, and UW's match list is definitely lacking in that area, likely due to its population of students and its mission. I'd love to live on the west coast at some point in my life, but I'm just not sure when that should be (med school, residency, attending... retirement?).

 

[lmn]

Both great schools, if you want to stay on the east coast I would go with BU since my guess would be that they have stronger ties in that area.

 

[parachichi]

I don't think you'd have trouble matching back east from UW because it's a well-known school (at least in medical circles); I think the match list at UW is more a reflection of individual students' desires to stay in the region. If you're a somewhat traditional student, it might be nice to explore a new area now, since you're not tied down by career or family. That said, if you have a strong support system in Boston that you know will help you succeed in medical school, you may want to stay. Do you have a strong interest in primary care?

I think we need more voices in this conversation...

 

[frchuatritons]

What's the cost of UW?