BU vs Loyola vs Georgetown

[western1]

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So I'm starting my decision process to narrow down my options and was looking for some insight from other students. I have been accepted at BU, Loyola, and Georgetown and would like some honest feedback. Here are my thoughts:
I'm originally from the midwest, but lived in DC last summer and loved the city. I would have no problem relocating to either DC or Boston, so location doesn't really play into my decision at all.
- I loved BU when I visited. I think what they're doing with their team oriented CBL is awesome, as well as the impression I got from the students and faculty there. The facilities were awesome, and I LOVED the pass/fail system and the residence apartments at a reduced price. My biggest draw to BU would be the strictly P/F system as well as the high success in pass rates and matches for USMLE I & II (I know that each student will perform based on his/her effort and not on the school. But the scores are good indicators for my use). This school is rather pricy, although it is in the same relative range as my other schools.
-Georgetown: Holy poo this school is gonna cost me an arm and a leg. However, I love the city and think I could get along really well with the students Georgetown typically attracts. My biggest attraction to Georgetown would be their unnaturally high match into Orthopedics. I would love to specialize in this, but am also realistic that my opinion might change. For the sake of this argument let's just pretend I stay with orthopedics as my number one ranked option for residency 😉
- Loyola is closest to my home. It definitely has a "midwestern" mentality in its teaching which I could definitely respond well to. Facilities are awesome. Although Maywood is a dump, I got the feeling that the students are a very close knit community. This is a huge attraction. Loyola matches very closely to my undergraduate school in a lot of areas, and I've been told to attend a school that seems to be the most "comfortable" transition. For me, it would be Loyola.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rippy087]

Although Maywood is a dump, you are literally within 10 minutes drive from Chicago. I would honestly pick the school that you felt the most comfortable at, and from your description it seems like that would either be BU or Georgetown. BU is my only acceptance so far, so I haven't had to make a choice yet, but I do agree with you that the curriculum is great.

I took a look at your MDApps profile, and I was wondering if you could tell me why you eliminated UIC? I know the tuition hikes are ridiculous, but it is in the heart of Chicago.

You can also make this into a poll if you would like more opinions.

 

[drizzt3117]

You need to stop thinking about step 1 scores and match rates; they don't matter. You also should be spending less time thinking about Pre-clinical curriculum; it's pretty standardized. Between these schools i'd go where you're most comfortable.

So I'm starting my decision process to narrow down my options and was looking for some insight from other students. I have been accepted at BU, Loyola, and Georgetown and would like some honest feedback. Here are my thoughts:
I'm originally from the midwest, but lived in DC last summer and loved the city. I would have no problem relocating to either DC or Boston, so location doesn't really play into my decision at all.
- I loved BU when I visited. I think what they're doing with their team oriented CBL is awesome, as well as the impression I got from the students and faculty there. The facilities were awesome, and I LOVED the pass/fail system and the residence apartments at a reduced price. My biggest draw to BU would be the strictly P/F system as well as the high success in pass rates and matches for USMLE I & II (I know that each student will perform based on his/her effort and not on the school. But the scores are good indicators for my use). This school is rather pricy, although it is in the same relative range as my other schools.
-Georgetown: Holy poo this school is gonna cost me an arm and a leg. However, I love the city and think I could get along really well with the students Georgetown typically attracts. My biggest attraction to Georgetown would be their unnaturally high match into Orthopedics. I would love to specialize in this, but am also realistic that my opinion might change. For the sake of this argument let's just pretend I stay with orthopedics as my number one ranked option for residency 😉
- Loyola is closest to my home. It definitely has a "midwestern" mentality in its teaching which I could definitely respond well to. Facilities are awesome. Although Maywood is a dump, I got the feeling that the students are a very close knit community. This is a huge attraction. Loyola matches very closely to my undergraduate school in a lot of areas, and I've been told to attend a school that seems to be the most "comfortable" transition. For me, it would be Loyola.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HatWobble]

I know you said "location doesn't matter", but it does. What you probably meant was, "I would like any of these three cities", but Chicago, DC, and Boston are all very different cities. To me, this decision boils down to Boston vs. DC vs. Chicago.

 

[CopaceticOne]

i know you said "location doesn't matter", but it does. What you probably meant was, "i would like any of these three cities", but chicago, dc, and boston are all very different cities. to me, this decision boils down to boston vs. Dc vs. Chicago.

+1

 

[WSOXFAN]

This is a bit strange, because Chicago, Boston and DC are the 3 major cities that I have lived in over that past 10 years. In terms of comfort combined with having tons of things to do, I don't think you can beat Chicago (although I am a bit biased since it is my hometown). I don't need to tell you this though as you are from the area. Boston is an awesome city and has a lot of surrounding areas that are nice to visit. Its also really nice because it is a walkable city with lots of history and a younger population (but not driveable at all). DC has its international vibe and obviously has tons of history, but I found in the 2 years that I lived there that a good percentage of the people are incredibly nasty. It seems like people in DC have very high demands, are always in a rush and are prone to lash out if you get in their way. I think if it were me, it would be between Loyola and BU.

 

[western1]

I took a look at your MDApps profile, and I was wondering if you could tell me why you eliminated UIC? I know the tuition hikes are ridiculous, but it is in the heart of Chicago.

Even though I was accepted back in December I was matched to the Rockford campus. There's just too much of a focus on Primary Care at the Rockford campus and I feel I would be missing out on a lot of research and clinical opportunities in the Rockford area (and yes, I DO know that it is possible to do some clinicals in Chicago, but that seems like a real hassle when I could just go to a school that has the clinical opportunities I would like).

Also, the locations really do not matter to me. I have moved around a lot in my life and location really isn't that big of a factor. Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Location matters here because these schools are all pretty similar in prestige, price, and philosophy. I'd wait for financial aid packages to come through before making your final decision.

 

[catiness]

i wouldn't go to a school with grades in the first two years. no matter what students might try to lead you to believe, grades really do matter.

 

[ilikesports]

don't go to Georgetown *I live in DC and I like DC but Georgetown Med isn't the best place to go

Personally I'd pick BU because it's in Boston and Boston is a really cool city

 

[joy14]

don't go to Georgetown *I live in DC and I like DC but Georgetown Med isn't the best place to go

Personally I'd pick BU because it's in Boston and Boston is a really cool city

so living in DC qualifies you to say it's not the best place to go because...?

 

[ilikesports]

so living in DC qualifies you to say it's not the best place to go because...?

I'll admit I don't know that much about the school, but I know a lot about its reputation and feedback from many students. Most of what I've heard about Georgetown with respect to patient care and physician capability is good, but a lot of what I've heard about the medical school experience has been bad. That isn't to say that they don't produce good doctors.

Also, judging by the way that they handle admissions I didn't even submit my secondary...i.e. interviewing far more applicants than necessary, high cost secondary, admissions "games", strong desire for a LOI (totally unnecessary IMO) and lack of financial aid. (Not bitter at them since I didn't even submit secondary)

I'm not saying that Georgetown is a bad medical school. It is a great one in many aspects, BUT when compared to BU I would simply chose BU

But, please be my guest to tell me about the more positive aspects of Gtown that you know of. It is possible that what I've heard has been from unreliable sources.