BU vs. UConn

[Anonymous1991]

Without going into too much detail, I am currently in the position of having to decide between these two schools, but am on a number of waitlists as well. I qualify for in-state tuition at UConn, but have a small amount of merit aid at BU which amounts to roughly a $65K difference in overall cost of attendance (with UConn being cheaper). Location wise Boston takes the cake, but either way I am close to home/friends/family so it isn't a big deciding factor. I am seet on pursuing research in school and it seems as if BU would be the better plac for this, but with BioScience CT there will certainly be an increasing level of research opportunities at UConn as well.

My main question is this:

Is the difference in prestige / research and other opportunities worth the extra ~$65K in the long run. My gut is telling me yes, but I figured I would see what other opinions are out there.

Who knows, maybe this will be a moot point pending some WL decisions, but I'm focused on the decision at hand at the moment!

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[Ja3ger]

This would be a more difficult decision if you hadn't gotten extra money from BU. From what I gather (on these forums at least), an extra $16k/yr isn't that much for a prestigious school in a better location. I've seen many people choose schools like BU over schools like UConn with a larger different in cost. I just think that $65k over the course of a doctor's lifetime is totally worth 4 years of (more) happiness and potentially better opportunities.

 

[hubriz]

This would be a more difficult decision if you hadn't gotten extra money from BU. From what I gather (on these forums at least), an extra $16k/yr isn't that much for a prestigious school in a better location. I've seen many people choose schools like BU over schools like UConn with a larger different in cost. I just think that $65k over the course of a doctor's lifetime is totally worth 4 years of (more) happiness and potentially better opportunities.

If you are somewhat uncertain of a benefit to going to BU, why pay the equivalent of $100,000 (after interest accrual) more to go there? That's a lot of dough for a little prestige.

 

[Anonymous1991]

Thanks for the input guys! Anyone else have thoughts? First and foremost is the difference in "prestige" or even the difference in oppportunity for strong residencies negligible in this case, or is it big enough to warrant this extra cost?

 

[SN12357]

Thanks for the input guys! Anyone else have thoughts? First and foremost is the difference in "prestige" or even the difference in oppportunity for strong residencies negligible in this case, or is it big enough to warrant this extra cost?

I'm not sure if prestige is worth the difference but in comparing BU and UConn the difference is both location and prestige. So...maybe? I think a big part of it boils down to how you feel about Farmington/Hartford.

 

[iceman55]

Thanks for the input guys! Anyone else have thoughts? First and foremost is the difference in "prestige" or even the difference in oppportunity for strong residencies negligible in this case, or is it big enough to warrant this extra cost?

I think it's negligible, your experience at either school will mostly be a result of what YOU make of it.

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Is BU an extra $65k per year or total over 4 years? I don't think $65k total is too much if you really liked BU better but if you actually like UConn better and are just hesitating because of the ranking then you should go where you feel like you'll be more successful (whether that's due to location, curriculum, etc). An extra $65k per year is definitely not worth it.

 

[Anonymous1991]

Thanks guys! To the point above, it is an extra $65K total. I could see myself personally at either school, I was mainly concerned/curious about the difference the decision will make come residency application season. I know this gets talked about a lot, and people certainly have differing opinions. Is the "prestige" factor not really relevant until you get higher up the proverbial totem pole in this case (i.e. UConn vs. a top-20)?

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Thanks guys! To the point above, it is an extra $65K total. I could see myself personally at either school, I was mainly concerned/curious about the difference the decision will make come residency application season. I know this gets talked about a lot, and people certainly have differing opinions. Is the "prestige" factor not really relevant until you get higher up the proverbial totem pole in this case (i.e. UConn vs. a top-20)?

Can't really speak to that. BU probably has more name recognition on the West Coast, but it's probably about equal in the Northeast, especially since UConn makes the final 4 every year 😉 If you want to stay in the NE it may be moot but if you want to go west it may be something to think about. $65k total difference is really not that much higher of a debt load although with interest it could go up by as much as 2x-- the AAMC has a debt calculator that you could look at to see how much longer you'd be paying that off if you think that would help sway you.

As I said above, if the price difference becomes neglible, then consider other factors that may influence your happiness in med school.

 

[hubriz]

Thanks guys! To the point above, it is an extra $65K total. I could see myself personally at either school, I was mainly concerned/curious about the difference the decision will make come residency application season. I know this gets talked about a lot, and people certainly have differing opinions. Is the "prestige" factor not really relevant until you get higher up the proverbial totem pole in this case (i.e. UConn vs. a top-20)?

BU prestige will do nothing for you that you can't do for yourself. If you think the location and medical training at BU is worth $100,000.00 more than UConn's, go to BU. If not, go to UConn.

 

[lmn]

Thanks guys! To the point above, it is an extra $65K total. I could see myself personally at either school, I was mainly concerned/curious about the difference the decision will make come residency application season. I know this gets talked about a lot, and people certainly have differing opinions. Is the "prestige" factor not really relevant until you get higher up the proverbial totem pole in this case (i.e. UConn vs. a top-20)?

I don't think it will likely make the biggest difference when you get to residency apps, it is going to be much more on how well you did on step 1, your clinicals, and any research or other projects you did. I would go with wherever you think you would be able to succeed more, and not worry about which school name is better.

 

[JJMrK]

The prestige difference between these two for your future residency application is pretty negligible, IMO.

 

[Anonymous1991]

Bump now that the deadline is 1 week away ...

After financial aid packages (all loans for both schools), it looks like ~60K difference overall. I've had people tell me two completely different stories (BU has more prestige/recognition amongst residency directors vs. it really won't make a difference), and also people tell me that the added opportunities in Boston may or may not make a difference. I am still totally conflicted and would appreciate any further comments that may help me see this decision from every angle!

 

[GoPelicans]

I've had people tell me two completely different stories (BU has more prestige/recognition amongst residency directors vs. it really won't make a difference)

I think the honest answer is nobody really knows, and we are all just speculating within the context of our own personal biases and experiences. 60K is like 4-6 months salary for an attending, in the big picture it's really not that much money if the COA of BU is the only thing holding your decision back.

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

That difference in debt is not substantial enough that it should sway you. This should come down to your personal preferences because BU and UConn are two very different schools. Did you feel more comfortable in Boston or in suburban CT? Which curriculum did you like better? Compare their clinical curricula-- which gets you into rotations sooner? Does either have required attendance or unranked preclinical years? Does one have a guaranteed research stipend for the summer after M1? These are the kind of things that will ultimately matter a lot more than any perceived prestige difference (which could ultimately change by the time you graduate anyway-- making it a moot point since you have no way to predict). The reason people are giving you two very different perceptions of the prestige difference is that it doesn't matter-- if it did, everyone would tell you the same thing. Going to UConn will not hold you back from research in any way if you are really concerned about that. Good luck with your decision!

Edited to add: in case you're looking for concrete answers, without knowing very much about either school, I would personally pick BU because I would rather live in Boston.

 

[lmn]

I don't think either school will significantly help or hinder your future, and like others have said, 60k is a lot, but imo not really a deal breaker amount in the long run. I would go with whatever school's curriculum/training you liked better, and where you like the people and area more.