BU vs Wake

[u_raptor]

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Hey all, unless I receive a deciding acceptance offer in the future, which doesn't seem all to likely with my current track record, I am trying to decide between BU or Wake. Now, I know the prevailing SDN attitude is go to the higher rank, but I want to break each down to figure out where I would be happiest while also maintaining the best career options I can get. Currently, I am leaning towards a surg specialty. I also have been offered a 15k/yr merit scholarship at BU, making it surprisingly cheaper than Wake I believe. I am also thinking a tad about rural medicine, to the point I would at least like to get *some* exposure at one point during my four years. This doesn't have to be in-depth exposure, but a way for me to learn more about the idea of practicing in that area. I don't mind studying in a big city, nor do I want to exclude that as a possibility of where I work following residency.

Wake:
+New, Nice building with a lot of sunlight
+Good amount of students match into a surg specialty
+Smaller class (120) with a house system (which I really like)
+1.5 yr preclinical
+ Definitely could tell I would like it if I went here based off of interview day.
+ rural med opportunities
- Not as strong as a residency placement as BU (although it did match to some top places, not as many as BU did, even accounting for the BU larger class size)
- more expensive
- Probably wouldn't have as many career opportunities based off going to Wake vs going to BU (but how much of an impact would it be, truly??)

Boston:
+ Cheaper (due to scholarship)
+Strong match rate to better programs than wake
+ Students were really nice
+ library had the open, sunlight vibe I want
+ higher STEP score
- Large class size (200)
- Older building, felt more "claustrophobic". Rest of building outside of the library felt closed off.
- not sure if they have rural medicine options for exposure?? (would LOVE if a current student or someone that knows could enlighten me on rural med opportunities here, maybe a clinic partnership outside the city?)
- 2 yr preclinical


I would love if any current students could comment on why they would choose their school again, or address some of the pros/cons I found! Thanks!

 

[deleted972488]

Cheaper + stronger match makes BU a clear winner in my opinion. The other things are less important. I hope you get into one of your top, top choices, though.

 

[kritten]

I interviewed at Wake and loved it, but I'm a city dweller and couldn't see myself living there. That seems like a major difference between BU and Wake to me - are you happier in a smaller town? Seems like that might be the case. However, cheaper and stronger match is a big draw. Sounds like you want to plan on second looks

 

[u_raptor]

Cheaper + stronger match makes BU a clear winner in my opinion. The other things are less important. I hope you get into one of your top, top choices, though.

I interviewed at Wake and loved it, but I'm a city dweller and couldn't see myself living there. That seems like a major difference between BU and Wake to me - are you happier in a smaller town? Seems like that might be the case. However, cheaper and stronger match is a big draw. Sounds like you want to plan on second looks

Cheaper + Match is probably my biggest draw to BU right now.

I definitely like a small town feel (one of the reasons I am interested in rural med). But idk if 4 years in a big city vs smaller city is important enough of a issue to make a decision based on. Second looks will definitely be very useful for me

 

[High Noon]

.

 

[u_raptor]

You still have so many decisions left to come out and waitlists that will move, how can you give up hope??

I interviewed at both as well, and although I loved Wake, @EmbryonalCarcinoma's comment is pretty much enough said. Highly doubt these will be the only two schools you'll be deciding between come spring, however

Some of these Rs, along with a lack of getting a special interest email at different school, has led me to believe I suck at Interviewing and got lucky w these two

 

[FallenYeeter]

Some of these Rs, along with a lack of getting a special interest email at different school, has led me to believe I suck at Interviewing and got lucky w these two

I believe you will have much more success this cycle and I really doubt this thread will even matter to you come April. However, I would personally go with BU because at the end of the day we are all just trying to get the best possible position for our futures. I do believe that in 4-5 years from now you will be happy with that decision.

 

[u_raptor]

I believe you will have much more success this cycle and I really doubt this thread will even matter to you come April. However, I would personally go with BU because at the end of the day we are all just trying to get the best possible position for our futures. I do believe that in 4-5 years from now you will be happy with that decision.

Thank you! I hope either way I end up making the right decision

 

[Engrailed]

Given these two schools, I would say BU all the way. If you want to do rural med you can always do an away rotation elsewhere. The money plus the fact that it’s in Boston, (all the Boston schools seem to match really well), I think would be losing out on a great opportunity if you skip BU. No question!

 

[hydrophobicmed]

BU hands down. The only downside I see at BU is the crumby facility. Well, I don't think you will mind that once you start school there. On the other hand, you will get a better chance at matching into competitive specialties. Rural medicine is still a possibility if you can do an away in Maine or New Hampshire. It's really easy to get that.

 

[INeedAdmission2415]

I didn’t apply to BU, however, I did apply to Wake and got that R. So I would go with BU. Hope that helps. 🙂

 

[star-lily]

I didn’t apply to BU, however, I did apply to Wake and got that R. So I would go with BU. Hope that helps. 🙂

Salty! 😉

 

[Peter Pan.]

I didn’t apply to BU, however, I did apply to Wake and got that R. So I would go with BU. Hope that helps. 🙂

+1 don’t go to Wake. 😉

 

[BeTheDiva]

As a Wake student I can say the student atmosphere and huge faculty investment in our programs are major perks on top of the strong curriculum. I ended up choosing Wake over a scholarship at another school because the campus and people felt so inviting as well as the high specialty match rates (30/121 of the Class of 2019 in surgery, 80/121 non-IM/FM). Loving my decision and the beautiful town + school are a plus for long days studying.

 

[u_raptor]

As a Wake student I can say the student atmosphere and huge faculty investment in our programs are major perks on top of the strong curriculum. I ended up choosing Wake over a scholarship at another school because the campus and people felt so inviting as well as the high specialty match rates (30/121 of the Class of 2019 in surgery, 80/121 non-IM/FM). Loving my decision and the beautiful town + school are a plus for long days studying.

These are definitely a lot of the pros that pull me lol. And second look emphasized it alot! This choice will definitely not be an easy one. I just hope wake gives some FA as that may pull me more so.

Thanks so much for your info!