Carle Illinois vs Saint Louis University

[LillBit]

Help me choose!
- no specific specialty in mind yet, but would like to have most options open

Both: Relatively same COA, both have AOA (or a similar form), both very far from home (California)

Carle:
Pros:
- Smaller class size: 64
- Unique curriculum of engineering, could be a good way to stand out
- UIUC is a bigger name as a school itself
- Early clinical exposure

Cons:
- New, not many graduated classes
- Match list is voluntary, not sure how representative it is

Saint Louis University:
Pros:
- Traditional medical school
- Been around very long, lot of alumni
- More established free clinics

Cons:
- Larger class size: 182+

All help is appreciated, I'm not too sure what factors are important to consider when deciding between schools. Thank you!

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[Mr. Macrophage]

Carle Illinois! Small class size, unique curriculum, and well known. Yes it’s on the newer end, but it’s still a strong program.

 

[m1redsox]

I would go with SLU because it is an older, well-known program with a home hospital and associated residency programs in all specialties whereas there are few resources in Urbana. There would be fewer opportunities to rub shoulders with PDs, get high quality LORs, and get clinical research (not basic science stuff that is typically found at an undergrad campus). You are always most likely to match at your home program, and people without a home program who want a competitive specialty are at a significant disadvantage.

The engineering part seems sort of cool, but I don’t get the idea that you are very passionate about that aspect.

Also, all match lists are voluntary.

 

[Hitman964]

I think your decision should ultimately come down to whether or not you really are passionate about engineering. Carle's entire curriculum is built around creating the physician-innovator and, if that's not 100% something that you care about, medical school isn't really the place to start experimenting with it (IMO). If you decide engineering is something you can see yourself putting the extra work into, then Carle is an amazing program. Otherwise, SLU might be the move.

Disclaimer: Studied BME in college and have been accepted to both programs