Emory versus Einstein ($100k scholarship)

[10stime]

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Hi everyone,

The title is pretty self-explanatory. I had my heart set on Emory until the scholarship offer at Einstein came through. Still, $275k of debt at Emory is pretty scary (I also have debt from undergrad). I loved Atlanta when I visited (much more than the Bronx). On the other hand, Einstein tends to have more older, non-traditional students like me, with a notoriously non-competitive atmosphere. Still, Emory's name and reputation seem to hold a lot of weight over Einstein, and I am interested in some of the more competitive specialties. Would really appreciate any input.

 

[phunky]

Take the money and run.

 

[Cooldynasty]

Hi everyone,

The title is pretty self-explanatory. I had my heart set on Emory until the scholarship offer at Einstein came through. Still, $275k of debt at Emory is pretty scary (I also have debt from undergrad). I loved Atlanta when I visited (much more than the Bronx). On the other hand, Einstein tends to have more older, non-traditional students like me, with a notoriously non-competitive atmosphere. Still, Emory's name and reputation seem to hold a lot of weight over Einstein, and I am interested in some of the more competitive specialties. Would really appreciate any input.

Honestly as @phunky said, take the money and run. Einstein might not be Emory but it is still a great institution and has a good reputation ( at least in many parts of the East Coast). Personally I think the curriculum is good also, and the school allows for student interaction with the surrounding community. Furthermore if you are worried about matching, take a look at this years match list. There are also great research opportunities their. Your experience is what you make of it and I honestly don't think that choosing Emory over Einstein is going to have a significant impact on your achievements as a medical student and as a physician. Also, the area of the Bronx where Einstein is located is really not that horrible (don't know much about Emory's location).

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Einstein. The name difference means relatively little -- I would probably choose Einstein over Emory even without that scholarship. With the scholarship, it's a no-brainer for me. 🙂

If you really have your heart set on Emory, go there. Just know how much more that 100k is going to mean after years and years of capitalizing interest/compounding... 😕

 

[GoPelicans]

I would consider 100K scholarship at a school like Einstein much more prestigious than going to Emory with substantial debt.

 

[10stime]

Thanks for the replies. I have ten days to make up my mind, so any more input from people would be great. Einstein would indeed be the financially responsible decision because my debt would essentially be cut in half, and I hate the idea of relying on repayment programs that may or may not exist a decade after I graduate. However, I really fell in love with Atlanta and still can't shake the idea that Emory seems to have a better name and is higher ranked. I hate the fact that that matters to me, but it does.

 

[Member44444]

since everyone's already hashed out $ details. are you interested in public health? that could be a pro-emory reason but I guess you could get an MPH elsewhere in city at AE. what are your priorities in schools?

 

[10stime]

Both schools offer amazing clinical experience, global health, and research. Emory has a shorter pre-clinical curriculum with 6 months of built-in time for research.

Aside from these things, the main differences in my mind come down to preferred city, better lifestyle (especially regarding weather/gym/running paths, which is very important to me), higher rank (Emory) versus much lower cost, more non-traditional students (arguably less competitive atmosphere, also very important to me), closer to home (Einstein).

 

[midnight0il]

Both schools offer amazing clinical experience, global health, and research. Emory has a shorter pre-clinical curriculum with 6 months of built-in time for research.

Aside from these things, the main differences in my mind come down to preferred city, better lifestyle (especially regarding weather/gym/running paths, which is very important to me), higher rank (Emory) versus much lower cost, more non-traditional students (arguably less competitive atmosphere, also very important to me), closer to home (Einstein).

You are in exactly the same predicament that I am in, except my alternative is Keck. I know how hard the decision is right now so I wish you all the best of luck. Head on over to my thread in you want to read the advice that I've been getting there. It's a bit of the opposite of what has been said here; more people are encouraging me to do Keck. Two more weeks!!