Emory vs. BU vs. MCG

[dr721]

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I have been very fortunate to have multiple admissions offers, and I'm feeling very stuck in trying to decide between them. I have offers from Emory, BU, my state school, and a wait-list spot at UVA. Of course, my favorite was UVA, but since that option isn't on the table right now, I'm trying to determine what is the best choice for me between the others.

I have a good bit of parental financial support, but I will still accrue some debt at Emory and BU.

Emory
+Definitely my favorite among the remaining options
+1.5 year preclinical, P/F
+Excellent facilities and mentors
+Great match lists
+Grady
+Proximity to CDC, Rollins (public health is interest of mine)
+Closest to home

-About $70,000 in debt over 4 years
-Mandatory lectures/no recordings
-Atlanta traffic

BU
+$10,000/year merit scholarship
+Boston is probably my favorite city; opportunity to live somewhere new
+Emphasis on underserved
+P/F
+Also a great public health school

-Even with scholarship, probably still about $70,000 in debt over 4 years
-2 year preclinical
-Higher cost of living
-Furthest from home

MCG
+$11,000/year merit scholarship
+Graduate debt free

-2 year preclinical
-Only first year is P/F
-No public health options

I'm not totally sure of what I'd like to do with my career. Part of me really thinks I'd like to pursue public health and academic type work. I know Emory or BU will set me up better for this, but I don't think MCG will limit me. Is $70,000 worth it for the greater opportunities?

 

[occams_razor]

I'd go with Emory. Also many people would kill to graduate from med school with only 70k in debt after 4 years. To me it would absolutely be worth it for the greater opportunities for someone interested in academic medicine and public health.

 

[Inventor of Post-Its]

Just want to point out that Emory lectures are NOT mandatory, they are recorded - audio only though. Did they really tell you that on interview day?

 

[dr721]

I may have come up with the word mandatory on my own. What was made very clear, though, is that there is a culture of lecture attendance, and that they highly encourage everyone to be there.

 

[Porcn]

I may have come up with the word mandatory on my own. What was made very clear, though, is that there is a culture of lecture attendance, and that they highly encourage everyone to be there.

Yeah I was told the same when I interviewed there. They didn't mention the audio recordings.

 

[lmn]

Sounds like you are fairly confident and just need to pull the trigger, other than the awful attendance policy, Emory is a great school.

 

[dr721]

Thanks for the feedback and the votes!

Does anyone have any thoughts on Emory vs. UVA? I'm still waitlisted at UVA, but it was definitely my favorite school. I know that public health isn't as strong as Emory's program, but otherwise would these two programs be comparable?

 

[Sir.SavaLottaLife]

I'd say go to Emory, especially with your interest in public health

 

[Nymphicus]

MCG for debt free, or Emory if research/public health is important for your future.

 

[zedsdead]

Do you like golf?

 

[dr721]

MCG for debt free, or Emory if research/public health is important for your future.

How important is debt free? I know the difference between $200k and debt free is substantial, but does the prestige and opportunities afforded by a more prominent school outweigh that benefit at a certain point (considering I'm only looking at about $70k)?

I'm not totally sure what I want to do with my career. I don't want my options to be limited, and I know I have an interest in academic medicine and/or public health. But I am also weary of being burdened by debt.

 

[occams_razor]

How important is debt free? I know the difference between $200k and debt free is substantial, but does the prestige and opportunities afforded by a more prominent school outweigh that benefit at a certain point (considering I'm only looking at about $70k)?

I'm not totally sure what I want to do with my career. I don't want my options to be limited, and I know I have an interest in academic medicine and/or public health. But I am also weary of being burdened by debt.

70k in student debt isn't nothing but it's nowhere near being unmanageable on a physicians salary. In fact I know people with that amount of debt from getting an MSW who are working as social workers, making significantly less than a physicians salary. If it were me going to Emory would absolutely be worth it but this is a personal decision.


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[lmn]

How important is debt free? I know the difference between $200k and debt free is substantial, but does the prestige and opportunities afforded by a more prominent school outweigh that benefit at a certain point (considering I'm only looking at about $70k)?

I'm not totally sure what I want to do with my career. I don't want my options to be limited, and I know I have an interest in academic medicine and/or public health. But I am also weary of being burdened by debt.

Imo the prestige of UVA vs Emory aren't drastically different. Your opportunities will always be very strongly primarily based on your Step 1/2 scores and LOR's/away rotations if you choose a specialty that those are standard. If you were talking about two schools that were extremely drastically different in rank/research/influential people/connections, then I would maybe consider it more, but it sounds like you will be very happy at Emory. In any case, if you aren't off the waitlist, it isn't really even an option atm.