Emory vs. UC Davis vs. USC

[HelpMeChoosePlz]

Hi all,

I would really appreciate any input anyone has for this decision! I am from Los Angeles and have extensive family/friends in the area, and one day hope to specialize. In the future, I would like to stay in Southern California but I am open to Northern. I really don't anticipate wanting to live anywhere near the South or Atlanta. I am in the fortunate position to not have to worry about financing medical school, but of course I would love to save my parents some money if the school is the right fit.

USC
Pros
Los Angeles -- family and friends in the area, know the city well, parents have a raid-able fridge and my bed if I want, and of course the weather
Step 1 based curriculum
Very well known in Southern California -- many of my doctors growing up were UCLA or USC grads, and networking at USC would help in the future
LAC+USC Hospital - I would really enjoy it here
Pass/fail and no mandatory attendance
West coast match list

Cons
Commuter school - I would prefer to live within walking distance to campus, and I know 15 min drive = me not going to class
Area surrounding campus not great
Large class size
I didn't get a great impression on interview day, did not feel like I fit in well with the students

--------------

UC Davis
Pros
Really felt like I fit in well with students, great atmosphere, very friendly and communal
Could live within walking distance
Student Run clinics
Pass/fail, no mandatory attendance
Primary care focus means there hopefully will be more spots open for research spots in competitive fields
West coast match list
Facilities are great
Still relatively close to family

Cons
Not as prestigious -- I am not sure how much this would limit me in entering a competitive field
Weather not as good as SoCal (but still amazing)
Lower step 1 scores on the whole

--------------------------

Emory
Pros
Highest ranked
Grady Hospital
Felt like I fit in well with students during interview day (how much can you really tell on the interview day??)

Cons
Atlanta - I don't want to drive everywhere, and there is a lot of driving at Emory
Mandatory attendance (no recorded lectures!)
Southern match list
Far from family/friends

--------------------

I think I've all but eliminated Emory, but I left it on here in case anyone has anything I missed. My heart really says go to Davis, but I am skeptical that I can really learn that much about the school during the interview day (at least about "fit"), and I am worried that the lowered prestige will limit me in entering a competitive field. My mind says USC for the family/friends support in the area and the excellent step 1 based curriculum. I moved far away from home for college and really enjoyed that. The most important thing to me is how well the school sets me up to enter a competitive specialty, whether that means making me happier there, helping me get a better step 1 score, or whatever I am not sure. UC Davis has a "personalized second look," meaning you get more attention (I think), but there are less other potential classmates to meet and mingle with. USC does not have a second look for regular admits like me, and I don't think I'll be going to Emory's.

Thank you very much for your help!!

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[khrisskhoras]

if you are a CA resident, just go to Davis. Its waaay cheaper than USC and Emory, plus it is a good enough school for you to be successful. Unless u have a dying need to go to a school based on a subjective ranking and are willing to pile up $100K more debt.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I would go to Davis on price alone. If prestige is on the table, I don't see Emory being that great compared to USC. I would eliminate Emory from the picture completely.

 

[jvquarterback]

What specialty do you want? How many slots do UCD and USC have for those residencies. I think you are looking at med school exactly the way you should. It's really just a way to get the specialty you want. Oh, if you're thinking of doing medicine then fellowship you'd be fine going to Emory, but if you're thinking derm or rad onc, don't leave California unless you want to be gone for 10-15 years. That's what happened to me.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

What specialty do you want? How many slots do UCD and USC have for those residencies. I think you are looking at med school exactly the way you should. It's really just a way to get the specialty you want. Oh, if you're thinking of doing medicine then fellowship you'd be fine going to Emory, but if you're thinking derm or rad onc, don't leave California unless you want to be gone for 10-15 years. That's what happened to me.

An MD program like Davis will not give you any residency deficiency compared to USC or Emory.

 

[Tijou]

Based on your personal preferences alone, I would eliminate Emory. In terms of prestige, I don't think you will be at too much of a disadvantage attending Davis. I will say however, that I have known people who seemed less than satisfied with the clinical rotations at Grady, whereas LAC+Keck is phenomenal. If you are trying to enter a competitive specialty then you definitely need a high Step 1, and based on USC's curriculum it might just work in your advantage. Definitely try to visit the second look for both those schools and feel out the students. But my vote goes for USC.

 

[HelpMeChoosePlz]

Thank you everyone for your responses! I do think I have eliminated Emory, but it definitely feels sad to say that.

@Tijou LAC+USC would be incredibly difficult to pass up, I wish they took us around more on the tour...we only got to see the lobby. I did pathetically get excited when I stepped in there, though.

What specialty do you want? How many slots do UCD and USC have for those residencies. I think you are looking at med school exactly the way you should. It's really just a way to get the specialty you want. Oh, if you're thinking of doing medicine then fellowship you'd be fine going to Emory, but if you're thinking derm or rad onc, don't leave California unless you want to be gone for 10-15 years. That's what happened to me.

Thank you so much for your perspective. I am unsure what specialty I want, but I have been considering very many. It seems like if I want to go into a surgical field, USC might be the better option because of the primary care focus at Davis. I'm trying to keep as many doors open as possible because I think I'm likely to switch the field I pursue. That being said, I don't think I will pursue medicine + fellowship, but I also don't think I know enough about each of the medicine specialties to definitively say that.

 

[SilentSoldier]

I interviewed at both USC and UC Davis as well so I understand how conflicted you are. Even though you say you want to go into a competitive residency, going to UC Davis will not impede you from doing so. UC Davis medical center may not be LA County, but considering its the major hospital of its type in the area, i would expect the clinical training to be excellent there as well. Also, the students there were the happiest Ive seen on the interview trail so that must speak to the atmosphere there. You cant go wrong with either choice, but if your parents are financing your education, do you really want to have them foot the bill for USC?

So in my totally objective, unbiased, not wanting you to go to Davis so I can get off of USCs waitlist opinion, I say go to Davis.

 

[Ismet]

moving to school-specific discussions

 

[HelpMeChoosePlz]

I interviewed at both USC and UC Davis as well so I understand how conflicted you are. Even though you say you want to go into a competitive residency, going to UC Davis will not impede you from doing so. UC Davis medical center may not be LA County, but considering its the major hospital of its type in the area, i would expect the clinical training to be excellent there as well. Also, the students there were the happiest Ive seen on the interview trail so that must speak to the atmosphere there. You cant go wrong with either choice, but if your parents are financing your education, do you really want to have them foot the bill for USC?

So in my totally objective, unbiased, not wanting you to go to Davis so I can get off of USCs waitlist opinion, I say go to Davis.

Haha wait, so you are accepted to Davis, want to go to USC, but recommend I choose Davis? Well why do you like USC better?


And just to clarify the financial situation a bit...my parents would much, much prefer that I stay in Los Angeles. They are happy to pay for USC. I still would feel a bit guilty making them do that, though.

 

[MedWonk]

It seems like UC Davis is the overall best fit for you. You can get the perks of staying in CA on the cheap (relatively), which is a luxury you won't have if you get into USC. USC is an awesome school, no doubt, but I think you'll be better off long-term if you choose the cheaper option that will essentially allow you to fulfill your long-term goals just as well as the more expensive options.

As far as prestige, I don't think UC Davis will limit you in CA. I think it would only really be limiting if you wanted to go outside the west coast. UMass, for example, isn't really high on the prestige totem pole overall either, but students have no trouble matching into the big name residencies here in the Northeast.

If I were in your position, I would choose UC Davis in a heartbeat, and it's not because I'm on the waitlist at USC (seriously, it isn't). If you can find a cheaper way (school) to fulfill your goals then you should take it, unless USC gives you a massive grant/scholarship. The combo of lower COA and good fit is something that is tough to come by. I think after financial aid packages come out next month, you'll have a better idea of which school to attend.

Also, withdraw from Emory. If you want to be in CA and have the chance to stay in CA, then there's no need to keep Emory on your list.

TL;DR Save yourself 100k (not including interest) in fulfilling your long-term goals and go to UC Davis.

 

[SilentSoldier]

Haha wait, so you are accepted to Davis, want to go to USC, but recommend I choose Davis? Well why do you like USC better?


And just to clarify the financial situation a bit...my parents would much, much prefer that I stay in Los Angeles. They are happy to pay for USC. I still would feel a bit guilty making them do that, though.

Honestly, I really like both schools and I'm currently glad that I don't have your choice to make as I also would have a hard time choosing between the two despite their difference in price. 😛

 

[HelpMeChoosePlz]

It seems like UC Davis is the overall best fit for you. You can get the perks of staying in CA on the cheap (relatively), which is a luxury you won't have if you get into USC. USC is an awesome school, no doubt, but I think you'll be better off long-term if you choose the cheaper option that will essentially allow you to fulfill your long-term goals just as well as the more expensive options.

As far as prestige, I don't think UC Davis will limit you in CA. I think it would only really be limiting if you wanted to go outside the west coast. UMass, for example, isn't really high on the prestige totem pole overall either, but students have no trouble matching into the big name residencies here in the Northeast.

If I were in your position, I would choose UC Davis in a heartbeat, and it's not because I'm on the waitlist at USC (seriously, it isn't). If you can find a cheaper way (school) to fulfill your goals then you should take it, unless USC gives you a massive grant/scholarship. The combo of lower COA and good fit is something that is tough to come by. I think after financial aid packages come out next month, you'll have a better idea of which school to attend.

Also, withdraw from Emory. If you want to be in CA and have the chance to stay in CA, then there's no need to keep Emory on your list.

TL;DR Save yourself 100k (not including interest) in fulfilling your long-term goals and go to UC Davis.

Thanks for the response. It's tough to put a monetary value on going to school in the same city you grew up in/your friends and family are in. Ultimately I'm thinking it may come down to this for me...

 

[MedWonk]

Thanks for the response. It's tough to put a monetary value on going to school in the same city you grew up in/your friends and family are in. Ultimately I'm thinking it may come down to this for me...

I agree, but I think you should also think back to your list where you seem to have had a better gut feeling at UC Davis than at USC. Don't underestimate that feeling. You also didn't really list any major negatives with UC Davis. The weather is still nice, so it's not really a negative, and assuming they're about the national average or above then step 1 scores are irrelevant to your decision since this will largely be based on your own effort. Prestige won't be much of a factor since you plan to stay in CA.

The cons you listed for USC, OTOH, are things that can be significant. If you don't want to drive to school, then this could be a source of annoyance/stress throughout your time there, particularly during third year. Your impression of the school also seems to be somewhat less enthusiastic considering your opinion of the surrounding area, class composition, and how you felt interacting with other students there. These things are more significant than weather and prestige, IMO. Another thing is that you stated your parents strongly prefer you stay in LA, but I think a more important factor is how you feel about the schools and the locations they're in. Family is important, but now that you are an adult you should be making decisions based on what you think makes you happiest. Sometimes this means going against the wishes of your family and friends. I don't mean to say you should alienate them, but you shouldn't feel pressured to make a choice that wouldn't be in your own best interests.

If you told me you had a better impression at USC. I hope that whichever school you choose allows you to meet your long-term goals and leaves you happy with your decision, and if you decide it's USC then I'm sure you'll be happy there as well, but since you had a better impression with UC Davis, and on top of that it is cheaper, then IMO the optimal decision would be UC Davis.

 

[DermViser]

Hi all,

I would really appreciate any input anyone has for this decision! I am from Los Angeles and have extensive family/friends in the area, and one day hope to specialize. In the future, I would like to stay in Southern California but I am open to Northern. I really don't anticipate wanting to live anywhere near the South or Atlanta. I am in the fortunate position to not have to worry about financing medical school, but of course I would love to save my parents some money if the school is the right fit.

USC
Pros
Los Angeles -- family and friends in the area, know the city well, parents have a raid-able fridge and my bed if I want, and of course the weather
Step 1 based curriculum
Very well known in Southern California -- many of my doctors growing up were UCLA or USC grads, and networking at USC would help in the future
LAC+USC Hospital - I would really enjoy it here
Pass/fail and no mandatory attendance
West coast match list

Cons
Commuter school - I would prefer to live within walking distance to campus, and I know 15 min drive = me not going to class
Area surrounding campus not great
Large class size
I didn't get a great impression on interview day, did not feel like I fit in well with the students

--------------

UC Davis
Pros
Really felt like I fit in well with students, great atmosphere, very friendly and communal
Could live within walking distance
Student Run clinics
Pass/fail, no mandatory attendance
Primary care focus means there hopefully will be more spots open for research spots in competitive fields
West coast match list
Facilities are great
Still relatively close to family

Cons
Not as prestigious -- I am not sure how much this would limit me in entering a competitive field
Weather not as good as SoCal (but still amazing)
Lower step 1 scores on the whole

--------------------------

Emory
Pros
Highest ranked
Grady Hospital
Felt like I fit in well with students during interview day (how much can you really tell on the interview day??)

Cons
Atlanta - I don't want to drive everywhere, and there is a lot of driving at Emory
Mandatory attendance (no recorded lectures!)
Southern match list
Far from family/friends

--------------------

I think I've all but eliminated Emory, but I left it on here in case anyone has anything I missed. My heart really says go to Davis, but I am skeptical that I can really learn that much about the school during the interview day (at least about "fit"), and I am worried that the lowered prestige will limit me in entering a competitive field. My mind says USC for the family/friends support in the area and the excellent step 1 based curriculum. I moved far away from home for college and really enjoyed that. The most important thing to me is how well the school sets me up to enter a competitive specialty, whether that means making me happier there, helping me get a better step 1 score, or whatever I am not sure. UC Davis has a "personalized second look," meaning you get more attention (I think), but there are less other potential classmates to meet and mingle with. USC does not have a second look for regular admits like me, and I don't think I'll be going to Emory's.

Thank you very much for your help!!

How do you know, "Primary care focus means there hopefully will be more spots open for research spots in competitive fields" is true?

Primary focus is just a mission statement of the school. It has nothing to do with the wants of the students, at all. If you have a class in which many people want to do specialties (which is more and more the case), you can bet those research positions will be snagged up.
I recommend USC.

 

[HelpMeChoosePlz]

How do you know, "Primary care focus means there hopefully will be more spots open for research spots in competitive fields" is true?

Primary focus is just a mission statement of the school. It has nothing to do with the wants of the students, at all. If you have a class in which many people want to do specialties (which is more and more the case), you can bet those research positions will be snagged up.
I recommend USC.

Thanks for your response. I wasn't talking so much about the mission statement of the school, but the actual residencies UC Davis students pursue. Based on their match list and some residents I have talked to from the school, it seems like UC Davis has a very high proportion of students that pursue primary care. On top of that, the school does have a primary care mission statement. I think what @jvquarterback was hinting at was that because there are more students pursuing primary care at Davis, there are more residency spots in competitive fields for that school (ie the derm spots at Davis might be easier to get as a Davis student than the derm spots at USC as a USC student). I am more worried about matching into a competitive specialty at all than the "rank" of the residency program.

 

[DermViser]

Thanks for your response. I wasn't talking so much about the mission statement of the school, but the actual residencies UC Davis students pursue. Based on their match list and some residents I have talked to from the school, it seems like UC Davis has a very high proportion of students that pursue primary care. On top of that, the school does have a primary care mission statement. I think what @jvquarterback was hinting at was that because there are more students pursuing primary care at Davis, there are more residency spots in competitive fields for that school (ie the derm spots at Davis might be easier to get as a Davis student than the derm spots at USC as a USC student). I am more worried about matching into a competitive specialty at all than the "rank" of the residency program.

Dermatology doesn't necessarily need to take people from in-house, bc it's such a competitive specialty. They'll be enough people applying to Derm in either school, bc it's popular. Also, you'll want a school that prepares you well for Step 1 to even qualify for those competitive specialties. That being the case, USC will prepare you better for that.

 

[solitarius]

And just to clarify the financial situation a bit...my parents would much, much prefer that I stay in Los Angeles. They are happy to pay for USC. I still would feel a bit guilty making them do that, though.

End of story.

 

[HelpMeChoosePlz]

End of story.

Because my parents want me in LA or because I would feel guilty if they paid more for USC?

 

[indianjatt]

Because my parents want me in LA or because I would feel guilty if they paid more for USC?

Neither. Not because you'll feel guilty, but because YOU will get . Free money and the parents are happy? Sounds like a win, win situation to me.

 

[HelpMeChoosePlz]

Neither. Not because you'll feel guilty, but because YOU will get . Free money and the parents are happy? Sounds like a win, win situation to me.

It's not so much free money as it is my parents spending more...I suspect you are waitlisted or on hold at Davis?

 

[indianjatt]

It's not so much free money as it is my parents spending more...I suspect you are waitlisted or on hold at Davis?

Nope. UC Davis is my alma-mater and it's a hell of a school, but COA should also not be taken lightly. Also, I'll most likely end up at USC this Fall. 😛