VCU/MCV is the best choice. Note: I am biased as I attend MCV, but whatever.😎
I can't really do a compare/contrast thing because I don't remember a thing about any other school's set up from the research I did while applying but I'll tell you about VCU. The layout of the first 2 years is amazing IMO. We have a block schedule and I really can't imagine doing it any other way. The first year, there's some overlap of classes. Anatomy is the only thing you have during anatomy, which is the best idea ever really. Some classes run concomitantly. For instance, you begin with Biochem and Pop Med. Biochem is about 3 months or so; Pop Med ends after 1.5 and Genetics picks up with 1.5 as well and then Biochem and Genetics end together. With the schedule like this, you end up taking 1-3 tests in one sitting instead of a week's worth of testing.
Second year is all Pathophys. You've learned how things *should* function during 1st year. Now you learn what happens when things go wrong and some treatment of disease processes. Again, it's a block schedule. Pretty much every system is taught separately. You'll have ~3 weeks of CNS, 3 wks of Cardio, 3 wks of Respiratory...and that's basically all you're worried about during each class. The only downside to 2nd year is you only have one test that determines your grade for the course, instead of 2 or 3 as you did during MI.
During both years, Foundations of Clinical Med runs throughout the entire year. On alternating weeks, you're either in the classroom learning junk or at your preceptor. One caviat about that: some preceptors are far away (as far as 75 miles!). Only a handful of people end up that far away. The only thing people complain about is the distance, however, as most of the far-away preceptors are generally considered very good ones to have.
Another note on 2nd year, we have a Board Review Series that runs up until the end of the year that is designed to be sort of a structured review of some of the major concepts.
I think each class is very cohesive. It's certainly not a competitive atmosphere. Everyone wants to do well, but it's not a cut throat place. We have an E-board where students post questions. Professors are usually very good at answering those questions, but students chime in with their answers all the time. Each class has about 184 people. After many tests, there are parties (either at apartments or bars in the area) and a good number of people from the class will show up.
People live all over Richmond. You have a ton of options. You can live 10 minutes away or 30 minutes away. It's all up to you. The campus is downtown and there are a lot of loft-style apt buildings nearby; you could walk to school in 10 minutes from some places. Or you can live out in the suburbs and drive 20 minutes in--most people don't have any complaints with the drive in. You just want to factor in any unforeseen traffic issues on test days.
The faculty is amazing here. I have always had the sense that they genuinely want us to learn the material and do well. I, myself, have never had trouble contacting a professor. Some even give out their home or cell #s in case we have questions. They're almost always available in their labs or offices because while they're teaching their particular class, many of them back off of other projects. Our Renal course director, for instance, runs a clinic that she puts someone else in charge of for the 3 weeks of the course. The curriculum office has resources available for students who want tutoring and they're extremely helpful in setting up whatever you need in terms of getting help.
Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with MCV. I don't know a lot about EVMS. It could very well come down to location for you. Do you want to be 10 minutes from the beach or 2 hours? Norfolk might seem a little more bustling than Richmond. Richmond has its share of bars, movie theaters, malls and a smattering of clubs and museums. There are things to do if you look. It's no DC/NY/LA or anything, but it's not so bad.
I should also mention that MCV has THE Linda Costanzo🙂 . You might not know who she is yet, but once you get into Physio, you probably will. She has great Physio books and, I can say first-hand, she's an amazing lecturer. Very clear and concise, not something you can always say about some of those crazy PhDs. She is the course director for the MI Physiology course and orchestrates the MII board reviews. She also will meet with every student that wants to meet in order to set up a full study schedule that is tailored to your weaknesses and strengths before you begin a month of studying. From all accounts, if you stick to the schedule, you have nothing to worry about on Step I.
Just another thing to consider.
