Georgetown vs George Washington, any thoughts?

[Poptart12]

**New updates below in most recent post***


So, I have been lucky enough to have been accepted by GTown and GW but I'm having some difficulty with the decision making. I did some searching and most of the threads are pretty old (when GW was under probation and when Georgetown was having financial problems). I am pretty sure both issues are completely resolved now so older threads don't apply.

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on these schools? It seemed like GW had newer facilities but Georgetown has the prestige factor. Georgetown is also a bit less expensive (a couple thousand).

I know these threads are annoying but any thoughts/input would be much appreciated!! 😀

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[flatearth22]

Georgetown all day erry day

 

[Poptart12]

Georgetown all day erry day

thanks for your reply, but may I ask why? Or your reasoning?

 

[flatearth22]

Georgetown is higher ranked in research and primary care and has more prestige (both lay and professional) than George Washington which can open doors come residency time. Not to mention it's cheaper and George Washington is often used as a "safety school" by applicants (it gets 10k applicants a year along with NYMC and Drexel)

Unless you really loved the feel of George Washington and couldn't imagine being anywhere else I would pick Georgetown.

 

[Bkid2022]

Yeah I'd agree with that. I was accepted to both (but going elsewhere), but I knew if it had come down to just those two I would have chosen Georgetown even though I liked the location and facilities of GW better... when I thought about it everything seemed better at GW, but that prestige factor really meant something. Snobby I know, but it can help down the road!

 

[raltima07]

Sports advantage: Georgetown

I have to admit though, George Washington was a great president. So that school has that going for it.

 

[GetThePointe77]

Georgetown.

 

[Poptart12]

Sports advantage: Georgetown

I have to admit though, George Washington was a great president. So that school has that going for it.

Georgetown.

Do you all mind elaborating? Thank you for the responses!!

 

[lpmarcus010]

When it comes to prestige in medicine, I am not sure most folks would think of Georgetown. Maybe for law or business, but not in medicine. I did the special master's program at Georgetown, and I did not choose to stay at Georgetown for med school because I did not like the environment or the facilities at Georgetown. I can only say what "I would do" if I were in your situation, and I would go to GW. GW has a much cooler hospital, gets better patient population, and the facilities are sick. I am not sure how they grade at GW, but the scaled grading system at G'town makes for a crappy environment. Nevertheless, this is a quality problem to have been admitted to two med schools, and I am sure you will make a great choice.

 

[Topo]

Prestige as in...to the general population? Georgetown is ranked 45 and GW is ranked 60... Would better facilities really offset the (supposed) lack of research prowess come residency time?

 

[RedSox10]

When it comes to prestige in medicine, I am not sure most folks would think of Georgetown. Maybe for law or business, but not in medicine. I did the special master's program at Georgetown, and I did not choose to stay at Georgetown for med school because I did not like the environment or the facilities at Georgetown. I can only say what "I would do" if I were in your situation, and I would go to GW. GW has a much cooler hospital, gets better patient population, and the facilities are sick. I am not sure how they grade at GW, but the scaled grading system at G'town makes for a crappy environment. Nevertheless, this is a quality problem to have been admitted to two med schools, and I am sure you will make a great choice.

The grading at GW is H/P/F. I think you need a 90% or above to get an H and its not curved so if the whole class got above a 90% then everyone would get Honors. I never interviewed at Georgetown but I did interview (and consequently got accepted) at GW and I really felt like they were the happiest students I had come across perhaps because of the relaxed grading where your only real competition is yourself. I do know some people at Georgetown who don't like the atmosphere and who say that the fact that the SMP students take classes with the medical students just serves to increase the competitive atmosphere. That being said, I'm the first to agree that Georgetown has more prestigious name recognition to the general public and to the medical community. So, it depends what you want. Then again, it can be argued that GW has better name recognition than, say, University of Washington to a layperson despite the fact the UW is ranked substantially higher. Also, Georgetown does very well in Match-better than GW. However, GW doesn't do too shabby either and both schools are sending people to Harvard, etc. So, if you worked hard at both schools you'd probably end up in a great place. My gut is that your experience might be slightly better (more relaxed) at GW.

 

[raltima07]

Do you all mind elaborating? Thank you for the responses!!

Well Georgetown is a big east school for college sports, making it fun to go see games when not in studying.

 

[Bizzy]

I am also trying to decide between these two schools and I have talked with many current Georgetown medical students about the grading issue. While they, of course, can only speak to their own experiences, they all said that they have found Gtown to be a very friendly environment. In fact, several of them expressed that they hate that Gtown has gotten a reputation for being competitive because they haven't found that to be the case at all. Some of them said that they found the grading system to actually be helpful in terms of knowing what to study for Step 1 (if you got a P in unit A, and Honors in unit B, you would know to study a bit more for the things you learned in unit A). Just a though. As has been mentioned, I think it boils down to where you feel most comfortable. Both schools will get you where you want to go (as will any school, if you make the most of your experience).

 

[Barcu]

I am also trying to decide between these two schools and I have talked with many current Georgetown medical students about the grading issue. While they, of course, can only speak to their own experiences, they all said that they have found Gtown to be a very friendly environment. In fact, several of them expressed that they hate that Gtown has gotten a reputation for being competitive because they haven't found that to be the case at all. Some of them said that they found the grading system to actually be helpful in terms of knowing what to study for Step 1 (if you got a P in unit A, and Honors in unit B, you would know to study a bit more for the things you learned in unit A). Just a though. As has been mentioned, I think it boils down to where you feel most comfortable. Both schools will get you where you want to go (as will any school, if you make the most of your experience).

I agree with this. The med class really is not that competitive at all. The SMP program is a different story for sure, so take that posters advice with a grain of salt too (I'm sure if I did it, I would want to get out). Even though the SMP is in on the classes, they shouldn't bother you much.

I had this same choice last year. GW has the nicer facilities and seemed to have a very relaxed, diverse student body. I like the students a lot at Gtown, however, and I liked the prestige aspect and the structure of the curriculum. It's nice to be doing block schedules and GW sounded like it had a ton of class time. Plus, the facilities kind of grow on ya.

Good luck deciding. I really don't think you can go wrong.

 

[Poptart12]

I agree with this. The med class really is not that competitive at all. The SMP program is a different story for sure, so take that posters advice with a grain of salt too (I'm sure if I did it, I would want to get out). Even though the SMP is in on the classes, they shouldn't bother you much.

I had this same choice last year. GW has the nicer facilities and seemed to have a very relaxed, diverse student body. I like the students a lot at Gtown, however, and I liked the prestige aspect and the structure of the curriculum. It's nice to be doing block schedules and GW sounded like it had a ton of class time. Plus, the facilities kind of grow on ya.

Good luck deciding. I really don't think you can go wrong.

Thanks for the reply Barcu. Sounds like you are at Georgetown now....how has the clinical exposure been in your first year?

 

[kautionwirez]

Georgetown has the worst admission staff in the country!!!

-Jalby

 

[joy14]

i would go with Georgetown

 

[Poptart12]

Georgetown has the worst admission staff in the country!!!

-Jalby

Thanks for the response Kautionwirez but I have already read Jalby's concerns via the thread that is constantly revisited but I dont find my experiences comparable to his. GW admissions staff has been equally helpful and nice.

Does anyone else have any thoughts/input on GW vs Georgetown??

Thanks for all the useful feedback thus far 🙂

 

[kautionwirez]

I was just throwing in some sarcasm. From what I remember, students were dissatisfied with one of their lecturers at GWU. It was pretty serious and they had filed a complaint. GWU is also very expensive. I'd say gtown.

 

[Barcu]

Thanks for the reply Barcu. Sounds like you are at Georgetown now....how has the clinical exposure been in your first year?

I would say pretty good. Everyone has already had to do 3 patient interviews for required classes, with the first ones starting the first week. Nothing too complicated, just social stuff, but it's a change of pace to put on the short white coat and actually talk to patients.

Some have gotten more than that too. We have a whole doctoring curriculum which includes several classes where more experience is possible but it varies. Right now, we are doing an Ambulatory Care class where we are assigned a preceptor and different preceptors let students do different things. For mine, I just kind of shadow, but some people get to take vitals, history, listen to heart/lung sounds (we've all learned to do many parts of the physical exam on each other, but haven't had a ton of opportunities with patients yet). Also, some people get chances to do some stuff (take vitals, learn to give shots/draw blood) at our student-run clinic. However, most people don't get any more than one chance to go all year because it's pretty popular.

I don't really have much to compare it to, but I feel that we have a pretty good balance since we have both a science and doctoring curriculum running concurrently.

 

[Poptart12]

Bump for any other perspectives?

Does anyone possibly know about how generous the financial aid is at either?
Thanks for the inside look barcu

 

[midwesteye]

Bump for any other perspectives?

Does anyone possibly know about how generous the financial aid is at either?
Thanks for the inside look barcu

Hey guys,

I just wanted to add some input as a soon to be graduating Gtown student. I was accepted at both schools, and I agree that GW does have the nicer facilities and the better location. With those qualifiers I'd definitely recommend Gtown over GW. I loved my experience here, and Gtown opened up doors for me that I doubt GW would have.

Grading: I will say that Gtown is competitive. I didn't like this during M1 and M2, but stepping back I realized that M1 and M2 grades don't really matter that much. P=MD, and also doesn't prohibit you from good residency options at Gtown. I mainly got HP's and had a life outside med school. The majority of students are down to earth and are people you'd like to have a beer with. The majority work hard, but do so without it monopolizing their lives/ruining social events with constant shop talk. There will be students at GW gunning for an H as well, and they don't have the benefit of getting an HP if they just missed. Your M3 grades/Letters/Step 1 score/Med school ranking are the most important factors for residency matching.

Step 1: Our class averaged 233 on Step 1.

Residency match: Over the past few years we've had: >15-20+ Ortho; 5-7 Ophtho; 3+ Uro; 3-5 ENT; ~20 anesthesia; 3-5 neurosurg. I don't know the stats for all the competitive specialties, but we had 100% match rates for ophtho and ortho for the past 4 years, and many schools can't say that. This year those of us who did early match all matched, and almost all of us matched at our first or second choice programs. I simply don't think you could do this out of GW.

Prestige: Yeah it's based on research and is very subjective, but the clinical training at Gtown is VERY good. I don't agree that we have earlier/more clinical exposure during our first 2 years. It's probably the same as most schools, but our M2 basic science teachers are great, and the clinical attendings during M3/M4 do a great job of preparing us to be interns. I have heard from numerous programs (attendings and residents) that Gtown students are very well prepared. This certainly opened up doors for me when it came to matching.

Bottom line: You can succeed at either program if you do well, but IMO it is easier to do this out of Gtown.

 

[intel21]

Can any GWU students share what the USMLE step 1 average was last year?

 

[joy14]

Hey guys,

I just wanted to add some input as a soon to be graduating Gtown student. I was accepted at both schools, and I agree that GW does have the nicer facilities and the better location. With those qualifiers I'd definitely recommend Gtown over GW. I loved my experience here, and Gtown opened up doors for me that I doubt GW would have.

Grading: I will say that Gtown is competitive. I didn't like this during M1 and M2, but stepping back I realized that M1 and M2 grades don't really matter that much. P=MD, and also doesn't prohibit you from good residency options at Gtown. I mainly got HP's and had a life outside med school. The majority of students are down to earth and are people you'd like to have a beer with. The majority work hard, but do so without it monopolizing their lives/ruining social events with constant shop talk. There will be students at GW gunning for an H as well, and they don't have the benefit of getting an HP if they just missed. Your M3 grades/Letters/Step 1 score/Med school ranking are the most important factors for residency matching.

Step 1: Our class averaged 233 on Step 1.

Residency match: Over the past few years we've had: >15-20+ Ortho; 5-7 Ophtho; 3+ Uro; 3-5 ENT; ~20 anesthesia; 3-5 neurosurg. I don't know the stats for all the competitive specialties, but we had 100% match rates for ophtho and ortho for the past 4 years, and many schools can't say that. This year those of us who did early match all matched, and almost all of us matched at our first or second choice programs. I simply don't think you could do this out of GW.

Prestige: Yeah it's based on research and is very subjective, but the clinical training at Gtown is VERY good. I don't agree that we have earlier/more clinical exposure during our first 2 years. It's probably the same as most schools, but our M2 basic science teachers are great, and the clinical attendings during M3/M4 do a great job of preparing us to be interns. I have heard from numerous programs (attendings and residents) that Gtown students are very well prepared. This certainly opened up doors for me when it came to matching.

Bottom line: You can succeed at either program if you do well, but IMO it is easier to do this out of Gtown.

I don't undertand why everyone likes P/F anyways because you are ranked internally anyways so what the point...I guess it is hidden to students

It seems like Georgetown might have a slight edge due to prestige and strength in matching fo residency programs....everyone also talks about the strong clinicians it produces but there is just so much overall negativity on SDN

 

[Jalby]

Thanks for the response Kautionwirez but I have already read Jalby's concerns via the thread that is constantly revisited but I dont find my experiences comparable to his. GW admissions staff has been equally helpful and nice.

Does anyone else have any thoughts/input on GW vs Georgetown??

Thanks for all the useful feedback thus far 🙂

Its still the same people who run the department but I think they learned their lesson about mistreating applicants.

 

[Poptart12]

Hi guys,

So after finally receiving financial aid packages it seems like GW may be cheaper by ~10k per year (assuming the same aid over the next 4 years).

Do you guys think the prestige of Georgetown is worth this extra cost? Would residency prospects be greater at Georgetown due to the name recognition amongst programs (lets assume above avg competitiveness, I'd like to end up in NY because I have family there). I'm really having trouble separating these schools.

Any new input would be great. Thanks!

 

[YPDCC]

I have friends at GW and they told me many in their class were unhappy with match results this year. I have also heard that there are administration issues but I am not familiar with specifics. I would definitely pick Georgetown.

 

[1289]

GW is the worst.. I can't imagine why anyone would want to go there. In fact errbody that's been accepted there.. withdraw right now. Just do it.

Xoxoxoxo - the GW alternate list

Ps George wash himself wasn't much of a looker

 

[Jalby]

Hi guys,

So after finally receiving financial aid packages it seems like GW may be cheaper by ~10k per year (assuming the same aid over the next 4 years).

Do you guys think the prestige of Georgetown is worth this extra cost? Would residency prospects be greater at Georgetown due to the name recognition amongst programs (lets assume above avg competitiveness, I'd like to end up in NY because I have family there). I'm really having trouble separating these schools.

Any new input would be great. Thanks!

I know most people won't expect me to say this, but a real persons life might be changed. You should tell Georgetown the GW gave you a scholarship and say you will go there if they can't knock a little bit off your tuition. At USC people got scolis doing this all the time. Mostly for like $5k a year, but that's still decent.

But no matter what happens, you should go to Georgetown. The reputation over GW is easily worth $40k. A lot more doors will be open for you coming from GT than GW. Without hesitation.

 

[CopaceticOne]

I know most people won't expect me to say this, but a real persons life might be changed. You should tell Georgetown the GW gave you a scholarship and say you will go there if they can't knock a little bit off your tuition. At USC people got scolis doing this all the time. Mostly for like $5k a year, but that's still decent.

But no matter what happens, you should go to Georgetown. The reputation over GW is easily worth $40k. A lot more doors will be open for you coming from GT than GW. Without hesitation.

If Jalby says go to Georgetown, then you MUST go to Georgetown 😱

 

[octupus]

If Jalby says go to Georgetown, then you MUST go to Georgetown 😱

When Jalby gives green light on Georgetown, one MUST go ahead

 

[searun]

Jalby for President on the Republican ticket! Romney is not inevitable.

 

[Finches]

I know most people won't expect me to say this, but a real persons life might be changed. You should tell Georgetown the GW gave you a scholarship and say you will go there if they can't knock a little bit off your tuition. At USC people got scolis doing this all the time. Mostly for like $5k a year, but that's still decent.

But no matter what happens, you should go to Georgetown. The reputation over GW is easily worth $40k. A lot more doors will be open for you coming from GT than GW. Without hesitation.

Is this the real life?

 

[Jamie561]

Do you guys think the prestige of Georgetown is worth this extra cost?

Georgetown is prestigious?

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

 

[joy14]

Georgetown is prestigious?

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

I'd say so...why do you think it's not...in looking at the match list it seems pretty competitive with at least upper-mid tier schools

 

[Jalby]

Is this the real life?

My problems with GT has always been the horrible admissions department, not the school itself.

I wouldn't say GT is prestigious. I would more say that GW is not. I remember having GW actually come out to Cali to interview people to be sure they can get people into their class. I interviewed up in San Fran for the school. It is one of the main back up Allopathic schools.

GT is honestly a middle of the road med school. A school that comes and goes in the top 50 (With I think there being about 107 total medical schools) If GT was in Cali, it would only be ranked ahead of UC Davis and Loma Linda. That being said, UCD and LLU might be better schools than GT overall except for the location.

 

[Se7eN]

Georgetown

 

[Alejandro]

I would go to Gtown over GW. It'll be cheaper, and I know that Gtown is much more well-kept with their administration that GWU. Dunno what Jalby or whatever was talking about with admissions...but what do you expect, it's admissions...no free passes for anyone.

 

[RedSox10]

I would go to Gtown over GW. It'll be cheaper, and I know that Gtown is much more well-kept with their administration that GWU. Dunno what Jalby or whatever was talking about with admissions...but what do you expect, it's admissions...no free passes for anyone.

where are you and others getting your information from? Ive been accepted to GW and other schools as well so I'm curious. How does everyone know that GW has a poor administration/ doesn't help its student out? Is this an opinion perpetuated by SDN'ers? Or is this fact that you can back up?? I know GW (and also GT) get a pretty bad rep on SDN. Quite frankly I assume its because more people apply to GW and GT than any other med schools (approx 1/3 of all med school applicants) and the vast vast majority get rejected and, I assume, are thus bitter.

But seriously speaking, I'm not dead set on going to GW and have some other good options, so I'd love to know where the bad rep comes from so I can make an informed decision.

 

[Jamie561]

I'd say so...why do you think it's not...in looking at the match list it seems pretty competitive with at least upper-mid tier schools

Georgetown vs. GW is a wash in terms of prestige. We're not comparing Georgetown to Hollywood Upstairs Medical College here...

 

[1289]

where are you and others getting your information from? Ive been accepted to GW and other schools as well so I'm curious. How does everyone know that GW has a poor administration/ doesn't help its student out? Is this an opinion perpetuated by SDN'ers? Or is this fact that you can back up?? I know GW (and also GT) get a pretty bad rep on SDN. Quite frankly I assume its because more people apply to GW and GT than any other med schools (approx 1/3 of all med school applicants) and the vast vast majority get rejected and, I assume, are thus bitter.

But seriously speaking, I'm not dead set on going to GW and have some other good options, so I'd love to know where the bad rep comes from so I can make an informed decision.

just my 2 cents, but if you're on the fence about GW and think there's somewhere else you'd rather go to, you should withdraw from GW. there are many many people, myself included, who are the alternate list there and are absolutely DYINGGGGGGGGGG to get in. again this is an extremely biased opinion, but if you've got other acceptances you are more excited about, go there.

 

[Margarita7ville]

As an ex-SMP myself I must agree that Georgetown's environment is notably more competitive than that of GW's and does not have the same community feel that I experienced at GW during my interview. That being said, I do get the general sense that Georgetown is for sure the more prestigious of the two schools. While GW is currently lagging behind Georgetown in the ranking system, keep in mind that GW has a MUCH more diverse student population, which depending on the person may or may not seem so important.

My final answer to you is this: choose the school where you will feel most comfortable and where you can see yourself being happy. If you work hard it doesn't matter which of the two you go to --- you will still get to be a physician at the end of the day. Perhaps this is just wishful thinking and please don't hate me for saying this, but shouldn't everyone's goal be simply to heal others? I think we get too caught up in the competitiveness of applying to medical school that we forget why we are doing it in the first place. You have a choice between two great schools --- you really can't go wrong with this one. And by the way, someone mentioned that GW was a "safety" school. Let me clarify that no U.S. medical school is a "safety" school. Getting accepted into even ONE school is a huge achievement and you should be very proud of yourself.

 

[RedSox10]

I know a lot of people use prestige to describe Georgetown versus GW, and I'd agree that to a layman Gtown definitely has more prestige. But with regards to objective medical ranking, GW is #55 and Gtown is #48. I've seen people on SDN dismiss much larger rank differences as insignificant. So, choose the school that you liked better and personally thought you'd fit in. I visited GW this past weekend and fell in love with the school once again. GW hospital is amazing compared to Gtown (not to mention its the president's hospital), and if you're interested in pediatrics, Children's National Medical Center is something like top 10 in the U.S. (I dont know if Gtown rotates there but GW does).

 

[Poptart12]

I know a lot of people use prestige to describe Georgetown versus GW, and I'd agree that to a layman Gtown definitely has more prestige. But with regards to objective medical ranking, GW is #55 and Gtown is #48. I've seen people on SDN dismiss much larger rank differences as insignificant. So, choose the school that you liked better and personally thought you'd fit in. I visited GW this past weekend and fell in love with the school once again. GW hospital is amazing compared to Gtown (not to mention its the president's hospital), and if you're interested in pediatrics, Children's National Medical Center is something like top 10 in the U.S. (I dont know if Gtown rotates there but GW does).

In regards to the prestige of GT, do you guys think it makes a difference come residency time?

Like i said before I'd like to be back in NYC (my dream program would NY-Presbyterian). Would coming from GT or GW with the same board scores give me an advantage either way? I've heard so much about residency programs recognizing GT students but I'm not sure what kind of actual ties they have.

I am definitely thankful for even being accepted into a program. I can see myself being happy at either place but I want to make sure that my hardwork over the past 4-6 years is rewarded by making a sound and thought-out decision.

Thanks for all the responses!

 

[1289]

In regards to the prestige of GT, do you guys think it makes a difference come residency time?

Like i said before I'd like to be back in NYC (my dream program would NY-Presbyterian). Would coming from GT or GW with the same board scores give me an advantage either way? I've heard so much about residency programs recognizing GT students but I'm not sure what kind of actual ties they have.

I am definitely thankful for even being accepted into a program. I can see myself being happy at either place but I want to make sure that my hardwork over the past 4-6 years is rewarded by making a sound and thought-out decision.

Thanks for all the responses!

i think youre best bet to figure out the residency thing is to look at each school's matches for the last few years. i firmly believe each person can control their own fate to a certain degree (med students correct me if I'm wrong) if you dedicate yourself 100% to doing well in school, being involved in research/etc or whatever you're looking to do, when it comes time for residencies you'll have a strong case for yourself, and looking at GW vs GT probably won't sway a decision to strongly..
that being said, i think GT probably IS a little more well-known and prestigious. im from the midwest and whenever I say something about GW a lot of people don't even know where it is (GET ME OUT OF HERE) or they confuse it with GT or george mason... of course, the people who choose you for residencies aren't going to be a bunch of midwest country bumpkins. 😛

 

[drizzt3117]

GT is significantly more well known in medical circles. I generally think their students are more successful in matching into top programs, especially in competitive specialties.

 

[joy14]

GT is significantly more well known in medical circles. I generally think their students are more successful in matching into top programs, especially in competitive specialties.

at what point do you draw the line though? I think what OP is trying to figure out is if 40k less in debt is worth the possible prestige factor....i'm not sure how one would judge that..

 

[Jalby]

In regards to the prestige of GT, do you guys think it makes a difference come residency time?

As a current resident and a soon to be fellow, the answer to this question is without a doubt yes. Behind boards and knowing the people at the residency program, this is the most important thing.

 

[1289]

so have you made your decision yet?

 

[Poptart12]

so have you made your decision yet?

No I have not yet... I understand you are on the waitlist but me deciding any quicker is unlikely to get you off the waitlist at GW (especially) any quicker...I honestly probably won't make my decision until close to/at the deadline.

I'd like to make the most informed decision possible and I have no desire to rush my decision. I do wish you all the best 1289 and hope that in the end you won't have to go through the process of reapplying

Thanks for all the input from everyone, especially the unbiased ones from Jalby 😎...if anyone has another comments those would be appreciated as well 🙂