GW vs. Loyola vs. Drexel vs. MCW

[RachMD2B]

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Hi everyone,

I know there are so many of these posts out there, but I just need a little advice and am hoping you can help! I am having a hard time chosing between GW, Loyola, Drexel and MCW for next year. I live in DC now and love it, but I am from Wisconsin (although not Milwaukee...I'm from Madison), which would be a reason to go to MCW or Loyola. Do you guys think one of these schools is superior to the other two? Here are the factors I am comparing:

1) Location - Things to do outside of school (in the small chance I will have time to do anything!). I'm not sure if I would prefer the midwest or the east coast...that is one thing I am trying to figure out!

2) Students - Are they generally happy at the school? Level of competition among students, etc?

3) Overall reputation

4) Curriculum - I would like a school with more clinical exposure during the first 2 years

5) Quality of residency placements

6) Religion - I am Jewish, although not really that religious...this only comes into play when considering going to a Jesuit school (Loyola). I dont think it would be an issue (from what I've heard), but it is definitely a consideration...I just want to feel comfortable at a school, but I know there are Jewish students at Loyola, so I dont think this is as much of a factor....


Basically, I am looking for a school with nice students who are there for the right reasons (I dont like the arrogance that typically goes along with being a doctor...I'm not like that!). But I also want to go where I am going to get the best quality of education. If any of you guys are going to one of these schools, please let me know why you chose it! Any tips you have would be wonderful!! Even if you just have an opinion, please vote 😀

 

[Xandie]

Are you looking to apply for the class of 2009 or are you deciding which place to start at in the fall? Because if it's the former, I'd wait until after acceptances to really ponder it, and because visits to the campuses can be instructive. If it's the latter, then which place did you enjoy the most at your interview? Which has a curriculum that you think will work for you? Etc... feel free to pm me with MCW questions.

 

[RachMD2B]

Are you looking to apply for the class of 2009 or are you deciding which place to start at in the fall? Because if it's the former, I'd wait until after acceptances to really ponder it, and because visits to the campuses can be instructive. If it's the latter, then which place did you enjoy the most at your interview? Which has a curriculum that you think will work for you? Etc... feel free to pm me with MCW questions.

I am deciding on a school for this fall. The problem is that I loved all of these schools! I've been trying so hard to get in to a school, I never thought about what I would do if I got into more than one! I was comfortable at all of them, there is definitely a difference between the midwest and east coast and I am just trying to figure out which would be best for me. Xandie...what do you think about MCW? Why do you like it there?

 

[Xandie]

Putting my confusion about how you're deciding between four schools in the middle of June aside, the decision was an easy one for me. After my interviews, I felt so at home at MCW that I knew I would go there if accepted (FYI, I interviewed and was accepted at four schools). I wanted to go somewhere that had hospitals where I would actually see something (i.e. the only children's hospital in Wisconsin), good facilities, a nice area, and a good academic reputation. I found all of that at MCW, and the people were amazingly friendly (a number of people have commented on that in other threads).

 

[Jalby]

That's a bit wrong that it is now almost june 15th and you are still holding 4 spots to medical school.

 

[RachMD2B]

No, its not quite like that!! I am not holding 4 spots!

I am in at GW, I just found out about loyola (I was waitlisted), so I have to chose between those 2 now. I am #3 on the waitlist at MCW, so I am thinking I will get in there and I am still on the waiting list at Drexel, sorry about the confusion!!

 

[Jalby]

Ohhh. My bad.

 

[Odaroloc]

Another thing you might take into account is the curriculum, I think some of those schools have differences that you should research, might sway you one way or another.

 

[LAkid]

Congrats on the acceptances! Its a nice dillemma to be in.

Since you have ties to both GW and MCW, those would probably be the schools you could adjust to the easiest just because of the familiarity with the area and the people. I think people underestimate the significance of their comfort level with the school when making a decision. For example, if you think religion might pose any uncomfortable situations then you should take that into account.

Everyone has great things to say about each school and I don't think one school stands out amongst the others although GW and MCW are more recognizable names.

Hope that helps and good luck!

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

I graduated from MCW and would highly recommend it, although I didn't interview at any of the other schools. Very friendly atmosphere except the very few gunners. Was a pretty traditional curriculum when I went there 3 years ago (mostly lecture, a few PBLs here and there). Exam schedule was block, which I loved. Got to take some time off from studying for a 1 or 2 instead of weekly exams as some schools have. Clinical training is superb with many hospitals to choose from. Milwaukee's an OK city, and thats saying a lot since I came from Cali and expected the worst. The city probably isn't as fun as DC, but you can find a good time if you want to. Pretty good matches in my class. I would also think about where you want to end up for residency and beyond. MCW matches a lot in the midwest. Part of that is that people want to stay near home, but part of it is that MCW has a great name in the Midwest but isn't as well known on the coasts. Good luck with the choice and congrats on having a choice.

 

[Brickhouse]

Have you made any decisions? I'm sure you guessed where I'd have you go! 😉