I realize that Decision Day (dun-dun) is a mere short nothing away, but I thought I would see what the student community thought about this enviable dilemma. Also, I'm cripplingly indecisive, and, after many weeks of weighing pros and cons, consulting with friends and family and experts, and undergoing fevered bouts of soul-searching, I only feel this much incrementally closer to making this decision: {}<---so whatever the distance is between these two brackets.
Context! People tell me that GW is probably the more prestigious of the two, with the better match list, and from this I logically assume it would have the better professional opportunities (a misconception?). Also, it would seem on paper like my dream school: I've lived in DC for the past six years and loved every minute of it. I'm interested in things like health policy and global medicine. Also, I would appreciate learning medicine in DC's specific context (e.g. in no other US city are you going to find that 5% of the adult population is infected with HIV).
Oh, but conflict! The traditional, lecture-heavy curriculum kind of scares me a little. I'd probably prefer a more integrated, systems-based approach, like SLU. And although DC's a fun place to live and work and go to college, my gut tells me that going to SLU would perhaps be a little less stressful when it comes to the day-to-day grind of medical school (lower rent, more parking, and only 3.5 hours away from family by car if I want to ditch out for a weekend).
Any input anybody might have would be helpful.
Context! People tell me that GW is probably the more prestigious of the two, with the better match list, and from this I logically assume it would have the better professional opportunities (a misconception?). Also, it would seem on paper like my dream school: I've lived in DC for the past six years and loved every minute of it. I'm interested in things like health policy and global medicine. Also, I would appreciate learning medicine in DC's specific context (e.g. in no other US city are you going to find that 5% of the adult population is infected with HIV).
Oh, but conflict! The traditional, lecture-heavy curriculum kind of scares me a little. I'd probably prefer a more integrated, systems-based approach, like SLU. And although DC's a fun place to live and work and go to college, my gut tells me that going to SLU would perhaps be a little less stressful when it comes to the day-to-day grind of medical school (lower rent, more parking, and only 3.5 hours away from family by car if I want to ditch out for a weekend).
Any input anybody might have would be helpful.
