GWU or Northeastern?

[kcgrl1124]

Hi everyone,

So I am having some difficult college decisions. I'm deciding between George Washington University and Northeastern University and I'm thinking about going into dentistry. I was just wondering which school is best for this path? I basically like both schools and am fine with the tuitions, etc.

Thanks!

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[aarsdam]

I don't know much about the pre-Dental programs at either school, but I'm assuming that there won't be too much of a difference.

I have however lived in both Boston (for college) and DC (post-college) and DC is, in my humble opinion, far and away a MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH better city in every way imaginable. Nightlife, weather, beauty, history, socially, etc.

If $$$ is not a factor, choose GW and don't look back.

 

[Connell MD]

I'm from Boston and i've been to DC multiple times and they're really two totally different cities. DC is a bit nicer in terms of general curb appeal so to speak and has all the government buildings/museums you can imagine. Boston is a fine city as well and both have their good and bad areas. The Northeastern campus isn't bad but right outside of it is one of the worst parts of Boston in terms of crime, etc.

I'm not too aware of the academic programs at both schools but I can tell you that Northeastern is very focused on careers and what you will do after school. There's only about a $3,000/$4,000 price difference so that isn't really a huge factor if money isn't an issue.

 

[kcgrl1124]

Thanks so much, guys! I'm actually going to visit the two this coming week to see where I stand with the two schools. But I was just wondering how much med schools consider rankings. I know that according to US News and World Reports, Northeastern is ranked 69 while GWU is ranked 51. All your answers are much appreciated!

 

[Connell MD]

You should take a look at the thread in this section that asks if it's possible to go to an Ivy med school from an average undergrad. The answer is yes. As long as the undergrad school is accredited and not absolute crap, then you can get into any med school from pretty much any undergrad, state schools included. It's not so much the school as your performance at the school. As long as you maintain a high GPA (from what I see for good odds, around a 3.7+) and get a high DAT score then you should be set. Kids from state schools can get into top med schools and kids from Ivy's can not even get into med school, just put in a lot of hard work and you'll do fine from any undergrad.

To stand out, apply to the honors programs if you havn't already and see if you can get into one. You'll have better opportunities and a harder course load to help you stand out as long as you do well.

 

[aarsdam]

Thanks so much, guys! I'm actually going to visit the two this coming week to see where I stand with the two schools. But I was just wondering how much med schools consider rankings. I know that according to US News and World Reports, Northeastern is ranked 69 while GWU is ranked 51. All your answers are much appreciated!

To answer this question about how much med school consider rankings: I went to Boston College (we're 31 in the US News nonsense) and I absolutely think that the GPA deflation that went on has actually been a negative factor in the application process. Maybe if I had applied to schools in the Northeast the name recognition would have helped more, but don't take those rankings to heart. I do a lot of graduate medical education research and the US News rankings for med schools are particularly bad because they provide a very limited scope of what makes a med school great. Choose what feels right and don't worry about what other people say or think. You have to carve your own path, and no matter where you end up, the opportunities will be there.

 

[gschl1234]

Hi everyone,

So I am having some difficult college decisions. I'm deciding between George Washington University and Northeastern University and I'm thinking about going into dentistry. I was just wondering which school is best for this path? I basically like both schools and am fine with the tuitions, etc.

Thanks!

I went to medical school at GW so can't comment on the undergraduate education, but my impression from the medical school side is that it's a perfectly good choice if you: (a) must be in DC or (2) have no other acceptances. Realize that it is the most costly univerisity in this country for a marginal education (see below).

http://blogs.forbes.com/davidwhelan...-an-odd-location-to-discuss-fiscal-restraint/