HELP ME PLEASE!! HOPKINS OR CHICAGO???

[nylee]

I'm in a dilemma. I got off the HOpkins waitlist exactly a week ago and I was set on going for sure. So I typed up a withdrawal to the Pritzker waitlist yesterday. Ironically, I heard from them today saying that I got into Pritzker too!!!

I DON'T KNOW WHERE I SHOULD GO!!!!! So much pressure and not enough time. I LOVED Chicago when I went for my interview, but since I'm from Baltimore, Hopkins would be an easier transition. I know the profs at Hopkins too and I think I can grow to love it. Plus, I'm going to Korea for two months, so it would be tough to come back and have to suddenly move to Chicago and find an apartment and get settled in a new place.....

Please...anyone...give me advice. I must make this decision soon because so many people are still anxiously waiting. If you have partiality to either school, let me know.

Thanks!

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[abefroman]

I don't see what the debate is. Hopkins all the way.

 

[jot]

i don't think its that cut and dry. the schools have completely different philosophies. i've heard hopkins described as unrepentantly biomedical (thats an insult apparently), while chicago pays more attention to the humanistic biopsychosocial aspects as well. though almost all of the great medical schools in the us have been patterend after hopkins (flexner report 1920), they have recently diverged in innovative and arguably better ways, while hopkins steadfastly sticks to their way, (which is hardly saying there is anything wrong with it, as i'm sure doepug can tell you) though as with everything there has been some change. chicago is a wonderful institution through and through, so i understand the dilemma. if you are very concerend about medical education ideologies, then it is tough. as far as personal issues though, hopkins seems to be winning. goodluck, and congrats.
-jot

 

[TommyGunn04]

From your presentation, it sounds to me like you're definitely leaning towards Hopkins. So while you surely would be happy at both schools, the couple of factors you mentioned seem to tip the scales in Hopkins favor. Go for it!

And if you end up withdrawing from Pritzker, you could write them a letter requesting that your spot go to our beloved PelicanMan! :wink:

 

[kathleeya]

i spent the past 9 years at the university of chicago, as a middle schooler, high school student, and undergrad (the u of c laboratory schools - goes from nursery all the way up).

i have many friends in the medical school, as all of our biology courses are housed there. there are mixed feelings, as there would be at any institution. one thing that stuck out to me was that the board scores for chicago students were lower than would be expected (this is what one of my third-year friends told me). it is an extremely research-oriented institution, and they spend a lot of time going into depth with certain subjects. there is a lot i can say about the place, so if you would like to PM me, feel free!

 

[shorrin]

it's an interesting phenonemon about uchicago mcat scores too. I have very bright friends who couldn't break a 30 coming from there.

Perhaps the overall teaching philosophy makes taking standardized tests difficult?
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All I can actually comment on is that chicago winters are VERY unpleasant and parking is next to non-existant on campus.

The few of my friends who go/went to pritzker seemed to be pretty happy in general though...

 

[The Philosopher]

U Chicago all the way.

For me atleast, stress is everything. After 4 years of undergrad, you just want to relax and have a good time at the same time as studying hard.

My girlfriend's friend went to Hopkins for an interview, and he was turned off by the stressfull environment and competitive nature.

I'd go to Chicago, but that's me.

 

[NineSixteen]

Nylee!

Don't defect! Hopkins all the way Just kidding about that defecting thing, but I'd stay with Hopkins. Decisions are hard, but it seems that you made yours already when you wrote the Pritzker withdrawal letter. How did you feel about staying in Baltimore last week before you got this new news from Chicago > pretty happy with your situation, right? Does their decision to admit you honestly change anything, here? What was is about Chicago is it that you LOVED? Ask youself those questions, then send the "Thanks, but no thanks" to whichever school your heart tells you that you don't belong...Good Luck and I hope to see you next year in Baltimore

 

[imtiaz]

you kiddin'? hopkins no doubt.

 

[ChicagoDude]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by The Philosopher:
•U Chicago all the way.

For me atleast, stress is everything. After 4 years of undergrad, you just want to relax and have a good time at the same time as studying hard.

My girlfriend's friend went to Hopkins for an interview, and he was turned off by the stressfull environment and competitive nature.

I'd go to Chicago, but that's me.•••••First of all, U of Chicago is not the stress-free Xanadu that previous posters have made it out to be. It is a traditional curriculum with several days a week involving 8:30am-5pm class, in addition to study time, section time and lab time. I have a friend finishing first year there and every time I turn around she's taking another group of exams and crying about the courseload.

Second, although Chicago is an excellent city, U of Chicago is not really in Chicago. Sure it's in the city limits technically, but so far removed from anywhere interesting that you might as well be going to school in northwest Indiana; and if you are rich enough to own a car while in school it will either be stolen in Hyde Park or you will double your debt paying parking tickets and garage rates whenever traveling downtown or to the northside.

If the relatively low board scores are a fact then this makes matters only clearer.

<img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" />

 

[BlueJayBill]

Chicago is a great school. But HOPKINS all the way! In terms of career path, residency, etc. it'll definitely open more doors for you.

-Bill

 

[Flack Pinku]

Hi nylee,

Wow, congrats on being accepted to those great schools! If it were me, I'd think about money--since you think the schools are so close that you don't mind going to either one (that much at least).

Just for the sake of my enlightenment, could you write what you think got you into those highly competitive schools? I'm sure your GPA and MCATs are extraordinary, but what in terms of outside-of-classroom activities did you involve yourself in?

Would very much appreciate a reply, and again, Congratulations!