honest opinion (ucsf vs AECOM)

[temmie]

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I cant believe that i have to make a decision between these 2 schools. I sincerely need help deciding cos ucsf is close to family for me, while AECOM will provide new york experience. thanks guys for your help

 

[poopoohead]

I cant believe that i have to make a decision between these 2 schools. I sincerely need help deciding cos ucsf is close to family for me, while AECOM will provide new york experience. thanks guys for your help

ucsf>>>>>>>>einstein...duh

 

[Bluntman]

Yea, no question...go with UCSF. If you want to experience NYC, do your residency training there.

 

[TarHeelBorn]

I don't know, the poll results are pretty divided at this point...

 

[kirexhana]

albert einstein!

(make room for me at SF )

 

[Mr. Tee]

This is lol-omg-wtf-bbq-duh.

 

[jjmack]

I cant believe that i have to make a decision between these 2 schools. I sincerely need help deciding cos ucsf is close to family for me, while AECOM will provide new york experience. thanks guys for your help

the bronx is not the type of "new your experience" you want.

 

[riceman04]

ucsf>>>>>>>>einstein...duh

there is no duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh in this process...the OP has to decide what factors are of most importance to her.

UCSF is an awesome school, but I personally would not choose it only b/c it is practically all PBL/case based...since I am looking for a traditional lecture with a significant integration of PBL into the curriculum, I would NOT choose UCSF.

But I would not apply there either...so I guess I see where you are coming from when the OP asked that question.
😀

 

[chandelantern]

there is no duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh in this process...the OP has to decide what factors are of most importance to her.

UCSF is an awesome school, but I personally would not choose it only b/c it is practically all PBL/case based...since I am looking for a traditional lecture with a significant integration of PBL into the curriculum, I would NOT choose UCSF.

But I would not apply there either...so I guess I see where you are coming from when the OP asked that question.
😀

Um, UCSF is still traditional lectures in the morning for sure (i sat in on a lecture when i interviewed there.) One of my friends is a MSI there and she hasn't said anything about PBL being the major part of their curriculum. Anyway, to the OP, if you're a resident of CA UCSF is likely going to be much cheaper, IMHO is a better school, and as mentioned by a previous poster you could get the NYC experience through residencies. Unless you have some other reasons for holding on to AECOM?

 

[notdeadyet]

UCSF is an awesome school, but I personally would not choose it only b/c it is practically all PBL/case based...

Not true. It is NOT PBL/case based...

 

[riceman04]

Not true. It is NOT PBL/case based...

i guess my friend was dead wrong!!!!

Oh ok good to know for when I apply...hahaha thanks

 

[temmie]

Thanks everyone. I never thought i'd have to make this decision since my ucsf interview was my worst. But anyways, AECOM is offering me 18,000 bucks off of my tuition for 4 years. That is what kindda makes it hard cos then the tuition comes out to be about 18k for me and yeah i am a CA resident. It sucks when you have to make decisions like this cos everytime you have a problem at your chosen school, you imagine what would have happened if you chose the other option. I guess that's life.

Um, UCSF is still traditional lectures in the morning for sure (i sat in on a lecture when i interviewed there.) One of my friends is a MSI there and she hasn't said anything about PBL being the major part of their curriculum. Anyway, to the OP, if you're a resident of CA UCSF is likely going to be much cheaper, IMHO is a better school, and as mentioned by a previous poster you could get the NYC experience through residencies. Unless you have some other reasons for holding on to AECOM?

 

[paradisedoc]

Can't fathom why this is even a hard choice, but perhaps it is because the acceptance from UCSF is still so new and you have to really believe it with your heart and your soul. It is tough when you have psyched yourself up for one school, and then you get accepted to another that may have been a higher choice initially.

I think a lot of SDNers and others will have to face this dilemna as they get accepted off various waitlists. It takes an attitude readjustment and a little bit of time to assimilate the surprise and the change.

But you have been given a great opportunity and while you will be fine at either school, let the new one sink in.

 

[omgwtfbbq?]

I almost went to Einstein myself, but then I got into my state school which was where I wanted to go.....

as a Native New Yorker who is now living on the west coast.... let me tell you that if you want the new York experience, you will only get it on the weekends when you get out of the bronx. there aren't even hotels in the bronx. the closest you get is new rochelle. The bronx can be scary. Go because you love the school (the area directly around it is safe enough) and they seem fabulous. and you will get the experience. but if you imagine sitting in cafe's everyday (not counting patricias for italian and the little bakery right next to campus) don't go.

New York is COLD in the winter. not california cold. COLD COLD.
you will not be wanting to go out after dark much
did i mention cold?

Go to the school you love. but don't go to einstein for the new york experienc.e

although i will say that i don't mind the bronx much myself ESPECIALLY because i have a car. i feel i would have enjoyed myself there. the hospitals are great, and if the price is right, go for it.

what was your gut impression of the two schools? everyone says it, and everybody's right, go with that gut feeling. and if the guts the same.. weigh whether or not you need the family close, or smaller loans. (personally, i'd pick mommy)

 

[Astrocyte]

I went to college in the Bay Area and med school in New York City. I loved both places. But now that I am out of both places, I consider myself a New Yorker. There is no place like New York. Among countless young people world-wide who make the pilgrimage to NYC, I think everyone shoud live and experience the city once in their lifetime, especially when they are young.

For you, when (and not if) to go seems to be the question. It's not an easy question to answer, because there is no reason to think that residency would be less time demanding than med school, and no guarantee that you will match to a NYC program you would want to go to. Not to mention numerous other issues like money, research interests, etc. to consider. So, not knowing these things about you, I would say: go to a place where you think you will be most successful as a med student; choose an environemnt most conducive to learning and specialty exploration. Once you had a great education, you can go and build your career anywhere. For me, I would choose UCSF.

 

[riceman04]

I went to college in the Bay Area and med school in New York City. I loved both places. But now that I am out of both places, I consider myself a New Yorker. There is no place like New York. Among countless young people world-wide, who make the pilgrimage to NYC, I think everyone shoud live and experience NYC once in their lifetime, especially when they are young.

no thanks...too many tall buildings...I get disoriented in that concrete jungle.

I hate cities like that...give me expansive 10 lane freeways, some diverse scenery, scantly clad women at the beach (lol), and the ability to ski and go to the beach on the same day.

That's what I like!!!
You can keep that cramped, rat and bedbug infested city...yuck!!!!

 

[potato51]

go UCSF. you'll very likely get a NY residency if that's what you still want later on. Good luck.