How did you decide between schools???

[CuddlyKumquat]

Right now I have two choices...UPitt and Stony Brook.

The major factor currently is Money. Im a NY resident and SB comes out to be about 40,000...whereas Pitt is 57,000

So Im asking for advice one other aspect I should try to compare between the schools. What did you look for when you had to decide?
And if in the end (this is what all doctors keep telling me) the *school name* you went to doesn't matter, then shouldn't we all be going to lesser know schools and paying much lower tuition?

Any comment would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jackieMD2007]

I would flat out go where you felt the most comfortable. Go with a gut decision--the way you felt, the impression you had, where you think you'll like it better. If you go with your heart, you know that regardless, you did what YOU felt was best.

 

[Schaden Freud]

I would pay an extra $17K/year not to have to live in Stony Brook!
Seriously, go to UPitt!!! (You know you wanna!)

Right now I have two choices...UPitt and Stony Brook.

The major factor currently is Money. Im a NY resident and SB comes out to be about 40,000...whereas Pitt is 57,000

So Im asking for advice one other aspect I should try to compare between the schools. What did you look for when you had to decide?
And if in the end (this is what all doctors keep telling me) the *school name* you went to doesn't matter, then shouldn't we all be going to lesser know schools and paying much lower tuition?

Any comment would be greatly appreciated.

 

[docmode]

I agree completely. The $$ difference between the two is not that significant considering your whole cost. IF it was a full ride versus one or the other it would be worth weighing that more heavily. Definitely, choose the one in your heart you like the most. Forget the rankings, they are both good. FOr whatever silly reason you might have for prefering one over the other, take it and run. Good luck, you can't lose.

 

[ParvatiP]

Is Stonybrook instate tuition really that high? I thought it was like ~$20,000?

 

[CuddlyKumquat]

Is Stonybrook instate tuition really that high? I thought it was like ~$20,000?

Im accounting for everything, housing, food, transportation...etc. The actual tuition is 19,000

 

[ParvatiP]

Im accounting for everything, housing, food, transportation...etc. The actual tuition is 19,000

Ok, that sounds better

 

[CuddlyKumquat]

I would pay an extra $17K/year not to have to live in Stony Brook!
Seriously, go to UPitt!!! (You know you wanna!)

Hehehehehe....have yuo lived in Pittsburgh?

 

[TexPre-Med]

location, location, location

 

[CuddlyKumquat]

location, location, location

hmmm Pittsburgh vs Suburbia

 

[MossPoh]

That is a nice decision to have...to pick between two. I'd probably go with Pitt. (This is coming from a Penn Stater fyi....although I am not from Pennsylvania so dont' really have a reason to hate Pitt) They are both better schools but the fact that Pitt is right there can open up a lot of oppurtunities and you aren't that far away from new york state...or nyc for that matter if you drive like I do. But like the others said..just go by gut feeling.

 

[CuddlyKumquat]

anyone else have any advice?

 

[mvenus929]

I know essentially nothing about these schools, but maybe look into the curriculum a bit?

 

[Law2Doc]

I know essentially nothing about these schools, but maybe look into the curriculum a bit?

I too don't know much about these schools other than that they have good reps. The curriculum in med school is pretty universal -- you have to take the same boards in two years so all schools cover the relevant material. But things you might want to look into when considering schools are: (1) the grading system, (2) whether the schools have all day versus part day classes (which may be important depending on how you study/learn), (3) whether attendance at class is mandatory, (4) whether they post lectures online so you can watch and rewatch them remotely, (5) whether they use cadavers or prosections or video (aint nothing like the real thing), (6) whether they have PBL, (7) whether they do much clinical training in the first year, whether they use standardized patients, etc., (8) whether they use system or organ based courses, (9) whether you take multiple courses at once with multiple exams or whether you take one course at a time but at a compressed rate, (10) how many weeks you have between exams (so that you know if you get down time on any weekends or if they all suck, (11) whether there is a good student research office or faculty member who can help you line up summer jobs. Other than that, go with location and vibe. Hope that helps.

 

[MrBurns10]

cuddly, congrats on getting into pitt! We interviewed there together and based on what I've heard from you since that day in October, I absolutely think you should choose Pitt. The difference in price will be insignificant in the long run of your entire medical career, and the passion with which you talk about Pitt make it obvious this is where your heart is. Unless you liked Stony Brook equally, go to Pitt. It seems like a great place.

On the other hand, if you did happen to feel even better about SB (since I haven't read any SB threads I might not know), I would say to go there. The difference in reputation between the two schools isn't enough to go somewhere you like less. So just go where your heart is telling you to go. Good luck!

 

[CuddlyKumquat]

cuddly, congrats on getting into pitt! We interviewed there together and based on what I've heard from you since that day in October, I absolutely think you should choose Pitt. The difference in price will be insignificant in the long run of your entire medical career, and the passion with which you talk about Pitt make it obvious this is where your heart is. Unless you liked Stony Brook equally, go to Pitt. It seems like a great place.

On the other hand, if you did happen to feel even better about SB (since I haven't read any SB threads I might not know), I would say to go there. The difference in reputation between the two schools isn't enough to go somewhere you like less. So just go where your heart is telling you to go. Good luck!

Hey Mr Burns!! hows it going?? Yea, I pretty much have decided on Pitt. I just really had my heart set on it and now that Im in, i should just take the plunge. What about you? Decided where your going next year?

 

[MrBurns10]

Hey Mr Burns!! hows it going?? Yea, I pretty much have decided on Pitt. I just really had my heart set on it and now that Im in, i should just take the plunge. What about you? Decided where your going next year?

That's awesome, cuddly. I know you'll have a great time there...I think almost everyone left the interview impressed. For me, it was the pregnant sim dummies that did it. As much as I liked it and everyone I met there, Pitt didn't produce the same sense of "this is it" as it did for you, so instead I'm going to Duke. But best of luck! I honestly think you made the right decision. Enjoy the winter