I apologize in advance: VCU vs SIU

[christi5784]

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The only reason this is a tough decision is because I am an Illinois resident, which creates more travel expenses and higher tuition if I were to attend VCU. I would also miss my family, friends, and bf.
SIU: 16,956 (in state)
VCU: 35,700 (out of state)

 

[tacrum43]

The only reason this is a tough decision is becuase I am an Illinois resident, which creates more travel expenses and higher tuition if I were to attend VCU. I would also miss my family, friends, and bf.
SIU: 16,956 (in state)
VCU: 35,700 (out of state)

It seems like the decision is easy for all practical reasons, but you must like VCU more as a school. But how much more? It would be over twice the price for you. And there is a lot to be said for a support network (family, friends, S.O.). I think I would go to SIU if I were in your situation with those schools (which is a nice one to be in). But either way, you've got a great school and you're going to be a doctor. 🙂

 

[wistarrat]

The only reason this is a tough decision is becuase I am an Illinois resident, which creates more travel expenses and higher tuition if I were to attend VCU. I would also miss my family, friends, and bf.
SIU: 16,956 (in state)
VCU: 35,700 (out of state)

To know you are doing this for yourself, I'd ask: how do you learn best? SIU is largely small-group case-based learning, whereas VCU provides a more lecture-based foundation of medicine (less pbl).

 

[dogdayafternoon]

Don't think of the money. My life advice is to never make a judgment based on money especially when you consider how much a doctor makes. Also, you may be away from your family but what the heck do you think is going to happen during residency? You might have to go away from your family then too. Don't think about money or what other people think. Go where YOU want to go.

 

[christi5784]

Thanks for all of the advice you guys. I honestly loved VCU and wasn't at all impressed with SIU. Since my family is driving me crazy right now, I feel like I would mostly be staying here for my boyfriend. I know this is not a good thing to be basing this kind of decision on, but I'm not just basing it on my bf. If I take out the money and my family ridiculing me for spending more money by going to VCU, he is what is left. He wants us to try long distance if I move, but I know it will be very hard, and I am going to miss him like crazy. Not that I will see him often either way, but if I were in the area at least he wouldn't have to spend as much on a plane ticket. But SIU is still in the middle of nowhere...

 

[wistarrat]

Thanks for all of the advice you guys. I honestly loved VCU and wasn't at all impressed with SIU. Since my family is driving me crazy right now, I feel like I would mostly be staying here for my boyfriend. I know this is not a good thing to be basing this kind of decision on, but I'm not just basing it on my bf. If I take out the money and my family ridiculing me for spending more money by going to VCU, he is what is left. He wants us to try long distance if I move, but I know it will be very hard, and I am going to miss him like crazy. Not that I will see him often either way, but if I were in the area at least he wouldn't have to spend as much on a plane ticket. But SIU is still in the middle of nowhere...

If your boyfriend were at VCU, would you be happiest? (If the answer is yes, you need to consider VCU a tad more) but if you are the type of person who could only be happy and productive with fam and bf nearby... only you can know that.

 

[christi5784]

Yes, if my bf moved to VCU I would be the happiest, but of course I would still miss my family. I wanted to stay in IL especially now because my grandparents are not doing so well as of late. I went to undergrad only 45 minutes from home but barely went home. I can function fine away from my family and I'm sure it would be the same concerning my bf.

 

[-Goose-]

The difference in reputation is minimal. The cost is ~2x more. Unless you would be extremely unhappy in Carbondale (?), I can't see why you'd pick VCU.

I was accepted to several OOS public schools (UofL, VCU, and UVM). Although I liked the schools (esp UofL) a little bit more than my state school, I kept imaging how much I would be kicking myself when the majority of my classmates were paying 1/2 the price for the same education. Just my 2 centavos.

 

[IDforMe]

Thanks for all of the advice you guys. I honestly loved VCU and wasn't at all impressed with SIU. Since my family is driving me crazy right now, I feel like I would mostly be staying here for my boyfriend. I know this is not a good thing to be basing this kind of decision on, but I'm not just basing it on my bf. If I take out the money and my family ridiculing me for spending more money by going to VCU, he is what is left. He wants us to try long distance if I move, but I know it will be very hard, and I am going to miss him like crazy. Not that I will see him often either way, but if I were in the area at least he wouldn't have to spend as much on a plane ticket. But SIU is still in the middle of nowhere...

Christi-- don't let money (or your family's ridicule) be the deciding factor. I can only say to go with your heart and what you think would be best. If you've read any of my recent posts, I was planning on SIU, and will now be attending Loyola... with $75000 more debt than I would if I went to Carbondale and Springfield. After two sleepless nights, I realized the extra debt was worth it for me. Still, it was a really hard choice to make. All I'm saying is, consider where YOU want to be. You don't sound that enthusiastic about SIU, and this is your life; you only go to med school once. Either way, you will eventually pay everything off. Would you be willing to live lean for 5-8 years to attend VCU? You are the only one who can answer this. Just don't let your family guilt you into a decision that deep down you don't agree with or think you may regret.

Either way, congrats! Having a choice of schools is a good thing, although after this past week I know from experience it is easier to be at peace with yourself if you don't have to choose...

 

[Mixtli]

I agree, the difference in reputation is minimal. However, if you are unhappy at one particular location and it affects your performance, then it would be worth the extra $$ to go OOS.

 

[christi5784]

Thanks again for all the comments! I was wondering if there are any good web sites for comparing match statistics...etc for the two schools.

 

[christi5784]

I have another question: I perceive SIU to have a less than stellar reputation all around as a "party school" maybe I don't feel that way about VCU because I am not as familiar with it, but should I consider that as well?

 

[christi5784]

It shouldn't have to be a strong consideration; if you are focused on doing well you won't have a problem (Just don't live in an apartment in the middle of frat row.) I know someone who finished up at SIU Med last year and is doing his internal med residency in Chicago and I remember when he chose SIU he had a few options as well (Tulane and somewhere else...don't remember exactly) and he made his decision based on the way the curriculum is taught, which like wistarrat said is relatively unique. Honestly...the more I think about this the harder it is for me to decide...I understand your dilemma 🙄

I'm not worried about getting caught up in party school stuff, I'm worried about how others will perceive my education when I say I went to SIU.

 

[christi5784]

Christi-- don't let money (or your family's ridicule) be the deciding factor. I can only say to go with your heart and what you think would be best. If you've read any of my recent posts, I was planning on SIU, and will now be attending Loyola... with $75000 more debt than I would if I went to Carbondale and Springfield. After two sleepless nights, I realized the extra debt was worth it for me. Still, it was a really hard choice to make. All I'm saying is, consider where YOU want to be. You don't sound that enthusiastic about SIU, and this is your life; you only go to med school once. Either way, you will eventually pay everything off. Would you be willing to live lean for 5-8 years to attend VCU? You are the only one who can answer this. Just don't let your family guilt you into a decision that deep down you don't agree with or think you may regret.

Either way, congrats! Having a choice of schools is a good thing, although after this past week I know from experience it is easier to be at peace with yourself if you don't have to choose...

If I had gotten into Loyola, I wouldn't be thinking about VCU or SIU...

 

[the brown note]

I'm not worried about getting caught up in party school stuff, I'm worried about how others will perceive my education when I say I went to SIU.

I'm not a residency program director or anything, but I don't think that SIU's med school has quite as much of a reputation of being a party school as the main undergrad campus in Carbondale. Since you'll be in Springfield for the final 3 years, it won't be the same sort of atmosphere. When I went to interview at SIU (Springfield campus), the students seemed fun but serious about their studies. The curriculum is quite unique, and if you think you might enjoy PBL/small group learning, then I would seriously consider SIU. However, if you feel that you would like VCU better (and might perform better there because of the atmosphere/feel of the school/curriculum/whatever), then I would go to VCU. (In the interest of full disclosure, however, I chose a more expensive private school instead of my state school, even though it'll mean being away from my SO often.) Good luck with your decision!

 

[christi5784]

I'm not a residency program director or anything, but I don't think that SIU's med school has quite as much of a reputation of being a party school as the main undergrad campus in Carbondale. Since you'll be in Springfield for the final 3 years, it won't be the same sort of atmosphere. When I went to interview at SIU (Springfield campus), the students seemed fun but serious about their studies. The curriculum is quite unique, and if you think you might enjoy PBL/small group learning, then I would seriously consider SIU. However, if you feel that you would like VCU better (and might perform better there because of the atmosphere/feel of the school/curriculum/whatever), then I would go to VCU. (In the interest of full disclosure, however, I chose a more expensive private school instead of my state school, even though it'll mean being away from my SO often.) Good luck with your decision!

Yeah, that's going to suck...especially him knowing that I might decide to go away knowing that he wants me to go to SIU. He's so sweet and understanding though, he wants it to be my decision. I can't help but love him for it...

 

[mbawife]

Why don't you consider the residency placement? Another person mentioned that it might not be worth it for you to pay more to end up with the same opportunities for residency placement. What specialty are you thinking of going in to?

One thing I do know is that you need balance in your life. Your personal life is as important as your professional life, or student life. Maybe you should do the old pro and con list and look to see which school rises to the top of your page.

 

[christi5784]

Why don't you consider the residency placement? Another person mentioned that it might not be worth it for you to pay more to end up with the same opportunities for residency placement. What specialty are you thinking of going in to?

One thing I do know is that you need balance in your life. Your personal life is as important as your professional life, or student life. Maybe you should do the old pro and con list and look to see which school rises to the top of your page.

It's hard to tell now, but I am pretty sure I want to go into surgery, possibly pediatric surgery...

 

[dogdayafternoon]

It really sounds like you want to go to VCU but you're trying to make it so other people are happy by going to SIU. I know its a little more money but it looks VCU is for you.

 

[the brown note]

Yeah, that's going to suck...especially him knowing that I might decide to go away knowing that he wants me to go to SIU. He's so sweet and understanding though, he wants it to be my decision. I can't help but love him for it...

Gotta love that! 😍 My SO refused to say what his opinion was until I had pretty much made up my mind for the same reason, even though I wanted to make the decision together (we're married). We figured out the logistics to make it work--even though it's going to be more expensive (both tuition-wise and transportation-wise), we both decided we'd be happier this way. I hope it works out for you, either way!

 

[christi5784]

At first I was pretty much decided that I was still going to VCU, but the more I talk with other people about it, the more I realize that the smart thing for my relationships with my family and so as well as financially would be to go to SIU. Then I would also be closer to my doctors (I have a genetic cancer syndrome that requires frequent endoscopies etc.). Having a choice is a good thing, if you can make the right decision...

 

[Vizsla]

At first I was pretty much decided that I was still going to VCU, but the more I talk with other people about it, the more I realize that the smart thing for my relationships with my family and so as well as financially would be to go to SIU. Then I would also be closer to my doctors (I have a genetic cancer syndrome that requires frequent endoscopies etc.). Having a choice is a good thing, if you can make the right decision...

when do you have to decide by?

 

[christi5784]

I just got my acceptance from SIU yesterday, so I have two weeks to notify both schools after I pick one.

 

[christi5784]

I guess another thing I'm holding on to is the hope that maybe I will be accepted by either UIC or Loyola, and it would be easier to switch to one of them from SIU than from VCU since I will have already made travel plans, etc.

 

[Dr. Giggles]

The difference in reputation is minimal. The cost is ~2x more. Unless you would be extremely unhappy in Carbondale (?), I can't see why you'd pick VCU.

I was accepted to several OOS public schools (UofL, VCU, and UVM). Although I liked the schools (esp UofL) a little bit more than my state school, I kept imaging how much I would be kicking myself when the majority of my classmates were paying 1/2 the price for the same education. Just my 2 centavos.

This pretty much sums up my thoughts. But isn't SIU in Springfield?

I think the price alone would push me towards SIU. Having family and friends close by, along with the proximity to UIC and Loyola, would only make the same decision easier for me. Take your time, and good with your decision.

 

[christi5784]

This pretty much sums up my thoughts. But isn't SIU in Springfield?

I think the price alone would push me towards SIU. Having family and friends close by, along with the proximity to UIC and Loyola, would only make the same decision easier for me. Take your time, and good with your decision.

Thanks for your opinion...I am leaning toward SIU more now...really wish UIC or Loyola felt like taking me off their waitlists...

 

[christi5784]

any other opinions?

 

[Beau Geste]

This pretty much sums up my thoughts. But isn't SIU in Springfield?

Year 1 is in Carbondale
Years 2-4 are in Springfield

I went to SIU for my B.S. and M.S. (Carbondale). My mom went to SIUSOM (class of '91) and I have a friend who is a PGY-3 in general surgery now at SIU (and an SIUSOM grad).

I really enjoyed my time in Carbondale and Springfield isn't that bad. It's a smaller city (about 125K in population), but really, I would be more concerned with curriculum and residency placement than location. There are plenty of things to do in Carbondale and Springfield but the big-city folks are always complaining that they might be bored.

I don't know much about VCU, but SIU's grads seem to have a decent board pass rate and residency placement. Plus, even though people say don't worry about money, at some point you should take that into consideration since you will be strapped with this debt for at least 10 years after your residency is complete (probably more if you go out of state). Couple that with rising interest rates and you've got the equivalent of a good-sized mortgage!

Seriously, though, if you aren't feeling 100% about SIU, give it up and let someone else who really wants to go there be able to go. However, if I were you, I would pick SIU. Then again, I'm biased, because when I apply next year that will be my top choice. I saw how much my mom enjoyed being in the program, especially as a non-traditional student, and how she still keeps in contact with those professors that are still there and even knows the dean on a first-name basis.

Ultimately you need to sit down and compare pros and cons of each school. Whichever has the most pros is probably the better choice, but remember, we can only give advice, but YOU have to make the decision.

 

[christi5784]

In my view the biggest reason to avoid SIU is the curriculum. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like another one of those PBL boondoggles. I'd avoid those like the plague. I know three UTMB grads who described what a PBL-based curriculum is like, and it sounds absolutely awful.

Bleh.

Could you explain a little more what is bad about pbl?

 

[Beau Geste]

Could you explain a little more what is bad about pbl?

I don't think it's "bad" per se, but a different way of learning than covering each system independently in a classroom. With PBL, you're presented with a patient who has XYZ symptoms, diseases, etc., and with a small group you have to figure out what is affected and course of treatment. I'm sure there's much more to it, and you can easily do a search on google for PBL curriculums to see what they are about and decide for yourself.

PBL is not for everyone, that's definitely true, but it can't be that bad or else schools would drop that style of curriculum.

 

[IDforMe]

If I had gotten into Loyola, I wouldn't be thinking about VCU or SIU...

Sorry! Just trying to help, not showboat. And since you seem to be on the waitlist there, you may end up at Loyola yet.

Honestly though, I think I would have gotten a fine education at SIU, that's why the decision was so hard.

Having a choice is a good thing, if you can make the right decision...

Whatever decision you make will be right. After you decide, view everything as a clean slate with no regrets. Otherwise you will torment yourself.

 

[Beau Geste]

Educational philosophies ebb and flow like fashion. Check out the clothing ads in any issue of Playboy from the early 1970's and you'll see what I mean. There is a minority of medical educators who carried the PBL torch forward with some success, but it hasn't exactly caught on like wildfire.

You can't seriously be comparing medical eduction to Playboy fashion.

 

[Vizsla]

The comparison was really between medical education trrends and fashion in general.

If I add up kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, graduate school and medical school I have 26 years of experience. I also have a September '73 copy of Playboy in my closet.

I know what I'm talking about.

👍 ...i gotta ask, who is that in ur avatar?

 

[Beau Geste]

The comparison was really between medical education trends and fashion in general, as exemplified by 30+ year-old Playboys.

If I add up kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, graduate school and medical school I have 26 years of experience. I also have a September '73 copy of Playboy in my closet.

I know what I'm talking about.

That looks like Dennis Hopper (to the other poster).

I also have about 26 years of educational experience, including a Master's and Ph.D. work. Of course, I don't have med school experience, but you don't have PBL experience.

I'm telling the OP to explore the options before taking a huge step. I'm going to stick up for SIU every step of the way, so we might as well agree to disagree. Have you ever had any PBL experience or are you just taking your friend's word for it?

I'll tell you what's impressive - having all the issues of Sports Illustrated dated back to 1954 with Eddie Matthews of the Milwaukee Braves on the cover up to 1997. Left to me by my grandfather.

 

[mbawife]

Are you still holding 2 acceptances? Aren't you supposed to drop one by May 15th?

 

[Vizsla]

Are you still holding 2 acceptances? Aren't you supposed to drop one by May 15th?

She only got accepted at SIU on 5/22 so she has 2 wks from that day to decide

 

[mbawife]

She only got accepted at SIU on 5/22 so she has 2 wks from that day to decide

Got it. Thanks

 

[christi5784]

still torn...I'm thinking still mostly of going to SIU since I have the most logical reasons to go there. My only concern is SIU's reputation (or lack of one). Of course, I had never heard of VCU until I was first looking through the MSAR...

 

[dogdayafternoon]

christi5784,
You got accepted on 5/22? were you on the "ranked alternate" or "accepted pending available spot" post-interview?

 

[christi5784]

christi5784,
You got accepted on 5/22? were you on the "ranked alternate" or "accepted pending available spot" post-interview?

Yeah I was on the Accept When Place Available list...