After interviewing at both schools, I think I might choose Northwestern over UCLA (granted that my dreams came true and both accept me). I just fell in love with Northwestern and Chicago. Everyone keeps telling me I'm crazy, considering the difference in price and weather. Anybody else considering turning down a great state school for a private, just cause they liked a little better.
I am not in your position (I have not interviewed at a private school), but Dr. Resnik from UCSD says you should chose the school based on two things: 1. Price, 2. Location. You may disagree, but he is older and wiser than us. He says that you really make or break your residency based on the scores you get yourself, not on the school reputation as much. As such, I would go with UCLA, but ...
Dude, Think about it...UCLA....come on SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA! You want to give that up? You are friggin crazy man! If you decide you don't want it...I will start the bidding for the UCLA acceptance at $100!
"A good feeling" or a logical choice? That is the question at hand. I always go with my gut feel. Got to admit, gets me in trouble. Anyhow, I think I'm dreaming a little too much, considering neither school has actually sent me a fat envelope yet.
This has been an on-going train of thought for me. I'm a California resident, and I have to say that the "sell-job" the privates do is VERY good. I especially liked Case Western in Cleveland. They're very technology savy, classes end at noon everyday, you get your own frigin desk at the med school... Then I started thinking $100,000. That's the difference between a UC and a private. And I thought, "Is it worth $100,000 to have my own desk and the student affairs office kiss my butt?" The logical answer is, no, it's not worth $100,000. But a greedier side of me thinks, I am worth it. Hope it helps...
I don't think you're crazy at all. Both are great schools. If I were you I would go with your (my) gut and disregard the opininions of others on this one. Of course, you gotta get in to both schools or this is a moot point...
You probably are crazy, but so am I. I turned down three CA schools to go out of state. (Then again, I'm in North Carolina where the weather is *almost* as good as back home - I'm not so sure about Chicago weather ). It's funny because people will say, "Oh, you must have come here because you weren't accepted in CA, right?" lol! But in the end it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. Go with your gut. Have an adventure. You can always go back for residency. In terms of financial aid, look at the packages the schools offer before you assume that UCLA will be cheaper. Duke offered me a package comparable to the CA schools because they offer so many grants. Good luck!
Hey 2Steve, I've interviewed at three Cal. schools, two of them UCs. I have to tell you that you're absolutely right...these private schools do a damn good job at selling thier schools for the most part. I have found no school comparable to the happiness I felt while at Tulane for instance, and if accepted to all would HIGHLY consider following my gut and moving...
Hey, if you love NU, go for it. I've never visited UCLA, but I can definitely say that I would LOVE Northwestern. I've been there for a lengthy period of time twice for various events. I love it. Chicago's got soul, and NU has it's own beach (okay, so midwest beach not same as Cali beach but whatever).
i'm an undergrad at NU, and i have to say, going to med school on (well, ok, not ON, but a block off) of michigan avenue would be awesome. as far as location, it's tough to beat NU. the med school is right in the middle of everything: shopping, eating, nightlife, the lake. ok, so the winters are cold here (actually tho, it's dec 5 and it was 68 degrees today - really weird). when i started this process i was all about my state school, now that i've started to think about it, im not so sure. in my opinion, 50k to go to a school you think is just ok is a bigger waste of money than 100k to go to a school you love.
My 2 cents......... I went to UCLA undergrad and loved it to death. I have lived in LA for 20 years and SF for 1 year now and I loved it but I would like to go out of California for medical school. If price were not a factor....I wouldnt think twice about going to Northwestern or Case Western (I really liked Case when I interviewed there... all those things mentioned above about CWRU really made me like it too). BUT life would not be terrible UCLA med...c'mon. So... basically I have resolved this issue by just letting everything happen first and then making my decision. If UCLA or UCSD dont accept me... then it will be a blessing in disguise... and I will go and experience at least 4 years elsewhere. Sorry for the excessive babble.
It's interesting...why do you love CWRU so much? I'm just curious. I'm a CWRU undergrad. I'll tell you one thing. I can't wait until I'm out of here. I realize the med school seems to have a different atmosphere than doing undergrad work here, but I wouldn't consider spending another 4 years here!
The location criteria that I referred to is obviously subjective. No one said that San Diego or LA is the only school you could go to and still have a nice location. If you think the location is great in Chicago, then that is a preference. The point he was making was one of perspective. We are looking at this decision from our side, he looks at it from his side. He sees students getting into debt up to 200K to 300K (if a doc marries a doc) and he doesn't think it is worth it. If you do, more power to you. He also sees students making decisions with the idea that school X will get me into the residency that I want. It might help, but he does not think there is a large advantage when you are talking about the difference between the schools in the top 50 or so. Bottom line, it is up to you. Take the advice or leave it, but scoffing at advice is never a wise thing.
I think part of the attraction of Northwestern is that its different. I've lived in LA for 20 years. It's time to get out. I also loved the NU curriculum. I actually went to class all day before my interview. It was FUN! Seriously. The school fits me perfect, from the students, to the curriculum, to the location. So it's my first choice. To be honest, I never considered money a factor when I decided to pursue medicine, so why should it start mattering now? It's just confusing cause UCLA is such a GREAT school, and it's cheap. That's a hard combo to beat. Anyhow, worrying about this is just plain stupid cause I haven't actually been accepted yet. Thanks for the input though. I'm glad to know I'm not the only Cali kid wanting to branch out.
for undergrad school, I turned down UC Berkley (sp?), UCLA, and UCSD for Washinton Univ. AND BOY AM I GLAD I DID!!!!!!!! the private school atmosphere is so much nicer... not full of cut-throat competitive students. teachers care about you.
Personally, I'd choose UCLA over NU. They're both great schools, but in my opinion, NU isn't worth the extra 150K that you'll end up paying back. If you go to UCLA and take out about 100K in loans, you'll pay back around 150K or so when it's over. If you go to NU, you could end up paying around 300K when it's all said and done with. Is it really worth it?
