iowa vs. indiana

[lilac123lilac12]

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I am trying to decide between the University of Iowa and Indiana University, so I would appreciate any thoughts/opinions regarding the schools' environment (social and physical), student satisfaction, USMLE and other standardized test scores, residency matches, etc. Thanks!

 

[DoctorDeMan]

I know very little about Indiana, but here goes:

Iowa is in Iowa City, a college town with quite a few bars and a good assortment of restaurants. Because it is in a college town, sports are relatively big if that's your thing. Cost of living is pretty low also, you can get a nice 2Br (away from campus) for ~800/month.

Iowa as a medical school has quite a bit of research going on, and there are many opportunities for medical students to get involved with this. Also, there are many service opportunities through the college (mobile clinic) and in the city (free clinic). The facilities are very nice, with several newer buildings at center of the medical campus (MERF, CBRB, etc.).

USMLE scores are likely to be around or above average, but this isn't a good deciding factor on where to attend a school. Going to a school isn't going to automatically raise or lower your USMLE scores, you will be the one doing that.

The hospital (UIHC) is a pretty well known hospital and is nationally ranked. It's no Hopkins or Mayo, but it's pretty good, especially in optho, ENT and ortho surgery. You will get diverse cases at UIHC, no doubt.

If you are in-state for one of the schools, choose the cheapest one. I doubt either school would keep you out of an ultra competitive residency if you put in the effort. Neither school is going to magically open doors for you either the way Hahhvahd might (though some would argue against this).

 

[cheasus]

I know very little about Indiana, but here goes:

Iowa is in Iowa City, a college town with quite a few bars and a good assortment of restaurants. Because it is in a college town, sports are relatively big if that's your thing. Cost of living is pretty low also, you can get a nice 2Br (away from campus) for ~800/month.

Iowa as a medical school has quite a bit of research going on, and there are many opportunities for medical students to get involved with this. Also, there are many service opportunities through the college (mobile clinic) and in the city (free clinic). The facilities are very nice, with several newer buildings at center of the medical campus (MERF, CBRB, etc.).

USMLE scores are likely to be around or above average, but this isn't a good deciding factor on where to attend a school. Going to a school isn't going to automatically raise or lower your USMLE scores, you will be the one doing that.

The hospital (UIHC) is a pretty well known hospital and is nationally ranked. It's no Hopkins or Mayo, but it's pretty good, especially in optho, ENT and ortho surgery. You will get diverse cases at UIHC, no doubt.

If you are in-state for one of the schools, choose the cheapest one. I doubt either school would keep you out of an ultra competitive residency if you put in the effort. Neither school is going to magically open doors for you either the way Hahhvahd might (though some would argue against this).

Good info, just like to add that you would get a VERY 2 bedroom nice apartment at $800/month away from campus. You can get a cheap (not as nice) 2 bedroom apartment within 5-10 minutes of medical school for about $600. Also, this years match list (http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/osac/MatchResults.html) was pretty damn good

 

[TheTickets]

I know a little bit about Indiana. I'm in state so it's my number one choice.

From what I have gathered, they have pretty good step I scores. I heard above average. I also know a lot of people don't like the satellite campus aspect very much at all.

I believe attendance is optional and as far as I know, the med students there are relatively happy. At least they appeared to be. I volunteer at one of the hospitals (Emergency Dept) within the campus hospital network and see quite a bit of residents and med students. From what I've observed, the teaching staff is generally very nice and not malignant. However, that is just one hospital. Everyone has been very polite and helpful with me. I'm not sure if it is different with med students.

So, all I can really comment on is scores are good and the students seem happy. I know in particular they enjoy the hospitals in which they have to rotate. Hope that helps.

 

[herkyMD]

Just to echo what has already been previously said about Iowa. (I'm in-state and attend the University of Iowa now and will be going to med school there) The UIHC is huge and I would argue is a better hospital than Mayo depending on which type of specialist you are seeking. (In the midwest most people either go to Mayo of UIHC for serious cases) The children's hospital is top-notch at Iowa with people coming in from all over the world (I've been involved with UI Dance Marathon for 4 years and have experience with the children's hospital as well as the Ronald McDonald House) Great research opportunities. I'm currently conducting research under a nationally known virologist who was recently part of a government panel to determine new and upcoming biowarfare agents. Cost of living is pretty cheap. I'm living less than 10 minutes from the medical college in a 1br apartment for $615 a month plus utilities (this is relatively steep for iowa city) The Medical Education Research Facility is fantastic and most of the students I've talked to are really happy with Iowa aside from the fact that Med School is a lot of work but that's everywhere. USMLE scores are at the average or above and I think the medical community thing is pretty sweet for networking with other med students and stuff.

 

[binko]

If you're gay, go to Iowa! 😀

 

[cheasus]

Just to echo what has already been previously said about Iowa. (I'm in-state and attend the University of Iowa now and will be going to med school there) The UIHC is huge and I would argue is a better hospital than Mayo depending on which type of specialist you are seeking. (In the midwest most people either go to Mayo of UIHC for serious cases) The children's hospital is top-notch at Iowa with people coming in from all over the world (I've been involved with UI Dance Marathon for 4 years and have experience with the children's hospital as well as the Ronald McDonald House) Great research opportunities. I'm currently conducting research under a nationally known virologist who was recently part of a government panel to determine new and upcoming biowarfare agents. Cost of living is pretty cheap. I'm living less than 10 minutes from the medical college in a 1br apartment for $615 a month plus utilities (this is relatively steep for iowa city) The Medical Education Research Facility is fantastic and most of the students I've talked to are really happy with Iowa aside from the fact that Med School is a lot of work but that's everywhere. USMLE scores are at the average or above and I think the medical community thing is pretty sweet for networking with other med students and stuff.

Why are you class of 2014 instead of 2013?

 

[sunset823]

I would imagine that neither of these schools is particularly ethnically diverse (maybe I'm wrong) and both cities they're in are not particularly 'happening', but I'm also guessing Iowa is probably more politically liberal, and it's nice to know which campus you're going to be on (I'm currently suffering the fate of being assigned to a satellite campus I don't want), and from what I've seen, Iowa is pretty well respected in research, particularly in that part of the country - if you're in-state in Indiana, go to IU, otherwise I'd elect for Iowa

 

[herkyMD]

Why are you class of 2014 instead of 2013?

I'm doing the MD/MPH and I deferred a year so that I can do my MPH year next year.

 

[cheasus]

I'm doing the MD/MPH and I deferred a year so that I can do my MPH year next year.

Just curious, is the mph program tuition free or do you have to pay?