Loyola over NYU

[ngkats]

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I'm know everyone is sick of these posts, but with 250k on the line, and four years of my life + residency, I want to get as much input as possible.

Between NYU and Loyola, I'm choosing Loyola. I initially figured cost of living in NYC would make NYU too hard to go to, but because of a scholarship it's going to be about the same price for the two schools.

So, am I stupid to choose Loyola (where I like the curriculum, the faculty/staff, the students, the facilities) over a school with a better reputation (e.g., more high impact research, and a great hospital to train at--Bellevue)? Also, life with my gf will be 100x easier staying in Chicago (where I am now) than moving to NYC.

How about matching competitively? Am I hurting my chances? (i know school choice is a controversial topic on matching...)
I'm really curious to hear the opinion of some pre-meds (and not just my parents). I'm extremely lucky to have multiple acceptances, but this has been an absolutely agonizing decision.

Thanks everyone.

 

[RoadRunner17]

I'm know everyone is sick of these posts, but with 250k on the line, and four years of my life + residency, I want to get as much input as possible.

Between NYU and Loyola, I'm choosing Loyola. I initially figured cost of living in NYC would make NYU too hard to go to, but because of a scholarship it's going to be about the same price for the two schools.

So, am I stupid to choose Loyola (where I like the curriculum, the facutly/staff, the students, the facilities) over a school with a better reputation (and a great hosptial to train at--Bellvue)? Also, life with my gf will be 100x easier staying in Chicago (where I am now) than moving to NYC.

I'm really curious to hear the opinion of some pre-meds (and not just my parents). I'm extremely lucky to have multiple acceptances, but this has been an absolutely agonizing decision.

Thanks everyone.

You're not stupid. Just indecisive.

In all seriousness it looks like you WANT to go to the school itself (Loyola) in addition to staying in Chicago. So, that's good enough reason to turn down NYU.

 

[ngkats]

Just indecisive.

Yes, I know it's obvious.😎

 

[kac714]

yea it seems like loyola is a better fit- but if research is important to you, then nyu might be better... and yes, i know that loyola is trying to get better at research, but its not better YET. good luck!

 

[sarahl86]

Gotta do what feels right to you. Loyola looks like the better place for you but what it really comes down to is what you make of the opportunities you are given during medical school. Show the appropriate motivation and drive coupled with good board scores and I think you'll match well. Unless of course your end goal is to end up practicing in NYC, then that's a different story.

But as an MS-0, I won't pretend to know a whole lot about how these things work. I doubt you'd be automatically overlooked for going to :gasp: Loyola! Its still a good school.

 

[aebvd97]

Sounds like Loyola is best for you!

 

[Appless]

Just to offer the others side of the argument....Personally id go with NYU if cost is about the same and it was me. There is a significant difference as far as reputation is concerned between the 2. As for if it will impact residency not a whole id assume but some of course. I kinda think like shemarty says, when you get 2 schools and cost is equal you should go to the "better one" so to speak. Also I personally wouldnt factor in the whole gf thing as a gf isnt some binding contract i mean its not like your married, chances are you wont be with her at the end of med school honestly. Being that you have family in the area of chicago (id assume) and the fact taht it seems you like loyola its certainly not a stupid decision if you choose it. Dont get me wrong im not hating on loyola (Id love to be there myself). Loyola certainly is a good school its not the lowest tier med school so to speak like RFU or something but I would just go with the more reputable school if cost was the same.

 

[ngkats]

Just to offer the others side of the argument....Personally id go with NYU if cost is about the same and it was me. There is a significant difference as far as reputation is concerned between the 2. As for if it will impact residency not a whole id assume but some of course. I kinda think like shemarty says, when you get 2 schools and cost is equal you should go to the "better one" so to speak. Also I personally wouldnt factor in the whole gf thing as a gf isnt some binding contract i mean its not like your married, chances are you wont be with her at the end of med school honestly. Being that you have family in the area of chicago (id assume) and the fact taht it seems you like loyola its certainly not a stupid decision if you choose it. Dont get me wrong im not hating on loyola (Id love to be there myself). Loyola certainly is a good school its not the lowest tier med school so to speak like RFU or something but I would just go with the more reputable school if cost was the same.

hmmmm

 

[jamesq]

hmmmm

In the words of many residency directors I have talked to, all Med Schools from US are essentially the same and they treat them like this. Based on this you should go to the school that makes you happy, because med school is hard enough without having to worry about your happiness. If Loyola is where you felt comfortable then go there! I was having trouble choosing between Miami and Cincinnati and I decided on Miami because I had a better gut feeling! Good Luck and Congrats!

 

[searun]

Personally, I would choose NYU over Loyola, if the cost of attendance is roughly the same. If NYU were significantly more expensive, I would choose Loyola which does have a very friendly environment. If you excel at NYU, I do think it would be a helpful factor in the selection process for a competitive residency and New York City is a very interesting place to live.

I start my third year of med school in late June and now am studying for Step One. When I was applying to med school, I decided early on that I would not allow my west coast girl friend to influence where I went to med school. So I went to the east coast for med school, and sure enough, the relationship ended. But I now have a new girl friend and life goes on. No complaints.

Bottom line is that I would not kiss off NYU because of my girlfriend. Wife, of course, girl friend, no way. But if you love Loyola and really are convinced that you would be miserable at NYU, then go to Loyola. Just don't make your girlfriend the deciding factor.

 

[ngkats]

Personally, I would choose NYU over Loyola, if the cost of attendance is roughly the same. If NYU were significantly more expensive, I would choose Loyola which does have a very friendly environment. If you excel at NYU, I do think it would be a helpful factor in the selection process for a competitive residency and New York City is a very interesting place to live.

I start my third year of med school in late June and now am studying for Step One. When I was applying to med school, I decided early on that I would not allow my west coast girl friend to influence where I went to med school. So I went to the east coast for med school, and sure enough, the relationship ended. But I now have a new girl friend and life goes on. No complaints.

Bottom line is that I would not kiss off NYU because of my girlfriend. Wife, of course, girl friend, no way. But if you love Loyola and really are convinced that you would be miserable at NYU, then go to Loyola. Just don't make your girlfriend the deciding factor.

yeah, she's definitely not the only reason but she is one reason. I just see myself in chicago. but it could open up some doors career wise to attend nyu. really confused.

 

[RoadRunner17]

yeah, she's definitely not the only reason but she is one reason. I just see myself in chicago. but it could open up some doors career wise to attend nyu. really confused.

Well, you didn't mention how exactly you felt about NYU. Do you like the curriculum? The faculty/staff, the students, the facilities? Or are you just lukewarm about these things?

 

[ngkats]

Well, you didn't mention how exactly you felt about NYU. Do you like the curriculum? The faculty/staff, the students, the facilities? Or are you just lukewarm about these things?

Kind of lukewarm. The hospitals (one of whcih is Bellevue) are fantastic (i.e., gives students really good experience) didn't really meet any pre-clinical faculty members. meet some clinical faculty though; they were fine.

they did post their lectures on itunes. i thought that was kind of cool.

 

[Brent8927]

Hey OP,

Just want to say I support you going wherever you want to go.

Personally I'm a huge fan of Loyola--it was my dream school, and I'll be there in July 🙂. I may end up in a similar situation to you though--having to choose between Loyola and a much more prestigious research school (UCLA, where I'm waitlisted), where tuition is also lower. To be honest though, I would still prefer Loyola.

In the long run, I think what really matters most is going to the best "fit" for you. Your ability/competence as a physician is only as good as your foundation, and that's what medical schools is. I do feel a bit guilty prefering Loyola to a school like UCLA (which is a great school, and the people were wonderful as well), and while I know SDNers have a tendency to dream about going to a prestigious school (I read the phrase "top ten" so many times on these forums), the reality is a lot of us would do better, and be happier elsewhere.

I think one advantage NYU will have is you built contacts in the New York area. As others have mentioned, the name of the medical school isn't as important as your performance in medical school. The biggest advantage is NYU does a lot more research than Loyola, so if you're interested in academia or being a researcher, then NYU will probably offer more opportunities.

But, if you're like me and just want be a clinician and to study with some really nice and happy people, Loyola sounds great 😀.

 

[dynezxice]

For a sec there, I read "Loyalty over NYU".

 

[ngkats]

Hey OP,

Just want to say I support you going wherever you want to go.

Personally I'm a huge fan of Loyola--it was my dream school, and I'll be there in July 🙂. I may end up in a similar situation to you though--having to choose between Loyola and a much more prestigious research school (UCLA, where I'm waitlisted), where tuition is also lower. To be honest though, I would still prefer Loyola.

In the long run, I think what really matters most is going to the best "fit" for you. Your ability/competence as a physician is only as good as your foundation, and that's what medical schools is. I do feel a bit guilty prefering Loyola to a school like UCLA (which is a great school, and the people were wonderful as well), and while I know SDNers have a tendency to dream about going to a prestigious school (I read the phrase "top ten" so many times on these forums), the reality is a lot of us would do better, and be happier elsewhere.

I think one advantage NYU will have is you built contacts in the New York area. As others have mentioned, the name of the medical school isn't as important as your performance in medical school. The biggest advantage is NYU does a lot more research than Loyola, so if you're interested in academia or being a researcher, then NYU will probably offer more opportunities.

But, if you're like me and just want be a clinician and to study with some really nice and happy people, Loyola sounds great 😀.

Thanks for that. I just don't know exactly what I'm interested in. Both programs have research, NYU just has a ton more. I'm definitely going to do research wherever I go; but I have no idea if I want to particpate in research long term.

Same goes for academia. I do like it and it could be cool to be involved in a medical school setting long term. But I have no idea if that's what I'll want.

I find it hard to believe that going to Loyola will preclude me from entering academic medicine.

As far as residency choices: will it be easier to land a residency in nyc from Loyola than nyu. Of course not. But I find it somewhat hard to believe it'll be easier to land a spot a Uchicago or northwestern from NYU than Loyola.

 

[Brent8927]

Thanks for that. I just don't know exactly what I'm interested in. Both programs have research, NYU just has a ton more. I'm definitely going to do research wherever I go; but I have no idea if I want to particpate in research long term.

Same goes for academia. I do like it and it could be cool to be involved in a medical school setting long term. But I have no idea if that's what I'll want.

I find it hard to believe that going to Loyola will preclude me from entering academic medicine.

As far as residency choices: will it be easier to land a residency in nyc from Loyola than nyu. Of course not. But I find it somewhat hard to believe it'll be easier to land a spot a Uchicago or northwestern from NYU than Loyola.

Sorry--I guess I mis-worded my statement. I think you can definitely still enter academic medicine by going through Loyola (especially as a clinical professor). What I meant to say is NYU might make it easier, since what I usually hear is that school prestige matters more when you want to enter academia.

However, I would imagine where you go for residency and fellowship(s) is probably more important than where you go to school.

I agree with you--I doubt someone from NYU will have a better chance at getting a residency spot at U of Chicago or Northwestern than someone from Loyola.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

I chose Loyola over Tufts. It was a hard decision but in the end I went with my gut feeling about the student body, the administration, and the clinical environment. I just felt like Loyola was more 'open' and welcoming, everyone has a great attitude, and the administration really cares about the students. I felt like I will be able to thrive in such an enviornment.

Tufts is a great school but I just didn't get the same excitement in the pit of my stomach when I imagined me at Tufts as I did when thinking about Loyola.

If you do well at Loyola there won't be any closed doors waiting for you when you're done.

 

[ngkats]

I chose Loyola over Tufts. It was a hard decision but in the end I went with my gut feeling about the student body, the administration, and the clinical environment. I just felt like Loyola was more 'open' and welcoming, everyone has a great attitude, and the administration really cares about the students. I felt like I will be able to thrive in such an enviornment.

Tufts is a great school but I just didn't get the same excitement in the pit of my stomach when I imagined me at Tufts as I did when thinking about Loyola.

If you do well at Loyola there won't be any closed doors waiting for you when you're done.

My sentiment exactly.

I just withdrew (via email) from NYU. Looks like we'll be classmates. I'm pretty excited. Congrats on making your decision.

 

[witness23]

My sentiment exactly.

I just withdrew (via email) from NYU. Looks like we'll be classmates. I'm pretty excited. Congrats on making your decision.

congrats dawg, school doesn't make you, you make the school. with that said, nyc >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[Siverhideo1985]

My sentiment exactly.

I just withdrew (via email) from NYU. Looks like we'll be classmates. I'm pretty excited. Congrats on making your decision.

Same to you!! Loyola class 2013 is gonna kick ass, haha.

 

[NJDIF]

ahhh loyola. i would have been there definitely if it werent for the cost.

in terms of environment, if you are from the midwest, new york may seem kind insane when you get there. being from NY, it was definitely a refreshing change of pace seeing the chicago suburbs for the first time.