Loyola vs. OSU

[almostthere5]

Hello everyone,

After making a very difficult and thorough decision to attend Loyola in the fall (I even signed a lease already and everything), I just got an e-mail that I was in off the deferred/waitlist at OSU and now I'm thrown back into a panic (a very grateful and very SURPRISED panic!).

If anyone can help me decide or offer some insights I would REALLY appreciate it.

Loyola --

Pros
*45 minutes from home (close to family and easy move-in/transition)
*Chicago location - lots of diversity of opportunity and I love the city, would love to get to know it more intimately
*Student body (I haven't interacted with incoming students all that much but it has a very collaborative/supportive reputation, and the alums I've talked to said they loved it)
*Good mission fit
*At this point in time I am all set up to go there

Cons
*Lower rank and less "prestigious" (I think)
*No diversity of LIFETIME experience, as it would be even closer than my undergrad
*I think rotations are sort-of all over the place, though I BELIEVE they are mostly in Chicago
*high pass/honors/pass/fail (or whatever)
*Expensive


OSU --

Pros
*More highly ranked and "prestigious"
*Progressive curriculum which seems (on paper) to have been successful for them, with earlier clinical experience
*Good clinical rotations which are mostly all (I THINK?!) in one area-ish
*I like Columbus and living in Ohio would be the farthest I've lived from home though it would still be drive-able
*Pass/fail
*Cheaper after first year assuming I could obtain in-state status
*Campus is better and directly attached to the undergrad campus/culture

Cons
*More competitive student body reputation??? (though I liked the students I interacted with there)
*I would have to scramble to find another prerequisite class, would have to figure out financial aid, would have to find a new place to live -- overall a more difficult transition
*Farther from support system and presumably more "difficult" academically (I know med school is a cluster no matter what, but Loyola is known for 'cutting the fluff' to make things more accessible)


Now that I have gotten myself set up to go to Loyola and I've gotten excited about going there, my instinct is to stick to that decision. But if you had asked me before all that happened -- before I had gotten into either of them -- I think I would have said OSU hands-down because it just has a reputation for being a really good school. I wasn't expecting an interview and definitely wasn't expecting to get in. I would REALLY appreciate any help you guys could offer -- SDN has always come through for me in the past! Thanks! 🙂

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[Lamar1307]

FYI I am waitlisted at OSU as well. Personally, I would go with OSU over Loyola. I am also from the Chicagoland area.They seem to have a lot of different opportunities there. And if I recall correctly I believe that they have a lot of free diverse clinics (Latina Clinica etc). I have a friend who goes there and tells me the LSI curriculum is challenging but definitely manageable and med school I keep hearing is the same wherever you go. What are your career goals? Do you want to go into something more competitive/academic? If that is the case I think OSU is your better bet. If you don't want to do academic medicine and don't care about ranking or prestige then go to Loyola. If you also feel MORE comfortable/excited with going to Loyola then go there! If you think OSU will open the doors you need then go there! Either way good luck and hope you figure this out!

 

[macbookproretina]

Tough choice... I honestly would pick OSU due to the rankings and due to the fact that when you get IS tuition it will be SO much cheaper. It's important to get a good period of growth and I think that while it might be frustrating that you have made plans already, down the line at the end of med school you probably won't regret the time you took to change your plans.

I've worked with quite a few doctors who went to OSU and they spoke extremely highly of their experience, and that the school opened so many doors for them not only in the midwest but across the nation. Good luck choosing OP!

 

[almostthere5]

Thank you guys so much! I appreciate the input.