MCG or UVa - I'm stressin!

[ermonty]

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Throughout completing the pre-reqs, to preparing for and taking the MCAT, to applying, to waiting for and going to interviews, to waiting for acceptances - I never stressed. Now however, being faced with the decision of MCG vs UVa I'm losing sleep.

MCG - Good education, low cost, and close to home.

UVa - I LOVED everything about it (the curriculum, beautiful location (except for proximity to home), great reputation, facilities, etc.) EXCEPT the COST!

9 out of 10 docs I talk to say to go to MCG and limit my debt, cause "medschool is medschool, and what you go into depends more on individual effort."

But there are a few docs and professors that say that I'd be crazy to turn down an opportunity like UVa.

I keep flip-floppin back and forth b/t the two in my mind. AHHHH -What to do? 😕

 

[dlc]

Hi ermonty,
I was in pretty much the exact situation last year...I had to choose between MCG and Duke. I had actually been waitlisted at Duke and was all prepared to go to MCG. Then I got off in June and suddenly I realized, you know what, I think I would be happiest at Duke. It had been my dream school for so long and even though it would cost twice as much, I would regret it if I hadn't taken the chance. I also talked to many people and I heard the same thing, about how it is just medical school and it doesn't matter where you go. One doctor told me that the residency is really what I would have to worry about and if I didn't get into Duke I should consider myself lucky for not having to make that decision of where to go for med school. He was the only medically-related person though that didn't respond with, "Oh go to Duke, it will pay off in the end". My father, who has absolutely no relation to the medical field but is extremely frugal, kept trying to encourage me to go to MCG. But in the end, I chose to come to Duke and suck up the debt because it was an opportunity that I did not want to pass up and I believe, as much as I hate to believe in the value of connections, that being here will open doors for me in the future. It really does come down to where you think you will be happiest. Good luck in your decision!
Dana

 

[ermonty]

Dana,

Thanks. Nice to know others have been through this tough decision before me. I don't know where I'd be happiest - that's just the thing. I loved my experience at UVa (better than MCG), but what can you really tell about how comfortable you'll be at that school for 4 years based upon 1 interview day? I plan on revisiting the two shools once more before making a decision.

Are you happy with your decision so far to go Duke?

 

[indigoblue22]

Hi,
I'm a med student at UVA, so I'll add my two cents.

Do you know about how much the total difference between the two schools is? I chose UVA over my state school, but the difference wasn't gigantic, under 10k a year. Do you have undergrad loans or other financial concerns? Just something to think about...maybe you'll get some scholarships (either from the school or an outside source) and that will help tip the scales in favor of one of the schools...UVA is a great school, but it's hard to put a $ value on that. I don't know anything about MCG but I think that overall med schools are more the same than different, and you'll learn the same stuff, take the boards just the same, etc. But if you're happier at one place and maybe have access to more research opportunities or something you're interested in, that can make a difference in your med school experience. I agree with Dana that you should go where you'll be happy, but I also think some of that is about having a good attitude - whereever you end up, if you're happy and convinced you made the right choice, you probably won't regret it.

So my only actual advice (I hope the last paragraph made some sense) is to look into both schools as much as possible, talk to more doctors if that helps, see if there are scholarships available, maybe look into Army/Air Force type programs, just keep gathering info - and don't stress too much, yet! You have a couple of months before it gets down to the wire.

Definitely, definitely revisit both the schools. Stay with students and talk to as many people as possible.

Good luck! I'm sorry if this wasn't much help, but if you have any questions about school or living in Charlottesville or whatever else, please post them - I'd be happy to help!

 

[indigoblue22]

I posted a reply...I'm not sure if it went through so this is just a test. 🙂