MCW vs GWU

[bishr]

Which would you choose and why?

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[LakerWildcat]

Hey,

I was in the same dilemma as you were. I'll just tell you what factored into my decision and I hope it helps.

1. Money. I loved GW's location but the price was just outrageous, both tuition and rent and cost of living. Additionally, I'm pretty much not eligible for any grant-type aide so any school would have probably been cheaper than GW. Which brings me to MCW. It's "relatively" cheap for a private school, and the cost of living is pretty ridiculous, in a good way. I mean getting a big 2 BR for 750 TOTAL!!!! I'm paying that much for a studio! You're going to be paying twice what I'm paying for a studio in DC. I remember them telling me its 900 for a hotel room (essentially a studio) that doubles as their "med-student dorm". Though Milwaukee isn't going to be DC in both location and weather, its a decent city from what I've seen (I'm living in Chicago). Fair amount of light life, restaurants, random things to do, shopping and the like. Also I like how parking will not a problem for me. I'll have a car and that is definitely impossible/headache in DC. Not a problem in Milwaukee/Wauwatosa. Trust me, after living in a big city for the past 4 years, I'm sick of driving around for half an hour looking for a street spot, only to have to park an SUV into a tiny space that a smart car would have trouble with. PM if you want price comparisons.

2. Research. MCW, though not a research juggernaut, does a fairly big amount of research. Since I'm looking to specialize, I know research will be available for me to do. However, I'm assuming GW, with DC and NIH just around the corner, also does offer lots of research opps. However, just based on the match lists and "feel" of both schools, it seems like MCW is more research oriented and GW more primary care, although I'm guessing the distinction may not be great.

3. I loved both schools facilities, but MCW's was just really impressive. The brand new (well I guess couple year old) building was so nice. MCW's library, centrally located, was great. Bright, and somewhat happy, at least the building was. I could definitely envision myself burrowing myself there during exam times. GW's library seemed a bit like a bunker, which I didn't like. The hospital at GW was definitely impressive. I didn't really get a chance to look at MCWs, but from cursory look, it seemed like a serviceable teaching hospital.

4. Ranking/Reputation. Didn't factor really into my decision but MCW is in the top 1/3 in terms of ranking (last I checked 52 research, 46 primary care). GW is not. However, this is probably not a big deal, unless you want an ego boost. GW probably has a better "street/layman" reputation, being attached to an undergrad as well as being in DC/East Coast. MCW, though not as well known (someone asked me if it was DO or MD), has a very strong physician and academic reputation. MCW has a strong midwest reputation as well. Again, ranking and reputation wasn't really a factor for me, but maybe this paragraph will help.

5. It seems like MCW wants you, whereas other schools just seem to say, "Ok, come if you like." The only issue I have with MCW is diversity. As a minority myself, GW's diversity was definitely a plus. But its not like MCW has no diversity either.

That's all for me. What are you leaning towards? What factors are you thinking about?

 

[Danbo1957]

In medicine, GW is very good for primary care and the Infectious Disease sub-specialty, well-regarded professors.

 

[bishr]

Hey,

I was in the same dilemma as you were. I'll just tell you what factored into my decision and I hope it helps.

1. Money. I loved GW's location but the price was just outrageous, both tuition and rent and cost of living. Additionally, I'm pretty much not eligible for any grant-type aide so any school would have probably been cheaper than GW. Which brings me to MCW. It's "relatively" cheap for a private school, and the cost of living is pretty ridiculous, in a good way. I mean getting a big 2 BR for 750 TOTAL!!!! I'm paying that much for a studio! You're going to be paying twice what I'm paying for a studio in DC. I remember them telling me its 900 for a hotel room (essentially a studio) that doubles as their "med-student dorm". Though Milwaukee isn't going to be DC in both location and weather, its a decent city from what I've seen (I'm living in Chicago). Fair amount of light life, restaurants, random things to do, shopping and the like. Also I like how parking will not a problem for me. I'll have a car and that is definitely impossible/headache in DC. Not a problem in Milwaukee/Wauwatosa. Trust me, after living in a big city for the past 4 years, I'm sick of driving around for half an hour looking for a street spot, only to have to park an SUV into a tiny space that a smart car would have trouble with. PM if you want price comparisons.

2. Research. MCW, though not a research juggernaut, does a fairly big amount of research. Since I'm looking to specialize, I know research will be available for me to do. However, I'm assuming GW, with DC and NIH just around the corner, also does offer lots of research opps. However, just based on the match lists and "feel" of both schools, it seems like MCW is more research oriented and GW more primary care, although I'm guessing the distinction may not be great.

3. I loved both schools facilities, but MCW's was just really impressive. The brand new (well I guess couple year old) building was so nice. MCW's library, centrally located, was great. Bright, and somewhat happy, at least the building was. I could definitely envision myself burrowing myself there during exam times. GW's library seemed a bit like a bunker, which I didn't like. The hospital at GW was definitely impressive. I didn't really get a chance to look at MCWs, but from cursory look, it seemed like a serviceable teaching hospital.

4. Ranking/Reputation. Didn't factor really into my decision but MCW is in the top 1/3 in terms of ranking (last I checked 52 research, 46 primary care). GW is not. However, this is probably not a big deal, unless you want an ego boost. GW probably has a better "street/layman" reputation, being attached to an undergrad as well as being in DC/East Coast. MCW, though not as well known (someone asked me if it was DO or MD), has a very strong physician and academic reputation. MCW has a strong midwest reputation as well. Again, ranking and reputation wasn't really a factor for me, but maybe this paragraph will help.

5. It seems like MCW wants you, whereas other schools just seem to say, "Ok, come if you like." The only issue I have with MCW is diversity. As a minority myself, GW's diversity was definitely a plus. But its not like MCW has no diversity either.

That's all for me. What are you leaning towards? What factors are you thinking about?

I was leaning towards MCW, I know it's safer in Wisconsin, I like the laid back atmosphere of Wauwatosa, but I'm still having a hell of a hard time letting go of the prospect of studying in D.C.

I had the exact same thoughts with regard to the library at GW - it's surely not comparable to the study friendly library at MCW. GW hospital is stellar, and even though I didn't look at the MCW hospital, as a regional medical center, I know their facilities are also quite nice. I pretty much call a draw on this one, with the breaker being that Dick Cheney likes to visit GW hospital, and I want to stay away from any chance of ever meeting Dick Cheney (or his daughter who just joined the Cheney Cardiovascular Institute Board of Directors).

True, the diversity of students at GW and in D.C. is a huge plus. I don't know too much about the multicultural environment in Milwaukee or at MCW, but GW takes a big part of the cake on this score.

I think your point about the living expenses in D.C. are the most relevant. The difference is pretty stark. If falling into debt is already an issue, this is pretty much a no brainer!!

 

[LakerWildcat]

I was leaning towards MCW, I know it's safer in Wisconsin, I like the laid back atmosphere of Wauwatosa, but I'm still having a hell of a hard time letting go of the prospect of studying in D.C.

I had the exact same thoughts with regard to the library at GW - it's surely not comparable to the study friendly library at MCW. GW hospital is stellar, and even though I didn't look at the MCW hospital, as a regional medical center, I know their facilities are also quite nice. I pretty much call a draw on this one, with the breaker being that Dick Cheney likes to visit GW hospital, and I want to stay away from any chance of ever meeting Dick Cheney (or his daughter who just joined the Cheney Cardiovascular Institute Board of Directors).

True, the diversity of students at GW and in D.C. is a huge plus. I don't know too much about the multicultural environment in Milwaukee or at MCW, but GW takes a big part of the cake on this score.

I think your point about the living expenses in D.C. are the most relevant. The difference is pretty stark. If falling into debt is already an issue, this is pretty much a no brainer!!

Haha. Hey, at least if you do go to GW, you won't be seeing Cheney and his cronies much longer.

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Honestly, I may be totally wrong but if you're not going to go into academic medicine, it really doesn't matter which medical school you go to, as long as you get good training and work hard. If you do choose MCW, I'll see you around. It'll be pretty funny if you turn out to be a guy I disdain and vice versa, but who could not like me?

Just kidding. Good luck on your decision though, its one that many people would love to have.