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Accepted to both, anyone have any thoughts regarding either medical school?
Medical School Decision: Stay close to home or Go Away?
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I stayed close to home. That way I have some chance at a social life outside of the other students at school. Plus it is nice to get a home cooked meal once in a while. Unless the other school is Harvard, I am not sure it is worth it to me.
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i guess you should look at the curriculums. how important is your family and support system you have at home to you? is money an issue (would you be living at home if you stayed in your hometown)? do you know what kind of medicine you want to do?
let us know so that we can help some more. do you mind saying which 2 schools? congrats.
let us know so that we can help some more. do you mind saying which 2 schools? congrats.
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i agreeankitovich said:
or if u will apply..and have stats like me...u dont get to pick.."U GO WHERE YOU GET IN!" -MY MOM
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I was also accepted into two schools with quite a distance in between - I chose the school near me for the reasons below:
1) I'm currently in a city, have always been a citygal, and it seemed to make more sense to stay in a bigger city for medical education where I will have more clinical exposure to diversity in patient population and types of illnesses.
2) I wanted to stay closer to my mom. I think as my professional life takes off and as my mom gets older we need eachother more and more.
3) Tuition was not a case in my situation, since I took the military scholarship, but if I hadn't it would have made more sense for me to take the school near me, as the other one would have costed about $20K more per year.
4) My choices were based on two schools that are in a similar rank. I think as a University itself the other school may have better reputation/rank/NIH $$ but medical schools themselves are pretty similar in terms of accepted candidates GPA, MCAT, etc etc... further, match results were similar or the one that I chose looked slightly better (more variety in specialty).
Ultimately, however, I think it was the FEEL of the school that led me to make this decision. The school near me, although before the interview I debated whether or not I should even bother going to it, once I got there I was pleasantly surprised, and began to consider it seriously. I'm babbling on and on but the bottom line is the combination of match result, feel of the school, and type of clinical exposure - the last one can vary quite a bit depending on the physical location of the school. If the other school was significantly better in any of these I would have chosen the far away school, even if it costs more.
I hope this would help a bit. It certainly helped me to ramble on about my concerns and self-debates for the past week.
1) I'm currently in a city, have always been a citygal, and it seemed to make more sense to stay in a bigger city for medical education where I will have more clinical exposure to diversity in patient population and types of illnesses.
2) I wanted to stay closer to my mom. I think as my professional life takes off and as my mom gets older we need eachother more and more.
3) Tuition was not a case in my situation, since I took the military scholarship, but if I hadn't it would have made more sense for me to take the school near me, as the other one would have costed about $20K more per year.
4) My choices were based on two schools that are in a similar rank. I think as a University itself the other school may have better reputation/rank/NIH $$ but medical schools themselves are pretty similar in terms of accepted candidates GPA, MCAT, etc etc... further, match results were similar or the one that I chose looked slightly better (more variety in specialty).
Ultimately, however, I think it was the FEEL of the school that led me to make this decision. The school near me, although before the interview I debated whether or not I should even bother going to it, once I got there I was pleasantly surprised, and began to consider it seriously. I'm babbling on and on but the bottom line is the combination of match result, feel of the school, and type of clinical exposure - the last one can vary quite a bit depending on the physical location of the school. If the other school was significantly better in any of these I would have chosen the far away school, even if it costs more.
I hope this would help a bit. It certainly helped me to ramble on about my concerns and self-debates for the past week.
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Creighton University and Medical College of Wisconsin. The curricula are not completely similar, but close enough that it's hard to distinguish. Creighton's 2nd year seems to be organ-based where as MCW sticks to subject-based; both emply lecture/lab, small groups, case studies, etc. So other than differences in the order in which material is covered, I can't see anything truly different. Yes, money is an issue. My folks aren't wealthy and neither am I... so, staying here would mean they could provide intangible support (meals, laundry facilities, etc.) I don't intend to live at home even if I stay simply because I live 30 min from CU and I want to live closer. If I go to MCW I'm pretty much on my own... challenging but, that's what budgets are for and I think I could handle it even though it'd be tough. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.
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I wouldn't take the $ into consideration unless all other factors are equal. We're getting loans for (almost) whatever amount we want to ask for. And we will be able to pay it all back. Of couse, your instate school loans may be paid off a little sooner- but it will all get cleared either way. If it were truly impossible, nobody would go to private / out of state schools.
So, I agree with whoever it was that said you should go on "feel" and which curriculum you liked the best. Think about what / where you want to practice (both regionally and rural vs. urban) and which school gives you the best path in that direction. Med-school, just like undergrad, is not a fat space between now and the degree. It's four years of making memories and (hopefully) having good experiences while getting a great education.
If class size is important to you, think about that, too. MCW is enormous whereas I would guess Creighton is smaller. I had a similar decision, and I originally didn't want to be close to home. . . .but in the end, SIU was the best curriculum and feel for the physician that I want to be, and the people I want to learn with / from.
-Vandyfox
So, I agree with whoever it was that said you should go on "feel" and which curriculum you liked the best. Think about what / where you want to practice (both regionally and rural vs. urban) and which school gives you the best path in that direction. Med-school, just like undergrad, is not a fat space between now and the degree. It's four years of making memories and (hopefully) having good experiences while getting a great education.
If class size is important to you, think about that, too. MCW is enormous whereas I would guess Creighton is smaller. I had a similar decision, and I originally didn't want to be close to home. . . .but in the end, SIU was the best curriculum and feel for the physician that I want to be, and the people I want to learn with / from.
-Vandyfox
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"Feel" is difficult because I welcome the chance to experience life somewhere else (I've never lived outside of Omaha or away from home), but having received my bachelor's from CU I know the atmosphere of the school and it's a place I really enjoy and to which I feel a connection, if that makes any sense. So, I don't know.
i think med school applicants overemphasize the first two years of curriclum. In the end you'll learn the exact same thing. I think what is important is how rotations are structured and how well they are taught. My point is I wouldnt put too much weight on the difference in curriculum unless you feel really strongly about one style or the other.
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8 hours away? That's not 8 hours away! It's just a hop and a jump!
You just take one of those little commuter flights for a hundred bucks or so and in no time, your home for the weekend.
... Just bitter cuz my flight back home (EC -> WC) is today ( mike, it's a blue sky with some puffy white clouds... but it's muggy. Not as bad as that first week in the AMRs, but I'm stayin' in the AC as much as I can.)
You just take one of those little commuter flights for a hundred bucks or so and in no time, your home for the weekend.
... Just bitter cuz my flight back home (EC -> WC) is today ( mike, it's a blue sky with some puffy white clouds... but it's muggy. Not as bad as that first week in the AMRs, but I'm stayin' in the AC as much as I can.)
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8 hours does not constitute moving "away" from home. That is a day's drive at the end of a Friday to be home for a late meal that evening, relax on a Saturday, and drive back late Sunday for school on Monday.
Long Distance is moving fricken 3000 miles away to Ohio from California, and not knowing a single soul, and also spending your weekends locked up at home in Ohio reading textbooks and talking to your cat. Now that is long distance... er... I'm not bitter... really (it's just cause I haven't had Orientation to meet other fellow students yet.
In other words. 8 hours is not all that bad.
Pick the school you want to go to regardless of the distance.
Long Distance is moving fricken 3000 miles away to Ohio from California, and not knowing a single soul, and also spending your weekends locked up at home in Ohio reading textbooks and talking to your cat. Now that is long distance... er... I'm not bitter... really (it's just cause I haven't had Orientation to meet other fellow students yet.
In other words. 8 hours is not all that bad.
Pick the school you want to go to regardless of the distance.
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OmahaMX80 said:
It sounds like you might benefit from going somewhere new, and facing all the challenges that come with it. It actually sounds a little like you've already made your decision, IMO.
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Hahaha!!!
exmike, Salty, Reddly ----> Cali to Ohio! Lol! The Californian diaspora!
As for the plane flight vs driving, check what kind of deals you can get online before you say you can't afford it. Then, compute the cost of gas (+milage... Anybody know the amount companies use to reemberse their employees? I forget) and see what it would really cost you... you might be surprized at the cost of a 16 hour drive.
exmike, Salty, Reddly ----> Cali to Ohio! Lol!
The Californian diaspora!As for the plane flight vs driving, check what kind of deals you can get online before you say you can't afford it. Then, compute the cost of gas (+milage... Anybody know the amount companies use to reemberse their employees? I forget) and see what it would really cost you... you might be surprized at the cost of a 16 hour drive.
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Sorry to the OP if we high jacked the thread.Mr Reddly said:Hahaha!!!
exmike, Salty, Reddly ----> Cali to Ohio! Lol!
But... Shalom to my fellow diasporans (exmike & reddly)
.Did I mention I hate Tornado Warnings??? ... ... 😱 😎 😀
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To the OP. Pick the school that has the cheapest tuition. If they do not vary by more than 10%, pick the school that is closest to home.
My $.02
This is my general rule of thumb for picking schools that are not part of the 'top-25'
The reason being, according to my academic advisor:
"All medical schools must first be LCME accredited... thus all schools pretty much teach the same thing."
i.e. Medical Students are all just a bunch of brain-washed zombies (and yes I stand by that inference), that must cram a crap load of facts for the USMLE Step 1, which is really the only test that makes the difference of what residency spot you interview at and ultimately match at. The rest of matching to a good residency is having a well-rounded Medical School education: research, community service... etc. (If you thought that was over in undergrad, guess again; that is if you care where you match).
Eh... I haven't even hit my first year and I'm already cynical... ... ...
My $.02
This is my general rule of thumb for picking schools that are not part of the 'top-25'
The reason being, according to my academic advisor:
"All medical schools must first be LCME accredited... thus all schools pretty much teach the same thing."
i.e. Medical Students are all just a bunch of brain-washed zombies (and yes I stand by that inference), that must cram a crap load of facts for the USMLE Step 1, which is really the only test that makes the difference of what residency spot you interview at and ultimately match at. The rest of matching to a good residency is having a well-rounded Medical School education: research, community service... etc. (If you thought that was over in undergrad, guess again; that is if you care where you match).
Eh... I haven't even hit my first year and I'm already cynical... ... ...
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If your happy at Creighton, why change your good atmosphere. You are accustomed to the area and the familiarity will help you adjust better. If all of those factors you mentioned are a concern for you, stick with Creighton.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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I interviewed at both. I preferred Creighton. Had I been accepted to MCW, I would have still chosen Creighton. Although, MCW was a close second and I would have gone there over other schools I visited if given the opportunity. I just had a better vibe at Creighton and wanted to go to a school that was part of a larger university and not just a "medical school" by itself. You went to Creighton, you know what I'm talking about. Good luck on your decision, both are great schools.
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I absolutely agree.SaltySqueegee said:
Actually, going away to med school was the best thing that happened to me. I lived close to home for undergrad (on campus first, then *at* home afterward), and now that I'm away I so cherish my own space and lack of infringements on my time. At the same time, I have a great social support system in my classmates. Of course, I'm a very independent person so it may be for you.
good luck 🙂
