Medical University of South Carolina vs Loyola Stritch School of Medicine

[eagledoc99]

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Grateful to have options as I make this decision! I was initially set on MUSC, but I recently received an acceptance call from Loyola and want to make an informed choice. I don’t know many pre-meds, so I thought I’d throw this question out to this thread and see what insights you all might have. I’m particularly interested in Pediatrics and Pediatric research! Any insights would help!

MUSC​

Pros:

• Close to family support network ++
• Strong reputation in the Southeast +
• More research funding +++
• Strong match list in the Southeast ++
• Charleston seems like a great city with great weather ++
• Parents are really excited about it +

Cons:

• Expensive (OOS) (-) (-)
• Not the best location for my partner (though she has said she would move here) (-)
• Not as well known outside the Southeast (-) (-)

Loyola Chicago​

Pros:

• Opportunity to live outside the South ++
• Strong match list ++
• Social justice focus ++
• Better location for my girlfriend +
• More nationally recognized ++

Cons:

• Expensive (but about the same as MUSC) (-) (-)
• Not as highly ranked (I think?) (-) (-)
• Less research funding (-) (-) (-)
• Far from family (-) (-)
• Cold winters (-)

 

[chilly_md]

If MUSC allows you to have close access to family support that you plan on relying on, go there. I don't think you will miss out on anything from Loyola in your case.

 

[hydroflaskhomie]

I think I would like to hear more about how you feel about Charleston vs Chicago. These schools are pretty similar but those locations are very different. Would you appreciate taking this chance to live in a big city and have fun with your partner for 4 years?

Also, agree that these schools are very similar but Loyola might put you in proximity to better pediatrics options such as Lurie's - good for pediatric research.

 

[eagledoc99]

I think I would like to hear more about how you feel about Charleston vs Chicago. These schools are pretty similar but those locations are very different. Would you appreciate taking this chance to live in a big city and have fun with your partner for 4 years?

Also, agree that these schools are very similar but Loyola might put you in proximity to better pediatrics options such as Lurie's - good for pediatric research.

Both locations seem great, but having the opportunity to live in a big city for 4 years does seem more appealing. I like warmer weather but I think choosing a school based on weather is kinda overrated. For me its been tough to compare these schools for anything beyond location because MUSC is more well known in the south and Loyola is more well known in the midwest. I appreciate your insight into the Pediatric research!

 

[hydroflaskhomie]

Since I also did it, I'm very pro experiencing something new for four years. A vote for Loyola from me!

 

[KloMed]

Chiming in as I spent some time living in Charleston. MUSC opened the new pediatric hospital building a few years ago and it is really impressive. Some of my shadowing was in that building and all the people on the floors were incredibly nice. Obviously don't pick a med school for the building, but something to consider if you're interested in peds and haven't been able to tour the campus. Charleston is really nice but obviously very different from Chicago, so as others mentioned it really depends on what you are looking for. One thing I loved about being there was having the beach 20min away as a way to destress. I can't speak to Chicago. Hopefully you can visit both cities to help you decide since they are so different.