My apologies: Baylor vs Yale vs WashU

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Which school?

  • Baylor

    Votes: 42 30.4%

  • WashU

    Votes: 34 24.6%

  • Yale

    Votes: 62 44.9%
  • Total voters
    138
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GoodEats

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I know these threads are old and tiresome, but I've hit a situation where I could really use some more voices to consider. I was pulled off the waitlist to both WashU and Yale on the 15th, and need to decide pretty soon which one to attend (if not Baylor, the lone school I had before the 15th). I think the toughest part about it right now is that my parents took their time with their tax stuff, and I don't think I'll have financial aid packages in hand before I need to make my decision. If anyone can shed light on the relative generosity of each school or a best estimate (I'm also a TX resident), that'd be really helpful.

A little about me: I'm real easy-going and will be happy wherever I go. I did nix Michigan when faced with UMich vs Baylor b/c of cold and cost, though. I enjoy being physically active, and love Austin (my current residence) for it. Career-wise, not too sure what I want to do. I have always been interested in peds, anesthesiology, and neuro/behavioral stuff. I also have a girlfriend (fairly serious) who is looking to do occupational therapy, and that's something to consider.

I guess my biggest questions would be about relative costs, happiness of students, educational/curriculum comments, location comments, etc. Thanks for any light you guys could help shed on my situation.
 
Oh, and I grew up in Houston my whole life, school in Austin, so I'd love to get out of state for a while to live elsewhere. I think if accepted to only WashU or Yale on the 15th, I think it's a 90% chance I go there over Baylor. But now with 3 in the mix....WashU and Yale might cancel each other out like Kobe and LeBron, and Steve Nash (Baylor) might eke it out. Or maybe not. Eek...I'm definitely in need of help....
 
GoodEats said:
Oh, and I grew up in Houston my whole life, school in Austin, so I'd love to get out of state for a while to live elsewhere. I think if accepted to only WashU or Yale on the 15th, I think it's a 90% chance I go there over Baylor. But now with 3 in the mix....WashU and Yale might cancel each other out like Kobe and LeBron, and Steve Nash (Baylor) might eke it out. Or maybe not. Eek...I'm definitely in need of help....
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From someone with personal experience at NONE of these schools:
I would probably pick Baylor based on cost. You just can't beat the cost of living in Houston (although St. Louis is also affordable) and when you couple that with the in-state tuition at Baylor I think you really can't beat it.

On the other hand, Yale has some really neat draws to it as well. It seems like their curriculum would leave a lot of time to pursue other interests, which could be great at such a renowned institution. From what I hear you have to be incredibly self-motivated there, though.
 
It doenst matter where kobe goes cuz he's gonna get his 260 USMLE score no matter where he goes. He can go off on any given medical school test so he just needs a good supporting cast.

LeBron Bron would tell u to stay at home and go to baylor like he's gonna stay in ohio. It all comes down to if yao's foot gonna heal and if Tmac is gonna be alright. So at the end of the day u need to go to baylor.
 
So I voted for Baylor based on the fact that they are all top 10 and yet Baylor is so cheap. However, I forgot that Yale has no tests and no grades, and thus I would probably actually go to Yale if given the choice.
 
socuteMD said:
From someone with personal experience at NONE of these schools:
I would probably pick Baylor based on cost. You just can't beat the cost of living in Houston (although St. Louis is also affordable) and when you couple that with the in-state tuition at Baylor I think you really can't beat it.
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I think Baylor is private and tuition is the same for everyone. Not positive though. Still, I'm sure it's low compared to the other two. To the OP, why would you nix UMich and not Yale based on climate? If you say, "because it's Yale," I think you know right there which school you should choose. I've never been to New Haven, but I've visited relatives in St. Louis and know it's a great city -- nice weather, perfect size, etc. And you'll kick yourself later for picking a school based on finances alone, so pick Baylor if you want to go there but not because it's cheap. Congrats on having great options by the way.
 
Thanks for the comments so far. In response to above:

Baylor is cheaper, tuition and fees coming in around 10k as compared to the 40k I'd be paying at either of the other two. Not sure how much of that may be covered by need-based grants, though.

I didn't cut off Yale right away because of cold because I really connected with and was impressed by the students there, the curriculum and system is incredibly unique, "it's Yale", and the proximity to everything on the East coast. Oh, and they do have tests in the form of an optional midterm and an anonymous final, Pass/Fail style.

I think I'm pulling away from Baylor more and more, but if they came back with a scholarship offer I'd be reinterested in them again.

Interesting that only one person so far has voted for WashU (the other was me out of a sense of not wanting to let them be that far left out).
 
Congrats. All of those are excellent schools

When do you need to make a decision? You should request fin aid offers ASAP. Assuming Wash U and Yale do not come close to Baylor in terms of fin aid., is the extra $120K -really- worth it? If you're happiness is going to be extremely comprised by going to Baylor as opposed to the other schools, then I'd say yes, but if not, why even bother accruing that much debt? I believe when you are a resident/physician you will be kicking yourself repeatedly, when you realize how you could have saved money by going to a cheaper school.
 
Baylor. You're a Texas native, so its going to be cheaper. You'll also be closer to family and your girlfriend, which provides a solid support system during the tough times that you'll be sure to have. Baylor's one of the top schools in the country and you cant go wrong even if you choose one of the other two. But from the sound of your post, it seems that Baylor may be the best choice.
 
Tic said:
I think Baylor is private and tuition is the same for everyone. Not positive though. Still, I'm sure it's low compared to the other two. To the OP, why would you nix UMich and not Yale based on climate? If you say, "because it's Yale," I think you know right there which school you should choose. I've never been to New Haven, but I've visited relatives in St. Louis and know it's a great city -- nice weather, perfect size, etc. And you'll kick yourself later for picking a school based on finances alone, so pick Baylor if you want to go there but not because it's cheap. Congrats on having great options by the way.
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Baylor is private, but they offer "in-state" tuition to Texas residents that is pretty absurdly cheap.
 
Baylor. And congrats on getting in.

Yale is ranked #9 in research, and Baylor is #10. Yale is unranked in primary care - Baylor is at the top. Although Baylor is private, Texas residents get a considerable break in tuition. It's a fantastic school.

I know you want to follow your heart, but have you actually sat down and calculated your debt at the end of four years going to Baylor versus going to Yale - tuition, living costs considerably higher than in Texas, airfare to go home, those sorts of things that add-up big time? If you're a traditional student I think it may be hard to remember: that debt is real money that you're going to be paying every month for at least the next ten years. Is Yale really worth several hundred dollars more - each and every month for the life of your debt?

The medical school scholarships I have seen are usually recruiting tools - and, unfortunately, I doubt a school will throw a lot of money at you when they've taken you off the wait-list. Good luck in your decision.
 
Non-TradTulsa said:
Baylor. And congrats on getting in.

Yale is ranked #9 in research, and Baylor is #10. Yale is unranked in primary care - Baylor is at the top. Although Baylor is private, Texas residents get a considerable break in tuition. It's a fantastic school.

I know you want to follow your heart, but have you actually sat down and calculated your debt at the end of four years going to Baylor versus going to Yale - tuition, living costs considerably higher than in Texas, airfare to go home, those sorts of things that add-up big time? If you're a traditional student I think it may be hard to remember: that debt is real money that you're going to be paying every month for at least the next ten years. Is Yale really worth several hundred dollars more - each and every month for the life of your debt?

The medical school scholarships I have seen are usually recruiting tools - and, unfortunately, I doubt a school will throw a lot of money at you when they've taken you off the wait-list. Good luck in your decision.
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I agree completely. As awesome as both Yale and Wash U are, IMO you aren't going to get $120,000 worth of extra educational value for your money by picking either of them over Baylor. TMC is absolutely fantastic; I honestly don't understand why any Texas resident wouldn't pick Baylor in your situation unless s/he had a full scholarship to one of the out-of-state schools.
 
Non-TradTulsa said:
The medical school scholarships I have seen are usually recruiting tools - and, unfortunately, I doubt a school will throw a lot of money at you when they've taken you off the wait-list. Good luck in your decision.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about WashU, but I know that Yale's scholarship system is COMPLETELY need-based. And after your family's EFC (Note: based off of Need Access, not just FAFSA EFC), they only expect you to borrow $17K before funding the rest of your need with scholarships.

Assuming you don't get a scholarship to Baylor, even as an in-state student you may be looking at $25K/yr in debt (7k tuition + 18k living and personal). If, for instance, your family EFC is "only" $13K, your total debt/yr at Yale would be $30K, only $5K/yr more than Baylor (total incremental debt -- $20K).

But if your parents are well-off, all bets are off, and you probably will be looking at an incremental $120K to go elsewhere rather than Baylor.

Just wanted to make it clear that you may *NOT* end up needing to borrow much more just because you go somewhere with a much higher tuition.

Good luck, and congrats!
 
Baylor is the bargain of the year. I am not sure where you got your information from but the cost of attending Yale is $57,575 for next year not $40000. The CT cost of living is much higher than Texas so the entire package needs to be considered. You are looking at closer to $250000 to attend Yale and Wash U for that matter. The high rankings of Baylor coupled with the low cost of living has to be considered more.
 
Because most of the people on the board are not Texans you get a lot of votes for Yale. But if you are from Texas and have a serious girlfriend and like living there I don't see why you would throw that away to go to Yale. On the other hand if you are looking for a new adventure, go for it.
 
docmode said:
Baylor is the bargain of the year. I am not sure where you got your information from but the cost of attending Yale is $57,575 for next year not $40000. The CT cost of living is much higher than Texas so the entire package needs to be considered. You are looking at closer to $250000 to attend Yale and Wash U for that matter. The high rankings of Baylor coupled with the low cost of living has to be considered more.
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Sorry if I wasn''t clear. The major point is that Yale fully funds (with scholarship) financial need after family contribution + $17K in loans. In my example, EFC is $13K, and thus even though total cost of attending Yale is $58K, the OP will only need to borrow $30K/yr for attending Yale (will get a $28K grant). Assuming that the total cost of Baylor is $25K/yr, and that they don't provide any scholarships or grants, the OP will need to borrow that $25K/yr. Difference of only $5K/yr.

I'm pointing out that Yale or other well-funded private schools (again, don't know about WashU) may not be more expensive than Baylor to attend, even though there is a huge difference in price tags.
 
QofQuimica said:
I agree completely. As awesome as both Yale and Wash U are, IMO you aren't going to get $120,000 worth of extra educational value for your money by picking either of them over Baylor. TMC is absolutely fantastic; I honestly don't understand why any Texas resident wouldn't pick Baylor in your situation unless s/he had a full scholarship to one of the out-of-state schools.
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But by this argument, even OOS students should go to Baylor, if they get in. Because OOS students can get in state tuition really easily (buying a condo in the area) within a year of matriculating, they get in-state tuition for the remaining 3 years. Thus, the difference in tuition for OOS and instate is only ~$12K or so.

(BTW, getting a condo in Houston is REALLY affordable)
 
Thanks for all the help so far...I think most of the main points have been covered nicely by everyone, and in the end it's going to come down to how much weighting I give to each one. WashU has asked for a decision by Tuesday (on the paperwork...tried calling on Friday to talk but I think they were closed because of graduation), my deposit's already in at Baylor, and Yale has been characteristically nice and flexible, asking that I do so in a reasonable amount of time, preferably by the end of next week, and I promised by the end of the month because I fly out of the country on the 1st. And I apparently love really long sentences.

So I think my plan will be to call up each of the schools tomorrow and ask if it's ok I do this: WashU, do I neeed to pay that deposit? Can I have an extension until the end of the month at the very latest (really, once I get my package)? If not, is it ok to put in my deposit as a sign of high interest and leave my deposit at Baylor? If that's the case, I'll ask each of the schools to be sure this is kosher with them, and then I'll proceed in waiting for my packages to come in. It's difficult because as explained above Yale can come up with surprisngly generous offers, and I think WashU's is that they split your expected need in half (post-subsidized Staffords) and give you that amount in grants. My parents are upper-middle class, I think, with one child entering as a college freshman next year.

Comments/suggestions?

Oh, and I agree that condos in Houston are cheap and easy. As for the girlfriend, I think she's attracted to the TWU and WashU OT schools, and there's not much in the Yale area, but she waffles between putting Yale last and Yale first because of all the reasons above. I think I'll try and decide tonight just what amount of money would be worth going to each institution over Baylor, and then use that as a starting point when my packages come in.

Thanks again for all the help so far!
 
almost_there said:
But by this argument, even OOS students should go to Baylor, if they get in. Because OOS students can get in state tuition really easily (buying a condo in the area) within a year of matriculating, they get in-state tuition for the remaining 3 years. Thus, the difference in tuition for OOS and instate is only ~$12K or so.

(BTW, getting a condo in Houston is REALLY affordable)
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Not very many OOS students do get into Baylor. (Even though Baylor is private, they take about 25% OOS students versus 75% in-state.) But yes, I would argue that most OOS students who do get into Baylor *should* also go there for the same reasons. Of course, there are always exceptions. Some people will have major extenuating circumstances in their lives, or they may get significant aid elsewhere. But the OP hasn't told us anything to suggest that s/he fits into one of those categories. (Wash U *does* give merit-based full tuition scholarships, BTW, but they've already been awarded, and presumably the OP isn't up for one since s/he's been accepted off the waitlist.) But absent one of these things, Baylor is such an excellent school and such a good value for the cost that it would be tough for most other schools to match the deal they offer.

Oh, and OP, not sure if you're trad or non-trad, but if you're over age 30, both Yale and Baylor will consider you independent for need-based aid. Wash U will not consider you independent regardless of age; you must provide parental info even if your parents do not support you and you're in your thirties or forties. 😛
 
I say Baylor, but then, I'm biased. Top 10 school, great cost of living, 120k (from what I've read) less debt and your family and gf are in TX.

Given all those things, and you're still talking about the other 2, I'm going to guess that you want to go somewhere besides Baylor.

You won't go wrong in your education with any of these schools and their reputations will serve you well when you apply for residency. Good luck where ever you wind up!
 
Just wanted to update: called each of the financial aid offices and also Dr. Dodson at WashU. Everybody everywhere has been nice, and those at Yale and WashU especially so. Deans Dodson and Silverman have both been fantastically nice, and are strong endorsements for the schools. Basically, I have asked for extensions at those schools until I have my finaid packages in hand, which should be some time by the end of the week. Once that happens, I should have a decision for them within 24 hours, no problem. I'm leaning towards Yale or WashU, though if Baylor comes up with a scholarship somehow then it would be tough to turn down. As it stands, though, the sticker price says Baylor will cost about 140k, WashU 220k, and Yale 240k. For 50k or less of a difference, I go with WashU or Yale without a doubt. As the gap grows wider I become more and more reluctant, but I can see myself still going out of state for.....mmm....80k difference. I'll try and keep you guys updated if you're interested, or at least post an update when I make my final decision.

Interesting breakdown: on Allo, Yale wins 42% to WashU 29% to Baylor 29%. On Pre-Allo, Yale wins 55% to 20% to 25%. I wonder if I took this to one of the older boards if Baylor or WashU would overcome Yale for the top spot as what's important changes as you get older.
 
I would choose Baylor for obvious reasons (see below). But, just looking at your prices, I find added reason to choose Baylor: $140K vs. $240K. First, I'm surprised Baylor's breakdown is that because the average BCM grad leaves with ~$60K in loans. Even not compensating for that, an extra 100 grand is a bunch. A bunch.

I do agree that most people will pick Yale, but I think a lot if for the prestige factor. Most non-Texas residents don't really jump for joy at the aspect of going to Texas...i don't know why.
 
Bear in mind that I did not apply to Baylor or Yale and Wash U laughed their asses off at my application. (Seriously -- I got an email from the admissions department that said, "Ha HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHH!!!")

Fifteen years ago I went to Wash U for grad school. I absolutely HATED living in St. Louis: I hated the food, the drivers, the weather, the (dearth of) social life, the racism, and the weather. And the pizza -- don't even get me started on the flat-crust nasty-ass garbage they call pizza. And the beer?! There is absolutely nothing about Budweiser that can not be improved by passing through a kidney or two.

Notwithstanding all of that, I would still have gone to Wash U in a heartbeat. It is one of the best schools in the world, the facilities are amzaing, the cost of living is cheap (compared to Yale) and for quite a long time they had more Nobel laureates on faculty than any other university in the country. So, when all is said and done, I'd leave Texas to the rednecks and Yale to the snobs and head for the heartland. Good luck.
 
2Sexy4MedSchool said:
Bear in mind that I did not apply to Baylor or Yale and Wash U laughed their asses off at my application. (Seriously -- I got an email from the admissions department that said, "Ha HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHH!!!")

Fifteen years ago I went to Wash U for grad school. I absolutely HATED living in St. Louis: I hated the food, the drivers, the weather, the (dearth of) social life, the racism, and the weather. And the pizza -- don't even get me started on the flat-crust nasty-ass garbage they call pizza. And the beer?! There is absolutely nothing about Budweiser that can not be improved by passing through a kidney or two.

Notwithstanding all of that, I would still have gone to Wash U in a heartbeat. It is one of the best schools in the world, the facilities are amzaing, the cost of living is cheap (compared to Yale) and for quite a long time they had more Nobel laureates on faculty than any other university in the country. So, when all is said and done, I'd leave Texas to the rednecks and Yale to the snobs and head for the heartland. Good luck.
Click to expand...
We're not all rednecks, nor do we all ride horses to school.

:laugh:
 
LaDoctorFutura said:
Most non-Texas residents don't really jump for joy at the aspect of going to Texas...i don't know why.
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I interviewed at Baylor for residency. I got lost going to the center. There was a no guns allowed sign at the entrance of the hospital. It was hot, humid, and sticky. Traffic was horrendous. There was little natural beauty. The program was excellent but I just couldn't see myself living in Houston no matter how dirt cheap the cost of living was. Even the people I knew at medical school from Texas didn't particularly care for Houston and mentioned Dallas was better. Some may not like W. who to many is Texas personified (probably unfair). I dunno, but maybe above are some of the reasons non Texas residents don't jump for joy about going to Texas.
 
neutropenic said:
I interviewed at Baylor for residency. I got lost going to the center. There was a no guns allowed sign at the entrance of the hospital. It was hot, humid, and sticky. Traffic was horrendous. There was little natural beauty. The program was excellent but I just couldn't see myself living in Houston no matter how dirt cheap the cost of living was. Even the people I knew at medical school from Texas didn't particularly care for Houston and mentioned Dallas was better. Some may not like W. who to many is Texas personified (probably unfair). I dunno, but maybe above are some of the reasons non Texas residents don't jump for joy about going to Texas.
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I agree. I grew up in Houston til the age of 9, and wouldn't ever dream of going back. I visit family in Dallas every year still, and its definitely better than Houston. I'm still pre-allo, and I am considering schools in the Dallas area because of family-living options, but I am not even looking twice at Houston despite the good schools there. From what I know about these schools programs so far...My vote is for WashU (#1) and Yale (#2), despite the price tag, especially if they can give you a decent aid package.
 
Igni Fera said:
I agree. I grew up in Houston til the age of 9, and wouldn't ever dream of going back. I visit family in Dallas every year still, and its definitely better than Houston. I'm still pre-allo, and I am considering schools in the Dallas area because of family-living options, but I am not even looking twice at Houston despite the good schools there. From what I know about these schools programs so far...My vote is for WashU (#1) and Yale (#2), despite the price tag, especially if they can give you a decent aid package.
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I'm a tulane student who's been at baylor for the past 6 months. only...1...more...week....of living in the armpit of the country. no matter how thankful we are to be here and be in medical school after everything that's happened this year, houston blows. i can't wait to get back to a city with some soul.

baylor has some seriously nice facilities and hospitals, but the city sucks. horrible traffic, all strip malls, no one ever gets out of their cars. though if you're one of those ppl who will be in the library/hospital 24/7 anyway, it won't matter and you'll get a great education. And all the baylor students i've met have been super nice.

i wouldn't be happy here for 4 years, but plenty of people are. just depends on if you're one of them.
 
Ok, long story short (as I am in China at the moment, and should be out seeing the sights), I chose Baylor at first, but sent a very regretful declination to WashU, citing cost as the overriding factor. They were kind enough to return the favor with a generous scholarship to equalize the cost with staying in state, so I am headed to WashU in the fall! Super excited, and looking forward to starting in the fall!

Also, Yale was just as expensive as WashU was initially, and family/girlfriend factors were very against choosing Yale. (WashU's OT program is excellent, and even provides for a pediatric focus which is what my girlfriend would like to do.) Lots of factors went into it in the end, and WashU won out big...when I have more time to enumerate all the factors I will in case anyone needs to make a similar decision in the future. Thanks all, and see you fellow WashU'ers in the fall!
 
GoodEats said:
Ok, long story short (as I am in China at the moment, and should be out seeing the sights), I chose Baylor at first, but sent a very regretful declination to WashU, citing cost as the overriding factor. They were kind enough to return the favor with a generous scholarship to equalize the cost with staying in state, so I am headed to WashU in the fall! Super excited, and looking forward to starting in the fall!

Also, Yale was just as expensive as WashU was initially, and family/girlfriend factors were very against choosing Yale. (WashU's OT program is excellent, and even provides for a pediatric focus which is what my girlfriend would like to do.) Lots of factors went into it in the end, and WashU won out big...when I have more time to enumerate all the factors I will in case anyone needs to make a similar decision in the future. Thanks all, and see you fellow WashU'ers in the fall!
Click to expand...

Congrats! You made the right decision to go to Baylor, glad things worked out even better for you.
 
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