My interviewer made me worry about school's reputation

[jj6vcb]

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I've been lucky enough to be accepted to Wake Forest and Rush this cycle, and have a tough decision coming up May 15th. Since my interviews, I've always thought of Wake as the better academic institution and Rush as being in a better environment (basically I like Chicago better than W-S and have some friends there), and knew I'd have to balance out those factors when I made a decision.

Something my interviewer at Rush told me has made me worry a little about their program, though. When I asked him if there was anything he disliked or would change about the program he said "I wish we had better name recognition on the east coast." This is a guy who went to medical school and did his residency and fellowship at Rush, so he knows the program well. It kind of worries me that it was a concern for him, but I'm also thinking maybe he just didn't get the residency he wanted and rationalized it with that explanation. I feel like from Wake I could go anywhere, and while I might be slightly (I like Chicago only slightly better) happier at Rush, don't want to limit my options. Especially since I'd like to end up on the east coast.

I know the SDN mantra about prestige being only slightly important and you can get into any residency from any US MD school, but it was kind of jarring to hear it from the horse's mouth like that

 

[Wolfman89]

Well there is more to the US than the east coast.

 

[flip26]

Do you aspire to an "east coast" residency? Or will you stay in the Chicago area, or in the midwest? Or do you think you would like to live in the mid Atlantic?

I think your interviewer gave you an honest insight about the geographic likelihood of doing a residency near your med school, but I am not so sure that it should really affect your decision. Wake Forest is also a fine school, but hardly an east coast powerhouse...at either Rush or WF, you will have about the same kinds of opportunities for residencies, most likely within their respective regions.

 

[jj6vcb]

Do you aspire to an "east coast" residency? Or will you stay in the Chicago area, or in the midwest? Or do you think you would like to live in the mid Atlantic?

I think your interviewer gave you an honest insight about the geographic likelihood of doing a residency near your med school, but I am not so sure that it should really affect your decision. Wake Forest is also a fine school, but hardly an east coast powerhouse...at either Rush or WF, you will have about the same kinds of opportunities for residencies, most likely within their respective regions.

Yes, I aspire to do my residency either in the northeast or in the confederacy. The midwest and west, while nice for medical school, don't really do it for me

 

[flip26]

Yes, I aspire to do my residency either in the northeast or in the confederacy. The midwest and west, while nice for medical school, don't really do it for me

In that case, you should probably attend WF.

Have you ever lived in Chicago? Winters are long and miserable there...

 

[Ok2Panic]

In that case, you should probably attend WF.

Have you ever lived in Chicago? Winters are long and miserable there...

As is the pizza. Yeah, I said it. 😎

 

[TooMuchResearch]

As is the pizza. Yeah, I said it. 😎

I hate long and miserable pizza. Chicago style is good, though 🙂

 

[Poop Eater]

YOU SHOULD BE SCARED! This is, like, all that life is, getting in! If they say ANYTHING negative you should be scared/pissing your pants! This is your life! this is everything! fret about it!

 

[Morsetlis]

Send them a thank-you note after. That fixes everything.

 

[RandomAttending]

I've been lucky enough to be accepted to Wake Forest and Rush this cycle, and have a tough decision coming up May 15th. Since my interviews, I've always thought of Wake as the better academic institution and Rush as being in a better environment (basically I like Chicago better than W-S and have some friends there), and knew I'd have to balance out those factors when I made a decision.

Something my interviewer at Rush told me has made me worry a little about their program, though. When I asked him if there was anything he disliked or would change about the program he said "I wish we had better name recognition on the east coast." This is a guy who went to medical school and did his residency and fellowship at Rush, so he knows the program well. It kind of worries me that it was a concern for him, but I'm also thinking maybe he just didn't get the residency he wanted and rationalized it with that explanation. I feel like from Wake I could go anywhere, and while I might be slightly (I like Chicago only slightly better) happier at Rush, don't want to limit my options. Especially since I'd like to end up on the east coast.

I know the SDN mantra about prestige being only slightly important and you can get into any residency from any US MD school, but it was kind of jarring to hear it from the horse's mouth like that

I think you are likely making more of this comment than he wanted you to. With the exception of the TOP medical schools, there are geographic preferences. I wouldn't make as big a deal about this comment as you are; Rush is better known in the midwest just like BU or Tufts might be better known in the Boston area.

 

[noshowl]

I hate long and miserable pizza. Chicago style is good, though 🙂

Lol!

 

[BWSTW]

I think you are likely making more of this comment than he wanted you to. With the exception of the TOP medical schools, there are geographic preferences. I wouldn't make as big a deal about this comment as you are; Rush is better known in the midwest just like BU or Tufts might be better known in the Boston area.

I kinda agree to this. When I read your post I took it as him saying not too many people know Rush or where it is or how good the program is. Again, that is just how what I thought he meant when I first read your post.

 

[morning]

I would go to Wake Forest just because I HATE HATE HATE snow. I suspect Winston-Salem is probably cheaper than Chicago, too. What wouldn't bother me is what one random interviewer said about your residency prospects four years from now. Too many variables in between now and then, the biggest one being how well YOU are gonna study and retain information for YOUR Step 1 scores. That's the important thing.

 

[alibai3ah]

I've been lucky enough to be accepted to Wake Forest and Rush this cycle, and have a tough decision coming up May 15th. Since my interviews, I've always thought of Wake as the better academic institution and Rush as being in a better environment (basically I like Chicago better than W-S and have some friends there), and knew I'd have to balance out those factors when I made a decision.

Something my interviewer at Rush told me has made me worry a little about their program, though. When I asked him if there was anything he disliked or would change about the program he said "I wish we had better name recognition on the east coast." This is a guy who went to medical school and did his residency and fellowship at Rush, so he knows the program well. It kind of worries me that it was a concern for him, but I'm also thinking maybe he just didn't get the residency he wanted and rationalized it with that explanation. I feel like from Wake I could go anywhere, and while I might be slightly (I like Chicago only slightly better) happier at Rush, don't want to limit my options. Especially since I'd like to end up on the east coast.

I know the SDN mantra about prestige being only slightly important and you can get into any residency from any US MD school, but it was kind of jarring to hear it from the horse's mouth like that

I would pick Wake Forest if I were you. The school is much more well known throughout the country. Chicago is a cool location, but Wake isn't in a bad area either. And regarding the post above about Rush's reputation being regional (similar to Tufts/BU).... I don't think that's true. I would assume even in the Chicago area, Rush is considered average/above average. Outside of that area it's almost unheard of. While the boston schools are pretty well known here in the West Coast (at least from my experience).

I know in SDN that you should go with the cheaper school. But I think it's more important to go to the school that makes you happy. If you went to Rush, you will think "O I wonder what life would be like at Wake Forest". On the other hand, if you picked Wake, I don't think you will think about Rush as much.

 

[jj6vcb]

YOU SHOULD BE SCARED! This is, like, all that life is, getting in! If they say ANYTHING negative you should be scared/pissing your pants! This is your life! this is everything! fret about it!

I did get in

Send them a thank-you note after. That fixes everything.

My interviewer said it, not me

edit: Thanks to everyone who had thoughts on this, its gonna be a tough call

 

[student113]

I personally doubt that he was talking about residency opportunities. Even though Rush is not a nationally known powerhouse, I'm sure residency programs have heard of it. It's not a new school or anything, and its curriculum is established, so residency programs shouldn't reject a Rush student because of how well known the school is.
"Name recognition" is more for lay people.

 

[xanthomondo]

Well there is more to the US than the east coast.

Not much more, though.

 

[MedBoundForSure]

yeah I've heard the same thing about rush not being well known, but I think the important thing is that it does have a good reputation it's just not very popular. Go with the one that makes you happy or gives you a free ride lol.

 

[specter]

besides locations and relative reputation, were there any school-specific features that you liked or disliked about either school?

 

[drizzt3117]

For reference, my PI went to Rush for medical school and residency and is one of the very top people in his field (Radiology) now. He served as the president of the national association a few years ago. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[DaBears5]

I'm a current Rush student so if you have any questions in the coming weeks about Rush or just need general advice, don't hesitate to ask. 🙂

 

[WNT Signaling]

If you're interested in research, then Wake wins hands down.

Personally, I'd attend RUSH because I'd rather be in a big city, and specifically in a city with culture, excellent museums, restaurants, sports teams, and great public transit.

How do their curriculums compare? If they're different, this might help you narrow the choice--good luck!