Northwestern (160k) vs. CCLCM (150k) vs. Yale (360k)

[timetodecide2018]

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I'm grateful for having the choice between these three great schools, but am incredibly conflicted about my decision. I posted an earlier thread but am posting again with a new school added (Northwestern) due to a generous merit scholarship and generally more complete financial aid information.

Northwestern

Pros

• Awesome location (city life, Chicago, close to friends and family)
• Very generous merit scholarship (85% tuition covered for four years)
• Good hospital reputation
• Students seemed incredibly happy

Cons

• Internal rankings, shelf exams, AOA (unlike CCLCM and Yale)
• Large class size (160) -- concerned about lack of individualized attention
• Good match list, but least impressive among my three options (subjective opinion)
• Nothing particularly unique about the school unlike CCLCM or Yale (I'm not interested in an MBA)

CCLCM

Pros

• Small class size (32) means phenomenal individualized attention and mentorship emphasis
• Strongest hospital/clinical reputation among my three choices (Cleveland Clinic)
• Match lists have been very impressive (especially for IM which is what I'm interested in)
• No grades/exams/rankings all five years (and no AOA)
• Program leadership seems exceptional -- deeply invested in student well-being and professional success
• Good pre-clinical scheduling (8-12 sessions, one weekday off every week)
• Unique and compelling anatomy curriculum
• Research integration removes stress of finding opportunities independently
• Full tuition coverage
• Close to family (but not as close as Northwestern)

Cons

• Degree given from CWRU as opposed to Cleveland Clinic
• Worried about finding a good group to connect with in such a small class (especially after Second Look)
• Highly structured program with mandatory attendance
• Fifth research year is mandatory (Yale's is optional)
• 2-year pre-clinical without a lot of Step 1 dedicated time (though students seem to do well)
• Heard that % of students who match to first choice isn't that high (not sure about this though)
• Fewest opportunities outside of medicine compared to other two options

Yale

Pros

• Extremely prestigious university both inside and outside of medicine
• Incredibly flexible curriculum (recorded lectures, few mandatory events, optional fifth year)
• 1.5-year preclinical with ample time for Step study, career exploration, and research within four years
• Medium-sized class (100) -- not too big, not too small
• No internal rankings, AOA, or shelf exams like CCLCM, and almost everyone honors rotations
• Great match lists
• Incredible opportunities outside of medicine due to university affiliation

Cons

• Super expensive (no financial aid whatsoever)
• Weakest hospital affiliation among my choices
• Greater focus on basic science than translational/clinical medicine?
• New Haven isn't the best city and is far from family
• Not as many strong home residency programs as other two choices (especially in IM)
• Still has clinical grades unlike CCLCM (though everyone seems to get honors)

Summary: I'm leaning much more toward CCLCM and Yale. But Northwestern's location, proximity to family, and scholarship are enticing. Between CCLCM and Yale, I like Yale more overall, but CCLCM is way cheaper and seems to have better clinical opportunities...

 

[sophop]

Unfortunately I don't quite have your exact dilemma, but I share your impressions on NWU and Yale. The Northwestern students did seem to be the happiest and the location is great, but in the end it will come off my list because I personally didn't see anything in their program to distinguish it from quite a few other good med schools, and I especially can't justify paying full COA (since they didn't give me anything). I have also received nothing from Yale, but at least their program has some distinguishing characteristics, so I guess it is still in the mix even though my conscience might bother me if I were to end up picking it over another great school that has been very generous to me. If I were in your shoes, CCLCM would be extremely tempting.

 

[Orthopedics101]

Based on your pros and cons I would say CCLCM as well. I think you're overestimating the 5 year COA at CCLCM though. COL won't be higher than 20k a year in Cleveland.

 

[pilgrampirate86]

CCLCM is clearly the best choice (It's also as prestigious, if not more, than Yale)

 

[carrots28]

I wouldn't worry about not finding good friends at CCLCM. That's always everyone's question about being from a small class but people forget that CCLCM selects for team players (plus no internal competition from grades) so while there are varied personalities there is no shortage of fun times with your classmates. Don't forget about those of us in the years above added to your potential friend pool. Second years will be your most valued friends. If you are really concerned, room with the Case students and expand your network.

Personally from your options, I would be between northwestern and CCLCM since yale is way more expensive. I absolutely love the curriculum so I would choose CCLCM again if I had the choice. But if northwestern is closer to your family and you need to be near them then that may tip the balance towards Northwestern.

 

[timetodecide2018]

I wouldn't worry about not finding good friends at CCLCM. That's always everyone's question about being from a small class but people forget that CCLCM selects for team players (plus no internal competition from grades) so while there are varied personalities there is no shortage of fun times with your classmates. Don't forget about those of us in the years above added to your potential friend pool. Second years will be your most valued friends. If you are really concerned, room with the Case students and expand your network.

Personally from your options, I would be between northwestern and CCLCM since yale is way more expensive. I absolutely love the curriculum so I would choose CCLCM again if I had the choice. But if northwestern is closer to your family and you need to be near them then that may tip the balance towards Northwestern.

That’s reassuring, thanks! Honestly between CCLCM and Feinberg, I prefer CCLCM.

Based on your pros and cons I would say CCLCM as well. I think you're overestimating the 5 year COA at CCLCM though. COL won't be higher than 20k a year in Cleveland.

Yeah I just used 30k/year as a conservative estimate for COL. Certsinly hoping it ends up cheaper.

Unfortunately I don't quite have your exact dilemma, but I share your impressions on NWU and Yale. The Northwestern students did seem to be the happiest and the location is great, but in the end it will come off my list because I personally didn't see anything in their program to distinguish it from quite a few other good med schools, and I especially can't justify paying full COA (since they didn't give me anything). I have also received nothing from Yale, but at least their program has some distinguishing characteristics, so I guess it is still in the mix even though my conscience might bother me if I were to end up picking it over another great school that has been very generous to me. If I were in your shoes, CCLCM would be extremely tempting.

Good to know someone else felt similarly about Northwestern!

 

[Willy38]

Unless you have strong reasons for wanting Yale I wouldn’t go. That’s a significant monetary difference and the other options are also strong. Personally would choose northwestern because Chicago but cclcm is awesome too. Not sure if northwestern ranks but if they do I’d say go for cclcm for sure. Not being compared to classmates is hugely underestimated. Congrats on some great choices!