i'm trying to decide between northwestern (feinberg) vs my state school and was just looking for input from anyone here. i know a lot about the pros/cons of my state school since i have been working as a research assistant here for the past year and know students in the program, but was looking for more input on northwestern. does anyone here know what people tend to like the most about northwestern, as well as what are the most common complaints? any and all input would be greatly appreciated!
northwestern vs state school
- Thread starter grindr
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The location of Northwestern is unbeatable. If you have time outside of class, there are unlimited opportunities for fun/recreation near NU. The area is also very safe and beautiful (right off of Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago).
The reputation is great, and as far as I know, so are the research opportunities.
The only downside I can think of with NU vs. any state school is cost. (And the winters, if you don't like cold weather.) But only you can know how important cost is to you, as compared with other factors.
Good luck and congrats!
The reputation is great, and as far as I know, so are the research opportunities.
The only downside I can think of with NU vs. any state school is cost. (And the winters, if you don't like cold weather.) But only you can know how important cost is to you, as compared with other factors.
Good luck and congrats!
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Cost of living (rentals) in Chicago is very high within walking or short commute distance of the med school.
People will tell you that you can save money by living in the 'burbs and ride the "L," but that is a draining experience.
If you are not used to the winters, that can be a HUGE drag, too. Don't underestimate it.
People will tell you that you can save money by living in the 'burbs and ride the "L," but that is a draining experience.
If you are not used to the winters, that can be a HUGE drag, too. Don't underestimate it.
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NW is a really nice school and in a very nice area. Thus, not only is tuition really high, but cost of living around the area is very very high. If you do live in the burbs or places away from NW, then your commute will suck in the mornings (in the car or on the L).
I'm going to guess your state school is probably around 30k tuition, so saving 80k+ over 4 years is already enough for me personally to choose state school over NW.
If you are determined to do some super outrageous competitive specialty and plan to work your butt of at both schools, maybe NWs reputation will give you an extra edge...but I'd still choose the state school.
I'm going to guess your state school is probably around 30k tuition, so saving 80k+ over 4 years is already enough for me personally to choose state school over NW.
If you are determined to do some super outrageous competitive specialty and plan to work your butt of at both schools, maybe NWs reputation will give you an extra edge...but I'd still choose the state school.
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What state school are you deciding between? I think NU is a good school and it ended up being one of my top choices last cycle. It has a nice location, the curriculum is nice with very few hours in class, and it has a great reputation.
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Not trying to start anything...but 1) aren't you on NU's waitlist? and 2) don't you love Chicago? Just saying your advice might be a little biased.
OP, I'm in a similar predicament and I'm leaning towards NU (over UMass). For personal reasons, location is a big factor for me. Also, I think it'll be easier to achieve my personal career goals coming from NU over my state school. Cost is definitely a valid consideration which is why I'm still very torn. Other than the cost of NU and the cost of living in that area of Chicago, I can't really tell you any negatives about the school. Seems like the students are happy, the location is amazing, the clinical training is great, its reputation is solid, and its research is pretty strong (and growing). I wish I could give you a more definitive answer but I can't because I have the same concerns!
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Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... 🙂 and yes I meant to qualify what I said with that but apparently my edit of my post that did so didn't go through before I closed up my laptop an hour ago, lol. But in terms of leaving home and paying a ton more to do so? Tough choice.
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Kind of similar to the Case Western vs State school thread that was posted a few days ago. I think some of the advice given in that thread applies to this situation as well.
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I've heard amazing things about Northwestern Med. I'd pick that program over many other top 20 schools if you get financial aid. I know people who picked NW over places like Baylor, UCLA, UWash, and Columbia and they seem happy.
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here's something to think about- northwestern just disaffiliated with FOUR of its teaching hospitals, and i have heard they are having trouble with clinical rotations now... maybe current students can comment on this?
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Northwestern is a top medical school and it ended its affiliation with ONE hospital system - for a very good reason. Northwestern Med is moving up, and ENH was not keeping up.
Northwestern is part of The McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, and today is made up of:
-Northwestern University
-Children's Memorial Hospital
-Northwestern Memorial Hospital
including - Prentice Women's Hospital
and -Stone Institute of Psychiatry
-Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
-Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Our Prentice Women's Hospital and Maternity Center is one of the best women's hospitals in the nation, our Rehab Institute is THE BEST in the country, and we are building a brand new children's hospital that should be among the best (so we will soon have two top children's hospitals). The strength of our medical departments from Anesthesiology to Neurosurgery are all very high, with many in the top 10 or 20 programs nation-wide.
Here's a helpful link:
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/research/affiliates/index.html
Here's a direct quote from the published article about the disaffiliation:
"Despite many reasons to continue the affiliation with ENH, we cannot afford to compromise our academic vision and missions, expectations for faculty roles, and the processes that all great universities employ to select their faculty and leaders. In essence, the level of autonomy demanded by ENH was incompatible with an academic culture of collaboration, partnership, peer-review, and accountability."
Please check it out at:
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/clinical-services/faq/index.html
👍👍
Northwestern is part of The McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, and today is made up of:
-Northwestern University
-Children's Memorial Hospital
-Northwestern Memorial Hospital
including - Prentice Women's Hospital
and -Stone Institute of Psychiatry
-Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
-Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Our Prentice Women's Hospital and Maternity Center is one of the best women's hospitals in the nation, our Rehab Institute is THE BEST in the country, and we are building a brand new children's hospital that should be among the best (so we will soon have two top children's hospitals). The strength of our medical departments from Anesthesiology to Neurosurgery are all very high, with many in the top 10 or 20 programs nation-wide.
Here's a helpful link:
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/research/affiliates/index.html
Here's a direct quote from the published article about the disaffiliation:
"Despite many reasons to continue the affiliation with ENH, we cannot afford to compromise our academic vision and missions, expectations for faculty roles, and the processes that all great universities employ to select their faculty and leaders. In essence, the level of autonomy demanded by ENH was incompatible with an academic culture of collaboration, partnership, peer-review, and accountability."
Please check it out at:
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/clinical-services/faq/index.html
👍👍
