Ok, here is my two cents worth. I am from Chicago, went to high school 1 block away from Northwestern Medical School and will be going to U of Michigan for MSTP, just so you know my biases. I will make this long, since I know it's a difficult decision, bear with me.
I agree with all the previous posters... and go where you'll be happy. But here's my opinions/views. For Northwestern MSTP: It's got a nice almost brand new hospital. It's on the lake in Chicago (the best part of Chicago). It's got pretty good research in some areas like immuno. For UMich MSTP: The hospitals are also almost brand new. Ann Arbor is nice, not as happening as downtown Chicago to be sure, but you won't be bored. They are strong in almost every kind of research (I know from a friend they're well respected in RNA biology, if your name suggests anything). They are expanding like crazy. Two new, huge bio buildings in the next 4-5 years, one will be finished next year and hiring 40 new faculty. They library is great (Not so much for Northwestern). The director of the program cares to direct you and also makes sure you progress (I emailed 4 fellows and that's what all of them said). Also, the part of Chicago in , second only to Mt. Sinai and maybe UCSF. Even with your stipend the only realistic place you can live is the dorm (really small rooms, no view, sucks bad), unless you want to commute for over 15 minutes each way (that's the least). Even though Ann Arbor is fairly expensive, Northwestern is much more so.
Now my story: I interviewed at U Mich in December, had a good time. I chose it because it had a very strong research program, and the students still seemed relaxed and happy (less of a case at WashU for instance). Also, look at their website. Almost every student seems to have 3-4 and some even 7-12 papers published by the time they finished PhD, again not the case so much in other programs (in many they've told me that the emphasis should be learning not publishing. I agree to an extent, but you want to advance your career and no ONE will read your thesis, only papers). My interview at NWU wasn't as great. At first, they gave me MD only, then said they screwed up my application and gave me a combined interview as well. After going to strict-MD, and seeing I really didn't like the medschool as much, I decided to not even go to MSTP. (Administrative messes kinda tell you how organized they are).
Other Issues to consider:
- At NWU there are two campuses, so it's quite possible you'll have to split time between them, maybe move or if you're unlucky and have mentors in both campuses, then ???
- Last year NWU admitted too many students, so this year they scaled back a bit. I believe their class will be something like 6-7 or so, with at least one person coming from deferral. At UMich it's the opposite situation. The class before us had 7 students, so this year they interviewed and probably accepted more. Before I decided, I contacted Dr. Koenig and he's told me that there are at least 10 people committed to UMich MSTP this year, with me that makes at least 11. The most difficult moment for MSTP is when your med school classmates graduate, so you will want to have a sizable contingent of MSTPs to hang with.
Another way to decide: Do you want problem based learning or lecture. I agree with people that problem based will cut the time you spend in the classroom, but you can always skip lecture, too
. One thing I really liked about UMich is those quizzes. Everything does not depend on one or two exams, and you can spread out studying and avoid procrastination and cramming (what me procrastinating? Posting on this board to avoid doing Biochem homework? I take the 5th, and admit to nothing).
Anyway, sorry this went for too long, and maybe transformed too much from an opinion to Northwestern bashing. Hope this helps. You can also always contact me through this board (I don't know how to PM, though). Hope this helps.
