on the clock for slu vs. u of iowa

[starter1259]

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i posted my dilemma b/w slu and u of iowa on sdn a few weeks ago, but i recently got accepted to iowa so now i'm on the clock to choose which school to go to in the fall. i'm an illinois resident, so tuition is about the same b/w the two. even though iowa is ranked higher in primary care and research, as of now, i don't think i'm as interested in primary care as i am in the other specializations. also, i felt like my interview at slu was much more welcoming than the one i had at iowa. nevertheless, i don't know enough about either school to make a clearcut decision. i'm also torn b/w the two b/c i prefer the location of st. louis, but i know iowa is generally ranked higher than slu, so maybe i shouldn't let the location affect my decision. any opinions on which school to choose? need input asap, thanks!

 

[hotpotato1234]

I would say go with your gut feeling. Or you could make a list of pros and cons and quantify each of them based on that.

 

[hum3a]

who would anyone want to live in iowa? SLU will definitely be a more diverse city and a more fun town in general. but its probably going to be more expensive living in a big city (insurance, housing, etc..)

 

[Charles English]

all things being relatively equal in your case, i would choose based on location. you say you're from IL, but a small town? chicago? iowa city is a pretty small place if you're from Chi-town... i know. my mom has lived in every small town in iowa the past, and visiting her after living in chicago is a shock and a half. but, on other hand, Saint Louis is a big city with perhaps a bigger reputation. either love it or hate it. maybe you'll love it. maybe you won't. if there is nothing about the school that draws you to one over the other, think about the locale. choose wisely. oh, and great job! good luck! knock 'em dead and all that. you will be a doctor 👍

 

[bcat85]

who would anyone want to live in iowa? SLU will definitely be a more diverse city and a more fun town in general. but its probably going to be more expensive living in a big city (insurance, housing, etc..)

This actually isn't really that accurate. STL is a very cheap city to live in. My house is 300/month and I only have 2 other roommates.

 

[dog0]

From what I hear, UIoawa is in a small college town and has a large undergraduate student body. They are a big sports school (Hawkeyes) and known to party (I believe they are in the top 20 party schools) 😛 I don't know what Undergrad school you went to or what kind of lifestyle you're seeking in medical school, but if it involves Saturday football and occasional partying with college students, go with Iowa.

PS. Didn't the University of Iowa just get flooded?

 

[jult24er]

I suggest putting your decision up for bid. As an SLU waitlister, I'll kick-start the UI fund off at $100.

 

[203712]

do what feels right, dont worry too much about the rankings. SLU is a good school, its not like you wont be able to learn.

the student makes the school, the school doesnt make the student.

Having said that, take the 100 bucks from jult24er and go to iowa.

 

[bcat85]

do what feels right, dont worry too much about the rankings. SLU is a good school, its not like you wont be able to learn.

the student makes the school, the school doesnt make the student.

Having said that, take the 100 bucks from jult24er and go to iowa.

This is pretty accurate. I recall a thread from Allopathic where thye talked about the surgeon that did Sen. Kennedy's brain surgery recently. He went to U of Illinois in Chicago, which is an excellent school, but not one that pre-med's are usually straining to get in to.

 

[PreMD86]

Have you researched the possibility of establishing an Iowa residence? Depending on the state, and your willingness to pursue it, residency can be established in as little as 1-2 years. 2-3 years of in-state tuition can mean a difference of tens of thousands between the schools.

 

[etf]

when i received my financial aid info for slu, it said i would have to take out almost $70,000 to cover first year. i doubt iowa is going to set you back that much (both financially and in terms of "happiness.")

 

[bcat85]

when i received my financial aid info for slu, it said i would have to take out almost $70,000 to cover first year. i doubt iowa is going to set you back that much (both financially and in terms of "happiness.")

Really? Mine was only 55k

 

[LuckySeven]

Iowa City did indeed just get flooded, but the medical school and the hospital were largely unaffected because they are out of the flood zone. Of course, physical plant went down and so everyone took a week off of work, but everything should be back to normal by fall.
Of the half dozen schools I interviewed at, St. Louis was my least favorite. But that could largely be due to the fact that my interviewer was a bit of a battleaxe and was not welcoming at all! Also, St. Louis had the shabbiest facilities of all the schools. Compounding these problems was their schedule; I interviewed there very late and by the time I had gotten my letter I was already on board at Iowa, which for the record is the better-ranked program.* On the plus side, I saw some pretty hot guys while I was there.
The choice of schools is so personal, pay attention to your needs and good luck with your decision!
*According to US News and World Report current graduate school rankings; as well as MSAR

 

[seven87]

Here's what I've observed by looking at these XX vs YY threads:

It seems the OP's usually have their mind made up one way or another before posting and want validation of their decision. OP, only you can really make that call. If you liked SLU more, go there, if you liked Iowa more, then go there!! It's up to you.

Go with the school that you think would make you happier. Rankings don't matter that much. They are both good schools.

It seems to me that you liked SLU more, for what it's worth.

 

[CPmustangs]

I would go with SLU, I got my financial aid package and it is set for 66,000 but I have looked at it and I will only need 55,000 so it is not really that bad.