Opinions Please: GW or Tufts?

[oneironaut]

I rather fancy GW for the research ops in genetics, and I like the fact it's next to the undergrad campus. I don't know if I like the curriculum, I don't think they're sequential/organ based, and I don't think either school focuses much on PBL or small groups.

Tufts is supposed to be a good research school, and is 'ranked', but GW doesn't give info to USnews, so they aren't. Boston is pretty darn cool, but D.C. is supposed to be fun too. But I *have* heard some negative comments from Tufts students..

Everyone's opinions please?

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[SeeGulz]

GW is supposed to be poor for research (they said look elsewhere if you are interested in research), but it is a great town and the students seemed happy/laid back. I also liked GW's curriculum, but I haven't compared it to any other school. I know nothing about Tufts and I am on the GW waitlist, so take this for what it is worth.

 

[otter]

oneironaut, what are the negative comments you heard from Tufts students?

The only negative comments I heard (other than the fact that it's expensive) are that the dorm is awful and that its primary teaching hospital NEMC makes you do a lot of grunt work and work long hours.

 

[Keroberos]

Well, even if it is true that GW doesn't have good research within the school, the NIH is a few blocks away which should have tons of great research opportunities.

But, compared to Tufts, I think Tufts comes out on top in terms of reputation? I had never heard of GW until I started applying.

 

[mdhopeful]

I believe Tufts has a stronger repututation than GW, but I'm not sure if that is because the Boston area has strong hospitals and schools or if it is unique to something at Tufts. I do know that the general undergraduate program and other graduate programs at Tufts are stronger all around when compared to GW. If accepted to both I would go to Tufts, primarily because of Boston and secondary because of reputation. However, I was rejected w/o interview there. I am waitlisted at GW. Good luck in your decision. Those are 2 fabulous choices to have.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

hehe, now he's going to Dartmouth--this thread is a bit outdated Time moves at the speed of light after May 15th. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

New spots open at GW and Tufts!

 

[Katie]

actually, to clarify some misconceptions; Tufts does have PBL every semester and Interviewing and Physical Diagnosis during first and second years. So I feel that they really do try to give students clinical exposure along with the Selectives Program. Also, TUSM is doing a major overhaul on the curriculum so that classes will run from 8-12:30 instead of all day.

 

[oneironaut]

hehe, Foxy is ever informed.

Well, I know Tufts is slightly ranked for research, but I spent a summer at an NIH lab and LOVED it, plus GW has a bioinformatics/genomics department that is pretty strong, they are associated with TIGR (Craig Ventner/Human Genome Project) , despite the rest of the research reputation. Genomics is my thing.. Plus DC is a pretty darn cool city with lots to do. (as I alluded, and somebody said, baltimore and bethesda [NIH] are super close)

The things I'd heard about tufts was the fact that the facilities aren't all that great (or good) and the several students complained about being 'nickled and dimed' to death.. said they felt they paid a lot of fees which they thought should have been included. I'd also heard students complain about their classmates: competition, cliques.. OF COURSE it's much unsubstantiated rumor- but rumor I didn't get elsewhere..

go to <a href="http://www.tuftsissue.com" target="_blank">www.tuftsissue.com</a> its the student paper/web page. You can read a lot of student rants their. Tufts IS A GREAT SCHOOL. I just didn't think it was much better then GW. I had just decided to take GW over Tufts when Dartmouth showed me some love. So I sincerely hope that an SDNer gets my spot.