Pitt vs. USC vs. Boston Univ.

[brassai]

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I'm trying to decide between these schools and would appreciate any and all input about the pros and cons of each one.

Thanks!

 

[attaboybambeeks]

I'm trying to decide between these schools and would appreciate any and all input about the pros and cons of each one.

Thanks!

where do u live? does geography matter much?

 

[brassai]

where do u live? does geography matter much?

I'm at UCLA right now and home is NorCal. Location matters a bit... it's hard to leave California, but I'm willing to try something new. I'm a bit weary of choosing a school just based on location, and I want to make sure I'm choosing the right school first and the location second. I'm open to any suggestions and insights 🙂

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

I'm at UCLA right now and home is NorCal. Location matters a bit... it's hard to leave California, but I'm willing to try something new. I'm a bit weary of choosing a school just based on location, and I want to make sure I'm choosing the right school first and the location second. I'm open to any suggestions and insights 🙂

I would go to Pitt.

My reasoning: 1. Rankings, 2. Location. I love cali (grew up in norcal, live in la) but hate LA with a passion, so I would actually consider Pitt and BU a better location than SC (change of pace, seasons, less traffic, less gang-bangers, less uggs/popped collars, etc.) Also, I've heard lots of great stuff about them being friendly and caring toward students over there.

If I were you I would also consider things like how you feel at the school, general impression, the cost, and if they have residencies that you'de be interested in (ie: if you wanted to be a neurosurgeon I would go to Pitt and not SC, whereas if you wanted to do EM I would consider SC, etc.).

Overall I would rank these considerations like so:
1. Impression/Feelings about school
2. Rankings
3. Location
4. Cost
5. Specialty considerations.

 

[MissMD'10]

I'm at UCLA right now and home is NorCal. Location matters a bit... it's hard to leave California, but I'm willing to try something new. I'm a bit weary of choosing a school just based on location, and I want to make sure I'm choosing the right school first and the location second. I'm open to any suggestions and insights 🙂

I personally liked pitt the best of all three. I do not like LA, so that is a big consideration for me. The day I was there it was so hot it was unpleasant and of course it is a concrete jungle. Boston seemed non diverse the day I was there judging from the people who interviewed. It was probably just that specific day but I was shocked how similar everyone seemed. They are all good schools and I would base your decision on the curriculum, student body, location and the feeling you got when you interviewed at each place. Good luck!

 

[Paperboy!]

this is stupid of me, because pitt is an awesome school, but i'd pick BU. boston would be more fun than pittsburgh i think.

but then again, who has time for fun in med school...

how are the facilities? i've realized that i'm basing my decisions on the quality of the gym.

oops, i mean...labs? libraries? blast, what the devil do children draw....it's a pheasant!

 

[silas2642]

Yeah, as the other posters have pointed out, the three schools are very different geographically. The other thing to take into consideration is cost-- are any one of the schools significantly cheaper than the others?

 

[Hooah!80]

Pitt...no question

 

[zer0el]

I chose SC over Pitt a couple of years ago. Now that me and my friends (who attend other med schoosl around the nation) know what med school is about, I think we can all agree that, if you're not getting scholarships/in-state tuition and are not considering a top 10 school, decide based on location, period.

 

[brassai]

I chose SC over Pitt a couple of years ago. Now that me and my friends (who attend other med schoosl around the nation) know what med school is about, I think we can all agree that, if you're not getting scholarships/in-state tuition and are not considering a top 10 school, decide based on location, period.

Thanks, zerOel!

If you don't mind my asking, what led to your choice at the time? Is there anything you wish you had known about SC before you started school there?

I'm a bit concerned about the large class size compared to some other schools. Would you want it to be a little smaller?

Is there anything you would change about the school?

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

Thanks, zerOel!

If you don't mind my asking, what led to your choice at the time? Is there anything you wish you had known about SC before you started school there?

I'm a bit concerned about the large class size compared to some other schools. Would you want it to be a little smaller?

Is there anything you would change about the school?

If I could change Keck, I would put it in San Francisco 👍



(dont listen to me, i'm going through an i-hate-LA phase)

 

[Plastikos]

Thanks, zerOel!

If you don't mind my asking, what led to your choice at the time? Is there anything you wish you had known about SC before you started school there?

I'm a bit concerned about the large class size compared to some other schools. Would you want it to be a little smaller?

Is there anything you would change about the school?

I also go to Keck, and besides money, Zeroel is right location is everything. With the free time you do have you dont want to be stuck inside during a torrential downpour or blizzard. We are an outside school, ppl hang outdoors a lot. Having it be beautiful everyday makes a difference in how you feel. I love being able to party at great clubs, go to the beach/snow/mexico/etc..., you can do whatever here.

While rankings and stuff do matter its not like Keck isnt a good school they are #30 or something. Also rankings depend mostly on research and isnt going to get you much. If you think you need a name for getting the residency of your choice, yes and no. While having a name helps, some schools are known for having a great "x" program and will be considered top notch regardless of the medical school (eg for plastics if you come from UTSW you have an edge). Also, personal performance is much more important than any other factor. If i could change anything about Keck it would be tuition, but what can you do.

 

[Jalby]

Well, I go to Keck as a 4th year. The first two years were great, but the third year absolutely blows and the residents are really miserable here. If you can stand Pittsburgh, I would say definately go there. You will have a lot more doors open to you when you graduate than if you go to USC. Reputation does matter, and Keck just doesn't have the big names to write the good letters for you that will help your application and if you want to do research it is almost impossible to get average research at a County program.

 

[skypilot]

Pitt is so impressive. Rents are low and the area is such a college social scene.

Boston is really expensive, the neighborhood is not the greatest. If you have ties or desire to live in Boston I wouldn't hesitate but based on overall impression I would choose Pitt.

 

[Plastikos]

Well, I go to Keck as a 4th year. The first two years were great, but the third year absolutely blows and the residents are really miserable here. If you can stand Pittsburgh, I would say definately go there. You will have a lot more doors open to you when you graduate than if you go to USC. Reputation does matter, and Keck just doesn't have the big names to write the good letters for you that will help your application and if you want to do research it is almost impossible to get average research at a County program.

You think you could honestly live in Pitt for med school? I dont know man, for residency i could live about anywhere but when you have a choice i would choose location. It does depend on your personal goals and your likely choice of specialty to some extent, but if your a superstar, thats what you are.

Ditto that third year sucked, but i think we are more free than many schools in other years. Doesnt third year suck at most places?

Jalby, sign up for football, and make everyone else also, we must avenge last year! 👍

 

[wowzer]

You think you could honestly live in Pitt for med school? I dont know man, for residency i could live about anywhere but when you have a choice i would choose location. It does depend on your personal goals and your likely choice of specialty to some extent, but if your a superstar, thats what you are.

Ditto that third year sucked, but i think we are more free than many schools in other years. Doesnt third year suck at most places?

Jalby, sign up for football, and make everyone else also, we must avenge last year! 👍

i've lived in detroit and baltimore for most of my life, and now i'm living in a frat house at pitt.

yeah i think i could deal with it 🙂

 

[Doctor&Geek]

Man Jalby, you were once part of the USC recruitment brigade. What happened?

 

[brassai]

Can you guys elaborate on third year being so awful? What specifically do you think made it worse at USC than you had imagined/heard about at other schools?

 

[funshine]

Can you guys elaborate on third year being so awful? What specifically do you think made it worse at USC than you had imagined/heard about at other schools?

I think medical school can be pretty awful no matter where you go so take what they say with a grain of salt. Personally, I'm choosing between Pitt and some other schools that are similarly ranked to USC and BU. I think Pitt offers great opportunities in research if you're interested in that, but I'm also pretty sure that it will be an academically more difficult school. At the very least, you might feel more stressed out b/c most of your peers will be the high-achieving type.

Remember that if you plan on getting into a competitive specialty or doing academic medicine, then Pitt will give you a tremendous boost. It should be an easy choice then. However, I'm not sure that's the kind of medical career I want for myself, so I'm apprehensive about going to a more difficult school.

Oh, and any negative comments about the city of Pittsburgh are just ridiculous and more or less a reflection of complacent Californians who can't survive outside of Cali. Kidding, sort of, but please don't let that affect your decision!

 

[Plastikos]

Can you guys elaborate on third year being so awful? What specifically do you think made it worse at USC than you had imagined/heard about at other schools?

I dont know that other schools are that much easier. I think its just a big shift towards real-life, and we went from having basically our own personal schedule in years 1-2 to no choice in third year.
Plus county gets old, they do work us hard, which is a plus and a minus. Plus b/c you feel some sense of confidence but a minus b/c what little edge you have will go away during residency as everyone progresses the same and you dont have as much study time.
This mostly applies to the surgery clerkship, which was also my favorite. I know at UCI their med students dont have to work that much at all (at least on surg), and some of the residents at SC said we got to do a lot more and were way more involved than any school they had been to. Its a double edged sword.
OBGYN freaking blows, one of the worst medicine experiences (drunks and turf jobs) if your at county. The trauma surgery is awesome but subject to the randomness of trauma, the one day your not on is the big night, etc...

I think third year probably sucks everywhere, maybe it is worse at SC but how the hell would i really know? Maybe Jalby did some sub-i's and does. You do know how to get stuff done though, and you will know what you want in your career (ie not be stuck at a huge county facility, EMR, ancillary staff).

 

[Plastikos]

I think medical school can be pretty awful no matter where you go so take what they say with a grain of salt. Personally, I'm choosing between Pitt and some other schools that are similarly ranked to USC and BU. I think Pitt offers great opportunities in research if you're interested in that, but I'm also pretty sure that it will be an academically more difficult school. At the very least, you might feel more stressed out b/c most of your peers will be the high-achieving type.

Remember that if you plan on getting into a competitive specialty or doing academic medicine, then Pitt will give you a tremendous boost. It should be an easy choice then. However, I'm not sure that's the kind of medical career I want for myself, so I'm apprehensive about going to a more difficult school.

Oh, and any negative comments about the city of Pittsburgh are just ridiculous and more or less a reflection of complacent Californians who can't survive outside of Cali. Kidding, sort of, but please don't let that affect your decision!

Oh yeah, SC being pass/fail made years 1 and 2 so much easier with not having to worry about grades and only on learning. If you want a competitive specialty, perform well on the boards and go for AOA, do sub-i's and get great letters, i dont care if you go to U of crap state-you will get interviews.

About location, i'm from Washington and let me tell you, California is awesome, there is a reason a POS single bedroom house in Compton costs 500K. Plus, if you wanted to stay in California for residency being from SC would definitely help as their is a huge network of physicians and such.

That being said, i am looking to leave Cali, just b/c i want to buy a house (have family), and its so expensive. I am a little afraid to see what happens if i end up in a cold climate (some very high ranks were). I never knew how much of a prisoner you could be to the weather, or how damn cold 60 degrees is LMAO.

 

[drmota]

a friend had similar options last year (BU, USC, and Georgetown) and he chose BU. i probably would have chosen the same. you're not gonna get any unified answer on this thread. you should go to the second look weekends and talk to the students.
-mota

 

[LionKing]

Wow you're actually weighing Pitt and Boston against a California school? I guarantee you will be ten times happier at a Cali school- Newsflash- Ratings mean nothing- Its how you will do that gets you into residency. I have multiple friends that went/go to Pitt and seriously: none of them have anything positive to say about the place- (2 of the have actually dropped out) personally- I prefer to be around family, but I would take the cheapest of the three.

 

[Jalby]

County-USC is just like House of god. A lot of the residents arn't happy there at all and they take it out on you. I have more to say on the subject, but I am still tied to USC for a bit.

 

[zer0el]

OP: My selection process was fairly straightfoward; I chose SC because I felt at home in SoCal. I'd seen SC's matchlists from years prior so I knew PDs respected the school as long as you performed well (and if you look at this year's matchlist, plenty matched into rads, 6 into derm, etc.) I went to undergrad on the east coast so the "four seasons" (which really is 8 months of rain/clouds/hail/snow/wind, 3 months of hot and humid weather during the summer, and 1 month of scattered good weather) held no appeal for me. The large class size is not an issue logistically or socially. Cost is the one thing I would change, but that's not realistic since it is a private school.

 

[skypilot]

Half the students at BU are from Cali and are only here because they weren't admitted to a Cali school. They are just waiting to go back for residency.

Pitt is just such an impressive campus and scene. You are lucky to have all these choices.

 

[MsChatterbox]

I'm trying to decide between these schools and would appreciate any and all input about the pros and cons of each one.

Thanks!

Hey …I am choosing more or less between BU and Pitt.. Actually there is no contest. Pitt is an awesome medical school with an awesome reputation . I go to tufts right now which is just outside of Boston proper. For me…Boston isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. I personally feel that Pittsburgh is a great place to go to medical school. It seems to me that BU is very isolated from a lot of the rest of Boston. Also housing in Boston is hell. I personally can’t wait to go to Pittsburgh. I agree with a lot of people that location is key, to that note I think that the atmosphere of pit with so many students and a smaller city old be ideal.

 

[skypilot]

Hey …I am choosing more or less between BU and Pitt.. Actually there is no contest. Pitt is an awesome medical school with an awesome reputation . I go to tufts right now which is just outside of Boston proper. For me…Boston isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. I personally feel that Pittsburgh is a great place to go to medical school. It seems to me that BU is very isolated from a lot of the rest of Boston. Also housing in Boston is hell. I personally can’t wait to go to Pittsburgh. I agree with a lot of people that location is key, to that note I think that the atmosphere of pit with so many students and a smaller city old be ideal.

Well BU is halfway between Tufts and Harvard and only 2 miles from each so "very isolated" is a bit of a stretch. 🙂