Pitt vs. Wash U

Started by ohnotornadooo
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ohnotornadooo

ohnotornadooo

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7+ Year Member
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Had the incredible luck of getting in to Wash U off the wait list this past Monday and am down to my last 24 hours to decide between there and Pitt. Wash U was my top choice coming out of the interview season, but I've had nearly two months to adjust to the idea of matriculating at Pitt and it's grown on me. Pittsburgh is driving distance from where my partner will be living during M1/M2 (she'd prefer I go to Pitt). But Wash U is...Wash U. Fell in love with it at interview day. Not tied to any particular specialty, open to neurology, psych, obgyn, and peds. No interest in surgery. Research interests lie primarily in health policy/public health.

Wash U
+beautiful facilities
+clicked with students more than I did at any other school
+loved St. Louis!
+it's Wash U
-200k debt
-would only see partner monthly

Pitt
+strong public health school
+quite liked Pittsburgh!
+already have housing set up
+would see partner weekly
+only 80k debt (merit scholarship)
-didn't have quite as strong a connection with other students
-abysmal Step 1 scores from what I've heard

For the sake of my relationship and keeping debt as low as possible, I'm leaning towards Pitt. Given my research/clinical interests, am I crazy to turn down Wash U? What doors am I closing by going with Pitt? Please validate my opinions, oh great internet.
 
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120k seems a steep price to pay. Pitt is a good school so I wouldn't worry about step 1 scores (you'll find it's much more a function of the individual than the school anyway), and as for a "connection," I completely understand there are few data points to go off of when forming an opinion of a school, but I'd just be cognizant of that fact because both are filled with highly motivated, high achievers and you'll find your niche wherever you end up.

So that would be a vote for Pitt from me.
 
Being able to see your partner on a weekly basis is something that shouldn't be underestimated. Combine that with the fact that Pitt is significantly cheaper, and I think that the choice is relatively easy.
 
Thanks so much for the thoughtful feedback y'all! Don't know why, but I just really needed to hear this from a third party. Being able to see my partner more frequently is probably going to be the greatest determinant of my happiness for the next two years. Confidently going to Pitt and not looking back!! Wash U will always be there for residency : )
 
Sounds like you're making the right choice based on what's important to you.

I haven't heard about Pitt's step 1 scores. Is there a reason for them being low?
 
Dence said:
Sounds like you're making the right choice based on what's important to you.

I haven't heard about Pitt's step 1 scores. Is there a reason for them being low?
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not sure what's up with Pitt's Step 1. It appears they haven't published the average for quite a while, and I heard from someone who inquired with admissions that last year's average was 230. Not terrible, but not what you'd expect from a "top 20" school. The fact that they don't make the score public (Most schools do this right? Did I make that up?) makes it seem like they'd rather hide sub-par performance than address the root causes. But as @seeinghowitgoes mentioned, scores will be more about the individual than the school, so no reason ya can't do well at an institution with a lower average. Does make me slightly concerned about the quality of the pre-clinical curriculum though.
 
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ohnotornadooo said:
not sure what's up with Pitt's Step 1. It appears they haven't published the average for quite a while, and I heard from someone who inquired with admissions that last year's average was 230. Not terrible, but not what you'd expect from a "top 20" school. The fact that they don't make the score public (Most schools do this right? Did I make that up?) makes it seem like they'd rather hide sub-par performance than address the root causes. But as @seeinghowitgoes mentioned, scores will be more about the individual than the school, so no reason ya can't do well at an institution with a lower average. Does make me slightly concerned about the quality of the pre-clinical curriculum though.
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Congrats. Personally, I would lean toward Pitt for the money and chance to see your partner more often. Plus, both are top 20 schools. Can your family help out with the cost? $80,000 vs. $200,000 at a 6% interest rate is the difference between a $888/month payment for 10 years and a $2220/month payment for 10 years (that is underestimating since you presumably won't start making payments until after medical school or even residency so the interest will accrue).

I suspect Pitt's low Step 1 scores are due to the PBL curriculum (or maybe differences in dedicated board prep time), rather than due to the quality of students.

WashU:
Step 1: 247
Step 2: 250
MCAT: 38 (matriculant)
GPA: 3.88 (matriculant)

Pitt:
Step 1: ?
Step 2: ?
MCAT: 36 (matriculant)
GPA: 3.81 (matriculant)
 
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