Pitt vs. WashU vs. OSU vs. UVA vs. Wake Forest vs. others

[steaklover4]

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I've been very fortunate to have been accepted to some awesome schools, and I need some insight from others to help in making my final decision. To note, some overarching themes that will impact all of these schools are:
-I'm interested in competitive specialties, so residency director reputation/research rankings are very important.
-I would vastly prefer a small to mid-size city
-Girlfriend will likely be moving with me, her happiness is important to me.

Pitt
Pros:
-Top 20 school
-Nearest to home for me
-In-State tuition (Although practically no difference).
-Prefer the small-group learning style over lectures
-UPMC controls literally half of the state, amazing children's hospital
-Oakland seems like a dope place to live, also relatively cheap!
-Big undergrad with great facilites.
-Large class size!
-Large university, tons of opportunities for research.
-Pass/fail
-Girlfriend would be happy here.
Cons:
-2 year pre-clinical curriculum, I prefer a shorter one.
-Very expensive, no merit aid available.
-I've lived in the cold forever, kinda dreamt of going south for med school.

WashU
Pros:
-Highest ranked school i've been accepted to.
-Ample opportunities for research
-Tons of financial aid available, both merit and need-based, will likely be my cheapest option.
-The area around the school seems safe and cheap enough to live.
-Students emphasized how much free time they have to explore other interests.
-Hospital is expansive, receives patients from all over the country.
-Concert hub of the midwest, literally any act I ever would want to see stops in St. Louis.
-Pass/fail
Cons:
-St. Louis has the highest murder rate in the country (oof)
- 2-year preclinical curriculum
- Students seemed incredibly invested in school. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I want to make friends to do things outside of medicine during my four years. Concerned I might not fit in with the personalities there.
-Girlfriend not super interested in St. Louis

OSU
Pros:
-Columbus was by far my favorite city I visited during interview season, just a huge college town.
-Great hospital network, practically every severe case in central ohio goes to OSU.
-3 Hour drive from home, can easily see family over a weekend if needed.
-Longitudinal practice program, starting at week 8, work with a physician for a day every other week.
-1.5 Year pre-clinical curriculum.
-Students have "Big ten personality", outgoing, athletically oriented, compassionate individuals.
-Has huge associated undergrad, can use facilities.
-Awesome sports school, can watch big 10 football every weekend in the fall.
-Near to skiing resorts, with warm summers.
-Cheapest COA with ample scholarship opportunities.
-Would find myself extremely happy in Columbus, love the college-town feel.
-Pass/fail
-Girlfriend would be very happy.
Cons:
-Not as highly ranked as my other top choices.
-....

UVA
Pros:
-Top 20 school
-TAKE HOME EXAMS!!!!!!
-1.5 year pre-clinical curriculum
-Highly respected for all specialties, can work with top specialists in the country.
-Awesome new facilities, new wing of hospital being built.
-Away rotations required
-Lots of small group opportunites in the next gen curriculum.
-Students seem super happy, feel like i would fit in.
-Regional bias for residency matching, and want to live on east coast, so that's perfect.
-Right beside huge undergrad where I can share facilities play IM sports.
-SUPER WARM and nearish to the beach.
-Charlottesville is an amazing college town
-Basketball school
-Pass/fail
-Girlfriend would be very happy.
Cons:
-Pretty expensive, but financial aid is yet to come out.
-Smaller city, not as much to do as medium-sized cities.

Wake Forest:
Pros:
-Brand new facilites
-Have huge emphasis on mental health/student happiness
-Students seem exceptionally happy.
-Quickly rising in reputation
-1.5 year preclinical
-Winston-Salem is like my ideal city
-Great undergrad university where I can share facilities.
-Decent NIH funding
-Pass/Fail
-Girlfriend would be very happy.
Cons:
-Lowest ranked of all of the schools
-Expensive without decent financial aid.

Other schools:
Although I liked things about these schools of course, there were come major cons for me for each.
-Didn't vibe with philly, too big for me (Jeff/Temple)
-Quinnipiac is too new and too lowly ranked, no hospital.
-EVMS is too lowly ranked, no large uni system.

 

[libertyyne]

UVA . Pitt , WashU

How serious is this gf? If super serious then UVA or Pitt if not Wash U

 

[steaklover4]

UVA . Pitt , WashU

How serious is this gf? If super serious then UVA or Pitt if not Wash U

Together for four years, will probably marry her one day

 

[MDhopeful74]

Seems like UVA, Pitt, or OSU. Maybe hold out on a final decision until you see the financial aid package from these.

 

[deleted962973]

My vote goes to UVA. Have you ever lived in Pittsburgh/have friends that went to Pitt? South Oakland is a dismal place to live lol. In terms of their rankings, I’d say Pitt and UVA are more or less the same- you’ll do great from each one.

 

[deleted915325]

South Oakland is cool for undergrad--definitely less ideal for a med student--but the good news is that there are a ton of other places to live. Pittsburgh is "a city of neighborhoods" as they say. Children's hospital is in lawerenceville, which is where I lived while working at CHP. It's much nicer and more of a town of young professionals than South O. Same with squirrel hill and Shadyside. All are within a 10 minute drive/bus ride from campus. If you're looking for a small/medium size city, Pitt is perfect. Pitt is also one of the top 5 institutions for NIH funding in the country. The opportunities are nearly endless. I got included as an author on a paper that discovered the first ever treatment for a rare disease and literally didn't even have to try to seek it out while at CHP during undergrad and into my gap year. The project literally fell into my lap. That said, my vote definitely goes to Pitt. Take a look at their match lists. They're pretty beast. I would have chose to attend last year but my gf was from another part of the country so I chose another school -__-

 

[steaklover4]

South Oakland is cool for undergrad--definitely less ideal for a med student--but the good news is that there are a ton of other places to live. Pittsburgh is "a city of neighborhoods" as they say. Children's hospital is in lawerenceville, which is where I lived while working at CHP. It's much nicer and more of a town of young professionals than South O. Same with squirrel hill and Shadyside. All are within a 10 minute drive/bus ride from campus. If you're looking for a small/medium size city, Pitt is perfect. Pitt is also one of the top 5 institutions for NIH funding in the country. The opportunities are nearly endless. I got included as an author on a paper that discovered the first ever treatment for a rare disease and literally didn't even have to try to seek it out while at CHP during undergrad and into my gap year. The project literally fell into my lap. That said, my vote definitely goes to Pitt. Take a look at their match lists. They're pretty beast. I would have chose to attend last year but my gf was from another part of the country so I chose another school -__-

Thanks for the info! I have friends that went there for undergrad and seemed to enjoy it, I've never really considered though that it isn't a great area for grad students though. That's great to think about.

 

[deleted915325]

Thanks for the info! I have friends that went there for undergrad and seemed to enjoy it, I've never really considered though that it isn't a great area for grad students though. That's great to think about.

Yeah so I went to undergrad there and worked at children’s for a couple years postgrad. I was accepted to the medical school but chose another due to personal/family reasons. If you do attend, I wouldn’t recommend living in south O because it can be really loud with all the undergrads (although it would still be a fun place to spend the night after an exam). You can get some really good deals at nice places in the surrounding areas though (in the range of $500 per month). I don’t know how much time you’ve spent in Pittsburgh, but take a drive or walk through other parts of the city and see if you like it on second look day. It’s bacially a medium/big city, minus all the traffic, congestion, and rudeness, which makes it feel more like a small town IMO. Last year, the second look social was at a bar in Shadyside so that could be a start.

I can’t speak for the other schools on your list other than Jefferson or temple, but feel free to PM me about Pitt if you have any more questions.

 

[sunflower1921]

I really think Pitt and Pittsburgh itself will provide the small city atmosphere you are looking for. It's easy to feel that you're in a city there as well as a smaller area, best of both worlds. There are areas that definitely feel urban and then numerous neighborhoods and communities that feel smaller and more close knit. Especially with regard to considering your girlfriend, I think this is a great place. Not sure her career or hobbies but Pitt is large enough to be a good fit for a lot of things. Personally, UVA starts to feel small really fast and overwhelmingly a college town. With Pitt you have your college area vibe around Oakland but it's also a city in its own right. I do agree that south oakland houses are definitely for the undergrad community but as a student I can't really see that being a hindrance at all--just don't live there. The medical school is far enough removed that it truly shouldn't affect you as a student, I wouldn't let that be a con. I can't imagine that any medical students would live there anyway?? For real, don't let it deter you.

I have spent a lot of time in the area and at Pitt, feel free to send any questions my way. You're sitting in an awesome position with your choices and will absolutely be able to distinguish yourself at Pitt. I have particular experience with relationships in the area, felt compelled to make the case for this school particularly with regard to lifestyle + happiness for your gf.

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

You have a lot of great choices.
Your main consideration should be your debt/year, after you take into account grants/scholarships.
And making sure you and your gf will be happy with location.
Seems like UVA probably takes the cake, as long as financials work for you compared to the others.

 

[lalalallala]

Personally, UVA starts to feel small really fast and overwhelmingly a college town. With Pitt you have your college area vibe around Oakland but it's also a city in its own right. .

Living in Charlottesville and right in the midst of undergrad life is definitely something you need to be aware of. Some people like it. Others can't stand it and feel trapped in a small town. Either way think hard about if it's really you and whether you want 'a change of pace' or you and your gf truly want Cville for 4 years.

 

[steaklover4]

I really think Pitt and Pittsburgh itself will provide the small city atmosphere you are looking for. It's easy to feel that you're in a city there as well as a smaller area, best of both worlds. There are areas that definitely feel urban and then numerous neighborhoods and communities that feel smaller and more close knit. Especially with regard to considering your girlfriend, I think this is a great place. Not sure her career or hobbies but Pitt is large enough to be a good fit for a lot of things. Personally, UVA starts to feel small really fast and overwhelmingly a college town. With Pitt you have your college area vibe around Oakland but it's also a city in its own right. I do agree that south oakland houses are definitely for the undergrad community but as a student I can't really see that being a hindrance at all--just don't live there. The medical school is far enough removed that it truly shouldn't affect you as a student, I wouldn't let that be a con. I can't imagine that any medical students would live there anyway?? For real, don't let it deter you.

I have spent a lot of time in the area and at Pitt, feel free to send any questions my way. You're sitting in an awesome position with your choices and will absolutely be able to distinguish yourself at Pitt. I have particular experience with relationships in the area, felt compelled to make the case for this school particularly with regard to lifestyle + happiness for your gf.

That's great to hear! Honestly, a big question of mine is how much are typical housing costs for students in the areas that med students live? I only know of the costs in Oakland, but not really the rest of the city. Thanks for the awesome reply 🙂

 

[ScroogeMcDuckz]

OSU student so my opinion is (slightly) biased. We do a good job of matching people into competitive specialties - I think we matched 13/13 to ENT and 10/10 to Ortho last year, and OSUCOM is planning on rapidly expanding, hiring 500 new faculty and building a massive $2B 28 story hospital tower so it's reputation is also rising. I hope you can come to second look, because that's what sold me on OSU. I ended up turning down a 'higher ranked' school and even turned down a scholarship at another place. Feel free to message me if you have any questions!

Either way, with your options, you'll end up being successful, so congrats (future) doctor!

 

[Konkurro]

What'd you end up choosing!?