pLease help: may15 COMING!!

[kyauna80]

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Dear fellow future MD's.. I have a dilemma. I did not expect to be accepted to 6 medical schools. I have narrowed down to three UPitt, Robert Wood Johnson (state school for me) and Case Western (University Program). I am losing sleep every night because of this decision. Here's how I feel about each: 1. UPitt- good reputation, nice facilities,summer prep program supportive faculty, cool students, Pittsburgh is livable. BUT no financial aid awarded exept loans (57,000 ayear) and far from family. 2. RWJ- good rep (at least in NJ), close to home (i have a 2yr relationship withb/f here),summer prep program(they pay $4000 to attend summer program) pay for MPH BUT all loans, housing adds extra 12000 to tab (38,000 or more/yr),family issues at home may be distraction, H/HP/P/LP/F grading. 3. Case Western: cleveland is cool,love the curriculum, people are very nice, supportive faculty, have history with school (did summer program there), financial aid was good (gave a scholarship for $10,000), affordable housing BUT No summer program (ihaven't taken biochemistry,scared I maybe underprepared), far from home, COLD.

If you have any advice I'd appreciate it. I actaully love Case because the school has done a lot for me. But I am so nervous about school (performance, rigourous, stress, difficulty and money) I wonder if I should just stay home. Upitt seems to be a good alternate since its like Case in curriculum, closer to home BUT THE MOST expensive.

PLEASE HELP.

 

[TRUE]

I'm not sure what the point of these threads is. What help do you want from us? It's YOUR decision to make. If it were completely up to me, I'd choose Pitt. Then again, I'm not you. I will not pay YOUR bills. I will not live YOUR life.

Sometimes in life, you have to make decisions for yourself, and this is one of them. You're going to let random people on SDN influence your decision?

 

[lola]

the fact that you haven't taken biochemistry shouldn't scare you away from going to a school without a summer program. lots and lots of people have not taken biochemistry and do just fine in it their first year. it is true that it may be harder for you than others, but that does not mean you won't do well.
my best advice is to go with your gut.

 

[Indebt4Life]

Facted,
That was not nice! 🙁 She is a fellow SDN er and wants advice. My only piece of advice is to not base your decision on your boyfriend unless you guys are getting married or have been together for a very long time. I was going to base my decision on my boyfriend of 3 years and we broke up six months ago. **** happens. You have to look out for yourself first.

 

[MNgrrl]

the fact that you haven't taken biochemistry shouldn't scare you away from going to a school without a summer program. lots and lots of people have not taken biochemistry and do just fine in it their first year. it is true that it may be harder for you than others, but that does not mean you won't do well.
my best advice is to go with your gut.

I second this - seriously, if you have acceptances to 6 (!) schools, I have no doubt that you will do just fine and you probably don't need the summer program! Gosh, I wish I even had 6 interviews - congrats!

 

[Lochmoor]

Just curious, where do you live? If you live near New York/Newark, then Pitt really isnt that far, only 6 hours drive to NYC. And Case in Cleavland? You can probably get fairly cheap tickets back to new york. (And with gas prices so high, you might be saving money by flying)

I dont know much about those 3 schools other than their reputation, but one thing that is quite nice is a P/F cirriculum at least for 1 semester. It gives you a chance to get into the groove of med school and it helps to build a community of students rather than a shootout.

Also, you have to think about what and where you want to practice medicine. IE primary care vs specialty, private practice vs academic medicine

Pitt and Case will provide better opprotunities for specialty and academic. If you want to do prim and private, I dont think it will affect you as much.

Congratulations and best of luck.

 

[Sean2tall]

I don't know much about RWJ, but I believe Pitt and Case to be pretty comparable (I am on both of their waiting lists!). The curricula seem interesting and they both have good research and reputations. From what I understand it seems like Case would be cheaper for you, but Pitt would be closer to home? So in order to choose between those two, I would say which is more important, the closeness to home or the price? Neither would be a monstrous drive. . it's a tough call. All in all, the two cities are really similar! This really does sounds like a tough choice, best luck!



Oh and try not to lose too much sleep, it sounds like you will do awesome wherever you go!

 

[kyauna80]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Pleae keep it coming. If you have any advice about comparing rankings and the biochemistry issue that would be helpful too. Where do Pitt and Case compare. They are so similar? Has anyone heard good things about RWJ outside NJ??????

 

[Jamaican MD]

Decisions decisions! I think you did the right thing by listing the pros and cons for each school. Now you have to figure out what are the "pros" that you cannot live without (and vice versa what the biggest "con" is that you can NOT deal with).

Based on what you've listed, I would go with Case. If you're that concerned about not being prepared for biochem, you could get and head start and review the stuff on your own. Or (and I do NOT recommend this) take an undergrad level biochem class (perhaps at a community college to cut down on expense). Like a previous poster said, you've obviously been doing something right with getting 6 acceptances. So you probably don't even need the prep program. Best of luck!

 

[exmike]

I a little biased b/c I'm almost surely going to Case.

Some may say Pitt has a better reputation - it may be - but I dont think the difference is enough to make it a major factor in your decision. Especially given the large price differential between the two schools for you I think Case is probably a better option.

I dont think you need to worry about biochem, youll do fine in it in med school. There are a lot of people who go to med school w/o biochem that did perfectly fine.

In terms of RWJ, I'm not too familiar with it b/c I am from California. I can tell you that I had heard of case and pitt before, but never RWJ while I was out there. I think it has a great regional reputation, but its not a research powerhouse like Case and Pitt, and thus its less prominent national reputation. It doesnt seem like RWJ is that much cheaper than Case in your situation (38k vs 43K right?).

In terms of your personal relationships, only you can decide what is most important. Personally I'm turning down a spot in CA (where my gf of 1.5 yrs is) to go to Case. Ohio really isnt that far from NJ if you think about it though, and neither is Pennsylvania!

After going through a year of non-organ based curriculum, i am SO LOOKING FORWARD to going to Case w/ its organ based curriculum. You wont know what frustrating is until you have an embryologist, a physiologist, and a neuroanatomist teach you the exact same thing three different times, three different ways, three months apart. Its infuriating! /rant

Ooops, im digressing. You have three great choices, and you'll be very well off wherever you go!

edit: I'm not sure about RWJ"s MPH program, but if you are seroius about the MPH, i would recommend you do it between your MS2 and MS3 years, or after you graduate at a program like Hopkins or Harvard. I dont think RWJ is accredited by the APHSA.

 

[kyauna80]

You guys are so nice. Mike, maybe I'll see you at Case in the fall. I have a good feeling about it in my gut, although I will miss my BF. Any advice about the relationship issue? What are you gonna do about GF? Iwill post my decision ASAP.

 

[exmike]

You guys are so nice. Mike, maybe I'll see you at Case in the fall. I have a good feeling about it in my gut, although I will miss my BF. Any advice about the relationship issue? What are you gonna do about GF? Iwill post my decision ASAP.

Well, my GF has to choose a law school to go to, so in the decision was pretty easy for us, we both needed to go where we thought we could further our careers the most rather than make a decision based on the other person and regret it forever. We both felt like we had a strong enough relationship to make it work long distance (and is has been working - although not w/o difficult moments). We also felt that if it is meant to be, then it'll just work out. Fate, I guess?

 

[TRUE]

Facted,
That was not nice! 🙁 She is a fellow SDN er and wants advice.

The facts still stand: It's her decision, not ours. When people make these posts, it's almost as if they want you to decide for them.

 

[kyauna80]

The facts still stand: It's her decision, not ours. When people make these posts, it's almost as if they want you to decide for them.

Facted, although you seemed kinda crass, you are right its my decision. But I don't mind bouncing the idea around with others who will also spend 4yrs in intense study. No one can make the decision but me, like any other CHOICES in life. But the forum is for advice and communication... I must take advantage. Sorry if this thread annoys you, I just want to make a good decision. GOod luck at Mount Sinai.

 

[greggth]

I interviewed at Case and Robert Wood Johnson. I liked Case better.

 

[TRUE]

Facted, although you seemed kinda crass, you are right its my decision. But I don't mind bouncing the idea around with others who will also spend 4yrs in intense study. No one can make the decision but me, like any other CHOICES in life. But the forum is for advice and communication... I must take advantage. Sorry if this thread annoys you, I just want to make a good decision. GOod luck at Mount Sinai.

I'm sorry if I seem crass, but none of us know how much each of the variables you mentioned in your original post really matter to you. How am I going to know if staying close to home is more important than taking out loans or staying near friends? The weight you put on those things is something only you can do. Regardless, good luck at whichever school you choose.

 

[jlee9531]

the fact that you said cleveland was cool just points out you might actually like the place. go case. from what you wrote its kinda obvious you like that place the best. for the most part you can always tell how a person is feeling about something through their writing.

go to case. you might meet mike. mike is a nice guy. he takes short cute girls and boxes them up. 😉.

 

[Zweihander]

Go to the school you love. Med school is a tough ride, and it can be a bit much for most people at least some of the time. If you can at least enjoy the setting, it will do wonders for you. Never make a decision about which school to go to over money -- the point of money is, after all, to get you things that make you happy.

 

[duncanparkerfan]

Hi! I was in the same position two weeks ago! It was so hard to decide between Case and Pitt, because they both are great schools! I finally chose Case, for its P/F, cirruculum, really nice and easy going people, etc., but more importantly, I just followed my gut feeling! I never took Biochem, but I'm not that worried about it, so we're in the same boat. We may have to work harder, but I think the P/F might help a little bit, psychological wise...

 

[exmike]

oh yeah, you get join the very very exclusive "Office Case Western Thread" list. We already have more than 10% of next years class either intended or very likely to attend in the thread! I added you duncanparkerfan.

 

[Zweihander]

Hi! I was in the same position two weeks ago! It was so hard to decide between Case and Pitt, because they both are great schools! I finally chose Case, for its P/F, cirruculum, really nice and easy going people, etc., but more importantly, I just followed my gut feeling! I never took Biochem, but I'm not that worried about it, so we're in the same boat. We may have to work harder, but I think the P/F might help a little bit, psychological wise...

I never saw a lick of biochemistry either before med school. Don't worry, you guys will be fine.

When the time comes, just remember:
Can I Kindly Sell Sex For Money, Officer?



😎

 

[duncanparkerfan]

oh yeah, you get join the very very exclusive "Office Case Western Thread" list. We already have more than 10% of next years class either intended or very likely to attend in the thread! I added you duncanparkerfan.

Thanks exmike! 🙂 Feels good to be officially included! 😀

 

[SoulRFlare]

I never took Biochem, but I'm not that worried about it, so we're in the same boat. We may have to work harder, but I think the P/F might help a little bit, psychological wise...

Speaking of Biochem, I'd better go study for my exam 🙁
It's not that difficult, but it's a lot of memorization--the trick is to keep from mixing up similarly named enzymes--that's what makes the reading most challenging.

 

[Mr.Tweed]

phosphorylase, phosphorylase kinase, cAMP dependent protein kinase, phosphoprotein phospatase.

you've gotta love biochemistry

 

[Mr Reddly]

6 days left...

 

[OldLady]

I am going to flip a coin, this OP should use a D&D die and just roll....

 

[supereagles]

I am going to flip a coin, this OP should use a D&D die and just roll....

Amen to that. For me, it might sadly come to that 😳

 

[Mr Reddly]

5 days left...

 

[Mr Reddly]

4 days left...

 

[CalBeE]

4 days left...

Mr. Rad, thaaaanks for reminding all of us how little time we have when most of us are stressing over an important decision! 😉

 

[Mr Reddly]

Any time my friend... any time. 😛
I actually do feel lucky not to be in your shoes (in a sick and twisted way seeing as how I'm on 4 WLs) as I was in that position for grad school. I chose poorly back then so I know how you feel.

 

[CalBeE]

Any time my friend... any time. 😛
I actually do feel lucky not to be in your shoes (in a sick and twisted way seeing as how I'm on 4 WLs) as I was in that position for grad school. I chose poorly back then so I know how you feel.

I withdrew from all schools but one pretty prematurely (at least in retrospect)...so I already knew where I'm picking back in March. It just sucks for people who haven't made the decision yet.

BTW, Anyone holding a Pritzker, Feinberg, or P&S spot, give it up now!!

 

[Mr Reddly]

Hey! I said I was sorry to the OldLady there! 😉 (good luck on the coin flip BTW)
But OK,OK. I'll stop.

 

[OldLady]

Hey! I said I was sorry to the OldLady there! 😉 (good luck on the coin flip BTW)
But OK,OK. I'll stop.

Yeah I know exactly how much time I have, been talking to both Deans daily with all sorts of questions. I turned down Davis- the later interviews all gave me waitlists which I am treating like rejections since U of AZ starts so early, and if I choose Pritzker I ain't ditching them for anyone last minute. CalBee, what's the word? I am sending positive thoughts your way, will def let you know if I turn down Pritzker. PM me and I can tell you more specifics about my second look. Have you heard back from Sylvia?