PLEASE HELP! SLU or CINCY?

[tinnyfluffy]

Dear SDNer,

I need to make this decision by tomorrow morning. Please let me know whether you'd attend St Louis University or Univeristy of Cincinnat for med school.

In terms of tuition, Cincy offers in-state tuition starting from 2nd year, which reduces the cost by $20k or so. SLU is private, so tuition will be around $40k for all 4 years. In terms of research, Cincy is ranked #41, and SLU #62.

I'm from California, so I'd like to come back for residency. It seems that SLU has more people placed back to Cali in the past years. I'd also appreciate personal inputs on other areas, such as the overall environment, student interactions, support from staff, etc.

Please help! Thanks so much!

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[tigress]

I'm sure people will have more info, but I'd be careful assuming that you'll get in-state tuition after a year. Most places you have to be a resident of the state for a full year but NOT attending school, or you have to buy property, or something like that, in order to get in-state tuition. If tuition is important to you, you might want to get more info on that.

Otherwise, sorry I don't know much about these schools. What was your impression of them when you went for interviews?

 

[jbm44]

Tough choice, but I'd say SLU because I know it has strong connections with Cali residencies. That is one of the major reasons why I chose SLU over Tulane, MCW and Creighton, I'm from Cali too. I didn't have the option of in-state tuition anywhere though, so that could be big.

The STL is a major hub for Southwest though so it is easy to get home to California, the student body is really easy going (compable to Tulane) and the school's board training seems to be really good.

Tuition is out of the water though, it is going to hurt.

 

[TysonCook]

It's easy as pie to get residency status at Cinci, and the money does matter in the end. Also don't forget that in NIH funding (which is more important that US news "rank") Cinci is around 15th.

I was in the same position, but when I did all the # crunching, it wasn't much of a choice.

Good luck!

 

[TysonCook]

All state schools have a "lower amt of people leaving" because it's in their nature to accept residents that live close. So for the case of Cincinnati, about 70% of the class is from the Ohio area, so it isn't surprising that most of them stay around here. As opposed to a private that doesn't have an in-state requirement, which will naturally have a large out-of-state contingent that will leave as they have no ties to the area. I have 3 roomates all from Cali, and all will be heading back with no problems

 

[SuzieQ3417]

I don't know anything about Cincinnati, but I know someone who went to SLU for medical school. She seemed to enjoy it a lot, but also said it was expensive, and gave me the advice that it doesn't really make a difference where you go, that it is the effort you put into it. (thus I think she was hinting that if I got into SLU and a comparable school that was cheaper, saving money is a good reason to pick one over the other) I am originally from St. Louis, and can tell you that SLU is not in the best part of town. My sister went there for her first year of undergrad, and someone got stabbed on the sidewalk outside of her dorm (granted the dorm was secured behind a tall fence, but still scary). I'm not sure where the med school is in relation to the rest of the campus, but safety would be a concern if it were me. I'm sure they offer security guard escorts or something if you need to walk to your car late at night, and it can't be any more dangerous than some other med schools (Hopkins in downtown Baltimore). I hope some of this helps you.

 

[tinnyfluffy]

Hi All!~

Thanks so much for your quick responses! they were very helpful indeed.

I think my biggest concern was for the residency placement, but it certainly makes sense that more people from cincy would wanna stay in-state after graduating. As long as there's a good chance of placing back to Cali, I won't worry much.

For those currently attending Cincy, do you know any good housing options? Do most people live within walking distance or do they drive? Please advise! Thanks so much!

 

[tinnyfluffy]

Hi All!~

Thanks so much for your quick responses! they were very helpful indeed.

I think my biggest concern was for the residency placement, but it certainly makes sense that more people from cincy would wanna stay in-state after graduating. As long as there's a good chance of placing back to Cali, I won't worry much.

For those currently attending Cincy, do you know any good housing options? Do most people live within walking distance or do they drive? Please advise! Thanks so much!

bump

 

[TysonCook]

This has been discussed, just run a search for Housing Cincinnati, cinci, cincy and it will pull up a good amount of details.
I'd say it's about 50/50 with people living near the school vs w/in 10 miles or so.

Glad it helps, but as always, decide on what school you enjoyed most. You will be there for the next 4 years, so it's gotta be what you like.