Price Difference

[ThisPakistani]

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So I'm a NoVA resident deciding between GWU and VCU. VCU's tuition is around 27K a year and with room and board it's probably around 40K.

GWU is 50 K and with room and board probably 60K (I'll be able to find cheaper housing because I know a lot of people around this area).

I really like GW, and looking at match lists from previous years, it looks as if I'd have a better chance of matching into Derm if I went here rather than VCU.

Is the price difference worth it to go to VCU? Or will I regret being stingy with my money once I'm a physician?

 

[LostInPreMed]

It may be tough to get a legit answer around here based on the type of question you are asking. Most people are worried about getting into a medical school and you are worried about 20K and which school you should select.

Either way, you are probably going to have to take out loans, right? Go where you want to go, where you are going to be happy and figure out the money part of it when it comes. Personally, I don't thinkK is a small amount of money, sao if I'm already spending a fortune to get into school,. why not spend it where I am going to be happy?

 

[deleted346323]

Dude, go to VCU. GW is not worth the cost IMO. Dermatology is hard for anyone to match into from any school. Doing well in school and Step 1 and getting some research under your belt should be your main concerns if you want to get into a competitive specialty.

 

[sworzeh]

These forums are inhabited by a bunch of cheap people. You know which one we will point you towards.

In reality, go wherever you want.

 

[235788]

vcu > gw; if it were georgetown it would be a whole different story.

 

[Stumpyman]

vcu > gw; if it were georgetown it would be a whole different story.

The whole different story being vcu>>>>>gtown



😀

 

[theWUbear]

the whole different story being vcu>>>>>gtown

+1

 

[mmmcdowe]

Moving to School Specific Forum.

 

[MedBound1]

I think the price difference is close enough to say "Go where you will be happiest", whether it be program differences or just 'I've always wanted to live in DC!'...

However, keep in mind that the 80k difference over 4 years will grow to nearly double that by the time you finish paying off the interest. So many would say VCU for money sake, which is a really solid argument considering the schools reputations are pretty similar.

 

[Slack3r]

I would also choose VCU over GW.

That said, don't let cost hold you back from a school you'd like to attend. I turned down $16k tuition for $40k because of personal reasons.

 

[Alejandro]

administration-wise, VCU will be better. GWU is developing a not-so-good reputation with its history of probation, med student tuition used for the for-profit hospital, etc. I think being in DC is overrated. Go to the place where they will take care of its students.

 

[RedSox10]

I chose my state school over GW, so I'd tell you to do the same and I couldnt be happier with the decision. GW does have a good match list but the reality is that you get from Med School what you make of it. Every day there are people matching to Harvard from unranked schools (or, worse yet (lol) DO schools!). The point is that if you do well in your classes, get a good step 1 score you'll be okay. As for Derm, no school unless a top 10 will make that any easier to get into (if that).