Sinai vs. UCLA...Just got off the waitlist

[Lakers4in5]

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I was very lucky this morning to make it off the waitlist at UCLA. For the last 6 months I have been planning to go to Sinai. I'm torn right now between the two but I know that I'm lucky to have this decision. I'm originally from LA and went to UCLA for undergrad. I feel as though this would be the perfect chance to explore another city (New York). I know however that UCLA is ranked higher (for all thats worth) and would put me in a better position to get a california residency. I know that for sure I want to try my hardest to be back in california for residency. How much of an advantage would ucla give me over sinai as far as residency placement in california. Is that something to consider?

I know this will ultimately be a personal decision, but I still want to know what you guys think.

BTW: As far as costs go, after the tuition increase and after financial aid, the costs of the schools are very similar therefore making it a negligible factor for me.

Thanks guys in advance for your input.

 

[Medikit]

It will be easier for you to watch the Lakers suck it up from New York City.

 

[samurai_lincoln]

I know however that UCLA is ranked higher (for all thats worth) and would put me in a better position to get a california residency. I know that for sure I want to try my hardest to be back in california for residency. How much of an advantage would ucla give me over sinai as far as residency placement in california. Is that something to consider?

I think you answered your own question right there. Not that landing a CA residency is impossible from MSSM, but why make it harder on yourself?

Don't forget about cost of living while comparing costs. While LA housing is no picnic, NYC is in a different stratosphere altogether.

 

[Jalby]

If your goal is to get a good residency in California, the only school better for doing that than UCLA would be UCSF. Remember, there are plenty of people who don't have the choice of staying in California who you would be fighting with to get back to Califronia.

 

[TheFlash]

MSSM is an amazing school, but if you want a residency in Cali, definitely go to UCLA. It's a powerhouse institution with lots of networking potential at the various California hospitals.

 

[calcrew14]

I was very lucky this morning to make it off the waitlist at UCLA....................I'm torn right now between the two but I know that I'm lucky to have this decision. QUOTE]

You are trying too hard to say that you pick UCLA, right? No need to answer. Congrats either way. 👍

 

[greggth]

1. It would be more "natural" for you to go to UCLA, as it is in your home state, (supposedly) near family, etc.

2. UCLA is ranked higher. A lot higher.

3. Practical advice: look at the match lists for the past THREE years or more (2002, 2003, and 2004) and see where the graduates go. Make an Excel spreadsheet of it. Go to the place where the match list most resembles what you want. Also check out the alumni magazines and see what the graduates of these schools are doing 10 or 20 years down the road.

 

[KNightInBlue]

1. It would be more "natural" for you to go to UCLA, as it is in your home state, (supposedly) near family, etc.

2. UCLA is ranked higher. A lot higher.

3. Practical advice: look at the match lists for the past THREE years or more (2002, 2003, and 2004) and see where the graduates go. Make an Excel spreadsheet of it. Go to the place where the match list most resembles what you want. Also check out the alumni magazines and see what the graduates of these schools are doing 10 or 20 years down the road.

4. Also try going to the allo forum and talk to med students who go to these schools. They would know about ppl who ended in CA for residencies. Try also the 'Graduate Medical Forums' on this site. You can talk to actual residents and see whats what.

All in all, I vote for UCLA also.......if you want to do your residency in CA, it makes sense to make connections there.....

 

[footcramp]

if you don't go to ucla you are a FOOL with a MENTAL DISEASE!

 

[Jalby]

There is a lot of ADD going around nowadays.

 

[exmike]

if you don't go to ucla you are a FOOL with a MENTAL DISEASE!

well put.

 

[Medikit]

well put.

not if he actually is a fool with a mental disease. Then it is hurtful and ill timed. 🙁 🙁 🙁

 

[willthatsall]

I can see how it is kind of hard to look at it when you have been planning on going to MSSM for 6 months, but if you step back and look at it there really is no decision to be made. It's too easy. Unless you are totally in love with MSSM or you have other factors that you haven't divulged, it has to be UCLA.

 

[uclacrewdude]

if you don't go to ucla you are a FOOL with a MENTAL DISEASE!

i agree with this, but i dont think its something you can know without having lived in another part of the country for any length of time. though i was forced to go to temple and woulda gone to ucla if possible, its good to have lived in another part of the country for one huge reason: PERSPECTIVE. you think people from behind the Orange Curtain are conservative? you aint seen nothing till you talk to anyone from Penntucky. this will make you way more competent to see patients ... plus, if not now, then when are you going to be able to live in other parts of the country without a permanent sentence to living there?

generally everyone at temple from california who wanted to go back to cali matched back to cali -- i know b/c i talked to some of them who didnt go back to cali, and they said they didnt particularly miss it. being a california resident and having a california history, while not as good as also going to medical school at UCLA also, helps a lot, since you have a bonefied reason to go back.

 

[Lakers4in5]

I appreciate the input guys.

 

[docmemi]

if you don't go to ucla you are a FOOL with a MENTAL DISEASE!

yessssssssssss.

 

[Arginine]

PM me if you have any specific questions about UCLA.

 

[pjv2410]

Well, I guess I'll be the lone voice of dissent here. Kind of. I also went to UCLA as an undergrad and had a great time there. After graduation I moved to New York to do a post-bacc program at Columbia. I'm starting med school at Sinai this year.

If you're curious about living somewhere else, now may be the last chance you get. You mention that you definitely want to return to California for residency, so I'm assuming you plan to have your career there as well. I think it's true that UCLA gives you a better chance of getting a CA residency. But, Sinai has had GREAT matches the last several years, and they're only getting better. I don't think that attending MSSM will significantly hurt your chances.

Also, in my personal opinion, New York is the greatest place in the world. I grew up in California and went to college there, but once I moved to NY I knew that I would never ever go back. I just like the east coast so much better. I will say, however, that in my experience I am somewhat of an anomaly. Most Californians I know do prefer to move back eventually.

So, I guess what I'm saying is go wherever your gut tells you to go. Having had both the UCLA and NY experiences, I know that I overwhelmingly prefer NY, regardless of the reputation of any CA school. But the east coast can be hard to adjust to.

Either way, you'll go to a great school and get a great education. It's a tough choice that many people would be envious of.

 

[CalBeE]

UCLA's Hospital has strong reputation in lots of specialties...that'll become useful when you apply for residencies. However, I also feel the same way about moving to a different place to experience something new. I just visited NYC and I liked it...it's dirtier, crowder, and older than L.A., but it has an urban setting unmatched by any Cali city.

 

[littlecorn]

UCLA's Hospital has strong reputation in lots of specialties...that'll become useful when you apply for residencies. However, I also feel the same way about moving to a different place to experience something new. I just visited NYC and I liked it...it's dirtier, crowder, and older than L.A., but it has an urban setting unmatched by any Cali city.

I think if the only reason you are going to one school over another is to live in the city of one school, it is a novelty that will wear off. You are there to go to school and to learn and to get yourself to where you want to be in the future. What is around you is important, yes, but if you are not happy with the fundamental reason why you are there in the first place, you won't be happy period and NYC ALONE isn't going to make you happy if you are constantly worried about whether you can get back to Cali.

I do, however, agree that it is important to experience new cities and cultures to gain perspective. How about harmonizing it by doing electives abroad and/or summer research positions on the east coast? I don't know but I can only imagine that a school as highly ranked as UCLA offers those kinds of opportunities and that their students are eagerly accepted and invited anywhere they choose.

Remember, med school is what you make of it. If you want different experiences, you can definitely seek them out.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[calcrew14]

I think if the only reason you are going to one school over another is to live in the city of one school, it is a novelty that will wear off.

If you want different experiences, you can definitely seek them out.

👍 It's who your are (or are going to be with) in those long winter nights (and days too.) So the difference in weather may count a lot. Everyone should make sure that he enjoys cold and snowy winter there in the Northeast or Midwest.