SLU vs. Loyola vs. EVMS vs. Wayne St - please help!

[aspiringphysician190]

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Hi SDN community, I am very fortunate to be deciding between multiple schools and think all of these are wonderful institutions - therefore, I am having a very tough time deciding. I would really appreciate some SDN insight. Thank you in advance.

Background: Potentially interested in a competitive speciality but really not sure - want to keep my options open. I am very interested in global health opportunities and working with diverse patient populations. I am looking for a school with a supportive, lowest amount of stress as possible, collaborative student body.

All of these schools seem solid, with solid match lists. Is there really much of a difference In their rankings or are they pretty much all middle-tier?

I am pretty into rock climbing and would be very stoked to be somewhere near a robust climbing community (gyms and outdoor crags semi-nearby). I am really into any outdoor activity in general (skiing, hiking, climbing, etc) and would love to be in a place that offers these opportunities near or semi-nearby.

I also believe that all 4 do not require lecture attendance.. which is a pro for me.

SLU

Pros
-true P/F
-1.5 + 2.5 curriculum, begin clinicals earlier

Cons
-undesirable location ?
-frequent exams, some of the students said this can get pretty stressful
-accreditation issue ?

Loyola

Pros
-P/F (not sure if there are rankings?!)
-nice campus
-global health opportunities
-really liked my interview day

Cons
-high COL, COA
-suburbs of Chicago ? worried about the experience I would have being in the burbs as I like living in a more city type feel
-colder weather

EVMS

Pros
-loved interview day, felt an instant connection
-global health opportunities
-location - by the water ! not too far from some good hiking spots
-supportive atmosphere
-true P/F - no rank?

Cons
-higher COA
-slightly lower rank?
-not as diverse?
-Love EVMS a lot.- basically worried about the cost and lower ranking if that even matters much

Wayne

Pros
-in-state tuition (would probably save me 100k over the other 3 schools - don't have any financial aid info from other schools yet but I will not qualify for any need-based aid)
-diverse patient populations

Cons
-large class size of around 300
-about half of the class seems to match in the state of MI (I do not want to stay in the state of MI post medical school)
-not true p/f (there are honors and I believe class rank)
-colder weather
-seems like Wayne and DMC are on rocky terms
-current students have told me mild problems with admin (clinical scheduling issues)

any/all feedback is appreciated. thank you!!!

 

[TabbyTuxy]

Disclaimer: WL'd at WSU and EVMS.

As someone from the area, I can say that WSU isn't super great for nature hobbies for outdoor enthusiasts. It's close enough to spots for a casual hike, but it sounds like it would be underwhelming for you. Decent ski hills are over 3hrs away. I like backpacking, backcountry anything, skiing/boarding, and climbing and wish I was in a better place for that. However, the city of Detroit itself is amazing. Airport is really convenient with good flights, community is diverse with a lot of need for underserved communities.

Re: match list, I think it is pretty self-selecting. WSU is very established and inexpensive in-state, making it a choice destination for many Michigan residents who want to stay in the area for medical school and beyond.

EVMS would be in a really beautiful area in terms of outdoors activities! A short drive could take you to more beautiful and rugged places than a similar drive from Detroit.

Don't know as much about SLU.

I fee that these programs are similarly prestigious for the most part. I don't think one would give you a huge edge. They're all solidly mid-tier at I feel at this point it's about where you will be happiest. Sounds like EVMS would be somewhere you'd stay active and engaged in hobbies, and also be able to pursue global health interests. I personally perform best where I feel most free to pursue my passions, and that's reflected in my work. If you're similar, EVMS may be the best fit.

 

[aspiringphysician190]

Disclaimer: WL'd at WSU and EVMS.

As someone from the area, I can say that WSU isn't super great for nature hobbies for outdoor enthusiasts. It's close enough to spots for a casual hike, but it sounds like it would be underwhelming for you. Decent ski hills are over 3hrs away. I like backpacking, backcountry anything, skiing/boarding, and climbing and wish I was in a better place for that. However, the city of Detroit itself is amazing. Airport is really convenient with good flights, community is diverse with a lot of need for underserved communities.

Re: match list, I think it is pretty self-selecting. WSU is very established and inexpensive in-state, making it a choice destination for many Michigan residents who want to stay in the area for medical school and beyond.

EVMS would be in a really beautiful area in terms of outdoors activities! A short drive could take you to more beautiful and rugged places than a similar drive from Detroit.

Don't know as much about SLU.

I fee that these programs are similarly prestigious for the most part. I don't think one would give you a huge edge. They're all solidly mid-tier at I feel at this point it's about where you will be happiest. Sounds like EVMS would be somewhere you'd stay active and engaged in hobbies, and also be able to pursue global health interests. I personally perform best where I feel most free to pursue my passions, and that's reflected in my work. If you're similar, EVMS may be the best fit.

Thank you so so much for your thoughtful response. I agree with you on basically all accounts. Basically weighing that price tag of EVMS. But I do think it would be a better fit for me! Good luck with the rest of your cycle!!

 

[m1redsox]

These schools are all decent mid-tier institutions, and with that in mind, it's usually best to choose the cheapest or closest to home. In that case, Wayne State wins on both accounts (assuming that since you are IS, you probably have family nearby). I agree that EVMS would be cool, but is "cool" worth $100k in up-front money? More like $140k after interest accrues for a decade? I don't really think so. If you end up in primary care, you might regret that decision for a longg time.

Keep in mind that WSU's Michigan-heavy match list is probably selection bias. Since it is a public school, ~200/270 students probably want to stay in MI for residency because it is home for them. I don't think WSU will necessarily limit your ability to go elsewhere for residency.

 

[Talldoctor96]

Here are my thoughts:

EVMS is a wonderful school, but it is a lower tier MD school and Im not sure I would pay all that money if you are OOS for EVMS. DOESN't have the best reputation.

Between SLU and LOYOLA.... just very very different. I go to loyola and we have a more traditional curriculum. I would also add that 25 percent of our class lives in the city and were about 20 min drive from down town. Not as far out as you might think.

While loyola has a high cost of attending, the cost of living is very very low. I pay 625 for rent and groceries are dirt cheap here.

Loyola is True P/F with an internal ranking.

SLU and LOYOLA are both very good schools and im sure you'd be happy at either. I would think about location, and the differences in the curriculum.

And I would skip on EVMS as an out of state student. Take a look at residency director rankings if ya dont believe me.

 

[bigdbron]

I'm in a similar situation to you.
From what you've written, its seems like your heart is with EVMS. I'd pick that unless the COA is something you can't justify. I feel like the "vibe" part is incredibly important and I feel that rank amongst these schools isn't significant whatsoever.

It probably has the safest and best outdoor activities imo.