SLU vs. RFU?

[Superman Return]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if you had any thoughts regarding Saint Louis University versus Rosalind Franklin University. I have heard good things about SLU, but sketchy things about RFU.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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[Vizsla]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if you had any thoughts regarding Saint Louis University versus Rosalind Franklin University. I have heard good things about SLU, but sketchy things about RFU.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

RFU has a crappy reputation on SDN for some reason....the only faults i can find is that it has no affiliated hospital so its kinda ******ed that students basically end up moving into downtown chicago after their first two yrs. also ive heard they teach heavily to the boards(good or bad, ur opinion), which prob explains their good board scores and great match list....very expensive too

 

[nmnrraven]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if you had any thoughts regarding Saint Louis University versus Rosalind Franklin University. I have heard good things about SLU, but sketchy things about RFU.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

There have been many threads where people ask whether they should go to SLU or somewhere else. In most cases, I'd say go to SLU. In this case, i'd say go to SLU.

 

[paceac]

Not to hijack the thread but why is Saint Louis often viewed by SDN people as a back up school?

 

[nmnrraven]

Not to hijack the thread but why is Saint Louis often viewed by SDN people as a back up school?

Why? I have no idea. No such thing as a "backup" for medical schools. but SLU is better than RFU.

 

[NotAnMD]

Why? I have no idea. No such thing as a "backup" for medical schools. but SLU is better than RFU.

You seem to be familiar with SLU. Im headed there for an interview soon and I was wondering if you could tell me why you think its a good program. Like others have noted, SDN has given it a "mixed" review at best. Thanks.

Anyone can answer this, btw

 

[putamen]

its so weird how ppl say all these other schools are better than RFU, but then people in RFU end up being better in the long run... SLU isn't ranked or anything either

 

[Vizsla]

its so weird how ppl say all these other schools are better than RFU, but then people in RFU end up being better in the long run... SLU isn't ranked or anything either

by better in long run do you mean better match? i would agree that RFU has better match than SLU. I think SLU is ranked 61 or 62....

 

[gujuDoc]

RFU has some bad reputational reviews by some people because prior to last year, it was on probationary status. However, it officially off probation so I don't see any issue except that it is in the boonies whereas SLU is in St. Louis which has a lot to do.

That said, I don't think you could get a bad education from either.

Think of the following things when making your decision:

Compare your learning style to the set up of the curricula. Compare the match lists and the locations. Also, think about the financial costs and support systems. Where will you be the happiest in terms of these factors and others??

 

[Superman Return]

Thanks guys..

Its pretty hard to make a decision. Location wise, I like Chicago (the city) more than St. Louis. Looking at admissions statistics, SLU has higher average MCAT and GPA scores for students. Although its not a determining factor, its something to think about.

As for SLU, all I know is that it is a "ranked" school according to US News. I subscribed to the Graduate Schools information service offered by US News and found it helpful. New 2006-2007 Rankings and info will be available April 1st and I plan on subscribing again.

 

[Scalpellum]

I would go with SLU.

 

[-Goose-]

SLU.


IMO, this is a complete no-brainer. North chicago is awful, the class is outof-control huge, they have been placed on probation, and they have no affiliated hospitals... SLU is in a much better location (again, imho), has better facilities, better hospitals, better reputation, etc etc.


I am extremely biased against RFU based on my interview experience there. If you want more details feel free to pm me.

 

[NotAnMD]

HEY ALL,

So Im interviewing at SLU this week, I posted earlier but didn't really get a response. For those of you who know...

What are SLU's strengths?

 

[paceac]

One of them is their Clinical Skills Lab. The school has a great reputation amongst the doctors I have talked to.

 

[chintu]

I am a current MS2 at SLU and second all the previous posts. There are many good things SLU has to offer. Simulation lab is certainly one, we use that in a couple of basic sci courses and later in anesthesiology rotation and other electives in 3rd yr. The basic sci curriculum is organized really well...just 2 blocks at once in 1st year and only 1 block at a time in 2nd year. There is never more than 1 exam every two weeks so you get time to relax and stuff and most of the exams are arranged on fridays so you certainly get the weekend after the test off. Believe me you would really want it this way and I can't imagine any better way of organizing this. The teachers are really out there to help students in anyway they can and the deans are very friendly and cooperative. I can't really comment much on the clinicals at this point but all students interested in getting early clinical exposure either volunteer at student run Health resource center or Laclinica clinic. As for the city, I wasn't really impressed with stl during my interview but after coming here i've discovered that stl is really fun city with everything you'd want to do here. Lastly, the new research building at slu is on its way and probably finish by next spring. This is likely to recruit better researchers and hence bump up rankings by a few spots at least. Hope this helps.

 

[MDCali]

There have been many threads where people ask whether they should go to SLU or somewhere else. In most cases, I'd say go to SLU. In this case, i'd say go to SLU.

Hey I was wondering why you have a high opinion of SLU? I'm just curious to hear more specifics about the school. Thanks!

 

[MN81]

I like the small details. One of the details that I didn't like about SLU was that they don't have a note taking service, and my tour guide told me that some of their classes outside of the basic sciences (like the "how to be a doctor in today's society" classes) are kind of a joke. SLU is in a rough neighborhood too. Outside of downtown aint bad.

I liked the fact that they are building a research building on the scale of the Tower of Babel.

 

[DrHuang]

One of the details that I didn't like about SLU was that they don't have a note taking service

now THAT is a major bummer because that means im going to hafta goto class >_<

and my tour guide told me that some of their classes outside of the basic sciences (like the "how to be a doctor in today's society" classes) are kind of a joke.

heh, every med school has the BS classes 😛

 

[registered user]

Anybody wanna compare Drexel and SLU? Especially research opportunities? My gut tells me SLU would be better, but I'd like other's opinions. Anybody else have to make/possibly make this decision?

 

[MN81]

Anybody wanna compare Drexel and SLU? Especially research opportunities? My gut tells me SLU would be better, but I'd like other's opinions. Anybody else have to make/possibly make this decision?

New Thread this.

 

[DrHuang]

Anybody wanna compare Drexel and SLU? Especially research opportunities? My gut tells me SLU would be better, but I'd like other's opinions. Anybody else have to make/possibly make this decision?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=62978&highlight=SLU
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=62978&highlight=SLU
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=83443&highlight=SLU
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=87701&highlight=SLU

 

[Mperor]

I would consider the following:
1)Money
2)Match
3)Location

1) If one school is much cheaper then the other then that would play very heavily on my decision.
2) Match list is probably the most important thing. If you want to get into a specific program, you would want to attend the school that has the best chance of getting you into that program. RFU matched more competitive residencies then SLU. So regardless of former probationary status (for economic reasons, not academic) or how they teach to the boards (IMO RFU doesn't tailor classes specificly to the board exams) if one matches better for the program you like, or the hospital or region of the country you like, that would weigh heavily.
3) Location. Least important of the 3 but if one school is right near your family or SO, you might want to consider that over the other. I wouldnt put a lot of emphasis on climate or quality of surroundings since a study carel in Miami looks exactly like a study carel in Alaska, and thats where you are going to spend most of your time.