UAB vs UVA

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UVA vs UAB

Interested in Psych, EM, or maybe ophtho, hope to do residency somewhere not the South

UVA Pros

1. 1.5 year preclinical
2. True P/F preclinical and P/F after core clerkships
3. Flex-testing (take tests whenever on the weekends and can take them home)
4. Really close to the outdoors, which is a big plus for me
5. Matches better and across the country compared to UAB
6. Known reputation for having happy students (hard for me to judge because I can't go to second look)
7. Really vibed with my interviewers and the other interviewees/student hosts here. Everyone seemed really happy
8. Higher Step 1 average and ranking than UAB (not a huge consideration)

UVA Cons

1. Charlottesville felt a little small--I went to a college town for undergrad, and was a little bit disappointed in the lack of things to do, wondering if it will be the same (might not be the biggest deal b/c Richmond and Washington DC are fairly close)
2. Slightly more expensive estimated CoA after generous need-based scholarship (230k)
3. Further away from family and friends.

UAB Pros

1. I'm from Birmingham and a large portion of my friends from undergrad and high school will go here, which means a lot more support.
2. Cheaper than UVA (190k estimated CoA)
3. From what I remember, better facilities and a larger teaching hospital than UVA.
4. Opportunity to live in a mid-sized city and the opportunities that that affords.

UAB Cons

1. H/P/F for a 2 year long preclinical
2. Doesn't match nearly as well as UVA--mainly community programs and academic centers across the Southeast
3. Would have to live at home M1 year before moving out

 

[libertyyne]

Residency somewhere not in the south= UVA.

 

[CarpeDiem1993]

UVA hands down. Much stronger national reputation, much better match list, and pass/fail. Congrats on these fantastic acceptances btw!

 

[lalalallala]

Where you go for residency will depend on how you do - not the reputation difference between UAB and UVA which isnt as large as you think it is. I would go with the less money and more support system route hands down. If you didn't like living in a college town for UG then you won't like Charlottesville - no reason to foul yourself. I personally like Charlottesville but many people who I know there don't. DC is 2.5 hours away - not that close really

 

[puahate]

UVA