UC Irvine, Medical College of Wisconsin, and George Washington

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B

BlackPuma

Can anyone belonging to these schools, highlight the positive and negative points?

may 15th is around the corner and I have to chose...
thanks so much

I appreciate it

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<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> *mock horror* <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> you put Downstate over Upstate? j/k :D

Other than that I have nothing meaningful to contribute :wink: . I thought there were a good amount of people from MCW who post.
 
I'm one of the MCW people. Can't tell you much about the other schools, but can tell you about MCW.

Positives:

Good academic reputation. Was #50 on the research schools list last year, fell off this year despite dramatic increase in research money.

First two years very flexible schedule. Not as many hours of class as some schools. Block exams every month are a real positive according to everyone I know in my class. This gives you time off from studying for a week or two after the exams with plenty of time to catch up and do well. If you learn better by reading than lecture, MCW is great with an awesome note system run by the students. You can pick and choose if you want to go to class or not.

Anatomy, neuroscience, pharm, most of pathology classes are very well taught with great professors who are very helpful.

Big class (200) lets you find your niche of friends that share your interests so that you can enjoy your time in school

People generally do well on USMLE Step I (don't know averages).

Clincal education is just as strong as bigger cities like NYC because our hospital is basically the only tertiary care hospital and Level 1 trauma center for all of Southeastern Wisconsin (Population base about 2 million).

If desired, can rotate at private hospitals around town to get a different view of medicine.

Lots of Californians means that residency programs in Cali have heard of the school and you have a good chance of going back there if you want to.

Great matches, especially at midwest programs where the school has a good reputation. Especially strong specialties include Pediatrics (awesome Children's Hospital) and anesthesia (top 10 program). Others specialties also strong (med, surg, radiology, OB/GYN).

NEGATIVES:
A portion of preclinical profs seem to lecture too much on their research interests.

Its really cold for 3-4 months out of the year.

Milwaukee is a smaller city than some of the other programs, but it kinda grows on you after a while.

Traditional preclinical curriculum with a few PBLs and the rest lectures, not organ system based.

Thats about it from me. Congrats on having choice of where to go and good luck.
 
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•••quote:•••Originally posted by guardian:
• <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> *mock horror* <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> you put Downstate over Upstate? j/k :D

Other than that I have nothing meaningful to contribute :wink: . I thought there were a good amount of people from MCW who post.•••••upstate was way too cold, and wasn't close to the city...

I marvelled at MCW's new facilities...it was like a hotel....just, don't know anybody there...and I might feel kind of lonely, because a lot of pple are natives to wisconsin...

hmmm
 
Hey there-

another MCW student, though I can't add anything new to what was said above. There are about 100 out of state students each year, so if you came here, you wouldn't feel too "lost"--at least by yourself.

That being said, if you're a Cali resident, it's very tempting (unless you're independently wealthy) to save your tuition money and go to UCI. The difference would be about $20,000/year...
 
Hey Watcha, I'd say 'hi' if I see you @ MCW next year (I'm going). I know prehawkdoc is, too, if he posts around here anymore. Trust me, us Wisconsin types are pretty friendly (and contrary to popular belief we do not all live on farms :p )

Shannon
 
hi Shanon, that's awfully nice of u!

I actually used to live in minnesota...and besides the fact that the midwest gets cold....the pple there are very down to earth and friendly...

I was amazed with MCW's facilities....
 
Watcha,
I was really impressed with them, too...especially coming from the UW, where the med school looks like it's about to fall over!

Anyhow, as far as not knowing anyone, I'm certain we'll all be in the same boat, pretty much. I know a few people from undergrad, just beacuse we're in WI, but not enough where I think that it'll be a big Wisconsin clique or something.

Good Luck in your decision, keep me posted on what you decide!
:) Shannon
 
I concur. I think UCI kills the other two.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by Badgerbabe:
•Hey Watcha, I'd say 'hi' if I see you @ MCW next year (I'm going). I know prehawkdoc is, too, if he posts around here anymore. Trust me, us Wisconsin types are pretty friendly (and contrary to popular belief we do not all live on farms :p )

Shannon•••••I'm still here, Shannon. I've only been lurking lately, since I lost my login ability after the "upgrade." Anyhoo, I'm still *planning* on being in Milwaukee next year and I'll also say hidee ho to you, Watcha. I feel the same as far as fitting in--with 200 people in the class I figure I can find at least one or two friends :wink: . Also, I'm visiting MCW on 05-21, so if any of you are going to be around perhaps we could hook up. That's all for now. Need to ease back into posting. Oh, and Iowa people don't all live on farms, either.

-Travis
 
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