UC Irvine vs. UVa

[Dr. Pepper]

Hey guys,

I'm choosing right now between two schools, UC Irvine and UVa (University of Virginia). I know that they are very different schools, but I wanted to get a little bit of advice.

Before I begin, I should note that I am a California resident, but that cost is not a concern. The price between the two will be very similar for me, and I'm not going to make that an issue.

Anyway, I'll tell you my thoughts so far:

UVa:

Pro:
Seemed to have more research opportunities
Hospital is right next to medical school
Bit of a bigger name (what this means in terms of residency placement? I have no idea, and I hope someone can answer)

Cons:
Far away from family
Mandatory away rotations during 3rd year


UC Irvine

Pro:
Closer to home, family only a few hours away
Pre-clinical curriculum suits me a bit better (less class time)
Bit of a smaller class (again, I've been told this is better, but I really have no clue if it makes any difference)

Con:
Hospital far away from medical school
Not as research-heavy
Seemed a bit too lax for me, but this is a pretty minor complaint.

I'm going to put it as a tie in terms of environment. I loved the UVa campus and Charlottesville (very peaceful, lots of gardens), but Irvine is also beautiful, just more of a suburban feel. I feel pretty equally comfortable in both places, though I acknowledge that they are rather different.

In terms of the "staying in CA" option, I'm really not gung-ho on doing residency in California. I'm just interested in getting into a good program, and location (geographically) is less of an issue.

I'm leaning towards UVa because my general impression is that I would get better training and opportunities there, but I am hesitant to leave my family for at least 4 years (probably more as UVa has an east-coast bias from what I hear), unless the difference between the two is significant. Also, I'd like to hear some input on the away rotations (pros and cons).

Anyway, any comments are much appreciated. Thank you so much.

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[aarm08]

Hey guys,

I'm choosing right now between two schools, UC Irvine and UVa (University of Virginia). I know that they are very different schools, but I wanted to get a little bit of advice.

Before I begin, I should note that I am a California resident, but that cost is not a concern. The price between the two will be very similar for me, and I'm not going to make that an issue.

Anyway, I'll tell you my thoughts so far:

UVa:

Pro:
Seemed to have more research opportunities
Hospital is right next to medical school
Bit of a bigger name (what this means in terms of residency placement? I have no idea, and I hope someone can answer)

Cons:
Far away from family
Mandatory away rotations during 3rd year


UC Irvine

Pro:
Closer to home, family only a few hours away
Pre-clinical curriculum suits me a bit better (less class time)
Bit of a smaller class (again, I've been told this is better, but I really have no clue if it makes any difference)

Con:
Hospital far away from medical school
Not as research-heavy
Seemed a bit too lax for me, but this is a pretty minor complaint.

I'm going to put it as a tie in terms of environment. I loved the UVa campus and Charlottesville (very peaceful, lots of gardens), but Irvine is also beautiful, just more of a suburban feel. I feel pretty equally comfortable in both places, though I acknowledge that they are rather different.

In terms of the "staying in CA" option, I'm really not gung-ho on doing residency in California. I'm just interested in getting into a good program, and location (geographically) is less of an issue.

I'm leaning towards UVa because my general impression is that I would get better training and opportunities there, but I am hesitant to leave my family for at least 4 years (probably more as UVa has an east-coast bias from what I hear), unless the difference between the two is significant. Also, I'd like to hear some input on the away rotations (pros and cons).

Anyway, any comments are much appreciated. Thank you so much.

I voted UVa. I know nothing really about Irvine (I'm an east coast person), but I've lived in Charlottesville, had some experience with the UVa health system and the med students, and am currently considering UVa even though I have some more prestigious/highly ranked options. Have you looked at UVa's residency match list for this year that was sent to us a month ago? It's pretty impressive (although maybe not if you're looking to go into surgery). If you just look at internal medicine, you can see people at Penn, Duke, Northwestern, UCSF, Harvard affiliates, Columbia, etc. Now I admit I don't know much about which IM programs are actually the best to train in, but those are some pretty impressive names, and they do span the country, though clearly there is an east coast bias. I think the bias to the east coast, though, might reflect more where students wanted to be than any limitations in UVa's ability to match people out west (besides UCSF, Stanford, UCLA, UCSD, and others are represented in various specialities). So if you do decide you want to go back home after UVa, my sense is that that would definitely be possible.

Charlottesville is a great place to live (unless you're a really big city person, but I don't think Irvine's a big city), UVa med students seem like they're generally really happy, and the med school is expanding (new cancer center, new medical education building/curriculum that seems pretty intriguing and unique to me, and I think a new outpatient/children's center on the horizon). 3rd year rotations away are a drag, but your experience and training might be pretty limited if you stayed in Charlottesville so they do ensure you get to work with somewhat of a more diverse patient population. And I'm looking at NYC schools where I might even have to spend some of 3rd year away from my home institution at affiliates an hour or so outside the city...so it's just part of the deal.

 

[JokerMD]

i voted irvine cause being close to family would be really important to me

 

[Steeler7588]

UVa's new curriculum has students in class from 8-12 three days a week. How much class time does UCI have? I'd say that having to go away from Charlottesville for away rotations is less than ideal, but apparently you have more hands on training. Plus, with housing and food covered for you, you're set up very well. One fourth year was saying he loved his away surgery rotation, because he was living basically in the hospital and he got to do so much stuff.

However, being that far away from family would be tough. I definitely think UVa will be a better educational experience (1.5 pre-clinical curriculum = win), but being on opposite coasts from your family might not suit you. I don't think you'd have any problem matching back on the West Coast though, so look at it as a duration of 4 years only.

 

[casillas]

I have been told by multiple people not to underestimate the benefit of having family nearby during medschool...

 

[alibai3ah]

I have been told by multiple people not to underestimate the benefit of having family nearby during medschool...

+1,

Plus I think with UCI, you have a much better chance at a California residency. I wouldn't go out of state if I were you.... UVA is a decent school, but not enough to go out.

 

[MiniMoo]

I voted UCI, and not just because I'll likely be attending there. 🙂 The mandatory 3rd year away rotations at UVa would be a big turn off for me. Also I don't think that UVa would offer you significantly more research opportunities than UCI. The hospital at UCI is not that far away - only ~15 minute drive. And I'm not sure what you mean by UCI being "too lax"? If you mean laid back and relaxed, wouldn't that be a good thing (especially when med school is so stressful to begin with)? Anyways, just reading off your Pro/Con list, I think UCI wins but I also put a lot of value on having family close by as well as meshing well with the curriculum.

 

[JJMrK]

I interviewed at both. If they cost the same, I would probably go to UVa. I wasn't a huge fan of their new curriculum, but I had a few concerns about UCI, and UVa seemed like a better environment. If UCI is any cheaper at all though, I think you have a tough decision.

 

[Appless]

I interviewed at both. If they cost the same, I would probably go to UVa. I wasn't a huge fan of their new curriculum, but I had a few concerns about UCI, and UVa seemed like a better environment. If UCI is any cheaper at all though, I think you have a tough decision.

I agree. UCI just doesnt sit right with me and i still have a few concerns about attending. Though like you all my family is here which is why i would consider uci most likely (personally). In your situation, if money is equal honestly id go UVA. If uci is way cheaper then go there. While UVA may have more "prestige" or ranking or w/e, its def a regional thing over there and UCI actually has a ton of research in the basic sciences. They are actually kinda a powerhouse in basic science research. Clinically not so much though...regardless at any UC research will be plentiful as that is the basis of most of the established UCs. For residency i dont think UVA would give you any more opportunities then UCI 🙂.