UCLA vs Northwestern

[kikikat]

Hi all! I've narrowed down to two amazing schools. I would be grateful to hear your thoughts on which to choose.

Background: CA resident, low SES. I will be taking on full student loans with no family help. Undecided but might go for more competitive specialties such as rads/ophtho.

UCLA (~420K after financial aid)

(++++) I grew up in LA, so family is around. Situations might arise that I have to take care of family during the four years. My SO is also on the West Coast and can reach me on a 3-hour flight.
(+++) Weather. I've lived my entire life in California so I'm used to the sunny weather
(++) P/F preclinicals AND clinicals, 1.5-year preclinical
(+) Great second look - loved the LA vibes
(+) Strong match list to California

(---) Wowza for the cost. Requires summer tuition/living expenses as well. I will be taking on full student loans, and debt at 8-9% compounding interest rates do not sound very appealing. Then again, maybe the income from a competitive specialty might offset it?


Northwestern (~300K after scholarship)

(++) Better COA than UCLA.
(++) Administration and faculty seems very responsive, great rapport
(+) Beautiful hospital and facilities
(+) Second look was great as well, interestingly more consulting vibes from students
(+) Strong match list, can match back to CA if I want to

(---) Far away from family and SO on the West Coast (4-5 hour plane rides for both). Cannot reach family as readily.
(--) Cold weather but there are corridors and tunnels to walk indoors between teaching facilities and hospitals.
(-) This might sound trivial but I do want to stay on the West Coast if possible
(-) 2-year preclinical
(+/-) H/HP/P/F clerkships - could be good or bad

Would appreciate any and all input. Thank you!

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[ConfusedPremed3000]

Best of luck to you with this difficult choice. No input from me, but sucks how UCLA's scholarship and fin aid funding did the whole class dirty.

 

[usagimd]

How often do you anticipate going back home? The flights will probably add up over time (but probably not = $120k difference lol)

I voted for UCLA mainly because the pros seem to outweigh the cons-- you'd have home support and P/F clinical = less stress. As someone who is from the Northeast (so similar-ish weather to NW) but went to CA for undergrad, seasonal sadness is a big deal LOL

 

[hydroflaskhomie]

I think Chicago is enough of a vibrant city to offset the pain of leaving California. I would take Northwestern here - $120k off of almost a half a million dollars in loans, especially now, is nothing to sneeze at and I think Northwestern might arguably be a quarter step above UCLA in prestige anyway. Don't doubt you will easily match back to California.

 

[DoneDone3451]

Northwestern, money and chicago is an awesome city

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

Best of luck to you with this difficult choice. No input from me, but sucks how UCLA's scholarship and fin aid funding did the whole class dirty.

I’m seeing a full of “full tuition” on sankeys from them though. Did they reduce the number of scholarships this year?

 

[wanttobeadoctorthiscycle]

This is so tough. I wouldn't discount the importance of family and SO support though, that could make a huge difference in your mental health. That cost is brutal, but if you anticipate needing to be around for family, it may make life harder to be across the country. I know that price difference can be debilitating though, so I am not discounting that. These are just my thoughts as someone who went to undergrad near my family and was super grateful for that. Wishing you all the best and congrats on these awesome choices!

 

[kikikat]

I’m seeing a full of “full tuition” on sankeys from them though. Did they reduce the number of scholarships this year?

They did indeed and reduced the FA too, unfortunately 😢