UCLA vs. WashU

[Regina_Phalange]

Hi everybody,

Less than a week left before the deadline and I'm freaking out I know both are great options and I can't go wrong with either but that's what makes this so difficult haha I'm leaning towards UCLA because of in state tuition but I'd love to hear your opinions! I'm interested in pursuing some sort of surgical specialty so not sure if one school would provide an advantage over the other..

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[Dence]

Follow the money unless there is another factor you haven't mentioned. Both are extraordinary programs.

 

[ChrisMack390]

In-state tuition but LA cost of living vs. WashU tuition and St. Louis cost of living. I would work on calculating that first - could very well be a wash.

 

[Just1voice]

UCLA no contest!

 

[bearintraining]

I don't think the benefits of UCLA (in my mind, location and reduced tuition, and possibly family and friends for you) would outweigh the minor differences in rankings.

 

[ChrisMack390]

I don't think the benefits of UCLA (in my mind, location and reduced tuition, and possibly family and friends for you) would outweigh the minor differences in rankings.

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&city1=Saint+Louis,+MO&country2=United+States&city2=Los+Angeles,+CA

Consumer Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 9.73% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Consumer Prices Including Rent in Los Angeles, CA are 43.44% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Rent Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 139.97% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Restaurant Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 25.15% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Groceries Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 4.45% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Local Purchasing Power in Los Angeles, CA is 22.65% lower than in Saint Louis, MO

 

[bearintraining]

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&city1=Saint+Louis,+MO&country2=United+States&city2=Los+Angeles,+CA

Consumer Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 9.73% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Consumer Prices Including Rent in Los Angeles, CA are 43.44% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Rent Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 139.97% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Restaurant Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 25.15% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Groceries Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 4.45% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Local Purchasing Power in Los Angeles, CA is 22.65% lower than in Saint Louis, MO

That's the trade off for location, young padiwan

 

[bearintraining]

That's the trade off for location, young padiwan

I know which one i would choose (UCLA) and in full disclosure, I'm waitlisted at WashU (as is everyone that interviewed it seems)

 

[ChrisMack390]

That's the trade off for location, young padiwan

Yes, but my point is that it is very likely that attending UCLA will not actually save the OP any money. Sure, LA is probably a more fun place to live and being near friends and family is still a potential benefit, but from a purely economic standpoint I would not automatically assume that instate tuition alone overrides COA in LA.

 

[bearintraining]

Yes, but my point is that it is very likely that attending UCLA will not actually save the OP any money. Sure, LA is probably a more fun place to live and being near friends and family is still a potential benefit, but from a purely economic standpoint I would not automatically assume that instate tuition alone overrides COA in LA.

Yep. I don't disagree. But you could also take the attitude that the reduced tuition is what makes that financial hit worth it.

All I'm really saying is that I would personally pick UCLA even though I loved WashU. I didn't get to interview at UCLA however

 

[Bethany555]

After quick google search, tuition/fees (excluding living expenses)
WashU: $60,798
UCLA: 34,784

Neither will limit you in any way as far as residency is concerned. If you want to match and practice in CA, UCLA is the obvious choice. With a difference of $26,000 a year in tuition, you will still be saving money at UCLA. Also, moving and transportation across the country isn't cheap, so you may save some money by living close to home. Plus, you get to live in LA (and may be close to family/friends). Did you receive a scholarship at WashU? If you did, it would be a toss-up.

 

[Regina_Phalange]

Follow the money unless there is another factor you haven't mentioned. Both are extraordinary programs.

In-state tuition but LA cost of living vs. WashU tuition and St. Louis cost of living. I would work on calculating that first - could very well be a wash.

UCLA no contest!

I don't think the benefits of UCLA (in my mind, location and reduced tuition, and possibly family and friends for you) would outweigh the minor differences in rankings.

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&city1=Saint+Louis,+MO&country2=United+States&city2=Los+Angeles,+CA

Consumer Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 9.73% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Consumer Prices Including Rent in Los Angeles, CA are 43.44% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Rent Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 139.97% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Restaurant Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 25.15% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Groceries Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 4.45% higher than in Saint Louis, MO
Local Purchasing Power in Los Angeles, CA is 22.65% lower than in Saint Louis, MO

After quick google search, tuition/fees (excluding living expenses)
WashU: $60,798
UCLA: 34,784

Neither will limit you in any way as far as residency is concerned. If you want to match and practice in CA, UCLA is the obvious choice. With a difference of $26,000 a year in tuition, you will still be saving money at UCLA. Also, moving and transportation across the country isn't cheap, so you may save some money by living close to home. Plus, you get to live in LA (and may be close to family/friends). Did you receive a scholarship at WashU? If you did, it would be a toss-up.

Thanks for the replies, everybody! UCLA is offering $23k for the first year so I'd have to pay 10k. Meanwhile WashU is offering $32k so I'd have to pay ~$30k. Rent at UCLA is $1300/month (Weyburn Terrace) whereas rent in St. Louis is less than half (approximately $700 for a nice apartment). Therefore, over 4 years, I figure I'll owe ~$100,000 at UCLA and ~$150,000 at WashU.

I felt like I "fit in" with the students at both school and they both have a pretty similar curriculum. UCLA would be cheaper and yes, I would be closer to friends and family. However, WashU students, on average score much higher on Step 1..idk if it's because WashU teaches to the exam more or because the students are better standardized test takers (their average MCAT is 38 haha). If it's the latter, then I'm not too worried..

As for the clinical training during third year, can anybody comment on whether one is stronger? Reagan and Barnes-Jewish are both incredible hospitals so I would assume they're both top notch..

Lastly, I would love to match into California BUT as a California native who went to college in California, I would like to live somewhere else for 4 years to get a different perspective. However, I don't know if that's worth the extra money...or worth choosing St. Louis over Los Angeles..

 

[neekzg]

Thanks for the replies, everybody! UCLA is offering $23k for the first year so I'd have to pay 10k. Meanwhile WashU is offering $32k so I'd have to pay ~$30k. Rent at UCLA is $1300/month (Weyburn Terrace) whereas rent in St. Louis is less than half (approximately $700 for a nice apartment). Therefore, over 4 years, I figure I'll owe ~$100,000 at UCLA and ~$150,000 at WashU.

I felt like I "fit in" with the students at both school and they both have a pretty similar curriculum. UCLA would be cheaper and yes, I would be closer to friends and family. However, WashU students, on average score much higher on Step 1..idk if it's because WashU teaches to the exam more or because the students are better standardized test takers (their average MCAT is 38 haha). If it's the latter, then I'm not too worried..

As for the clinical training during third year, can anybody comment on whether one is stronger? Reagan and Barnes-Jewish are both incredible hospitals so I would assume they're both top notch..

Lastly, I would love to match into California BUT as a California native who went to college in California, I would like to live somewhere else for 4 years to get a different perspective. However, I don't know if that's worth the extra money...or worth choosing St. Louis over Los Angeles..

If you're from SoCal.. just try to match at NorCal for residency or vice versa. I haven't heard of anyone choosing WashU for it's location.. especially over LA.

 

[nih15hopeful]

Please, for my own sanity (and yours during winters), take UCLA!

 

[ChrisMack390]

With those numbers, if definitely take UCLA.

 

[ElanaSilogram]

Negligible difference in quality of training. How do you feel about UCLA's preclinical curriculum? I know preclinical doesn't matter as much as clinical education, but from what I hear, WashU's is about as traditional as they come.

UCLA definitely has the edge on location, especially if your family and friends are in California; for me that would be worth the inflated COL.

 

[wanderyonder]

Thanks for the replies, everybody! UCLA is offering $23k for the first year so I'd have to pay 10k. Meanwhile WashU is offering $32k so I'd have to pay ~$30k. Rent at UCLA is $1300/month (Weyburn Terrace) whereas rent in St. Louis is less than half (approximately $700 for a nice apartment). Therefore, over 4 years, I figure I'll owe ~$100,000 at UCLA and ~$150,000 at WashU.

I felt like I "fit in" with the students at both school and they both have a pretty similar curriculum. UCLA would be cheaper and yes, I would be closer to friends and family. However, WashU students, on average score much higher on Step 1..idk if it's because WashU teaches to the exam more or because the students are better standardized test takers (their average MCAT is 38 haha). If it's the latter, then I'm not too worried..

As for the clinical training during third year, can anybody comment on whether one is stronger? Reagan and Barnes-Jewish are both incredible hospitals so I would assume they're both top notch..

Lastly, I would love to match into California BUT as a California native who went to college in California, I would like to live somewhere else for 4 years to get a different perspective. However, I don't know if that's worth the extra money...or worth choosing St. Louis over Los Angeles..

would've been useful in the original post 😉

but given that, definitely UCLA for the money. top notch program, matches pretty well. plus... P/F 😀