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unc/ecu med school
Started by Agirl1986
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Are having a hard time deciding between the two like me?
Me personally, I chose ECU. Greenville is a fun town and its much cheaper to live there. I also like the opportunity to do most of my rotationsin one hospital, instead of constantly moving all over the state. Plus, they have similar board scores and match percentages (once you factor that alot of Brody students want to go to Primary Care).
That and I think I wanted to go into Peds.
That and I think I wanted to go into Peds.
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Also for us "NC residents" ECU only accepts in state students.
that's a hard choice... I'm almost hoping that I get rejected from UNC rather than waitlisted so I don't have to make it (already accepted at ECU).
I've talked to a lot of people about it and most everyone says if you're really interested in Primary Care and especially if you're interested in Family Medicine, ECU is the way to go. If you're thinking about a very competitive specialty, UNC has the big reputation and that can be helpful when matching for those sub-specialty residencies. Unless, of course, you're interested in Cardiology b/c ECU has an awesome program.
It just boils down to what you want. It's a tough choice, but try to make it soon so others on those waitlists can start getting some news!
I've talked to a lot of people about it and most everyone says if you're really interested in Primary Care and especially if you're interested in Family Medicine, ECU is the way to go. If you're thinking about a very competitive specialty, UNC has the big reputation and that can be helpful when matching for those sub-specialty residencies. Unless, of course, you're interested in Cardiology b/c ECU has an awesome program.
It just boils down to what you want. It's a tough choice, but try to make it soon so others on those waitlists can start getting some news!
Moving to School-specific. I'd pick UNC, for what it's worth. That hospital is ridiculous.
I am in the same boat as futureNCmed.
I am pretty much leaning towards ECU myself at the moment anyway....
A lot smaller class, so more hands on attention.
I hear the professors are a lot more willing to go the extra mile for their students. The current students have told me the professor's have tons of office hour time. Hold review sessions in the evening before the tests, sometimes at 10pm.
I also think there is less "professor switching" I hear at UNC you have like 7-8 professors teaching biochem, so you never really get to know the style of the individual professor.
Cost of living seems to be about half the price. Plus the tuition is about 4k cheaper a year too.
I am pretty much leaning towards ECU myself at the moment anyway....
A lot smaller class, so more hands on attention.
I hear the professors are a lot more willing to go the extra mile for their students. The current students have told me the professor's have tons of office hour time. Hold review sessions in the evening before the tests, sometimes at 10pm.
I also think there is less "professor switching" I hear at UNC you have like 7-8 professors teaching biochem, so you never really get to know the style of the individual professor.
Cost of living seems to be about half the price. Plus the tuition is about 4k cheaper a year too.
These kinds of threads would really benefit from you giving some background on yourself, i.e. what you think you might be interested in pursuing, what you liked about each school, what you're looking for in a med school, where you're hoping to do residency.
I can't speak without prejudice because I only applied to UNC and will very likely attend. But certain factors you definitely should consider:
a) Do you think there's a chance you'd want to pursue a competitive specialty? UNC definitely has more name recognition and I'm sure more resources (research funding) to get you there.
b) Are you pretty sure you want to stay in North Carolina? UNC has more national recognition and would probably open a few extra doors if you're thinking about leaving the area. I've also heard ECU really encourages their students to try to serve the more rural needy areas in NC, if you think you'd be interested in that.
c) ECU definitely wins in class size, if you'd like a highly personalized touch. It's also a few thousand dollars cheaper as people have said. No reason to pay more for a school that's a poorer fit if that's how you feel.
And that's all I can really comment on since I only know ECU superficially. I thought UNC was awesome though, and doubt you'd be miserable there. But I definitely can't say it's the right school for you, especially since you didn't give us any information to go on.
I can't speak without prejudice because I only applied to UNC and will very likely attend. But certain factors you definitely should consider:
a) Do you think there's a chance you'd want to pursue a competitive specialty? UNC definitely has more name recognition and I'm sure more resources (research funding) to get you there.
b) Are you pretty sure you want to stay in North Carolina? UNC has more national recognition and would probably open a few extra doors if you're thinking about leaving the area. I've also heard ECU really encourages their students to try to serve the more rural needy areas in NC, if you think you'd be interested in that.
c) ECU definitely wins in class size, if you'd like a highly personalized touch. It's also a few thousand dollars cheaper as people have said. No reason to pay more for a school that's a poorer fit if that's how you feel.
And that's all I can really comment on since I only know ECU superficially. I thought UNC was awesome though, and doubt you'd be miserable there. But I definitely can't say it's the right school for you, especially since you didn't give us any information to go on.
you're lucky to be in a position to choose between the two.... I kind of had my decision made for me (but I'm not complaining about it, it's a tough decision)
A few advantages with UNC
UNC definitely has the upper hand in research opportunities and name recognition. Also, UNC is a better place to go if you're interested in the more competitive specialties. UNC has a truly pass/fail first year. ECU has grading all four years. ECU seems to have more in-class hours than UNC (I see low class hours as an advantage).
A few advantages with ECU
Small class size... a very supportive environment. If you have questions, professors are there for you. Students for the most part seem to help each other out and maintain a collegial attitude... everyone knows everyone. If you'll look at the recent match list, a chunk of students have matched into competitive specialties (it's possible with hard work at any school). The community is close knit and Greenville is nice and calm.
ECU's tuition seems to have gone up... but I guess cost of living in Greenville is still probably lower than CH.
my two cents, limited knowledge disclaimer
A few advantages with UNC
UNC definitely has the upper hand in research opportunities and name recognition. Also, UNC is a better place to go if you're interested in the more competitive specialties. UNC has a truly pass/fail first year. ECU has grading all four years. ECU seems to have more in-class hours than UNC (I see low class hours as an advantage).
A few advantages with ECU
Small class size... a very supportive environment. If you have questions, professors are there for you. Students for the most part seem to help each other out and maintain a collegial attitude... everyone knows everyone. If you'll look at the recent match list, a chunk of students have matched into competitive specialties (it's possible with hard work at any school). The community is close knit and Greenville is nice and calm.
ECU's tuition seems to have gone up... but I guess cost of living in Greenville is still probably lower than CH.
my two cents, limited knowledge disclaimer
One thing that I wish ECU would do is better integrate its curriculum. It seemed like almost every other school I interviewed at had more of this type of structure - with more like one test every few weeks instead of four subjects tests over 2 days every month or so...
I've heard rumors that ECU was going to head in that direction soon... has anyone heard similarly or have any knowledge on teh subject?
I've heard rumors that ECU was going to head in that direction soon... has anyone heard similarly or have any knowledge on teh subject?
UNC hands down. I have friends at ECU and they are in class so much longer then us and pretty much are miserable. Plus greenville is pretty miserable....btw cost of living is way overblown by the Financial aid ppl...i live comfortably on half of what they allotted me Sub 400 dollar rent in a decent place...no joke.
Not really sure where the idea came out that UNC proffessors arent there for you, atleast in my experience that is definitely false. ECU definitely wins in class size though, provided you want to be around the same 70 ppl all the time.
Also, im pretty sure UNC gives everyone some sort of scholarship...atleast everyone I have talked to got atleast 4000/year, and they also send alot of people into primary care (ranked number 2? I think), so you definitely have all the opportunities you want.
PS: LEcture capture rocks 😉
Not really sure where the idea came out that UNC proffessors arent there for you, atleast in my experience that is definitely false. ECU definitely wins in class size though, provided you want to be around the same 70 ppl all the time.
Also, im pretty sure UNC gives everyone some sort of scholarship...atleast everyone I have talked to got atleast 4000/year, and they also send alot of people into primary care (ranked number 2? I think), so you definitely have all the opportunities you want.
PS: LEcture capture rocks 😉
Wow, really?? Do you need to fill out the financial aid forms to qualify? And when were you notified? That would be really impressive, especially considering the cost of attendance is already one of the most affordable for in-staters.
Im not sure. I think everyone just fills out there FAFSA. I found out about my certain scholarship end of april to May, i believe.
Dont quote me on the above, but i was pretty certain.
(Btw to everyone out there, if you havent filled out your FAFSA yet, i would definitely recommend you do so.
Ok no one ever said that UNC professors ARENT there for you.... It was only stressed that it's an advantage with ECU. And let's face it - a professor getting to know a class with ~ 80 students IS going to be easier than with a class of 160 students. Then again, it's also a question of how much initiative there is on the individual student's part.
Some people won't like being around the same 80 people all the time. If that's the case, then don't go to ECU. Others will like and appreciate the small class environment.
Greenville is a nice small town... maybe "miserable" because there isn't nearly as much to do as CH. But I'm going to be studying a lot and won't be complaining about having less distractions. First year at ECU isn't pass/fail (like at UNC) which kind of makes the lack of activities in Greenville an advantage 🙂
And you seem to know a small sample of students. Not everyone is miserable. And I'm sure you can find a few of those at any school.
Congrats on having such an awesome (albeit tough) choice to make! I would say that ECU and UNC are both great schools, but that ECU has a greater focus on primary care. Something that may or may not be a big factor for you is location. Chapel Hill isn't city-ish by any means, but it's got a lot more hustle and bustle than Greenville for sure. Also, I get the feeling that it's more of an undergrad town whereas the college and med school are further separated at ECU.
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i was lucky to get into both
im choosing unc!
im choosing unc!
However you want to justify it, best of luck...btw everybody studies alot in medical school no matter where you go, but it is nice to be able to do things with your freetime and second to cost, location was one of my biggest determinants when i was choosing schools.
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thanks!
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