UVA vs. Northwestern (Time-Sensitive)

[premed66]

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Hi Everyone! I was accepted off a waitlist and need some input.

UVA is about 10-15K cheaper than NW after comparing aid packages, but this is expected. How much of a difference is 40-60K (after 4 years) going to make in the long-term regarding debt? I'm not sure if the opportunities that NW will offer will be justified by that financial difference?

I currently have interest in a competitive specialty.


Feinberg
Pros

• City/Urban Living, would be a good experience. Very diverse and allows me to be actively involved with inner-city youth, a group I am passionate about working with.
• Multiple Free Clinics, I would get to work a lot with a population of interest
• High(er) ranking
• Beautiful buildings and facilities that are all interconnected
• Competitive Student Body (? not sure how true this actually is)

Cons

• 2 Years Preclinical Eduction.
• Seems like there are a lot of "other requirements" - Scholarly Project, etc. but could be beneficial in the long term
• Expensive school + city
• Further from family (plane)

UVA
Pros

• Closer to family (driving distance)
• 1.5y preclinical, more time for rotations
• Curriculum seems awesome, Honor Code lets you take exam anytime during Friday-Sunday
• Got a great feel from the student body, seemed very collaborative and less stressful. (but I did not have the same amount of time to interact with NW student body)
• Better weather

Cons

• Not exactly the urban environment that I would like to live in
• Have to do rotations in rural VA
• Research not as heavily emphasized, but the opportunities are def there

 

[Señor S]

I wouldn't let money be a big factor in this case. NW is better than UVa but not significantly so; both are good schools. Go to whichever one you like more.