Vandy vs. Wayne -- HELP!

[LastMinuteHelp]

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So I know you guys are probably sick and tired of threads like this but the advice I've seen on other people's threads has been pretty helpful, so I thought I would throw my own dilemma out there. After carefully considering things, I have narrowed down my choices to Vanderbilt and my state school (Wayne State U). Vandy is considerably more expensive (even with financial aid) but my relatives have offered to help me enough that I think both schools are financially feasible for me.

I feel very torn about this choice for a lot of reasons. I'm interested in academic medicine so I feel like Vandy is an opportunity I shouldn't pass up. I've also always wanted to move to a new place--I think I want to end up in Chicago eventually. On the other hand, my support network (parents, close friends, etc.) is in Michigan. I have struggled with Generalized Anxiety Disorder for the past few years, and it's been very helpful to have my parents close by for that reason. I'm worried that if something goes wrong at Vandy, I might capsize emotionally.

What do you guys think? Are the support systems at schools typically good enough that I shouldn't be worried about being overtaken by my anxiety? Or should I just pick the cheapest school I can, hands down?

Thanks for your advice in advance 🙂

 

[funkydrmonkey]

So I know you guys are probably sick and tired of threads like this but the advice I've seen on other people's threads has been pretty helpful, so I thought I would throw my own dilemma out there. After carefully considering things, I have narrowed down my choices to Vanderbilt and my state school (Wayne State U). Vandy is considerably more expensive (even with financial aid) but my relatives have offered to help me enough that I think both schools are financially feasible for me.

I feel very torn about this choice for a lot of reasons. I'm interested in academic medicine so I feel like Vandy is an opportunity I shouldn't pass up. I've also always wanted to move to a new place--I think I want to end up in Chicago eventually. On the other hand, my support network (parents, close friends, etc.) is in Michigan. I have struggled with Generalized Anxiety Disorder for the past few years, and it's been very helpful to have my parents close by for that reason. I'm worried that if something goes wrong at Vandy, I might capsize emotionally.

What do you guys think? Are the support systems at schools typically good enough that I shouldn't be worried about being overtaken by my anxiety? Or should I just pick the cheapest school I can, hands down?

Thanks for your advice in advance 🙂

Go to Vandy, now...

 

[aRnonymous]

I would recommend Vandy, especially if your after academic medicine

 

[veaselhaufen]

So I know you guys are probably sick and tired of threads like this but the advice I've seen on other people's threads has been pretty helpful, so I thought I would throw my own dilemma out there. After carefully considering things, I have narrowed down my choices to Vanderbilt and my state school (Wayne State U). Vandy is considerably more expensive (even with financial aid) but my relatives have offered to help me enough that I think both schools are financially feasible for me.

I feel very torn about this choice for a lot of reasons. I'm interested in academic medicine so I feel like Vandy is an opportunity I shouldn't pass up. I've also always wanted to move to a new place--I think I want to end up in Chicago eventually. On the other hand, my support network (parents, close friends, etc.) is in Michigan. I have struggled with Generalized Anxiety Disorder for the past few years, and it's been very helpful to have my parents close by for that reason. I'm worried that if something goes wrong at Vandy, I might capsize emotionally.

What do you guys think? Are the support systems at schools typically good enough that I shouldn't be worried about being overtaken by my anxiety? Or should I just pick the cheapest school I can, hands down?

Thanks for your advice in advance 🙂

If going to Vandy means that your performance/happiness would be compromised, or even that you might not graduate, then go to Wayne for sure. None of us know the extent of your condition. Medical school is hard, and I've heard from medical students that even small problems can get blown out of proportion by the stress induced from medical school. You're going to have to go with your gut here. Good luck!

 

[ChubbyChaser]

wayne...

 

[zpiff]

Vandy

 

[AbRKnight]

Wayne

 

[BJPENNSTATE]

So I know you guys are probably sick and tired of threads like this but the advice I've seen on other people's threads has been pretty helpful, so I thought I would throw my own dilemma out there. After carefully considering things, I have narrowed down my choices to Vanderbilt and my state school (Wayne State U). Vandy is considerably more expensive (even with financial aid) but my relatives have offered to help me enough that I think both schools are financially feasible for me.

I feel very torn about this choice for a lot of reasons. I'm interested in academic medicine so I feel like Vandy is an opportunity I shouldn't pass up. I've also always wanted to move to a new place--I think I want to end up in Chicago eventually. On the other hand, my support network (parents, close friends, etc.) is in Michigan. I have struggled with Generalized Anxiety Disorder for the past few years, and it's been very helpful to have my parents close by for that reason. I'm worried that if something goes wrong at Vandy, I might capsize emotionally.

What do you guys think? Are the support systems at schools typically good enough that I shouldn't be worried about being overtaken by my anxiety? Or should I just pick the cheapest school I can, hands down?

Thanks for your advice in advance 🙂

having a good support system is very under-rated in picking schools...
I think you should go to Wayne State since it's near to your support system (friends and family) and that you have struggled with anxiety disorder, so having a close support system is more important than increased loans and anxiety at Vandy.

 

[JeebusMcJones]

I was in a similar situation way back when, and I chose to stay at my state school. Two weeks into school I knew that no amount of prestige would be able to help me get through this, because it's really difficult and I needed the support. Beyond the hype you realize that it's just a building with walls and people, like any other building with different colored walls and the same kind of people. Go where you feel most comfortable, and if for you that means leaving home, then that's what you need to do.

 

[Appless]

given your anxiety disorder i think wayne would be better unless you really feel you can handle being away, from your post it seems like being far away just might make your problem worse, which will impact your med school. If you feel you could keep it under control then cost being about equal i think vandy is a far easier choice especially since you want to go into academic medicine where it seems school prestige does tend to matter a little.

 

[atomi]

I have struggled with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

My personal preference would be Vanderbilt, but this bit caught my eye...

Why does medical school attract so many people with anxiety problems? I think it has to do with the ultra competitiveness for high grades in college. Medical school is not the place for people with anxiety problems! Get help now or choose a lower stress career! My friends with anxiety problems have been miserable in med school -- they are completely unable to step away from the library to lead a balanced and healthy life. So what if you get a C on an exam, big freakin deal -- there are a lot more important things in life.

If you need anonymous people on the internet to make or justify this big decision for you, then you need to work on your self confidence!

Will either school let you defer your admission? You might want to "take a year off." Work in a factory for a year, then come back. I guarantee you that you won't have a problem making these kind of decisions again! Good luck.

 

[RoadRunner17]

So I know you guys are probably sick and tired of threads like this but the advice I've seen on other people's threads has been pretty helpful, so I thought I would throw my own dilemma out there. After carefully considering things, I have narrowed down my choices to Vanderbilt and my state school (Wayne State U). Vandy is considerably more expensive (even with financial aid) but my relatives have offered to help me enough that I think both schools are financially feasible for me.

I feel very torn about this choice for a lot of reasons. I'm interested in academic medicine so I feel like Vandy is an opportunity I shouldn't pass up. I've also always wanted to move to a new place--I think I want to end up in Chicago eventually. On the other hand, my support network (parents, close friends, etc.) is in Michigan. I have struggled with Generalized Anxiety Disorder for the past few years, and it's been very helpful to have my parents close by for that reason. I'm worried that if something goes wrong at Vandy, I might capsize emotionally.

What do you guys think? Are the support systems at schools typically good enough that I shouldn't be worried about being overtaken by my anxiety? Or should I just pick the cheapest school I can, hands down?

Thanks for your advice in advance 🙂

I'm a Michigan resident too and I think Wayne State has its fair share of issues, including the fact that the OOS state school I am going to will have the same COA as Wayne State IS. I wouldn't let money be a huge factor. Now, normally I would suggest going to Vanderbilt but your anxiety disorder makes it iffy.

Since nobody on these forums is likely to have met you and to know you as well as you know yourself about the anxiety disorder and its effect on daily life, I would try to talk to the people who know you best rather than listening to anybody on SDN telling you to go to one place over the other, because no anonymous internet poster is going to know what's best for you.

But nevertheless I will offer my two cents based on my knowledge of Wayne State (having been accepted there this cycle). I feel like the support system, in general terms, would be better at Vanderbilt than it is at Wayne State. I'm not going to trash Wayne State here because I think they do provide a great clinical education, but all of my high school friends who are there now tell me that the student support is not as good as it should be. Considering the huge class and the state budget crisis, I'm not surprised. Again, this is just my 2 cents that may or may not mean anything to you.

 

[sunset823]

I agree with RoadRunner - having a support network is definitely important, but Wayne is not known to be the most hand-holding medical school, both due to its size and the fact that people live all over the place within the Detroit Metro region. If you would be able to commute from home or stay with close friends who know you well if you went to Wayne, then then I think Wayne is a better choice for you emotionally, and therefore academically (no matter what people say, you can do well in your career, even in academic medicine, by doing well in school, no matter where you go).

However, if you think you will be in an isolated environment, or living in Detroit, then I would recommend Vanderbilt. Nashville is by far less stressful as an environment than Detroit (though I, personally, would prefer the challenge of a major metro area like Detroit), and with Vandy being a smaller school, I'm sure you could easily find your niche and make some close friendships.

So, in the end, I would say Vanderbilt unless you really have a built-in support network 24/7 at Wayne, through living with family or friends.

 

[guestdoc]

Normally I would say Vanderbilt on this one, but no school is worth it if you "capsize emotionally". You've got to pick the school that you'd be most likely to succeed at, and if it's Wayne State, it's Wayne State, and that's the best place for you, or vice versa.

Best

 

[JeebusMcJones]

I can attest to the fantastic counselors and advisers at Wayne State, I have friends who have called late their personal numbers late at night because they needed someone to talk to. They really go out of their way to make sure you are accommodated, I was honestly shocked at how involved they are, because undergrad was never like that. I'm not sure what the big class at Wayne has to do with anything, but the point is that someone with anxiety may feel more comfortable around family, I don't think the advising department has anything to do with it.

 

[spike22]

Wayne

 

[TMP-SMX]

Go wherever is cheaper. Wayne is one of the more expensive state schools but it is still cheaper than most private schools.

The best thing about Wayne is video streaming lectures and you can watch from home at any time. Nearly all medical students hate going to lecture in the morning so if Vandy doesn't have that you should definitely go to Wayne.

Not to mention you'll be closer to family and friends at Wayne. They also seem to have a lot of money so that's a good thing too. 😉

 

[LastMinuteHelp]

Thank you all for your kind responses. 🙂 I carefully read all of them and I have decided on Wayne. I believe it is important for me to realize my own limitations and the value of my support system.

By the way, to the person who mentioned how many anxious people there are in medicine--I actually didn't develop GAD until around two years ago, and I have been interested in medicine for longer than that. It would be hard for me to know exactly why I developed these problems, but I do believe that they are related to the death of one of my siblings. Sometimes unexpected things happen and everyone has their own way of internalizing those problems.

 

[atomi]

Thank you all for your kind responses. 🙂 I carefully read all of them and I have decided on Wayne. I believe it is important for me to realize my own limitations and the value of my support system.

By the way, to the person who mentioned how many anxious people there are in medicine--I actually didn't develop GAD until around two years ago, and I have been interested in medicine for longer than that. It would be hard for me to know exactly why I developed these problems, but I do believe that they are related to the death of one of my siblings. Sometimes unexpected things happen and everyone has their own way of internalizing those problems.

I'm very sorry to hear that. I think that anxiety problems/emotional problems are your mind's way of putting up a defense (what you said, internalizing). Hang in there, I've dealt with anxiety too. If you can get through that period where your body/mind is adjusting, you will come out stronger years later. Good luck at Wayne!

 

[ZeusonRoids]

If you don't go to Vandy you will regret it your entire life.

Vandy >Wayne

 

[blackbird11384]

If you don't go to Vandy you will regret it your entire life.

Vandy >Wayne

Seriously??....seriously...I mean seriously??? 😕

The OP has already chosen AND they said they have GAD. Are you trying to be funny?