- Joined
- Oct 26, 2015
- Messages
- 64
- Reaction score
- 45
Hey everyone,
Pretty glad I have a choice, but now I have no idea what to do.
Background: From Virginia, want to match in Cali (born and raised there), probably gas, opthal, or rads. I feel like my situation is more or less Cost vs Lifestyle vs Prestige.
VCU:
++ Great scholarship offer. Brings the total tuition for all 4 years to $61k.
+ 1.5 year preclinical
+ Closer to home, so moving would be easier.
+ New facilities
- Didn't get a great feel when I interviewed. Students seem awkward and social aspect of school is pretty important to me.
- Worst rank of the three
- I hear the school doesn't do much in the way of student wellness. Students are apparently unhappy at VCU.
Jeff:
++ Another great scholarship offer. Brings total tuition to $161k (still really expensive, but OOS & Private considered, it's reasonable)
+ Center City Philly
+ Got really good vibes from the students here. Everyone seems cool. Absolutely loved the school and environment.
+ Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Hospital are both great.
+ Pretty good match list
+ Sub-surg rotation as part of third year curriculum
- Cost, $161k + Cost of living in philly adds up to a lot of money.
- 2 year preclinical. Really want the 1.5 year preclins for more rotation time.
UVA:
+ It's the best ranked school of the three
+ 1.5 year curriculum
+ New facilities, building new ER and adding like 300 hospital beds. Apparently med students can use those new buildings, and they'll be ready in 2019.
+ Anesthesiology rotation as part of the third year curriculum - top specialty choice as of now.
+ Have a friend who goes there and says he loves it, people are great and socially active.
- No scholarship offers as of now, most expensive of the three with total tuition cost at $190k.
My thoughts: The money aspect of VCU is great, but I also value happiness a lot. Jefferson seems to provide this, but UVA's ranking/prestige is also tempting especially because of the specialties and state I want to match in.
Also, I'm not 100% sure how the Away rotation/elective system works. My perception is the 1.5 year preclin will help a lot with this, but will it really?
Thanks for any help.
Pretty glad I have a choice, but now I have no idea what to do.
Background: From Virginia, want to match in Cali (born and raised there), probably gas, opthal, or rads. I feel like my situation is more or less Cost vs Lifestyle vs Prestige.
VCU:
++ Great scholarship offer. Brings the total tuition for all 4 years to $61k.
+ 1.5 year preclinical
+ Closer to home, so moving would be easier.
+ New facilities
- Didn't get a great feel when I interviewed. Students seem awkward and social aspect of school is pretty important to me.
- Worst rank of the three
- I hear the school doesn't do much in the way of student wellness. Students are apparently unhappy at VCU.
Jeff:
++ Another great scholarship offer. Brings total tuition to $161k (still really expensive, but OOS & Private considered, it's reasonable)
+ Center City Philly
+ Got really good vibes from the students here. Everyone seems cool. Absolutely loved the school and environment.
+ Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Hospital are both great.
+ Pretty good match list
+ Sub-surg rotation as part of third year curriculum
- Cost, $161k + Cost of living in philly adds up to a lot of money.
- 2 year preclinical. Really want the 1.5 year preclins for more rotation time.
UVA:
+ It's the best ranked school of the three
+ 1.5 year curriculum
+ New facilities, building new ER and adding like 300 hospital beds. Apparently med students can use those new buildings, and they'll be ready in 2019.
+ Anesthesiology rotation as part of the third year curriculum - top specialty choice as of now.
+ Have a friend who goes there and says he loves it, people are great and socially active.
- No scholarship offers as of now, most expensive of the three with total tuition cost at $190k.
My thoughts: The money aspect of VCU is great, but I also value happiness a lot. Jefferson seems to provide this, but UVA's ranking/prestige is also tempting especially because of the specialties and state I want to match in.
Also, I'm not 100% sure how the Away rotation/elective system works. My perception is the 1.5 year preclin will help a lot with this, but will it really?
Thanks for any help.