VCU vs. SIU

[christi5784]

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SIU is in-state and cheaper, but I loved VCU. Anything you guys know that I don't?

 

[katiekate]

SIU is in-state and cheaper, but I loved VCU. Anything you guys know that I don't?

Well, I think I'm biased b/c I'm going to SIU this fall, but SIU is a great place to be 🙂

Do you have specific questions about SIU? I know some about VCU because I live in the area and I also know of one physician who graduated from VCU.

 

[christi5784]

Well, I think I'm biased b/c I'm going to SIU this fall, but SIU is a great place to be 🙂

Do you have specific questions about SIU? I know some about VCU because I live in the area and I also know of one physician who graduated from VCU.

Do you know which school has a better reputation? I want to make sure that chossing SIU won't affect my ability to get a good residency. Also, which schools have better scores on usmle?

 

[katiekate]

Do you know which school has a better reputation? I want to make sure that chossing SIU won't affect my ability to get a good residency. Also, which schools have better scores on usmle?

IT depends on what type of residency you plan on attempting. SIU is a great school if you plan on going into a primary care field (FP, PEds, etc.) Here is one of the most recent Match lists for SIU (they only release field stats, not specific programs)

http://www.siumed.edu/studentaffairs/nrmpresults.html

You'll have to look for VCU's (MCV) USMLE and Match stats. SIU is more than half the class size as VCU which allows more personal interaction with faculty during class as well as during clinical activities. IMO, the PBL cirriculum is the direction more and more schools will choose to education their students. Personally I am excited to get a direct exposure to clinical medicine as soon as classes start, which may not be something that is offered so soon at bigger schools.

I really wasn't interested in them too much because I know that if I work hard and put forth the proper effort I will do just as well at SIU as I would anywhere else. One school is not going to make you a better doctor than the other. Only you can determine how good a physician you will be.

I suggest doing some research on SIU's website because all of the information is there and easy to read. Also, search SDN for 'SIU' because there have been several recent discussions of the residency programs and the school in general. It sounds like you don't know too much about SIU or MCV. Did you just apply to SIU because you are and Illinois resident? What were your reasons for applying to MCV?

 

[christi5784]

IT depends on what type of residency you plan on attempting. SIU is a great school if you plan on going into a primary care field (FP, PEds, etc.) Here is one of the most recent Match lists for SIU (they only release field stats, not specific programs)

http://www.siumed.edu/studentaffairs/nrmpresults.html

You'll have to look for VCU's (MCV) USMLE and Match stats. SIU is more than half the class size as VCU which allows more personal interaction with faculty during class as well as during clinical activities. IMO, the PBL cirriculum is the direction more and more schools will choose to education their students. Personally I am excited to get a direct exposure to clinical medicine as soon as classes start, which may not be something that is offered so soon at bigger schools.

I really wasn't interested in them too much because I know that if I work hard and put forth the proper effort I will do just as well at SIU as I would anywhere else. One school is not going to make you a better doctor than the other. Only you can determine how good a physician you will be.

I suggest doing some research on SIU's website because all of the information is there and easy to read. Also, search SDN for 'SIU' because there have been several recent discussions of the residency programs and the school in general. It sounds like you don't know too much about SIU or MCV. Did you just apply to SIU because you are and Illinois resident? What were your reasons for applying to MCV?

Yeah, honestly these are the two schools I was least interested in lol. I never really was hoping for either of them, but of course I am stoked to be going to medical school in general. I know that I will be happy no matter where I go because I am a happy sort of person. For the same reason I am sure I can excel at either school...

 

[christi5784]

My biggest concern about SIU is the reputation it might have. Will other colleagues hear SIU and think that I am a second tier doctor or anything tlike that?

 

[ballsbob]

Any time you have a fairly new medical school, like SIU, it takes a while to build up a stellar reputation (SIU may not be classified as stellar, but it definately has a good rep). Besides, there will be people that look down on you wherever you go (but you will still be an MD, just like any other med school graduate). Amost all the rankings found on the internet are based on research funding, so they do not truly give any indication on which schools will produce the best CLINICIANS.

If you look at SIU's board pass rates, and match lists, it is easy to see that they put out good MD's. I have heard it over and over that the residency is what determines the job you will get and SIU grads get into some very competitive residencies. I read somewhere on the website that a few students last year got residencies at places like Mayo clinic.

It is also incorrect to say that SIU is only a good school if you are wanting to go into family practice. Percentagewise, they are similar to almost any other medical school. Any medical school in the country will have a large portion of their classes go into FP, internal med, peds and Ob/gyn just like SIU.

In my opinion, I think that what you get out of medical school depends on 1) your intelligence and 2) how hard you want to work. So I would figure out what style of learning is best for you and choose the respective school.

 

[DrThom]

SIU has a great reputation, but mainly in Southern Illinois. I know because I am from a southern Illinois town. My primary care doc graduated from SIU and he is a great guy. However, as you go farther and farther from Illinois, SIU's reputation slowly loses its power. I mean, I talk to docs out here in North Carolina and they really don't know a thing about the school. Its not to say they don't turn out great docs, its just that grads tend to stay in southern Illinois (where they is a great need for docs) or the Midwest in general. As SIU continues to grow and as more graduates more out to the rest of the country, SIU's reputation will grow stronger but I don't see that happening until several years from now. Right now I would say SIU's rep is pretty weak outside of the midwest. If you want to stay in the Midwest, this is fine. If you want to try to move to the coasts, it might be a little harder.

 

[christi5784]

Thanks for the opinions! I seem to get a little out of lecture, but mostly learn by reading, notecards... I think I will be fine with pbl...SIU it is...

 

[NEATOMD]

That's exciting. SIU is a great school!

And, I don't mean to offend anyone out there, but honestly...I don't think 99.9% of patients will really care where you went to medical school (Many people don't even distinguish b/w Doc's and PA's). And, most hospital's and clinics care more about where you did your residency than your med school. So, go where you'll be the happiest and do the best.

Best of luck

 

[SigPi]

NOTE: This is just an aside.

The comment about SIU not having much pull other than then midwest may be true, but only to an extent. Really, all medical schools outside the big names like harvard, hopkins and mayo are mostly "only" going to have regional clout.

However, I know for a fact that the plastic surgery residency SIU is one of the top programs in the country. If you know anything about plastics, the names Elvin Zook and Michael Neumeister should ring a strong bell.

Point is, all schools will have their strong and weak points --but you essentially get the same education anyway (why else would board scores be so similar from so many different schools?). Go were you think you will be the most happy. Chose the environment in which you believe you will thrive, rock your boards, jump through all the hoops, and you can go anywhere you want for residency and work afterwards. Your education will be what you make of it, not what your school makes of you.

 

[christi5784]

does anyone know enough about both schools to compare their reputations?