WashU vs. Northwestern University (Feinberg School of Medicine)

[pwk4d]

After a long application cycle, I have narrowed my choices to WashU and Northwestern University. I am fortunate enough to have scholarships/grants at each equivalent to 1/2 tuition. My spouse will be able to support us so my only debt will be the remaining 1/2 tuition. There is only a couple thousand dollar difference between the two so CoA is not a big deal. I am a non-traditional applicant so my spouse and I must also consider a growing family in our plans. I am interested in orthopedic surgery. These are both great schools and many of their pros/cons overlap so I am only including the differentiators below:

Northwestern University
PROS:

• Close to family and friends - we are both from the Chicagoland area
• I prefer the organ systems-based curriculum
• My field of work is very team-centered and hands-on so I like the PBL format
• I'm a fan of the ECMH for longitudinal learning and peer teaching/learning
• My spouse has job prospects with higher potential earnings (can transfer offices with current job too)
• I have previous relationships with the undergraduate school that may allow unique research opportunities

CONS:

• More expensive cost of living
• We will live in the suburbs with a long public transportation commute (can study part of it)
• Lower prestige? Not sure how significant since NU matches ortho frequently
• Less educational flexibility (no electives)

WashU
PROS:

• A little higher prestige/ranking
• Have a house already
• Spouse doesn't need to transfer jobs
• Top orthopedic surgery hospital
• First year selectives
• Shorter commute (25-30 min drive)

CONS:

• I don't prefer the traditional curriculum
• I have some concern over the impact of the new curriculum in 2020
• Didn't love my interview day

I'm going to WashU's second look to get a better feel for the school and its students. I'm really torn on this one and appreciate your thoughtful responses!

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[rball]

Based on what you’ve told us I would vote for Northwestern.

It sounds like going to NW would be much easier for you and your spouse, and it sounds like you’d be happier at NW. I would definitely go to both schools’ second looks, as they have fairly different vibes from what I have heard. It’s important to be happy in med school to perform well, and it sounds like NW would provide that to you.

As far as prestige goes, in some fields such as IM WashU will give you a slight advantage. In your case if you are set on ortho, WashU will not give you much of an advantage, if at all. NW has rapidly become a powerhouse in ortho (doximity rankings etc tend to lag behind a few years) and is a machine in matching into ortho. Huge names in pretty much every ortho subspecialty (terry, attar, peabody just to name a few), and they have a solid track record of matching students into top ortho programs coast to coast, plus matching a high % of their students into ortho in general every year. WashU thus wont give you an edge in this regard. So I would not worry much about prestige.

Hope this helps, and best of luck!

 

[bonedoc5576]

Go where you'll be happier and better supported. Both are excellent programs that won't hold you back.

As far as ortho goes, I wouldn't worry too much about where would give you the most advantage...you need to achieve distinction by your own merits.

Nevertheless the following is accurate: Northwestern is the second best ortho residency in Chicago behind Rush, but not a top ten program whereas Wash U is easily a top ten if not top 5 ortho residency program for what it's worth.

 

[rball]

Go where you'll be happier and better supported. Both are excellent programs that won't hold you back.

As far as ortho goes, I wouldn't worry too much about where would give you the most advantage...you need to achieve distinction by your own merits.

Nevertheless the following is accurate: Northwestern is the second best ortho residency in Chicago behind Rush, but not a top ten program whereas Wash U is easily a top ten if not top 5 ortho residency program for what it's worth.

Agree entirely with this post. WashU is def top 5 in ortho, and while NW may not be top 10 it is still a top program in the field and has had a rapid upward trajectory. Both programs highly respected and both provide great opportunities for students so cant go wrong either way.

 

[pbsdrinkingwhale]

Northwestern!!

 

[noddy1234]

Both schools are fantastic and can easily get you where you want to go. I think the toughest part of your decision is the logistics, like having a house already which I imagine is a big sticking point thinking about selling it.

 

[puahate]

Honestly leaning towards WashU.

 

[pwk4d]

Based on what you’ve told us I would vote for Northwestern.

It sounds like going to NW would be much easier for you and your spouse, and it sounds like you’d be happier at NW. I would definitely go to both schools’ second looks, as they have fairly different vibes from what I have heard. It’s important to be happy in med school to perform well, and it sounds like NW would provide that to you.

As far as prestige goes, in some fields such as IM WashU will give you a slight advantage. In your case if you are set on ortho, WashU will not give you much of an advantage, if at all. NW has rapidly become a powerhouse in ortho (doximity rankings etc tend to lag behind a few years) and is a machine in matching into ortho. Huge names in pretty much every ortho subspecialty (terry, attar, peabody just to name a few), and they have a solid track record of matching students into top ortho programs coast to coast, plus matching a high % of their students into ortho in general every year. WashU thus wont give you an edge in this regard. So I would not worry much about prestige.

Hope this helps, and best of luck!

Thank you for thoughts. Unfortunately, both second looks are this upcoming weekend... I'm very familiar with the NU culture though so I'm not as concerned about that. I think I probably overstated the prestige aspect just as I was making a pros/cons list although I wasn't sure how much of a difference T10 vs. T20 would make, especially with WashU being a top ortho residency.

Go where you'll be happier and better supported. Both are excellent programs that won't hold you back.

As far as ortho goes, I wouldn't worry too much about where would give you the most advantage...you need to achieve distinction by your own merits.

Nevertheless the following is accurate: Northwestern is the second best ortho residency in Chicago behind Rush, but not a top ten program whereas Wash U is easily a top ten if not top 5 ortho residency program for what it's worth.

No doubt I am responsible for my own path - just looking to see if there are any boosts though! Thank you for your reply.

Northwestern!!

Are you going there?

Both schools are fantastic and can easily get you where you want to go. I think the toughest part of your decision is the logistics, like having a house already which I imagine is a big sticking point thinking about selling it.

Fortunately, my house would sell quickly. The bigger issue is I won't be able to find as nice of a house in the Chicagoland area for the same price! The logistics is definitely a major sticking point. It would be "easier" and "cheaper" for me to stay where I am now, but I don't know how much to way that against having family support.

Having family/friends nearby when in medical school has been huge for me. Really insignificant difference in prestige, Northwestern has a phenomenal match list into ortho programs, and Chicago is a great city to live in. It seems like Northwestern is where you want to go, but have reservations about prestige? I would go to Feinberg.

It's less about the prestige. I think I overstated that just by including it in my Pros/Cons. I know both can get me where I want to go without any hang-ups. Biggest issue is probably having a less complicated housing/commuting situation vs. being closer to family.

Honestly leaning towards WashU.

Any particular reason why?

 

[hhap1234]

I would go with NW in your case! The fact that both you and your SO will have friends and family in the Chicago area (which is a much better city to live in imo) is a big pro. Having a strong support system already in place is super important. Selling your house seems like a pretty temporary problem that you would only have to deal with now and not throughout med school. As for the commute, yeah it won’t be fun, but for me at least that wouldn’t be a determining factor especially since you’d still have to commute if you went to wash u anyways.

The fact that you didn’t love your interview day at wash u should also be taken into account I think. Just my thoughts!

 

[indecisiveconvention]

Hopefully you'll be able to get a better feel of students when you revisit WashU for second look! The curriculum change should not affect this incoming class - anything new your class would do would be fully "opt-in" during your M4 year.

Looking at the match list, they routinely match to top ortho programs (including multiple to their own program, other top programs (JHU, Rush, UPMC), and, for the past couple years, at least one yearly to HSS (which only takes in 9 residents each cycle)).