WashU vs Northwestern

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fling105

fling105

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WashU
- Half-tuition scholarship

Northwestern
- Full-tuition scholarship


Still to this day I have no idea how much “prestige” matters, which is why I’m making this post. How different will my opportunities be if I attend WashU?
 
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Depends what you’re interested in. In IM, WashU will generally give you an edge. In most highly competitive specialties, that edge disappears entirely and NW is just as good. If you want to keep nonclinical medicine open (e.g. an MBA), NW is much better.

I would focus on where you would be happier-the cultures at the 2 schools are somewhat different. Otherwise, if you like both equally, I think NW is a better option based on cost and the fact that you are not really sacrificing prestige at all.
 
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Half tuition is still really good. Honestly just focus on where you think you’ll be the happiest. Some people will knock you for chasing prestige but if thats what makes you happy then go for it!
 
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WashU has very very strong specialty residency matches, even higher than Northwestern. The half tuition scholarship is just as equally great! Remember, that not many medical students get scholarships in the first place to attend med school. Do not let others shame you for choosing a higher ranked school. Either way both are great schools. But I am giving my two cents for WashU
 
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The biggest advantage WashU would give you is having easier access to its home residencies, which are among the best or the best in the nation (depending on the specialty). Beyond that remember that most doctor's/directors are pretty old, so school's histories and networks matter. WashU has historically been a research beast, and it's reflected by a residency directory rating that equals Harvard's. I'd also imagine that once you factor in the CoL around NW v. WashU, that the COA between the schools isn't hugely different.

NW has undeniably better dual-degrees (i.e. open more doors outside medicine), sounds cheaper, and most people probably like Chicago more than STL. WashU will probably open some more doors within medicine. Best of luck
 
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I'm pretty desperate to get off the waitlist at WashU, but if I were in your shoes, I'd go to Northwestern. I work in a community hospital, so that might skew things, but every doc I work with says the cheaper option is almost always worth it. Especially between the two choices, I don't think you'd be losing out on much while also saving a decent chunk of change. Once you're an attending physician, no one will care where you went to school -- especially if its between two schools that are both well regarded -- but presumably, you'll care a little about your debt.
 
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To reiterate others:

Between Northwestern and WashU there is essentially no meaningful prestige difference when applying to residency. You’ll get a bump at each respective home institution, but if you go to either of those school what you actually do in Med School will be what determines where you go to residency.

Given that, if it’s me, I go the cheaper option and don’t look back.
 
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seeinghowitgoes said:
To reiterate others:

Between Northwestern and WashU there is essentially no meaningful prestige difference when applying to residency. You’ll get a bump at each respective home institution, but if you go to either of those school what you actually do in Med School will be what determines where you go to residency.

Given that, if it’s me, I go the cheaper option and don’t look back.
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I definitely agree with you dude. Some back of the envelope math puts the difference at like $100k. For me, I'd honestly consider going to a school that is ranked significantly worse (which Northwestern isn't!) to save that much money.
 
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Not sure what your financial background is, but I’d maybe wait until you get need-based aid info from WashU. I got full merit scholarship at NU, and like 60% merit scholarship at WashU, but their need-based aid was so generous, I ended up with more than full tuition at WashU. That coupled with the extremely high cost of living in Gold Coast/Streeterville made WashU 50k-60k cheaper in the end, even though I got less merit scholarship from them.
 
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It might be more helpful if you have a more extensive pro/con list (although considering you only included the financial information, that may mean that financial consideration IS the most important thing to you - in which case choose the option with less debt every time). What location do you prefer/is closer to family? Which curriculum is better for you? Which place gave you that 'yeah I would love to go here" feeling on interview day? Is there any reason pulling you towards the more expensive option? If that reason is "fit" then go with your gut
 
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LabileEmotions said:
Without more information from the OP as to his/her pros and cons around each school and his/her aspirations, this thread is nothing more than an argument between the "prestige ******" and the "skinflints".

Too often, unfortunately, this is what these threads devolve into.

OPs need to do a better job of articulating their aspirations and their attitude toward debt, among other things. And some responders need to put away the organ and the monkey.
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Nah lol, I'm good. I made my decision. Thanks tho.
 
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neuro312 said:
Out of curiosity, which did you end up picking?
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Northwestern:smuggrin:

Less expensive, amazing location, friendlier people, greater commitment to diversity efforts, gorgeous facilities, better curricular fit. Also, this wasn't as big of a factor, but it was still something I considered: I want to attend a school that really wants me there... I was accepted to NW in the first wave of acceptances. WashU, rather, called me late off the waitlist (nonetheless with a recruitment scholarship, but still).

I also like to think about what I'm "giving up" by attending one school over another. I gave up being in a research "power house" and "prestige." I already have a great research connection that I will use throughout medical school. I don't care much about prestige and I don't anticipate having problems with the residency match as long as I perform well.

It was helpful to hear everyone's comments on the "prestige" difference in this thread. It gave me the comfort I needed to withdraw from a "Top 10" school, which was the initial foundation of my dilemma.
 
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fling105 said:
Northwestern:smuggrin:

Less expensive, amazing location, friendlier people, greater commitment to diversity efforts, gorgeous facilities, better curricular fit. Also, this wasn't as big of a factor, but it was still something I considered: I want to attend a school that really wants me there... I was accepted to NW in the first wave of acceptances. WashU, rather, called me late off the waitlist (nonetheless with a recruitment scholarship, but still).

I also like to think about what I'm "giving up" by attending once school over another. I gave up being in a research "power house" and "prestige." I already have a great research connection that I will use throughout medical school. I don't care much about prestige and I don't anticipate having problems with the residency match as long as I perform well.

It was helpful to hear everyone's comments on the "prestige" difference in this thread. It gave me the comfort I needed to withdraw from a "Top 10" school, which was the initial foundation of my dilemma.
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Congrats! Feinberg is a fantastic school & I think you made the right choice

Now hopefully I can still squeak in off the alternate list and meet you there :laugh:
 
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fling105 said:
Northwestern:smuggrin:

Less expensive, amazing location, friendlier people, greater commitment to diversity efforts, gorgeous facilities, better curricular fit. Also, this wasn't as big of a factor, but it was still something I considered: I want to attend a school that really wants me there... I was accepted to NW in the first wave of acceptances. WashU, rather, called me late off the waitlist (nonetheless with a recruitment scholarship, but still).

I also like to think about what I'm "giving up" by attending once school over another. I gave up being in a research "power house" and "prestige." I already have a great research connection that I will use throughout medical school. I don't care much about prestige and I don't anticipate having problems with the residency match as long as I perform well.

It was helpful to hear everyone's comments on the "prestige" difference in this thread. It gave me the comfort I needed to withdraw from a "Top 10" school, which was the initial foundation of my dilemma.
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Lol after reading this, I am glad we won’t be classmates. Have fun!
 
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littlefishbigpond3270 said:
Lol after reading this, I am glad we won’t be classmates. Have fun!
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Lol, what a despicable thing to say to somebody who made an informed decision that was best for themselves and gave great rationale even though they didn’t need to. Only on SDN...

OP congrats on Feinberg, wont hold you back compared to WashU. You didnt give up prestige, dont let usnews worshippers tell you otherwise
 
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