WashU vs. State School

[fuzzydoc303]

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Hello, I am trying to decide between attending WashU and one of my state schools (ranked 50-80 with good match list, do not want to disclose which one for anonymity).

State school PROS:
-much cheaper (by around 120k)
-close to home and many of my friends
-Would make it much easier to visit long-term SO (we are very serious)
-in a city I know and love

State school CONS:
-Significantly less prestigious (but match list is good, matches well into specialty I am interested in)
-Worried I would have a tougher time matching given P/F step1 since I am interested in a more competitive specialty (though I have heard things will just shift to Step 2 and school prestige won't matter any more than before)


WashU PROS:
-Very prestigious and would help with matching
-Great research resources in a field I am interested in
-Loved my interview day experience

WashU CONS:
-Very expensive.
-Very far from anyone I know.
-Very very far from my SO, would make it very tough to visit.
-Sadly I really did not like the St. Louis Area


Is the WashU name worth it? I'm trying to decide but feeling sort of paralyzed. Thanks!

 

[HingleMcCringleberryPSU]

Hello, I am trying to decide between attending WashU and one of my state schools (ranked 50-80 with good match list, do not want to disclose which one for anonymity).

State school PROS:
-much cheaper (by around 200k)
-close to home and many of my friends
-Would make it much easier to visit long-term SO (we are very serious)
-in a city I know and love

State school CONS:
-Significantly less prestigious (but match list is good, matches well into specialty I am interested in)
-Worried I would have a tougher time matching given P/F step1 since I am interested in a more competitive specialty (though I have heard things will just shift to Step 2 and school prestige won't matter any more than before)


WashU PROS:
-Very prestigious and would help with matching
-Great research resources in a field I am interested in
-Loved my interview day experience

WashU CONS:
-Very expensive.
-Very far from anyone I know.
-Very very far from my SO, would make it very tough to visit.
-Sadly I really did not like the St. Louis Area


Is the WashU name worth it? I'm trying to decide but feeling sort of paralyzed. Thanks!

It sounds like everything (e.g. money, happiness, close to SO) is pointing you to your state school. There are a couple other factors to consider. Do you know where you want to practice? Can your SO come with you if you go to St. Louis? Doing long distance can be incredibly difficult, and if the relationship is as serious as you say, it can be a huge source of stress. Med school is stressful enough already. No need to add more. If you work incredibly hard in school and want to stay in the same region anyway, I don't think the prestige is worth the added money and stress on your relationship.

 

[fuzzydoc303]

It sounds like everything (e.g. money, happiness, close to SO) is pointing you to your state school. There are a couple other factors to consider. Do you know where you want to practice? Can your SO come with you if you go to St. Louis? Doing long distance can be incredibly difficult, and if the relationship is as serious as you say, it can be a huge source of stress. Med school is stressful enough already. No need to add more. If you work incredibly hard in school and want to stay in the same region anyway, I don't think the prestige is worth the added money and stress on your relationship.

Thanks for your reply! My SO has a dream job in NYC, where I currently live, and would not relocate (and I wouldn't ask her to haha). I hope to practice on the east coast, where my state school is.

 

[Oks1607]

It seems to me you would be happier at your state school. It seems from your post your state school is still a great program, and while not as prestigious a program as WashU, will still get you where you want to go. Are you interested in going into academia later down the line? If so I think the WashU name would help.

 

[fuzzydoc303]

It seems to me you would be happier at your state school. It seems from your post your state school is still a great program, and while not as prestigious a program as WashU, will still get you where you want to go. Are you interested in going into academia later down the line? If so I think the WashU name would help.

Thanks for your reply! I do not plan on going into academics. I'm pretty set (so far) on going private practice.

 

[Morc]

State school. Go where you’re happy! Prestige is just that. You’ll be a great doc either way

 

[fuzzydoc303]

Much love everyone! Thanks for your help.