Where to Matriculate, Emory vs. Wash U??

[JustAdocInBox]

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Greetings Everyone,

After much sitting back and deliberating, I have decided to go ahead and pose the question to my fellow SDNers regarding my indecision on where to matriculate. I have withdrawn from all programs Except Wash U and Emory and am unable to decide between the two.

Academically, Wash U is the place for me. I have absolutely no doubt about that. Research interests are a dead on match. Administration was awesome. St. Louis is also the type of city I would be very comfortable in ( I know, must be a shocker to all you big city buffs!).

Emory is a descent academic match. Research interests are well matched but I have received some very very bad complaints from graduate students working in most of the labs I am interested in, leaving me with about 1 or 2 not so strong labs to choose from.

Here is the major problem for me, and this is an issue that will come up again and again in my professional career, all of my family is located in Atlanta (I have a big family). Seeing and spending time with family has always been important to me. I know that outside of academics, I will be very happy in Atlanta. I grew up in Atlanta and pursued my undergraduate training in Atlanta as well.

So here is my question to everyone: can one be successful as a physician scientist if one is confined to one city and institution throughout his/her training, even if better opportunities become available somewhere else? Even if I remain in Emory, there will be other attractive options in different cities for residency, fellowship, and faculty positions. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[zuzu714]

Academics and research aside, I have heard time and time again that it does *not* look very good on your resume to have received all of your training in one place, no matter how good that training is. Personally, I can't imagine what it would have been like to stay at my undergrad for my master's training (not quite the same as MD/PhD in time or training but still...). I have learned so much just from being in a different environment, collaborating with people in new fields that were not represented at my undergrad.

Honestly, it sounds like you already know that at some point you are going to have to branch out, but it also sounds like you would most likely want to be in Atlanta when all is said and done. IMO, it would be best to go somewhere else *now*, so you can return full of new and different experiences later! It's going to be a lot easier to make the move to St. Louis for your MD/PhD training, and still eventually come back to Atlanta, than it would be to make that move 8 years from now and still eventually make it back.

Good with your decision!!

 

[j-weezy]

Honestly, it sounds like you already know that at some point you are going to have to branch out, but it also sounds like you would most likely want to be in Atlanta when all is said and done. IMO, it would be best to go somewhere else *now*, so you can return full of new and different experiences later! It's going to be a lot easier to make the move to St. Louis for your MD/PhD training, and still eventually come back to Atlanta, than it would be to make that move 8 years from now and still eventually make it back.

Good with your decision!!

QFT

 

[gbwillner]

Academically, Wash U is the place for me. I have absolutely no doubt about that. Research interests are a dead on match. Administration was awesome. St. Louis is also the type of city I would be very comfortable in ( I know, must be a shocker to all you big city buffs!).

I think this needs to be your priority right now. It sounds like WashU is the best place for you at the moment. You can always go back to Atlanta.

 

[seraph524]

I think you need to come to WashU with me 😀

 

[deleted174262]

While it is nice to think about going to WashU and moving back to Atlanta eventually... Whereever you do your MD/PhD you will put down roots (house? spouse? kids? friends? jk, friends are for sure). If you have the opportunity to go to a fantastic school like emory, in the city that you want to be in, I would grab it. There's no telling that your future spouse would want to move from St. Louis to Atlanta. Although its not widely talked about on this forum, Emory is a top notch institution which is growing every year, and in two years, you most likely will find a fantastic lab to do your dissertation research.

 

[j-weezy]

While it is nice to think about going to WashU and moving back to Atlanta eventually... Whereever you do your MD/PhD you will put down roots (house? spouse? kids? friends? jk, friends are for sure). If you have the opportunity to go to a fantastic school like emory, in the city that you want to be in, I would grab it. There's no telling that your future spouse would want to move from St. Louis to Atlanta. Although its not widely talked about on this forum, Emory is a top notch institution which is growing every year, and in two years, you most likely will find a fantastic lab to do your dissertation research.

rick rolled

j/k (nice avatar)

 

[Doctor&Geek]

Nothing against Emory, but go to WashU. You can't expect to remain anchored to Atlanta forever.

 

[jlamacc1]

Hey Rev, Atlanta's a short flight away from St. Louis. With WashU's stipend and St. Louis' cost of living, I'm sure you'll be able to go home often. WashU FTW!

 

[seraph524]

I agree! Where are you going jlamacc?

 

[JustAdocInBox]

Hey Rev, Atlanta's a short flight away from St. Louis. With WashU's stipend and St. Louis' cost of living, I'm sure you'll be able to go home often. WashU FTW!

so true!

Thanks for advice everyone! This is going to be a tough call..

 

[jlamacc1]

I agree! Where are you going jlamacc?

50/50 UW/WashU, with my revisit to Seattle this weekend. A decision is imminent!
Q(Rev)FT: "This is going to be a tough call."