UVA vs Mayo vs Columbia vs WashU

[drwannabe321]

Very blessed to receive multiple acceptances this cycle.

UVA : Pros: The only one of the 4 that I was able to visit in person - loved the campus and the student "vibe"
Good match list
Decent weather (I'm from the midwest but I attend undergrad in the south - I strongly dislike cold weather)
1.5 year P/F preclinical
Students seemed happy

Cons: Lower ranked than other options
No financial aid
Graded rotations (?internal rankings for pre-clinical)
No protected research time
Not much to do in a small town?


Mayo: Pros: 1.5 year P/F pre-clinical
Prestige
Excellent match list
Very warm climate
Small class (personal attention)
Generous merit aid would bring the cost down to being the lowest of all choices (by far)

Cons: Small class size = less friends?
Possibly predominantly older students (I did not take a gap year)
Students say it is difficult to get Honors in clinical rotations
Mandatory attendance and dress code (though students say not very strictly enforced?)
Not able to visit in person - no idea if I'd like the area
Farthest from family

Columbia: Pros: 1.5 year P/F pre-clinical
Protected research time
Excellent match list
NYC is exciting
Prestige

Cons: SO cold
Expensive to live there (I did receive a small amount of financial aid here)
Have heard it is a competitive vibe
Don't know that I'd be happy living in NYC (the idea sounds appealing but the reality??)
Not able to visit in person

WashU: Pros: Excellent reputation in medicine (not so much for people outside of medicine)
I'm familiar with the midwest so could adjust easily
Weather warmish (I've heard hot and humid in the summer but I love that kind of weather)
Excellent match list
Rumored that clinical rotations are soon to be P/F like pre-clinical
Availabilty of generous merit aid (none received to date but have heard this can be offered right up until classes start)

Cons: No financial aid to date
Not able to visit in person
St. Louis does not excite me (but the school does!)
Reputation for being competitive

Also waitlisted at Vanderbilt, Yale and Duke.

I think any of these schools would give me an excellent education. I am unsure which area of medicine I am most interested in at this point but I think any of these schools would allow me to pursue competitive specialties.

Thank you.

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[EndureVascular]

Based on what you said- UVA if you don't feel the need to chase the prestige
If you do I'd chose Columbia

 

[deleted1126476]

How much different is cost?

 

[drwannabe321]

How much different is cost?

UVA - full OOS tuition around 65,000 plus living expenses.
Mayo - 21,000 tuition plus living expenses.
Columbia - around 60,000 tuition plus living expenses.
WashU - full tuition at 71,500 plus living expenses.

 

[chilly_md]

UVA - full OOS tuition around 65,000 plus living expenses.
Mayo - 21,000 tuition plus living expenses.
Columbia - around 60,000 tuition plus living expenses.
WashU - full tuition at 71,500 plus living expenses.

Go to Mayo.

I thought you said WashU gave generous merit aid in your first post. You have them at 0 in this breakdown.

 

[drwannabe321]

Go to Mayo.

I thought you said WashU gave generous merit aid in your first post. You have them at 0 in this breakdown.

I will edit my post. Meant to say "availability for generous merit aid" which apparently can be offered very late in the process.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

Mayo, based on cost, prestige and weather.

 

[chilly_md]

I will edit my post. Meant to say "availability for generous merit aid" which apparently can be offered very late in the process.

I see. Not something I would count on then if it doesn't come in later this month or in time before the CTE deadlines.

 

[AstroSidekick]

My vote is Mayo as it has everything you are looking for at the best price.

 

[Max2022]

Mayo sounds nice

 

[deleted1146359]

IMO Mayo seems like the best combo of Cost + School + Location for you.