Wayne State vs Temple vs VCU

[homerunner5]

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY:
PROS:

• Several hospitals to rotate in
• Likely to have very interesting pathology being the only med school in Detroit
• Lots of opportunities to serve the underserved
• Possibility of in-state tuition after a few years
• Lots to do in the city
• Pass/fail (also has AOA)

CONS:

• Climate
• Large class size
• Higher than average cost of living
• New curriculum
• Rumors of disorganized administration
• Lottery system for hospital selection
• Questionable name recognition outside of Michigan
• Highest OOS tuition out of the three options

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY:
PROS:

• Very large hospital and hospital network
• Likely to have very interesting pathology
• Lots to do in the city
• Connected the best with the students here during my interview
• Name recognition
• Pass/fail
• Cheapest OOS tuition
• Students raved about how good the professors were (some of the best they’ve ever had)

CONS:

• Area around campus is said to be a little unsafe, will have to live in an area away from the school
• Climate
• Somewhat large class size
• Private school tuition

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY:
PROS:

• Climate
• Pass/fail
• Nicest surrounding area of the three and supportive community
• No research requirement
• Curriculum seemed the most unique of the three
• Students were relatable
• Possibility of in-state tuition after a few years

CONS:

• No major student outreach program, seems to be mostly through clubs
• Lottery system for elective rotations

I am OOS for all three schools, but distance from home isn't too much of a concern for me since I did my undergrad OOS as well. Any opinions/insights would be super helpful!

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[chilly_md]

Public medical schools do not commonly allow students to change their residency to gain in-state tuition after they have already started. The Ohio schools are the main exception, so you should double check to see if Wayne State or VCU would allow it (and whether the requirements are feasible for you).

I would narrow it to Temple or VCU. If you do not like the cold at all, VCU is probably better and living close to the campus would be more convenient for you there.

 

[AstroSidekick]

Personally, I would go to VCU over Temple. Richmond still has Amtrak in case you ever wanted to conveniently get to a big city like Philly, DC, or even NYC.