Hackensack Meridian vs Hofstra

[annglish]

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Thanks for taking the time to contribute, please help me!
Background: looking to match into a relatively competitive surgical specialty (as of now) & I hope to attend a school where classes are known to be tight-knit.

Hackensack SOM
Pros

• 3 year program + 1 year for research, early intern year, etc (important if I need to take a research year for my current desired specialty)
• true P/F M1 & M2
• Super close to friends & family
• New school -- receptive to new ideas (as I've been told)
• I know a few students who already go there, faculty seem supportive & class seesm tight-knit
• New building & option to do research with Pfizer HQ in NYC

Cons

• Doesn't have a home program for the specialty im interested in
• shortened but sped up curriculum since its 3 years, no time for research before the optional 4th year
• Not that big a fan of driving all over North or South jersey for rotations
• New school -- if I would want something I'd have to start it up myself
• EXPENSIVE about $20,000 more than Hofstra

Hofstra
Pros

• near NYC & has a home program for the specialty Im interested in
• huge hospital system
• P/F too with an ultrasound part of curriculum which sounds pretty cool
• lots of $$$, student told me they are able to cover things like ubers or food during rotations
• also has supportive faculty (as I have been told by some students)
• cold harbor spring for research opportunities
• ~ 20k cheaper than HMSOM
• new but not as new & generally more established with a bigger network/alumni system then HMSOM

Cons

• will probably have to move before M3 for clinicals
• farther from family in NJ
• essay format exams & mandatory classes
• as a suburb person, not sure how I feel about clinicals in NYC but at the same time I know NYC would be a great place to learn

Summary: In general I know I shouldnt be too concerned about specialty right now, but with step 1 being P/F and surgical specialties getting more & more competitive, I feel like having a home program is a huge help. Then again, I haven't rotated or shadowed in my desired specialty (did some virtual shadowing & alot of research) so who knows. These are 2 great schools IMO so I would appreciate any insight. Thank you!

 

[Shunsui]

I vote Hofstra mainly due to the lack of a home program at Hackensack in the competitive specialty you want to pursue. Even with a research year, the lack of connections provided by your program would make it difficult to hop on meaningful projects or to even obtain LORs from big names in the field.

 

[MedScat]

I didn't know Hackensack was a 3 year school, that's kind of cool. The tuition difference is still 20k more even with one less year?

Do you have a clue where you want to end up practicing medicine after school? Northwell has a good NY area reputation so if that's where you want to end up, it's something to consider.

Hackensack is currently working on expanding their system to make them more more competitive with the NYC prestigious programs and after interviewing there this year, it sounds as though they are greatly expanding their subspecialty availability but, it's true, they aren't quite there yet. Because of this, and the amazing training and diverse pathology you'd see at Hofstra compared to Hackensack, I would say Hofstra is probably your best bet.

 

[Banco]

Hofstra is in the suburbs, in Long Island - it's close to Queens which is more proper city, but you're not going to be near what you're thinking of as "NYC". I'd probably just go there for the money savings (is it 20k saved even with the 1 year saved at Hackensack?). Plus, it's pretty easy to make it out to NJ from there via Long Island Rail Road + NJ Transit or a drive (~1 hour between the 2 schools).

 

[srirachamayonnaise]

Hofstra is in the suburbs, in Long Island - it's close to Queens which is more proper city, but you're not going to be near what you're thinking of as "NYC". I'd probably just go there for the money savings (is it 20k saved even with the 1 year saved at Hackensack?). Plus, it's pretty easy to make it out to NJ from there via Long Island Rail Road + NJ Transit or a drive (~1 hour between the 2 schools).

LIRR is easy enough to get to the city from where Hofstra is, about 35 mins.

 

[beepbeep197]

How did you learn this about Hofstra's curriculum? I'm an accepted student and am trying to decide between Hofstra and another school.

 

[Banco]

LIRR is easy enough to get to the city from where Hofstra is, about 35 mins.

That's true. But you can also get to Manhattan in 30 mins from Hackensack. Just want to make the distinction that one isn't more or less suburby than the other for OP.

 

[annglish]

I actually like being in the suburbs of hofstra which is a plus for me! both schools arent in major cities, but just close enough and diverse enough. Thanks everyone, this was really helpful!

 

[annglish]

How did you learn this about Hofstra's curriculum? I'm an accepted student and am trying to decide between Hofstra and another school.

They had a presentation during my interview day and I reached out to current students that I went to school with to learn more about the "vibe," monthly essay exams, and mandatory classes

 

[beepbeep197]

They had a presentation during my interview day and I reached out to current students that I went to school with to learn more about the "vibe," monthly essay exams, and mandatory classes

dang... mandatory classes really turn me off from the school 🙁 are they mandatory like you have to show up to PBL sessions or something else

 

[annglish]

dang... mandatory classes really turn me off from the school 🙁 are they mandatory like you have to show up to PBL sessions or something else

from what I understand yes, PBL are mandatory and its really a matter of knowing how you learn and if their curriculum would click with your learning style

 

[beepbeep197]

from what I understand yes, PBL are mandatory and its really a matter of knowing how you learn and if their curriculum would click with your learning style

eek

 

[7331poas]

Take my advice and go to hofstra.

 

[beepbeep197]

Take my advice and go to hofstra.

can you elaborate please