Hi guys!
I am an M1 at RWJ, and I have to admit that I couldn't be happier with my decision to attend RWJ. I had other acceptances and waitlists, but it didn't take me long to realize that this was a wonderful place. Here are some of the factors that I researched and weighed my decision on:
- Tuition
- Cost of living/housing
- Location (New Brunswick, Philly, NYC, Hoboken)
- Global Health program + funding
- Research opportunities + funding (UMDNJ, Rutgers, Princeton, CINJ)
- Internal MD/PhD application - possible for those who are considering applying into the program in the first or second year
- Medical Spanish program
- Entirely student-run clinic for the uninsured in New Brunswick (Promise Clinic) - one of the only of its kind in the country
- High rate of consistent admission into prestigious summer fellowship programs
- Match List Match List Match List Match List Match List Match List is AMAZING =)
For those of you who think that RWJ is all Rutgers - so not true! This year, nearly 20% of our class is from Ivy League schools, and many from small prestigious liberal arts schools. It's honestly a great mix of students from so many academic background. I love my class 🙂
RWJ has a great reputation not just among other medical schools (it's perhaps one of the best state schools), but also among residency programs. I'm sure you all already saw RWJ's Match List - I think it most accurately speaks for the strength of academic preparation and the quality of students that come here. Don't be fooled by the "state school" title - it is by no means an easy ride here. Though a very stimulating and competitive environment, it is unbelievably friendly and encouraging. My classmates are very hard-working and determined, but they are also very fun, friendly, and readily help one another. I can't emphasize this enough, as it is probably why I am enjoying my first year so much. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions! Of course, I'm very biased and really don't have anything negative to say. 🙂
Hey all,
Post-match RWJ MSIV here. I just wanted to give you all a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel.
To be frank, I didn't know much about RWJ when I matriculated, and much of what I feel about the school is as a result of spending the past 5 years there. I can't say much about the pre-clinical curriculum because it has changed somewhat from when I was a MS I/II, but I'll give my two cents about the other stuff.
Firstly, the clinical training you get is phenomenal. We're all in this to become great clinicians, right? For my specialty of choice, I did 3 away rotations at arguably the best programs in the country, and I have to say that RWJ prepared me to shine, in many ways, more so than my colleagues from other well regarded institutions. The level of autonomy and patient ownership afforded to you during your clinical training years is beyond what occurs at many other schools. I think that this is where you really develop a sense of responsibility to the patient and rediscover your motivation for being in medicine, which may have been muddled after spending a few years in the classroom.
Secondly, the opportunities here are readily available. Whether its research, community outreach, getting second degree, etc, you are given free reign over the course of your education. For example, I took a year to do research under a very competitive fellowship. This was facilitated in part by the great track record that RWJ has with many of these fellowships, including the Doris Duke, Howard Hughes, Clinical Research Training Program, etc to name a few, and RWJ students are routinely awarded these grants year after year.
Lastly, the greatest measure of a school's success in training well-rounded, capable physicians who are highly sought after is the match list. To say the least, our success in the match speaks for itself. For a "humble" state school, students go to the best institutions across the country in the most competitive specialties.
Anyway, regardless of where you all go, as long as you are motivated, work hard, but also know how to let loose and play hard from time to time, you will all get great training.
As always, PM me if you have any questions, especially my future RWJ colleagues
🙂