1st yr SGL here. I like to answer in the main thread so others can read.
PBL does not have lectures (but they do have access to some of the SGL lectures as a resource). They attend 3x weekly case discussion on Mon Wed Fri. PBL does not have cadavers. PBL test much less frequently so they rarely come to campus for exams.
SGL has lectures. They are not mandatory. You can do them entirely via the online recordings (majority) but some people do like to go in-person (minority). SGL also has cadaver lab in-person. SGL has more tests/quizzes etc in-person so that does bring you to campus typically on Friday mornings. Hence, SGL gets more weekends off than the PBL. SGL tests on Fridays every 2-3 weeks. So the weekend immediately after a test, we get to take it fully off with no responsibilities at all. PBL tests every 6-8 weeks, so they have fewer weekends where they can truly do nothing. Given that SGL has multiple exams per unit, you can work up a cushion to your grade, so I do feel that we're under less pressure academically.
Overall, SGL is on campus less than PBL but there's much more variance, I can have several days in a row where I don't go to campus at all (which the PBL never gets to do) which is nice for travel. SGL can sleep-in more often because we typically only have 1-2 morning sessions a week vs PBL who always have a minimum of 3 morning sessions. I do feel that the workflow for PBL is more consistent day-to-day, but they also can take a day fully off without getting behind, unlike the SGL where your schedule is more set in stone.
Each group goes for OMM Lab 1x a week. OMM I'd say is light/moderate, hard to compare to other DO schools given that I can only attend 1. Practical exams on techniques + written questions on our main exams (usually serves as a grade-booster).
My short answer is: SGL has to be on campus slightly less. BUT ultimately it is student-dependent. If you study on campus + do research and clubs, you'll always be on campus. That's true regardless of curriculum choice.
As for the rotation sites, haven't been through it myself so take this with a grain of salt. Most of the upperclassmen seem happy with the process. Most stay in South Jersey (especially with the affiliation with Virtua), with some going up to Central or North Jersey. Farthest South you can go is Delaware.
