Advice desperately needed: Jeff or MCPHU?

In my opinion you must weigh what is important to you. As I see, it the greatest differences between these two schools are atmosphere, curriculum, grading and hospitals.

Jefferson has traditional curriculum and a numeric grading system (eg. 84 in microbiology, 91 in anatomy). This, plus the conservative, tradiational nature of the school and its administration make it a pretty competitive, less "friendly" place. Jefferson University Hospital is one of the nation's finest hospitals, with some "big names" in departments like Othro, ENT, etc.

MCP-H has the choice of either traditional curriculum or problem based learning (PIL). It's a much more relaxed learning environment in the first two years, with a typical pass/high-pass/etc grading system and a more supportive administration. The campus is obviously not next to the hospitals, and the hospitals are not as well-regarded as TJU's main hospital.

If your biggest concern is the residency match, I suggest you examine the match lists. When I looked at them two years ago, they looked pretty similar to me. But check for yourself. I would seriously doubt that residency directors would even take school reputation into consideration when deciding between two candidates graduating from these two schools. I don't think there's that great a difference in reputation...

My advice: go to the school where you think you will thrive.

Good Luck!

 

Just to add to what's already been said, Jeff students will be graded on an Honors/Pass/Fail basis next year, unlike in previous years where the grading system was numerical.

 

I second brian's info regarding the new grading system at jeff. The curriculum has been vastly innovated as well, with an organ-based system in the second year.

Regarding residency match,Jeff's reputation among peer institution and residency directors is far from equal to that of MCP. I'm here at Penn's medical center and there is nothing but praise from the "big guys" here for the quality of education that jeff offers.

 

My interviewer at Temple last week spoke poorly of MCP. He specifically mentioned that after their financial problems, they were bought by a for-profit hospital. Does this make a big difference in the quality of the school/education? Does it mean their students rotate in a private hospital? What's the big deal?

 

regarding clinical rotations: almost all medical students rotate through several types of hospitals. jeff students spend some time at TJU, but also rotate through methodist, bryn mawr, lankenau, etc. likewise, MCP-H students spend some time at MCP, some at Hahnemann, and some at other hospitals in the region. are mcp-h students at some huge clinical disadvantge? are these hospitals vastly worse? definitely not. how much you learn as a third-year student has very little to do with the name of the medical school you attend, and a lot to do with the attention paid to you by your attendings, residents, and your own eagerness. there are also differing spectrums of disease seen at different institutions you may or may not rotate though at a given med school... remember: no matter where you go to medical school, your clinical education will differ from that of your classmates because your rotation order and locations will differ from those of your classmates. there's probably just as much (or more) variation of clinical experience within a medical school class at one school than there is on average between different medical schools.

regarding mcp-h's financial stability: they are fine now. ask anyone who knows. they might soon be called "drexel school of medicine," though.

regarding reputation: again, if you really want to know how students from these schools do in the residency match, don't listen to a word you read in anonymous internet forums (especially from posters offering secondhand anectdotal opinions from "big guys" at Ivy League medical centers). you should look at the match lists from both schools. i think you will find they are quite similar... as are almost all match lists at american MD programs not ranked in the top 15-20 by USNews.

final advice: talk to a doctor who is familiar with the residency match process (either a young attending or a residency director... at least someone at an academic medical center). these people have a lot of wisdom to offer and can help you determine what your priorities should be when chosing between multiple medical schools.

ps. i don't attend either jefferson or mcp-h.