Case Western vs. Jefferson/SKMC

[jlms2929]

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Case Western vs. Jefferson/SKMC.

I tried to filter these pros and cons as much as possible to only include things that I think are different enough to matter. Sorry this is a long post.



Interests:

• Strong academic medicine interest
• East Coast match (specifically northeast/mid-Atlantic region if possible). I’m from Washington DC and my family lives here still.
• Broad specialty interest, trying to go into school open minded but really currently drawn to surgery/surgical subspecialties (spec. ortho, neuro, vascular, thoracic). Also, newly sparked interested in critical care.

TLDR for this:

• Should I go with better academic powerhouse with top notch (and nearby) clinical sites, but is much farther from home and not in as exciting of an area, where I still think I’d be very happy that is Case?
• Or should I take the less research/academic focused, but much closer to home, in a more exciting location option that is Jeff? Would I still be able to reach the same academic goals coming out of here?
• My gut/logic says Case but my heart is pulling back to Jeff: given that I think I’ll still be very happy at Case, I should go there and take the great opportunity even though it’s hard to pass on some of the Pros of Jeff. I know I’ll work hard and take advantage of resources at either place, but I feel like the leg up from Case’s name could only help me out.

Overall thoughts

• Drawn to Case because of academic prestige/connections, big academic medical centers (UH and Cleveland Clinic) where Imake great connections/find strong research opportunities.
• Not worried about living in Cleveland itself, I think I’ll like it and be happy it’s just 7+ hours from home and my SO in NYC. I think I’d get used to this and make it work, it’s not deal breaking by any means, but it’s a little intimidating. As of now, I don’t entirely see myself trying to stay in Cleveland for residency.
• Drawn to Jefferson because of proximity to home (family in DC, SO in NYC). Students seemed super happy. Loved the center city Philadelphia location (more the Cleveland). Got the impression that faculty were passionate about the school/very invested in students, many of them had been there since they were students. I could definitely see myself staying in Philadelphia for residency. I also feel like Jeff has a great reputation for producing strong clinicians.
• My main dilemma is: given my academic/surgical interests, would I be making a mistake if I pass up Case? I think Jeff is a great school, has a strong reputation in surgical specialties and the region I’m interested in matching to. I think Jeff main hospital is strong and has strong home programs, and I’m sure there’s research I’d be interested in there, but I worry that the program strength/research/connections etc. at Case are too beneficial given my goals to consider passing up, especially since I think I’d be happy there as well.

Case:

PROS:

• True P/F with NO ranking
• Smaller class
• Academic powerhouse, lots of research and big name hospitals could lead to great connections.
• Ample and easy access to research opportunities, 16-week research protected block after step 1.
• T25 – I really wish this stuff didn’t matter but sounds like it does, I feel somewhat obligated to play the game.
• All clinical rotation sites are local and close to the school/where I’d live, don’t have to drive all over the place.
• Really nice, brand new building.
• HoloLens anatomy (I see this as a pro because it cuts the time in class in half)
• Tons of allotted free time to do stuff other than class.
• Cleveland seems like there’s actually a lot to do that I’d enjoy, students seem happy and very close. I think I’d fit in well here.

CONS:

• Far from home (7+ hours), would get used to it though I think.
• Winters are cold and long, not thrilled but not the worst. I do like to be outside a lot, Cleveland seems to have a lot to do but weather may prevent taking full advantage of it.
• Higher tuition, so harder to cut corners to save money, but COL is low.
• Have to bus back and forth from house to school.
• Some areas between/around living and school are sketchy but sounds like you just need be smart about it like any city.
• 24 months before clinical rotations (including research block)

Jefferson

PROS:

• Students and faculty really seemed passionate about their school, seemed really tight knit.
• Much closer to home.
• Center city Philadelphia is an awesome location that I’d love to experience.
• Diverse patient population, would see a lot.
• 21 months preclinical = 12 weeks of extra electives. Could be good for step 2 and exploring my interests more. More time for away rotations.
• While Case may be more generally strong, I feel like TJU hospital is well respected in ortho and neurosurgery and I could still make great connections.
• Large alumni network, strong reputation in region. Could this help offset perceived prestige difference some?
• Longitudinal research project in M1/M2. While not a research powerhouse, looks like there’s plenty of research to get involved with in my areas of interest.
• Buildings are nice, wouldn’t have any issue with them.
• When I left my interview here I had a snap feeling of "I loved this place I think its my top choice"

CONS:

• Lower prestige/ranking, less research emphasis? Seems like plenty of people still match to big academic programs though so Idk.
• Rank class by thirds. Not a fan of this but apparently, students don’t think its stressful?
• Rotation sites can be spread out pretty far into PA and DE. This seems like it could be pretty annoying.
• Would not get the same consistent academic hospital experience like Case outside of main TJU hospital probably.
• Large class (275) could lead to saturation of research opportunities, clinical rotations, etc. This is one of my largest worries tbh.

Thanks, I really appreciate your help/thoughts!

 

[idiotreinventor]

case western school of surgery

 

[Etopn23]

It would be a mistake to not choose Case given your goals.