Case Western vs Pitt

[slim06]

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I just found out that I got accepted to Pitt (!), and now I'm wondering if I should make the trip out from the west coast to interview at Case Western. In my mind, I picture them as both being very good, rust-belt schools. Surprisingly, I liked Pittsburgh as a city (they call it the San Francisco of Pennsylvania). Can anyone help me compare and contrast the two schools (and the two cities).

 

[bohemianink84]

I just found out that I got accepted to Pitt (!), and now I'm wondering if I should make the trip out from the west coast to interview at Case Western. In my mind, I picture them as both being very good, rust-belt schools. Surprisingly, I liked Pittsburgh as a city (they call it the San Francisco of Pennsylvania). Can anyone help me compare and contrast the two schools (and the two cities).

Hey slim,
Congrats! I loved UPitt as well! When did you interview?

 

[MrBurns10]

I would definitely go to the interview. I have this decision to make come May 15 and it'll be a tough one. Here are some points of both that I saw:
Pitt:
-has ridiculously awesome simulation center
-has a better hospital to do rotations at (at case you usually do it in University Hospital, not Cleveland Clinic)
-students seemed pretty cool and non-competitive
-cheap cost of living
-better sports teams, if that matters to you
Case:
-I really really like their class schedule- everyday students get out of lecture by 1pm and next year MS1's get Thursdays off; you get 4 months to focus completely on your research project and then some additional time to study for Step 1
-is unranked P/F for first two years, whereas Pitt is ranked (I think?) H/P/F
-I thought the facilities and buildings were really nice
-students seemed to get along really well and admin was fully supportive of them; I even heard that after tests (or maybe just once in a while) the admin takes out a tab at a local bar that students can go get a few drinks that night
-Case's second look weekend is completely paid for (each student gets $300 for travel)

If any of this is incorrect, I apologize...I'm not a student, but these are some things I've heard. I know the class schedule has been confirmed by several people. Either way, I'd go to the interview and check it out for yourself. Congrats on Pitt!

 

[Risa]

hey slim,

I'm also accepted to Pitt (woohoo!), and am interviewing at Case next week. Out of the 7 interviews I had left after my Pitt acceptance, Case is the only one I kept. They both seem like great schools, and it seems worth it to me to go check it out in person. But obviously Pitt is fabulous, so you're in a win-win situation whichever way you go. Congrats!

 

[Doko]

If you do a search on this topic, it's been beaten like a dead horse has never been beaten before. It's really helpful, but A LOT SDNers always seem to have trouble deciding between the two.

Good luck everyone.

Doko.

 

[Idioteque]

Surprisingly, I liked Pittsburgh as a city (they call it the San Francisco of Pennsylvania).

thats the funniest thing I've read all day.

 

[geekOCD]

Surprisingly, I liked Pittsburgh as a city (they call it the San Francisco of Pennsylvania).

lol, I was also curious about this. One of the reasons I didn't apply to pitt is b/c of the city, and I know plenty of people who've hated the city and don't think I've really heard anything good about it overall (besides something like good sports teams or cheap housing, which plenty of other cities have. I'm talking about overall city stuff). Also, I'm curious, if pittsburgh's san fran, what's philly?

 

[unfrozencaveman]

lol, I was also curious about this. One of the reasons I didn't apply to pitt is b/c of the city, and I know plenty of people who've hated the city and don't think I've really heard anything good about it overall (besides something like good sports teams or cheap housing, which plenty of other cities have. I'm talking about overall city stuff). Also, I'm curious, if pittsburgh's san fran, what's philly?

Philly is way too cool to have an equivalent in California.

I actually liked the Burgh. It was actually Pitt the school I was hesitant about.

 

[exmike]

I would definitely go to the interview. I have this decision to make come May 15 and it'll be a tough one. Here are some points of both that I saw:
Pitt:
-has ridiculously awesome simulation center
-has a better hospital to do rotations at (at case you usually do it in University Hospital, not Cleveland Clinic)
-students seemed pretty cool and non-competitive
-cheap cost of living
-better sports teams, if that matters to you
Case:
-I really really like their class schedule- everyday students get out of lecture by 1pm and next year MS1's get Thursdays off; you get 4 months to focus completely on your research project and then some additional time to study for Step 1
-is unranked P/F for first two years, whereas Pitt is ranked (I think?) H/P/F
-I thought the facilities and buildings were really nice
-students seemed to get along really well and admin was fully supportive of them; I even heard that after tests (or maybe just once in a while) the admin takes out a tab at a local bar that students can go get a few drinks that night
-Case's second look weekend is completely paid for (each student gets $300 for travel)

If any of this is incorrect, I apologize...I'm not a student, but these are some things I've heard. I know the class schedule has been confirmed by several people. Either way, I'd go to the interview and check it out for yourself. Congrats on Pitt!

All the Case info is true. The unranked P/F is a Godsend, and yes, the neuro faculty take you out to drink after the exam! And hey, sports? comon now, we got lebron.

Dude, pittsburgh is a decent city, but comon lets not drag Frisco into this. I love the bay area, and no rust belt city (including cleveland) could compare.

 

[bsteves4]

little southern boy here...

whats the rust belt?

 

[slim06]

Thanks for all the good feedback. I read the comparison in their literature, but they were quoting from a magazine. I think that it's because they both have a lot of hills. Either that or because the showtime series queer as folk is set in Pittsburgh. Either way.... I guess that I'll go out to visit cleveland. Still, I'm interested in the opinion of people who have visited both schools

As for Philly, it must be the LA of PA.

 

[Pittance]

From personal experience I'd suggest keep interviewing until you get your financial aid package in writing. And even then, talk to students at 2nd look before deciding. Pitt is notorious for screwing its students in this department.

 

[silas2642]

Philly is way too cool to have an equivalent in California.

I actually liked the Burgh. It was actually Pitt the school I was hesitant about.

What was it about the school that made you hesitate?

 

[waterlily]

also to add in, if you're into research rankings...pitt is ranked 16 and case is 20. If you're concerned about residency, the assessment score given by residency directors for pitt is 4.0 and case is 3.8 (5.0 is the highest).

I got accepted to both of em too...and I'm deciding if I should withdraw one of my acceptances from one of the schools...not sure now after reading this post though

 

[azorn2]

If you have an idea of what you would sort of like to do for residency then that can help you decide. I am interested in neurosurgery and Pitt has the number 2 neurosurgery program behind UCSF so I am choosing Pitt. Pitt is also in the top ten for psychiatry and general surgery (first liver transplant was performed there). Basically, if you want to go into surgery, you can't get much better than Pitt.

 

[wowzer]

If you have an idea of what you would sort of like to do for residency then that can help you decide. I am interested in neurosurgery and Pitt has the number 2 neurosurgery program behind UCSF so I am choosing Pitt. Pitt is also in the top ten for psychiatry and general surgery (first liver transplant was performed there). Basically, if you want to go into surgery, you can't get much better than Pitt.

I agree with you 100% 😀

 

[registered user]

I interviewed at Pitt today. All I have to say is I didn't apply to Case, but it must be pretty impressive if you're deciding between it and Pitt.

 

[tree_monkey]

If you have an idea of what you would sort of like to do for residency then that can help you decide. I am interested in neurosurgery and Pitt has the number 2 neurosurgery program behind UCSF so I am choosing Pitt. Pitt is also in the top ten for psychiatry and general surgery (first liver transplant was performed there). Basically, if you want to go into surgery, you can't get much better than Pitt.

where do you find these types of rankings? I would be interested in taking a look when it comes closer to the time that I have to make a decision . . . thx!

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

I've seen Pittsburgh and Cleveland and think Pittsburgh is a better and prettier (or at least less depressing) city than Cleveland. Pitt overall is viewed as somewhat stronger than Case, but they're very comparable. Otherwise, it's a matter of what interests you. I hear Pitt is great for immunology, cancer, neuroscience, neurosurgery and surgery, transplantation, and molecular pharmacology. I have heard that Case is excellent for infectious diseases, international medicine, and cardiology (I'm sure a lot of other things as well). If you want to do research on the side, the particular strengths of the schools may be something to take into consideration.

 

[registered user]

also to add in, if you're into research rankings...pitt is ranked 16 and case is 20. If you're concerned about residency, the assessment score given by residency directors for pitt is 4.0 and case is 3.8 (5.0 is the highest).

I got accepted to both of em too...and I'm deciding if I should withdraw one of my acceptances from one of the schools...not sure now after reading this post though

Pitt's USNews ranking is 16. However it actually ranks 7th in NIH funding. If yer into research: vast patient population + loads of NIH funding + only school in the area + take your pick of researchers to work with = good.

 

[MrBurns10]

I gotta say...I've wanted to go to Pitt since like sophomore year in high school (seriously), but I like Case's curriculum so much better that if I had to decide between the two today I'd probably choose Case. The idea of getting tons of individual study time/time to volunteer and do research is really appealing compared to being in class for close to 8 hours a day. But I guess I'm just going to have to see if I can get some sort of gut instinct at one of these schools during second looks...

 

[TheMightyAngus]

If you have an idea of what you would sort of like to do for residency then that can help you decide. I am interested in neurosurgery and Pitt has the number 2 neurosurgery program behind UCSF so I am choosing Pitt. Pitt is also in the top ten for psychiatry and general surgery (first liver transplant was performed there). Basically, if you want to go into surgery, you can't get much better than Pitt.

True, but if you're interested in Orthopedics, I think Cleveland Clinic/Case has the edge. Lots of big name orthopods did their fellowships at Cleveland Clinic and are familiar with Case.

 

[QofQuimica]

I've visited Case and Cleveland Clinic but haven't seen Pitt yet. FWIW, I was very impressed with both programs. Cleveland the city is just a city, not particularly horrible or wonderful IMHO. Baesd on what you guys have said, I'm really looking forward to visiting Pitt now. 🙂 Did any of you apply for the CSTP there? That is the main reason I am interested in Pitt.

 

[Nikki2002]

this is just my humble opinion, but GO TO CASE!!

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

I've visited Case and Cleveland Clinic but haven't seen Pitt yet. FWIW, I was very impressed with both programs. Cleveland the city is just a city, not particularly horrible or wonderful IMHO. Baesd on what you guys have said, I'm really looking forward to visiting Pitt now. 🙂 Did any of you apply for the CSTP there? That is the main reason I am interested in Pitt.

Hey Q, if you end up at Pitt, there's a good chance that I might see you there.

 

[QofQuimica]

Hey Q, if you end up at Pitt, there's a good chance that I might see you there.

You applied for their MSTP, right? Is Pitt your top choice?

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

You applied for their MSTP, right? Is Pitt your top choice?

Yeah. It's a very close 2nd choice (after Yale). If Yale doesn't accept me, I'd probably go to Pitt.

 

[JDWflash44]

True, but if you're interested in Orthopedics, I think Cleveland Clinic/Case has the edge. Lots of big name orthopods did their fellowships at Cleveland Clinic and are familiar with Case.

I was told the opposite in regards to Ortho. I've been told by multiple people in ortho that say that Pitt has the #1 Ortho department out there headed by Dr. Freddy Fu. And on top of that, their Musculoskeletal research center looks to be really amazing. That program is really the main reason I applied to Pitt in the first place.

Jim

 

[dilated]

True, but if you're interested in Orthopedics, I think Cleveland Clinic/Case has the edge. Lots of big name orthopods did their fellowships at Cleveland Clinic and are familiar with Case.

Depends on which side of ortho you want to do. If you want sports medicine ortho, Pitt's ortho chair (Fu) is one of the biggest names there is, and they just opened an entire huge sports medicine complex and they're expanding it more. Fancy place too, I took a friend there once.

 

[dilated]

I was told the opposite in regards to Ortho. I've been told by multiple people in ortho that say that Pitt has the #1 Ortho department out there headed by Dr. Freddy Fu. And on top of that, their Musculoskeletal research center looks to be really amazing. That program is really the main reason I applied to Pitt in the first place.

Jim

jinx. 😛
I have friends who did MSRC summer fellowships as undergrads, supposedly it's a great place to do research.

 

[TheMightyAngus]

Depends on which side of ortho you want to do. If you want sports medicine ortho, Pitt's ortho chair (Fu) is one of the biggest names there is, and they just opened an entire huge sports medicine complex and they're expanding it more. Fancy place too, I took a friend there once.

Thats true. I was thinking more back/spine.

 

[slim06]

So I did end up visiting Cleveland. The programs are really different (I have my own opinion about which I prefer). They both basically dominate the hospital environment in their respective towns, so I assume that you've got your pick of whatever trauma/organ transplant/sports medicine action that's going on in that metro area. Pitt really loves their simulation center, but Case mentioned having one too.

Pitt seems to have a much more highly structured curriculum the first two years. Also it's subject-based blocks like having intensive anatomy for the first 8 weeks. Their classroom facilities also seem quite a bit more dated.

Case's curriculum seems to be in the continuous process of being revamped, but it seems like you have a lot more free time there. They've got the pioneering organ-based system where you learn everything about the heart at once. Also they have all their lectures taped and almost every student mentioned viewing them in double-time. Case's admission staff did a much better job of incorporating current students to sell the school.

For some reason the Case students struck me as being waaaay more nerdy than the Pitt ones. Am I just getting too small a sample? Any thoughts as to why?

 

[bkflaneur]

I gotta say...I've wanted to go to Pitt since like sophomore year in high school (seriously), but I like Case's curriculum so much better that if I had to decide between the two today I'd probably choose Case. The idea of getting tons of individual study time/time to volunteer and do research is really appealing compared to being in class for close to 8 hours a day. But I guess I'm just going to have to see if I can get some sort of gut instinct at one of these schools during second looks...

Are you sure about being in class 8 hours a day at Pitt? When I interviewed, it seemed like students were in class in the mornings with PBL and time for self-study in the afternoons. I liked the Pitt curriculum. It's funny. I have a tendency to obsess about the little differences between schools. But as much as we pick apart the little differences, I think most of these schools are more the same than they are different. You can try to dress it up all you want, but you have to learn the same material no matter where you go.

 

[geekOCD]

Additionally, don't forget that case is actually moving away from their organ-based system to a new system that incorporates public health and has a totally different structure.

 

[MrBurns10]

Are you sure about being in class 8 hours a day at Pitt? When I interviewed, it seemed like students were in class in the mornings with PBL and time for self-study in the afternoons. I liked the Pitt curriculum. It's funny. I have a tendency to obsess about the little differences between schools. But as much as we pick apart the little differences, I think most of these schools are more the same than they are different. You can try to dress it up all you want, but you have to learn the same material no matter where you go.

That's the impression I got (not that they're in class 8 hours a day everyday, but that it's a pretty good chunk of time), and I spoke with a student who goes there who said pretty much the same thing. This is what he said (verbatim, through PM): "Anyway, yes, we are in class a lot. I'd say that most days we have between 4-8 hours of class. Some weeks might have as many as 30 hours of class time, others around 20. But, 20 is definitely the lower limit."

So it looks like students at Pitt are in class quite a bit, certainly a lot more than students at Case. But I'm with you...I do tend to obsess over small, probably minor differences in schools, but at the same time I don't think the amount of time you're in class (especially if you're in PBL, which surprisingly a lot of students find to predominantly be a waste of time) is such a small issue if you're the type of person who prefers having a lot of individual study time to having little individual study time. I guess I'm just a little concerned of being burned out from spending all day in class that I'll be less inclined to study...having never been in med school before, it's so hard for me to know what would be a good fit for me.

 

[exmike]

I was told the opposite in regards to Ortho. I've been told by multiple people in ortho that say that Pitt has the #1 Ortho department out there headed by Dr. Freddy Fu. And on top of that, their Musculoskeletal research center looks to be really amazing. That program is really the main reason I applied to Pitt in the first place.

Jim

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/rankings/specihqorth.htm

If US news means anything, Cleveland Clinic and Case ortho are #5 and #25 respectively, UPitt is #13

Case was #1 in NIH research grants for orthopedics in 2002 and 2003, #4 in 2004.

 

[wowzer]

http://www.residentphysician.com/

 

[wowzer]

That's the impression I got (not that they're in class 8 hours a day everyday, but that it's a pretty good chunk of time), and I spoke with a student who goes there who said pretty much the same thing. This is what he said (verbatim, through PM): "Anyway, yes, we are in class a lot. I'd say that most days we have between 4-8 hours of class. Some weeks might have as many as 30 hours of class time, others around 20. But, 20 is definitely the lower limit."

So it looks like students at Pitt are in class quite a bit, certainly a lot more than students at Case. But I'm with you...I do tend to obsess over small, probably minor differences in schools, but at the same time I don't think the amount of time you're in class (especially if you're in PBL, which surprisingly a lot of students find to predominantly be a waste of time) is such a small issue if you're the type of person who prefers having a lot of individual study time to having little individual study time. I guess I'm just a little concerned of being burned out from spending all day in class that I'll be less inclined to study...having never been in med school before, it's so hard for me to know what would be a good fit for me.

getting back to small differences - Case starts in the beginning of JULY, while pitt starts towards the end of August. So, if you're into Case and planning your summer trips, make sure you make your way back to Cleveland right after the fireworks on July 4 🙂

 

[MrBurns10]

getting back to small differences - Case starts in the beginning of JULY, while pitt starts towards the end of August. So, if you're into Case and planning your summer trips, make sure you make your way back to Cleveland right after the fireworks on July 4 🙂

Ah yes, the dreaded early July start. But I guess that's why they can afford to give you 4 months off to work on your research project. Does anyone know when Pitt students normally do their scholarly projects and how much research they entail?

 

[athena1]

So I've been to both schools. I am hold at Case and accepted at Pitt. I personally liked Cleveland as a city better than Pitt, but I also spent more time hanging out in the surrounding neighborhoods at Case than at Pitt. While Case students do seem to have more time not in lecture, I was surprised at how many first years I talked to (Stayed in a house with three, I know one other, and I met about seven or eight on the day of my interview) who aren't involved in any community service or other non-academic endeavors.
Even with the loads of in-class time at Pitt, people seemed more into interacting with the community, spending time cultivating their creative sides, or even just hanging out with other students. In that respect, I felt that Case kids were satisfied but not necessarily extremely happy. While at Pitt, people did indeed seem less nerdy (even when I compare the other people I interviewed with at both schools). But I have to say, Case's curriculum is pretty awesome, and they are very ambitious: I predict that they'll continue to climb the rankings in the coming years.