Cooper vs Drexel

[msmathteacher]

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Cooper
Pros

• Philly-area. Have lived in Philadelphia before and I loved it. I would be able to live in Center City Philly and have a ~9 min (or less) train ride to Cooper. Or live in Camden and have easy access to Philly
• Emphasis on social justice/community service.
• Early patient interaction. From day 1, every student must volunteer at the free clinic. I love that it's part of the culture!
• M3/M4 rotations will be at Cooper. Won't have to worry about disorganization
• I have a few friends who are alums/current students and I have heard nothing negative about the school
• Great mentorship/advising. Small group meetings 3x per week.
• Smaller class size
• Because it's newer, they're not stuck in the old ways of medical education and seem more open to change?
• Overall feel. They only took a week to get back to me with a decision (waitlist). And when I got in, I got a personal phone call from the Dean of Admissions.

Cons

• Newer school. Not as much name recognition
• Won't get experiences at different kinds of hospitals during rotations

Drexel
Pros

• More name recognition/more established/better reputation?
• My alum friends liked it there generally
• Can experience different hospital systems
• Also a social justice emphasis
• Listen to students

Cons

• Outskirts of Philly, instead of near Center City
• Main teaching hospital closed, I've heard from recent alumni that it's been more disorganized trying to get rotations.
• Larger class (can be pro or con honestly)

Summary: I am ecstatic that I have two choices in Philly-area (a city I have lived in before and loved). In both schools, I'd have the opportunity to work with low-income urban populations, which is something I'd like to do in my career. I somehow get a better feeling from Cooper, but I wonder if it's worth giving up the name recognition/reputation of Drexel? I also like Cooper's location much more. I'm not sure if I listed all of the considerations above. Cost of either is not an issue.

 

[Philly145]

From reading your post it sounds like Cooper is the clear winner. I don't think that reputation/prestige is a factor here (not that it ever really is!). Looking at Cooper's Match list HERE, they have a ton of really solid places they send their students to.

I also have known several med students/residents/attendings/nurses in the Cooper system and they all love it and haven't said anything negative to me.

 

[msmathteacher]

From reading your post it sounds like Cooper is the clear winner. I don't think that reputation/prestige is a factor here (not that it ever really is!). Looking at Cooper's Match list HERE, they have a ton of really solid places they send their students to.

I also have known several med students/residents/attendings/nurses in the Cooper system and they all love it and haven't said anything negative to me.

Thank you for your perspective! Very helpful.

 

[thetenthletter]

Go to Cooper! I had my first interview there and I could tell the faculty/student body were really supportive (Cooper Cares!) compared to other schools.