Cornell vs. U. Chicago

[doc1354]

I am fortunate enough to choose between U. Chicago and Cornell and just want to get some constructive opinions from others. For the purposes of this discussion, assume that financial aid packages are equivalent.

U. Chicago:

Pros- tremendous focus on research, diverse patient population, pure P/F curriculum, great students, smaller class size (88), access to undergraduate classes and activities and very friendly administrative staff.
Cons- Hyde Park is not centrally located in Chicago (may be a plus though), lots of lecture, limited free time, front loaded with anatomy first

Cornell:

Pros- Affiliations and across the street with many of the worlds best hospitals (HSS, MSK, Rockefeller), PBL?, great students as well, best location, out by 1pm most days and slightly better residency placement
Cons- Not next to undergrad campus, serves a more affluent and less diverse patient population, does not seem to have as much hands on experience in third and fourth year, P/F with honors

I am considering orthopedics for the time being which gives a slight advantage to Cornell with HSS nearby but also hope to get into academic medicine which supports U. Chicago as they are in the top three for graduating academic physicians.

I guess the purpose of this post is to just to see if anyone has some unique experiances or insight into either of these schools that I may have overlooked and what you all would do in my position given your history. Thanks in advance for all the help!

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[billybob69]

u chicago ABSOLUTELY! if you want academic medicine its hard to beat u chicago. also, you can match ortho from any school in the nation. having hss nearby wont do you a whole lot of good b/c you arent a resident yet. you should shoot for cornell for residency and hit u chic. for med school

 

[Dr Lyss]

I don't really have any great advice for you either way. You can't really go wrong... but as far as the lack of diversity in patient population for Cornell, this might be somewhat true for NYP but Cornell students rotate at hospitals in the Bronx and Brooklyn (including community hospitals) & all over the city so I would say you can't get a much more diverse patient population than you would in NYC.

 

[zpiff]

I'd go to Weill if things are equivalent but I have not seen U Chicago.

Just out of curiosity, where did you find rankings for top schools that graduate academic physicians?

 

[Preme]

I am considering orthopedics for the time being which gives a slight advantage to Cornell with HSS nearby but also hope to get into academic medicine which supports U. Chicago as they are in the top three for graduating academic physicians.

If you are really serious about orthopedics, then your decision should be easy. HSS is the best academic orthopedic institution in the country. Its resources from research to clinical treatment are difficult to match. University of Chicago is a pretty second rate orthopedics program (ask anybody in Chicago what the best orthopedic programs are in chicago they would say Rush and Loyola...so it is not even the best department in its city). Your best chance of matching is always your home program for residency and remember that your home program will be responsible for making phone calls for you during the residency match. Don't worry about academic medicine...there is as much research at Cornell so if you want to stay academic you will have every opportunity. Much of students staying academic involves self-selection. If you are indifferent between living in NY vs. Chicago, then I think you would be better served at Cornell. An

 

[drizzt3117]

I would go with Cornell on this one, personally. Also, my brother had some pretty amazing experiences during 3rd and 4th year, so I wouldn't say the clinical rotations are lacking.

 

[flip26]

Your "cons" listed for Cornell don't seem very legit...

 

[scarletgirl777]

Your "cons" listed for Cornell don't seem very legit...

I think it depends on what you're interested in. I think it's easier to get a dual degree when the med school is on the main campus, and it would be nice from a social standpoint to have access to the other grad/professional students. I also think that H/P/F isn't any better or different than ABCD, especially since at Cornell honors are given on a curve.

But it's hard for me to come down on one side or the other. Without financial aid packages, it's hard for me to say that one is clearly the winner.