Deciding between Penn/Perelman and Hopkins

[wescoast]

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Saw other posters getting useful feedback so I thought I'd do the same. I'm deciding between Penn and Hopkins. I'm from the West Coast, so I'll be far away from home either way and tuition at both schools is comparable. I won't be able to visit either school again due to the cost of flying over there. Curious as to what others would do in this situation, thanks. I want to go back to CA or to MGH for residency.

Penn/Perelman
Philadelphia is more comfortable than Baltimore, though I can live in either city. Some of the facilities seem old.

Hopkins
Hopkins has a better clinical reputation and education? I hear that Hopkins is more academic though. So is there more pressure to do research?

As you can tell, I don't know much about either program. And since I won't be going to visit again, any additional insights would be much welcomed, e.g. match lists, time given for Step I prep, negatives about the curriculum or teaching, etc. Is there anything, positive or negative, I should be aware of about either program?

 

[chronicidal]

You don't want to do research? How did you get into Penn and Hopkins?

 

[wescoast]

You don't want to do research? How did you get into Penn and Hopkins?

I did some research and plan on continuing to do it. But I'd also like the option of exploring non-research activities. Hopkins placed a lot of emphasis on their academics. Do students there feel compelled to take a year off to do research?

 

[lo215]

You don't want to do research? How did you get into Penn and Hopkins?

Generally, I think both Penn and Hopkins are open to applicants who don't want to pursue research. I was very clear about this in my interview in both places (and all other schools as well), and it wasn't met with any resistance.

wescoast, I'm facing a similar decision and feel as if the biggest difference between the two schools (besides location) seems to be a question of culture. It sounds like you picked up on this as well, so it seems like the best choice might be the best 'fit'.

 

[RedSox10]

I've lived in both cities and actually enjoyed Baltimore a LOT more. There are some truly amazing parts of city, not to mention you'll be 45 minutes from DC.