Drexel vs. HWCOM

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JustCallMeDoctor

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Drexel:
*Pros:
- Better match list
- Early patient interaction
- Curriculum I prefer, better suited for my learning style
- Global health opportunities (something important to me)
- Bigger school name
- Dedicated hospital
*Cons:
- Philly isn't my favourite city, I don't know it well and when I was there, I felt unsafe (I also didn't get to see much of the city since I was there for 30 hours, at most, but with COVID-19, I can't go back to look at it).
- Will be moving completely by myself without knowing anyone (I stayed at home for college so this is my first big move)
- Will have to figure out transportation since my car will stay at home
- Bigger class size (250), maybe it'll be harder to make friends or connect?
- Tuition - I would be OOS so COA is around $11,000 more each year.

HWCOM
*Pros:
- Alma mater, so comfortable knowing the school and people
- Have support system of family and friends
- Know the city so finding a place to live is simpler
- Cheaper tuition
*Cons:
- I want to leave Miami, didn't get a chance to leave for undergrad and I don't want to spend the next 4 years in the same building as I did for undergrad (they don't have a dedicated medical school location)
- No dedicated hospital, requires a lot of driving for rotations, and might hinder my ability to get good recommendation letters
- The curriculum isn't the best for me, they have a traditional curriculum with limited patient interaction early on.
- The student body is kind of cliquey, everyone seems to stay mostly to themselves.

Truthfully, what I think is holding me back most from Drexel is the uncertainty of knowing the city and with the COVID-19 issue, I won't be able to fly out to get to see where I live and get to know Philly before med school starts. Any advice on live in Philly or your opinions would be great! Everyone stay safe during these weird times 🙂
 
I walked around Philadelphia a lot when I visited Drexel and loved it, so let me know if you have any questions! I think there are definitely less safe areas, as most cities have, but a lot of great areas as well. Drexel is also not in the city center and most people don’t live there! From what it seemed Drexel itself was in a pretty safe neighborhood.
 
I walked around Philadelphia a lot when I visited Drexel and loved it, so let me know if you have any questions! I think there are definitely less safe areas, as most cities have, but a lot of great areas as well. Drexel is also not in the city center and most people don’t live there! From what it seemed Drexel itself was in a pretty safe neighborhood.
Yes!!! I would appreciate any insight you have on the neighborhoods!!!
 
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