Einstein vs Jefferson vs Rochester

[cwrig14]

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I've been fortunate enough to garner acceptances from a few schools and am trying to reach a decision on where to attend come Fall.
As a naive premed, most of my inclinations towards the schools are based on location and the preclinical years. If someone has a better insight regarding the school's clinical years, I would highly value their input.

I would also like to add in that my family is nowhere near the location of any of these schools, and is a non-factor.

My brief pros/cons and rankings of the schools thus far.

Jefferson
Pros
Center city Philly (favorite location by far)
Diverse patient base
Excellent clinical education
Happy well rounded students
USMLE exam format
Excellent ortho/optho programs
Cons
High cost of attendance
Large student body
Not a great research school (At least when compared to ROC and Einstein, and research is important to me)
Ranked ~60 (I know this doesn't mean much as all schools place students into fantastic residencies, but like I said earlier as a naive premed with a type A personality it bears some meaning to me. Definitely not a deciding factor though.

Einstein
Pros
Great research
Near Manhattan
Cheaper COA
True P/F
4th year research elective (sounds too good to be true)
Small student body
Happy students
SOAR Research program (integrated into curriculum, faculty advisor, etc)
Cons
The Bronx
The affiliated hospital wasn't very impressive
Didn't have the greatest interview experience. The "fit" just didn't seem right.

Rochester
Pros
Amazing research
Solid clinical education
P/F grading
Happy students
Amazing hospital
Cons
ROCHESTER (Did my undergrad in Rochester and enjoyed it, but quiver at the thought of returning for another 4 years. I want to avoid these great lake winters and the potential burnout of being here for 8 years.)
PBL emphasis
Non-USMLE formatted tests

In summary:
Rochester was my favorite school, but by far and away in the worst location.
Jefferson felt like the best fit and I love the location, but I was least impressed by the school.
Einstein was kind of second-best in both categories. Decent location, and a very good school, but for whatever reason I didn't leave the interview feeling like it was the place for me. But how much emphasis can you put on a 4-hour under pressure stay?

Thank you for reading 😀

 

[dwills]

I hated Einstein, just the feel of the school/students/facilities. I would hate to live in the Bronx for four years, but I'm not sure if it is because I lived in manhattan for 4 years or its actually just an awful place.

I really liked Jefferson. It was probably my favorite schools that I interviewed at and had all around good vibes/location/administration. I won't be attending Jeff because I got into a much cheaper highly ranked state school, but I would be very happy if it was my only acceptance (minus the cost).

I don't know anything about Rochester.

Jeff > Einstein

 

[cwrig14]

I hated Einstein, just the feel of the school/students/facilities. I would hate to live in the Bronx for four years, but I'm not sure if it is because I lived in manhattan for 4 years or its actually just an awful place.

I really liked Jefferson. It was probably my favorite schools that I interviewed at and had all around good vibes/location/administration. I won't be attending Jeff because I got into a much cheaper highly ranked state school, but I would be very happy if it was my only acceptance (minus the cost).

I don't know anything about Rochester.

Jeff > Einstein

Thank you I appreciate the input.
I don't know what it was about Einstein because I absolutely loved it on paper. I didn't really feel the same way while I was there, which I understand is completely subjective as a lot of students absolutely love it there. Are there any Einsteins out there who had similar first impressions, attended anyways and couldn't be happier?

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Can you do a second look at Einstein? It sounds like the only reason you are leaning away from Einstein is that you didn't get the best vibe on your interview day. To be honest, I wouldn't put much stock in that because you were probably very stressed out and to them, the interview is one of many such days they had throughout the year but second look is a much more special occasion. Maybe even if you went back on your own just to look around the campus/look at housing if you can't make their official second look, you might be able to confirm/deny your initial impression.

 

[cwrig14]

Can you do a second look at Einstein? It sounds like the only reason you are leaning away from Einstein is that you didn't get the best vibe on your interview day. To be honest, I wouldn't put much stock in that because you were probably very stressed out and to them, the interview is one of many such days they had throughout the year but second look is a much more special occasion. Maybe even if you went back on your own just to look around the campus/look at housing if you can't make their official second look, you might be able to confirm/deny your initial impression.

There isn't an official second look, and unfortunately, it would be a very expensive trip to travel back to Einstein for an unofficial visit.
I do agree that my interview day isn't enough to go off of, but it is likely all I will have to work with.

 

[Sailorcircus]

I have a similar choice to yours, OP. Basically, school #1 is better for quality of life (location/climate, student body, cost of attendance), and school #2 is better for research/academic opportunities and is higher ranked.

So which wins? Quality of life or academics/ranking?

The answer is obvious for some, maybe, but not for me. One day I think "of course what matters most is how happy I will be" but the next it's "what was I thinking? I am seeking a professional degree and I should go where the academic opportunities are best"

An additional factor, for me, is that school #1 is ~40k/yr less than school #2. Should this be the deciding factor? Or just something to consider? Or should I ignore the price tag and focus on qualitative variables?

So confusing. So indecisive.

OP, for what it's worth, I think I will end up deciding on school #1. I think it's best to go where we can lead happy lives and avoid burning out, and trust in our own interest and motivation to seek out research opportunities at those schools.

 

[prado]

I have a similar choice to yours, OP. Basically, school #1 is better for quality of life (location/climate, student body, cost of attendance), and school #2 is better for research/academic opportunities and is higher ranked.

So which wins? Quality of life or academics/ranking?

The answer is obvious for some, maybe, but not for me. One day I think "of course what matters most is how happy I will be" but the next it's "what was I thinking? I am seeking a professional degree and I should go where the academic opportunities are best"

An additional factor, for me, is that school #1 is ~40k/yr less than school #2. Should this be the deciding factor? Or just something to consider? Or should I ignore the price tag and focus on qualitative variables?

So confusing. So indecisive.

OP, for what it's worth, I think I will end up deciding on school #1. I think it's best to go where we can lead happy lives and avoid burning out, and trust in our own interest and motivation to seek out research opportunities at those schools.

Please tell me you're not serious, $160k difference? Unless it's DO vs MD, it shouldn't even be a question my friend.

 

[Goobs]

Personally I don't think Einstein's cons are all that bad compared to Jefferson or Rochester considering the strength of its pros.

 

[cwrig14]

Personally I don't think Einstein's cons are all that bad compared to Jefferson or Rochester considering the strength of its pros.

I agree that according to my list and "on paper" Einsten looks like an attractive choice, but I have a hard time choosing a school that didn't quite seem to fit. I'm not exactly sure how to weight that, however. I am a sensible guy and want to make a logical, well thought-out decision, but there is more to this choice than just the Xs and Os.

 

[NewYorker9]

I'm glad you mentioned the part about non-USMLE tests at Rochester - I didn't realize that.

In addition, I have family in the Rochester-area and have liked the area when I have been there. Out of curiosity, what exactly is it that deters you from staying there for more years?

 

[cwrig14]

It's hard to say exactly why I want out of here so bad. I've honestly loved Rochester for the last 3.5 years, but couple this current winter (April and still snowing) with severe senioritis and I can't seem to see myself here for another 4 years.
Then again, maybe I'm just vitamin D deficient, and a little Rochester sunshine might sway me in a different direction.

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Keep in mind that you aren't getting away from winter by choosing either Einstein or Jefferson. They might have less snow but will still be just as cold.

 

[impermanence]

Keep in mind that you aren't getting away from winter by choosing either Einstein or Jefferson. They might have less snow but will still be just as cold.

I imagine that Rochester not only gets more snow but is also significantly colder, Philly would have 4 seasons and (most likely, give or take climate change) a shorter/milder winter, Einstein in the Bronx would also be milder than Rochester. The pro is that Rochester knows how to deal with snow and the other two may freak a bit more when the snow comes (that was my experience in Baltimore)... I'd go to Jeff but it depends on how much more expensive it is... Good luck deciding and congrats on your acceptances!

 

[cwrig14]

Admittedly Philly and NYC aren't warm by any stretch, but they are pretty consistently 10+ degrees warmer than Upstate NY throughout much of the winter. This is particularly true during the early spring months.
The snow doesn't bother me much, but the wind right off the great lakes can be pretty brutal. 30+ mph winds are a biweekly occurrence and snow wasn't meant to fall horizontally.

 

[DrSolus]

It sounds to me like you'd be happiest at Jefferson.I'm pretty well acquainted with Jefferson and Rochester (both in school and location) and I definitely think you'll be happier somewhere other than Rochester for the duration of med school.

All three are excellent schools. Rochester has very strong research edge, but not enough to justify what sounds to me like another horrid 4 years for you. Med school is what YOU put into it. However, I am aware that Jefferson's research opportunities do not really match up to Einstein's. The only caveat here is that if you are planning on going into academic medicine - Rochester is a 100% must for you (it has a reputation for placing many graduates into academic medicine).

What's the basis for your need of a research oriented school? Are you planning on going into academic medicine? What kind of research do you want to do? Clinical? Basic Science? Translational? See if there are any labs at Jefferson that match your research interests. Philly is definitely a much much better location than the other two and living in center city is a fantastic opportunity to have during those four years.

 

[carnelian]

Didn't apply to Jefferson, so I know nothing about it.

Between Rochester and Einstein though, I definitely liked Rochester more. The people seemed more personal, the curriculum was amazing, and I loved the biopsychosocial emphasis. The facilities, from what I remember, were also nice. Research sounded great. Also liked the different tracks(?) they had (academic med, global health, hearing impariment(?), etc.).

I can't remember too much about Einstein... the interview visit didn't really set it apart from the other places I've been to. It felt like a really traditional medical school. It is closer to NYC though, so there's that. Overall, I had a much better impression of Rochester. (Could also be due to the fact that it was horrible weather during my Einstein interview day.)

Either way, all great schools -- good luck!

 

[darkjedi]

I also really liked Jefferson, much more so than Einstein when I interviewed. Jefferson's location is also vastly superior to where Einstein is located.

The ranking difference between Einstein and Jefferson are minimal. They are both considered great mid-tier schools. Jefferson however has top ranked residency programs in many very competitive fields like ophthamology and orthopedics.

 

[cwrig14]

It sounds to me like you'd be happiest at Jefferson.I'm pretty well acquainted with Jefferson and Rochester (both in school and location) and I definitely think you'll be happier somewhere other than Rochester for the duration of med school.

All three are excellent schools. Rochester has very strong research edge, but not enough to justify what sounds to me like another horrid 4 years for you. Med school is what YOU put into it. However, I am aware that Jefferson's research opportunities do not really match up to Einstein's. The only caveat here is that if you are planning on going into academic medicine - Rochester is a 100% must for you (it has a reputation for placing many graduates into academic medicine).

What's the basis for your need of a research oriented school? Are you planning on going into academic medicine? What kind of research do you want to do? Clinical? Basic Science? Translational? See if there are any labs at Jefferson that match your research interests. Philly is definitely a much much better location than the other two and living in center city is a fantastic opportunity to have during those four years.

I'm considering academic medicine, but it's not my ultimate goal at this point in time. I attend a research oriented undergrad and enjoy the atmosphere. I enjoy research. I considered pursing an md/phd, but given I'm more than likely going into clinical practice I didn't consider it worth it.
I currently conduct basic science research and know the time commitment it requires. I'm a little skeptical about continuing this kind of research during medical school. I don't have any experience in clinical or translational research, but I expect it to be more accommodating to the medical school schedule.
I've found that the Jefferson website is a little tough to navigate to find specific research projects, unlike that of other schools.
The more I think about it, the more I see myself at Jeff. I plan on waiting until second look before speculating further, but barring any unforeseen financial aid considerations I think you'll be able to find me in Philly next year.

 

[Ilovewater]

I'm a student at Jefferson. While Jefferson is not a research powerhouse, there is no shortage of research projects. Everyone I know who wanted to do research were able to get into projects in the specialties they wanted. All you have to do is ask the department or PI you're interested in working with, and they will smother you with projects.

 

[DrSolus]

I'm considering academic medicine, but it's not my ultimate goal at this point in time. I attend a research oriented undergrad and enjoy the atmosphere. I enjoy research. I considered pursing an md/phd, but given I'm more than likely going into clinical practice I didn't consider it worth it.
I currently conduct basic science research and know the time commitment it requires. I'm a little skeptical about continuing this kind of research during medical school. I don't have any experience in clinical or translational research, but I expect it to be more accommodating to the medical school schedule.
I've found that the Jefferson website is a little tough to navigate to find specific research projects, unlike that of other schools.
The more I think about it, the more I see myself at Jeff. I plan on waiting until second look before speculating further, but barring any unforeseen financial aid considerations I think you'll be able to find me in Philly next year.

I think we attended the same undergrad 🙂 (so I totally understand the aversion to staying..) Research wise I think you'll find enough opportunities at Jefferson. I found a lot of useful information on the biomedical sciences page http://www.tju.edu/biomedical_sciences/ . If you go into specific research areas, you'll find faculty profiles along with descriptions of their work.

In any case, enjoy Philly! In addition to center city, definitely explore west and south philly when you get the chance - a lot of awesome ethnic food in those neighborhoods.Congrats on your acceptances.

 

[Omppu27]

Definitely didn't know Rochester has a PBL emphasis... That's a bummer since i was highly considering applying there.

The reason you are worried to attend Rochester for another 4 years (burnout of the school) is one of the major reasons I probably won't even apply to my UG university. I 100% would burnout/dread being at my UG for 4 more. Then again, I've lived in the city of my UG almost all my life...

Based on what i've read on here it looks like you want to go to Jeff. Good luck!

 

[Freigeist]

I'm a student at Jeff and interviewed at Einstein but can't speak for Rochester. I love living in Center City, the little time a med student has to enjoy life is well-spent with so many places in walking distance. I have been performing research since the beginning of M1 and there are plenty of strong research opportunities, including a funded summer research program and a 4year long College within a College program which would give you special recognition on your transcript. In terms of cost, it is pricey but I think it's definitely worth it. To save substantial amounts of money and have upper year advice and friendships, some guys are able to join the medical fraternities which saves you ~$500/mo in rent alone. Basically: you'll have the money later on, go where you'll enjoy your life