Geisinger Commonwealth vs. Drexel

[pugsandstuff]

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I know that a thread like this was created during a past year's cycle, but I figured some new insight would help me out. I am sososo grateful to be in this dilemma but could really use any feedback to help guide my decision. Both schools are about the same driving distance to my family (~4 hours), which is important for me, and both have about the same in-state tuition. Any and all input is greatly appreciated!

Geisinger

Pros:

• POSSIBILITY of tuition forgiveness if accepted to their scholars program (!!!!!!!)
• Smaller class size
• All new facilities
• Lower cost of living
• Cool aspects of their curriculum (but I'm unsure of how well they're actually implemented)
• Great vibe during interview and current students seemed happy there

Cons

• Newer, less established program and currently unranked (does that really matter though??)
• Car is required, which adds to expenses
• Uncertainty of where my clinical rotations will be

Drexel

Pros

• Established and ranked program (again, does this matter when it comes to matching and such?)
• City livin, which I tend to prefer
• More opportunities for outreach (student-run clinics, international medical aid trips, etc.)
• Possibility of doing clinical rotations in Pittsburgh, which is close to home

Cons

• Higher cost of living
• Hahnemann closure (oof)
• Larger class size

 

[deleted846158]

I’d go with Geisinger just because of the Hahnemann fiasco. I don’t know if I would have faith that I would get a good clinical education at Drexel which is the most important thing IMO. Congrats on the acceptances!!

 

[deleted987519]

Do you have an idea of what you are interested in?

 

[m1redsox]

I say Drexel. It's clearly the better, more established school (the only reason research rankings matter to you is because it affects your ability to do research during med school which is a huge factor for residency, and from what I saw, there were plenty of research opportunities for students at Drexel - even with HUH closing). Also, I don't think HUH should really impact your decision because the contract between Drexel and Hahnemann was ending in 2022 anyways. Therefore, you would have never done a clinical rotation there- even if it hadn't gone bankrupt. On a side note, because of its early termination, Drexel acted fast to partner with Tower hospitals and acquired St Christopher's hospital, which are both superior to HUH, and you'll get to do rotations there if you choose.
On the other hand, at our interview, the dean said a car was also required at Drexel, so that may be a con for you since it seems like cost is your biggest concern.

 

[deleted987519]

I say Drexel. It's clearly the better, more established school (the only reason research rankings matter to you is because it affects your ability to do research during med school which is a huge factor for residency, and from what I saw, there were plenty of research opportunities for students at Drexel - even with HUH closing). Also, I don't think HUH should really impact your decision because the contract between Drexel and Hahnemann was ending in 2022 anyways. Therefore, you would have never done a clinical rotation there- even if it hadn't gone bankrupt. On a side note, because of its early termination, Drexel acted fast to partner with Tower hospitals and acquired St Christopher's hospital, which are both superior to HUH, and you'll get to do rotations there if you choose.
On the other hand, at our interview, the dean said a car was also required at Drexel, so that may be a con for you since it seems like cost is your biggest concern.

I don't think this is necessarily true...there is some advantage to being a big fish in a small pond. From speaking to GCSOM students it sounded like there are plenty of opportunities to be involved in research - especially now that all the Geisinger sites are available. Though it probably depends how niche of a field you are looking for...

In any event, if OP could provide more insight on career goals we could provide better advice.

If you are looking for small-town primary care, Geisinger's primary care scholarship is the best deal you can get...

IF you have some desire to do something highly competitive then I think Drexel could provide better opportunities - maybe not directly through Drexel but perhaps just for being in Philadelphia and giving you more access to these fields at other sites in the city....

 

[TheDataKing]

Geisinger. Drexel has a university affiliation which I prefer but with the loan forgiveness offered by GCSOM if you go into FM/IM/med-peds, that also gives $2,000 per month, you can’t beat that if you’re interested in those fields. While Drexel is more established, they’re hitting some bumps in the road and don’t really have residency programs that they’re affiliated with anymore. Geisinger on the other hand does. You’ll need a car at either school

 

[pugsandstuff]

As of now, I'm not interested in working in primary care, so I would be applying for the Abigail Scholars Program. I'm trying to keep an open mind in terms of specialties until I get a better idea of where I'll best fit during third and fourth years, but I find myself most drawn to EM or surgery at the moment. Does any of that make an obviously better fit for me??

And thanks for the info about the car! It must not have been mentioned during my interview day or I was just dumb and didn't hear it lmfao.

 

[deleted987519]

As of now, I'm not interested in working in primary care, so I would be applying for the Abigail Scholars Program. I'm trying to keep an open mind in terms of specialties until I get a better idea of where I'll best fit during third and fourth years, but I find myself most drawn to EM or surgery at the moment. Does any of that make an obviously better fit for me??

And thanks for the info about the car! It must not have been mentioned during my interview day or I was just dumb and didn't hear it lmfao.

I don’t think so. I think they are pretty comparable despite Geisinger being “Unranked”.
If you are still stuck then maybe it just comes down to finances, good luck with the application for the scholars program!

 

[ciestar]

Geisinger. Drexel has a university affiliation which I prefer but with the loan forgiveness offered by GCSOM if you go into FM/IM/med-peds, that also gives $2,000 per month, you can’t beat that if you’re interested in those fields. While Drexel is more established, they’re hitting some bumps in the road and don’t really have residency programs that they’re affiliated with anymore. Geisinger on the other hand does. You’ll need a car at either school

They’re affiliated with Tower Health now. Lots of rotations in Reading.

Yes, you need a car at DUCOM, but you can get by first and second year without it.

 

[ciestar]

I’d go with Geisinger just because of the Hahnemann fiasco. I don’t know if I would have faith that I would get a good clinical education at Drexel which is the most important thing IMO. Congrats on the acceptances!!

Drexel doesn’t provide subpar clinical education. Many people choose to do away sites and are just fine without HUH. I never did a single rotation there.

EDIT: That said.. I am an M4. The underclassmen can comment more about how site scheduling has been for them.
I’m just pointing out that you don’t need to be at a big academic institution for a good education.

 

[mdapplicant2024]

120% Geisinger! Drexel only has clinical affiliates, no hospital system like Geisinger, and Drexel has no residency spots that Geisinger does have. What this means is that you have faculty within your SOM that can write you strong letters as professors/heads of each respective department. The reputation of Drexel has definitely taken a hit unlike Geisinger that is still building its alumni. Geisinger also has arguably the best medical record system in the country with genome wide sequencing of majority of its patients -> clinical research is strong.

Regardless, Drexel has fired over half of its medical faculty and getting letters is twice as more competitive even with the involvement of Tower Health. With the loss of residency spots, other residency programs do not "need" to take Drexel medical students as medical schools aren't going to be sending their students to Drexel anymore for residency. The school is also hemorrhaging money now that HUH isn't supporting them financially. Who knows how much Tower Health is picking up the slack, but Drexel regardless is a gamble for any medical student. 2020 match should be interesting

 

[deleted987519]

120% Geisinger! Drexel only has clinical affiliates, no hospital system like Geisinger, and Drexel has no residency spots that Geisinger does have. What this means is that you have faculty within your SOM that can write you strong letters as professors/heads of each respective department. The reputation of Drexel has definitely taken a hit unlike Geisinger that is still building its alumni. Geisinger also has arguably the best medical record system in the country with genome wide sequencing of majority of its patients -> clinical research is strong.

Regardless, Drexel has fired over half of its medical faculty and getting letters is twice as more competitive even with the involvement of Tower Health. With the loss of residency spots, other residency programs do not "need" to take Drexel medical students as medical schools aren't going to be sending their students to Drexel anymore for residency. The school is also hemorrhaging money now that HUH isn't supporting them financially. Who knows how much Tower Health is picking up the slack, but Drexel regardless is a gamble for any medical student. 2020 match should be interesting

Mind if I ask where you found this tidbit?

 

[ciestar]

120% Geisinger! Drexel only has clinical affiliates, no hospital system like Geisinger, and Drexel has no residency spots that Geisinger does have. What this means is that you have faculty within your SOM that can write you strong letters as professors/heads of each respective department. The reputation of Drexel has definitely taken a hit unlike Geisinger that is still building its alumni. Geisinger also has arguably the best medical record system in the country with genome wide sequencing of majority of its patients -> clinical research is strong.

Regardless, Drexel has fired over half of its medical faculty and getting letters is twice as more competitive even with the involvement of Tower Health. With the loss of residency spots, other residency programs do not "need" to take Drexel medical students as medical schools aren't going to be sending their students to Drexel anymore for residency. The school is also hemorrhaging money now that HUH isn't supporting them financially. Who knows how much Tower Health is picking up the slack, but Drexel regardless is a gamble for any medical student. 2020 match should be interesting

I can tell you it is going well for the three matches that have occurred already. My class is going to be just fine matching.

 

[mdapplicant2024]

I say Drexel. It's clearly the better, more established school (the only reason research rankings matter to you is because it affects your ability to do research during med school which is a huge factor for residency, and from what I saw, there were plenty of research opportunities for students at Drexel - even with HUH closing). Also, I don't think HUH should really impact your decision because the contract between Drexel and Hahnemann was ending in 2022 anyways. Therefore, you would have never done a clinical rotation there- even if it hadn't gone bankrupt. On a side note, because of its early termination, Drexel acted fast to partner with Tower hospitals and acquired St Christopher's hospital, which are both superior to HUH, and you'll get to do rotations there if you choose.
On the other hand, at our interview, the dean said a car was also required at Drexel, so that may be a con for you since it seems like cost is your biggest concern.

Drexel used to be "the better, more established school" until HUH closed and over half of Drexel's faculty was fired. Tower Health isn't replacing any of this faculty except with affiliate rotation sites. The 2020 residency match should show where Drexel's reputation is currently at, but look at Geinsinger's residency placements. Some very competitive programs there: Residency Match

 

[mdapplicant2024]

Mind if I ask where you found this tidbit?

Harvard Business Review: How Geisinger Health System Uses Big Data to Save Lives

 

[ciestar]

Drexel used to be "the better, more established school" until HUH closed and over half of Drexel's faculty was fired. Tower Health isn't replacing any of this faculty except with affiliate rotation sites. The 2020 residency match should show where Drexel's reputation is currently at, but look at Geinsinger's residency placements. Some very competitive programs there: Residency Match

Yep. All of us are screwed lolol
Myself and many classmates got interviews at very competitive programs in their specialty of choice.

 

[mdapplicant2024]

Yep. All of us are screwed lolol
Myself and many classmates got interviews at very competitive programs in their specialty of choice.

That's great! The 2020 match results should be phenomenal then. I'm unbiased, I interviewed at Drexel and Geisinger, got accepted at both, but decided to go with another program next fall. You have to think of medical education as an investment: these schools are like businesses and placing 1/4 million dollars into Drexel doesn't logically sound wise if there is a program that isn't hemorrhaging money and arguably has more resources

 

[ciestar]

That's great! The 2020 match results should be phenomenal then. I'm unbiased, I interviewed at Drexel and Geisinger, got accepted at both, but decided to go with another program next fall. You have to think of medical education as an investment: these schools are like businesses and placing 1/4 million dollars into Drexel doesn't logically sound wise if there is a program that isn't hemorrhaging money and arguably has more resources

Sensing sarcasm but whatever.

Im not advocating for drexel one way or another but you made several posts implying our 2020 will be a joke or a disaster. That is simply not true.

 

[Undecided2020]

Newbie out here with a question regarding the Geisinger Primary Care Scholars program. Sorry if I am steering the thread off course, but it seems to have quieted. I've been accepted to Geisinger with a few others. I'm dialing in on a telecon tomorrow that hopefully will answer my question, but I figured I'd ask to see if anyone here could answer... If you decide to work the 4 yrs as a GP in the Geisinger network, will you receive any salary in addition to the loan reimbursement, or are you simply being paid in terms of Student debt? If you're not receiving any salary, I'm having a hard time understanding the merit of this program, as I'm hoping to be making at leats twice that amount when I'm finished..... any input would be greatly appreciated