Hackensack vs wmed (merit scholarship)

[DukeSmith]

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Hackensack:

Haven’t received financial package yet so unsure about COA

Pros:
-3 year residency program (first class had people match anesthesiology, neurology, EM within HMH system).
-Better hospitals?? (Not completely sure how well regarded hackensack university hospital is but seems to be in top 50 for urology, cardiology, oncology)
-Likely more research given size of system
Cons:
-Newer program..may be some growing pains in terms of classes, rotations etc.
-150 student class
-Higher COL area

Wmed

Merit scholarship. Annual cost would be about 35k

Pros:
-Seems to have somewhat strong match list. In 2021 matched integrated plastics at UVA, urology 3x ortho, derm in a class or 70
-prefer Kalamazoo to nutley
-lower col, get more for rent money

Cons:
-Less of a support system geographically
-unsure about how research opportunities would compare

 

[Shunsui]

WMed easily for the cost difference.

Will have to wait to see what financial package Hackensack offers though.

 

[MadRadLad]

Both are newer programs so unless you have ties to the east coast and want to go there, I'd take the $$ unless Hack matches. Lower COL in KZoo as well and Grand Rapids/Chicago aren't that far.

 

[DukeSmith]

I am definitely leaning heavily towards wmed but I do like the option to enter residency after three years of med school, even if it’s IM. Does anybody know if hackensack university medical center IM residents are able to get fellowships?

 

[chilly_md]

I believe you just apply to fellowships normally. Hackensack takes regular IM residents too, and some probably then apply for fellowship in the area they want to pursue. When you get the financial aid info, you could ask them to potentially match WMed's offer. They seem like peer schools so it is worth a shot. Then factor in the 1 year saved in tuition for the 3 year program to see how close it is if Hackensack only matches say 50% of the scholarship you got.

 

[chilly_md]

I am definitely leaning heavily towards wmed but I do like the option to enter residency after three years of med school, even if it’s IM. Does anybody know if hackensack university medical center IM residents are able to get fellowships?

I searched briefly and found 2 people doing a cardiology and gastroenterology fellowship after doing residency at Hackensack.

 

[Shunsui]

I am definitely leaning heavily towards wmed but I do like the option to enter residency after three years of med school, even if it’s IM. Does anybody know if hackensack university medical center IM residents are able to get fellowships?

idk anything about this program but things to keep in mind:

1. is the 3 yr curriculum condensed severely? (ie: cut vacation times, limits time for quality research or life in general)
2. is there a separate application or is this guaranteed?
3. Is it binding or can you opt back to traditional route?
4. Are you sure you want to pursue IM and stay in NJ for residency?
5. Would you go to Hackensack over WMed if both were the traditional 4 yr curriculum and same price? If not, you shouldn't weigh the 3 yr option that heavily

 

[DukeSmith]

I believe you just apply to fellowships normally. Hackensack takes regular IM residents too, and some probably then apply for fellowship in the area they want to pursue. When you get the financial aid info, you could ask them to potentially match WMed's offer. They seem like peer schools so it is worth a shot. Then factor in the 1 year saved in tuition for the 3 year program to see how close it is if Hackensack only matches say 50% of the scholarship you got.

Ya I didn’t necessarily mean doing fellowship at hackensack but was wondering if residents at HUMC can get fellowships either there or elsewhere.

 

[DukeSmith]

idk anything about this program but things to keep in mind:

1. is the 3 yr curriculum condensed severely? (ie: cut vacation times, limits time for quality research or life in general)
2. is there a separate application or is this guaranteed?
3. Is it binding or can you opt back to traditional route?
4. Are you sure you want to pursue IM and stay in NJ for residency?
5. Would you go to Hackensack over WMed if both were the traditional 4 yr curriculum and same price? If not, you shouldn't weigh the 3 yr option that heavily

1. I’ve heard it can limit time for research. Believe there are still summers
2. Not guaranteed but they said they have enough IM spots to practically guarantee it
3. Not binding
4. Not completely sure but as I said there are also options for EM, anesthesiology, neurology, psychiatry etc.
5. I’d lean towards wmed but I need to visit both still.

 

[KnightDoc]

Hackensack has historically been pretty aggressive in throwing money at people they want, so I wouldn't worry too much about the money unless or until they are not competitive with WMed. I doubt anything will pull you toward NJ and away from MI, given what you posted, because even if Hackensack gives you a full tuition scholarship, it will still be around $35K per year.

For the highly subsidized cost of the extra year at WMed, you get to not have to deal with the compression of time to finish in 3 years, and are not locked into Hackensack-Meridian for your residency. Also, I don't know about WMed, but some people are less than thrilled about having to drive all over NJ for clinicals at Hackensack.

 

[chilly_md]

Ya I didn’t necessarily mean doing fellowship at hackensack but was wondering if residents at HUMC can get fellowships either there or elsewhere.

Yes that’s what I meant. They apply for fellowships like any other resident and get taken by other programs. The cardiology and GI fellowships I mentioned were at Louisville and Loma Linda

 

[DukeSmith]

Should the fact that Hackensack’s first external match results seem stronger have any effect here. Haven’t seen the full list (I think like only 30 were eligible for external match) but some notable ones include

Orthopedic surgery at Mayo Clinic
Urology at Mt. Sinai
EM at Penn
A few general surgery
anesthesiology RWJ

Wmed had around 80 people, and although I think the distribution was a bit better, the residency locations themselves were a little underwhelming compared to HMSOM
3x orthopedic surgery
1x urology
1x ophthalmology
1x neurosurgery
2x ENT
4x diagnostic radiology
4x anesthesiology
7x general surgery

My initial feeling is that Hackensack may have been able to draw some faculty from NYC with higher salaries and positions. Doing research with somebody like Dr. Stifelman might help a bit more for urology residencies and I’m not sure if this applies to other departments.

Still haven’t received financial info, but since I may not have much time to decide when it is awarded would people take

HMSOM half tuition vs Wmed half tuition
HMSOM full tuition vs Wmed half tuition

 

[deleted1131301]

Probably go with WMed unless Hackensack throws some money at you

There is always some added risk when joining a new medical school in its growth period (curriculum and logistics come to mind)

 

[DukeSmith]

Probably go with WMed unless Hackensack throws some money at you

There is always some added risk when joining a new medical school in its growth period (curriculum and logistics come to mind)

Thanks, I’m partial to Kalamazoo over Nutley, so I think this is the best option unless I get a full ride or something.

 

[DukeSmith]

So I ended up getting a full tuition scholarship at hackensack but am still leaning towards wmed with half tuition scholarship.

COL in Kalamazoo would probably be 12k less per year so total difference would come out to about 90-100k

Would choosing wmed here be a crazy decision or would it be somewhat justified?

 

[chilly_md]

90-100k less at Hackensack? If so, I think that makes more sense than Western Michigan at that point.

 

[DukeSmith]

90-100k less at Hackensack? If so, I think that makes more sense than Western Michigan at that point.

Ya and it could go all the way up to like 140k if I do the 3yr program.

My two main concerns are that hackensack is expanding to 150 students per class. I’m not sure if the school has enough Rotations/research opportunities to accommodate that many students and accreditation.

Lastly I don’t know if the expanded # of students will limit 3yr options

 

[CrabcakesandFootball]

Ya and it could go all the way up to like 140k if I do the 3yr program.

My two main concerns are that hackensack is expanding to 150 students per class. I’m not sure if the school has enough Rotations/research opportunities to accommodate that many students and accreditation.

Lastly I don’t know if the expanded # of students will limit 3yr options

(Disclaimer I’m wl at Hackensack) That is a lot of money to be giving up. You need to be honest with yourself and whoever may be helping you finance medical school if that is an amount of money you are comfortable parting with. If it is or you have been planning your finances to spend the money and you think wmed will be a better fit then go there. If you are worried about money then you go Hackensack. From your above comments it seems to me all things being equal money wise you would go to wmed. However it is not. Be honest with your so or family and figure out what will make you happier and be best for you in the long run.

 

[DOcSto]

Also WL at Hackensack, but I commented on a similar predicament the other day. Perhaps if you'd feel better at WMed, try asking them if they will match (whatever the equivalent is) and take away that extra cost for you to be able to attend their program. In no way am I advocating for that, but I can understand you hesitation. Regardless, Hackensack is in a prime location (20-30 minutes from NYC), so I don't think access to opportunities should be a concern. I could be wrong though. Good luck!

Edit: HMH is a pretty big health system in NJ as well.