Help: Weighing PCOM and UMDNJ-SOM

[RU-CC'04]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Can anyone currently at one of these schools or joining one soon try to help me to decide between PCOM and UMDNJ? The first and second year classrooms at UMDNJ kinda scare me, especially compared to PCOM's, and I'm also fearing the clerkships that are limited to Kennedy and Lourdes at UMDNJ. I'm a Jersey res though, so UMDNJ and Kennedy are home to me. Also UMDNJ has a gorgeous campus, small class size, and it is a LOT cheaper. I'm driving myself nuts trying to decide. Can anyone offer me any feedback on the issues above and whether PCOM or UMDNJ has better residency placement for Family Medicine? Post here or drop me an IM if anyone gets a free second. I need to decide before Jan 10 if I'm gonna save 250 fee at PCOM. Thank you so much.

 

[Nate]

I am replying to you on the UMDNJ thread in the Osteopathic forum.

 

[my alias]

im an m1 at pcom. yes, it is very expensive. the class size is bigger, but you need to decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing. my first 2 weeks in med school, i felt it was a bit overcrowded, and that we were all kind of in each other's way. i think part of that was due to that fact that i had done a graduate program at pcom the year before, and i was used to the same lecture hall with 60 people. but after a few weeks it seemed to level out, and i don't ever notice it anymore. i actually prefer the bigger class size. keep in mind, the first 2 years are a lot like high school. you're with the same people ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. There are a lot of up tight people in med school. In my opinion, the bigger class gives you a better chance to find people you have more in common with. I have never felt like my education suffered from there being too many people, or that i didn't get enough individual attention. We break down into smaller groups to do labs and various exercises. the professors are always available to talk outside class. and there are plenty of research opportunities at pcom, in tons of different areas. another factor that i think is important when picking a med school is to find out about the scribe service... if you're like me, sribe notes will become your major study resource. i can't imagine how i would study without them. pcom students set up a really good scribe serice, and more recently we started recording lectures as mp3s and posting them on the internet. can't beat listening to lecture from your laptop in bed 🙂

 

[shan-bot 2000]

hey RU, I am having the same dilemma as you!!! PCOM was always my "dream school" and all thru my undergrad i would keep myself motivated by thinking about it. however, UMDNJ is WAY cheaper...like over 10 grand a year cheaper. plus, they are combining problem based learning with lecture learning for next year, which i think will be a great way to learn medicine. both schools are excellent, but i think i'm leaning towards UMDNJ, it's a great school with great opportunities. the only thing that's a turn off for me is the location. i went down to stratford last week to check out a condo and was just not diggin it. keep me posted on things that are swaying you one way or the other.

 

[DOctorJay]

shan-bat, there's plenty of good places to live! get in touch and i'll help you out.

-J

 

[RU-CC'04]

Thank you to all that replied.....gettin good stuff from each side.....gonna be a tough one.....

 

[RU-CC'04]

UMDNJ-SOM it is! Thanks for all of the help guys.