Hi all,
I have been incredibly fortunate this cycle and now have to make a very difficult decision between these two schools. I have not received my financial aid package from Hopkins yet, but my aid package from Cornell was abysmal (all loans) so Hopkins will either be equal or better. I am interested in pursuing a competitive surgical subspecialty (possibly ortho) and am also possibly interested in academic medicine and health policy, and definitely interested in doing global health mission type work in my future career.
Hopkins
Pros
Cornell
Pros
I have been incredibly fortunate this cycle and now have to make a very difficult decision between these two schools. I have not received my financial aid package from Hopkins yet, but my aid package from Cornell was abysmal (all loans) so Hopkins will either be equal or better. I am interested in pursuing a competitive surgical subspecialty (possibly ortho) and am also possibly interested in academic medicine and health policy, and definitely interested in doing global health mission type work in my future career.
Hopkins
Pros
- Incredible reputation, one of the best medical schools in the country
- Have great opportunities for health policy advocacy (on my interview day I met with students involved in student groups that are actively involved in writing resolutions for Maryland. They also visit Washington DC once a year to meet with legislators)
- Leader in international medicine, abundant opportunities for global health work
- P/F curriculum with internal ranking and AOA that are not released until after you match into residency so it does not have any effect on your med school experience
- Location is in Baltimore, worried about safety
- I've heard that it is difficult to get in contact with ortho faculty/they aren't very supportive?!? I'm not sure if this is true, please correct me if I am wrong
- I've heard that it's a competitive/stressful atmosphere (gunner vibe)?!? It was hard for me to get a sense of that on my interview day though so not sure
Cornell
Pros
- Great reputation (though not as great as Hopkins)? Not sure how much the prestige difference matters though
- Cornell is also a leader in global health work, many opportunities to get involved in missions work
- Located in NYC, I love the city
- Affiliation with HSS (#1 ortho residency in the country) so potentially good opportunities to make connections with ortho faculty
- Historical reputation is not as as good as Hopkins (residency director rankings have it around late teens while Hopkins is #2)
- Could not find opportunities to do direct policy work like Hopkins (please correct me if I'm wrong though)
- P/F with internal ranking and AOA that go on your residency app so it may add to competitiveness (I could be wrong about this though, if any current students have input on this that would be really appreciated)