Hi all,
Apologies in advance for the long post! I literally made this account for this post since I am having quite a difficult time coming to an ultimate decision between these two schools... so I'd really appreciate honest feedback.
Context:
Jefferson:
Pros
Pros
All in all, I guess I am unsure as to whether Jefferson being a bit more 'prestigious' than NJMS, with better known hospitals is worth the extra money and possibly emotional/mental/physical transition of a new city and being much further from my family and significant other. From what I gather from different conversations with knowledgeable people, unless you are deciding between a T20, what really matters in matching is your Step 1 score, letters of rec, and rotation grades. Is this accurate?
Thanks so much!
Apologies in advance for the long post! I literally made this account for this post since I am having quite a difficult time coming to an ultimate decision between these two schools... so I'd really appreciate honest feedback.
Context:
- I grew up between an NJ suburb and Manhattan and went to undergrad in NYC, so I know NYC way better than Philly. Still like Philly, though.
- At this point, envision myself primarily being a clinician in a competitive specialty that is surgical (ie. Ortho) or at least half surgical, half patient-facing (ie. ENT, Optho etc.); however, I am pretty open to IM, Neurology, and possibly other specialties.
- Can see myself being involved in research on the side and maybe transition into teaching later in my career so going to a top residency program would be great.
Jefferson:
Pros
- Really enjoyed my interview day there, as most people seem to.
- I consider myself a relatively social person and related to these students a lot-- in a way that I can envision myself going there and being happy.
- Was impressed with the curriculum, campus, facilities, and match list.
- Incredibly strong in Ortho (Rothman Institute) and Optho (Will's Eye), among many other specialties - this would probably give me an edge matching into those specialties given the faculty, resources, and research opportunities?
- Jefferson is known to keep many in-house MD students for its own residency programs.
- Has students/alumni from all over the country - great for network
- Rather be in/around NYC than Philly for medical school, but particularly after as both my significant other and family live in/around NYC (still, I recognize that Philly is not too far away and would feel blessed to get into one of Jeff's residency programs).
- Much larger class size than NJMS. I do not want to feel like a number lost in a pile of others. I'm also concerned that this would affect my clinical training on rotations.
- Much more expensive ($80k - $100k total across 4 years) as I get IS tuition for NJMS.
Pros
- Just outside NYC (NYC is accessible by PATH or NJTransit in ~ 25 min) - therefore very close to my family, friends, and significant other.
- Impressive match list
- The school felt 'homey' as well - faculty members were warm, inviting, and seemed to genuinely care about their students' well-being and future - many opportunities for research and mentorship
- Known for producing students with amazing clinical skills that translate well into residency.
- Much cheaper due to IS tuition.
- School and hospitals not ranked as high, but not sure how much this matters
- Facilities not nearly as nice and not as much as a campus feel - many commuters
All in all, I guess I am unsure as to whether Jefferson being a bit more 'prestigious' than NJMS, with better known hospitals is worth the extra money and possibly emotional/mental/physical transition of a new city and being much further from my family and significant other. From what I gather from different conversations with knowledgeable people, unless you are deciding between a T20, what really matters in matching is your Step 1 score, letters of rec, and rotation grades. Is this accurate?
Thanks so much!
