Jefferson (SKMC) vs UCF

[habitualrationality32]

Jefferson Med
Pros

• The school has a more established network of hospitals for rotations
• Research seems more structured with interesting opportunities through the Scholarly Inquiry Track
• Pass/Fail: even though they have an internal ranking system.
• Philadelphia looks like an exciting place to explore and live for 4 years

Cons

• COST: I would probably end up being close to 400k in debt
• Weather: Not too concerned but there would definitely be a transition period for me.
• Large class size: not sure how it would affect opportunities when it comes to research/ECs

UCF Med
Pros

• COST: 25-30k, in-state for me so COA would be significantly less
• I already have a solid network of physicians in Orlando through shadowing and working so I feel that I could easily set up elective rotations
• 1 hour away from home so I would have plenty of support from family and friends.

Cons

• Rotation sites: Lost affiliation with Orlando Health. I hear the learning environment at HCA hospitals can be inconsistent.
• Although they have the FIRE program, researchers and funding is limited especially for competitive specialties.
• I would definitely have to do more leg work when it comes to establishing connections for residency as UCF is still growing.

Summary: My primary dilemma: Is it worth paying almost 200k more to attend Jefferson for its resources and established network? Or can I still achieve the same opportunities through UCF for 1/2 the cost if I put in the extra work? While I'm not sure what specialty I want to do, the ones I am interested in (interventional radiology, urology, oncology, ENT) are more competitive.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

See if Jefferson can match or at least offer something. I’ve heard bad things about HCA hospitals and considering that ucf doesn’t have advent anymore, I’d be skeptical on rotation quality. Of course if they can’t match, go to ucf

If you want oncology, I doubt it would be that difficult to get upper mid tier IM and then do a fellowship. The other specialties would be difficult from UCF but would also be difficult from almost any school, including Jefferson. Worst case would be going to Jefferson and then matching IM, since you would have been able to get it from UCF with 200k less debt

 

[KnightDoc]

Almost everyone enters med school aspiring to a competitive specialty. It's the med school version of everyone being a pre-med freshman year in UG. Many reconcile themselves along the way to something more attainable. It doesn't make a lot of sense to plan your next 4 years around that.

If you turn out to be a star, you will match well no matter where you go. Many people do, each year, at schools just like UCF.

All your UCF cons are real, and SKMC is definitely a very decent mid tier that most people would choose over UCF if the money was in the ballpark. But Jefferson is not worth $200K more than any MD program in the country, other than a school like CNU, which I wouldn't choose if it was absolutely free. UCF has a great administration and is doing everything within its power to increase its ranking and reputation.

The rotation situation at UCF will suck unless they fix it, as they have said they are trying to do. I have also heard the same thing about the HCA training sites. Even if UCF does not address these negatives, however, you are receiving a very significant FL state subsidy to choose UCF. Jefferson is a mid tier private school. They won't come close to closing the tuition gap, even if they give you something.

SKMC isn't Harvard, and UCF isn't CNU. This really isn't a close call. If you are meant to go into interventional radiology, urology, oncology, or ENT, you will find a way to do so from UCF. People seem to do so each cycle. If not, it won't be because the school held you back. As you noted, you might have to put in more effort at UCF, but receiving an untaxed $200K to do so seems like a more than fair trade off, doesn't it? Good luck!

 

[chilly_md]

Definitely go for UCF for cheaper cost and close proximity to home

 

[deleted1131301]

I agree with the other commenters here. Philadelphia is a really fun city, and Jefferson has great clinical resources, but the cost is really high. If you had to pay OOS tuition for UCF, then I would have suggested Jefferson. However, it is hard to justify spending ~$200k more for program that only seems a little better than UCF.

In any case, it sounds like you have a solid plan for success at UCF. I think many of us underappreciate the value of attending a medical school near our family and friends.