Jefferson vs Einstein

[VCpredoc]

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I am trying to decide between Jefferson in Philly and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. I really liked the location of Jefferson, but it looks like Einstein might end up being a bit cheaper (not by much). I am interested in primary care (but open to change) and the differences in research opportunities between the schools is not influencing my decision. Based on my tours, it looks like both schools have mixed facilities where some of the buildings are nice, but others could use a renovation. Overall my experiences at both schools were about equal. The pros that are leading me towards Einstein are the centralized housing, tight-knit class, somewhat closer to home, and small potential discount. One thing that I am a little wary about is that I am non-religious and my Einstein tour really pushed that Einstein had a strong Jewish representation on campus. The pros of Jefferson are it's location in Center City and the large class size.

Any advice?

 

[Goobs]

I am trying to decide between Jefferson in Philly and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. I really liked the location of Jefferson, but it looks like Einstein might end up being a bit cheaper (not by much). I am interested in primary care (but open to change) and the differences in research opportunities between the schools is not influencing my decision. Based on my tours, it looks like both schools have mixed facilities where some of the buildings are nice, but others could use a renovation. Overall my experiences at both schools were about equal. The pros that are leading me towards Einstein are the centralized housing, tight-knit class, somewhat closer to home, and small potential discount. One thing that I am a little wary about is that I am non-religious and my Einstein tour really pushed that Einstein had a strong Jewish representation on campus. The pros of Jefferson are it's location in Center City and the large class size.

Any advice?

NYC vs Philly? I know Einstein is in the Bronx, but I'd definitely choose a short bus ride to Manhattan over a direct location Center City.

 

[leon sandcastle]

hey you get jewish holidays off at einstein, thats a pretty sweet deal

 

[Goobs]

hey you get jewish holidays off at einstein, thats a pretty sweet deal

Hahahaha that is pretty awesome. Also Einstein is unranked P/F right? Is Jeff H/P/F or is it just P/F? I don't remember.

 

[FutureDocsWife]

I am trying to decide between Jefferson in Philly and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. I really liked the location of Jefferson, but it looks like Einstein might end up being a bit cheaper (not by much). I am interested in primary care (but open to change) and the differences in research opportunities between the schools is not influencing my decision. Based on my tours, it looks like both schools have mixed facilities where some of the buildings are nice, but others could use a renovation. Overall my experiences at both schools were about equal. The pros that are leading me towards Einstein are the centralized housing, tight-knit class, somewhat closer to home, and small potential discount. One thing that I am a little wary about is that I am non-religious and my Einstein tour really pushed that Einstein had a strong Jewish representation on campus. The pros of Jefferson are it's location in Center City and the large class size.

Any advice?

If you are concerned about religious-affiliations then it might be best for you to go to Jefferson. Einstein is a part of Yeshiva University which is the biggest Orthdox Jewish center for learning in the country. Many of your classmates won't be Jewish, but the overall culture & philosophy of the school is heavily influenced by Judaism. The most visible will be the observance of Jewish holidays & the Sabbath, as well as only kosher food on campus. You'll also notice many of the students & faculty are orthodox Jews. All this said, the school is welcoming to people from all walks of life (and all different religions or lack thereof).

It sounds like you also prefer the Jefferson location, so that might be the best way for you to choose.

Either way, good luck in your decision!

 

[scrubulous]

I am trying to decide between Jefferson in Philly and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. I really liked the location of Jefferson, but it looks like Einstein might end up being a bit cheaper (not by much). I am interested in primary care (but open to change) and the differences in research opportunities between the schools is not influencing my decision. Based on my tours, it looks like both schools have mixed facilities where some of the buildings are nice, but others could use a renovation. Overall my experiences at both schools were about equal. The pros that are leading me towards Einstein are the centralized housing, tight-knit class, somewhat closer to home, and small potential discount. One thing that I am a little wary about is that I am non-religious and my Einstein tour really pushed that Einstein had a strong Jewish representation on campus. The pros of Jefferson are it's location in Center City and the large class size.

Any advice?

While the school has some religious undertones in regard to life on campus (i.e. kosher food at events, spring break always falls during Passover), the vast majority (I'm talking 3/4 or more) of every class is not orthodox Jewish. There are many people who are not religious on campus and feel completely unaffected by the fact that the school has a religious affiliation. Someone previously mentioned the time off for all major Jewish holidays, which is a definite benefit that you won't get at other schools. Take a look at the Einstein academic calendar for Fall 2013 --there are 3 four-day weekends just in the month of September...pretty sweet. Overall, it's definitely a part of Einstein, but it's not something that in any way affects non-religious students.

Besides that, my main arguments for Einstein would include the true P/F system, the diversity and strength of clinical sites, extensive funding for global health and research opportunities, extremely cheap housing costs, a community-based campus w/ gym right across from the housing buildings, the strength of its match-list, its historically liberal and open-minded philosophy, and (pure opinion) I would argue that Einstein has a stronger reputation in the medical community across the country than Jefferson.

Just my opinion, good luck with your decision.

 

[VCpredoc]

Ya I hadn't really thought of the "historically liberal" aspect of Einstein. I think that some times I forget just how liberal I am going to Vassar College where it is essentially the norm. I already noticed looking through the accepted students page for Jefferson that that there are a fair amount of conservatives in the group. Either place I'm sure I'll get a mix of people though. On my tours, I was MUCH more drawn to the students at Einstein, but unfortunately I was only exposed to a small sample at each campus, so I don't necessarily think that I can go on this.

 

[scrubulous]

Ya I hadn't really thought of the "historically liberal" aspect of Einstein. I think that some times I forget just how liberal I am going to Vassar College where it is essentially the norm. I already noticed looking through the accepted students page for Jefferson that that there are a fair amount of conservatives in the group. Either place I'm sure I'll get a mix of people though. On my tours, I was MUCH more drawn to the students at Einstein, but unfortunately I was only exposed to a small sample at each campus, so I don't necessarily think that I can go on this.

I also went to a small liberal arts college that is the extreme of liberalism and forward thinking. Obviously, there are people of all sorts at both Einstein and Jefferson. But I can tell you that (I heard this story from an Einstein faculty member), Albert Einstein solely gave his namesake to the school with the understanding that institution would forever be a place of acceptance and open-mindedness. The school was opened to serve as a place of refuge for Jews (because of quotas for Jews in med school admissions) and red-listed communist scientists from all over the world.

Today, there's a large LGBT population in the Einstein student community, and a large number of students interested in Social Medicine, Single-payer health reform, and other more liberally-minded medical topics. Another plus is that the PhD students all live in the same student housing buildings as well, and many of these students tend to be very liberally leaning and fun. So it definitely adds to the sense that the campus is a big mix.