Jefferson vs MCW

[hebrewBAMmer]

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I was fortunate to be accepted to both Jefferson and MCW and am having issues deciding between them. Both seem like fantastic institutions! I'm planning to go to both second look weekends anyway, but figured I'd seek out opinions.

I'm hoping to go into academic medicine or have a research-oriented career back in CA (also, if anyone is familiar with the schools and sees anything incorrect I wrote, please let me know!)

Jefferson
Pros

• Nice mix of lecture (M/W) and PBL (T/Th), as well as clinical skills practice a few times per month
• Get a week off to prepare for exams
• P/F preclinical years although clinical is not
• They have a research track and I can do research with anyone in the city of Philadelphia
• Students were incredibly happy here
• Tons of student organizations available to be a part of (and if not, you can create one easily)
• Lots of sporting events in the city
• Student housing available
• Most rotations done at Jefferson Medical Center

Cons

• Not a big of Philadelphia (or any urban environment -- I'm more of a suburban kinda person)
• Quiz every week (not a big deal since it can keep me on track of the material, but worth noting)
• New curriculum will only be in its second year (although students said a lot of the kinks should be worked out by then)

MCW
Pros

• Lectures/lab twice per week along with PBL/patient simulation once per week
• Lot of free time to study and do extracurriculars of interest
• Can do as much or as little research as I want (Faculty Collaboration Database exists so I can collaborate with faculty at other universities pretty easily)
• Facilities were hella nice
• Fantastic Chinese food within a mile of campus
• Students seemed like they really liked the school (although didn't seem as ecstatic as Jefferson) -- I'd rate it like an 8/10 in terms of student happiness
• Directly attached to a bunch of other medical centers
• Wauwatosa seemed like a pleasant place to be living
• Also have sports teams although Brewers/Bucks aren't that good
• Rotations primarily done at connected medical facilities

Cons

• MKE has poor public transportation so getting around not easy -- I'm likely to have a car though since it sounds like most students need one
• Grading is High Honors/Honors/Pass (not a dealbreaker, but again worth noting)
• MKE is pretty segregated according to the faculty I talked to and not particularly safe
• MCW dealing with this lawsuit: Medical College of Wisconsin knew doctor was accused of performing unnecessary surgery (does this matter at all?)

Summary: Both schools have a ton of pros and not many big cons (also both schools have comparable tuition).

 

[1203xx]

Lol the lawsuit is totally irrelevant to your decision

How did you feel about the diversity between the 2 schools?

 

[hebrewBAMmer]

Lol the lawsuit is totally irrelevant to your decision

How did you feel about the diversity between the 2 schools?

I felt both schools did a really good job emphasizing their commitment to diversity. I did get to talk with lgbt students at Jefferson who loved the school and felt welcomed. I didn't do that at mcw but I might get to at second look

 

[1203xx]

I felt both schools did a really good job emphasizing their commitment to diversity. I did get to talk with lgbt students at Jefferson who loved the school and felt welcomed. I didn't do that at mcw but I might get to at second look

Of the 2, which one are you favoring more yourself right now?

 

[hebrewBAMmer]

Of the 2, which one are you favoring more yourself right now?

I find myself favoring Jefferson a little more because of how happy all the students there were and a lot of physicians I've talked to know the school and say they've heard a lot of great things about it.

 

[RinShanKaiHo]

Just FYI about the Chinese food part, Jeff is literally 5 min away by walk from Philly Chinatown, a very underrated neighborhood for gourmet.

 

[hebrewBAMmer]

Just FYI about the Chinese food part, Jeff is literally 5 min away by walk from Philly Chinatown, a very underrated neighborhood for gourmet.

That's true, although I might be spoiled by SoCal Chinese food lol, so I'll definitely try out some more places there during second look weekend

 

[RinShanKaiHo]

That's true, although I might be spoiled by SoCal Chinese food lol, so I'll definitely try out some more places there during second look weekend

Lol hate you guys in South Cali. So jealous how good the food is lol

 

[qwertyuiop6]

I'm curious as to what you decide! I'm in a similar boat now.

 

[hebrewBAMmer]

I'm curious as to what you decide! I'm in a similar boat now.

Yea, for sure! Are there any pros and cons of each school that stood out to you in particular?

 

[btuck]

Wisconsin was ranked as one of the best states to live in! Live here now and love it. Also, I toured MCW, I know this is small, but their anatomy lab may be the nicest in the country - it doesn't even smell! I'd add that as a plus haha.

 

[hebrewBAMmer]

Wisconsin was ranked as one of the best states to live in! Live here now and love it. Also, I toured MCW, I know this is small, but their anatomy lab may be the nicest in the country - it doesn't even smell! I'd add that as a plus haha.

They do have super nice facilities, that is true! Everything seemed super modern seeing it again at second look. Jeff's second look is today and tomorrow so hopefully I'll know for sure this weekend

 

[qwertyuiop6]

Any thoughts after Jeff’s second look? Feel free to PM me

 

[ln000]

Are most rotations done at jefferson medical center? I’m also considering Jefferson and another school and that’s one of the top things I’m considering.

 

[btuck]

Are most rotations done at jefferson medical center? I’m also considering Jefferson and another school and that’s one of the top things I’m considering.

I am pretty sure all of them are done at Jefferson medical center or affiliated hospitals.

 

[medguy92]

jefferson

 

[btuck]

What did you decide?

 

[hebrewBAMmer]

What did you decide?

Heh, totally forgot to update here! So after going to both second-look weekends, I ended up deciding to go to Jefferson. MCW was a very nice school, but I just felt like I fit in better with the students at Jeff, and after visiting both, I ended up liking Jeff more and couldn't find enough about MCW that would dissuade me from going to Jeff and going to MCW instead, so here we are!

 

[RinShanKaiHo]

Nice! Looking forward to seeing you on campus!

Heh, totally forgot to update here! So after going to both second-look weekends, I ended up deciding to go to Jefferson. MCW was a very nice school, but I just felt like I fit in better with the students at Jeff, and after visiting both, I ended up liking Jeff more and couldn't find enough about MCW that would dissuade me from going to Jeff and going to MCW instead, so here we are!

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[btuck]

Heh, totally forgot to update here! So after going to both second-look weekends, I ended up deciding to go to Jefferson. MCW was a very nice school, but I just felt like I fit in better with the students at Jeff, and after visiting both, I ended up liking Jeff more and couldn't find enough about MCW that would dissuade me from going to Jeff and going to MCW instead, so here we are!

Nice! Looking forward to seeing you on campus!

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Hoping to see you both on campus! Currently on the waitlist.

 

[NeuroSoph75]

Heh, totally forgot to update here! So after going to both second-look weekends, I ended up deciding to go to Jefferson. MCW was a very nice school, but I just felt like I fit in better with the students at Jeff, and after visiting both, I ended up liking Jeff more and couldn't find enough about MCW that would dissuade me from going to Jeff and going to MCW instead, so here we are!

Congrats! Do you mind telling me more about Jefferson Second Look? It's the only WL I am going to stay on after the 30th and want some more insight to help my decision if I get pulled off. I really loved it on interview day! The health systems seems incredibly strong! (I'm from the Midwest so I wasn't too familiar with Jeff before this app cycle) Did Second Look give the same vibe?

 

[hebrewBAMmer]

Nice! Looking forward to seeing you on campus!

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Yea man, you too! Can't wait to meet everyone again.

Hoping to see you both on campus! Currently on the waitlist.

I'll be pulling for you to get off it!

Congrats! Do you mind telling me more about Jefferson Second Look? It's the only WL I am going to stay on after the 30th and want some more insight to help my decision if I get pulled off. I really loved it on interview day! The health systems seems incredibly strong! (I'm from the Midwest so I wasn't too familiar with Jeff before this app cycle) Did Second Look give the same vibe?

It was awesome! As soon as I walked through the doors to the auditorium where students were, both current and admitted students walked over to introduce themselves to me and wanted to talk. Then they had the ravioli again on Thursday (the day before the main event) where they had sushi, shrimp cocktails, pigs in a blanket, cake, meatballs.... basically a TON of good food. Then I went to a party put on by the diversity group (there were also other parties going on with students but I went to the LGBT/URM one) and met a ton of LGBT/URM students who all told me how much they loved the school. Then the next day, from what I can remember cause I was hella hungover, I got to hear a couple 20 min talks with a couple of the professors, and I got to meet the neuro one who let us hold a human brain and spinal cord which was cool a.f. Then I took a tour in the radiology department at the hospital and see the technology they use. Then at the very end of the day, the diversity group was having another get together for everyone if they wanted to come by to a restaurant across the street where there was more free drinks and food. Basically, the entire second look weekend reminded me how awesome Jeff students where (they were all super happy and really loved the school even when they had exams going on, and this was people M1-M4) and made me realize how much I wanted to be one.

 

[NeuroSoph75]

It was awesome! As soon as I walked through the doors to the auditorium where students were, both current and admitted students walked over to introduce themselves to me and wanted to talk. Then they had the ravioli again on Thursday (the day before the main event) where they had sushi, shrimp cocktails, pigs in a blanket, cake, meatballs.... basically a TON of good food. Then I went to a party put on by the diversity group (there were also other parties going on with students but I went to the LGBT/URM one) and met a ton of LGBT/URM students who all told me how much they loved the school. Then the next day, from what I can remember cause I was hella hungover, I got to hear a couple 20 min talks with a couple of the professors, and I got to meet the neuro one who let us hold a human brain and spinal cord which was cool a.f. Then I took a tour in the radiology department at the hospital and see the technology they use. Then at the very end of the day, the diversity group was having another get together for everyone if they wanted to come by to a restaurant across the street where there was more free drinks and food. Basically, the entire second look weekend reminded me how awesome Jeff students where (they were all super happy and really loved the school even when they had exams going on, and this was people M1-M4) and made me realize how much I wanted to be one.

Nice! Now I hope there is a lot of HPWL movement...