Jefferson vs. Penn State

[nima123]

So I'd like to apply to a school in Penn in my AMCAS app. UPenn is not worth my money 🙂D 'cause I have near zero chance of getting an interview there). So it comes to Jefferson and Penn State. These are not found on the US News ranking. So just wondering which one has a better reputation in terms of medical education.

Thanks.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[nima123]

So just wondering which one has a better reputation in terms of medical education.

any thoughts? 😳

 

[IUHoosier21]

I don't know anything about Jefferson, but I will tell you about my experiences at Penn State.

First, Amber is the secretary for the admissions office and is quite possibly the nicest person on this planet. While that's trivial to its reputation, it is certainly something that I remembered. PS has its pros and cons. The facilities are nice, as they are attached to the Hershey hospital. This could also be considered one of it's flaws, though, depending on your perspective. Hershey, PA is pretty boring -- not nearly as exciting as Philadelphia. The clinical exposure at PS is fairly narrow (at least this was the impression that I got from my interviewer). He said that they deal with a lot of the same things over and over. Since it's a predominately middle class area in the middle of Pennsylvania there isn't a whole lot of diversity. This is why they encourage students to do a rotation somewhere outside of Hershey. Also, research is required, I believe. And PBL is used quite extensively. They have a wonderful simulation lab, too. The students that I met were nice and all seemed to be happy with their choice. I liked the school, but it definitely wasn't for me. Hope this helps.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Schools have to participate to be included in the USNWR. Penn State does not; I cannot comment on whether Jeff does but IMHO, you should not be using a highly flawed piece of marketing to base your decision about medical education.

Both schools produce excellent physicians. Jefferson may have more "inner city" types of diversity, as PSU does tend to draw from the local area and lacks in penetrating trauma and diseases associated with lower SES, but PSU does have more diversity in Pediatrics and genetic disorders (from the Amish).

It should come down to which environment you feel most comfortable in and how you feel about the school, as they are fairly disparate on those accounts.

PA has several other schools you've haven't mentioned: Temple, LECOM, PCOM, Drexel, Pitt - have you considered these are well? And since the medical education in PA is still pretty expensive, state resident or no, you might consider some bordering states as well if you'd like to stay close to home.

 

[nima123]

PA has several other schools you've haven't mentioned: Temple, LECOM, PCOM, Drexel, Pitt - have you considered these are well? And since the medical education in PA is still pretty expensive, state resident or no, you might consider some bordering states as well if you'd like to stay close to home.

I'm Canadian, and just wanted to apply to at least one school in PA as it looks like a cool place. My choices are limited: UPenn, Penn State and Jefferson seem to be the only ones accepting Canadian applicants.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I'm Canadian, and just wanted to apply to at least one school in PA as it looks like a cool place. My choices are limited: UPenn, Penn State and Jefferson seem to be the only ones accepting Canadian applicants.

Boy, Canada must be really boring if Pennsylvania seems like a cool place! 😉

 

[y8507]

Well, Jefferson is in Philly, and PSU is in Hershey, so score one for Jefferson there. 🙂

Personally, I feel like Jefferson has a better reputation, but I'm not really sure.

 

[nima123]

Boy, Canada must be really boring if Pennsylvania seems like a cool place! 😉

hehehe...PA may be a relatively cool place compared to the rest of the states I can apply to. Montreal is anything but boring.

And yeah, I think I could never live in a place like Hershey. Better invest the 30 bucks on Philly.

 

[Winged Scapula]

hehehe...PA may be a relatively cool place compared to the rest of the states I can apply to. Montreal is anything but boring.

And yeah, I think I could never live in a place like Hershey. Better invest the 30 bucks on Philly.

I liked Hershey and the students are quite happy there, but I can understand the draw of Philly and other large cities.

I agree...spend the $30 USD (and that Montreal is great city).😀

 

[Winged Scapula]

Well, Jefferson is in Philly, and PSU is in Hershey, so score one for Jefferson there. 🙂

Personally, I feel like Jefferson has a better reputation, but I'm not really sure.

If I recall correctly, it has been my impression (regardless of my relationship to PSU), that SDNers thought Hershey had the better academic rep. I could be wrong, but that seems to stick in my mind...I'm sure a search of the threads, if anyone is interested, could come up with the prevailing opinion.

 

[Xotica]

First, Amber is the secretary for the admissions office and is quite possibly the nicest person on this planet. While that's trivial to its reputation, it is certainly something that I remembered.

I thought these exact thoughts...

 

[smq123]

I don't know anything about Jefferson, but I will tell you about my experiences at Penn State.

First, Amber is the secretary for the admissions office and is quite possibly the nicest person on this planet. While that's trivial to its reputation, it is certainly something that I remembered. PS has its pros and cons. The facilities are nice, as they are attached to the Hershey hospital. This could also be considered one of it's flaws, though, depending on your perspective. Hershey, PA is pretty boring -- not nearly as exciting as Philadelphia. The clinical exposure at PS is fairly narrow (at least this was the impression that I got from my interviewer). He said that they deal with a lot of the same things over and over. Since it's a predominately middle class area in the middle of Pennsylvania there isn't a whole lot of diversity. This is why they encourage students to do a rotation somewhere outside of Hershey. Also, research is required, I believe. And PBL is used quite extensively. They have a wonderful simulation lab, too. The students that I met were nice and all seemed to be happy with their choice. I liked the school, but it definitely wasn't for me. Hope this helps.

That's strange that your interviewer would say/imply this. (I'm not doubting you, just your interviewer.) Hershey is one of the few major hospitals in the region and services a big portion of central PA (and possibly parts of upstate/central NY). I know that they have a very good Emergency med dept. as well, and I believe that (as far as peds) they see some very unusual genetic cases, because there are so many Amish in the area.

That being said - I go to Jefferson, so I like the area around here better. 😉 Honestly, if you search on the threads around here, and try to figure out differences in curriculum, grading scales, and facilities (i.e. are lectures recorded, are notes distributed, etc.), maybe you can figure out what you're looking for in a med school. PM me with any questions.