Jefferson vs. Tufts vs. Cincinnati

[premed836]

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Jefferson

Pros:

• 1.5 years preclinical, P/F
• Diverse city, in a good location within Philly
• Students seemed genuinely happy and I can see myself thriving here
• Students also seemed really close (despite the large class size)
• Faculty seem supportive and eager to work with students
• The cheapest option, around $65k per year due to a scholarship

Cons:

• 270 class size, seems really big so I'm worried about resources/finding opportunities/research
• Not as well known as the other two schools
• A lot of other medical schools in the area

Cincinnati

Pros:

• 1.5 years preclinical, P/F
• The second cheapest option, around $71k per year due to in-state tuition years 2-4
• Well known for pediatrics, could do research at Cincinnati Children's
• Seems like there are a lot of research opportunities and support from faculty
• New facilities
• Cheap cost of living
• High average step score, students seem to have a lot of resources when preparing for step

Cons:

• 170 class size, big but not as big as the other two
• Not in a diverse city, I really can't see myself moving to Ohio
• Quartile ranking for the class

Tufts:

Pros:

• 1.5 years preclinical, P/F
• Diverse city, loved Boston
• Loved my interview day
• Brand new anatomy lab
• Tufts is known to produce well-prepared clinicians
• Students seemed happy and close with one another

Cons:

• 200 class size
• New curriculum this year
• Very expensive, around $95k per year
• Expensive cost of living
• A lot of other medical schools in the area

In summary: Originally I was planning to go to Tufts till I got my financial aid packet. Now I find myself leaning towards Jefferson. I am from California and want to match in California or the east coast (but not the Midwest). I am strongly interested in pediatrics but at times can see myself also interested in pediatric anesthesiology and pediatric dermatology.

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

Jefferson.

Based on what you wrote. And don't worry, if you are proactive, you will find research mentors doing all types of work. And Phila is a great place to live.

Tufts would be a close second, except for the fact that it will be more expensive. Tufts is very expensive. And to a residency program director, those two schools are about equivalent. I would never choose someone over someone else just bc of the names between JEFFERSON AND TUFTS.

 

[lalalallala]

i think you should go to Jefferson. Tufts is wayyyy too expensive. Really does not seem like the extra 120k is justifiable. If you really don't want to be in Cinci then don't go to Cinci

 

[puahate]

Does your Jeff scholarship only cover M3 and M4?

 

[FamousLinen]

Jefferson. Tufts is not worth the extra price. Also Jefferson has a higher residency director rating than Cinci, so I would rank it above Cinci reputation wise. Also, it's the next best school in the city besides Penn, and students from every school in the city get research and other opportunities. So other than class size, there's no reason to not go. And if you put in the effort (and probably even if not) class size shouldn't be too big of a deal. You may even come to like it. Jefferson will definitely help you match east coast more than Cinci, and make it easier, although you can do it from both.

 

[honey0102]

Current M2 at Cinci. Preclinical is not 1.5, it's 2.
I will say your other Pro's are spot on. I personally love the help we get to prepare for Step-we have a learning consultant who is amazing. And yes, research opportunities have come across me very easily. The faculty love to help. Awesome medical center.

170 isn't a big class size-I know everyone in my class.

But, I will say I personally do feel there are cities more diverse than Cincinnati, to your point. And the quartile system is VERY stressful. I'm not a disgruntled person saying this (ie, I'm not in the bottom half and sad about it etc)-but students here stress a lot about it and it has led to a competitive nature. There will be people who brag about their grades-and just how well they're doing-and even ask others their grades But I will say many other schools (but not all) rank too, so it isn't just us.
My friend goes to Jefferson and he was here for a SMP before that so he took our classes-then did research into Jefferson once accepted-he can vouch for it being less competitive there. At Cincy, at least in the m1/2 years, we get a lot of extra work-extra classes outside of the sciences and tons of extra assignments and extra exams and mandatory activities with them. We also don't get as much Dedicated time for Step as some schools. We instead have, for three weeks after finishing Organ Systems, a course that is half review...but half material that is more M3 relevant but tested during M2 when we should be Step Studying.
I'm not trying to scare you but I want to be honest. Feel free to message me if you have more questions.

 

[ggdoc145]

Correct me if I am wrong, but Tufts is UNRANKED pass/fail, while Jeff is RANKED pass/fail. This is an important distinction!