I had the same choice a couple of years ago... I ended up at Maryland primarily for personal and monetary reasons, but in hindsight I would have picked Maryland mainly because of the curriculum. At the time I remember Jeff had a numerical grading system and a subject-based course (ie, you had a path class, an anatomy class, a pharm class, etc.) whereas Maryland had an ABCF grading system and an organ-based approach. (Some of this may be changing, as I believe Jeff is adopting a new curriculum.) I had no idea how much of a role quality of life should play in the medical school decision, but having been here for a couple years I realize that it is VERY IMPORTANT... Some of the people I know at Hopkins get a little jealous when I tell them that we're usually done with class at 12, and having the afternoon free is terrific for doing other things, like having some sort of life, if you can pass off the guilt of not studying! They also 'give' us computers here so that everyone starts off on the same foot, and lectures and notes are available online (this is increasingly available everywhere) so some people don't even show up for class.
This is sounding very pro-Maryland, I know, so maybe some Jeff students can chime in too? A couple of positives about Jeff... the students that I interviewed with were all older than me, which was intimidating at first but I realize now that many of the older students in my class are better adjusted to 'real life' than some of the younger students, for whom medical school is just an extension of college, which may translate into 'less peer stress.' Also, Philadelphia isn't New York, but it sure isn't Baltimore...
