Jefferson vs. VCU/MCV

[Classic]

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My apologizes to all those people who hate these comparison threads. However, I want to get more of a "feel" for these schools and try to weed out the intangibles that aren't necessarily on the schools web pages, etc.


Jefferson
(+) An excellent reputation for producing "good clinicians"


VCU
(+) Excellent Step One prep


Please contribute your thoughts!

 

[Classic]

Okay .... so for all the positive things people say about JMC on this website and just in general, there is not such a good aggregate review on AMSA Medical School Survey page ....

 

[87138]

Okay .... so for all the positive things people say about JMC on this website and just in general, there is not such a good aggregate review on AMSA Medical School Survey page ....

Someone (can't remember who, maybe smq) has stated that the vast majority of evaluations were from several years ago before the new Dean arrived, and that there were indeed several issues the students were not happy about, but that they were addressed and that things had taken a huge turn-around.

I don't know any of this first-hand, it's just what's been said on here.

 

[smq123]

Okay .... so for all the positive things people say about JMC on this website and just in general, there is not such a good aggregate review on AMSA Medical School Survey page ....

Someone (can't remember who, maybe smq) has stated that the vast majority of evaluations were from several years ago before the new Dean arrived, and that there were indeed several issues the students were not happy about, but that they were addressed and that things had taken a huge turn-around.

😀 Yep, that was me.

Those reviews on the AMSA website for Jefferson are quite old, and since they're undated don't seem reliable for any school.

I don't know much about MCV. At Jefferson, there is definitely a lot of "hands-on" experience for the med students, and a lot of one-on-one time with attendings (even in specialties like surgery and OB).

As Gutshot asked - what's the cost difference?

 

[Classic]

Cost of Attendance Comparison:

JMC Tuition $ 43,033
JMC Total $ 65,390

VCU Tuition $ 39,281 (OOS)
VCU Total $ 68,512

😱 😱

 

[87138]

Cost of Attendance Comparison:

JMC Tuition $ 43,033
JMC Total $ 65,390

VCU Tuition $ 39,281 (OOS)
VCU Total $ 68,512

😱 😱

That's the reality of medical education these days. And those numbers aren't going down . . .

 

[mbe36]

Cost of Attendance Comparison:

JMC Tuition $ 43,033
JMC Total $ 65,390

VCU Tuition $ 39,281 (OOS)
VCU Total $ 68,512

😱 😱

Can you be declared IS for year-2 and beyond? I know alot of schools (ie SUNYs) allow this.

 

[Gut Shot]

Cost of Attendance Comparison:

JMC Tuition $ 43,033
JMC Total $ 65,390

VCU Tuition $ 39,281 (OOS)
VCU Total $ 68,512

😱 😱

Hmm, that's tough. I'd hazard a guess that JMC has more aid available, so perhaps that could tip things over. Richmond is a much smaller, and IMHO, more livable city than Philly, but that's just my taste.

 

[Classic]

Clinical rotations:

VCU = one central location

JMC = some at Jefferson, others in NJ, Delaware, and remote parts of PA
​

For 3rd and 4th year rotations it seems like VCU > JMC ... any thoughts about this?

 

[smq123]

Clinical rotations:

VCU = one central location

JMC = some at Jefferson, others in NJ, Delaware, and remote parts of PA
​

For 3rd and 4th year rotations it seems like VCU > JMC ... any thoughts about this?

It sort of depends. I was never sent to any of the locations in NJ or the western parts of PA. Students who rotate at the outlying sites are given housing, although transportation has to be worked out. Carpooling is a popular option.

 

[tati7286]

I am also in the same boat: deciding between Jefferson and VCU/MCV. I have read a bunch of different posts about the two schools and I'm still having a tough time deciding.

One question I couldn't get answered is how much actual hands-on experience do you get at Jefferson during the first 2 years? I know at VCU/MCV there is a physicianship program where you are placed with a doctor 2 days a month and you work as part of their team. Does Jefferson have anything like this?

 

[VCgirl]

Hi. I am a 1st year at Jeff. Jefferson does not have a formal program in place where you shadow a doctor for "twice a month" or whatever. We do have a requirement where you must shadow at least four times (2 family, internal or peds and 2 exploratory visits). There is also a program where you indicate you specialty of interest and you will be matched with a mentor in the beginning of the year. You can shadow your mentor as little or as much as you want, depending on both of your schedules, ect. There is also a list of physicians who will let you shadow them for a day. So basically how little or how much shadowing you do first year is completely up to you!! I already scrubbed in on surgeries, ect. All of the physicians on staff are amazing and love to teach students!

 

[snowflake83]

Cost of Attendance Comparison:

JMC Tuition $ 43,033
JMC Total $ 65,390

VCU Tuition $ 39,281 (OOS)
VCU Total $ 68,512

😱 😱

I am at VCU now and the cost of living budget that they list is much more than you actually need. Depending on your personal lifestyle, it isn't that hard to live in Richmond for <15k/year. If you live with a roommate your housing expenses can easily be ~$500/mo in the fan or an equally nice area. There are very few books or supplies that you need to buy. Also, we get free bus passes and there is a free shuttle to the UG campus, so you don't need to pay for parking (at least not in M1/M2 years).

 

[mglavin]

MCV has been known for it's clinical education much longer then Dr Costanzo's step I prep. As great as she is there is still nothing overly magically about. Step I mostly is your individual effort just as it is everywhere else.

 

[tati7286]

Hi. I am a 1st year at Jeff. Jefferson does not have a formal program in place where you shadow a doctor for "twice a month" or whatever. We do have a requirement where you must shadow at least four times (2 family, internal or peds and 2 exploratory visits). There is also a program where you indicate you specialty of interest and you will be matched with a mentor in the beginning of the year. You can shadow your mentor as little or as much as you want, depending on both of your schedules, ect. There is also a list of physicians who will let you shadow them for a day. So basically how little or how much shadowing you do first year is completely up to you!! I already scrubbed in on surgeries, ect. All of the physicians on staff are amazing and love to teach students!

Thanks for the info VCgirl. I have another question about how you feel about the schedule of classes. At VCU, it's basically 8-12 and one afternoon an week. When I stayed with a student host at Jefferson, I saw that you schedule basically starts at 9 and then can end anywhere from 12-4 or 5. Do you feel like you have enough time to digest the material? I am a lecture-learner so I attend every lecture (some people have told me just to not go to lecture if it's too much...but I can't do that). Do you have enough time to do things outside of school?

Thanks!

 

[Instatewaiter]

MCV has been known for it's clinical education much longer then Dr Costanzo's step I prep. As great as she is there is still nothing overly magically about. Step I mostly is your individual effort just as it is everywhere else.

While I have to agree that it is your individual effort, having her sit down, basically tell me the score I should shoot for and give me a study plan with which books to use took a ton of anxiety out the situation.

My time studying for boards was actually less stressful than the rest of 2nd year.

Do you need Dr Costanzo to do well... no. But it's nice to know you have someone there who knows what she's talking about and can guide you in the right direction.

 

[VCgirl]

Thanks for the info VCgirl. I have another question about how you feel about the schedule of classes. At VCU, it's basically 8-12 and one afternoon an week. When I stayed with a student host at Jefferson, I saw that you schedule basically starts at 9 and then can end anywhere from 12-4 or 5. Do you feel like you have enough time to digest the material? I am a lecture-learner so I attend every lecture (some people have told me just to not go to lecture if it's too much...but I can't do that). Do you have enough time to do things outside of school?

Thanks!

Hmmm...Yes. Our schedule typically is class from 9-12 with either labs or small group 3+ days a week. That is pretty consistent throughout the year, except for MCBM (biochem on crack that is from November-Jan and typically the only time I contemplated about my choice to return to school)!!! Haha.

You will begin with anatomy and that has lab ~3x/week. The volume is completely manageable. MCBM is next and there are no associated labs so basically afternoons are free, but you will be studying!! 😱 Then...you will do systems (our current course). The schedule is pretty much 9-5 daily, but I am not a class-goer and I have ample time to do other things. I have friends who attend class religiously and they do very well and don't complain about time.

Long story short, you will be fine!!! Jefferson really caters to different learning styles and you may find that your method will change dramatically from undergrad (mine sure did!). I used to go to every class...now I only go if I have to sign in 🙂. Good luck. I love it here, but go where you see yourself being truly as happy as you can be...because you seriously will not have a life for 90% of the time that you are here!!

 

[tati7286]

Hmmm...Yes. Our schedule typically is class from 9-12 with either labs or small group 3+ days a week. That is pretty consistent throughout the year, except for MCBM (biochem on crack that is from November-Jan and typically the only time I contemplated about my choice to return to school)!!! Haha.

You will begin with anatomy and that has lab ~3x/week. The volume is completely manageable. MCBM is next and there are no associated labs so basically afternoons are free, but you will be studying!! 😱 Then...you will do systems (our current course). The schedule is pretty much 9-5 daily, but I am not a class-goer and I have ample time to do other things. I have friends who attend class religiously and they do very well and don't complain about time.

Long story short, you will be fine!!! Jefferson really caters to different learning styles and you may find that your method will change dramatically from undergrad (mine sure did!). I used to go to every class...now I only go if I have to sign in 🙂. Good luck. I love it here, but go where you see yourself being truly as happy as you can be...because you seriously will not have a life for 90% of the time that you are here!!

Thanks so much VCgirl for all the insider info! I'm going to sit down this weekend and sort it all out.

 

[Classic]

Students who rotate at the outlying sites are given housing, although transportation has to be worked out. Carpooling is a popular option.

So you pretty much hunker-down in Jefferson-provided housing for the entire 4 week (or whatever) rotation?

How many 3rd year rotations do you get at the JMC campus? Is there a min. and/or max. number you do at the city center location?

 

[smq123]

So you pretty much hunker-down in Jefferson-provided housing for the entire 4 week (or whatever) rotation?

How many 3rd year rotations do you get at the JMC campus? Is there a min. and/or max. number you do at the city center location?

- All 3rd year rotations are 6 weeks.

Yeah, you can stay in the Jefferson provided housing for the whole 6 weeks. I've heard that most places are pretty nice, though.

Some people choose not to do this, though. I know of people who were at York, which is ~3 - 4 hours away, who wanted to drive back to Center City every weekend. That's their choice, certainly.

There's no minimum or maximum number of rotations that you do at Jefferson. IM requires that you do 4 weeks at Jefferson, but that's the only one.

You also have to realize that many of the non-Jefferson sites ARE accessible by public transportation. Methodist Hospital and Einstein are accessible by the Broad Street Line. Bryn Mawr and Frankford are accessible by the Market-Frankford Line. Some of the New Jersey sites are accessible by PATCO. Lankenau is accessible by both regional rail and one of the trolley lines. Just because it's a non-Jefferson site doesn't mean that it's super far.