- Joined
- Apr 16, 2019
- Messages
- 231
- Reaction score
- 489
I am from SoCal and all of my close support systems will be in SoCal. At least for now, I don’t intend on pursing a competitive subspecialty — I am currently interested in Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, or PM&R. I have NO interest in academic medicine. I do understand that most people may not know a lot about Kaiser beyond the fact that it is a brand new program and is free, but I have been VERY, VERY impressed about the school after recent online events. My descriptions are going to be a bit longer got KP because there is not a lot of information out there about the program for the general public. Right now, I am leaning heavily towards KP (and will probably commit here!) and I just wanted to get some more opinions from ya’ll before commit day in ~2 weeks.
Kaiser
+ Financial Freedom!!
+ Case-based curriculum - I feel MORE confident in flipped classroom curriculum over a lecture based system to help develop my medical decision making. Seems like it will really prepare me well for Step 1/2 and in clinicals.
+ The only medical school in the US with a health systems science department in addition to biomedical and clinical science department - this will help me grow to become a clinician more knowledgeable about quality improvement, population/community health, public health + policy
+ Well connected faculty - faculty members have left very prestigious positions (Harvard, Columbia, UCSD, University of Washington, etc) because they “believe in KP’s mission” Faculty really wants to see their students succeed and have shared that they will be advocating for us to our top choice residency programs.
+ Faculty is very invested in the students - received multiple phone calls from faculty to check in on me, answer any lingering questions, and address any concerns I have about the program. I feel VERY supported here and have a lot of trust in the faculty/staff.
+ Big emphasis on wellness through “REACH” weeks - intermittent x1 week periods where students meet with physician coach to discuss/reflect progress in class/clinicals, narrative medicine, learn how to cook nutritious meals, etc.
+ Longitudinal Clerkships - Internal Medicine/Family medicine clerkship during the first year and the rest of the core clerkships during year 2.
+ Work with federally funded clinic x1 a month as part of “service-learning” component
+ 2 extra years to do Sub-Is/Away rotations and build on CV to become more competitive for residency
+ The school has already established partnerships with local free clinics and are excited to have us create a Student Run Free Clinic
+ Scholarly project due at the end of 3rd year, right in time for residency applications.
+ The medical education building is ridiculously beautiful inside and out. Also, the prospect of living in Pasadena is very exciting!!
(-) Inaugural class — There will be some inevitable hiccups along the way.
(-) Will going to a new institution deter me from a competitive specialty should I change my goals later on?
(-) Will mandatory classes during the first year (8am - 12/1pm on M/F and 8am- 3pm on T/W) hinder me from pursuing special interests??
(-) Commute + LA traffic
(-) Core clerkships will be at 1 clinical site and will ONLY be outpatient. But, there will be intermittent x1 week periods of inpatient immersion spread throughout the second year and x10 ED shifts on Saturdays for inpatient experiences. Also more opportunities for inpatient experiences during years 3/4 during elective rotations + away rotations.
(-) Virtual anatomy didn’t really work for me when I tried it out during the interview?? - But, maybe it’ll be fine after a period of adjustmen???
(-) Pass/Condition Pass/Fail year 1. Honors/Pass/Fail for year 2 clerkships -- Will this be stressful??
UCSF
+ It’s UCSF. The dream school. Prestige. Consistent top 5 ranking in research and primary care. Consistently high PD ranking. Will probably pose no issues when time comes for residency matching.
+ Very interested in HIV/AIDS research and outreach - UCSF has the MOST robust opportunities for this.
+ TRUE P/F for pre-clinical + core clerkships!!!
+ Bridges Curriculum is AMAZING! Clinical Microsystems Clerkship is AMAZING! 1.5 years pre-clinical.
+ Option of doing block or longitudinal clerkships for clinicals
+ Rumors about the school going tuition-free in the future
+ LOTS and LOTS of Vertical and Horizontal support from faculty and students.
+ Love the idea of moving to San Francisco to experience something new, but at the same time, will it be a hassle due to COVID?? Definitely lots of potential personal growth here because its something new to me.
+ Students seem very HAPPY to be studying here. Tight knit community.
+ Opportunity to rotate in a world renowned system and learn from the BEST professors, clinicians, researchers, etc.
+ Favorite interview day.
+ Amazing match list!
(-) It will cost money - 160k minimum over the 4 years without interest.
(-) SF housing is expensive and off-campus subsidized $$ ($2500) is not guaranteed
(-) Public transportation to get around lol
(-) Facilities seem a bit run-down
(-) Support system will be FAR away.
UCLA
+ Got admitted into the UCLA/Drew Medical Education Program, which is my top choice program within DGSOM - BIG,BIG emphasis on working with underserved communities, which is something I am very passionate about. Very intimate program with 28 students.
+ Will have double the support, resources, and mentorships from separate institutions: UCLA and Drew (side note: 2 different white coat ceremonies and graduation too LOL)
+ Will be able to view medicine through 2 lens by rotating around affluent communities near Westwood through DGSOM and under-resourced communities through DREW
+ VERY close to support.
+ DOMINANT medical institution in SoCal.
+ Have home residencies in ALL of my interests.
+ Guaranteed funding for summer research/global health project for the summer between year 1 and 2.
+ I LOVE LA. Would love to eventually pursue a residency in the LA area and settle here!
+ Amazing match list. 75% of the Drew cohort pursue Primary Care, 25% Specialty
(-) TOO MANY students will be rotating at the same time due to the curriculum change for next cycle’s class.
(-) 2 year pre-clinical with traditional block-based clerkships
(-) Will cost money, when I have a completely free option??? If I were to spend $$ on school, I feel like I would rather spend it on UCSF, but I really like the idea of being closer to support system!!
Kaiser
+ Financial Freedom!!
+ Case-based curriculum - I feel MORE confident in flipped classroom curriculum over a lecture based system to help develop my medical decision making. Seems like it will really prepare me well for Step 1/2 and in clinicals.
+ The only medical school in the US with a health systems science department in addition to biomedical and clinical science department - this will help me grow to become a clinician more knowledgeable about quality improvement, population/community health, public health + policy
+ Well connected faculty - faculty members have left very prestigious positions (Harvard, Columbia, UCSD, University of Washington, etc) because they “believe in KP’s mission” Faculty really wants to see their students succeed and have shared that they will be advocating for us to our top choice residency programs.
+ Faculty is very invested in the students - received multiple phone calls from faculty to check in on me, answer any lingering questions, and address any concerns I have about the program. I feel VERY supported here and have a lot of trust in the faculty/staff.
+ Big emphasis on wellness through “REACH” weeks - intermittent x1 week periods where students meet with physician coach to discuss/reflect progress in class/clinicals, narrative medicine, learn how to cook nutritious meals, etc.
+ Longitudinal Clerkships - Internal Medicine/Family medicine clerkship during the first year and the rest of the core clerkships during year 2.
+ Work with federally funded clinic x1 a month as part of “service-learning” component
+ 2 extra years to do Sub-Is/Away rotations and build on CV to become more competitive for residency
+ The school has already established partnerships with local free clinics and are excited to have us create a Student Run Free Clinic
+ Scholarly project due at the end of 3rd year, right in time for residency applications.
+ The medical education building is ridiculously beautiful inside and out. Also, the prospect of living in Pasadena is very exciting!!
(-) Inaugural class — There will be some inevitable hiccups along the way.
(-) Will going to a new institution deter me from a competitive specialty should I change my goals later on?
(-) Will mandatory classes during the first year (8am - 12/1pm on M/F and 8am- 3pm on T/W) hinder me from pursuing special interests??
(-) Commute + LA traffic
(-) Core clerkships will be at 1 clinical site and will ONLY be outpatient. But, there will be intermittent x1 week periods of inpatient immersion spread throughout the second year and x10 ED shifts on Saturdays for inpatient experiences. Also more opportunities for inpatient experiences during years 3/4 during elective rotations + away rotations.
(-) Virtual anatomy didn’t really work for me when I tried it out during the interview?? - But, maybe it’ll be fine after a period of adjustmen???
(-) Pass/Condition Pass/Fail year 1. Honors/Pass/Fail for year 2 clerkships -- Will this be stressful??
UCSF
+ It’s UCSF. The dream school. Prestige. Consistent top 5 ranking in research and primary care. Consistently high PD ranking. Will probably pose no issues when time comes for residency matching.
+ Very interested in HIV/AIDS research and outreach - UCSF has the MOST robust opportunities for this.
+ TRUE P/F for pre-clinical + core clerkships!!!
+ Bridges Curriculum is AMAZING! Clinical Microsystems Clerkship is AMAZING! 1.5 years pre-clinical.
+ Option of doing block or longitudinal clerkships for clinicals
+ Rumors about the school going tuition-free in the future
+ LOTS and LOTS of Vertical and Horizontal support from faculty and students.
+ Love the idea of moving to San Francisco to experience something new, but at the same time, will it be a hassle due to COVID?? Definitely lots of potential personal growth here because its something new to me.
+ Students seem very HAPPY to be studying here. Tight knit community.
+ Opportunity to rotate in a world renowned system and learn from the BEST professors, clinicians, researchers, etc.
+ Favorite interview day.
+ Amazing match list!
(-) It will cost money - 160k minimum over the 4 years without interest.
(-) SF housing is expensive and off-campus subsidized $$ ($2500) is not guaranteed
(-) Public transportation to get around lol
(-) Facilities seem a bit run-down
(-) Support system will be FAR away.
UCLA
+ Got admitted into the UCLA/Drew Medical Education Program, which is my top choice program within DGSOM - BIG,BIG emphasis on working with underserved communities, which is something I am very passionate about. Very intimate program with 28 students.
+ Will have double the support, resources, and mentorships from separate institutions: UCLA and Drew (side note: 2 different white coat ceremonies and graduation too LOL)
+ Will be able to view medicine through 2 lens by rotating around affluent communities near Westwood through DGSOM and under-resourced communities through DREW
+ VERY close to support.
+ DOMINANT medical institution in SoCal.
+ Have home residencies in ALL of my interests.
+ Guaranteed funding for summer research/global health project for the summer between year 1 and 2.
+ I LOVE LA. Would love to eventually pursue a residency in the LA area and settle here!
+ Amazing match list. 75% of the Drew cohort pursue Primary Care, 25% Specialty
(-) TOO MANY students will be rotating at the same time due to the curriculum change for next cycle’s class.
(-) 2 year pre-clinical with traditional block-based clerkships
(-) Will cost money, when I have a completely free option??? If I were to spend $$ on school, I feel like I would rather spend it on UCSF, but I really like the idea of being closer to support system!!
Last edited:
