Linkage Program: UMDNJ-Newark or RWJ?

[EFesta77]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone out there is in the same situation as me. I was recently recommended to apply to UMDNJ through the link program to start school this August. However, I am not sure why I should choose one NJ school over the other. I prematurely told the program head at RU that I prefer RWJ, but now I am not so sure. People have told me there is a better clinical experience at NJ medical school in Newark. Also, that RWJ is more geared towards research than Newark.

Also, I am having a hard time finding out how competitive this process is. The only thing I am sure of is that RWJ has linkages with more schools than Newark. This tells me the process might be more competitive at RWJ. I suppose as NJ residents, we'll still have the overall advantage, but I still would like to know how many people typically apply and are accepted.

Anyone going through this, or has gone through this? thoughts?

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[Beth_W737]

I have volunteered at UMDNJ for almost 5 years, with a world reknowned pediatric immunologist. (he helped discover how pediatric AIDS was transmitted from mother to child, they even made a movie about him). They have a much better clinical program than RWJ, you get more experience. I would definitely pick UMDNJ over RWJ. Feel free to email me at [email protected] with any questions. Once I finish my post-bac program (applying to them now), I'm hoping to go to UMDNJ. They are currently building a dorm for medical students, which is great. They have a free shuttle for students & employees (and volunteers like me) from Penn Station (in Newark) to the hospital. I take it every time I volunteer, as I live an hour and a half away (hour commute each way by train). I've met a number of med students & residents and all are very happy there. It's not the best location but a lot of students live a little ways away, in surrounding towns, rather than in Newark itself. It has great faculty, great opportunities for research too. I'm currently a research assistant to a psychologist at the medical school researching risk factors for autism. It's a great school, and you get a lot more clinical experience than at RWJ. If clinical experience is important, pick UMDNJ. If you are more interested in research and the setting is important, then go to RWJ. I wish more of the post-bac programs had affiliations with UMDNJ rather than RWJ. Most of the programs I am applying to only have affiliations with RWJ. I got into Rutgers post-bac program but was told by someone who works for it that the acceptance rate to med school is 60%, which is low compared to many other post-bac programs. So I would prefer to go somewhere else but wish the other schools were affiliated with both campuses.

Beth

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone out there is in the same situation as me. I was recently recommended to apply to UMDNJ through the link program to start school this August. However, I am not sure why I should choose one NJ school over the other. I prematurely told the program head at RU that I prefer RWJ, but now I am not so sure. People have told me there is a better clinical experience at NJ medical school in Newark. Also, that RWJ is more geared towards research than Newark.

Also, I am having a hard time finding out how competitive this process is. The only thing I am sure of is that RWJ has linkages with more schools than Newark. This tells me the process might be more competitive at RWJ. I suppose as NJ residents, we'll still have the overall advantage, but I still would like to know how many people typically apply and are accepted.

Anyone going through this, or has gone through this? thoughts?

 

[EFesta77]

I have volunteered at UMDNJ for almost 5 years, with a world reknowned pediatric immunologist. (he helped discover how pediatric AIDS was transmitted from mother to child, they even made a movie about him). They have a much better clinical program than RWJ, you get more experience. I would definitely pick UMDNJ over RWJ. Feel free to email me at [email protected] with any questions. Once I finish my post-bac program (applying to them now), I'm hoping to go to UMDNJ. They are currently building a dorm for medical students, which is great. They have a free shuttle for students & employees (and volunteers like me) from Penn Station (in Newark) to the hospital. I take it every time I volunteer, as I live an hour and a half away (hour commute each way by train). I've met a number of med students & residents and all are very happy there. It's not the best location but a lot of students live a little ways away, in surrounding towns, rather than in Newark itself. It has great faculty, great opportunities for research too. I'm currently a research assistant to a psychologist at the medical school researching risk factors for autism. It's a great school, and you get a lot more clinical experience than at RWJ. If clinical experience is important, pick UMDNJ. If you are more interested in research and the setting is important, then go to RWJ. I wish more of the post-bac programs had affiliations with UMDNJ rather than RWJ. Most of the programs I am applying to only have affiliations with RWJ. I got into Rutgers post-bac program but was told by someone who works for it that the acceptance rate to med school is 60%, which is low compared to many other post-bac programs. So I would prefer to go somewhere else but wish the other schools were affiliated with both campuses.

Beth

Thanks Beth. Like I said, people have great things to say about UMDNJ Newark. The fact that everyone really loves it there makes me curious about it more than I was before (even though it is Newark...). Since I am already a researcher, I think clinical exposure is more important to me during medical school. I can always do the research thesis, no problem.
Eugene

 

[hopster]

wow, that is pretty strange. I am in the EXACT same situation as you. I was recommended for the linkage 2 weeks ago and chose RWJ. I was wondering the exact same thing as you and even asked the woman interviewing me. She said that I should choose the school that I would most like to go to, regardless of competitiveness factors. PM me and I can talk some more about it.