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- Dec 23, 2007
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Hi SDNers,
I need your expertise please If you don't feel like reading the whole thing, it's ok . Just tell me which school to go to! I really appreciate your input!
I've been accepted to these 3 schools and I am having a really difficult time deciding. A little background: I'm from Southern California and although location is important, my number one priority is going to a good school that will increase my chances of getting into a residency later!
So what do you guys think?
1. Midwestern CCP (Chicago, IL)
Pros: Well established (1991) and well known, lots of alumni out there (may be a positive when it comes to hiring), seems to have some research opportunities, I like the town and the fact that it's 30 minutes from the big city, big campus feel with different students from various health-care fields, seems to encourage residency and has its own residency programs.
Cons: Around $16K more expensive than the other two options, really large classes (200 ppl), you're assigned a group and you must stay in that group all 3 years (what if we don't get along!?!?!), I'm not sure about the diversity of their experiential learning sites, FREEZING COLD!
2. Shenandoah (Virginia)
Pros: Small classes (100ppl), established in 1996 (I don't feel like it's well known though!), 20% of the class moved on to residency, it has its own residencies, really seems to care about students and profs seem to have close relationship to students, small community feel, possibility of having a rotation at John Hopkins during P4, 1st year will be in Ashburn which is 20 minutes from DC (a city I love), 100% NAPLEX pass rate (2 years in a row), seem to have interesting rotation abroad opportunities, very technologically advanced school (all students get an Iphone and mac book + there are classes about making apps for the Iphone).
Cons: 2nd and 3rd year will be in Winchester which is a really small town (more than 2 hours from DC), I have to move between campuses, not much research going on, don't know if it's a well known school and if that will hurt me when I apply to residencies.
3: Pacific University (Oregon)
Pros: 3 years, closer to home, very cheap to live there, small classes, faculty seems close to students and very nice, block system seems to be an awesome approach to learning, small classes (100ppl).
Cons: 3 years (I've heard some employers and residency programs look down on that), newer school (just got accredited in 2008), very small school in a small town, no research opportunities, no residency programs.
I just want to decide soon so that hopefully, my spot can be given to someone on the waitlist!
I need your expertise please If you don't feel like reading the whole thing, it's ok . Just tell me which school to go to! I really appreciate your input!
I've been accepted to these 3 schools and I am having a really difficult time deciding. A little background: I'm from Southern California and although location is important, my number one priority is going to a good school that will increase my chances of getting into a residency later!
So what do you guys think?
1. Midwestern CCP (Chicago, IL)
Pros: Well established (1991) and well known, lots of alumni out there (may be a positive when it comes to hiring), seems to have some research opportunities, I like the town and the fact that it's 30 minutes from the big city, big campus feel with different students from various health-care fields, seems to encourage residency and has its own residency programs.
Cons: Around $16K more expensive than the other two options, really large classes (200 ppl), you're assigned a group and you must stay in that group all 3 years (what if we don't get along!?!?!), I'm not sure about the diversity of their experiential learning sites, FREEZING COLD!
2. Shenandoah (Virginia)
Pros: Small classes (100ppl), established in 1996 (I don't feel like it's well known though!), 20% of the class moved on to residency, it has its own residencies, really seems to care about students and profs seem to have close relationship to students, small community feel, possibility of having a rotation at John Hopkins during P4, 1st year will be in Ashburn which is 20 minutes from DC (a city I love), 100% NAPLEX pass rate (2 years in a row), seem to have interesting rotation abroad opportunities, very technologically advanced school (all students get an Iphone and mac book + there are classes about making apps for the Iphone).
Cons: 2nd and 3rd year will be in Winchester which is a really small town (more than 2 hours from DC), I have to move between campuses, not much research going on, don't know if it's a well known school and if that will hurt me when I apply to residencies.
3: Pacific University (Oregon)
Pros: 3 years, closer to home, very cheap to live there, small classes, faculty seems close to students and very nice, block system seems to be an awesome approach to learning, small classes (100ppl).
Cons: 3 years (I've heard some employers and residency programs look down on that), newer school (just got accredited in 2008), very small school in a small town, no research opportunities, no residency programs.
I just want to decide soon so that hopefully, my spot can be given to someone on the waitlist!
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