Grateful to have gotten acceptances to both schools. IS for both so tuition should be the same. Unsure of future specialty, but want to keep the door open for competitive specialties (ortho, optho, etc.)
NJMS
Pros:
- departments and residency programs in every specialty
- more research (#1 NIH funded in NJ)
- more interdisciplinary, have distinction programs in entrepreneurship, global health, etc. that I am interested in
- more impressive match list, though this may be because of a larger class size
- close to Hoboken and nyc for social life
Cons:
- graded preclinical (H/HP/P/F) and quintile ranking reported in MSPE, may make class more competitive and have more gunners
- car needed for clerkships, went to college in north jersey and disliked the heavy traffic in the area
- concerns about living in newark and being in a food desert
- large class size, BS/MD and Postbac students from Rutgers in class may make it more cliquey
Cooper
Pros:
- true P/F preclinical
- can live in a major city (5 min train from Center City, Philadelphia)
- all clerkships done at Cooper Hospital (no car needed)
- know for a fact class culture is collaborative
- attendance not required for lectures (not sure about policy for NJMS)
- smaller class size (get to know classmates better)
- faculty and students seemed more enthusiastic about the school on interview day
- early patient interaction in student run clinic
Cons:
- not all departments, though the faculty is growing
- less research, prestige (not sure how much this matters, but since STEP 1 is P/F this may be more important)
- safety concern about being in camden
Similarities: strong focus on urban underserved populations, addressing socioeconomic disparities, similar PBL curriculum, both have AOA
Summary: Overall, I am leaning towards Cooper since it is true P/F and I can live in a major city, but am wondering if greater reputation and research could make NJMS a better option.
NJMS
Pros:
- departments and residency programs in every specialty
- more research (#1 NIH funded in NJ)
- more interdisciplinary, have distinction programs in entrepreneurship, global health, etc. that I am interested in
- more impressive match list, though this may be because of a larger class size
- close to Hoboken and nyc for social life
Cons:
- graded preclinical (H/HP/P/F) and quintile ranking reported in MSPE, may make class more competitive and have more gunners
- car needed for clerkships, went to college in north jersey and disliked the heavy traffic in the area
- concerns about living in newark and being in a food desert
- large class size, BS/MD and Postbac students from Rutgers in class may make it more cliquey
Cooper
Pros:
- true P/F preclinical
- can live in a major city (5 min train from Center City, Philadelphia)
- all clerkships done at Cooper Hospital (no car needed)
- know for a fact class culture is collaborative
- attendance not required for lectures (not sure about policy for NJMS)
- smaller class size (get to know classmates better)
- faculty and students seemed more enthusiastic about the school on interview day
- early patient interaction in student run clinic
Cons:
- not all departments, though the faculty is growing
- less research, prestige (not sure how much this matters, but since STEP 1 is P/F this may be more important)
- safety concern about being in camden
Similarities: strong focus on urban underserved populations, addressing socioeconomic disparities, similar PBL curriculum, both have AOA
Summary: Overall, I am leaning towards Cooper since it is true P/F and I can live in a major city, but am wondering if greater reputation and research could make NJMS a better option.
