OUWB vs Penn State vs VCU

[gaitonde]

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This is my second account in an attempt to maintain anonymity

OUWB

Pros
-I loved it during the interview day, felt that the administration and faculty really cared about student wellbeing.
-Integrated Curriculum
-fairly good match results for a new school, relationship with their hospital for shadowing/ learning opportunities.
-Team-Based Learning, collaborative environment, research requirement.
-Small class size.

Cons
-Cost of attendance ~ 84K
-Not a fan of MI winters
-Do not like the idea of mandatory (>80%) attendance to get Honors in pre-clinical years, grading H/P/F.
-Lack of research opportunities, the hospital is far from the school, less hands-on learning pre-clinical years (lack of simulation labs).

Penn State
Pros
- Liked the atmosphere and the curriculum.
- I had the most interaction with students and felt like I would fit in well at the institution.
- Hospital attached- early clinical learning experiences available.
- longitudinal humanities course, several research opportunities.
- Preclinical only 1.5 years, USMLE Step 1 after M3.
- Opportunity to shadow sports med faculty/get involved.
- No attendance requirement Grading- P/F

Cons
- Cost of attendance ~78K
- Location is in rural/central Pennsylvania with not much to do, far away from major cities (closest is Philly I think).
- Not as diverse patient population?
- The facilities seemed a bit old. (I'm trying hard to find something)
- Far from PSU undergrad institution=less research?

VCU
Pros
- In-state tuition, the overall cost of attendance is the least ~68K.
- Loved the school while interviewing, was my dream school before the application cycle started.
- In an urban area, which I prefer, both in terms of living and the population I want to serve.
- Well established (oldest in VA?) hospital system attached so shadowing opportunities available.
- Only 1.5-year pre-clinical
- No attendance requirement Grading- P/F
- Great facilities and resources. (looked new)
- Since it is in the capital of VA, the opportunity to get involved in Health Policy/Advocacy.
- Close to VCU undergrad institution = more research (basic science?), more spaces to study, more facilities to utilize.


Cons
- Large class size -180
- Match list is primary care heavy but I do not know if match-list tells me anything about how the school is.
- High Cost of Living in Richmond.

Neutral - Have family close to all three locations, Step scores are similar in all three locations as well.

 

[ciestar]

You’d be missing out on more bench research at PSU-main. You’d be getting the clinical research you’d want in Hershey. Philly isn’t terribly far either.

That said, you seem to prefer VCU.

 

[gaitonde]

You’d be missing out on more bench research at PSU-main. You’d be getting the clinical research you’d want in Hershey. Philly isn’t terribly far either.

That said, you seem to prefer VCU.

Do you think there is any perceived benefit in prestige since PSU is a more recognized undergrad institution than VCU?

 

[ciestar]

Do you think there is any perceived benefit in prestige since PSU is a more recognized undergrad institution than VCU?

Not at all. Undergrad doesn’t matter.

 

[ppushpak]

In my opinion, Richmond doesn’t have a high cost of living. Most apartments can be found for $1400 (total) for 2 bed 2 bath

 

[purplecrocs]

I'm a current OUWB student and to speak to some of your concerns:
- I'm currently in a preclinical block that does not require attendance to honor; however, you're right that some blocks will require at least 70% attendance. I do think that because of the attendance requirement, we do have a pretty tight knit community
- The research project can be as simple or advanced as you'd like it to be. Most people do retrospective chart review but there are some really cool projects too. Because of the Beaumont health system, I think it's actually quite easy to get research. None of my classmates have had any trouble finding a mentor/project. There are also many summer research internships offered by Beaumont only to OUWB students.
- There are simulation labs at Beaumont! Look up the Applebaum Simulation Learning Institute. We often have procedural nights held by specialty interest groups. For example, this week we have one on applying orthopedic surgery hardware like plates, nails, and total knee replacements on model bone. There's also one this week on suturing, ultrasound exams, intubation, central lines, and lumbar punctures.