PCOM vs UMDNJ-SOM

[LEB129]

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Ok - so I am a NJ resident and obviously UMDNJ is ALOT cheaper -- can anyone give me a compelling reason to go to PCOM over UMDNJ? Is it worth an extra $13,000 a year?

 

[JonnyG]

PCOM is better known. NJ people may say differently but a hundred year old reputation is hard to beat. Well known in the allopathic world too. High specialization rate(highest of the osteopathic schools). Lots of residencies. Automatic access to many of the philadelphia hospitals. Light on testing. The large class size has alot of benefits in providing a social life outside of school.

Granted we dont have a hospital on campus...............its two miles away.

 

[Nate]

Since UMDNJ (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey) has 3 medical schools, 2 allopathic and 1 osteopathic, a dentistry school, graduate school, nursing school, and a PA school, I highly doubt PCOM is more “widely known” as a name. Of course I could be wrong but that is the reason for my opinion. I don’t think that matters all that much but I wanted to point it out anyway.

We have a small class size and yes more of us do go into primary care historically but many do enter highly selective residency/ fellowship programs, this is just an individual accomplishment/ preference not a school or class preference. If you want it bad enough you will get it, the tools are here. The residency programs at both schools are for the most part top notch and so are the hospitals from what I know. Being at either school will give you a “leg up” on the competition for getting into those residencies so those are things to consider.

PCOM is a great school so I would take my time in choosing (I actually did) but make sure you choose for the right reasons for you. I chose UMDNJ so of course my reasons led me there and others chose PCOM and so their reasons led them there. Good luck and congratulations for having to choose from what I think are two of the best medical schools in the country.

 

[JonnyG]

well said...person needs to choose between the schools based upon impressions of the schools. I really didnt want this to be a pissing contest since no one ever wins with that.

 

[Dr JPH]

Granted we dont have a hospital on campus...............its two miles away.

That is not a PCOM hospital.

Both schools are excellent and are well known in the area. Students from both schools rotate through excellent hospitals in South Jersey and Philadelphia.

As far as which is "better" I think it is a matter of personal choice.

These schools are very different from eachother. The class size is simply the most obvious difference.

I would try to spend a day on each campus shadowing a student and get an overall feel for the school. I have my reasons why I chose PCOM and I dont regret my decision at all. As Nate says he has his reasons for UMDNJ.

PCOM and UMDNJ have a good relationship and every year grads from these schools match into eachothers residencies. When clubs on campus have well known guest speakers the other school is often notified in advance and their students are more than welcome to attend. I have attended meetings at Stratford and I have met many UMDNJers at PCOM functions.

Will I try to tell you that the $13,000+/year savings isnt a big deal? No way...that is a LOT of money.

Dont let someone make this decision for you. Both are excellent schools.