pcom vs. umdnj-som

[pleiades22]

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is anyone having as much trouble as I am deciding between PCOM and UMDNJ-SOM?

 

[cliquesh]

is anyone having as much trouble as I am deciding between PCOM and UMDNJ-SOM?

umdnj, it is cheaper

 

[deleted390966]

Umdnj ! No need to explain.

 

[pleiades22]

any other reasons besides monetary?

 

[deleted390966]

DO and MD students at UMDNJ take classes together.
New Jersey >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Philly

 

[Lewist02]

any other reasons besides monetary?

Talk to some UMDNJ current students. I thought this summer when I was talking to a few students, they were talking about possibly losing rotation sites due to a loss of funding as well the new medical school, but PLEASE talk to current students about this in case I am wrong.

There is an SDN member on here, Elftown (I think), who chose UNDMJ over PCOM, so they may be a good resource.

UMDNJ has a smaller class size, is cheaper, and has the PBL program if you are interested in it. I personally wasn't impressed with the facilities, but Robert Wood Johnson is basically on campus, so i'm sure that could be beneficial. PCOM doesn't have a hospital on campus, but we do have many medical offices.

I can't really compare everything I love about PCOM with UMDNJ though since I don't have the experience, but if you would like to know more about PCOM feel free to PM me.

Honestly, I LOVE it here, but usually cheaper is the best way to go. However, if the environment doesn't seem to fit you (I did not like LECOM, even though it was $12,000 a year cheaper), then it is not worth it.

Congrats on both acceptances! You're in an awesome place to have to choose between two very good schools.

 

[Lewist02]

DO and MD students at UMDNJ take classes together.
New Jersey >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Philly

I don't see how that is a benefit at all. A medical student is a medical student. If I am going to chose to go to a school with a smaller class size, then I want my classroom to be a smaller class size. Unless you are implying that there is something more special about MD students. That to me just tells me that that is how the state saves money.

And if the OP is definitely interested in Osteopathic medicine, this would be a huge downfall. At PCOM they try to integrate OMM into various systems lectures (not necessarily testable material, but good additional information to help understand our training as Osteopaths). I don't see how UMDNJ would be able to do so with MD students taking the class as well. If they do, then I am very impressed with that and think it is a nice way to introduce the MDs into material that makes the two degrees slightly separate.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

DO and MD students do not attend classes together at UMDNJ. There may be 3 medical schools, but they take classes separately. RWJ is about an hour away from SOM. I do not want anyone to get incorrect information.

What you need to do is talk to current students at both schools and then list the pros and cons of each school with your goals and see which school fulfills those goals. You need to see which campus you can see yourself at for the next 4 years and maybe even visit the schools again if you can.

In the end, you need to go to the school you feel most comfortable at.

 

[Lewist02]

DO and MD students do not attend classes together at UMDNJ. There may be 3 medical schools, but they take classes separately. RWJ is about an hour away from SOM. I do not want anyone to get incorrect information.

What you need to do is talk to current students at both schools and then list the pros and cons of each school with your goals and see which school fulfills those goals. You need to see which campus you can see yourself at for the next 4 years and maybe even visit the schools again if you can.

In the end, you need to go to the school you feel most comfortable at.

I must be confusing it with something else. Isn't there a giant medical center right around UMDNJ? I was there last summer with a group of high school kids to look at the DO school and the bus driver took us to the wrong part of the campus. I swore it said Robert Wood but I must be confused. And I thought it sounded weird about DO and MD students taking classes together.

Sorry for the misinformation!

 

[NontradICUdoc]

I must be confusing it with something else. Isn't there a giant medical center right around UMDNJ? I was there last summer with a group of high school kids to look at the DO school and the bus driver took us to the wrong part of the campus. I swore it said Robert Wood but I must be confused. And I thought it sounded weird about DO and MD students taking classes together.

Sorry for the misinformation!

yes. You may have been in Camden and seen Cooper Hospital. That used to be a RWJ rotation site, but since it has its own medical school now, RWJ no longer goes there.

No worries. That is what we are here for.

 

[Lewist02]

yes. You may have been in Camden and seen Cooper Hospital. That used to be a RWJ rotation site, but since it has its own medical school now, RWJ no longer goes there.

No worries. That is what we are here for.

Cooper! That's right. Thanks!

 

[DOPathologist]

There has been no osteopathic pathology residency programs for years so I would not worry about it. Some people do not like Osteopaths for various reasons that one will never know.
Tips:
Consider taking the USMLE
Pros: Allopathic programs know how to interpret the numbers
Con: COMLEX may be easier,
Rotate with a pathologist who sits on the application committee
Don't make a decision too quickly, there are not many pathology jobs and you will have to do a residency (4) years, possible internship before residency (1 year), possible fellowship after residency (1-2 years), so overall you will be in school for 10 more years and things might change (burn out, high medical loans, starting a family, change in interests)
[Look all I am saying is for a 3 year residency in Family Medicine, you can make 150-200,000, own your own business, make your own hours, start a family, and settle in any corner of any city. In pathology, there are only a few per hospital or city.]
Also, allopathic programs are NOT linked to each other so they work independently. If there was a national institution to outlaw osteopathic students, the AOA would get involved. I would hope to believe this is false.
For the job market see: www.practicematch.com
look under anatomic pathology jobs, anatomical/clinical pathology jobs, pathology and you will see that there are not many jobs listed.
Good luck Ashley.

 

[DocEspana]

There has been no osteopathic pathology residency programs for years so I would not worry about it. Some people do not like Osteopaths for various reasons that one will never know.
Tips:
Consider taking the USMLE
Pros: Allopathic programs know how to interpret the numbers
Con: COMLEX may be easier,
Rotate with a pathologist who sits on the application committee
Don't make a decision too quickly, there are not many pathology jobs and you will have to do a residency (4) years, possible internship before residency (1 year), possible fellowship after residency (1-2 years), so overall you will be in school for 10 more years and things might change (burn out, high medical loans, starting a family, change in interests)
[Look all I am saying is for a 3 year residency in Family Medicine, you can make 150-200,000, own your own business, make your own hours, start a family, and settle in any corner of any city. In pathology, there are only a few per hospital or city.]
Also, allopathic programs are NOT linked to each other so they work independently. If there was a national institution to outlaw osteopathic students, the AOA would get involved. I would hope to believe this is false.
For the job market see: www.practicematch.com
look under anatomic pathology jobs, anatomical/clinical pathology jobs, pathology and you will see that there are not many jobs listed.
Good luck Ashley.

 

[willen101383]

To that poster who wrote NJ>>>>Philly.....I just have no comment for that other than to say sure...if you want to end up in a disgustingly liberal trash pile for 4 years...go for it! They call it the Peoples Republic of NJ for a reason. I avoid that $hithole at all costs.

That being said. PCOM is a good school...there are plenty of things I like, but there are about an equal number of things I absolutely despise about it. PM for details OP. That being said, I am sure most med schools have many of the issues I despise about my school.

 

[poopyhead]

if you want to end up in a disgustingly liberal trash pile for 4 years...go for it! They call it the Peoples Republic of NJ for a reason. I avoid that $hithole at all costs.

Isn't NJ's governor a Republican?

 

[willen101383]

Isn't NJ's governor a Republican?

Yeah...doesnt mean the place doesnt have draconian laws. Every time I am in NJ I feel like I am being choked. (I was born in NJ I know its horridness well).

Either way, I know UMDNJ is a fine school. Just sucks its in that state.

 

[TriagePreMed]

If UMDNJ is liberal, more reason to go there. I'd rather sacrifice one of my nuts than go to school with a bunch of redneck conservatives.

 

[DocEspana]

Yeah...doesnt mean the place doesnt have draconian laws. Every time I am in NJ I feel like I am being choked. (I was born in NJ I know its horridness well).

Either way, I know UMDNJ is a fine school. Just sucks its in that state.

I am pretty sure that New Jerseys margin of victory in each of the recent presidential election is effectively the second closest of any "reliable blue" state. And for that matter, NJ was a republican stronghold until 1992 (technically until 1990, but now I'm basing it on senate outcomes). Go check it out.

If UMDNJ is liberal, more reason to go there. I'd rather sacrifice one of my nuts than go to school with a bunch of redneck conservatives.

I have a political leaning and it appreciates your comment.

 

[willen101383]

Did i ever even say I am a republican? Nope, far from it. Still, I like my guns and freedoms rather than live in that insanely taxed, gun controlled, traffic congested, trash covered wasteland.

Either way this has nothing to do with the issue at hand!

Both schools are reasonably good and you'll likely be happy no matter where you go.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Did i ever even say I am a republican? Nope, far from it. Still, I like my guns and freedoms rather than live in that insanely taxed, gun controlled, traffic congested, trash covered wasteland.

Either way this has nothing to do with the issue at hand!

Both schools are reasonably good and you'll likely be happy no matter where you go.

Did I say you were republican? I like guns and freedom too. I think taxes should be progressive because that's fair, and there's nothing in liberal ideology to say it is the cause of traffic congestion or trash covered wastelands.

 

[willen101383]

Did I say you were republican? I like guns and freedom too. I think taxes should be progressive because that's fair, and there's nothing in liberal ideology to say it is the cause of traffic congestion or trash covered wastelands.

I was referring to the high taxes and insane gun control. Either way weve turned this into a political thread and thats not what the OP asked for...so lets steer this back into reviewing the schools.

 

[TallScrubs]

I personally don't see why people from New Jersey have some huge chip on their shoulder to defend their state...every time I talk to one it is, "New Jersey has beaches this..." and "New Jersey is the best that...".

It's not 1801, nobody is that into their state anymore--let it go.

That being said UMDNJ looked nice when I interviewed. I love it here at PCOM and have no complaints. Do whichever one you like more/is cheaper.

 

[xanthomondo]

DO and MD students at UMDNJ take classes together.
New Jersey >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Philly

Love for NJ....score!

To that poster who wrote NJ>>>>Philly.....I just have no comment for that other than to say sure...if you want to end up in a disgustingly liberal trash pile for 4 years...go for it! They call it the Peoples Republic of NJ for a reason. I avoid that $hithole at all costs.

That being said. PCOM is a good school...there are plenty of things I like, but there are about an equal number of things I absolutely despise about it. PM for details OP. That being said, I am sure most med schools have many of the issues I despise about my school.

Yeah...doesnt mean the place doesnt have draconian laws. Every time I am in NJ I feel like I am being choked. (I was born in NJ I know its horridness well).

Either way, I know UMDNJ is a fine school. Just sucks its in that state.

I would just love to hear a few examples of the disgustingly liberal trash here. Or maybe some examples of the draconian laws that choke you?

Just curious

I personally don't see why people from New Jersey have some huge chip on their shoulder to defend their state...every time I talk to one it is, "New Jersey has beaches this..." and "New Jersey is the best that...".

It's not 1801, nobody is that into their state anymore--let it go.

That being said UMDNJ looked nice when I interviewed. I love it here at PCOM and have no complaints. Do whichever one you like more/is cheaper.

Tell that to Texas.

 

[Dr SunDai]

Can any current or recent students give some pros & cons of PCOM and UMDNJ-SOM. I've visited both outside of just the interviews and need to make a final decision soon.

 

[marykabrown]

UMDNJ-SOM is preferable

 

[ppfizenm]

New Jersey has its trashy areas just like every other state in the country. That being said there is no reason to bash it the way you are. We also have some of the wealthiest counties in the country. I grew up in south jersey and went to school in north jersey for undergrad. I have no complaints. South Jersey is mostly farm land and pine barrens. I rarely hit traffic down there and even if i do it's nothing like the congestion in Philly and NYC. North Jersey is very affluent and very pleasant. It has the benefits of NYC being 20 minutes away without actually having to be there. I love Philly, don't get me wrong, I grew up going there and still do many weekends, but it just doesn't compare to New Jersey.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

UMDNJ has instate tuition after 1 year of being a resident......

 

[Dr SunDai]

UMDNJ has instate tuition after 1 year of being a resident......

I'm in state. What do you think are pros and cons of UMDNJ?

 

[pleiades22]

yea i ended up picking pcom. their atmosphere/school fit me more. thanks for everyones opinions

 

[AvidAvatar]

yea i ended up picking pcom. their atmosphere/school fit me more. thanks for everyones opinions

Good for you making a solid decision. You would have been fine either way professionally. I'm glad something stood out for you.

Also, OBSERVE MY AVATAR. 😍

 

[pleiades22]

good choice on the avatar! that was my team's name so it holds a special place in my heart. A couple of my teammates actually got some tattoos of the star cluster lol