Penn or Pritzker

[chgpwd]

Hi, I was admitted to Penn and Pritzker. Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Location is important to me, and so I'm also wondering how the city of Philadelphia compares to Chicago. Thanks.

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[neutropeniaboy]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by chgpwd:
•Hi, I was admitted to Penn and Pritzker. Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Location is important to me, and so I'm also wondering how the city of Philadelphia compares to Chicago. Thanks.•••••Fool! Penn...

Why do premeds concern themselves so much with factors OTHER than school cirricula and reputation?

Alas, to address your question. There's no comparison. Chicago is a hell of a lot better than Philadelphia in almost all respects. The only benefit to being in Philadelphia is that it is a gateway to NYC and DC. There's nothing really interesting near Chicago.

 

[jargon124]

Penn for sure. (For once we agree on something neutropeniaboy! :wink: )

 

[dingiswayo]

•••quote:••• Why do premeds concern themselves so much with factors OTHER than school cirricula and reputation?••••curriculum and school reputation are not the only factors you should consider. if location is important to you, then you are not a fool for including that in your decision. moreover, either of these choices will afford you the opportunity to get a great medical education. go to the school will make you happiest. you will probably study better if you are happy, and in the end this well help your career.

in defense of philly: i think philly is a great city, with awesome restaurants, thriving arts scene, plenty of bars, and generally inexpensive rental prices (compared to SF, NYC, washington, etc). having lived in both cities, i can say with confidence that philly is not quite as great a place as chicago, but it is close.

 

[chgpwd]

Thanks to everyone for your advice. But is Penn's reputation really so much better than Pritzker's? I was trying to compare residency match lists, and I can't really see much of a difference. Can anyone elaborate on their opinions?

 

[Esco]

Honestly, I agree with you...I really don't think Penn's reputation is that much better than Chicago's. I actually went to undergrad at Chicago and recently got into Penn for med school. I plan on attending Penn because it has everything I am looking for in a school...accelerated curriculuum (1.5 yrs) with an emphasis on flexibility and personal development outside of the classroom, affiliated with a great children's hospital, and is located in an urban environment...I've lived in chicago my whole life and I agree Philly isn't as nice but it will do for me (NY is only an hour away). Pritzker is a little too traditional for me---way too much classtime for me, but no one really ever goes anyway from what I've been told. That's my primary gripe with UC, but otherwise it is indeed a great school with a great rep...the undergrad rep alone is what got me all of the interviews in my opinion. A lot of interviewers wanted to discuss the school and had nothing but glowing things to say about the quality of education that Chicago students receive. Just to echo the comments above, go where you feel comfortable with the students, the curriculum, faculty, etc...be happy! You can't go wrong with either school, the quality of education is superb at either place. As far as matching I know Chicago sends people all over the country whereas Penn had a lot of matches at Philly hospitals

 

[chgpwd]

kjigga,

Do you know much about the Hyde Park area, in terms of safety, noise, traffic congestion, things to do, etc? How cheap is it to rent, and is buying a viable option for someone making 20 K a year? Location is important to me because I'm MSTP, and so I'll be in school for at least 8 years. I went to Penn as an undergrad, and I'm thinking that some change might be helpful for me.

Thanks!

 

[Esco]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by chgpwd:
•kjigga,

Do you know much about the Hyde Park area, in terms of safety, noise, traffic congestion, things to do, etc? How cheap is it to rent, and is buying a viable option for someone making 20 K a year? Location is important to me because I'm MSTP, and so I'll be in school for at least 8 years. I went to Penn as an undergrad, and I'm thinking that some change might be helpful for me.

Thanks!•••••In terms of cultural diversity, I think Hyde Park is THE best neighborhood in the city of Chicago, and thus, there are a ton of different restaurants and little shops in the area---Hyde Park has a ton of character! Safetywise, there is a fair amount of crime, which you will encounter in any urban area, especially the south side of Chicago. At worst, a student will get mugged and an apartment will get vandalized but, it is probably no different from what happens on the Penn campus since it is in west philly. Also, the university employs the largest private police dept. in the country, so crime really shouldn't be an issue. Rents are fair, for a one bedroom you'll spend anywhere from $800 (close to campus) to $1200 (mile from campus but right on the lake---beautiful!!!) Buying may be an option, I would definitely look into that if you may be able to get some outside help (parents loans etc.)---don't know if 20K will cut it, it might though. You would live close to campus right? If you decide to live north (Wicker Park, Bucktown, Uptown, Wrigleyville) traffic does become an issue...but there would be a lot more to do in terms of clubs and bars---Hyde Park lacks in that department, but downtown is only a 20 minute bus ride away, 10 minutes by car. Let me know if you have more ???'s.
I should probably turn your question on you for Penn, how are the apt's in that area, relatively cheap?...I am looking to possibly buy also, but have found absolutely nothing on the internet...do you know anyone that has bought a condo/apt and attends Penn? Thanks

 

[chgpwd]

kjigga,

Eight hundred a month is higher than I expected. I was thinking that rent in Hyde Park would be closer to 5-6 hundred.

At Penn I lived mostly in the undergrad dorms. I know that single apartments in West Philly are mostly 5-6 hundred, but they're old and pretty crumby. I guess it depends on how high your standards are.

I hear that most grad students live in Center City, where rent is slightly higher (maybe 800 to over a thousand), but apartments are nicer and closer to stuff. Philadelphia is really a small city, and a car is not necessary at all.

When I interviewed at Penn, I met someone who bought a house near the Art Museum. When I asked a faculty member about home ownership, she told me that you would have to have quite a bit of money. But I can't tell you much more than that.

Can you tell me if a car would be necessary in Hyde Park? Is parking a problem?

Thanks.

 

[coop]

I'll be starting Pritzker this fall, looking into apts in hyde park 1BRs seem to go anywhere from 500-1300 (950-1300 being the lackfront highrises, and 500-900 being the 3 storywalkup types that are very typical around campus and the other big apartment complexes around campus). From what I've heard, since so much of the apts are the smaller building walkup type there is not much info on those to be found online. Some info on the bigger apt buildings can be found, I didnt' save any of the sites, but just try 'chicago aptartments' on some search engine, you can get a feel for the range. There are also lots of studio apts for a little less than this range.

 

[SurgeonS4]

hyde park is one of the most dangerous cities within chicago boarders; however there are some good areas but . . . alas . . . the school isnt that close to them; if you dont mind the crime and having to worry about walking around even in the day (a friend of mine was followed to her dorm room) then hey enjoy the cultural diversity. . . and its only about 15 min from Gary, IN . . . Murder capital of the world! I would definately take Penn over UC. Penn has the same diversity but with less crime . . .

 

[gel1]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by SurgeonS4:
•hyde park is one of the most dangerous cities within chicago boarders; however there are some good areas but . . . alas . . . the school isnt that close to them; if you dont mind the crime and having to worry about walking around even in the day (a friend of mine was followed to her dorm room) then hey enjoy the cultural diversity. . . and its only about 15 min from Gary, IN . . . Murder capital of the world! I would definately take Penn over UC. Penn has the same diversity but with less crime . . .•••••<img src="http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/images/smilies/rotflmao.gif" alt="" />
Wow, in all my time on SDN I have never seen a post where every 'fact' stated was a blatant untruth!!

 

[chgpwd]

gel1,

could you elaborate please? Thanks.

 

[chgpwd]

Are you from chicago or Hyde Park?

 

[gel1]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by chgpwd:
•Are you from chicago or Hyde Park?•••••These two options are not mutually exclusive. Hyde Park is a neighborhood within Chicago (just like Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and all the places kjigga mentioned). kjigga lived there for 4 years, and he knows what he is talking about.

If you are so torn between these two schools, I highly suggest that you call Dean Sylvia Robertson or even the MSTP person and try to set up another visit. It is worth the money! This is a huge decision, and you can't just go by what people post on this board. I know that some Pritzker students would likely be willing to put you up for a night, or you can stay at the school's international house for cheap. See the city, not just Hyde Park. You are already from Penn. Try to get to know Chicago too.

Finally, Gary, IN is about 45 minutes away, by expressway! Look at a map. I personally would never live in Gary (too many factories) but I would gladly live in Hyde Park.

If you want any more information, feel free to PM me.

 

[Esco]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by SurgeonS4:
•hyde park is one of the most dangerous cities within chicago boarders; however there are some good areas but . . . alas . . . the school isnt that close to them; if you dont mind the crime and having to worry about walking around even in the day (a friend of mine was followed to her dorm room) then hey enjoy the cultural diversity. . . and its only about 15 min from Gary, IN . . . Murder capital of the world! I would definately take Penn over UC. Penn has the same diversity but with less crime . . .•••••chgwpd,
This person obviously does not know what he/she is talking about...first of all, hyde park is not a city dumby, it's a neighborhood in chicago, and a very safe neighborhood at that. Where do you think the professors live? Answer: In the million dollar mansions that you see as you drive through Hyde Park. Well, do you think the university goes to great lengths to ensure the professors and students feel safe. Answer: Hell Yeah! These world renowned professors wouldn't choose to live on campus if they didn't feel safe, trust me. Like I said, they employ the largest independent police force in the country, they are all off duty chicago police officers that want to make extra money, so these aren't your typical univeristy toy cops, they'll actually get in that ass! Point: There is crime in any urban area--it is a reality that you must deal with if you want to live in a city. Your coming from Philly so i don't know what your worried about. Regarding your question about a car...parking can be a hassle during the day, but at night (after 5pm) everyone that commutes from other areas of the city leave and it is not an issue. I would advise bringing a car if you have one, but it's not necessary, at least it wasn't as an undergrad...you might want the freedom that a car provides as a grad student though...oh yeah, and that $800 dollar rent would be for a decent one bedroom ON campus, you will find the those in the $500-600 range that someone else mentioned are that price for a reason! (either dirty as hell with roaches the size of rats, and rats the size of cats or small as a sardine can) Good luck with your decision---they are both great schools and it's funny that we are choosing between the same two. Personally, I'm choosing Penn hands down because I love the program and I went to UC for undergrad and am from chicago so it is time for a change of scenery.

PS: Gary was the murder capital of the world like 5 years ago, since then other cities, such as DC, have taken over the title. It changes every year. please get your facts straight before you start spreading fallacies that give people the wrong impressions and prevent them from making well-informed decisions..they visit this site for a reason, they want accurate info from people who know what they are talking about...

 

[SurgeonS4]

I know what im talking about . . . first of all there are small cities that have been absorbed by chicago . . . hyde park was one of them . . . back way back when . .. hyde park was like highland park and all those really ritzy suburbs of chicago . . . but then chicago bought them out because of some water treatment plant they wanted from hyde park . . . well once that happened it was put under chicago limits . . . because of that . . . more residents were pushed towards the south . . . like i said there are bad parts and good parts . . . its just too bad that the good parts are incredibly ritzy and the bad parts are totally impoverised . . . and well u of c is located in the impoverished areas . . . they are trying to improve those areas by gentrification . . . through making highrise apartments with very high rental rates . . . however there is still a very high crime rate where the school is located . . . yeah the professors may live in hyde park . . . but they live in the good part . . . i never said they lived in the bad part and why would they . . . its just not safe. i was born and rasied in chicago . . . so i do know what im talking about . . . crime was a big influence on my part . . . and thats why i didnt go there for undergrad . . . i didnt want to be worried while walking home late . . . from the library or from a friends house . . . plus im not that interested in research as the school is . . . the same thing happened to rogers park that happened to hyde park . ..but not to such a great extend obviously, where loyola undergrad, is located. I would still definately go to penn.

 

[Esco]

Thanks for the history lesson, but this is the year 2002, not 1902...thus your comment was a little outdated and irrelelvant to what my man chgwpd wanted to know. You are entitled to your opinion--what I find interesting is that you are trying to make a distinction between the good and bad parts of hyde park. The truth is there really are NO bad parts. The impoverished areas surrounding the school (whic is in the city ooopps, I mean the neighborhood of hyde park) are called Woodlawn (a "neighborhood") and Kenwood (another "neighborhood"). I have walked home late from the library or parties (piss drunk may I add) and been fine...everyone does it. If not, you take the shuttle bus, which goes all around hyde park, even into the Kenwood area, making stops at dorms and other designated areas where a large concentration of grad students may live. This is the mode of transportation most of us use...especially during the winter when it is freezing! If saftey was an issue for you thats fine, maybe you aren't suited for the city life. I'm actually from Rogers Park and IMHO, I think you can get mugged just as easily there as in Hyde Park. Don't get me wrong, there are some parts of chicago you don't want to step foot in, but crime is a reality of urban areas...for example chicago's gold coast (ritzy area) is home to cabrini green (a housing project). You have million dollar duplexes literally across the street from housing projects...these people didn't choose to move. Crime is a ubiquitous characteristic of any city, if you choose not to deal with it you can always move to Wisconsin :wink:
guess you did that though....

 

[chgpwd]

OK, I'm sorry that I started a big honkin' fight. A million thanks to everyone for your opinions! I've done a bit of research, and I think that Hyde Park and Chicago are more expensive than West Philly and Center City, respectively. I didn't think that this would be the case. And I'd also have to add the cost of a car (that I obviously don't own), car insurance, car maintainance, parking, and gas to the cost of living at U Chicago. I think that in the end, I'd be able to live much better for less in Philly. So I've made the decision.

Thanks again!