Penn State vs. Creighton

[Emperor Napoleon]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Just as some background, I really like public health/policy and I am more interested in EM, ID, and Neurology, don't really see myself doing academic medicine or any of the traditionally competitive specialties. I'm originally from VA and I am very much planning on trying to come back to VA to practice. I'm kind of leaning more to Penn State but wanted some of y'alls perspective.

Creighton
Pros

• I have friends and family here, some of them in medicine, so support system both personally and academically is strong.
• Strong focus on community-centered care/service which I really like.
• Omaha might offer slightly more to do in terms of fun stuff

Cons

• HP/P/F system which is kind of annoying.
• Research opportunities are likely more limited compared to Penn State
• Far away from home which I'm a bit reticent about.
• Becoming more wary about the whole Jesuit values thing.

Penn State
Pros

• Lot closer to home, so family support is somewhat present.
• Also focused on community-centered and rural based medicine which I'm interested in.
• Lot more nature related hobbies to do which makes up for the small town location.
• Better research opportunities compared to Creighton.
• I feel like having a Level 1 trauma center to do rotations in would make me better prepared for EM.
• Really interested in the EM 3+3 accelerated residency program.
• Pretty close to much of the major cities on the East Coast.
• P/F for clinical is pretty sweet.

Cons

• Honors/High Pass/Pass/Low Pass/Fail for rotations is kind of annoying.
• I feel like Hershey may get super boring after a while.