Penn State vs. USCSOMG

[MCT4enthusiast]

I’m torn between Penn State and South Carolina-Greenville. While Penn State is more established and tends to match very well, USCSOMG is heavily focused on lifestyle medicine and preventative care, which is directly tied to my reason for wanting to get into medicine. I’m currently unsure of specialty. I could see myself in PM&R or primary care, but am open to exploring. Aside from academic factors, location and cost of attendance are significantly influencing my decision. With no current scholarship offer from Penn State, but one from USCSOMG, the cost of attendance would be about $80k cheaper over 4 years at USCSOMG. Penn State is closer to home and my support system (4hrs compared to 9), but Greenville is much more enticing of an area to live for me. I’ve lived in Greenville for a year and love it, but do miss my family and friends. I wasn’t able to attend second look day for Penn State, but thoroughly enjoyed USCSOMG’s. Without cost, Penn State seems like it might be the logical choice, but USCSOMG just had a really good feel.



Penn State:

Pros

• Established name
• True PF
• PBL format
• Closer to home (4hrs)
• More home residency programs (including PM&R)
• Community health engagement
• Stronger research

Cons

• More expensive (~80k over 4yrs)
• Hershey
• Meh interview day feel

USCSOMG:

Pros

• Preventative care/lifestyle medicine curriculum
• New facilities
• Great interview day/second look feel
• People/community and support for students
• Greenville
• Cheaper

Cons

• Traditional lecture format (might not be a con, don’t know what I’d prefer)
• Farther from home (9hrs)
• Newer school (13yrs)
• PF w/rank
• Weaker research

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[flyqueen]

I think u should ask on Reddit they typically give good answers to X vs Y schools. I will say though that it is normally based on merit & reputation, only you truly know the school you’ll be happier at.