Penn vs. Cornell

[Mr.KyleMan]

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Hey guys! I'm struggling between two really great offers here. I definitely liked Penn better as a school, but am not sure if I can justify the extra cost associated with it. I feel like Penn has a slightly better reputation in academic medicine, which is the main draw for me considering I'm aiming for an academic career in a competitive specialty (interested in Derm). Do you think $160k is worth the slight advantage that comes from attending a T5 like Penn, or should I take the money and go with Cornell? I liked Philly and NYC about equally and am originally from the east coast and am looking to stay here for residency so location isn't a big factor. Thanks!

Cornell - ($200k COA)

Penn - ($360k COA)

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[Grapesurgery]

Have you tried matching at Penn?
Edit: Since location isn’t a factor and neither school will hold you back from your career goals, as it stands I would say go for the cheaper option.
But also, so much for Cornell debt-free!

 

[thesecretisme123]

I would try to ask Penn to match and they probably will, aren't they known for that? If they don't I'd have a hard time paying an extra 160k for Penn

 

[Engrailed]

Ask Penn if they can match ASAP. If they do not, Cornell is still a wonderful school! You cant go wrong either way. Congrats!

 

[HingleMcCringleberryPSU]

If Penn doesn't give more aid, no question, go to Cornell.

 

[Lawpy]

cornell if penn doesn't match

 

[Yhwach]

Cornell if no match

 

[Skittsie13]

Even if Penn doesn't match Cornell's offer, if you're really set on academic medicine and dermatology, Penn is a top dermatology program. $160k may be worth it for that boost and if you don't have too much undergrad debt, it may be worth it on a dermatologist's salary. If you're less set on academic derm though it's probably not worth it.

 

[romeonachos]

when I talked to Penn's finaid office (this was maybe 3 years ago), they said they are willing to match offers. I'm sure it's still true today

 

[Yhwach]

when I talked to Penn's finaid office (this was maybe 3 years ago), they said they are willing to match offers. I'm sure it's still true today

wouldn't be too sure especially with COVID-19. A lot of school endowments got hit hard.

 

[romeonachos]

wouldn't be too sure especially with COVID-19. A lot of school endowments got hit hard.

didn't know that!

 

[Yhwach]

didn't know that!

Looking at the Penn vs threads this year a greater amount of match offers seem to be denied. Of course, this can only be confirmed via statically test with enough power so this is just anecdotal but the endowment concerns are real.

 

[meronebib]

Looking at the Penn vs threads this year a greater amount of match offers seem to be denied. Of course, this can only be confirmed via statically test with enough power so this is just anecdotal but the endowment concerns are real.

I also think that financial aid as a whole has gotten better for a lot of schools. Many schools of Penn’s caliber are debt free/near it now, and so Penn is probably getting many more requests to match aid, which it just cannot fulfill anymore.

 

[longhaul3]

I'd go to Penn. Derm is going to be an uphill battle no matter who you are or where you go to school, but I think Penn is worth it here. And at the rate top med schools are doing it, Penn may go debt- or tuition-free while you're there.

 

[Dentate Gyrus]

Cornell, I don't think the tiny difference in prestige is worth $160,000

 

[Yhwach]

I'd go to Penn. Derm is going to be an uphill battle no matter who you are or where you go to school, but I think Penn is worth it here. And at the rate top med schools are doing it, Penn may go debt- or tuition-free while you're there.

We are talking Weill Cornell here...not a DO. He will match derm if he works hard for it.

 

[ymeacisrej]

Hi! I matched into Dermatology last year. Go to Penn if you are interested in Derm - 100%. Penn's Dermatology program is #1-2. The research opportunities and mentorship at Penn are way above what you will get at Cornell. My friend went to Cornell and applied into Dermatology and she really struggled to find research projects/opportunities/mentors. I also know people who did a research year at Cornell and they ended up with no publications (not because they didn't work hard; they definitely worked really hard!), and in previous years, some of them did not match (read: mentors did not go to bat for them or if they did, their word did not pull enough weight). Yes, 160k is a lot of money, but going to a top medical school with well-known, prolific, well-connected mentors in Dermatology will give you a leg up in residency applications and set you up for the career that you want.

 

[longhaul3]

We are talking Weill Cornell here...not a DO. He will match derm if he works hard for it.

Going to Cornell is fine if you want to do derm but didn't get into Penn. Penn is the place to be for derm. I don't even think Cornell is one of the top 3 derm programs in NYC.

 

[proudofmykids]

@Mr.KyleMan

Facing a similar decision but with strong Ortho leaning.
Are you saying Cornell offered you ~$160K in financial aid, and Penn offered No financial aid to comprise the difference?

Where did you decide?