Penn vs Harvard

[dbrat22]

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Hi Everyone. Just wanted to get people's opinion about choosing between these two schools. Both have very different curriculums (although it seems that Harvard is moving towards a Penn 1.5 yr model) with Penn's appearing considerably more rigorous. In spite of a more rigorous program, it also looks like Harvard has a more impressive match list (but not by much). From visiting, I had a feeling that Harvard kids were more relaxed but I figure it's hard to judge on such limited exposure. A big plus for Penn is that I was lucky to receive a full tuition scholarship from Penn and it would cost me about $100k more to attend Harvard. One of my big concerns about Penn, however, is that I'm interested in going into academic medicine out west. I don't know if Penn has as much pull out west as Harvard. I thought I'd see what you all recommended.

 

[Mr.Bip]

Brace yourself for some flaming ...

Honestly, if the money isn't a big enough issue to make this a no-brainer, then I think you probably already know which school you want to go to more.

 

[Pemberley]

If you really don't want your full ride to Penn, I'm sure that somebody on this board will be happy to kill you, steal your SSN, and take it for you.

 

[Rafa]

To OP: Stop walking.

 

[dajimmers]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=196051&highlight=penn+harvard

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=110809&highlight=penn+harvard

 

[infiniti]

Interesting Posts! Upon second look weekend Penn wins hands down for me. Send me PM if you need to know why! Good luck!

 

[dbhvt]

Go to Penn. A friend of mine will be doing research there next year. She is smoking hot. You are more likely to meet her if you go to Penn than Harvard.

And Congratulations on an incredible application season.

 

[Labslave]

Go to Penn. A friend of mine will be doing research there next year. She is smoking hot. You are more likely to meet her if you go to Penn than Harvard.

And Congratulations on an incredible application season.

LOL. The OP is already engaged, but I like your line of reasoning. 👍

 

[blah7]

ignore

 

[BlondeCookie]

One vote for Harvard.

 

[dbrat22]

After a lot of thinking, I have realized that Penn is a better fit for me. I felt that the administration at Penn was extremely accomodating and eager to help and that the students, not unlike Harvard students, were also passionate about service, research, and medicine. In the end the main factors that made me choose Penn was that there were more community service opportunities, a more diverse patient population, lots of opportunities to study abroad and do research, and a generous financial package that would allow me to pursue a career in academic medicine. Also, I learned that Penn faculty are well represented out west (for example, the Dean of UCSD went to school in Penn). Thanks for everyone that gave me feedback (minus the flamers) and best of luck to everyone.