Penn vs Hopkins

[BostonBrunette]

so i'm sure every year a bunch of people have this dilemma, since the 2 programs are so similar in caliber. i loved both programs for different reasons, and am pretty torn right now as to which one to rank #1 and which to rank #2.

if there are any current residents that were deciding between the two, would you mind sharing why you ranked one #1 vs the other? What was it that made the difference?

 

[jester]

I found Hopkins and Penn to be very similar programs.
1)Great caseloads with all fellowships opportunities available after training.
2) I thought that both cities were equally livable with enough "nightlife" and affordable housing.
3) Infrastructure at the time was about the same, but now Hopkins is building a whole new women's & children's center and CV tower
4) Hardworking residents

Difference
1) Hopkins residents were happier 3 years ago.
2) I think Hopkins residents are still happier now.

Good luck... you can't go wrong with either place.

 

[rugtrousers]

2) I thought that both cities were equally livable with enough "nightlife"...

Philadelphia vs. Baltimore in the nightlife category? Really, now.

1) Hopkins residents were happier 3 years ago.
2) I think Hopkins residents are still happier now.

#1: Probably true.
#2: Not so sure. There is a new chair at Penn, and the residents seem pretty happy.

Good luck, either way!

 

[jester]

1) nightlife, guess it depends on what you like to do....

2) the new chair at Penn was a faculty member at Hopkins. Ask the Hopkins residents if they miss him and ask the chief at Penn if he likes him.... enough said.

 

[Trisomy13]

Comparing cities, I'd vote for Philly over Baltimore anyday.

I mean.. the Ravens?? Who wants to study the penal code just to understand who is eligible to play on any given Sunday?

 

[fishtolive]

my impressions from interviews at both places.

philly the better city

hopkins the happier residents

 

[BostonBrunette]

1) nightlife, guess it depends on what you like to do....

2) the new chair at Penn was a faculty member at Hopkins. Ask the Hopkins residents if they miss him and ask the chief at Penn if he likes him.... enough said.

hmm, well i know the ppl at hopkins say they dont miss him, and he did seem quite abrasive on interview day, which was the one downside i saw to the program after my interview. the residents and faculty all seemed to really like him, though, and spoke highly of him. On my second look day, however, he personally met me in the lobby and went out of his way making sure i got to talk to everyone i wanted to, My impression of him did a complete 180o and he turned out in fact to be very nice, i thought. i was really touched.

i'm not too sure why so many people thought the residents at hopkins are happier. . .i actually came away with the opposite impression. Well, i thought residents are happy at both places, generally, but more so at Penn. They do probably work a little harder (just a little, cause both programs are tough), just cause Penn doesn't have CRNAs, but i didn't think any of the residents were worn out or less happy. Maybe i'm just oblivious to whatever u guys noticed, not sure.

How about as far as research is concerned? Any differences you guys noticed between the faculty at the 2 places? The PD's at both seem really great.

 

[anest2005]

Both are, undeniably, 2 of the top 10 programs in the country, and you will be well trained, and have endless job/fellowship opportunities upon graduation from either program. I was deciding between both (my disclaimer is that I have elected to rank UPenn #1) MANY years ago. I did 2nd looks @ both programs. Ultimately, I decided that the only really significant differences were that UPenn had a better Peds program (CHOP is the best in the country) though Hopkins is still very well respected for peds, Hopkins has a better ICU (I couldn't care less about this), and I think center city philadelphia is far better socially than Baltimore. Ultimately, both are great for research, resident happiness, training...etc. I went to Penn, was amazingly happy, and got an incredible job (where I've been for the past 8 years)

 

[lh2004]

I am currently a CA-1 at Penn. I was also deciding between Penn and Hopkins when I went through the match 2 years ago. I ended up ranking Penn #1 and Hopkins #2. I am very happy at Penn and have no regrets about ranking it #1. I went to med school in Philly and my family is from right outside the city, so location was a pretty big factor for me. Although I did live in Baltimore for 2 years for med school, I still like Philly more, especially since my family is from here. The two programs are pretty similar, have similar size residencies, but I just had a better gut feeling when I visited Penn. To me, I though the residents at Penn seemed much happier. When I visited Hopkins only a few residents were out of the ORs to have lunch with us, and I got the impression that they often worked till 7pm. At Penn, if you stay after 5:30 pm in an OR you get paid a good chunk of change--$75 the fist hour and $50 every half hour thereafter. The residency director at Penn is the best in the business....a great advocate for residents and teaching is taken very seriously here. Dr. Fleisher, the chair, has dinner with a group of residents every month, and also does "First Fridays with Fleisher", a lecture on the first friday of every month. He has made great strides in improving anesthesia/surgery relationships and our presence as both anesthesia and critical care docs. Either program will give you tremendous caseload and prepare you for whatever job/fellowship you choose, but for me I just felt more comfortable and welcome at Penn.

 

[JackPB]

No, no dammit! The residents at Hopkins are happier! We are knee deep in happiness! The Penn guys are at mid-calf, max.

I'm a CA-3 at Hopkins. I had Hopkins first on my rank list four years ago and Penn close behind. I just had a better subjective feeling with JHH. Since my time here, I've seen pretty significant improvements, so its position on my rank list is even more stratified than four years ago. So, I have no regrets at all.

As always, go with your gut! Taking a second look at each program may be a worthwhile investment for you.