Pennsylvania State University or Jacobs School of Medicine

[NY_Med]

So just got the A from Penn State today and honestly so grateful to have been accepted to both these schools. Really did not expect it given my MCAT, but have been going back and forth for a while now and would appreciate honest input. I am interested in and gunning for some of the more competitive surgical sub-specialties (Orthopedic/Plastic/Integrated Thoracic).

Jacobs School of Medicine
pros:
- 30 minutes from home; will have family and friends very close
- In-state tuition (43k)
- state of the art facilities
- urban (want to live in the city)
- Students seem to love the school
- All clinical within close proximity (stay in one apartment the whole time)
- POTENTIALLY may get a local scholarship but will have to wait until matriculation to apply (30k per year towards tuition)
cons:
- "ranked" lower
- affiliated residencies are not as impressive (for what I am going into)
- Not TRUE P/F (AOA/internal quartile grading)
- Match list also doesn't seem to match into the COMPETITIVE residencies in comparison
- Many students stay local for residency (looking to move south)

Pennsylvania State University
Pros:
- only like 3-4 hours from home (RELATIVELY close to home- however not as close so could be a con)
- well-ranked school (low #50 vs. #79)
- Great affiliated residencies & match list
- Students seem to love the school
-Bigger name school (also MUCH harder to get into with 15k+ applicants this year)
- P/F grading
Cons:
- Will have to travel for clinicals
- Rural/suburban area (want to be in the city)
- OOS tuition and more expensive (53k)


Not really sure if I am missing anything else. I Will edit if I am.

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[Putkernerinthehall]

How hard over are you on family being close by and the urban vs. non-urban point ? Hershey is pretty far out away from Philly and fairly slow / boring, I think. The P/F grading and residency opportunities would make me lean toward PSU though.

 

[Shunsui]

PSU hands down for the in house plastics and thoracic for research/LORs

 

[NY_Med]

How hard over are you on family being close by and the urban vs. non-urban point ? Hershey is pretty far out away from Philly and fairly slow / boring, I think. The P/F grading and residency opportunities would make me lean toward PSU though.

Family is important, but I am a very independent person so it is not a deal-breaker. The urban environment aspect is a big one. I have always wanted to go to medical school in an urban area due to being exposed to more diversity and better experiences clinically. Also, I love living in cities and being a single 24-year-old male, a city does sound wayyyyy better than out in the middle of nowhere hahaha.

Now, with the new P/F step 1, I have heard that ranked programs/ and getting AOA may actually have an advantage (not sure if it's true or not) due to having more metrics for residency programs... do you think that may be the case? And honestly, at the end of the day, I think I will enjoy UB much more and will have a better experience, but the resources and residencies Penn State offers are keeping me in the hunt with the school.

Do you think if I can somehow get that 30k a year scholarship that could be a game-changer? It seems like you can not apply until matriculation, but I may leverage the school into seeing if I can see if I can get it? (or at least my chances of getting it)