Dr_Elmer_Hartman
Full Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2019
- Messages
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Hi all,
I've narrowed my choices down to these 2 schools. I keep switching back and forth between them, so any help would be appreciated! My main concern is that my long-time (5 years) S/O goes to school in Philly, so Jefferson would be great for that reason. I currently live with her, and have for the past 3 years. I also went to college in Philly, have been working there for 2 years now, and have a lot of close friends living here. Philly is also closer to family in Baltimore and DC. But... I love research and see myself going into academic medicine. And there is a clear ranking/prestige difference between Pitt (#14) vs. Jefferson (#57). My worry is that going to Jefferson would put me at a disadvantage for matching into top research programs, especially with step 1 going pass/fail. Cost is not a factor.
Pitt
Pros
- Great research opportunities
- Loved the city when I visited
- Significantly higher ranked for both research (#14) and primary care (#17); advantageous for academic medicine
- Loved the vibe / students seemed really happy during the interview day
- Relatively cheap city to live in, great housing options
Cons
- Not Philly, and not very easy to travel to Philly (5 hour drive, 1.5 hour flight)
- Farther away from my S/O, family, and friends
- Smaller city, less fun that Philly (in my opinion)
- Would have to "start over" - find new research mentor, housing, etc.
Jefferson
Pros
- Same city as my S/O and friends, closer to family
- Wouldn't have to find new housing
- Bigger city, more fun
- Reputation for good clinical education
- Existing research mentor - could continue with research I am currently doing, wouldn't have to "start over"
Cons
- Significantly lower ranked in both research (#57) and primary care (#52), might put me at disadvantage for academic medicine
- Less research opportunities available
- Huge class size (270): more competition for research opportunities
Something else to consider: as of now, I am interested in neurology, which is not a very competitive specialty. Both Jefferson and Pitt have excellent match lists for Neurology.
Thank you!
I've narrowed my choices down to these 2 schools. I keep switching back and forth between them, so any help would be appreciated! My main concern is that my long-time (5 years) S/O goes to school in Philly, so Jefferson would be great for that reason. I currently live with her, and have for the past 3 years. I also went to college in Philly, have been working there for 2 years now, and have a lot of close friends living here. Philly is also closer to family in Baltimore and DC. But... I love research and see myself going into academic medicine. And there is a clear ranking/prestige difference between Pitt (#14) vs. Jefferson (#57). My worry is that going to Jefferson would put me at a disadvantage for matching into top research programs, especially with step 1 going pass/fail. Cost is not a factor.
Pitt
Pros
- Great research opportunities
- Loved the city when I visited
- Significantly higher ranked for both research (#14) and primary care (#17); advantageous for academic medicine
- Loved the vibe / students seemed really happy during the interview day
- Relatively cheap city to live in, great housing options
Cons
- Not Philly, and not very easy to travel to Philly (5 hour drive, 1.5 hour flight)
- Farther away from my S/O, family, and friends
- Smaller city, less fun that Philly (in my opinion)
- Would have to "start over" - find new research mentor, housing, etc.
Jefferson
Pros
- Same city as my S/O and friends, closer to family
- Wouldn't have to find new housing
- Bigger city, more fun
- Reputation for good clinical education
- Existing research mentor - could continue with research I am currently doing, wouldn't have to "start over"
Cons
- Significantly lower ranked in both research (#57) and primary care (#52), might put me at disadvantage for academic medicine
- Less research opportunities available
- Huge class size (270): more competition for research opportunities
Something else to consider: as of now, I am interested in neurology, which is not a very competitive specialty. Both Jefferson and Pitt have excellent match lists for Neurology.
Thank you!
