primary care schools

[Kurleyfry]

i didnt want to get yelled at for posting a "georgetown vs. rochester" thread, but i'm trying to figure out which to go to while looking at residency matches and clinical reputation of the two schools. i like rochester better and their curriculum but since their match list is mostly primary care/internal medicine, i am wondering if i would hurt myself down the line by going there. i am thinking more about going ortho/radiology/anesthesia, which i figure would be better suited by going to georgetown. anyone have any advice about going to a known "primary care" school while having an interest in more of a specialty?

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[fang]

I posted a similar question a few weeks ago (also trying to avoid the dreaded "should I go to x or y?" post).

I'm leaning toward making a decision based more on location and curriculum... it seems to me that as long as the school is respected in the area, a motivated student can get any residency they want.

 

[dancer7]

rochester is a very highly respected school. i firmly believe that you will be able to pursue any specialty you desire after earning your medical degree from there. now i can't help you much with the rochester vs. georgetown because if i ever get off the highly select list at georgetown i'll be in the same boat and i really don't know which school i'd choose. i loved them both. however, i will say that i'm afraid of going to a school that has many of their students going into specific areas. i'd rather go to a place that places equal emphasis on surgical vs. non-surgical specialties and becoming a specialist vs. becoming a generalist. we need physicians of all kinds and i personally don't want to be funneled into the path that the school wants me to follow. judging from my interview day, i think rochester does a better job at teaching medicine and letting their students follow their own path.

go to the place where you think you'll fit in the best. go with the curriculum you like the best, to the location you'll feel more at home at. you never know, the specialty you think you'll go into today may change several times before your 4th year. good luck with your decision, i'd love to hear what you choose because i'm hoping that i'll have to make that choice too.