Robert Wood Johnson vs Jefferson

[premed hopeful]

Goals:
-Want to match in either:
(1; tie) Anesthesiology
(1; tie) Ophthalmology
(2) Emergency Medicine
(3) Radiology
(4) Internal Medicine
-Want to match in either
(1) Anywhere in CA
(2) NYC
(3) Philly
-Want to eventually become an attending in CA (I know it requires networking)
-Focused more on being a great clinician with an slight emphasis on clinical research

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Pros:
-Small Class Size
-In-State Tuition
-COA = $64000 per year
-Higher Step 1 Average than Jeff (232 vs 230) (USNW)
-RWJ University Hospital is 3rd best in NJ

Cons:
-Went to Rutgers-NB for undergrad. Would essentially spent another 4 years in this city.
-I like RWJMS but I'm afraid that I would fall in a rut and get burnt out
-Liked Jeff's curriculum better
-Regional Match List (someone please confirm)
-School is run-down (I know I know. The MD matters in the end)
-Interview Keynote Presenters said they have trouble getting access to clinical research
-Rutgers Advisor said that they have a decreasing trend in average step scores

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at TJU

Pros:
-Felt at home and feel like I would be the happiest here
-Nice change in scenery
-Loved the curriculum and campus
-More National Match List (someone please confirm)
-Large Alumni Network (Would help with the match and jobs)
-Thomas Jefferson University Teaching Hospital is on the Honor Roll and 3rd best in PA
-Lots of access to clinical research

Half Pro/Half Con:
Class Size
(Pro = more networking and friends)
(Con = fear of being lost in a sea of people and fear of less individual faculty support)

Cons:
-COA = $78000 per year
-Lower Step 1 Average that RWJ (230 vs 232) (USNW)
-Upper, Middle, and Lower Third Class Rankings

Caveat:
-High Priority Waitlist at Jefferson

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[MedScat]

Well, your bullet point that states you'd be happiest at Jeff should be your deciding factor. Med school is already going to be stressful so if you are lucky enough to have a choice somewhere that will make you happier, I'd say go for it. I hope you get off the waitlist and accepted!

 

[docr3]

I would say Thomas Jefferson University because you would be happiest there, and also for the fact they have such a strong Hospital system. Your home institution is the place you can likely end up, and that should be a big factor in your decision IMO. Both great choices so congrats!

 

[insaiyanpredent]

stay with rutgers, you save money that way. Did you not apply to the Newark Campus??

 

[premed hopeful]

stay with rutgers, you save money that way. Did you not apply to the Newark Campus??

I did but I didn't get an interview despite strong connections with NJMS professors, summer research internship, and with Dr. Heinrich. I scored a 124 in CARS so that's prob why but who cares. NJMS is a stat wh*re so takes 60+ people from early decision in order to inflate their rank. And RWJMS' Step 1, and 2 scores are several points higher than NJMS so that says a lot.

But maybe I'm just butthurt saying all of this haha

 

[insaiyanpredent]

I did but I didn't get an interview despite strong connections with NJMS professors, summer research internship, and with Dr. Heinrich. I scored a 124 in CARS so that's prob why but who cares. NJMS is a stat wh*re so takes 60+ people from early decision in order to inflate their rank. And RWJMS' Step 1, and 2 scores are several points higher than NJMS so that says a lot.

But maybe I'm just butthurt saying all of this haha

Isn't Newark the better school?

 

[premed hopeful]

Isn't Newark the better school?

They're the same rank. Both have their ups and downs. I'd consider them equal and better based on individual fit.

 

[GoJackets1850]

RWJMS Match List 2018 in case you wanted to see it! You can judge regional vs not. Our average step score has been consistently above national average and in my own experience, research experience is not hard to come by. Every student is guaranteed a spot in the summer research program as well

 

[btuck]

Large tuition gap, if you don't receive any scholarship, I would say to take the cheaper tuition, both great established schools.

 

[ciestar]

Well, for ophtho you cannot do better than Jeff at Will’s..

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

RWJMS Match List 2018 in case you wanted to see it! You can judge regional vs not. Our average step score has been consistently above national average and in my own experience, research experience is not hard to come by. Every student is guaranteed a spot in the summer research program as well

They matched 6 into Neurosurgery!! That's awesome.

 

[btuck]

What did you decide?

 

[premed hopeful]

What did you decide?

I decided RWJMS because I got a hefty scholarship as soon as they found out I got into Cooper hahaah. It makes the difference in COA over 100k so its a no brainer.