Rosalind Vs. Penn State

[Wasmush]

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I know i am lucky to have multiple acceptance, but i narrowed my schools to Rosalind and Penn State, I just havent decided which school is better for me or overall a better school? I love that rosalind students live in downtown chicago for 3rd and 4th years and they do really well on the boards, which allows them to have great residencies. But i know penn state has a better reputation. I just need some input and feedback about this issue. Thanks so much

 

[MaybeADoc]

as an rfu student, i guess i'm not exactly a neutral party. all i can say is that i really like it here. i'm definitely proud to be a CMS student and am glad i didn't let reputation make my decision. honestly, it bothered me at first because it's a school not many people know about. however, it's a great school and i'm glad i didn't make my decision based on how I thought others would perceive me. i know people that turned down Northwestern to be here because they wanted to earn respect and didn't want it to come from the name of a school.

either way, go where you feel the most comfortable.


peace.

 

[Wasmush]

what do you love about the school? Do they really do great on the boards? what separates it from other schools?

 

[crazy4clana]

^ They do GREAT on the boards. My brother loves it there. 🙂

 

[MaybeADoc]

what do you love about the school? Do they really do great on the boards? what separates it from other schools?

i love the people and the atmosphere. people share self-made reviews and notes. peers put on review sessions. its incredibly easy to get involved with athletics. all stuff i never got to have going to a big state undergrad.

 

[premedsoldja]

as an rfu student, i guess i'm not exactly a neutral party. all i can say is that i really like it here. i'm definitely proud to be a CMS student and am glad i didn't let reputation make my decision. honestly, it bothered me at first because it's a school not many people know about. however, it's a great school and i'm glad i didn't make my decision based on how I thought others would perceive me. i know people that turned down Northwestern to be here because they wanted to earn respect and didn't want it to come from the name of a school.

either way, go where you feel the most comfortable.


peace.

To MaybeADoc:

I have nothing against RFUMS, in fact I respect CMS as a medical school. Nonetheless, if anyone actually chose to attend CMS over Northwestern, there is no doubt in my mind that they are either deranged, really really STUPID, or just plain blind. I mean honestly, if those same kids can get into Northwestern, that means they can get into pretty much any other school with their amazing stats, and ABOVE ALL, they chose CMS. I think either they lied to you, or you lied to us...

 

[MaybeADoc]

To MaybeADoc:

I have nothing against RFUMS, in fact I respect CMS as a medical school. Nonetheless, if anyone actually chose to attend CMS over Northwestern, there is no doubt in my mind that they are either deranged, really really STUPID, or just plain blind. I mean honestly, if those same kids can get into Northwestern, that means they can get into pretty much any other school with their amazing stats, and ABOVE ALL, they chose CMS. I think either they lied to you, or you lied to us...

wow, youre a douchebag. it wasnt a lie either. there arent people like that at rfu. thats probably why i like it.

 

[foster033]

To MaybeADoc:

I have nothing against RFUMS, in fact I respect CMS as a medical school. Nonetheless, if anyone actually chose to attend CMS over Northwestern, there is no doubt in my mind that they are either deranged, really really STUPID, or just plain blind. I mean honestly, if those same kids can get into Northwestern, that means they can get into pretty much any other school with their amazing stats, and ABOVE ALL, they chose CMS. I think either they lied to you, or you lied to us...

Not everyone is about name recognition, there are a ton of other factors that go into choosing a school. Do you honestly think everyone goes to the highest ranked school they get into without considering anything else?

 

[TheKoman]

I cant make the decision for you, I can only advise. First, Im about to graduate CMS. Did I enjoy my experience? Yes Do I regret any decision to come here? No. Did I get a good education? yes. Did I do well on the boards? yes. Im I happy? Yes

Now Rosalind vs Penn... I have no idea about penns program so I cant comment directly on it. But I assume the debate is board score vs name? Well, first board scores are more important than name of school. Can you get a good board score at Penn, probably. Better than CMS, probably the same. board scores are not a reflection of the school but of the caliber of student. Does going to Harvard assume you are going to score 240s on the boards....No. Why does CMS score high? We have smart students, ppl study hard, North Chicago being far from "play" areas probably causes students to study harder as there is less to do. I think you shouldnt compare the schools like this but based on facilities, and what you think would best suit you.

As far as residency admission/acceptance, Id say its similar to Med school admissions. Take person A and person B. Do they fill the mininum Board score requirement....yes -> interview. Now selection of residents they look at MANY factors: 1. board score 2. Grades 3. Letters of Rec 4. Personal statement 5. School attended 6. INTERVIEW etc etc.

If I was a residency PD and I saw this: Penn USMLE 210 vs CMS USMLE 220, Im going to take the 220 if everything else is the same. You can do the same at either school, you just have to find which on will help you do the best, if its learning by class or by book, if partying is a distraction, if location is going to make you depressed, if you get along with the faculty and students currently there etc etc. If I see Penn 220 CMS 220, Im going to look at other factors.....interview: Does the guy show interest at my institution? Will he fit in? Will he remain thru residency training or drop out do to unhappiness? Does he get along with others? etc etc. These are more important that school stats. A guy could be from Harvard with a 240 but be social inept in that patients are affected by his demenor or behavior and not want to be examined by him.... Id not want that student in my program. Imagine in extreme case like some of the ppl on American Idol...oh god. Not Idol material nor MD material even if they had the best voice or board score or came from some well know school..... reputation is only a very small factor in the overall things. But if you feel uncomfortable going to a lesser known school, dont go. You should be happy and proud to attend whichever school you decide.

Please Please Please examine the school at where you will be happiest for the next 4 years of your life and thats the school.....

 

[71263]

Wait till our match list becomes available online. That probably has to be my favorite time of the year, because that's when we rub it in anyone's face who says that CMS is a 'bad' school.

Talk is cheap. We get results.

 

[SageFrancis]

Definitely Penn State.

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=penn+state&word2=rosalind+franklin


Ok, I'll stop posting these now...

 

[TheKoman]

Wait till our match list becomes available online. That probably has to be my favorite time of the year, because that's when we rub it in anyone's face who says that CMS is a 'bad' school.

Talk is cheap. We get results.

Heh heh, Yup. I've already seen ours this year. I think our school is just waiting to cross check it with each of us 4th years to make sure its correct before posting it online. The only thing I wish they'd do different is start removing our names for security reasons. Kinda odd. I dont think other schools post individual names to the public but have a private list for their students

 

[Mperor]

Honestly if its not a top tier medical school (which RFU and Penn State are not) I think your top considerations should be (in order):

1. how well you fit there. Do you like the people, the campus, the facilities etc...

2. Cost. If one was remarkably cheaper than the other that would obviously give it a major advantage.

3. Geographic region. Remember where the school is is not just important during the four years of medical school. But it could play a role in where you do your residency or where you practice for the rest of your life.

That's it. Past that medical school will be what you make of it. There will be people who rock the boards in every school. People who match well in every school. Everything else depends on you.

 

[Dr. Will]

To MaybeADoc:

I have nothing against RFUMS, in fact I respect CMS as a medical school. Nonetheless, if anyone actually chose to attend CMS over Northwestern, there is no doubt in my mind that they are either deranged, really really STUPID, or just plain blind. I mean honestly, if those same kids can get into Northwestern, that means they can get into pretty much any other school with their amazing stats, and ABOVE ALL, they chose CMS. I think either they lied to you, or you lied to us...

I echo what many have already said. You will quickly learn that school reputation means a whole lot less than you think when it comes to the match. While yes, it can help, your academic record speaks far greater volumes. What matters in the end is where you train, not where you went to school. I'm very happy with the education I got from CMS. I worked my arse off and it got me into one of the top and most competitive EM programs in the country from CMS (and yes, not everything that is ivy league associated is tops in every field...so learn quickly to look past a name).

5 years later and I continue to see nothing but the same posts bashing CMS by premeds who fail to look beyond what they are told by others who have heard the same crap.

 

[Dr. Will]

Heh heh, Yup. I've already seen ours this year. I think our school is just waiting to cross check it with each of us 4th years to make sure its correct before posting it online. The only thing I wish they'd do different is start removing our names for security reasons. Kinda odd. I dont think other schools post individual names to the public but have a private list for their students

Ehh...it doesn't matter. You can go to most residency websites now and you'll see your name, a picture, and what school you came from.