RWJMS vs Penn State

[medstudent444]

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Hi everyone, I am incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to choose between these two schools. I am from New Jersey and have an interest in emergency medicine, and am stuck making a decision between the two schools. I visited Penn State last month and loved it, and I will be visiting RWJ later this week. I was wondering if anyone had any perspective or opinions that could help with this decision. Thank you!!!

RWJMS
Pros
– In-state tuition
– New Medical School Building
– Strong hospital network
– Service woven into curriculum
– Community Centered care
– Level 1 Trauma for adults and peds
– Have EM rotation in year 3

Cons
– Reworking curriculum as part of merger with NJMS
– Sense of community among students is questionable
– Housing and cost of living


Penn State
Pros
– Housing on campus
– Lower cost of living
– Med school attached to hospital (easy for shadowing/clinical exposure)
– Strong sense of community
– Gym on campus
– Strong global health program
– Community Centered care
– Level 1 Trauma for adults and peds

Cons
– Super rural area
– Mandatory research in the curriculum

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Congratulations.

When you envision yourself in EM, do you see yourself working in a highly urban or highly rural environment? I am not a specialist in this area, so I think your opportunity to "do more" and understand rural vs. urban EM is up to you to set up for a strong residency. If both are Trauma 1, I don't think either clerkship will bore you.

For RWJ, what is involved with the new medical school building? You are only there for at most 2 years.

Being within walking/biking distance of your lectures is a plus (assuming parking isn't too costly), but once you start to travel for clerkships, you should think about car expenses.