SLU vs. Drexel?

[fewchewrmd]

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Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

[chintu]

SLU...all the way. I had to make the same decision and I chose SLU. Don't regret it at all. My personal reasons were as follows:

drexel's class size was too large for me....
i liked stl quite a bit more than philly (less crowded, less traffic, weather is better, nicer people)
facilities are much nicer at slu...(it just seemed like there wasn't enough study space, computer labs, etc. for a large # or students at drexel)
more research opps. at slu
better us news rankings
good matchlist
reputation
cost (even though tuition is higher at slu, cost of living in stl is much lower than philly)

But i think it should be a personal choice. Everyone sees things differently.
Hope it helps.

 

[Longbottom7]

I'm a senior at a College in Philly, frokm the area, just did the application game, etc. I've heard many complaints about Drexel. Their main teaching hospital closed, although Hahnemann Hospital is still open and they have a few affiliations. However, given their large class size, you should expect to be farmed out to schools around Pennsylvania quite a bit during rotations. If you don't like commuting or living out of a suitcase, you may want to consider SLU.

 

[mellow yellow]

I'm a senior at a College in Philly, frokm the area, just did the application game, etc. I've heard many complaints about Drexel. Their main teaching hospital closed, although Hahnemann Hospital is still open and they have a few affiliations. However, given their large class size, you should expect to be farmed out to schools around Pennsylvania quite a bit during rotations. If you don't like commuting or living out of a suitcase, you may want to consider SLU.

The above poster is obviously misinformed and doesn't know what he/she is talking about. As a 4th year med student, I can assure you that our class does not "live out of a suitcase." While it is true that we have many affiliated academic sites, this has always been the case and it should be noted that most all students get rotations at the sites they want. Some students prefer to spend their entire 3rd and 4th years at AGH in Pittsburgh due to family reasons or perhaps due to the fact that their apartments are PAID FOR by the school and reside a 7 minute walk from the hospital! All affiliate sites provide free housing and meal allowances. Moreover, I cannot emphasize enough how incredible it is to see how different hospitals function (academic v. community, small v. large, tertiary referral v. primary). There are several Philly sites for rotations and the majority of students spend anywhere from 0-2 sites outside of Philly during 3rd year. As a 4th year, you can go wherever you want basically.

I can't say anything about SLU other than it is a "ranked" institution, but for those people who like Philly (a much more vibrant city than St Louis, fore sure!) and want to be in a supportive, academic environment with awesome classmates, Drexel is a fantastic place. And of course, if you do well at Drexel, you'll end up with the interviews you desire! If MD-PHD is your goal, by all means, go to SLU. But if you goal is excellent training, and friendly classmates and supportive learning environment, Drexel is a fantastic choice.

 

[DrHuang]

If MD-PHD is your goal, by all means, go to SLU. But if you goal is excellent training, and friendly classmates and supportive learning environment, Drexel is a fantastic choice.

so SLU doesnt have excellent training, friendly classmates, and a supportive learning environment? 🙄

 

[fishtacos]

What about SLU vs. Temple????

 

[jon0013]

i interviewed at drexel earlier this week and got a much better vibe there than slu for some reason...maybe it was a friendlier environment that seems more secluded and cozy than SLU's campus....or maybe it was the more modern facilities..i dunno...

but i have to say that there seems to be a greater emphasis on research at SLU because during my interview, the guy seemed adament about not having time during the year to do research...

but anyhow thats my $0.02

 

[tigress]

I'm a senior at a College in Philly, frokm the area, just did the application game, etc. I've heard many complaints about Drexel. Their main teaching hospital closed, although Hahnemann Hospital is still open and they have a few affiliations. However, given their large class size, you should expect to be farmed out to schools around Pennsylvania quite a bit during rotations. If you don't like commuting or living out of a suitcase, you may want to consider SLU.

I've never heard a Drexel student say they weren't pleased with the school, and I interact with Drexel students every day. I have heard some complaint about rotations sites (specifically, one student complained that the school wouldn't allow a rotation swap because they wanted a female rather than a male at that site; and most students will agree that some sites are better for some rotations than others), but I doubt this is more than at most schools. Also, the above poster is definitely misinformed. MCP was NOT their main teaching hospital. Hahnemann always has been. And there is no lack of room for students to rotate. Many students actually ask to be sent to sites outside of Philadelphia (and these include sites all over PA as well as in NJ) to get a good feel for different patient populations, including rural. And, like the 4th year above said, if you are far enough way from Philly the school pays for your housing accommodations. Oh, and also class size has been decreased for a variety of reasons, and there are many schools with as large or larger classes. (Of course, if you don't feel comfortable in a large class, Drexel may not be for you.)

so SLU doesnt have excellent training, friendly classmates, and a supportive learning environment?

I don't think he was saying this. That's why he said, "But if you goal is excellent training, and friendly classmates and supportive learning environment, Drexel is a fantastic choice." He didn't say that SLU doesn't have these things, just that Drexel does. And from my experience, as a spouse of a Drexel student and having worked at Drexel full time for the past half year, I would definitely agree.

In any case, I don't know anything about SLU. I could understand choosing a school with a better reputation, if that's important to you. And SLU probably does have more research opportunities, because Drexel is definitely not a very research-oriented school (although they are increasing their research steadily and encourage students to participate, what's available still isn't great). In the end of course it will be a personal choice. But I just wanted to defend against the unnecessary Drexel bashing (and uninformed comments). A realistic comparison of the two schools would certainly be useful for the OP, but this kind of misinformation certainly isn't.

 

[shaunaiam]

I'm a first year at Drexel and have to agree with what the other Drexel people are saying. Everyone I know here is very happy. Also, if you are scared of the large class size there is a way around it: do the problem based curriculum. It is case-based, which helps you keep in mind WHY you're doing this, and the class size is more like 40-50 people per year. Also, just because the class is big doesn't mean it's impossible to get to know people. There are quite a few social events and plenty of clubs to go around. All of the professors are available by meeting or email and the staff is incredibly friendly. Of course, I'm biased... but don't you think with how stressful your first year is I would be negative about it if I had a good reason?

 

[Callogician]

I am a first year student at Drexel, and I definitely agree with the sentiment that Drexel is a solid clinically-oriented school. Whether you enter IFM (interdisciplanary foundations of medicine) or PIL (Program for integrated learning), you'll focus on clinical associations from day one (instead of a one hundred year old survey course curriculum that is 20% esoteric bull****). IFM uses symptom based modules to focus on multiple disciplines simultaneously and how they relate to each other clinically, and PIL uses case discussions to inspire research and to bring medicine to life.

*Key point: One thing that I did not understand about medicine as an undergraduate student is that the purpose of medical school is not be become a guru in any of the medical sciences. This is not a PhD program. Medicine is not geared towards academia. It is a pragmatic field. The purpose is to learn how to apply these disciplines to the medical care of patients. Physicians have a supportive role in society. They strive to improve the health and quality of life of others so that they in turn will have the longevity and vitality to accomplish great things.

Obviously, research in medicine is what drives continued advancement in medical treatment and technology, and I have the upmost respect for anyone who pursues this course. But this course is not for everyone.

Me?

I am in the PIL program with Shauna. I have found a nice balance in life between academics, fitness, hobbies, and friends...and I would committ sepuku with my own penis if I had 6 hours of lecture a day.