Temple vs. Drexel? for med student visiting rotation

[tcfunnybone]

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Hello,

I'm a 4th year student who missed the early match last year, and has now postponed graduation so I can apply this year for ophtho. Like the "monkey-guy" that posted, I think I'm a so-so candidate, where it's possible, but needing a back-up plan.

In any case, currently, I'm looking to do a rotation at NJ Med in June; but would also like to do one in the Philly area in July -- looking mainly at Temple or Drexel (b/c I think the big-guns like Wills & Scheie are just waaaay out of my reach, so what would be the point?).

My question -- does anyone have any suggestions on which I should pick?

And a reply ASAP would be hugely appreciated since I have to do all the paperwork to set up the elective.

Thank you! and Thank you to everyone who's posted in the past. This forum has been such a huge help to me!

😱

P.S. second question (while I'm at it) -- my ideal personal choice in terms of location would be san francisco area, and I've heard great things about CPMC, but would it be really out of my reach? I mean, even though it's not a huge name, but it IS in SF and has a nice reputation. And same goes for UC Davis... harder to get into than, say, NJ Med or LIJ?

 

[guttata]

P.S. second question (while I'm at it) -- my ideal personal choice in terms of location would be san francisco area, and I've heard great things about CPMC, but would it be really out of my reach? I mean, even though it's not a huge name, but it IS in SF and has a nice reputation. And same goes for UC Davis... harder to get into than, say, NJ Med or LIJ?

Can't really answer your first question, but all the West Coast programs are competitive. UC Davis actually has a pretty good reputation in the optho field and would be much more competitive than LIJ. I'd give NJ Med a good edge above LIJ, but that's only on hearsay. That said, ranking programs based on perceived reputation is shortsighted.

 

[mdkurt]

Hello,

I'm a 4th year student who missed the early match last year, and has now postponed graduation so I can apply this year for ophtho. Like the "monkey-guy" that posted, I think I'm a so-so candidate, where it's possible, but needing a back-up plan.

In any case, currently, I'm looking to do a rotation at NJ Med in June; but would also like to do one in the Philly area in July -- looking mainly at Temple or Drexel (b/c I think the big-guns like Wills & Scheie are just waaaay out of my reach, so what would be the point?).

My question -- does anyone have any suggestions on which I should pick?

And a reply ASAP would be hugely appreciated since I have to do all the paperwork to set up the elective.

Thank you! and Thank you to everyone who's posted in the past. This forum has been such a huge help to me!

😱

P.S. second question (while I'm at it) -- my ideal personal choice in terms of location would be san francisco area, and I've heard great things about CPMC, but would it be really out of my reach? I mean, even though it's not a huge name, but it IS in SF and has a nice reputation. And same goes for UC Davis... harder to get into than, say, NJ Med or LIJ?

I think you'll get a good experience at either place. Drexel is downtown, and Temple is farther north, if that matters to you.

 

[chibi]

i interviewed at both places and I think temple is definitely a better program....their surgical training is pretty good
LIJ is underrated.....it is better than most people think

 

[rubensan]

P.S. second question (while I'm at it) -- my ideal personal choice in terms of location would be san francisco area, and I've heard great things about CPMC, but would it be really out of my reach? I mean, even though it's not a huge name, but it IS in SF and has a nice reputation. And same goes for UC Davis... harder to get into than, say, NJ Med or LIJ?

I can only speak for the west coast programs, I know nothing about NJ Med or LIJ. With regards to CPMC, it's hard to say. I think it is an outstanding clinical program, but it is very different than most (not affiliated with a university, staggered start). They do accept visiting medical students and I think that is one program that is definitely worth doing a rotation at to see if it is a good match for you and vice versa...the residents are a tight knit group. One comment that stuck with me was from one of their 3rd year residents who told us during our interview day that residency selection at CPMC was based on "more" than just grades and board scores and CV. I got the impression that they look at the whole applicant and make sure that they get residents who will fit in well with their "family." The residents seem to really love their program.

Aside from USC, Davis is my favorite program! They don't interview very many people, so if you get the interview you have a good shot. And they added a 4th resident this past year. Again, it has a tight-knit, family feel to it.

I encourage you to apply to a few programs that may seem out of your league as long as you apply to a lot that are within your league.

Good luck!
Ruben

 

[DilatedPeoples]

I'm a third year at Drexel going for Ophtho, and I can tell you that Drexel's Ophtho Dept. is in a state of extreme flux right now. Our program director left in December, and we are getting a lot of new faculty next year. The residents are great, but I'm not sure if you will get the best teaching here at Drexel, as students might get pushed to the side as our Dept reorganizes. Plus I think we allow only one student per rotation block to rotate in Optho, and most early spots are filled. But I had a great experience rotating here during my third year because of the residents. I don't really know much about Temple though. Good luck, and I hope that helps