Temple vs Hofstra

[AllThatRacket]

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Hey everyone, so I have narrowed my list down to two schools and just received financial aid packages for these schools. To be honest, prior to financial aid, I was heavily leaning toward Temple due to their service-oriented culture and because I want to live in Philly (originally from PA). The financial aid makes a big difference in my decision however, and I wanted to get people's opinions on this.

Temple
PROS:

• Love the relaxed students combined with the service-oriented culture
• Located in Philly, with so many medical opportunities
• Really early clinical training and reputation for training great clinical physicians

CONS:

• Really just one big con - will be about $20,000 per year more expensive

Hofstra
PROS:

• Just received a generous scholarship for approximately 40% of tuition (was not expecting this at all)
• Love their curriculum style, combined with EMT training
• Also seemed like a very tight-knit, happy student body

CONS:

• Located on Long Island, whereas I would much rather live in Philly
• Relatively new school - unsure if this will negatively affect residency interviews

Alright just looking for some input on what you all would do. I really feel that I would be happy at either school. I am trying to weigh in on how important the difference in cost is (I am paying for all of med school myself).

Thanks!

 

[Juldarus]

I would choose Hofstra. You have a massive hospital system, close to NYC, and good research. It sounds pretty heavy on PBL. Is Philly worth 80,000 (maybe twice that over the lifetime of the loan)?

Choose a place where you'll be happy, but it sounds like you really liked Hofstra...it's just the location you're not thrilled about (I don't think the newness of Hostra will in any way affect residency chances).

 

[flourpower3]

@AllThatRacket Congrats on your acceptance!! If I were in your position, I would choose Hofstra. Everyone in medical school graduates with an M.D. no matter where they went or how much they paid. Since you like both of these school and can see yourself being happy at either, the financial benefit at Hofstra seems extreme for you! Congrats on the scholarship and go with it!

 

[mik30102]

Hey everyone, so I have narrowed my list down to two schools and just received financial aid packages for these schools. To be honest, prior to financial aid, I was heavily leaning toward Temple due to their service-oriented culture and because I want to live in Philly (originally from PA). The financial aid makes a big difference in my decision however, and I wanted to get people's opinions on this.

Temple
PROS:

• Love the relaxed students combined with the service-oriented culture
• Located in Philly, with so many medical opportunities
• Really early clinical training and reputation for training great clinical physicians

CONS:

• Really just one big con - will be about $20,000 per year more expensive

Hofstra
PROS:

• Just received a generous scholarship for approximately 40% of tuition (was not expecting this at all)
• Love their curriculum style, combined with EMT training
• Also seemed like a very tight-knit, happy student body

CONS:

• Located on Long Island, whereas I would much rather live in Philly
• Relatively new school - unsure if this will negatively affect residency interviews

Alright just looking for some input on what you all would do. I really feel that I would be happy at either school. I am trying to weigh in on how important the difference in cost is (I am paying for all of med school myself).

Thanks!

Choose hofstra! I also got a generous schloarship there that makes it 20k cheaper then the sunys. Its where I'll be going unless Pitt comes close to matching.

 

[AllThatRacket]

Thanks so much for these replies so far! Any thoughts from @SouthernSurgeon @mimelim @WingedOx as people who have gone through the match?

 

[mimelim]

If Pitt is even remotely similar, it will offer significantly more in terms of education than the others. Unless you have family in/around temple, it is not going to make a ton of difference locale wise or for matching purposes.

 

[AllThatRacket]

If Pitt is even remotely similar, it will offer significantly more in terms of education than the others. Unless you have family in/around temple, it is not going to make a ton of difference locale wise or for matching purposes.

Wish I had gotten into Pitt, but that didn't happen haha.

 

[mik30102]

If Pitt is even remotely similar, it will offer significantly more in terms of education than the others. Unless you have family in/around temple, it is not going to make a ton of difference locale wise or for matching purposes.

I hope they do offer a similar amount of aid 🙁. Cost really matters a lot though when I'm already 230k in debt. I just can't justify paying over double in tuition even with how awsome Pitt is. Guess I'll see in a few weeks when awards come out from Pitt.

 

[Premixis]

I would choose Hostra, I think they've got so much going for them. With the early EMT curriculum, backing by one of the largest health systems, extremely accessible physicians from all specialties, location, dedicated and enthusiastic faculty.. the list goes on. Your residency placement will be based more off of what you do at an institution rather than the name of the institution (for the most part), it just comes down to personal preference/fit, and well in this case, debt. Good luck choosing between the two!

 

[WingedOx]

I'm going to be honest, I don't know a whole lot about Hofstra since it didn't exactly exist when I was applying to school. I'm more up on other schools thru contacts and other people I know. Sadly Hofstra isn't one of those places where I have them.

Temple is a solid school though, and if you're into underserved populations, you're going to get A LOT of it there. I wouldn't worry about the neighborhood if anyone's brought that up. Most of the students I know who went there lived everywhere from Manayunk to Wash West to Fishtown to Clark Park, and there's a ton of transit options from all of them.