UCSF vs Penn

[hydrophobicmed]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I know it's a bit of early to ask this question, especially Penn hasn't posted the decision yet. But I have a soft guarantee from Penn that I will get in with a 21st century scholarship. But money is really not a factor at all in my decision making. Now I want to jump start on the decision process.

UCSF

Pros:
SF is a better city
Seems more prestigious
P/F third year

Cons:
Having to move across the country (from NY)


Penn:

Pros:
Close to home
Shiny JMEC

Cons:
Seems a bit competitive
Not liking the team of 6 approach and group grading
Philly is meh...

 

[Kracin]

a post with minimal information / analysis from a probationary account

seems entirely legit

 

[hydrophobicmed]

a post with minimal information / analysis from a probationary account

seems entirely legit

what's the point of posting a fake poll??

 

[crepuscular.ray]

I know it's a bit of early to ask this question, especially Penn hasn't posted the decision yet. But I have a soft guarantee from Penn that I will get in with a 21st century scholarship. But money is really not a factor at all in my decision making. Now I want to jump start on the decision process.

UCSF

Pros:
SF is a better city
Seems more prestigious
P/F third year

Cons:
Having to move across the country (from NY)


Penn:

Pros:
Close to home
Shiny JMEC

Cons:
Seems a bit competitive
Not liking the team of 6 approach and group grading
Philly is meh...

Bruh. Wait three months

 

[hydrophobicmed]

Bruh. Wait three months

seriously, why are people so judgmental when someone is having a successful cycle??

I have a house that I need to take care of if I move across the country. I need to buy another piece of property on the west coast as well. So yeah, I'd like to make my decision asap. I am only asking a question, yet this board just goes berserk because it is perceived as something else. Just chill and help, would you?

 

[crepuscular.ray]

seriously, why are people so judgmental when someone is having a successful cycle??

I have a house that I need to take care of if I move across the country. I need to buy another piece of property on the west coast as well. So yeah, I'd like to make my decision asap. I am only asking a question, yet this board just goes berserk because it is perceived as something else. Just chill and help, would you?

I have nothing against you, it's just questionable to assume what you wrote about Penn since they won't release decisions for the next 1/4 year. Also, your pros/cons list is sparse. What school you attend depends on what you value: do you have a support system near Penn, is there a particular patient population you want to work with (urban/rural, etc.) or a department with research you want to do? What feeling did you get when you visited both schools and talked to students? If you don't like Penn's curriculum, how much does that weigh on your mind and what do med students from Penn who don't like it have to say about it? In terms of prestige, they're matched.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

I have nothing against you, it's just questionable to assume what you wrote about Penn since they won't release decisions for the next 1/4 year. Also, your pros/cons list is sparse. What school you attend depends on what you value: do you have a support system near Penn, is there a particular patient population you want to work with (urban/rural, etc.) or a department with research you want to do? What feeling did you get when you visited both schools and talked to students? If you don't like Penn's curriculum, how much does that weigh on your mind and what do med students from Penn who don't like it have to say about it? In terms of prestige, they're matched.

thank you for posting those questions. I understand I don't have the offer in hand, but I foresee that I will (don't ask why, but I did get an assurance from them).

 

[FalconSlice]

I need to buy another piece of property on the west coast as well.

I'm assuming you mean in SF given your post. Buying property in the Bay Area is no trivial task. Some of the highest property values in the country...

 

[hydrophobicmed]

Buying property in the Bay Area is no trivial task. Some of the highest property values in the country...

yes, it's gonna take a lot of preparation. I don't think rental is going to work for me... So I want to get that ball rolling. Penn is the only place that can swing me out of UCSF at this point. I just feel that Penn is kind of gunnery. Not sure if that's just a preconceived notion or really my true feeling coming out of the interview day.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

You didn’t get an “assurance” from them unless you’re speaking to the most corrupt admissions officer in the world, and you didn’t get into any of the schools you say you did. This trolling is tiresome.

if you have nothing to add, please don't comment. Thank you.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

This could literally be said about 99% of your comments as well.

I am asking a question. So what's that gotta do with my comments??? can you just leave me alone??

 

[hydrophobicmed]

This could literally be said about 99% of your comments as well.

what you are doing is cyberbullying.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

People here are really happy to help when it comes to valid questions. We just don’t like trolls. The fact that you know that you have a full ride to Penn 3 months before decisions come out cant be true (assuming their admissions office plays fair), so what was your purpose in posting this thread?

I PM'ed you. Schools let candidates they really want know all the time. People just don't advertise here.

 

[imbesrs]

I think that OP should be regarded as legitimate no matter if he gets into penn or not, as he is considering purchasing/selling property which just takes months of time and effort. Having this decision in place can help him prepare for a big move (regardless of location) in a more timely manner. At some point "trolling" this hard gets boring lol

 

[hydrophobicmed]

Was anything wrong with what I said? Wait until you have the actual offer before considering yourself accepted. As of now, you should be thinking about UCSF, and then Penn or other schools as those offers come in.

but that's none of your business whether I get an offer eventually or not? Don't you see the point?

 

[hydrophobicmed]

Well I added some explanation as to why, but yeah you’re right, this isn’t worth the time. Good luck making a choice.

thank you!

 

[u_raptor]

tbh just the P/F third year alone would attract me. When I talked with Yale & Vandy students (who also have that benefit), they described it as basically being able to see all these things, stay late if one wants to, and not have to worry about rushing home to study stuff. While UCSF likely still has the shelf exam (Yale does not, which I think helps to promote the previously mentioned mentality), having that extra year of P/F can really come in handy both in terms of student culture and the ability to learn. And that might have something to do with the competitive nature you felt at Penn (who does not have P/F 3rd yr)

Outside of that, just based on your pro/cons, it seems like you know in your heart which one you want lol (UCSF). You have one (albeit major) con for them, while its obvious you don't find philly or UPenn attractive outside of being close to home. And yeah they have a shiny medical center, but hey thats what going there for residency can be for 😉 (and I am sure UCSF shiny)

Moving is annoying obviously, but I would rather be somewhere I know I will be happiest at than go somewhere I will be disappointed just so I don't have to move as much. Now as you have mentioned previously, you are older than me and its easier for me (coming straight out of college) to say moving is not as bad. But I think the point on happiness and satisfaction is universal.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

tbh just the P/F third year alone would attract me. When I talked with Yale & Vandy students (who also have that benefit), they described it as basically being able to see all these things, stay late if one wants to, and not have to worry about rushing home to study stuff. While UCSF likely still has the shelf exam (Yale does not, which I think helps to promote the previously mentioned mentality), having that extra year of P/F can really come in handy both in terms of student culture and the ability to learn. And that might have something to do with the competitive nature you felt at Penn (who does not have P/F 3rd yr)

Outside of that, just based on your pro/cons, it seems like you know in your heart which one you want lol (UCSF). You have one (albeit major) con for them, while its obvious you don't find philly or UPenn attractive outside of being close to home. And yeah they have a shiny medical center, but hey thats what going there for residency can be for 😉 (and I am sure UCSF shiny)

Moving is annoying obviously, but I would rather be somewhere I know I will be happiest at than go somewhere I will be disappointed just so I don't have to move as much. Now as you have mentioned previously, you are older than me and its easier for me (coming straight out of college) to say moving is not as bad. But I think the point on happiness and satisfaction is universal.

thanks! Yeah, when I talked to people at Yale, they were telling me that they are going p/f on clinical very very soon, like this coming year. At Yale, most people get honors anyway in third year. But to me I feel so attracted to P/F third year. I feel like no one needs to pretend anymore. You go there and do your work. No point ass-kissing or brown-nosing. Yeah, I do think my heart is set on UCSF. Just need some feedback on that. After all, it's a huge move for me and my dog lol.

 

[Droseraceae]

Why and how did Penn hit you up early with a 'soft guarantee' for a 21st century scholarship?

 

[deleted987519]

what you are doing is cyberbullying.

I love you

 

[hydrophobicmed]

I love you

😉 love you back!

 

[hydrophobicmed]

Why and how did Penn hit you up early with a 'soft guarantee' for a 21st century scholarship?

you can PM me.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

Wonder anyone have more comments. Thanks.

 

[hopefulFutureDoctor2020]

Can I send you a PM? idk if you have a privacy setting blocking you.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

Can I send you a PM? idk if you have a privacy setting blocking you.

Sure.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

ucla vs hopkins?

Didn’t interview at UCLA, and withdrew from Hopkins, so they are not in the picture.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

ucla vs hopkins?

I am wondering why you mentioned those two schools. Any specific reason?

 

[camnewton1]

I got into both of these schools last year, Penn with 21st century scholarship and UCSF off the waitlist. A couple of thoughts on these schools. Both are amazing schools, very prestigious. My gut feeling is that UCSF has a little more oomph behind its name, but in the grand scheme of things this is such a small difference that on an individual level it won't make any tangible difference for a medical student. Also Penn is a big name on East Coast, UCSF on the West Coast. Which do you prefer? If you wanted to spend your entire life on the East Coast, I don't think it would make much sense to go to UCSF.

The P/F 3rd year is a huge plus for UCSF. I felt like Penn has a reputation of being a little more intense. However, at this caliber of school, there are ambitious people everywhere and realistically a student may feel overwhelmed by their peers even if one place is more "chill." Anecdotally, I felt like UCSF had a less competitive feeling, but it also felt less cohesive as a class, people lived throughout SF, two campuses 30ish minutes away from one another, and state school = more bureaucracy and administrative hassle for sure. Also a point my host made at UCSF was that yeah it's chill but its still a top school, people want to succeed, and for some that may create a more intense environment.

Facilities much better at Penn, but I personally feel that once you get into the grind of things how much does it matter? I'm also not exactly sure about the nuances of the curricular differences between the two schools, but from what I remember from last year they were a pretty similar set up, systems based with a lot of small group stuff. But I could be wrong. After talking to a lot of people, I'm not sure how much those things really matter.

For me personally, if money truly was not an issue, I would've chosen UCSF. I enjoyed the interview day here and the overall vibe, and I personally could see myself ending up on the West Coast. Otherwise, both are great schools and I think personal factors and where you see yourself will play a big factor in your decision. Feel free to PM me if you want.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

I got into both of these schools last year, Penn with 21st century scholarship and UCSF off the waitlist. A couple of thoughts on these schools. Both are amazing schools, very prestigious. My gut feeling is that UCSF has a little more oomph behind its name, but in the grand scheme of things this is such a small difference that on an individual level it won't make any tangible difference for a medical student. Also Penn is a big name on East Coast, UCSF on the West Coast. Which do you prefer? If you wanted to spend your entire life on the East Coast, I don't think it would make much sense to go to UCSF.

The P/F 3rd year is a huge plus for UCSF. I felt like Penn has a reputation of being a little more intense. However, at this caliber of school, there are ambitious people everywhere and realistically a student may feel overwhelmed by their peers even if one place is more "chill." Anecdotally, I felt like UCSF had a less competitive feeling, but it also felt less cohesive as a class, people lived throughout SF, two campuses 30ish minutes away from one another, and state school = more bureaucracy and administrative hassle for sure. Also a point my host made at UCSF was that yeah it's chill but its still a top school, people want to succeed, and for some that may create a more intense environment.

Facilities much better at Penn, but I personally feel that once you get into the grind of things how much does it matter? I'm also not exactly sure about the nuances of the curricular differences between the two schools, but from what I remember from last year they were a pretty similar set up, systems based with a lot of small group stuff. But I could be wrong. After talking to a lot of people, I'm not sure how much those things really matter.

For me personally, if money truly was not an issue, I would've chosen UCSF. I enjoyed the interview day here and the overall vibe, and I personally could see myself ending up on the West Coast. Otherwise, both are great schools and I think personal factors and where you see yourself will play a big factor in your decision. Feel free to PM me if you want.

Thank you so much for your insight!

 

[kcudpmi]

I don't know why you get so much hate in many threads; I appreciate your comments and opinions. I'm personally all about being able to enjoy my life and being happy in medical school, and a big part of that is just by being in a city that I love--food, weather, people, etc. For me the easy choice would be UCSF if I were in your shoes. Congratulations on your success!

 

[hydrophobicmed]

I don't know why you get so much hate in many threads; I appreciate your comments and opinions. I'm personally all about being able to enjoy my life and being happy in medical school, and a big part of that is just by being in a city that I love--food, weather, people, etc. For me the easy choice would be UCSF if I were in your shoes. Congratulations on your success!

Thank you very much. I don't understand the hate either. People here tend to think that everyone is soliciting some sort of positive feedback on their success. The truth is that we are all anonymous here so if your ego needs to be fed by some strangers who don't even know you in real life, then there's something really wrong with that thinking. I really appreciate your honest opinion. I sincerely believe that both schools are excellent and at the end of the day, it's really about location.

 

[hydrophobicmed]

For anyone who’s curious about this, I decided to attend UCSF. For an older candidate like me, UCSF just seems more fitting. Realizing how much I hate the weather in the northeast, I am happy to make the change. Thanks for all the help here.