Hi guys. I could use some opinions on Jefferson Medical College vs. University of Florida College of Medicine. I am thrilled to have the option of choosing between these two great schools. However I am having a hard time deciding. I feel like I might be happier at Jefferson due to their grading system and their block scheduling but I am not sure if it was worth the extra cost of attendance. Thanks for any advice.
UF or Jefferson
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UF is your state school right? And it's also a solid school. Go to UF.
The cost of attendance at UF is less than jefferson (in-state tuition), plus the cost of living is muchhhh less than philly. I have a few friends that go to UF's med school and they loveeee it because the professors go out of their way to help the students and their classmates are all really cool. If you really really want to be in philadelphia and feel the "happy" factor at that school, then go to jefferson. If you want to get a great education and save some money, then go to UF.
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Really?
I know many people at UF med, 1st-4th years, and most of them say it's hell on earth. A few like it and most are glad they're in med school at a great school like UF, but they're always talking about how miserable they are from day to day. Like I said, it's a terrific program, phenomenal board scores etc., but on SDN, it seems the consensus opinion varies. It's up to what you're looking for.
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You really think students are that miserable at UF? I haven't been accepted but I am on hold at UF and FSU. Not sure what my future holds at this point...but I keep hearing these mixed opinions...UF is great and awesome and then completely opposite from the next person. I don't know what to think. To Pokerkid, I mean I don't know that is a tough decision, I do think it is important to feel as comfortable and happy as possible since med school is not an easy road....but saving the money could help you down the road. I am currently living up north and love it and have good things about Jefferson. But at least you have a choice! Good luck deciding.
Everyone I know in med school - UF and non-UF - says its hell on earth.. but it's not specific to a school, instead its because of the pace at which you cover material in all schools, the stress before exams, the pressure of performing on step 1, etc. All students at most med schools will feel the pressure, so UF is not unique in this aspect. And sure, some personalities in the classes may not mesh well together, but that happens everywhere and changes from year to year. Did you get along with everyone in your graduating class? Probably not, but that's not because your under didn't make it near the top of their priority list. UF's and any med school for that matter has as their top priority to give its students a great education and prepare them for their future careers, which UF does year after year with outstanding results!
OP -- Try and schedule your own little second look, stay with some current students, and figure out the "real deal" with this respect.. it's worth the extra work on your part if you save a ton of money and still get a stellar education!
I really appreciate this advice. I think the second look will be extremely helpful in figuring out the truth behind UF's reputation.
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Current Jeff student here and I love it. I don't know much about UF so won't comment on the above posts.
My classmates here rock--they're a happy, easy going bunch. As cliche as it sounds, most of us work hard and play (or relax) hard. I'm not from the area originally, but Philly is a GREAT, affordable city. The block system is terrific and the way the tests are coordinated really makes life easier and helps keep you sane. Students share their study guides online and most make it a point to help out their fellow classmates. The faculty genuinely cares about us and they solicit student feedback at every turn. The administration goes out of their way to make themselves available/helpful.
My only serious dislike is our tuition--it's just over 40k. While that's about average for private med schools, that's still a lot of $$$. If you'd save a ton of cash by going to UF, that's not a small consideration. At the same time, I think you gotta go where YOU think you'll be happy. The epic "cheap school vs school you'll be happy at" debate is obviously best solved when one school fits both of those parameters...if that's not the case then it really becomes a personal decision that you, and you alone, gotta make. In the end, I picked happiness--and I have not regretted it for a second.
Both are great schools and you can't make a bad choice--good luck with your decision, and lemme know if you got any other questions.
My classmates here rock--they're a happy, easy going bunch. As cliche as it sounds, most of us work hard and play (or relax) hard. I'm not from the area originally, but Philly is a GREAT, affordable city. The block system is terrific and the way the tests are coordinated really makes life easier and helps keep you sane. Students share their study guides online and most make it a point to help out their fellow classmates. The faculty genuinely cares about us and they solicit student feedback at every turn. The administration goes out of their way to make themselves available/helpful.
My only serious dislike is our tuition--it's just over 40k. While that's about average for private med schools, that's still a lot of $$$. If you'd save a ton of cash by going to UF, that's not a small consideration. At the same time, I think you gotta go where YOU think you'll be happy. The epic "cheap school vs school you'll be happy at" debate is obviously best solved when one school fits both of those parameters...if that's not the case then it really becomes a personal decision that you, and you alone, gotta make. In the end, I picked happiness--and I have not regretted it for a second.
Both are great schools and you can't make a bad choice--good luck with your decision, and lemme know if you got any other questions.
Very helpful and informative. The aspects that you mentioned about Jefferson is exactly why I am having a hard time. Many people have hinted at Jefferson awesome atmosphere and how much the scheduling contributes to school/life balance. I am curious about the clinical training at Jefferson. I do not have much input on that subject, also how is the match list? Not sure what you year you are but thanks for replying.
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I don't think it is hell on earth. I've never heard anyone at my school say they wish they didn't go here afterwards. I've heard that from MORE than a couple of people at UF. My friend that is graduating actually convinced two other people I know to pick other acceptances instead of going there and he is matching into a competitive speciality. The profs are a mixed bag. Some are great and some aren't. They've actually lost a few people due to political BS recently as well.
Its a good school and will get you where you want to go, but I can also say that over the years I've had more than 20 students tell me they hated it there with a couple no longer wanting to do medicine when it was done. Many of my friends who went to UF can add to that sample size. I've just heard so many backstabbing type stories in multiple programs from them it is ridiculous. When it is 1 or 2 I take it with a grain of salt, but when it is consistent every year from multiple people with different personalities I get concerned.
Personally, I would go to UF. I am from Pennsylvania and most of my family lives in Florida. Both schools have really great regional reputations, great clinical training and overall will get you a great MD degree. The scheduling, exams etc. are important, but remember the material is exactly the same at every MD school and what is most important is that YOU are able to find a particular, individualized way to learn it and succeed.
The 20K tution difference is a HUGE deal. Plus, you'll be paying to fly back and forth for the first two years if you want to see your family so that could add a lot of cost
An even bigger thing to consider is that if your from FL that is where your support system is. I'm not sure what age you are or what your family life is like, but one thing that I have heard from med students is that their support network is vital to their sanity and well-being. Sometimes its just nice to hang out with your siblings on the weekend, or go home for some of moms homemade cookies. I realize these are trivial things, but sometimes just being surrounded by people who care for you unconditionally and will provide you with constant postivie support can make a big difference in dealing with huge stressors like medical training.
Don't worry about a couple of naysayers who say bad things about the school. You would find them in Philly too. Go with you gut.
The 20K tution difference is a HUGE deal. Plus, you'll be paying to fly back and forth for the first two years if you want to see your family so that could add a lot of cost
An even bigger thing to consider is that if your from FL that is where your support system is. I'm not sure what age you are or what your family life is like, but one thing that I have heard from med students is that their support network is vital to their sanity and well-being. Sometimes its just nice to hang out with your siblings on the weekend, or go home for some of moms homemade cookies. I realize these are trivial things, but sometimes just being surrounded by people who care for you unconditionally and will provide you with constant postivie support can make a big difference in dealing with huge stressors like medical training.
Don't worry about a couple of naysayers who say bad things about the school. You would find them in Philly too. Go with you gut.
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Promise you it's more than just a couple naysayers saying bad things, as evidenced by some of the posts in this thread. Everyone's telling the same story and the stories are coming from the UF students, not just outsiders speculating. Still a good school academically, but it depends what you're looking for.
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I went to UF and I was really close with a few people who were high up in the medical school. I asked one of them one day if it was true that there's a nasty competitive vibe in the school and she's like who did you talk to a 3rd year? I was like uhhhh no a 1st year... And she was shocked saying that she hadn't heard anything negative yet about the 1st year class but the 3rd year class had been disciplined for some nasty things that went on (she couldn't tell me the details).
So besides what I have heard from the actual medical students she confirmed it because it's got to be really bad for the administrators to know about it and want to take action.
The medical students I know all regret choosing UF and urged me not to attend. I trust them because I've seen their frustrations consistently throughout the year.
Visiting the university again isn't going to help because they'll paint a picture of rainbows and butterflies. You're not going to get a true feel of the atmosphere until you're in it.
OP I would suggest you do some of you own digging into all the negativity. If it is true, which is very possible, then you can go to Philly. I would say just don't completely base your decision on what ppl on this forum say. While it is helpful, it can be misleading and is always a matter of individual experience and rumor. Remember, believe half of what you see and none of what you hear. It sounds like there may have been some shady stuff that went down, but until you get to the bottom of it you shouldn't make your decision.
I think the suggestion of going outside of second look and talking to students is a great idea. IMO its worth it to save 25K per year and still go to a great school like UF.
I think the suggestion of going outside of second look and talking to students is a great idea. IMO its worth it to save 25K per year and still go to a great school like UF.
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If the things I hear about UF are true or even semi-true, I would pay the extra money to not be miserable for 4 years. Being miserable can affect your school performance.
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Here's the link to this year's match list:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=9431592#post9431592
To address your question on clinical training--I'm finishing up my first year so I can't speak to yrs 3/4 with tons of specifics. What I can say is that Jeff first and foremost prizes itself on it's clinical training, and it maintains a really strong reputation in this area--this focus on clinical education played a huge role in my decision to attend. Here's what impressed me: Jeff has dedicated clinical programs for students interested in rural health (recent New York Times article on it) and urban health, and opportunities for everything in between...oh, and a brand new simulation center with awesome docs who run it. I'm not really sure if another school can provide a greater range of clinical sites: you've got the major urban and suburban tertiary care centers between TJUH, Christiana, and Einstein (all are level one trauma centers and each with their own flavor), rural places like York and Reading hospitals, fancy suburban hospitals like Lankenau and Bryn Mawr, subspecialty like Wills Eye, VA exposure at the Wilmington VA...blah blah blah I could go on...
As far as the always hot topic of "first year" clinical exposure goes--you'll learn, among other things, how to take a full pt history and components of the physical exam (although the 2nd year is really where you learn how to do a focused physical). The level of patient exposure in your first year is totally up to you: the actual requirements are very little so as not to take away from your focus on class, but the possibilities are endless...you are basically given a gigantic list of attendings across all specialties who invite first years to shadow/work with them (and you can obviously contact any Jeff/affiliate doc you want, it's up to you). I've spent time in family med clinics (I was stunned how much I liked it--the faculty here are excellent) and presented my first patient history to an attending only a few months into school. I've hung out in the ER and seen some fun/crazy stuff. I've spent time in the OR, scrubbed in, and been shown how to suture and help close. They really allow you to explore your own interests as your schedule allows.
Hope this helps--again, ya can't make a bad call with your choices.
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Awesome post. Makes me excited to be matriculating in August.
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Ok, obviously we've established that there are people that enjoy it, and people that hate it, etc.
There are going to be gunners who are cutthroat anywhere
There are going to be gunners who are cutthroat anywhere
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So true! Some of the biggest gunners I've known while going to UF are matriculating in the Fall. There should be an alert website like ratemyprofessor but instead watchoutforthisgunner.
But like you said, all my friends at other Florida schools love it, especially USF.
I don't really care what posters here say, what the hearsay and rumors are, if I have someone who is a part of the school's administration admit that there is a problem with this, I'd believe that over everything.
Maybe the students that say there isn't a problem or that they love it are the gunners so they don't realize it's a problem. hahahah
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