UPenn or Iowa

[ToothbrushBuddy]

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Hi! I know that there are a bunch of these kinds of threads but somehow I am still torn between UPenn and Iowa and I would like the input of random strangers who and very well informed 🙂 I put down a deposit at both UPenn and Iowa and need to choose the best school by April 1! So, if you had this choice and you received a scholarship at both schools so they cost the same, which school would you choose and why? I don't think I will specialize unless it's in pediatrics.

 

[Screwtape]

What do you like/dislike about these schools?

 

[Contach]

I know nothing about Iowa, but UPenn with its scholarship is a greeeaaaat deal.
Philly is a great city, much different than Iowa I would imagine. If you have lived in Iowa all your life: I'd recommend for the life experience it is worth it alone. 4 years in the Northeast - you may learn a lot about yourself. But atleast you will no regrets.

 

[ModifiedBass]

Disclaimer, I am biased. But what would make you consider Iowa over Penn considering the cost is the same?

 

[ramborhino]

Both are outstanding programs. I would go Iowa, since I like smaller class sizes and I'm not a big city person...but as was mentioned above..it may be nice to have that experience for a few years. Penn certainly has an excellent reputation and specialty opportunities (if you change your mind later on). Let us know what you decide...good luck!!

 

[IsaacYankem]

UPenn. Great school in a great city.

Also noticed that you already have UPenn Class of '18 under your username.

 

[Meat Gyver]

I would choose UPenn without a doubt/hesitation.

 

[CleverThought]

I'm clearly biased, but I would choose Iowa. What were your initial impressions at interview? Where do you ultimately want to practice?

 

[ToothbrushBuddy]

At the interviews, I honestly didn't think I would get into either school so I was more focused on other schools. I plan on working for an Indian reservation for 8-10 years and then opening a general practice or pediatric clinic in Coos Bay, Oregon.

I was very impressed with both UPenn's and Iowa's curriculum and early and excellent clinical exposure.
I was also impressed with how many patients UPenn has, there was a long line all the way through the interview day. I am very impressed with the achievements and quality of UPenn's professors and I think it would be a fun adventure to live in Philadelphia and experience a new way of life. Besides everything about UPenn is top-notch (except the dungeon-like basement where lectures are held) lol.

Iowa's new clinical facilities are very nice and what actually really makes me consider Iowa so much was the fact that I couldn't make a decision by January 1 and I actually missed the deposit deadline and then on January 20, I called them up and asked if I could still put down a deposit and then were so nice and kind and a couple professors really reached out to me and if I turned down the school now I would really feel really terrible after everything they have done for me 🙁

I honestly wish I had only gotten into one school like I thought I would and then I would never have had to make a decision 🙁

BTW, I am an Idaho resident.

 

[BlackThought]

Besides everything about UPenn is top-notch (except the dungeon-like basement where lectures are held) lol.

I'm not trying to sway your decision either way, but this honestly shouldn't be a reason to not go to UPenn (but I'm sure you know that already). Furthermore, the lecture room where you'll have the large majority of your classes and tests in first year is actually quite nice, imo (you may have seen B13 during your tour). And as people begin to discuss the 'state of the GRD lab', let me just say that considering the type of work you do there (messy, messy stuff), in my opinion, the condition fits its purpose.

For both these issues, you rarely hear people complaining/whining about it within the school. Its mostly predents that bring it up as an issue.


Now, with that said, considering you have the scholarship, UPenn is a fantastic opportunity (This is a biased opinion considering I know very little about Iowa)

Good Luck with your decision.

 

[amfassz]

UPenn why not?