UPenn vs. Columbia

[Sillyduck]

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UPenn pros:
- I love Philly
- Close to home
- Supposedly a more well-rounded education
- Loved the vibe on-campus
- Seems easier to go into general than at Columbia

UPenn cons:
- Graded system (H A B+ B...F)
- May be more difficult to specialize than at columbia
- Less free time

Columbia pros:
- P/F
- More relaxed schedule + time for extracurriculars
- Very good chance of specializing
- Students do very well on boards

Columbia cons:
- Never been to manhattan, so unsure about campus
- Farther from home
- Seems difficult to go into general
- Expensive to live there

When I finished my interviews, I was strongly leaning columbia. I really liked my interviewer, and the process left a great impression. That said, I also loved penn. I may do general or I may specialize, but I would like the option. I am very nervous about moving to Manhattan as someone who has only ever been in Philly. If Penn was P/F, I would go to Penn. If Columbia was in Philly, I would go to Columbia. I am worried that not choosing the P/F school is something I would regret, since I often get anxious about grades anyway. Cost is not a factor. Any input appreciated! Thank you

 

[future_nostalgia]

if cost is not a factor you can't go wrong with either option -- I wouldn't say it's easier to specialize at either (both of them have similar numbers in terms of number of people going into each specialty). If P/F is super important to you then I would go to Columbia. I chose Penn over Columbia solely bc it's really expensive to live in NYC and I didn't love Columbia enough to decline Penn's offer since both schools are really great. I didn't factor in P/F when I was deciding and I don't necessarily regret it but only you know yourself well enough to know how much it matters to you! Congrats!

 

[Pablo Sanchez]

I chose to go to Penn and I think that it was a great option for me because the specialization rates are great, but it also has a pretty strong clinical education as well. So it kinda allowed me to leave the doors wide open. I feel confident doing general, and I feel like I have a very good chance of matching if I were to decide to specialize.

I don't think that you can really go "wrong" with either option. Congrats on getting into two great schools. If I were you I would just be focused on getting out with as little debt as possible.

 

[wengerout]

Can't go wrong either way. If you want to specialize I would pick Columbia. Really comes down to whether you like NYC or Philly more + not having to deal with having a GPA at Columbia. Penn has a nicer clinic and a slightly bigger class if that suits you.

Personally don't think the clinical differences between the two are substantial, IMO you'll have to do a GPR out of either especially since NY state requires them to practice.

As for rent, I know folks paying as low as $650 in rent. Washington Heights is cheap, especially now during the pandemic. With that said, a support network is very good to have while in school and if you feel that you'll have that by going to Penn I would weigh that as well. Personally I was ready to "leave the nest" and I think that holds true for most of my class but that's not for everyone.

Anymore questions just DM me.