Hey everyone, I am really torn between these two great schools. Ultimately, I want to end up practicing in Florida and hope to specialize in either surgery or emergency medicine. The USF Select program could help with networking and matching in Florida but seems to be more primary care focused, while Temple would provide some great clinical opportunities but is located in PA. I prefer Tampa to Philadelphia, but prefer Philadelphia to Allentown (the last 2 years of the USF Select program are held in Allentown, PA). Would really appreciate any insight or help!
USF Select Program:
Pros:
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Pros:
USF Select Program:
Pros:
- First 2 years location- beautiful weather, Tampa is fantastic, would live within walking distance of campus.
- $60k cheaper tuition over 4 years than Temple
- Great research opportunities for first 2 years (like the Moffit Cancer Center)
- Brand new facilities
- Could provide easier matching into Florida residencies (I want to practice in FL but I’m not a FL resident)
- Traditional grading (Honors, Pass with Commendations, Pass, Fail)
- Have to move to Allentown, PA for clinical years. I am familiar with Allentown (I’m from NJ), but I prefer larger cities.
- Less free time- The SELECT program involves additional classes for a graduate certificate in leadership. Seems really cool, but the administration expressed I wouldn’t have much time to do clinical research like I hoped.
- More mandatory classes
- In-house exams
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Pros:
- Pass/Fail grading
- Location- Philly is a cool city. Would prefer over Allentown
- Great clinical education (I’m interested in emergency med and Temple seems like a great place for that)
- Beautiful facilities
- Lots of research opportunities
- Less mandatory classes
- North Philly’s location means I would have to live elsewhere and commute ~20 min. I don’t particularly enjoy city driving.
- No direct relation to Florida (maybe more difficult to match residencies there?)
- Weather- I would take Florida’s heat and humidity over the cold any day of the week.
- Bit more expensive