UW or UPenn?

[Miasma]

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Hey all, I just got what I thought I wanted for the longest time and now I don't know what to do. I had been planning on attending the University of Washington which has great quality of life, a really solid program, and a reasonable number of researchers in my area (drug design/med chem). But then yesterday I got the phone call I never expected saying I got into U Penn off the waitlist. I loved the curriculum/organization of the program when I went there and I think the research is better but West Philly... ? And maybe East Coast people (I'm a midwesterner) would be more cutthroat and unfriendly than I am used to? What would you do? I feel like I have to make a decision before I even get to visit UPenn a second time...

Thanks.

 

[DarkChild]

dont know anything about UW - but i interviewed at Penn last year before they rejected me 🙁 ba$*****
but even then I still have got nothing but love for Penn. I really dug how close the med school was to the undergrad/ other graduate schools. Their facilities are amazing. Their program is run very well. The research opportunities are VAST. Philly is a pretty nice place.
All in all huge thumbs up for Penn. I cant even really think of any of the downsides.
Oh and the Penn kids were just real chill down to earth people.
PS: I have no affiliation with Penn.

 

[Neuronix]

A bunch of us SDNers are getting these phone calls. It seems that (and I was told that) Penn only accepted the number of spots they had for this year and they waited until May 15th to start notifying people off the waitlist.

Now if they only would give us acceptances rather than this "come back for a second look and maybe we'll accept you". But I digress. I'm revisiting Wednesday and I'm going to tell them how much I love them.

Unfortunately, I can't help you when it comes to comparing UW and UPenn cause I didn't apply to UW. I do know a few people who will be attending UPenn now and they're great people. So I really don't think you need to be concerned that East Coast people are worse than West Coast people. I think in general, MSTP people are great people! Wow, was that ever cheesy.

I agree about Penn's location. It's pretty blah, especially compared to what I was considering (Northwestern). But, for me, the number of investigators in my area of interest blows away my other option. I'm going to be looking for apartments near the river, which is better location, but a 10 - 20 minute walk. If anyone wants to share a 2 bedroom... E-mail me ([email protected])!

 

[Primate]

Disclaimer: I have a Penn affiliation.

That said, the MSTP at Penn really rocks. Well organized, well funded, well staffed both administratively and PI-wise. Penn is perhaps the most collegial institution I've ever experienced (and I've been at a few, including being a student at two MSTPs - long story). Almost everyone there is very happy to share/educate/generally be nice. The majority of students are NOT highstrung (every place has some, though). Lastly, I'm from Boston and was raised to dislike Philly. That said, I've loved living here. Center City (which you unfortunately don't see during interviews usually - a freakin' crime considering how nice it is by comparison to W. Philly) has become a small version of the nice areas in Boston. I can't help but wear the salesman hat as I truly believe the experience here outstrips what is available at many other institutions.

As far as E. Coasters being throats, not so. There are some in every med school class, but not more here. In fact, a whole lot of the students here are NOT E. Coasters at all as Penn draws from around the country.

btw, Neuronix, I'm a neuroscience PhD candidate (though not for much longer as my thesis gets handed in TOMORROW) and assume from your name you're interested in the area (no?). Happy to talk if you'd like.

Best of luck with the decision. Sorry I can't say much about U-dub other than I've heard it's a very solid program (my boss was offered a chairmanship there and turned it down to stay at Penn before he even had come up for tenure - that says something about what this place is like, I think).

Cheers,
P

 

[Cal_Irish04]

Unfortunately I can't give you any firsthand experience since I'm applying for this coming cycle, but I'm looking into going into the same field as you (mol. pharm/drug design), and from what I've heard from my PI and other professors is that both programs are especially great. I've heard that UW is very innovative in this area, but Penn has more of the traditional strenghths (i.e.- faculty in organic synthesis, etc.). Both have med schools that are really excellent, though Seattle is a much nicer city in my opinion. Anyway, hope this is of at least some help. Good luck whatever you choose.

 

[Miasma]

In case anyone cares, I'm going to U Penn next year. See you there, Eric (I know I met you at CWRU).

Meredith

 

[Primate]

Of course we care - this IS SDN, after all. 😉

Welcome to Penn and congrats! 🙂

P

 

[curiousforever]

UW has a nice med school. Ranked #1 in primary care.