Warren Alpert vs. Jefferson

[URMD]

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Let's just say hypothetically that I have an option between these 2 schools....which is in itself amazing for me I cannot believe it (hypothetically)

I really cannot decide!
I'm international so forget about financial aid

Cost is basically the same
They have slightly different grading systems but they seem basically the same
Philly vs. Providence?
Philly seems slightly warmer?
Both very nice people
Both very safe?

Honestly I'm really at a loss...


Help?

 

[iniquus]

If you are accepted by one school, you go to that school. If you are accepted to neither school, none of this matters. If you are accepted to both not hypothetically, then you can make this thread. Pre-meds need to stop putting the cart before the horse.

 

[breakintheroof]

I agree with @iniquus that you should explain your real situation so we can help you. Congratulations if you have been accepted to both schools.

That's an interesting website you found. They are clearly ripping off the MSAR and subscription-based US News, despite saying that their information comes from "school websites." Edit: I wouldn't recommend posting it here, actually.

 

[TheLionheart]

Context clues suggest that the hypothetical was not intended to be taken seriously.

I believe @DoctorStrange attends Jefferson, and would be able to offer his insights about said school.

 

[URMD]

Yes the hypothetical is not to be taken seriously.....
The thing is I know a lot about jefferson but I never actually paid much attention to warren alpert because I didn't think I actually had a good shot there I actually thought I was just interviewing for a waitlist spot really since it was so late in the cycle....im halfway through arranging accomodation to go to jefferson when this pops up, hence my sudden disparity.

And yes I like the site! its very clean and presents alot of pertinent data in a succint way and it doesn't seem to be inaccurate because they take information from sources and compiles it into a detailed overview of the relevant schools

rather than going to each schools webpage and checking USNews and having multiple tabs open I can just use this 1 website and I dont have to pay for MSAR (hehe)

 

[iniquus]

Let's just say hypothetically that I have an option between these 2 schools....which is in itself amazing for me I cannot believe it (hypothetically)

Context clues suggest that the hypothetical was not intended to be taken seriously.

What context clues? They probably went over my head.

OP should consider his decision is not especially difficult since the programs are very different. Forget about the grading system, that doesn't matter. Look at what sets obviously sets them apart: location, class size, and school resources that will get you were you need to go.

Philadelphia and Providence are completely different cities. Philadelphia is actually a real city--you can get by without a car in Center City. Jefferson is like twice the class size of Brown. School reputation probably goes to Brown along with research opportunities. Brown's entire class matches strongly year after year--Jefferson's quality is more variable due to the larger class size. Wherever your priorities lie, that's your decision.

 

[URMD]

Regarding the match list, I did notice that but discounted it as many say not to choose a medical school based on match list because they are hard to read.....is this case an exception?
Regarding research, I have a little research experience, and I saw that they changed their name due to a guy donating alot of money to the school some of which will go towards research funding so I'm not sure where this stands either...I don't know
Class size....does this really matter? How does it affect the experience, if anything I thought it would make it better because more people to interact with?
Yes I definitely like city center better...the airport is only 20 minutes away so I can get back home in 2 hours if I really wanted to that's a nice thought.

 

[iniquus]

Regarding the match list, I did notice that but discounted as many say not to choose a medical school based on match list because they are hard to read.....is this case an exception?
Regarding research, I have a little research experience, and I saw that they changed their name due to a guy donating alot of money to the school some of which will go towards research funding so I'm not sure where this stands either...I don't know
Class size....does this really matter? How does it affect the experience, if anything I thought it would make it better because more people to interact with?
Yes I definitely like city center better...the airport is only 20 minutes away so I can get back home in 2 hours if I really wanted to that's a nice thought.

No, you're right. It's not an exception, you shouldn't choose a medical school based on their match list. Without comparing lists on quality, I can say with great confidence that Brown certainly sends a higher percentage of their class to academic/university programs than Jefferson does. If you were a candidate good enough to get in to Brown and Jefferson, assuming you continue that strong performance during medical school, you will write your own ticket to residency from either school. However (and I'm making this example up completely), if Jefferson had only sent one person into Dermatology for the past 5 years, I would ask myself is this just because students have not been interested in Derm (possibly), or is it due to a fundamental defect in that school's exposure to that field, the strength of that school's department, or lack of advising into that field. If you're gung-ho on Radiation Oncology and your school/hospital does not even have a residency program in that field, you are applying with a minor disadvantage.

You will be able to do research at either school, so don't worry about that. Just know that Brown does have a stronger research reputation since Jefferson tends to turn out more clinicians than physician-scientists.

Class size probably won't matter that much socially. People tend to find their own cliques and groups of friends. However, logistically an administration can be spread thin if they have to manage twice as many medical students as another school.

I have said this multiple times before, pre-meds tend to discount the school reputation has in future career prospects (whether it's FMG vs DO vs MD, or top 20 school vs unranked state school). While school reputation should be the least-weighted factor in making a decision, it should still matter--more so if you think you'd be happy at either place and it costs the same. If I had this wonderful dilemma, I'd go to Brown.

 

[ridethecliche]

I'd go to brown over jeff.

 

[WingedOx]

From what I'm reading Jefferson's donation will go toward a lot of things, and won't be dissimilar to the donation a few years back at Penn. They already built a new academic building primarily from selling a damn painting.

 

[URMD]

No, you're right. It's not an exception, you shouldn't choose a medical school based on their match list. Without comparing lists on quality, I can say with great confidence that Brown certainly sends a higher percentage of their class to academic/university programs than Jefferson does. If you were a candidate good enough to get in to Brown and Jefferson, assuming you continue that strong performance during medical school, you will write your own ticket to residency from either school. However (and I'm making this example up completely), if Jefferson had only sent one person into Dermatology for the past 5 years, I would ask myself is this just because students have not been interested in Derm (possibly), or is it due to a fundamental defect in that school's exposure to that field, the strength of that school's department, or lack of advising into that field. If you're gung-ho on Radiation Oncology and your school/hospital does not even have a residency program in that field, you are applying with a minor disadvantage.

I have said this multiple times before, pre-meds tend to discount the school reputation has in future career prospects (whether it's FMG vs DO vs MD, or top 20 school vs unranked state school). While school reputation should be the least-weighted factor in making a decision, it should still matter--more so if you think you'd be happy at either place and it costs the same. If I had this wonderful dilemma, I'd go to Brown.

I see, so it really comes down to clinician vs. research-orientated and school reputation....I will have to think about the kind of doctor/career path I want to be I guess...
thank you for your help iniquus!

 

[URMD]

From what I'm reading Jefferson's donation will go toward a lot of things, and won't be dissimilar to the donation a few years back at Penn. They already built a new academic building primarily from selling a damn painting.

I know when I heard this I was mind boggled! Trade a painting for an entire building! Wow!

 

[WingedOx]

No, you're right. It's not an exception, you shouldn't choose a medical school based on their match list. Without comparing lists on quality, I can say with great confidence that Brown certainly sends a higher percentage of their class to academic/university programs than Jefferson does. If you were a candidate good enough to get in to Brown and Jefferson, assuming you continue that strong performance during medical school, you will write your own ticket to residency from either school. However (and I'm making this example up completely), if Jefferson had only sent one person into Dermatology for the past 5 years, I would ask myself is this just because students have not been interested in Derm (possibly), or is it due to a fundamental defect in that school's exposure to that field, the strength of that school's department, or lack of advising into that field. If you're gung-ho on Radiation Oncology and your school/hospital does not even have a residency program in that field, you are applying with a minor disadvantage.

...which is kind of a moot point when the lower ranked school in this case is Jefferson, which pretty much has everything.

You will be able to do research at either school, so don't worry about that. Just know that Brown does have a stronger research reputation since Jefferson tends to turn out more clinicians than physician-scientists.

This is true, but in the end there's self-selection there too. I'd rather gouge my eyes out than write another grant proposal.

However, logistically an administration can be spread thin if they have to manage twice as many medical students as another school.

THIS was the major problem at Jefferson. I also don't have a very high opinion of some of the higher ups there.

I have said this multiple times before, pre-meds tend to discount the school reputation has in future career prospects (whether it's FMG vs DO vs MD, or top 20 school vs unranked state school). While school reputation should be the least-weighted factor in making a decision, it should still matter--more so if you think you'd be happy at either place and it costs the same. If I had this wonderful dilemma, I'd go to Brown.

FMG vs DO vs MD, sure, but the consensus that the difference between LCME schools is largely negligible on your future is pretty much true. My username is a "tribute" to the diploma on my wall, and all things being equal I'd probably go with Brown too, but would easily switch if there were issues such as cost, family in area, not wanting to be surrounded by Red Sox fans, etc.

 

[ithd]

Go to brown

 

[iniquus]

FMG vs DO vs MD, sure, but the consensus that the difference between LCME schools is largely negligible on your future is pretty much true.

I respectfully disagree. At least within IM, I can definitely say that where you go to school matters for top academic programs and that seems to be the consensus as well in the previous IM match threads.

I see, so it really comes down to clinician vs. research-orientated and school reputation....I will have to think about the kind of doctor/career path I want to be I guess...
thank you for your help iniquus!

You can be a great clinician from a research school as well.

 

[URMD]

You can be a great clinician from a research school as well.

But also vice versa from what you're saying, no?

It would seem like the general consensus is brown

What is the cost of living in providence compared to center city philly? I assume less?

 

[RedPhys]

Brown

 

[ridethecliche]

But also vice versa from what you're saying, no?

It would seem like the general consensus is brown

What is the cost of living in providence compared to center city philly? I assume less?

Cost of living will be cheaper in providence, but not by much. Providence has a lot to offer as does philly, but you'll likely go to boston a bit if you want to go out and do things in providence. Pretty easy with the commuter rail.

You'll be able to do research coming out of jeff, but it's easier to opt out of research at a school like brown than dig for research at a place that doesn't stress it. You'd be able to do research at jeff though, it's a moot point.

I'd still go to brown if it wasn't much more expensive. The name carries weight even if it doesn't mean much on the ground. The reputation is better than Jeffs as well for med school.

 

[caffeinemia]

I'm biased, but BROWN ALL THE WAY. Also, close to NYC, BOS, and PROV. All that > Philly. Eww.

 

[miamiheatfan]

I'd choose Brown in a heartbeat