WHAT SCHOOL IS MORE HIGHLY REGARDED BY RESIDENCY PROGRAMS???

[Andy7089]

So I was offered full tuition scholarship for two schools, UAMS College of Medicine and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, which I am so happy about, however I am now trying to decide what I should do. I am from Arkansas, so going to UAMS would allow me to be closer to family and friends, which is a blessing and a curse because I want to get out lmao. Geisinger is in Scranton, PA... which you know is at least in the north and out of Arkansas. I am now NOT making my decision based on financial need and am basing it off of which school residency programs will find more attractive, assuming I am able to preform academically well at both. PLS ELPPPPPP

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[HotButteryPopcorn]

You could start by looking at the match list for both school. That could give you an idea at the location, competitive specialities, and highly regarded residencies each place can match students. It’s a good idea to look at a few years to look at overall trends.

I can say that UAMS (I’ve looked at their match rates for myself) consistently matches students to their own residency programs and a majority of students on stay in Arkansas.

You can also look at the post on Reddit about the residency director list of schools. I think the latest one is 2021.

Overall, I think you also need to look at which school will be the best fit for you and make you the happiest over the next 4 years, which is arguably going to be some of the hardest years. It won’t matter if the school matches to the best places if you aren’t happy and miserable during medical school.

 

[Apple Jacks]

Hm this doesn’t seem like a school specific thread

 

[chilly_md]

Moved to appropriate forum.

 

[Andy7089]

You could start by looking at the match list for both school. That could give you an idea at the location, competitive specialities, and highly regarded residencies each place can match students. It’s a good idea to look at a few years to look at overall trends.

I can say that UAMS (I’ve looked at their match rates for myself) consistently matches students to their own residency programs and a majority of students on stay in Arkansas.

You can also look at the post on Reddit about the residency director list of schools. I think the latest one is 2021.

Overall, I think you also need to look at which school will be the best fit for you and make you the happiest over the next 4 years, which is arguably going to be some of the hardest years. It won’t matter if the school matches to the best places if you aren’t happy and miserable during medical school.

Great advice thanks!

 

[LizzyM]

There will be three classes that match between now and when you apply for residency. Things can change. Do give some consideration to logistic challenges and costs related to travel and whether it will be practical/affordable to be "back home" for Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and the marking major milestones (births, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays) for family members, particularly the elderly.

 

[Andy7089]

There will be three classes that match between now and when you apply for residency. Things can change. Do give some consideration to logistic challenges and costs related to travel and whether it will be practical/affordable to be "back home" for Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and the marking major milestones (births, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays) for family members, particularly the elderly.

Wonderful insight thanks

 

[m1redsox]

Tbh neither school will get a, “ohh _____ school, they’re fantastic” from PDs. They are both low-mid tier schools with home programs in almost every specialty. I would definitely make this decision based on cost — especially with that OOS price tag that Geisinger has. Plus, it really does suck to drop a couple hundred dollars every time you want to see family. I can’t imagine that Scranton is cheap to fly out of.

 

[chssoccer7]

For what it's worth, I grew the most as a person when I left my small middle of the country hometown and lived in other places, experienced different diversity and culture. Now, if that's worth the added cost to see family and friends, only you can decide, but just my opinion as food for thought.

 

[ChiDO]

Match lists mean nothing. Go to the school that you like better.

 

[Andy7089]

Match lists mean nothing. Go to the school that you like better.

Okay okay thanks

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

I would say Arkansas. As somebody who is going to a low tier private school (and thus has no bias against them), I think that lower tier publics tend to hold their own much better than low tier private schools. This is probably due to more resources , opportunities etc.

I don’t know anything about Arkansas, but you should visit Scranton if you’re seriously considering the school. It’s a city/town with character but I wouldn’t say it’s for the faint of heart.

 

[Andy7089]

I would say Arkansas. As somebody who is going to a low tier private school (and thus has no bias against them), I think that lower tier publics tend to hold their own much better than low tier private schools. This is probably due to more resources , opportunities etc.

I don’t know anything about Arkansas, but you should visit Scranton if you’re seriously considering the school. It’s a city/town with character but I wouldn’t say it’s for the faint of heart.

Oh wow okay, wdym by not for the faint of heart lmaooo

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Oh wow okay, wdym by not for the faint of heart lmaooo

Scranton was a coal mining city. At its peak, the population was about 150k. Now, there is no more coal mining and, to be frank, not many economic opportunities compared to peer cities/towns. As a result, the population is now under 75k. When I was in town a few years back passing by, there were a lot of vacant properties, and a general sense that things were just off. I actually kind of liked it (especially the train station hotel), but you kind of have to go there to get an idea

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Scranton was a coal mining city. At its peak, the population was about 150k. Now, there is no more coal mining and, to be frank, not many economic opportunities compared to peer cities/towns. As a result, the population is now under 75k. When I was in town a few years back passing by, there were a lot of vacant properties, and a general sense that things were just off. I actually kind of liked it (especially the train station hotel), but you kind of have to go there to get an idea

Have to concur here. It's a bit of a depressing scene to spend any amount of time in.

 

[deleted555445]

Have to concur here. It's a bit of a depressing scene to spend any amount of time in.

Okay but how is the paper industry doing?

 

[Andy7089]

Scranton was a coal mining city. At its peak, the population was about 150k. Now, there is no more coal mining and, to be frank, not many economic opportunities compared to peer cities/towns. As a result, the population is now under 75k. When I was in town a few years back passing by, there were a lot of vacant properties, and a general sense that things were just off. I actually kind of liked it (especially the train station hotel), but you kind of have to go there to get an idea

Woww okay good to know

 

[Med Ed]

So I was offered full tuition scholarship for two schools, UAMS College of Medicine and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, which I am so happy about, however I am now trying to decide what I should do. I am from Arkansas, so going to UAMS would allow me to be closer to family and friends, which is a blessing and a curse because I want to get out lmao. Geisinger is in Scranton, PA... which you know is at least in the north and out of Arkansas. I am now NOT making my decision based on financial need and am basing it off of which school residency programs will find more attractive, assuming I am able to preform academically well at both. PLS ELPPPPPP

The title of this thread should really say "WHICH SCHOOL" instead of "WHAT SCHOOL."

Either way, the answer is Arkansas. There is zero reason to blow a ton of money in PA when you have a solid academic option close to home.

 

[biggabe]

Do you have to work in Geisinger system for 4 yrs afterward? Congrats on the scholarships to both btw!!

 

[Equality]

You may also want to consider residency-specific rotations available at each place. Ophthalmology rotation, for example, is not readily available at every med school, and having strong backing from your school in terms of mentors and research opportunity will be important when you apply for the match. If you know what you want to specialist in, and one school has the department and the other school does not, the choice becomes obvious.

 

[Andy7089]

Do you have to work in Geisinger system for 4 yrs afterward? Congrats on the scholarships to both btw!!

No I don’t. It’s no strings attached

 

[Andy7089]

You may also want to consider residency-specific rotations available at each place. Ophthalmology rotation, for example, is not readily available at every med school, and having strong backing from your school in terms of mentors and research opportunity will be important when you apply for the match. If you know what you want to specialist in, and one school has the department and the other school does not, the choice becomes obvious.

Oh yes ofc, great point

 

[Jce20]

which school is more highly regarded? Impossible to answer, based on what you plan on doing, etc. Also, med school has some bearing on residency match but not nearly as much as grades, LORs, etc.

Go to the school that makes sense to you for reasons that you value (proximity to aging family members, familial support, cost, etc).