<p>I have been accepted into both the Pennstate/Jefferson Medical College 6 Year Accelerated Medical Program and the Boston University 7 yr Liberal Arts/ Medical Education Accelerated Program. After attending the acceptance days for both programs, here is what I think.</p>
<p>I enjoyed the close-knit group support for students in both programs and wouldn't mind attending either. I definitely want to become a surgeon, so I plan on attending one of these programs.</p>
<p>I like the BU program slightly more, mainly because I find the the cultural richness and student-friendly urban atmosphere of Boston very appealing.
The BU program is more selective/prestigious. Both BU and BU Med School are more highly ranked than Pennstate and Jefferson Med School, respectively. However, cost will be VERY high, even with $10k Dean's Scholarship. (~45k a year + 2 summer sessions for undergrad)</p>
<p>I am an in-state student for the Pennstate/Jefferson program and the program is one year less, so financially the program makes sense for me (~20k a year + 1 summer session). University Park isn't bad, but isn't the ideal location for me as an undergrad. I would like to continue music (clarinet/piano) in college and Pennstate is primarily sports-crazy although I will probably be able to adapt. Further, Pennstate is 2 years while Jefferson is 4 years. On the other hand, Jefferson Med College is in Philadelphia, which is 45 minutes away from where I live (there are pros and cons to this). My </p>
<p>I want to be in a position to be able to apply for the most competitive residencies after med school (ex. radiology and orthopedic surgery).</p>
<p>Could those with experience and knowledge of these two programs give your opinions on which program is the better choice? I would like to commit soon to secure good housing. Thanks!</p>
<p>BU is more than twice the cost of Penn State/Jefferson Med. Jefferson Med. is a perfectly respectable institution, and graduates of their program get into competitive residencies every year. Getting out of college and Med School without a boat load of debt is a huge gift you can give yourself. Run the numbers, and see what you think: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid)</p>
<p>Yes, Penn State is famous for being sports-crazy, but it also has one of the best undergraduate programs in musical theater in the mid-Atlantic, and the rest of the programs in the College of Arts and Architecture aren’t half-bad either. I’m sure that you can find opportunities to continue your music studies and/or performance there.</p>
<p>i had to choose between a few programs like yourself, and honestly, after yesterday’s day i almost considered changing my mind and going to BU over GW, but ultimately i’m gonna stick with GW’s 7 year because it fits me better…</p>
<p>it comes down to what you’ll be happier with after 7 years of being there… the costs don’t matter as long as you acknowledge the fact that when you’re financing a medical education that decides how you live the rest of your life, another $50k in loans shouldn’t be a complete dealbreaker</p>
<p>go with your gut… good luck, and THERE IS NO WRONG DECISION HERE!</p>
<p>from what student said, it seems like the med school doesn’t matter as much for residencies as the devotion and work of the student does…</p>
<p>I don’t think the money should be the deciding factor consider both choices will end up costing a lot. You clearly would like Boston more so that may be the option for you. btw do you mind posting your stats?</p>
<p>SAT: 2400
SAT2 800 Math 2, 790 Chem
Rank: 1/542
National Merit Corporate Scholarship Winner
U.S. Presidential Scholar Semifinalist (winners announced in May) </p>
<p>ECs:
primarily in music
Clarinet: concertmaster of the National Honor Band, 1st place winner in an international competition, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, some 1st place wins in state competitions
Piano: Carnegie Hall performances for American Fine Arts Festival Festival, concerto solo with professional orchestra, some state competitions awards, President school orchestra
Medical: volunteer at UPenn Hospital and local hospital, selective summer med program (former gov school), shadowing, etc.
Model UN President, school orchestra president, NHS treasurer</p>
<p>I think the accelerated medical programs are a good fit for me, as I’m pretty sure I want to become a physician. Only alternative I might take is Harvard, if I get accepted off the waitlist.</p>
<p>@topher14: Congrats to you on your decision! I probably saw you yesterday.</p>
<p>sunwukong, I also had to choose between a 6-year program close to home and BU’s program. For me, I received no financial aid/merit scholarships so the total cost of BU is daunting, but I know it will be worth it in the end. After attending the open house yesterday, I knew I wanted to go there. It came down to the 6-year program being faster and closer to home vs. BU allowing me more opportunities for research and study abroad. Like topher14 said, it comes down to where you’ll be happier going. Don’t be so set on rankings, because individual student effort does matter, and both institutions are quite respectable. If you think you can achieve everything you want to at Penn State, then by all means, go for it.</p>
<p>umm i’d probably pick brown over all of those, if the financial aid package was right…the biggest advantage is a low gpa requirement, no acceleration (allowing you to explore all of your interests), and no mcat i believe?</p>
<p>but like i said, with a poor FA package it may not be worth it</p>
<p>[I want to be in a position to be able to apply for the most competitive residencies after med school (ex. radiology and orthopedic surgery).]</p>
<p>In radiology circles, Jefferson is ranked higher. But the ranking can change dramatically overnight, like when a new chairman brings with him/her a large contingent from previous institution or is able to extract funding for superb specialty staff and new toys.
I have no knowledge about Ortho at Jefferson.</p>
<p>For BU, $65,000 X 7 yrs = $455,000
Resident pay $50,000 X 3-6 yrs, take home $3,000/month
I owed $4,000 from college. Med sch loans were $30,000. Had to borrow money for expenses related to additional interviews with change in specialty. Then a new baby. Would not have made it without ability to moonlight on the side.<br>
I don’t know how one can afford BU with loans alone. I am not sure if BU or any school is worth half a million dollars. New primary care docs only make $150,000/year. The monthly payment for the loan exceeds $2,000. We have three kids and cannot afford to offer the same opportunities for them.
It is bad that BU takes away the scholarship associated with National Merit Scholar Finalist status.</p>
<p>According to MD’s that I have talked, the only thing that matters in residency match is your boards. I believe that Pudnon’s post #6 is correct in both regarding cost and personal responsibilities. I would take this advice and decide based on your own personal preferences. Ask yourself. what is the most important for your personally, your medical future is only part of your life. “There are many paths to take as a pre-med, and you should not be afraid to create your own.” - said my D. (going to Med. School this summer after applying out of her combined bs/md). Whatever decision, make the best out of it and never look back!</p>
<p>Thank you all your your comments! After thinking about my college choices some more and doing some more research, I am currently leaning towards the Pennstate/Jefferson 6 yr program. I feel that, even though this program is shorter, there is more flexibility in terms of scheduling the classes I want to take, including those outside the sciences. I’m convinced the resources I need will be available at any school I choose, as long as I remain proactive. Pennstate also sounds like a unique and enticing experience that I wouldn’t be able to have at a smaller urban school. </p>
<p>One thing I am concerned about is what one of the students in the BU program mentioned, which is that one must prepare for residencies in a much shorter time than a traditional student would have (6 yrs instead of 8). However, four years of med school could be the great equalizer, in which the shorter time-frame wouldn’t be much of a problem.</p>
<p>You made a wise choice. The indebtness may not be worrisome as you are going through your education, but it is back-breaking when you have to start paying back. Since residents are good risk borrowers, there will be plenty of offers along the way for additional loans by just a signature, it is tempting sometimes.
The same four years of medical school length is the equalizer. You may be more mature having spent 3 yrs as an UG instead of 2. But you are already more mature than your age group, having been accepted to a med sch at 17-18 years of age.
For residencies,they look at USMLE scores, class rank (if available), AOA status (senior top 15%, junior top 5%), grades during the clinical/major rotations, Dean’s letters and recommendations. Auditioning away rotations work both ways and also research. The rank of the department in the specialty at the base school helps tremendously. This commands higher respect, home turf and good letters. (Medicine is a small world. Work hard, make connections, and burn no bridges.) The number one rank student at University of Arizona, who had awesome board scores and whose father is renowned chairman in the department of radiation oncology did not match into Dermatology. U of A does not have a Dermatology department, hence no personal connection. We would have loved him in radiology.
Jefferson is a fine medical school with many outstanding departments. This helps when applying for residencies.</p>