hi everyone,
i'll be entering the med school in august, and i have some questions:
how many students are in the PIL program versus the IFM program?
So far, I've gathered that the main advantage of IFM are that you have a more flexible schedule. What other advantages/disadvantages are there in both programs?
Thanks a lot!
PIL - 70 students
IFM - 200 students
(The current first year class was over-enrolled... it won't happen to your class)
First off, don't make your decision as to what curriculum you choose based on how many other people choose each. You need to choose the curriculum that is best for you... you will meet great people in both curricula.
Some advantages/disadvantages to each:
PIL
Advantages - small groups which lead to the PIL students knowing each other a lot better than IFM students, interactive lectures, closer faculty interaction, more clinical skills your first year (you do history AND physical exam), a 7-week clinical practicum at the end of the year (classes end mid-April) with any licensed primary care physician of your choice in the country, PIL room (free printing + copying + PIL library of textbooks)
Disadvantages - required attendance at group (MSI - 3 days/wk, MSII 2 days/wk), the students are a bit more cliquey, feels very disorganized when you first start until you get the hang of it, there are some topics you do not go into as much depth as the IFM students (does not affect board scores), end mid-June (due to practicum, so no actual classes)
IFM
Advantages - Wednesday afternoons (you either have a community educational experience or a free afternoon), there are very few things that are mandatory, much less cliquey, traditional curriculum and all notes in advance, traditional lectures (unless you want to feel free to ask questions at any time in lecture), a bit more integrative as IFM learns by body region rather than by subject, all multiple choice question exams (PIL has essays, so this can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on you), you are done at the end of May!
Disadvantages - a bigger class, many people choose not to attend class so you really won't ever know everyone and there is a bit less interaction, do not learn physical exam first year, quizzes/exams every week, the months of February/March it is not uncommon to have multiple exams per week (including some course final exams) - known as their hell months, small groups are 15-20 people instead of 7 in PIL and meet much less frequently (they meet as case conferences)
IN GENERAL, AT THE END OF TWO YEARS YOU WILL KNOW THE EXACT SAME THING! Board scores do not differ between curricula. Some MS3 and MS4 students will tell you PIL students seem to be better prepared initially at MS3 because they are using to working an entire patient case, but that is just INITIALLY. PIL and IFM students do interact somewhat but you have to make an effort to do that, as during the year your schedules are completely different, including spring break!
Hope that clears some things up.
