KEMU vs AIMC!

The choice between King Edward Medical University and Allama Iqbal Medical College is not as easy as it seems. Most people will advice you to blind fold yourself and choose the prestige and name of KEMU. But is prestige enough to commit the most important five years of your life? So lets discuss the pros and cons of either of both the universities before making a decision.

Pros of joining KEMU

• It is an independent degree awarding university and so you'll have a distinct certificate compared to the ones affiliated to UHS or Punjab University. This could be considered as a con too with the internal examinations of KEMU still having an age old pattern with long essay questions that are no more found in UHS exams.
• The alumni body. KEMU has a huge network of alumni that is spread all over the world. KEMCANA (King Edward Medical College Alumni Association of North America) along with KEMCA UK are very strong alumni bodies of colleges that'll help you reach your dream goals.
• The prestige. Obviously, it matters. It has been over 125 since the stones of the college were laid down. The history is quite mesmerizing and this is one reason why so many people prefer this college over any other. And name is mainly because it is at the top of the merit list. 
• The clinical experience of government universities is always a plus point and Mayo Hospital is among the largest ones in Asia so that could be an alluring factor. But there isn't much difference in clinical teaching from AIMC as Jinnah Hospital is equally good, infact the latter is better maintained. 
• The male hostels are definitely better than the hostels of AIMC.
• There are plenty of cadavers to get hands on experience of dissection. You'll never have a problem getting your hands on a bone or any organ of the body while other universities don't have such a surplus.
• There is a rumor going on that KEMU is shifting its curriculum towards a modular basis. The one like in the universities of Karachi including Dow and AKU. This will make KEMU the first one in Punjab to employ such methods and will definitely make it your best choice. But this is not confirmed yet so you better keep your fingers crossed.

Cons of joining KEMU

• The teaching methodology is out dated. They still have long essay questions in their examinations and the teachers are not really the best around with some exceptions of course. But this is a problem in all government universities so you can't really blame KE alone. 
• The building has existed way beyond its expiry date. And apart from the administrative building, the whole university is on the verge of collapsing. Yes, there is some exaggeration in that but seriously the benches in lecture halls need to be repaired. With the whole class present in the lecture room, ten percent of the students have to sit on the stairs. The dissection hall is pretty dark, the Biochemistry lab is outdated and only the Histology lab is well maintained and something that makes KE students proud of it. The grounds are well maintained but there are not enough of them.
• The environment of KEMU is pretty conservative when it comes to opposite gender interaction. Most of the government universities are the same in this regard but KE's policy of separating the roll numbers of guys and girls and having separate demonstration is a representation of extreme conservatism. But this could be included in pros too.
• Girls hostel is in a pathetic state. At the beginning of the year the girls would regret coming to KE as they will only get the space enough to have a mattress. If you are from Lahore then well enough but otherwise, get ready for some hefty fights at the beginning of your medical education.

Pros of joining AIMC

• First of all, the building is extremely better as compared to KEMU's. Different departments have separate buildings that are well spaced out. The dissection and lecture halls are pretty well maintained. And there are more opportunities for boys who play sports with better grounds and facilities.
• AIMC is affiliated to UHS so it has a much better examination pattern with a better curriculum. Plus, you get the degree of UHS which is ranked second in the HEC rankings for health universities. 
• The conservative environment is less expressed here as there is no segregation of roll numbers. 
• The alumni body is still growing but it is quite strong especially in North America with its alumni body: AAPNA.

I'm sure those with high merits will now be in a conundrum of making the right choice. The next five years are the most important of your life and you will have to decide for yourself what is more important for you. Make sure your parents or friends don't alter your decision as it is you who has to live the life. Best of luck! :)