For SUNY applicants - UB, Upstate, Downstate, Stonybrook

pinksun313 said:

whoa, look at this article I found -

http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=19143

It's a proposal for all SUNY medical schools that EVERYONE must pay out of state tuition, for all 4 years, unless you agree to work in an "underserved" part of NY right after graduation. Basically a $15,000 increase in tuition.
And it could get implemented for 2005 students!!!

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Oh no! This DEFINITELY affects my decisions.

Another brilliant move by the SUNY system......what the hell are they thinking!!??!! Do they realize one of the best draws to SUNY schools is the cost. This plan would be completely counterproductive. They are going to drive away so many people, it's just stupid. These people who set the policies are so far removed from reality it's not even funny.....complete idiots and a$$holes!

To the OP:
Thank you for posting this. You have just solidified my decsion to drop Downstate- I was considering Downstate over Einstein only because of the cost- but to know that the NY Legislature would even consider this is frightening...they are truly going to drive away the best and the brightest (no implications about myself)

They are fools.

I doubt this will ever pass. Nevertheless, it's making me rethink my decision to eventually decline my private school acceptances and hang on to my SUNY waitlists. Honestly, the major reason why I would attend SUNY as opposed to a private school is tuition. I'm sure others feel the same. They really need to wake up and realize that the major selling point of the SUNYs is tuition. Who would give up a seat at Cornell, Columbia, NYU, or even Sinai or Einstein to attend a SUNY if tuition was comparable? I understand the need for Physicians in these underrepresented areas, but come on folks. Practicing in these areas should originate from desire to do so, not monetary reward. Idiots. And so much for the State taxes that we've been paying and will continue to pay for the rest of our lives. This article really screwed up my day.

I dont understand whats wrong with working in an underserved area. I think that as a doctor everyone should at one point in time work in an area where they really need physicians. This just shows that SUNY schools are really concerned with providing with the community.

utterlyconfused said:

I dont understand whats wrong with working in an underserved area. I think that as a doctor everyone should at one point in time work in an area where they really need physicians. This just shows that SUNY schools are really concerned with providing with the community.

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Well, it's the state, not the SUNY schools that are proposing the tuition hike. There's nothing wrong with working in an underserved area - but I'd think the better way to do it is through scholarships or reserving spots in the class (incentives) rather than raising the tuition for anyone who chooses not to for whatever reason, which seems more like a punishment even if it has the same effect as a scholarship. Except for those already enrolled of course, then it really is a punishment.

I agree that it would be nice if all doctors worked at some point as a PCP in an underserved area, but the reality seems to be that if you're interested in certain specialties, doing so is not a route that'll help you on that path. Though I guess you could make the argument that we really do need more PCP's as opposed to specialists so maybe having the SUNY's churn out more PCP's could be a good idea.

Kazema said:

Well, it's the state, not the SUNY schools that are proposing the tuition hike. There's nothing wrong with working in an underserved area - but I'd think the better way to do it is through scholarships or reserving spots in the class (incentives) rather than raising the tuition for anyone who chooses not to for whatever reason, which seems more like a punishment even if it has the same effect as a scholarship. Except for those already enrolled of course, then it really is a punishment.

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good point, kaz.

seriously, this hair-brained idea would be nothing short of a swift kick in the nuts for any prospective pre-meds who are NY residents. their applicant numbers would drop, the most competitive applicants would be scared away en masse, and this could impact the admissions of the state schools of neighboring states--just think about all the california students you see at every interview; the new york students would be forced to do the same thing.

like someone in the article said, this policy would force people to make up their minds about what kind of medicine they're going to practice before they even get into med school. they wouldn't get to sample specialties or determine what they love or are actually good at. and the fact that this tuition increase could be applied to current students would make me laugh out loud if it wasn't so frightening.

Exactly what I was worried about a few weeks ago as I was researching SUNY.

Even if this particular measure doesn't pass, I am very worried that the cash strapped state will force the Trustees to increase tuition in future years, without any sort of real warning. And b/c undergrad increases are a tougher sell (with great political implications), they will always go with the medical schools to make up shortfalls.

Still, they will probably be alot cheaper than private, but the gap will narrow for sure.

me personally, i wouldn't mind it terribly to work in an underserved population for a few years after med school. but i don't think it's fair that it would be required for the cheaper tuition. i know the board of ed in NYC has a scholarship where they'll pay for your tuition at any school as long as you work 2 years in the school system for every year they pay for your education. but that's free tuition! and if they can find a school first in NYC, they won't have to be placed into some random school.

And you can't make somebody pick their specialty based on what's needed in the area. that's just immoral. its' like all these people picking their UG major because mommy told them to. only now mommy is the wonderful new york state. gotta love politics.

THIS IS CRAZY. I doubt that it will pass, but it's seriously ridiculous that it was proposed. What i would be wise is if they gave this option to PRIVATE medical schools....this way they are benefiting students interested in undesevered areas at schools where people are expecting to pay more rather than hike tuition for a state school. Can you imagine being at a SUNY right now, planning on practicing in a nice area, and knowing that you'll bite $15,000/year if you choose to follow your ambition? What crap.

And b/c undergrad increases are a tougher sell (with great political implications), they will always go with the medical schools to make up shortfalls.

I go to UB undergrad and they already passed a proposal to hike up the tuition AGAIN. I guess it's the med school's turn, now.

I bet SUNYs lose a lot of applications next year if this passes. Moreover, since we'll have to decide where to attend before the proposal is approved/rejected, i'm sure many people are switching privates if they were choosing SUNY for the money.

pinksun313 said:

whoa, look at this article I found -

http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=19143

It's a proposal for all SUNY medical schools that EVERYONE must pay out of state tuition, for all 4 years, unless you agree to work in an "underserved" part of NY right after graduation. Basically a $15,000 increase in tuition.
And it could get implemented for 2005 students!!!

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Wow that really does blow. Going to school in Syracuse or in the crap hole Downstate is in is enough of a sacrifice for four years.

This makes me feel better about withdrawing from Upstate for a private school Looks like I didn't lose much, now.

This makes me sad. I really want to go to SUNY Upstate. I loved it there and it just feels like the right place for me. I guess this might make me take a harder look at other schools, but I'll probably still go with my gut and go to Upstate, even if it does cost me more.

pinksun313 said:

The article says this is a two-part series. I'll try to post the other part about the specifics of the state proposal when it gets published.

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Please do.....

wow - thats a real shame!!!

who found this article?

Here is the link to part 2 of this article.

http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=19360

I think if this goes through, the answer is simple: get the entire class of 2009 to not start school until they lower tuition again. Simple But then of course, they'd go to the most desperate waitlisted candidates who will fil the class regardless of tuition, so maybe that wouldn't work.

http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/editorial/21985.htm

NY State is in fiscal mess. I am operating on the assumption that SUNY cuts are coming (in some form) from Albany and that Trustess will respond by making up shortfall by raising tuition (which they are already authorized to do as I understand it) targeted at med students.

While it is true that this idea has been presented, there is considerable opposition by all 4 of the SUNY Medical Schools. We believe that when the impact of this idea is understood, the idea will be abandoned. Each year we are faced with a number of proposals about tuition that do not come to fruition - we are hopeful that this is another.

pumpkin628 said:

Here is the link to part 2 of this article.

http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=19360

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Upstateadmiss said:

While it is true that this idea has been presented, there is considerable opposition by all 4 of the SUNY Medical Schools. We believe that when the impact of this idea is understood, the idea will be abandoned. Each year we are faced with a number of proposals about tuition that do not come to fruition - we are hopeful that this is another.

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I'm suppose to believe you are the admissions office for upstate! Ha ha....and the pope is Jewish.

He or she IS actually from Upstate admissions.

flash said:

He or she IS actually from Upstate admissions.

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WHy would I risk going to a SUNY with threat of tuition hike hanging over my head, when I can get a guaranteed good package at a well endowed public school?

Sorry but that's how I feel.

Cherebourg said:

WHy would I risk going to a SUNY with threat of tuition hike hanging over my head, when I can get a guaranteed good package at a well endowed public school?

Sorry but that's how I feel.

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i meant well endowed PRIVATE school

Believe it!

Cherebourg said:

I'm suppose to believe you are the admissions office for upstate! Ha ha....and the pope is Jewish.

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Upstateadmiss said:

Believe it!

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I second that. I know the person above. Adcoms DO read these boards and they CAN identify some students. Take it from someone who was busted after posting.

Cherebourg said:

I'm suppose to believe you are the admissions office for upstate! Ha ha....and the pope is Jewish.

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Oh, Cherebourg, you outdid yourself this time. I hope you're not applying to Upstate... I'll bet Jennifer can figure out who most of us are And she's the nicest admissions officer I've ever met. (I already withdrew from the 'Cuse, people, so there is not brown nose here.)

I have looked into this a bit more - Apparently, by some quirk, text crept into the governor's Article 7 bill in Albany which made permissible differential tuition based on public service. However the bill did not mandate the plan, nor define it further. The word out of Albany is that the Board of Trustees does not plan to enact it. We are not very worried about it.

WHy would I risk going to a SUNY with threat of tuition hike hanging over my head, when I can get a guaranteed good package at a well endowed public school?

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I guess it depends on what is important to you. Money isn't everything. I'm going to SUNY Upstate, even if I could get a better package somewhere else, but then, I got a really strong feeling about the school/people/program/city when I was there. I did not get that feeling at any of my other interviews. I'm going with my gut on this one. In fact, I'm heading up to Syracuse to find an apartment over spring break. I decided that it didn't matter where else I got accepted or what the financial aid packages were, I want to go where I'll be happy. I can understand if you don't have a strong feeling about a school to pick based on financial reasons, but if you really liked one of the SUNY schools, why spend 4 years somewhere else when you might not be as happy? (To clarify, I know I'll be able to get the necessary loans now after talking with their financial aid office and looking into the private loan sources they gave me, so there isn't a chance of me not being able to come up with the tuition money, which I was concerned about before).

Upstateadmiss said:

I have looked into this a bit more - Apparently, by some quirk, text crept into the governor's Article 7 bill in Albany which made permissible differential tuition based on public service. However the bill did not mandate the plan, nor define it further. The word out of Albany is that the Board of Trustees does not plan to enact it. We are not very worried about it.

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Just out of curiosity Upstateadmiss, if by some chance this plan was enacted, how would that affect SUNY applications and admissions. Would this plan drive away many in-state students who would rather take their chances with a well endowed private university if they both cost over $30,000 anyway and hope for more financial aid and potentially a better education? How many applicants do you think you would lose to places like University of Rochester, which has similar stats to Upstate for in coming classes but could offer much more in terms of institutional financial aid at a similar cost under this plan.

it must be nice to have 3 different drivers, make about $250,000 a year along with a $90,000 housing allowance.

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050302/NEWS02/503020359/1020/NEWS04


This guy makes more money than our freakin governor!!!!

Just got this via e-mail:

March 4, 2005

Dear Prospective U.B. Medical Student,

Just a quick note to respond to a concern that has come up regarding a “rumor” that unless a medical student commits to practicing in an underserved area of New York State, that medical student will have to pay “out-of-state” tuition for the entire four years of school. THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

Apparently, in an effort to entice medical students to practice in an underserved area of New York State, someone in Albany wanted the legislature to consider implementing a policy that would force any medical student, who was not willing to do so, to pay out-of-state tuition. When this idea became known to the administrators and students at all SUNY medical schools, we made it very clear that although we are concerned about adequate health-care for everyone, this wasn’t the way to accomplish this goal. Our concerns were heard, and the idea was dropped.

I don’t know whether you have heard about this “rumor” so I’m sending this note to dispel any concern you may have. Again, those of you from New York State will pay “in-state” tuition, and those from out-of-state will pay “out-of-state” tuition for one year and after living here for 365 days, will pay in-state tuition.

Sincerely yours,


Charles M. Severin M.D., Ph.D.
Interim Associate Dean of Medical
Education and Admissions

can we get an update on this? Has it been burried or is it likely to pass?

It's dead - the budget passed and this was not part of it