2009-2010 NYU Application Thread

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Question for NYU: When I have the option of attending a state school for $20,000 a year less (not including interest) than it would cost me to attend NYU, can you help assure me that I will not regret my decision when the bill finally comes due?

Health care is currently a volatile market. Borrowing that much extra money to attend NYU just for Bellevue makes me nervous. If the administration let me know what NYU could do for me over other schools, I would be much more comfortable making the extra investment.

So far, they haven't made a very good case. Maybe thats why so many of their accepted students eventually decline.

I'm waitlisted but that's exactly what I've been pondering. Tuition at 45k/year plus cost of living in Manhattan makes this school substantially more expensive than state schools. It's obviously a great school but I'm not sure I could justify spending at least 80-90k more than a state school (before interest) to attend NYU, let alone any school. One of the main things I've been thinking about is that it may be worth it to have a little extra debt to experience NYC for four years (and get out of the midwest), but then again, there's always residency. Are you mainly considering WSU/OSU vs NYU?
 
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...Are you mainly considering Wayne/OSU vs NYU?

Yes. OSU is ranked very well (I know, I doesn't really matter) and has a ton of great departments to rotate through. Columbus offers a "big city" experience of sorts. If I could assure myself that I would make enough money one day to easily pay off the extra debt, I would definitely choose NYU. Unfortunately, who knows what physicians will be paid 10 years from now (let alone the state of the economy 10 years from now) and, also, I may fall in love with a lower paying speciality. With that much debt, I wouldn't really have any other choice than to choose a higher paying speciality. No one wants to be a slave to debt. This is a huge financial decision. Hearing from residents who have high debt loads is also an eye-opener. It's even more expensive for us now, and reimbursements aren't rising to compensate.

On the other hand, the ambitious part of me wants to roll the dice. Going to NYU med and living in Manhattan would be incredible. Their match list blows me away.

See you all at second look.
 
Question for NYU: When I have the option of attending a state school for $20,000 a year less (not including interest) than it would cost me to attend NYU, can you help assure me that I will not regret my decision when the bill finally comes due?

Health care is currently a volatile market. Borrowing that much extra money to attend NYU just for Bellevue makes me nervous. If the administration let me know what NYU could do for me over other schools, I would be much more comfortable making the extra investment.

So far, they haven't made a very good case. Maybe thats why so many of their accepted students eventually decline.

You are right to question the value of an added $80k in loans to your med school tab.

I face an added $40k in tuition over 4 years between my state school and NYU, or half of what you face, and FWIW I am probably turning down NYU - but my state school is very highly regarded, and that helps a lot in making this decision.

Good luck.
 
Question for NYU: When I have the option of attending a state school for $20,000 a year less (not including interest) than it would cost me to attend NYU, can you help assure me that I will not regret my decision when the bill finally comes due?

Health care is currently a volatile market. Borrowing that much extra money to attend NYU just for Bellevue makes me nervous. If the administration let me know what NYU could do for me over other schools, I would be much more comfortable making the extra investment.

So far, they haven't made a very good case. Maybe thats why so many of their accepted students eventually decline.

Yes. OSU is ranked very well (I know, I doesn't really matter) and has a ton of great departments to rotate through. Columbus offers a "big city" experience of sorts. If I could assure myself that I would make enough money one day to easily pay off the extra debt, I would definitely choose NYU. Unfortunately, who knows what physicians will be paid 10 years from now (let alone the state of the economy 10 years from now) and, also, I may fall in love with a lower paying speciality. With that much debt, I wouldn't really have any other choice than to choose a higher paying speciality. No one wants to be a slave to debt. This is a huge financial decision. Hearing from residents who have high debt loads is also an eye-opener. It's even more expensive for us now, and reimbursements aren't rising to compensate.

On the other hand, the ambitious part of me wants to roll the dice. Going to NYU med and living in Manhattan would be incredible. Their match list blows me away.

See you all at second look.

I think it really boils down to where you want to live for next four years. Not that it matters much, but OSU actually ranks slightly higher than NYU. I had the opportunity to visit Columbus (I interviewed at OSU), and it seems like a very nice city. I do not think you can go wrong either way but I feel like NYU is not worth the $80K more. Just my $0.02. I plan on attending the OSU second look. Maybe see you then.
 
agh, I'm gonna withdraw eventually (sometime before 5/15). I'll get my $100 back, right? lol
 
I just noticed today that NYU updated their cost of attendance figures to reflect the estimated cost of attendance for the class of 2014.

http://admissions.med.nyu.edu/financial-aid/

I remember the cost of attendance for the class of 2013 was $64,003. Now, it is $68,929. I also remember that room and board for the class of 2013 was estimated at $10,000. That means, they estimate an increase of $3,000 this year. I assume that takes into account the move to 26th street.

What gets me is that many other private schools and even out-of-state schools with modest surcharges have costs of attendance in the mid 60ks. I was under the impression that NYU was much more expensive than my other options, however, it doesn't appear as if this is true based upon these COA figures.
 
I just noticed today that NYU updated their cost of attendance figures to reflect the estimated cost of attendance for the class of 2014.

http://admissions.med.nyu.edu/financial-aid/

I remember the cost of attendance for the class of 2013 was $64,003. Now, it is $68,929. I also remember that room and board for the class of 2013 was estimated at $10,000. That means, they estimate an increase of $3,000 this year. I assume that takes into account the move to 26th street.

What gets me is that many other private schools and even out-of-state schools with modest surcharges have costs of attendance in the mid 60ks. I was under the impression that NYU was much more expensive than my other options, however, it doesn't appear as if this is true based upon these COA figures.

$13000 for Room and Board sound low to me considering the cost of living in NYC. During their webinar they mentioned that the rent at the 26th street apartments will be around $1000/month. Lets say it is $900/month or $10800/year which leaves only about $2200/year or about $185/month for food and other stuff. Ridiculous!! Am I missing something? It seems to me like most people will have to take out private loans to fund their education at NYU as all their grants/aid is based on financial need.
 
$13000 for Room and Board sound low to me considering the cost of living in NYC. During their webinar they mentioned that the rent at the 26th street apartments will be around $1000/month. Lets say it is $900/month or $10800/year which leaves only about $2200/year or about $185/month for food and other stuff. Ridiculous!! Am I missing something? It seems to me like most people will have to take out private loans to fund their education at NYU as all their grants/aid is based on financial need.

This budget is for the first year of medical school and they say on their Financial Aid website that the summer vacation is not included in the budget. So this $13000 is for 9-10 months IMO (and you'd have to get your own housing for summer between year I and II). I believe that the budget will be higher during the following years.

This is my speculation. Please correct me if I am wrong.
 
$185/mo = $45/week. That's more than I used during college. Is food that much more expensive in NY?
And I think they are looking at the whole year. Otherwise it would be $540/month for food, which seems really high.

EDIT: I didn't think about plane tickets home for the holidays, which means we need something left over to save for this each month... that makes a big difference...
 
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Is the 2010 match list for NYU out? Do any current students feel like posting it?
 
$185/mo = $45/week. That's more than I used during college. Is food that much more expensive in NY?
And I think they are looking at the whole year. Otherwise it would be $540/month for food, which seems really high.

EDIT: I didn't think about plane tickets home for the holidays, which means we need something left over to save for this each month... that makes a big difference...

I called the Financial Aid office and they said this $13,000 is for 9 months! The woman told me it's usually much more than what students need (you can take less if you want) but some students live in expensive places so even this may not be enough.

The second, third (the most expensive because 12 months), and fourth years will have >$13000 for housing/food in the budget.

So this budget is only for the 9 months of the first year.
 
I called the Financial Aid office and they said this $13,000 is for 9 months! The woman told me it's usually much more than what students need (you can take less if you want) but some students live in expensive places so even this may not be enough.

The second, third (the most expensive because 12 months), and fourth years will have >$13000 for housing/food in the budget.

So this budget is only for the 9 months of the first year.


This means that the true COA (b/c generally you can't stop paying rent or eating bc med school is on summer vacation or breaks between boards) is ~$72,500.

I hate how most med schools use that little trick of calulating a budgt for 9 months of the year for years 1 and 2, when really you're paying for the full years rent/food.
 
This means that the true COA (b/c generally you can't stop paying rent or eating bc med school is on summer vacation or breaks between boards) is ~$72,500.

I hate how most med schools use that little trick of calulating a budgt for 9 months of the year for years 1 and 2, when really you're paying for the full years rent/food.

I know!! I guess they're thinking that most students either go back home for the summer or do international health. But still a lot of students will stay and live in nyc so they should take that into consideration!

They told me you can appeal the budget they give you by stating the reasons (such as a more expensive apartment - they cover that!).
 
So what are we supposed to do during the summer? Be homeless and starve? Because you can't take out more loans than the amount the school lists as "cost of living."
 
I think you can take out the grad plus maybe. Or whichever the additional loans is. But I think many students get paid over the summer for research or whatever, so that would at least partially cover the expenses.
 
So what are we supposed to do during the summer? Be homeless and starve? Because you can't take out more loans than the amount the school lists as "cost of living."

Private loans, research fellowship stipends, or just plan on stretching he 9 month budget over 12 months.
 
I think you can take out the grad plus maybe. Or whichever the additional loans is. But I think many students get paid over the summer for research or whatever, so that would at least partially cover the expenses.

No you cannot take student loans (including the PLUS loan and private student loans) on top of your budget (which is assigned by the financial aid office).

However you'll either be doing research (as anfleish said), international health (~90% funded), living at home, etc.. If you just want to sit in the dorm during the summer doing nothing (which would be cool considering it's NYC 😉) then you'd have to find some way to get money or spread the $13,000 over 12 months. You can also get Work Study medical related job.

I also think you can appeal your budget asking to get it increased by saying you have nowhere to go in the summer and you need the rent. They said they mainly increase the budget for housing expenses (such as a more expensive apartment).

Third year is the only 12-month academic year so that should be the best financially for us.
 
How does one choose new rsch's to talk to on 2nd Look weekend? So many to choose from. Would it be weird to want to talk to the same ppl you int'd with? (B/c I've been inv for a 2L while still on waitlist). Confusing, like a 2nd intvw.
 
I thought I would forward you guys a response I got from Dakota about his/her experience at NYU that I found very helpful.

Essentially you face the same decision I did. I was offered a big scholarship to my respectable state school as well as a scholarship to an out of state school; I had a number of other private acceptances as well. Ultimately I chose NYU because

1) I liked big public hospitals but didn't want to have to live in/commute to the ghetto.

2) I liked that the school had subsidized housing which reduced my commute time to no more than 4 minutes (waiting for an elevator and then walking down a short hallway, in my last year I had to cross 1st ave). This really helps create a sense of community for NYU students. Having trouble with something you're studying? Knock on your friend's door across the hall. Want to look at something in the anatomy lab at midnight? No sweat it's only a few minute walk (all indoors). This made life really simple during the preclincal years and really allowed me to maximize my study time. NYC was also right outside so when I did have spare time heading out to Central Park, or to Brooklyn for pizza and the Brooklyn Brewery, or ice skating in Bryant Park, etc etc was all within quick and easy access.
3) Reputation

It's a bit tough for me to offer specific comments about the preclinical curriculum simply because they have made a few changes to them since I went through. I didn't feel there were any significant gaps in my knowledge base. I studied for step I for 5 weeks and was very satisfied with my score. I do think board scores are largely a function of the effort one puts into studying; I don't think there's any real secret to doing well.

As for the clinical years I thought they were by and large fantastic. Working in Bellevue is great as a medical student partly because nursing is so limited. You'll be an expert at blood draws, IVs, and even get a crack at LPs and maybe a central line if you're motivated and look for the opportunities. Having said that it's a busy place, what that means is if you're a passive person there's not a lot of hand holding. You've got to speak up during rounds, ask your residents questions in the afternoon, etc. If you put yourself out there you have fantastic opportunities just there for the taking. You also get exposure to a major tertiary care university hospital as well as a VA. All this is within a few blocks (I have friends at other schools get shipped to places hours away . . . yuck). Beside just hospital environment the other critical thing to consider for 3rd year is how many subspecialties does the hospital have? I seriously considered radiation oncology as a career, having access not only to faculty in the field but researchers and residents was huge. Not only did it allow me to carefully consider this as a choice but once I got more exposure I decided it wasn't really what I wanted to do with my life. Without a department how can you really make an informed choice about a field? And even if you do make the decision to pursue something like rad-onc it's a lot tougher buffing your application without a department to advise you and provide resources. Breadth of specialties is huge and not something I really considered when choosing a medical school. One caveat: the one field we don't have is Family Medicine. If that's your thing it's hard to get exposure here (but you can get advising through Sinai and one person this year is applying).

I'm interviewing for residency positions now and I've gotten a number of comments about what a great school NYU is. I think that is has particular opened up opportunities in the north-east. Having said that it was tough to get advising on residency programs in the south (outside of the top ones in the field) simply because most NYU students aren't interested in the SE US (where I am originally from) so the programs are lesser known quantities.

Ultimately where you go to school is a very personal choice, but here's what I think looking back... If I'd gone to a state school I could have kept my debt to 5 figures. I'm sure I would have gotten good residency interviews regardless (probably not as many name-brand programs). I probably wouldn't have developed as many practical skills (you'll learn these things in residency but I feel like I will hit the ground running). Life would not have been as easy for the preclinical years (commute can't be beat). And I would have missed out on living in such a world class city (I was from a SE state and had lived there most of my life, living in NYC gave me a lot of perspective I wouldn't otherwise have). Would I trade those things away to get back some of the money I borrowed? Not a chance.

Let me know if you have any other questions or if there's anything else I can help with. Congratulations on your acceptance! Best of luck with your decision.

~Dakota
 
I thought I would forward you guys a response I got from Dakota about his/her experience at NYU that I found very helpful.

Essentially you face the same decision I did. I was offered a big scholarship to my respectable state school as well as a scholarship to an out of state school; I had a number of other private acceptances as well. Ultimately I chose NYU because

1) I liked big public hospitals but didn't want to have to live in/commute to the ghetto.

2) I liked that the school had subsidized housing which reduced my commute time to no more than 4 minutes (waiting for an elevator and then walking down a short hallway, in my last year I had to cross 1st ave). This really helps create a sense of community for NYU students. Having trouble with something you're studying? Knock on your friend's door across the hall. Want to look at something in the anatomy lab at midnight? No sweat it's only a few minute walk (all indoors). This made life really simple during the preclincal years and really allowed me to maximize my study time. NYC was also right outside so when I did have spare time heading out to Central Park, or to Brooklyn for pizza and the Brooklyn Brewery, or ice skating in Bryant Park, etc etc was all within quick and easy access.
3) Reputation

It's a bit tough for me to offer specific comments about the preclinical curriculum simply because they have made a few changes to them since I went through. I didn't feel there were any significant gaps in my knowledge base. I studied for step I for 5 weeks and was very satisfied with my score. I do think board scores are largely a function of the effort one puts into studying; I don't think there's any real secret to doing well.

As for the clinical years I thought they were by and large fantastic. Working in Bellevue is great as a medical student partly because nursing is so limited. You'll be an expert at blood draws, IVs, and even get a crack at LPs and maybe a central line if you're motivated and look for the opportunities. Having said that it's a busy place, what that means is if you're a passive person there's not a lot of hand holding. You've got to speak up during rounds, ask your residents questions in the afternoon, etc. If you put yourself out there you have fantastic opportunities just there for the taking. You also get exposure to a major tertiary care university hospital as well as a VA. All this is within a few blocks (I have friends at other schools get shipped to places hours away . . . yuck). Beside just hospital environment the other critical thing to consider for 3rd year is how many subspecialties does the hospital have? I seriously considered radiation oncology as a career, having access not only to faculty in the field but researchers and residents was huge. Not only did it allow me to carefully consider this as a choice but once I got more exposure I decided it wasn't really what I wanted to do with my life. Without a department how can you really make an informed choice about a field? And even if you do make the decision to pursue something like rad-onc it's a lot tougher buffing your application without a department to advise you and provide resources. Breadth of specialties is huge and not something I really considered when choosing a medical school. One caveat: the one field we don't have is Family Medicine. If that's your thing it's hard to get exposure here (but you can get advising through Sinai and one person this year is applying).

I'm interviewing for residency positions now and I've gotten a number of comments about what a great school NYU is. I think that is has particular opened up opportunities in the north-east. Having said that it was tough to get advising on residency programs in the south (outside of the top ones in the field) simply because most NYU students aren't interested in the SE US (where I am originally from) so the programs are lesser known quantities.

Ultimately where you go to school is a very personal choice, but here's what I think looking back... If I'd gone to a state school I could have kept my debt to 5 figures. I'm sure I would have gotten good residency interviews regardless (probably not as many name-brand programs). I probably wouldn't have developed as many practical skills (you'll learn these things in residency but I feel like I will hit the ground running). Life would not have been as easy for the preclinical years (commute can't be beat). And I would have missed out on living in such a world class city (I was from a SE state and had lived there most of my life, living in NYC gave me a lot of perspective I wouldn't otherwise have). Would I trade those things away to get back some of the money I borrowed? Not a chance.

Let me know if you have any other questions or if there's anything else I can help with. Congratulations on your acceptance! Best of luck with your decision.

~Dakota

So, I think this just summarizes to NYC is great, Bellevue is good for clinical training and everything is close by. I agree with all these points but I do not see myself borrowing $320K to go to school here. I think medical school is mostly what you make out of it. When it is a choice between convenience and $$$$, I am willing to give up some convenience if that means saving of substantial amount of $.
 
how does one choose new rsch's to talk to on 2nd look weekend? So many to choose from. Would it be weird to want to talk to the same ppl you int'd with? (b/c i've been inv for a 2l while still on waitlist). Confusing, like a 2nd intvw.

You're on the waitlist and you got invited for 2nd look? Hmm I didn't. Maybe they only invite people who are high up on the list and actually have a shot of getting in?
 
I'm on the waitlist and didn't get invited for second look either.
 
Those waitlisted for the MSTP are invited to MSTP revisit.
 
will you be there cyto? Did you choose several ppl to talk to or just one? I dont want to seem selfish nor un-appreciative, lol.
 
I just received an acceptance email! I was waitlisted on March 1st.
 
Congratulations!! It's good to know there's movement now :xf:
 
will you be there cyto? Did you choose several ppl to talk to or just one? I dont want to seem selfish nor un-appreciative, lol.

Choose as many people as you want, they'll find a way to schedule everyone interested.

I'm still on the fence about whether to attend or not...I'll probably withdraw and would rather someone else get the spot and have a more relaxed revisit.
 
Congrats. I think the waitlist movement is very good news for all of us on the waitlist, they have had that enough withdrawals in a short time.
 
definite wait list movement-- also accepted today after wait list on 3/1.
 
Maybe there's higher withdrawals than normal this year? I just got an email extending the second look registration deadline by 2 weeks.
 
I got in off the waitlist today too! 😀 I'm wishing the best of luck to everyone still waiting
 
Wow, people are getting off the waitlist so soon?! Are you guys going to attend NYU or going to another school? If I get in - I don't know what I'd do. I pretty much accepted that it was over here... 😱
 
Congrats guys! Did either of you send letters of interest after being put on the waitlist?

no, I did send a letter of interest post-interview, pre-waitlist however.

also not sure what to do, but I need to wait to hear from my state school before any decision is made.
 
Sorry if this was mentioned earlier, but when exactly is second look?
 
Does anyone know how often the committee meets to discuss candidates? It's great that there is wait list movement already. I'm wondering how often batches of people will get off the waitlist/if there is a specific day during the week the committee meets or if it's once a month
 
this may have been posted, but i just did a search and couldn't find an answer: where do we send letters of intent or update letters?
 
Does anyone know how often the committee meets to discuss candidates? It's great that there is wait list movement already. I'm wondering how often batches of people will get off the waitlist/if there is a specific day during the week the committee meets or if it's once a month

Would love to know this as well...really hoping to get in off of the WL.
 
this may have been posted, but i just did a search and couldn't find an answer: where do we send letters of intent or update letters?

I sent my letters to high-up individuals in the admissions office. Also got in off the waitlist, so I'd recommend it.
 
I sent my letters to high-up individuals in the admissions office. Also got in off the waitlist, so I'd recommend it.

Thanks. The only contact I have is [email protected]. Did you send your letter to specific people? and if so, was their contact information posted on the website?
 
Thanks. The only contact I have is [email protected]. Did you send your letter to specific people? and if so, was their contact information posted on the website?

Yep, I think its always a good idea to address it to specific people (just to make sure SOMEONE reads it). The website has emails in the CONTACT INFO section.
 
There were business cards stapled to the NYU package to whom I directed my letter
 
Waitlisted, and I wanna go here so bad. I've sent a short letter of intent to Dean Genieser... Anyone have any advice for something else that'll help my case?

Also, the FAQ section on the website says "We expect to make additional offers after May 15th" re: waitlist. But... some people here already got in off the W.L.

Feeling a whole lotta 😕😕😕😕 and 😱😱😱😱. And a little 😴😴.
 
For all those waitlisted, be patient. I'm going to second look to make sure about things, but as of now I'm planning to withdraw by May 15th. There a lot of people (at every school) who hold onto acceptances until the last minute. Waitlist movement occurs quickly after the 15th once the admissions office has sifted through withdraws and has an idea of how many spots they need to fill. I'm sure there are many people in my shoes as well.

GOOD LUCK!
 
So first year housing...
Suite $850
Studio $1250

This was higher than I was expecting.
 
Is the suite style housing the only option for first year students? I seemed to remember them offering rooms in the on campus dorm at a significantly lower price.
 
Does anyone know if students get to live in the 26th st. dorm for all 4 yrs of med school (if they want to)?
 
Is the suite style housing the only option for first year students? I seemed to remember them offering rooms in the on campus dorm at a significantly lower price.

Dorm is getting demolished. So no more dorm option. I think 26th street is the only option for first years. The email they sent this morning made it sound like there wouldn't be many studios. Suite style living is fine with me. I like having people to hang out with.
 
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