2009-2010 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

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Fishulous said:
Interviewed 2/16 heard back 3/21. I was placed directly on the Alternative list and was sent a large envelope with vaccinate records to be sent back. I sent all of my health forms yesterday and two more letters of recommendations from where I work as a medical assistant (clinical experience was lacking in my app.). Does anyone know how much movement there is in the alternate list? Does sending all this info in early even make a difference and do additional letters help?
I looked on the application threads from last year but it looked like the school primarily put students on hold FIRST and then on alternate. Does this mean that I should hear back with an acceptance before the people on hold will hear anything?
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This is just my personal experience, but I think there's an incredible amount of movement on the alternate/hold list.

I'll be honest, I don't understand the subtle difference between the two lists for Downstate, but I do know that they don't rank their lists (to my knowledge) until after the May 15th deadline.
 
smmypnts said:
I have been accepted to 3 of the SUNYs: Downstate, Upstate, and Buffalo. I'm trying to pick which one I want to go to. Is the general consensus that Downstate is a bit better than Buffalo?

Also, I really liked some of the private schools a bit better than Downstate, but the tuition is double. Do you think its worth it to go to a SUNY and save money, or in the long run does the money not matter so much?

Also, people have already sent in their health forms? I thought those aren't due for months?
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My roommate says that Upstate and Downstate are the two best med schools in the SUNY system so that automatically eliminated Buffalo for him. So it's a matter of whether you like the snowy, winter climate of Syracuse or the (also wintry) urban climate of Brooklyn.

In regards to private schools, my personal thought is that unless it's a really swanky place I wouldn't go (e.g. Harvard). Going to Downstate isn't going to hurt your future. Downstate grads get a lot of respect from residency programs on the Eastern seaboard because they know we've seen and done most everything in our 3rd and 4th years.

Nationwide, all schools have approximately the same curriculum the first two years so I think what sets schools apart from each other is research (if you're into that), the clinical experience and the location. Plus, the people here are awesome (students and faculty). Here, you can walk into the cardiology suite and say, "I'm a med student thinking of going into cardiology, can I stand around and watch while you guys do some procedures?" -- the doctors are don't mind at all and they'd probably talk your ear off about what they're doing and how much they love their specialty, hahaha.

Med school is what you make of it so pick the school you liked the best because you'll probably be happy at any of them.
 
Interviewed on 2/8, just received my "alternate list" notice in the mail along with vaccination records as well.

"Our entering class is full, but our admissions committee has selected you to be placed on our alternate list of applications who may be accepted should a vacancy occur in the class."

Not sure what to make of this... does anyone know the diff between host list and alternate list?

ps, my online status never changed...
 
Alternate is the same as Waitlist, while Hold list is something else? is one higher tier than the other?
 
smmypnts said:
I have been accepted to 3 of the SUNYs: Downstate, Upstate, and Buffalo. I'm trying to pick which one I want to go to. Is the general consensus that Downstate is a bit better than Buffalo?

Also, I really liked some of the private schools a bit better than Downstate, but the tuition is double. Do you think its worth it to go to a SUNY and save money, or in the long run does the money not matter so much?

Also, people have already sent in their health forms? I thought those aren't due for months?
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Upstate and Downstate are definitely the two better SUNY schools. Frankly though, every med school will teach you the same stuff...the body doesn't change from school to school, so you might as well go SUNY and save a large amount of money.

Also, Downstate had an incredible match list this year, as it usually does. It's definitely a good school to go to for a good residency.
 
shuythuyshuy said:
Alternate is the same as Waitlist, while Hold list is something else? is one higher tier than the other?
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Hold means they haven't made a decision yet. From what I've gathered it means that they can still accept/reject/waitlist you. From past years it looks like most people on hold get put on alternate later, after the people originally on alternate get notified one way or the other. So technically, alternate seems to be one tier higher. I think that right now they are giving alternate spots to the people they interviewed late that they wanted to give acceptances to but couldn't because the class was full. Hold then becomes the "class is full" equivalent of a waitlist.
 
Fishulous said:
Hold means they haven't made a decision yet. From what I've gathered it means that they can still accept/reject/waitlist you. From past years it looks like most people on hold get put on alternate later, after the people originally on alternate get notified one way or the other. So technically, alternate seems to be one tier higher. I think that right now they are giving alternate spots to the people they interviewed late that they wanted to give acceptances to but couldn't because the class was full. Hold then becomes the "class is full" equivalent of a waitlist.
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Thank you!
 
Vulcan said:
Upstate and Downstate are definitely the two better SUNY schools.
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What would you say makes these 2 better than UB and SB? I am just getting curious because some people rank SB as the best, and some people rank Upstate as the worst.
 
smmypnts said:
What would you say makes these 2 better than UB and SB? I am just getting curious because some people rank SB as the best, and some people rank Upstate as the worst.
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Well, ok let me rephrase. I never liked Buffalo because they seemed to give little clinical experience and a car was required. They are not very well known for their clinical training. SB is great for research but their clinicals also leave a bit to be desired. Upstate has a great hospital which has just redone a lot of stuff and Downstate has King's County, which is the biggest trauma center in Brooklyn and has some of the best clinical experience you'll find.

Then again, I am a bit biased 😛
 
Vulcan said:
Well, ok let me rephrase. I never liked Buffalo because they seemed to give little clinical experience and a car was required. They are not very well known for their clinical training. SB is great for research but their clinicals also leave a bit to be desired. Upstate has a great hospital which has just redone a lot of stuff and Downstate has King's County, which is the biggest trauma center in Brooklyn and has some of the best clinical experience you'll find.

Then again, I am a bit biased 😛
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Remember, SB has a newly renovated hospital, along with a brand new ER, Women/Children center, Cancer Hospital, and around 10 newly minted OR suites.

Plus, you can always do your away rotations in NYC.

But....it is a toss up. I think Downstate and SB are the two best SUNY schools.....just depends where you get accepted and the one you love the most.

G/L to guys n' gals 😉
 
If on hold/alt, will they not give you a chance for acceptance if you dont fill those vacc forms out? I thought they were simply to expedite the process, not a decision factor. I am having hiccups in my medical coverage, so I can't fill them out immediately, do they place more favor on those who've filled the vacc forms earlier?
 
JmanDO said:
If on hold/alt, will they not give you a chance for acceptance if you dont fill those vacc forms out? I thought they were simply to expedite the process, not a decision factor. I am having hiccups in my medical coverage, so I can't fill them out immediately, do they place more favor on those who've filled the vacc forms earlier?
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I'd advise getting them done sooner rather than later. No one (besides the adcom) knows whether the vacc forms are a factor in making a decision. As someone who has gone thru the process, I wouldn't take any chances. At the end of the day, you want it to be so that you've done everything you possibly can, have no regrets, and if they turn you down, it is not because of a fault on your end.

LIDO said:
Remember, SB has a newly renovated hospital, along with a brand new ER, Women/Children center, Cancer Hospital, and around 10 newly minted OR suites.

Plus, you can always do your away rotations in NYC.

But....it is a toss up. I think Downstate and SB are the two best SUNY schools.....just depends where you get accepted and the one you love the most.

G/L to guys n' gals 😉
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AFAIK, it comes down to whether you want to do your residency in nyc or not. If you do, then DS is the right choice. Now, this doesn't mean SB med students can't match into nyc residencies, but it'll be somewhat harder. As people have said earlier, the first 2 years of the med curriculum are the same between SB and DS; the distinction lies in the later years. DS has a great reputation for preparing med students in the clinical setting, since most of its clinical cases are unique and diverse when compared to SB's. In the short run, SB seems great as per the "amenities" LIDO had mentioned, but in the long run, in terms of residencies, DS is the better choice. Of course, no one but you knows what's best for you.

As with any comments, take mine with a grain of salt.
 
dynezxice said:
AFAIK, it comes down to whether you want to do your rotation in nyc or not. If you do, then DS is the right choice. Now, this doesn't mean SB med students can't match into nyc residencies, but it'll be somewhat harder. As people have said earlier, the first 2 years of the med curriculum are the same between SB and DS; the distinction lies in the later years. DS has a great reputation for preparing med students in the clinical setting, since most of its clinical cases are unique and diverse when compared to SB's. In the short run, SB seems great as per the "amenities" LIDO had mentioned, but in the long run, in terms of residencies, DS is the better choice. Of course, no one but you knows what's best for you. As with any comments, take mine with a grain of salt.
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I agree and refer you to Downstate's match list for this year, which is incredible.

http://sls.downstate.edu/student_affairs/residency/res_place_2010.html
 
AFAIK, it comes down to whether you want to do your residency in nyc or not. If you do, then DS is the right choice. Now, this doesn't mean SB med students can't match into nyc residencies, but it'll be somewhat harder. As people have said earlier, the first 2 years of the med curriculum are the same between SB and DS; the distinction lies in the later years. DS has a great reputation for preparing med students in the clinical setting, since most of its clinical cases are unique and diverse when compared to SB's. In the short run, SB seems great as per the "amenities" LIDO had mentioned, but in the long run, in terms of residencies, DS is the better choice. Of course, no one but you knows what's best for you.

As with any comments, take mine with a grain of salt.[/QUOTE]

Residencies in NYC. I don't think that downstate has a better residency placement in general. In fact, I think that many people would argue SB as having the best residency placement out of all four SUNY schools.
 
I think the take-away message from all of the above comments is that they should all be taken with a severe grain of salt...

If you want to do your residency at Downstate, then yes, Downstate is definitely the school you should go to. I remember Professors on the interview saying that DS reserves certain spots for certain specialties exclusively for Downstate students. But there are so many factors that come into play with residencies and with other schools that it's a little unfair to say that one is more exclusively catered to NYC as a whole than the other.

Example: Everyone knows that Downstate has an incredible clinical experience. So yes, if you plan on going into Emergency Medicine then I'm sure residencies would appreciate the experience that you will have from Downstate. But if you're interested in general surgery, will you still be favored from Downstate over SB? I think that would be a bold statement, and anyone who can claim one way or the other is doing a disservice to those who take the advice too seriously.

Find the school at which you are happiest and you will be able to work hard enough to write your ticket for a residency. All of the SUNY schools are good enough to not be a limiting factor if you truly have what it takes.

Good luck to ya'll, I wish you the best.
 
Also Alternate List, interviewed 2/8. Going to send in my vaccination records ASAP. Are they due along with the alternate response form or just the form is sufficient right now?

I hope the list has some good movement this year!
 
i've pretty much decided on SUNY. I dont know if its too early or not, but how do i go about finding a roommate?? how are other people finding roommates?
 
Does anyone know if Downstate's alternate list is ranked? If so... would it be possible to find out where one is on the list?
 
jai87 said:
i've pretty much decided on SUNY. I dont know if its too early or not, but how do i go about finding a roommate?? how are other people finding roommates?
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If you mean in the dorms, you will receive forms for housing soon. You can request what kind of room you want and it will be assigned to you, along with a roomie if you've requeted one. We are doing housing now so the MS1 housing is processed once we've picked.
 
Vulcan said:
If you mean in the dorms, you will receive forms for housing soon. You can request what kind of room you want and it will be assigned to you, along with a roomie if you've requeted one. We are doing housing now so the MS1 housing is processed once we've picked.
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I got the forms a while ago but it said the deadline for submitting applications to live in the dorms is March 1st.

Also, I think I would prefer an apartment near campus (since its cheaper and I'm now used to apartment living instead of dorms). Do you think this is a good idea?

I really prefer to pay $700 or less (I am currently paying $520 for my Boston apartment and I was hoping to get a similarly good deal in Brooklyn). I prefer to be within a 15 minute walk to campus or within a 20 minute commute via bus/train. Is it hard to get that kind of a deal?

How do you recommend I go about finding a roommate from Downstate who might want to share an apartment? Is the Downstate Facebook page the way to go? Where can I find out about available apartments? (I know about Craigslist but does anyone have phone #s for apartments near campus)?
 
smmypnts said:
I got the forms a while ago but it said the deadline for submitting applications to live in the dorms is March 1st.

QUOTE]

Just for anyone who's still interested in on campus housing, I sent reslife an email and they said that they were still taking applications for the dorms.
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smmypnts said:
I got the forms a while ago but it said the deadline for submitting applications to live in the dorms is March 1st.

Also, I think I would prefer an apartment near campus (since its cheaper and I'm now used to apartment living instead of dorms). Do you think this is a good idea?

I really prefer to pay $700 or less (I am currently paying $520 for my Boston apartment and I was hoping to get a similarly good deal in Brooklyn). I prefer to be within a 15 minute walk to campus or within a 20 minute commute via bus/train. Is it hard to get that kind of a deal?

How do you recommend I go about finding a roommate from Downstate who might want to share an apartment? Is the Downstate Facebook page the way to go? Where can I find out about available apartments? (I know about Craigslist but does anyone have phone #s for apartments near campus)?
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I dont know much about off campus housing. I remember a few offers being made on the facebook page though.

I personally like living across the street from the hospital since I tend to wake at 10 for a 10 o clock class.
 
The health insurance cost through SUNY is $3432 for the whole year. i think thats pretty expensive. Is there a way to get the insurance waived?
I'm thinking maybe trying to find an individual health insurance plan separately that is comparable to the plan but doesn't cost as much.

Does anyone know how i would go about to determine if the insurance plans that i'm looking up are comparable in benefits to SUNY's health insurance plan? which ones do they emphasize? i doubt that they make sure ALL the benefits are on par or greater than SUNY's benefits.

If i called the office with plans that im considering, would they let me know which one would be eligible for a waiver or not?
 
Last edited:
Hey,

I'm thinking about revisiting the campus to shadow a student sometime in May after my finals.. (mid-May)
What day of the week is good to visit?
Thanks 😉
 
kaete86 said:
Hey,

I'm thinking about revisiting the campus to shadow a student sometime in May after my finals.. (mid-May)
What day of the week is good to visit?
Thanks 😉
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Come any day but thursday if you can. Those are your best choices...if you have a specific week let me know and ill give you the schedule
 
jai87 said:
The health insurance cost through SUNY is $3432 for the whole year. i think thats pretty expensive. Is there a way to get the insurance waived?
I'm thinking maybe trying to find an individual health insurance plan separately that is comparable to the plan but doesn't cost as much.

Does anyone know how i would go about to determine if the insurance plans that i'm looking up are comparable in benefits to SUNY's health insurance plan? which ones do they emphasize? i doubt that they make sure ALL the benefits are on par or greater than SUNY's benefits.

If i called the office with plans that im considering, would they let me know which one would be eligible for a waiver or not?
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I assume almost any health plan is fine. They just want proof that you have one. I personally will be going back on my parent's insurance.
 
Vulcan said:
Come any day but thursday if you can. Those are your best choices...if you have a specific week let me know and ill give you the schedule
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smmypnts said:
Here is the website with the schedules:

[FONT=Default Sans Serif,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]http://ect.downstate.edu/ .
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Wow, thank you so much for everything!😀

I'm thinking May 14, Friday...
 
kaete86 said:
Wow, thank you so much for everything!😀

I'm thinking May 14, Friday...
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That's a good choice. Only 2 lectures so you wont be too bored, plus a wet brain dissection if you manage to get someone in group B to follow.
 
Vulcan said:
That's a good choice. Only 2 lectures so you wont be too bored, plus a wet brain dissection if you manage to get someone in group B to follow.
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Yes, dissection!

Plus, I'm going to visit my family in LI for the weekend.

Thanks Vulcan, maybe I'll see you then..
 
kaete86 said:
Yes, dissection!

Plus, I'm going to visit my family in LI for the weekend.

Thanks Vulcan, maybe I'll see you then..
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Haha I remember when I used to be excited about dissecting things.

As always, look for the backwards Red Sox cap.
 
How strict is Downstate about getting CPR through the American Heart Association? They didn't have an open class in my area so I signed up through the Red Cross. I hope that will be ok? Does anyone know?
 
smmypnts said:
How strict is Downstate about getting CPR through the American Heart Association? They didn't have an open class in my area so I signed up through the Red Cross. I hope that will be ok? Does anyone know?
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I can't see that being a problem...CPR is CPR.

That being said, you should probably call up admissions and make sure.
 
Vulcan said:
I can't see that being a problem...CPR is CPR.

That being said, you should probably call up admissions and make sure.
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They said it absolutely had to be the BLS class through the Amer. Heart Association. Just letting everyone know. Apparently all the classes in Boston are full already too.
 
smmypnts said:
They said it absolutely had to be the BLS class through the Amer. Heart Association. Just letting everyone know. Apparently all the classes in Boston are full already too.
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Oi that sux. Hopefully some more open up for ya then.
 
smmypnts said:
They said it absolutely had to be the BLS class through the Amer. Heart Association. Just letting everyone know. Apparently all the classes in Boston are full already too.
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wow😱...i have been putting off for now...but maybe i should see if there are any classes available...anyone know if nyc classes are open. is this information on the American Heart assoc website?
 
DntStopBelievin said:
wow😱...i have been putting off for now...but maybe i should see if there are any classes available...anyone know if nyc classes are open. is this information on the American Heart assoc website?
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There's actually lots in NYC. I'm traveling to NY to take the class in a few weeks as well. There's a big AHA center in Manhattan so they have classes pretty frequently there. This warning is probably most relevant to people in more rural/suburban areas and with limited transportation as some areas may have few classes nearby.
 
smmypnts said:
There's actually lots in NYC. I'm traveling to NY to take the class in a few weeks as well. There's a big AHA center in Manhattan so they have classes pretty frequently there. This warning is probably most relevant to people in more rural/suburban areas and with limited transportation as some areas may have few classes nearby.
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Oh what's the center's name in Manhattan? Where do you find this info out from? Thanks!! 😀 (haha, o man, i feel so lost with these requirements)
 
For anyone that is currently on the alternate list and received the health forms in the mail, did your online status page change to reflect all of the health forms that need to be sent in? My page now has this and also has information such as college transcripts, acceptance response, admissions deposit, etc.

Note: I am on the alternate list and have NOT been accepted. Just wanted to check if anyone else's status page has these red X marks as well. I do have a green check mark next to "alternate response form."
 
shuythuyshuy said:
For anyone that is currently on the alternate list and received the health forms in the mail, did your online status page change to reflect all of the health forms that need to be sent in? My page now has this and also has information such as college transcripts, acceptance response, admissions deposit, etc.

Note: I am on the alternate list and have NOT been accepted. Just wanted to check if anyone else's status page has these red X marks as well. I do have a green check mark next to "alternate response form."
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I was recently alternate listed, and I am seeing the same change as you described. I kinda wonder the chances of getting an acceptance for us on the alternate list...😕
 
Almosttthere said:
I was recently alternate listed, and I am seeing the same change as you described. I kinda wonder the chances of getting an acceptance for us on the alternate list...😕
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Very high. I've read the past year's SDN threads (of course this is only SDN), but current students have said that they go through the students on the alternate list that have received the health forms before any of the other "waitlists" and it seems like most or all get in.
 
shuythuyshuy said:
Very high. I've read the past year's SDN threads (of course this is only SDN), but current students have said that they go through the students on the alternate list that have received the health forms before any of the other "waitlists" and it seems like most or all get in.
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Whoa really? most or all?! that's awesome :soexcited:
 
shuythuyshuy said:
Very high. I've read the past year's SDN threads (of course this is only SDN), but current students have said that they go through the students on the alternate list that have received the health forms before any of the other "waitlists" and it seems like most or all get in.
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What about people "on hold for spring grade" - is there any hope?
 
DntStopBelievin said:
Oh what's the center's name in Manhattan? Where do you find this info out from? Thanks!! 😀 (haha, o man, i feel so lost with these requirements)
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Google American Heart Association. Its pretty straightforward from there.
 
How long does it take to fill the vacc forms? My insurance will be instituted beg May and I'm going to send it in asap, along w/ CPR stuff.


Very high. I've read the past year's SDN threads (of course this is only SDN), but current students have said that they go through the students on the alternate list that have received the health forms before any of the other "waitlists" and it seems like most or all get in.
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Can you be accepted w/ the vacc forms but not the CPR? Is the CPR renewable if you do it now and defer?
 
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