2009-2010 SUNY Upstate Application Thread
Started by shemarty
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Ah, now I understand. My preference was for Syracuse so it didn't surprise me it said that.
In at Albany and now Upstate but Binghamton campus they said I had to decide today any advice???
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Sorry I don't have advice, but how did you find out? Email/phone call?
phone call around noon
I don't know anything about Albany, but if you liked SUNY more and you can handle being at the Binghamton campus for 3rd (and 4th? It's been so long I can't remember), then go with SUNY.
It boils down to which one you like more and what you're willing to sacrifice to go with the one you like more, be it location or financial aid or whatnot.
They really didn't give you much time to think this through, huh?
Oh, you're in at Albany??? Me too!
I think I personally would choose Upstate, to be honest. My family has a really low income since my dad passed away, and saving so much money would be an important factor for me. Then again, my best friend goes to Cornell, so I'm also influenced by the idea of being so much closer to him. Haha. I'm not sure which reason is really bigger for me. I feel like a lot of private schools have a lot more money for resources than public schools do, but it didn't seem like Albany had a lot of extra money. At least, the people in the Family Medicine department said that there isn't really money to give to students to help out with volunteering abroad and such.
That being said, I'm still really happy that I got into Albany! I enjoyed my interview day there, and I didn't really agree with the negative things I've read on SDN. My interviewer was awesome, and it seems like Albany has a pretty good reputation (at least off SDN, lol).
Are you from NY?
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I really liked Albany too and I am not sure about focusing my clinical training mostly on primary care which is what is emphasized at Binghamton so I'm favoring Albany..not a NY resident so money is the same at both places...lots more clinical opportunities beyond primary care and Ob/Gyn at Albany. I really loved everything about my AMC interview experience so am leaning toward Albany....
All signs point to Albany...so what brings you here? Or what keeps you from saying "No" to Upstate?
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for those DEF. attending SUNY Upstate.....anyone know when orientation begins?!?! Aka - when would I need to be in 'Cuse???????
(i need an answer asap - making travel plans)
(i need an answer asap - making travel plans)
lol im not accepted!!!! (i'm on HPA) - if i got in, I'd most likely go.
I'm trying to make some travel plans...that currently overlap with orientation for the other school i'm in at. Just wanted to know if Upstate started later, because if i get in, I could potentionally follow through with my plans to travel abroad.
I'm trying to make some travel plans...that currently overlap with orientation for the other school i'm in at. Just wanted to know if Upstate started later, because if i get in, I could potentionally follow through with my plans to travel abroad.
I'm in the same situation. Just curious, have you sent your transcripts and all that stuff to Upstate? I'm on three other WLs and hoping to get off of one of them, and just not sure how much stuff I should be doing in the meantime.
I'm on 4 other waitlists, but I did send in my transcripts to Upstate because I have a feeling I won't be getting off any of them. But I would just wait till june 15 or whenever your deadline is. I have to move all the way across the country, so I gotta give myself like a month or two to set everything in motion. I can't wait for state schools till LATE JULY! effing bleeps!
I think based on everything you said, Albany is a better choice. 🙂
But, you can become a NY resident after 1 year at Upstate, so you would still save some money there. I asked them about it, since I'm from CA and I knew Buffalo had that option.
Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm waiting on Case mainly (I think I saw you over there in the Case thread?) and don't have to move across the country or anything, so I guess I'm giving it to late June or so here too. I guess I should do the transcripts at least, but trying to save myself six bucks!
I know of many people who have done their clinical training @ binghamton and have went into fields like ortho and other non-primary care specialties. Many of the students like Binghamton b/c it gives you a 1 on 1 interaction oftentimes with attendings. Also, if you are interested in a specific specialty that Binghamton doesn't have or you want more of an academic setting you can easily rotate @ Syracuse
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For those who are def. going, did you all send in your housing application? where are you all planning to live..I did not go for the second visit so just wondering..any recommendations?? Please reply ...I should have sent my application long time back but I am currently on two WL ( do not have much hope). So now maybe I will end up going to upstate...
hello congratulations class of 2014. i am a fourth year class of 2010, and have lotf of furniture to sell, esp for kids who begin summer anatomy. i will be gone in a week max around june 10, 2010 out of state to begin residency. also, i have tons of books to sell. email me at [email protected] for furniture(i have mattress..., desk, tv, microwave, lamps, all year books for 1,2,3,4 year). congrats again on getting accepted to 2014 class. good luck !
Hey guys, congrats to everyone on being accepted!
my roommate and i are about to be 4th years and are looking for a third roommate, preferably female. We live 3 minutes walking distance from the school and its literally the closest you can get without actually sleeping in the library.
Its a private house with about 4 apartments and our apt is 3 br. one bath with a nice porch. Our rent is about $500 a month including utilities.
we'd much rather live with a grad/med student and that's why we're posting here. we love being mentors and don't mind giving our advice/insight but don't really make the house our library. so we're basically looking for someone who is diligent, neat and tidy but still likes to have a relaxing, chill environment to come home to.
We also have a little maltese named Dude. He's a quiet little guard dog and doesn't get in the way.
anywho that's all for now. Congrats again and good luck. Feel free to email with Q's
my roommate and i are about to be 4th years and are looking for a third roommate, preferably female. We live 3 minutes walking distance from the school and its literally the closest you can get without actually sleeping in the library.
Its a private house with about 4 apartments and our apt is 3 br. one bath with a nice porch. Our rent is about $500 a month including utilities.
we'd much rather live with a grad/med student and that's why we're posting here. we love being mentors and don't mind giving our advice/insight but don't really make the house our library. so we're basically looking for someone who is diligent, neat and tidy but still likes to have a relaxing, chill environment to come home to.
We also have a little maltese named Dude. He's a quiet little guard dog and doesn't get in the way.
anywho that's all for now. Congrats again and good luck. Feel free to email with Q's
hi i just found out i was accepted to the med school yesterday--haven't even thought of looking for places yet but saw your post-which apt. is it? I am from Louisiana and don't know much about the area--except for what I learned from the interview
Hey - are there any current first-years?? I have a few questions:
1) Is there a Gym at Upstate?? Or do students just use SU's undergrad gym?
2) How are courses graded?
3) What is considered passing?
4) How much time do students have off before boards?
5) Does Upstate provide any sort of Board preparation?
6) What % of students match their 1st choice??
7) Board scores - I know the pass rate is high, but what is the avg. Do students generally score above or below the national mean??
Lastly what are some of your Favorite things about Upstate and some of your Least Favorite things about Upstate.
If you could get back to me ASAP, that would be great. thank you very much!! =)
1) Is there a Gym at Upstate?? Or do students just use SU's undergrad gym?
2) How are courses graded?
3) What is considered passing?
4) How much time do students have off before boards?
5) Does Upstate provide any sort of Board preparation?
6) What % of students match their 1st choice??
7) Board scores - I know the pass rate is high, but what is the avg. Do students generally score above or below the national mean??
Lastly what are some of your Favorite things about Upstate and some of your Least Favorite things about Upstate.
If you could get back to me ASAP, that would be great. thank you very much!! =)
Got into my top choice (June is not too late for a top 10 acceptance, anything is still possible), therefore withdraw from Upstate today ..hope the spot goes to one of you... Good luck to everyone!!!!
ARGH!!! I don't know what to do! I just got accepted off the HPA list, and I definitely liked Upstate, but it wasn't my favorite, yet it's $20,000 to $30,000 per year cheaper! Plus interest! Overall that's at least like $120,000 to $180,000 dollars cheaper! I do like a couple of the other schools on my list better, but do I like the other schools $150,000 better?
Argh, I don't know what to do! And since we're in the post-May 15th zone, I have to make this decision within the next few days.
Argh...
Argh, I don't know what to do! And since we're in the post-May 15th zone, I have to make this decision within the next few days.
Argh...
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Was also accepted at Upstate..first Binghamton then Syracuse campus not an NY resident presently but it would have been cheaper (NY resident after 2nd year) liked Upstate but didn't love it so screw the money am going to a top 10 school will be poor for a bit but... am so excited!!!!...
1) There is a gym @ Upstate- it consists of a swimming pool, free weight room and machine room. The free weights are rather old (1970's) and dumbells go up to 120lbs. There is a flat bench, incline, shoulder, rack, lat pulldown, pull up bar, smith machine, curl bench and a machine squat in one room. The weights are old, but they work. The machine room is also old but it has the basic equipment. ~6 treadmills, ~6 precors, ~6 bikes, 1 row machine.
Overall, the gym is not for dedicated/serious lifters, but you can get by. There is a Bally's @ Carousel Center which offers memberships at $10/month.
4) About 4-6 weeks
6) I don't have a number for you, but only a handful of students didn't match into super competitive specialties (plastics, ortho, ent). I personally think this is more dependent on the student, not the school.
7) It is above the national average- we don't have #'s. Again, this is more dependent on the student, not the school.
Favorites:
Cheap (tuition is low)
Cheap (rent can be had for dirt cheap, I paid less than 400/month)
Cheap to go out
Everything you need is there
Some pretty solid faculty
University Hospital has a great caseload with a heavy trauma load...
Upstate covers a large area so you get good diversity
Solid education
Pretty city in the summer
Least Favorites:
Syracuse is the snowiest major city in the US
Not much to do in Syracuse
A couple of BS classes that can really make life difficult
The gym was pretty bad
Overall, the gym is not for dedicated/serious lifters, but you can get by. There is a Bally's @ Carousel Center which offers memberships at $10/month.
4) About 4-6 weeks
6) I don't have a number for you, but only a handful of students didn't match into super competitive specialties (plastics, ortho, ent). I personally think this is more dependent on the student, not the school.
7) It is above the national average- we don't have #'s. Again, this is more dependent on the student, not the school.
Favorites:
Cheap (tuition is low)
Cheap (rent can be had for dirt cheap, I paid less than 400/month)
Cheap to go out
Everything you need is there
Some pretty solid faculty
University Hospital has a great caseload with a heavy trauma load...
Upstate covers a large area so you get good diversity
Solid education
Pretty city in the summer
Least Favorites:
Syracuse is the snowiest major city in the US
Not much to do in Syracuse
A couple of BS classes that can really make life difficult
The gym was pretty bad
Can a med student from Upstate give us some info and advice on the school please? Here are just some of the questions I've been thinking about.
1) What do you think is lacking at Upstate which is available to students in pricier schools that cost an extra 20 to $30,000 per year?
2) How friendly and close are classmates with each other? For instance do you all often hang out at least regularly at least a little bit after classes? Do groups ever go out to a bar (or wherever) and celebrate after a test? Are there any clubs or activities that people arrange and actually attend on a regular basis?
3) How good are the rotation options?
4) How much fun / relaxing / cool / enjoyable stuff is there to do in the local area?
5) Are any classes mandatory attendance? Which labs are mandatory attendance and which are not?
6) How much / how well does Upstate prep you for the board (usmle?) tests?
7) What is the housing situation like? For instance how much do apartments cost? Are good apartments easy to get? Are all the students living in the same very small area, or are they dispersed?
8) I assume a car is absolutely necessary, so what's the parking situation like? Do I need to rent a parking space, or would I be fine just parking on the streets? Is traffic ever a problem?
9) How 24 hour friendly is the school? Like is the library open 24 hours? What about the gym? Is the local area late-night friendly? For instance are there restaurants open late?
10) Are *video* recordings available for *all* classes and labs?
11) Please tell me all the pros and cons that you can think of for going to Upstate. And please tell me any other ideas / suggestions / points to consider / whatever that you can tells us about Upstate.
I'm looking forward to hearing some honest answers from you Upstate students. Help clue me in.
1) What do you think is lacking at Upstate which is available to students in pricier schools that cost an extra 20 to $30,000 per year?
2) How friendly and close are classmates with each other? For instance do you all often hang out at least regularly at least a little bit after classes? Do groups ever go out to a bar (or wherever) and celebrate after a test? Are there any clubs or activities that people arrange and actually attend on a regular basis?
3) How good are the rotation options?
4) How much fun / relaxing / cool / enjoyable stuff is there to do in the local area?
5) Are any classes mandatory attendance? Which labs are mandatory attendance and which are not?
6) How much / how well does Upstate prep you for the board (usmle?) tests?
7) What is the housing situation like? For instance how much do apartments cost? Are good apartments easy to get? Are all the students living in the same very small area, or are they dispersed?
8) I assume a car is absolutely necessary, so what's the parking situation like? Do I need to rent a parking space, or would I be fine just parking on the streets? Is traffic ever a problem?
9) How 24 hour friendly is the school? Like is the library open 24 hours? What about the gym? Is the local area late-night friendly? For instance are there restaurants open late?
10) Are *video* recordings available for *all* classes and labs?
11) Please tell me all the pros and cons that you can think of for going to Upstate. And please tell me any other ideas / suggestions / points to consider / whatever that you can tells us about Upstate.
I'm looking forward to hearing some honest answers from you Upstate students. Help clue me in.
Hey Doc - what other schools are you looking at besides Upstate? I'm in a very similar situation to you, and am actually leaning away from Upstate and towards being a little more in debt in the long run. Reason being - while I liked Upstate, I wasn't in love with it. Location isn't quite the best, and realistically, while money is important, I believe being happy with the place you are at is much more important. You can always pay back loans. PM me if you want - I made an extensive pro/con list that I can share with you if you'd like. Good Luck to you - and Congrats! Wherever you end up, you are going to be a great doctor!! 🙂
1) You probably won't have as many high-tech mannequins found in other schools. Also, some journals are not available online.
2) Class dependent. People seem to form groups, go to bars, etc.. Most people are pretty laid back but there are always gunners.
3) You have many options in both Syracuse and Binghamton. There are some really interesting 4th yr rotations. During 3rd yr, you get a one month elective where you can do whatever you want. This can be used to do research or doing an AI so you can get used to the whole process. Some students take step 2during this time.
4) Not really- this is one of the weak points. There are nice bars near by (armory square, google it). There are plenty of skiing options within 30 minutes. Otherwise, not much else going on in Syracuse.
7) A lot of students live across the highway in Jefferson/Madison towers. Rent is about 1k/month there. You can commute from 10 minutes away and pay closer to 400/month. Housing is very cheap and available. Some students rent out houses which can be pretty cool.
8) Not absolutely necessary. Parking is a pain but you can rent a spot for 30 bucks a month. Traffic is a problem on the North bound side of 81 from 8-9 when everyone is showing up for work.
9) Gym has horrendous hours- pretty much a joke in my humble opinion. You can do some research for most of these answers-
http://library.upstate.edu/
During finals/exam time, library hours are better. There are plenty of places to study- you have off hours access.
________________________________________
I can honestly say that with the exception of 1 professor, Upstate was wonderful. It is high on the 'bang for buck' list. The biggest weakness is Syracuse itself- it is a cold, snowy and depressing city.
University Hospital is highly respected in the area and the trauma experience is amazing. You see a lot of trauma that you wouldn't experience elsewhere. If you are into ortho, there is a massive research facility (http://www.upstate.edu/ihp/) where you have access to a lot of amazing equipment, cadavers, etc.. I managed to get several publications/posters in a short period of time.
2) Class dependent. People seem to form groups, go to bars, etc.. Most people are pretty laid back but there are always gunners.
3) You have many options in both Syracuse and Binghamton. There are some really interesting 4th yr rotations. During 3rd yr, you get a one month elective where you can do whatever you want. This can be used to do research or doing an AI so you can get used to the whole process. Some students take step 2during this time.
4) Not really- this is one of the weak points. There are nice bars near by (armory square, google it). There are plenty of skiing options within 30 minutes. Otherwise, not much else going on in Syracuse.
7) A lot of students live across the highway in Jefferson/Madison towers. Rent is about 1k/month there. You can commute from 10 minutes away and pay closer to 400/month. Housing is very cheap and available. Some students rent out houses which can be pretty cool.
8) Not absolutely necessary. Parking is a pain but you can rent a spot for 30 bucks a month. Traffic is a problem on the North bound side of 81 from 8-9 when everyone is showing up for work.
9) Gym has horrendous hours- pretty much a joke in my humble opinion. You can do some research for most of these answers-
http://library.upstate.edu/
During finals/exam time, library hours are better. There are plenty of places to study- you have off hours access.
________________________________________
I can honestly say that with the exception of 1 professor, Upstate was wonderful. It is high on the 'bang for buck' list. The biggest weakness is Syracuse itself- it is a cold, snowy and depressing city.
University Hospital is highly respected in the area and the trauma experience is amazing. You see a lot of trauma that you wouldn't experience elsewhere. If you are into ortho, there is a massive research facility (http://www.upstate.edu/ihp/) where you have access to a lot of amazing equipment, cadavers, etc.. I managed to get several publications/posters in a short period of time.
Both are good- is one closer to your family/friends?
Buffalo is more research heavy and in a better location
Yes, buffalo is closer to family
I would certainly go with Buffalo then, and yes if you are interested in research at all more opportunities there. Also Buffalo i feel is a better town than cuse.
withdrew today ('cuse for 3rd/4th year)
good luck to all.
hope this spot goes to someone good! 🙂
good luck to all.
hope this spot goes to someone good! 🙂
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Do most people at Upstate use iPhones or Android-based phones? (I'm about to buy my first smartphone and I wanna be in the same tech ecosystem as most of my classmates.)
A good amount of people have blackberries. I know a couple of android people and a good amount of iphones as well. It looks though that blackberry rules in my class.
i got this. get in my ecosystem
Also, I'm pretty sure you won't need a PDA until third year at most schools. I'm not going to Upstate, but Buffalo, and I'm just going to buy some crap phone and just get the best PDA/phone in two years.
Hey Guys!
I have a quick question. I was planning on opting to live in Clarke's Tower because it seemed to be the easiest option but I simply don't want to be there if I have to have a roomie.
1. Do you all have any suggestions for where I could be searching for housing?
2. Are there apartments available that are walking distance (I am not sure I will be having a car my 1st year)?
3. If there are houses that I could potentially look into what is the public transportation system like for commuters?
4. Is it better for 1st years to live on campus?
5. For any of you who may have had roommates your 1st year (in Clarke's Tower), was it absolutely unbearable or did it work out well?
Thank for your assistance. If you have any additional advice that my questions did not touch on PLEASE go ahead and dish the dirt!
I have a quick question. I was planning on opting to live in Clarke's Tower because it seemed to be the easiest option but I simply don't want to be there if I have to have a roomie.
1. Do you all have any suggestions for where I could be searching for housing?
2. Are there apartments available that are walking distance (I am not sure I will be having a car my 1st year)?
3. If there are houses that I could potentially look into what is the public transportation system like for commuters?
4. Is it better for 1st years to live on campus?
5. For any of you who may have had roommates your 1st year (in Clarke's Tower), was it absolutely unbearable or did it work out well?
Thank for your assistance. If you have any additional advice that my questions did not touch on PLEASE go ahead and dish the dirt!
Hey everyone,
I just withdrew today. Hope that someone good gets it. good luck to all still on the waiting list.
I just withdrew today. Hope that someone good gets it. good luck to all still on the waiting list.
Got off the HPA.. wont be attending. Got a call from Jennifer. such a nice lady. good luck everyone
Hey guys real quick...I am looking for a place to live can anybody give me some advice on the three towers (Clark, Jefferson, and Madison). i just called up and Clark has some rooms left. Does Clark have any downsides considering noise and disturbances from other residents. Also if i did go with Clark, which room style is the best choice (single, studio single or double). And if anyone is looking for a roommate who already has an apartment PM and ill be glad to tell you more about myself!!! Thanks.
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