2010-2011 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

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NYR56 said:
Since you guys are asking about it, the "bad vibe" definitely comes from the run down environment. The buildings/hospital are obviously older, which gave me a bit of a dreary feeling. Even worse, the neighborhood is terrible, and although that has nothing to do with med school, it's a factor. I'm from NY and lived in Queens for a bit (and loved it) so It's not just that I'm not used to Brooklyn/NYC. Like it or not, newer facilities, green grass, and a sunny day (I saw DS when it was raining) will give people a better vibe, justified or not. My bad vibe had nothing to do with the students, however.
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Don't expect to see much sun and grass in buffalo :laugh:
 
To be honest, I got a ho-hum vibe from students. They didn't seem particularly enthused, but they were by no means mean or anything. I got a particularly bad vibe from my interviewer. He was a jerk. He answered the phone/door at least 6 times during my interview, was constantly telling me how I wouldn't be able to handle Brooklyn, and overall was just not very enjoyable. It was disappointing because I had just flown about 1,000 miles to go to the interview. Perhaps others had a similarly bad experience.
 
EmLems11 said:
To be honest, I got a ho-hum vibe from students. They didn't seem particularly enthused, but they were by no means mean or anything. I got a particularly bad vibe from my interviewer. He was a jerk. He answered the phone/door at least 6 times during my interview, was constantly telling me how I wouldn't be able to handle Brooklyn, and overall was just not very enjoyable. It was disappointing because I had just flown about 1,000 miles to go to the interview. Perhaps others had a similarly bad experience.
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Sorry to hear that. I actually heard someone else who had a similar experience, interview-wise. It's a shame because these people create a bad reputation for the school itself. Hopefully, in the future you'll give DS another shot for residency.
 
NYR56 said:
Since you guys are asking about it, the "bad vibe" definitely comes from the run down environment. The buildings/hospital are obviously older, which gave me a bit of a dreary feeling. Even worse, the neighborhood is terrible, and although that has nothing to do with med school, it's a factor. I'm from NY and lived in Queens for a bit (and loved it) so It's not just that I'm not used to Brooklyn/NYC. Like it or not, newer facilities, green grass, and a sunny day (I saw DS when it was raining) will give people a better vibe, justified or not. My bad vibe had nothing to do with the students, however.
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The environment is something that people get used to very very fast here. I was not thrilled with it either when I first saw it, but I really like it now. This coming from someone who has lived in the suburban bubble their whole life. I always felt that we as students tend to learn to practice good medicine without all the flashiness and extras, so that when we graduate and go to a hospital with all the flashiness and such, we're that much more awesome.
 
FIREitUP said:
Sorry to hear that. I actually heard someone else who had a similar experience, interview-wise. It's a shame because these people create a bad reputation for the school itself. Hopefully, in the future you'll give DS another shot for residency.
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I'd like to think my experience was an anomaly and in no way impacts my views on a school academically. I have actually considered contacting the admissions office and letting them know my disappointment. It is a shame that their interviewers are not representing the school in a positive light. I do not think that my particular interviewer should be allowed to interview in future years--in my other 8 interviews, I was never interrupted by an interviewer talking to patients and taking phone calls. With that said, all the students on SDN that are attending DS seem to be very excited to attend, so I am glad that they can attract students who truly want to attend.
 
How can people tell how miserable people are just from one day of visiting? Maybe they were having a bad day...we are human yah know; give them the benefit of the doubt. Yall gotta start looking into yourself to decide if YOU will be happy here, not about how other people "look" or "feel". I wouldn't base my decision on going to any school because "the students look happy" or "I got a bad vibe off of the faculty". Chances are that you are looking too much into these factors. In the end, you have to know that you will be happy here, and will make the best out of any situation that may arise. There is no perfect scenario. 👍
 
EmLems11 said:
To be honest, I got a ho-hum vibe from students. They didn't seem particularly enthused, but they were by no means mean or anything. I got a particularly bad vibe from my interviewer. He was a jerk. He answered the phone/door at least 6 times during my interview, was constantly telling me how I wouldn't be able to handle Brooklyn, and overall was just not very enjoyable. It was disappointing because I had just flown about 1,000 miles to go to the interview. Perhaps others had a similarly bad experience.
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Haha, it's funny because my interviewer also picked up his phone, but I knew that as pretty important physician, he had to take those calls. He did apologize a few times, and I was just like "no problem, I completely understand"...then he went to check his email (I could overhear the phone call through the earpiece and knew it was URGENT). I just thought it was funny that he would do that during an interview, but if I did that, I'd probably get the axe (obviously).

Granted, he did end the interview with "I know you'll be very successful here at Downstate!" after I said something along the lines of "hopefully Downstate gives me some positive news". That being said, interviewers will definitely influence one's perception of a school. At the one school that gave me a bad interview (about as bad as one could get), I too have bad feelings about that school--but then again, those were there before the interview.
 
Xadorus said:
How can people tell how miserable people are just from one day of visiting? Maybe they were having a bad day...we are human yah know; give them the benefit of the doubt. Yall gotta start looking into yourself to decide if YOU will be happy here, not about how other people "look" or "feel". I wouldn't base my decision on going to any school because "the students look happy" or "I got a bad vibe off of the faculty". Chances are that you are looking too much into these factors. In the end, you have to know that you will be happy here, and will make the best out of any situation that may arise. There is no perfect scenario. 👍
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You're 100% right---there are ilke 190 students per year x 4 years...they can't all be miserable!
 
EmLems11 said:
I'd like to think my experience was an anomaly and in no way impacts my views on a school academically. I have actually considered contacting the admissions office and letting them know my disappointment. It is a shame that their interviewers are not representing the school in a positive light. I do not think that my particular interviewer should be allowed to interview in future years--in my other 8 interviews, I was never interrupted by an interviewer talking to patients and taking phone calls. With that said, all the students on SDN that are attending DS seem to be very excited to attend, so I am glad that they can attract students who truly want to attend.
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This is where I have to disagree with you. At downstate, I was interrupted (same as when I went to Stony Brook and Buffalo) by the physician. I didn't find it rude, except in the case of the Stony Brook interview where the doc was elitist as hell, because you have to understand that these are practicing physicians who are volunteering their time to interview you and getting nothing in return. I'm not saying that you're interviewer wasn't rude (there are ways to take a call and not be a dick), but I feel like that's really not a big transgression, considering the circumstances.
 
LostinOhio said:
so........Toledo over downstate?
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Honestly, I know it's a tough choice, but like I said.."go with your gut"--where you feel you'll ultimately be most satisified and happiest. You need to choose the school with the environment and resources to get you to where you want to go. I'm leaning towards you going to Toledo because you seemed to be more attracted to the staff/students than when you were at Downstate.
 
Hey guys, did anyone of you, who got accepted around May AND applied for on-campus housing, receive housing assignment yet? It's June, are we suppose to start hearing from the housing department?

Also, while we are waiting for the institutional grant, did you guys finish the loan forms, as well as the entrance counseling ??
 
Asyouwereatrio said:
Honestly, I know it's a tough choice, but like I said.."go with your gut"--where you feel you'll ultimately be most satisified and happiest. You need to choose the school with the environment and resources to get you to where you want to go. I'm leaning towards you going to Toledo because you seemed to be more attracted to the staff/students than when you were at Downstate.
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AHH i hate you so much! haha
 
nyny87 said:
I've been seeing lots of "Downstate vs. [Less Regarded School in Boring Area that Costs Twice as Much]" threads floating around this website. Usually citing "bad vibes" as a reason. What gives? When we get here we need to step up the interview courtship game and lay those questions to rest. Or should we just let people who care about "vibes" make their own poor choices.
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I'm ready to stab myself in the eye if I see another one of those threads. Albany vs DS? Seriously? If you want to get a bad vibe, go to albany.
 
FIREitUP said:
I'm ready to stab myself in the eye if I see another one of those threads. Albany vs DS? Seriously? If you want to get a bad vibe, go to albany.
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To each their own, man.

The best thing would be to hand them our consensus. The point is for them to come up with their own decision, even if we don't agree with it.
 
FIREitUP said:
I'm ready to stab myself in the eye if I see another one of those threads. Albany vs DS? Seriously? If you want to get a bad vibe, go to albany.
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Seriously man, there are still many people waiting in the alternate/hold list, and i bet at least some of them are totally wishing to go to Downstate. If people really don't like downstate personally, they should just go with their guts and go to the other school they want to. Why make a very very big fuss choosing between awesome downstate to xyz schools?
 
crazyboy123 said:
Seriously man, there are still many people waiting in the alternate/hold list, and i bet at least some of them are totally wishing to go to Downstate. If people really don't like downstate personally, they should just go with their guts and go to the other school they want to. Why make a very very big fuss choosing between awesome downstate to xyz schools?
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ehh it just bothers me because these are supposed to be people who are going to be physicians, yet they can't do the legwork and/or make the simple realization that x school is far worse than DS. Whatevs, I'm done with other threads. I'll be sticking with DS threads exclusively.
 
FIREitUP said:
ehh it just bothers me because these are supposed to be people who are going to be physicians, yet they can't do the legwork and/or make the simple realization that x school is far worse than DS. Whatevs, I'm done with other threads. I'll be sticking with DS threads exclusively.
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Ha, I am with you bro!
 
FIREitUP said:
ehh it just bothers me because these are supposed to be people who are going to be physicians, yet they can't do the legwork and/or make the simple realization that x school is far worse than DS. Whatevs, I'm done with other threads. I'll be sticking with DS threads exclusively.
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I just want to know of some more PROs from you guys to going to DS because the interview did not tell me much in that regard.

Same for Toledo (a school without much of a reputation yet).
 
FIREitUP said:
ehh it just bothers me because these are supposed to be people who are going to be physicians, yet they can't do the legwork and/or make the simple realization that x school is far worse than DS. Whatevs, I'm done with other threads. I'll be sticking with DS threads exclusively.
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And it bothers ME that you guys are trying to sell hesitant people on a school that I would kill to get into :laugh:
 
[FONT=Default Sans Serif,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Building - 825 New York Avenue

Room - 605

Hit me up
.
 
woohoo, just got my housing assignment too!!

Building - 825 New York Avenue

Room - 401
 
Did anyone get an update on their award letter with any grants? Also is anyone else here participating in the operation success this summer?
 
FIREitUP said:
ehh it just bothers me because these are supposed to be people who are going to be physicians, yet they can't do the legwork and/or make the simple realization that x school is far worse than DS. Whatevs, I'm done with other threads. I'll be sticking with DS threads exclusively.
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Are you joking? I actually can't tell. Just on the off chance that you're not trolling:

I like SUNY Downstate a lot and I'm signed up to go there right now. I can fully understand the impulse to defend your own school and think of it as better than others (the endowment effect, etc). What I can't quite understand is the ludicrous, infantile assumption that everyone who disagrees with you is not only wrong but also stupid. Everyone has different values and intentions, and it's entirely possible for someone to look at the same data that you're looking at and reach a different conclusion. I shouldn't have to be explaining this to you, and I really hope that you're just kidding or got caught up in the moment or whatever.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Downstate and Brooklyn, and hoping the people there are friendly, accepting, and cognizant of the fact that there's a world outside of Downstate.
 
Hooray housing assignments!

I'll be in 825/805 as usual😀

Fireitup and sublime you guys are always welcome to visit!

Silver...tsk tsk youre gonna have to walk down that long hallway to see us 😛
 
Another 825 resident!

Looking forward to meeting all of you guys (dorming or not) in August! 😀
 
ChickenCow said:
Are you joking? I actually can't tell. Just on the off chance that you're not trolling:

I like SUNY Downstate a lot and I'm signed up to go there right now. I can fully understand the impulse to defend your own school and think of it as better than others (the endowment effect, etc). What I can't quite understand is the ludicrous, infantile assumption that everyone who disagrees with you is not only wrong but also stupid. Everyone has different values and intentions, and it's entirely possible for someone to look at the same data that you're looking at and reach a different conclusion. I shouldn't have to be explaining this to you, and I really hope that you're just kidding or got caught up in the moment or whatever.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Downstate and Brooklyn, and hoping the people there are friendly, accepting, and cognizant of the fact that there's a world outside of Downstate.
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Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I'm not unoquivically saying Downstate is the best school no matter what the comparison is, but, when you compare it to institutions such as GW or Albany, there's absolutely no comparison. However, if you compare DS to something like SLU or Stony Brook, I can understand since they are comparable institutions.
 
anbuitachi said:
hey neighbor. 825 603, anyone else got 603? cause im in a double
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Hah! awesome...2 floors below me. I'll hafta come say hi!

Just got my schedule through october so you guys actually wont see me til the middle of september, since I'm doing neurology and the 1st half of medicine at North Shore Manhasset...so I'll be living at home



......with AIR CONDITIONING!😎
 
Vulcan said:
Hah! awesome...2 floors below me. I'll hafta come say hi!

Just got my schedule through october so you guys actually wont see me til the middle of september, since I'm doing neurology and the 1st half of medicine at North Shore Manhasset...so I'll be living at home



......with AIR CONDITIONING!😎
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haha thats awesome,

How fast is the internet at Downstate? Will I be able to get consistent 10 Mbyte/s download rates with Wifi? Just curious
 
anbuitachi said:
haha thats awesome,

How fast is the internet at Downstate? Will I be able to get consistent 10 Mbyte/s download rates with Wifi? Just curious
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Ehhhh...the internet at the dorms is probably my main complaint. We share it with the hospital, so weekdays during business hours there is a ton of bandwidth being used up and the internet gets choppy. At night and on weekends it's fine though.
 
I just got in off the alternate list today!!! I noticed that the room assignments came out already. Does this mean that I can't get on campus housing anymore?
 
Vulcan said:
Ehhhh...the internet at the dorms is probably my main complaint. We share it with the hospital, so weekdays during business hours there is a ton of bandwidth being used up and the internet gets choppy. At night and on weekends it's fine though.
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noooo hope it doesn't lag my hd movie streams
 
mc1028 said:
I just got in off the alternate list today!!! I noticed that the room assignments came out already. Does this mean that I can't get on campus housing anymore?
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Welcome! I have a friend who got in 5 days before orientation and got dorm housing...give in a call see what you can get.
 
sweet! in 3rd year? or only 4th year? I was thinking about coming back to Cali for residency and I wanted to get some Cali rotations in before I apply for residency programs.
 
Any OOS students matriculating need a roommate for an apt in Park Slope? I'm from California and I've just decided to attend DS and need help with rent =D.
PM me if interested!!!!!!
 
LostinOhio said:
sweet! in 3rd year? or only 4th year? I was thinking about coming back to Cali for residency and I wanted to get some Cali rotations in before I apply for residency programs.
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4th year. Remember, you won't know enough about being on the wards until youve been through ms3. The more you know, the more youll impress.
 
sv249 said:
Did anyone get an update on their award letter with any grants? Also is anyone else here participating in the operation success this summer?
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1) Nope, not here. I handed in the rest of my FA forms a couple of weeks ago and was told that info comes out in July when the NYS budget is finalized, which is why I wasn't even able to access the site for Perkins loans and won't be able until then.
2) I am. See you on Monday???
 
Janus2011 said:
1) Nope, not here. I handed in the rest of my FA forms a couple of weeks ago and was told that info comes out in July when the NYS budget is finalized, which is why I wasn't even able to access the site for Perkins loans and won't be able until then.
2) I am. See you on Monday???
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sorry, but what exactly is operation success??
 
Janus2011 said:
1) Nope, not here. I handed in the rest of my FA forms a couple of weeks ago and was told that info comes out in July when the NYS budget is finalized, which is why I wasn't even able to access the site for Perkins loans and won't be able until then.
2) I am. See you on Monday???
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I was able to access the Perkins Loan website to do my MPN and Promissory Note; you may want to double check with the Fin Aid office once more. It can be accessed after Downstate sends your info to SUNY's main Fin Aid Office in Albany--since they handle all the Perkins stuff.
 
Asyouwereatrio said:
I was able to access the Perkins Loan website to do my MPN and Promissory Note; you may want to double check with the Fin Aid office once more. It can be accessed after Downstate sends your info to SUNY's main Fin Aid Office in Albany--since they handle all the Perkins stuff.
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Will do... Thanks! I'll give it another shot tomorrow & ask the office about it again on Monday if I still can't get in. Strange, maybe it's because I got accepted in late April? I'll post about this again...
 
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