I've been fortunate to be accepted to both RF and Albany. I think there are some similarities to their pros and cons:
Albany:
Pros: Small class size (for me this is a plus but could easily be a con) about 100 to 120?, Teaching hospital attached. Has all the works- Level 1 trauma center, helicopter pad for ridealongs, pretty much the only major academic receiving center north of new york city area. Has the option of adding a distinction in ethics. For their match- they do well in placing their grads into the northeast area- especially new york. So if you want to stay on the east coast, I would lean to Albany. Also, Albany is a much older school that is more well known. School starts later than most (early September is start date).
Cons: Location, location, location- It's too far from NYC for anyone to cite that is a plus. Albany is not a city. The med school is in the dumps of Albany. It seems to be colder than North Chicago but that to me was just because it was further north. Cost- it's one of the most expensive schools, tuition wise. Also with high living costs, the school is really pricey. A little more than RF (which is at 37K), Albany is 39 K. I don't like the fact that they have the early acceptance programs with Union. You'll have groups that know each other before school starts. For its high tuition, you would expect decent facilities. The hospital and school is old and in need of repair. The lecture rooms were sorta dreary and had no wireless.
RF:
Pros: Student body is a lot larger (with the applied physiology people) you'll have about 225 students. Overall, North Chicago is not that far from Chicago. People may complain about it, you can still commute if you need to from Evanston or Wrigleyville. About 40 minutes to travel by car. There is no public transportation. Best in terms of clinical exposure during clinical years. Students are seriously allowed to do things at Cook County you wouldn't in some hospitals. I like EM so I'm impressed with their match list. They seem to place so well in surgery, EM, and the other competitive residencies, which indicates that residency directors recognize the clinical edge RF students have on other students. I've worked with several residents from RF and they are prepared. Some have done central lines and intubated ad naseum before they've become interns. RF has dorms that are very very nice. Decent for price and location next to campus.
Cons: Grading- ABCF.Sure, I can hear people say that it doesn't encourage competition but I've visited the school several times and each time, I saw students frentic and studying all the time. This may be why they do so well on boards. Expensive with no teaching hospitals. You'll have to move so if you're the type who wants to stay in one place for four years, you'll need to uproot come third year and move downtown or that area. RF's reputation is up and rebounding but the probation was a black mark that I hope doesn't taint anyone's view of the school because they're doing so much to improve their facilities, recruit researchers, and get financial funding. (I've heard the school is looking for a Catholic affiliation so they can have another hospital affliated for their students to do rotations. I'm okay with this but some people aren't).
