fun8stuff said:
Go to wayne. You can't even compare the training. You will get much better training at wayne- it is the biggest medical school in the nations and is connected to the most hospitals. It is in top20 for NIH research funding. Students do park next to the med school (across the street). All students get secure covered parking. About 1/3 of the class lives downtown. Detroit is not as bad as it was 20 years ago. The other things I like about wayne:
1) only focus on 2-3 subjects at a time
2) exams only once a month
3) they give you all the notes (Everything you need to know for exams is in the notes)
4) all lectures are available online as streaming videos or mp3s
5) all powerpoints are available online
6) old exams are also available online.
Do a search, there is a website made by a WSU student on where to live downtown. PM me if you want a matchlist. WSU grads go all over the nation in many different specialities (i.e. 25 in radiology). Good luck...
I interviewed at Albany two days ago and I don't really see how you come to your result. Your points 1-6 are
also the case at Albany. Their systems-based curriculum is very focused, and in the 1st year, your exams are on about the same schedule. Notes, olds exams, PowerPoints - all given to you and are made available. In addition, it was made very clear to me that there are many opportunities for research. Granted, it is not immediately obvious by looking at US News, NIH, etc.. But RPI, one of the oldest engineering and technical colleges in the U.S., is 2 miles down the road (who's genetics dept. also just recieved a huge ananymous donation). One of my interviewers has joint appointments at both. There are 2 new research facilities on/near the campus. They have both MD/PhD and MD with distinction in research programs. It may be true that they don't have the greatest NIH budget, but I know for a fact that there are opportunities for those who want them.
About the training, AMC is the biggest hospital in a 2.5 hour drive radius. They're the only level one trauma center for that area - you're going to see lots of cases and lots of different cases.
Concerning copetitiveness, I didn't get that at all. Most of the students (+/- 1.5 std dev about the mean) will receive a 'good' grade, so there's no need to be competitive or not help your fellow students.
The facilities are fine. I thought that the interview feedback got this wrong as well. They have fine classrooms and lecture halls, all on par with any other univesity I've seen. The center
is convoluted and mazelike at times, but that's because it's been added on to since the
Civil War. Facilities don't last that long unless they are doing something right.
Lastly, I think Albany has a pretty good atmosphere for getting a medical education. I am not there to drink (see prev. poster) or party - I want a quality education. It's quiet enough for me to study, and for the few times I have off, I can see friends and family in Ohio, travel to New York or Boston for fun, or go skiing in the Adirondacks and Catskills. Without having to pay over $1000/mo. for rent in Boston.
In short, Albany impressed me as being a good school and my experience is opposite of many of the previous posters.
