AlbanyMed vs. DrexelSOM

[Biochemfanatic]

Hello! I am having trouble deciding which school to attend this fall. I feel very fortunate to even have options to choose from but I do not want to make the wrong decision. With both schools, I'd be able to match to a residency in NY and if I try hard enough, maybe Florida. Right now, I am also interested in general surgery, urology, ortho, anesthesiology, EM - so pretty much open to a lot. Please help :/ I really don't want to be unhappy for 4 years.


DREXEL

pros
- 1 hour drive from my parents
- Ranked (even though it is very low on the list so idk how much this actually matters)
- Great match list and match rate (competitive specialties which I am interested in)
- Seem to have a lot of research opportunities
- P/F
-Opportunity for merit-based or need-based aid (still waiting on my package but it could happen)
- Large city life

cons
- Very large class size, building appeared to be too small (I do think they separate their class into small groups)
- no residency programs in the specialties I am interested in (Idk how important this is, I want to match into a program in NY or Florida - where I live now)
- Known issues with HUH closing and some of their affiliated sites being like 2+ hours away
-Some sites not being teaching hospitals (Can this affect residency apps?)
- Area might have more crime than the usual?

ALBANY

pros
-Have their own University Hospital - still have to rotate to other near by facilities
- Good match list in terms of specialties and match rate
- I know for sure they have residency programs for general surgery and possibly anesthesiology which are both options for me, but I do not know of the others
- Liked my interview and the people
-Facilities aren't brand new but I liked the vibe anyway

cons
- NY family is 2 hours away, NJ family is 4 hours away by car
- Unranked ( They don't provide the information to be ranked)
- Not P/F
- Do not provide any type of merit-based or need-based aid to 1st years
- No city life

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[A_Knowbody]

Albany residency + fellowship programs: Residencies & Fellowships - Program List

 

[altblue]

Congrats on the two acceptances!

Would you be happier at Drexel? If so, you might as well just go there - the other factors as you have stated them make it a bit of a toss-up.

 

[TheDataKing]

Don't go to Drexel. It's a mess right now and with limited/no home programs in many specialties. Alumni from there, current MS4s, and faculty there told me not to attend along with faculty at other schools in the area.

 

[iluvmedicine528]

Ultimately go wherever you think you would be more happy (and whichever possibly provides more aid if finances is also a factor). I have a good friend who’s a 1st year and he doesn’t have much complaints about Drexel. I interviewed at both schools also and I loved the vibe at Drexel. Because it seems like you care more about specialty I would reach out to 4th years at Drexel and see if it’s possible to match in NY and Florida (or to start look at their 2020 match if it is available).

 

[Biochemfanatic]

Albany residency + fellowship programs: Residencies & Fellowships - Program List

Omg this is great! I wasn't able to find it. Thank you!!

 

[Zen Arcade]

Since you have been blessed with the option of not being required to go to Drexel to get an MD degree, I would definitely go to Albany.

 

[A_Knowbody]

Omg this is great! I wasn't able to find it. Thank you!!

You're welcome! Best of luck with your decision.

 

[Biochemfanatic]

Since you have been blessed with the option of not being required to go to Drexel to get an MD degree, I would definitely go to Albany.

lol Okay, thanks!

 

[Biochemfanatic]

Ultimately go wherever you think you would be more happy (and whichever possibly provides more aid if finances is also a factor). I have a good friend who’s a 1st year and he doesn’t have much complaints about Drexel. I interviewed at both schools also and I loved the vibe at Drexel. Because it seems like you care more about specialty I would reach out to 4th years at Drexel and see if it’s possible to match in NY and Florida (or to start look at their 2020 match if it is available).

Yup, waiting on their match results to be posted! I don't think I'd be happier at Drexel but if they do give me a scholarship then I'd be conflicted

 

[ciestar]

Yup, waiting on their match results to be posted! I don't think I'd be happier at Drexel but if they do give me a scholarship then I'd be conflicted

We’re not allowed to post them butttt we have a good list this year.

 

[TurtleyReady4Med]

I'm an Albany student if you have questions. I am very happy here. I know a couple of my classmates were Drexel vs Albany, and decided to choose Albany based on having a university hospital. As first year grades do not matter, the P/F system is not much of a problem as it is H/P/F with different names with 90% of the class getting an P.

 

[Biochemfanatic]

I'm an Albany student if you have questions. I am very happy here. I know a couple of my classmates were Drexel vs Albany, and decided to choose Albany based on having a university hospital. As first year grades do not matter, the P/F system is not much of a problem as it is H/P/F with different names with 90% of the class getting an P.

I PM'd you! 🙂