Albert Einstein vs. Stony Brook

[gluon999]

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IMO, Stony Brook med is probably the best med school among all the SUNYs. Although it's obvious that Einstein has a greater reputation and a better program that Stony, is it really that good that someone would pay $14,000 extra per year for four years. That would amount to $ 56,000 extra in loans after you finish med school, meaning that you would be in debt for a much longer time. If you ever had to chose, which one would you pick?

 

[scoops418]

I am currently making the same exact decision. You are absolutely right about the difference in curriculum and reputation but at some point, you have to factor in the cost. I personally believe that if money is not a factor in your decision making process, you should go to the best school you get into, which in this case I believe is AECOM. However, if money is a factor, go to SB b/c the cost difference does not account for the difference in the quality of the education since SB is really a top notch institution. Please let me know what you decide. I myself am currently leaning towards AECOM, but not 100% committed.

 

[Iamajew]

When you factor in the fact that you will need a car, insurance, and gas for four years at stony brook, the difference in tuition between AECOM and USB is really minimized. This isn't to say that you can't live a more inexpensive (and less debt-intensive) lifestyle at USB than at AECOM, but number-wise, the expenses for both schools are comparable.

 

[gluon999]

I will actually be applying to med school this year so it is just a hypothetical situation for me, at least for now.

I live like 20 minutes away from AECOM but went to Stony for undergrad. I'd just feel lucky to be accepted at either of these schools, but if I got into both, it'd be a tough choice b/c both schools are good. I plan to move out in either case, so rental expenses will be incurred no matter what. Even with a car, I don't think Stony Brook expenses would be comparable to that of AECOM since I'd only come to the city once in a while. But I guess all this can wait for me, first I gotta concentrate on my application and hope that I get into either of these schools.

Good luck with your decision scoops418.

 

[Drdrums]

I too am in a similar situation, and I wonder at what point is the private school "sufficiently better" to make it worth the extra money. Certainly, in my opinion Cornell or Columbia would be, but is NYU, AECOM or Mt. Sinai?Somebody mentioned the quality of education being better. I think med. education is pretty standardized, at least in the preclinical years. But the city schools, especially AECOM, do offer a unique clinical experience and diverse patient populations that SB probably doesn't (though Downstate does).
I think the major factors are really what the environment is like, and reputation as it affects residency matches. In my opinion those are the strongest reasons one might choose AECOM over Stony Brook.

 

[scoops418]

I am actually waitlisted at NYU, Mt Sinai, and Columbia and I feel that if i was accepted to either of those three programs, I would have a much easier time making the decision. Without taking anything away from AECOM, I feel that the experience and access to resources I would have at one of those schools would definitely compensate for any cost differential with a state school. For me, this is especially true in the case of NYU, with all of its new research facilities (ie. Smillow and the Cancer Institute). What makes the situation more difficult is the fact that I have to make my decision btwn AECOM and SB before May 15th, which would be before any significant WL movement. We'll see what happens...

 

[Drdrums]

I am actually waitlisted at NYU, Mt Sinai, and Columbia and I feel that if i was accepted to either of those three programs, I would have a much easier time making the decision. Without taking anything away from AECOM, I feel that the experience and access to resources I would have at one of those schools would definitely compensate for any cost differential with a state school. For me, this is especially true in the case of NYU, with all of its new research facilities (ie. Smillow and the Cancer Institute). What makes the situation more difficult is the fact that I have to make my decision btwn AECOM and SB before May 15th, which would be before any significant WL movement. We'll see what happens...

Scoops, I am in almost the same situation with my top choice being NYU, where I am waitlisted. I totally agree with what you are saying about the other city schools, but I'm starting to wonder if Einstein is really inferior, or its just engrained in my head from looking at rankings etc.

 

[scoops418]

Scoops, I am in almost the same situation with my top choice being NYU, where I am waitlisted. I totally agree with what you are saying about the other city schools, but I'm starting to wonder if Einstein is really inferior, or its just engrained in my head from looking at rankings etc.

Honestly, at least part of our reservations about AECOM have got to be attributed to the USNews rankings (bastards!). AECOM ranks around 37 I believe whereas NYU and MSSM are 30 and 28, respectively. I dont think that a difference of 7 or 9 positions is really sufficient reason to say that AECOM is an inferior school though. In fact, the more I learn about it, the more impressed I am. Aside from all of the incredible research being conducted there, their clinical affiliates are among the best in the area (ie. beth israel, jacobi, montefiore). I personally wasn't as impressed with MSSM's affiliates. However, NYU, which also happens to be my top choice as of now, does seem to offer just as good if not better clinical opps as AECOM, mainly b/c of NYU Medical Center and Bellevue ( One Flew Over the ****oo's Nest took place there c'mon). However, the quality of a medical school must be gauged on more than its USNews rank or its clinical affiliates. Two other very important factors to consider are curriculums and quality of student life, which I don't know as much about for the above schools. If you or anyone else has anything to comment about either of these aspects at said schools, I would be much obliged.

 

[Iamajew]

I'm going to NYU in the Fall and have spent a few summers in high school around the area. I love it there and can't wait to start. As far as curricula goes among medical schools, I think that you're right in that they are pretty much standardized (at least among traditional medical schools...pbl is a whole different story). However, the clinical experience that you can get at a place like Bellevue is really top-notch. Moreover, at NYU you have the balance of having a private hospital (Tisch) next door to Bellevue which is a block away from the VA...you have a sampling of virtually every kind of clinical situation all in one place. With regards to social and student life, I think Murray Hill is a great place to live. There are tons of things to do and I got the impression that the class as a whole is very sociable and enjoy working together.

I agree that the quality of a medical school must be gauged on more than ranking and affiliates, but i think that bellevue "makes" nyu in a way. Clinical exposure is the reason that I'm so excited about becoming a doctor in the first place. I feel that 4 years at nyu gives you a great foundation for the medical profession. Stony Brook's hospital, although a tertiary care center and a major fixture on the North Shore, really doesn't compare to Bellevue/Tisch/VA in terms of the range and diversity of cases that show up there. I want to see it all and i really feel that nyu offers the kind of exposure that i'm looking for.

Still, it's a tough call. AECOM is obviously a great school too with excellent clinical affiliates. It isn't in Manhattan though and that's a big drawback for me (and i guess an advantage for others). just my two cents.

 

[scoops418]

Thanks a lot for your insight Iamajew. I wholeheartedly agree with what you said about Bellevue and Tisch as well. I cant even imagine how excited you must be about attending NYU SOM this fall. Hopefully me and DocDrums will be able to join you.

 

[scoops418]

Good luck with your application gluon. If theres one thing I learned in this entire process, its that adcoms are very adept at picking up on personal attributes from things like your personal statement and more so your secondary essays.

 

[Iamajew]

I hope so too - i wish you the best of luck for the waitlist! I'm sure there will be a ton of movement after May 15. please let me know how it goes.