AMC vs NYMC

[mikey014]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all,

First, I'm more than grateful that I've been accepted this cycle. And with the cycle being almost over, I wish the best for all of us. But I do have one question and wanted the opinion of other SDN'ers.


So I've been accepted to NYMC. And I'm thrilled that I don't have to apply again. However, I am pretty scared about not being able to match into a competitive residency sometime in the future. At this point, I don't know what my specialty interests are. I know most people say that schools don't matter. It seems to really depend on your board scores. NYMC is really well known their students for the board exam. But almost every school prepares their students well.... And it seems to depend more on the motivation of the medical student.


But at the same time AMC (Albany Med) also is a great school. Both schools have great facilities and everything. So if the waitlist does come through I'm not sure what I would do. I wasn't able to compare their match lists or anything.



Unfortunately, I wasn't able to tour both schools. I was snowed in at NYMC and the campus was closed during my interview. So I stayed with a student host and I had a phone interview a few days later. But this is my pro's and con's for each school. I'd really appreciate your opinions. THANKS!


NYMC
PROS:
*I was offered a 15k/yr scholarship. So the cost would probably be a bit less over four years.
*Liked the city of Valhalla much more than Albany.
*Fell in love with the living quarters at NYMC.
*Really solid board scores.
*Proximity to NYC
*Was told the anatomy lab is out of this world. But that's only from what I hear...

CONS:
*The Touro merger raises many uncertainties.
*Being next to a prison
*Some SDN'ers say that the NYMC students seemed burnt out. And on my interview I noticed that too.




Albany Med
PROS:
*Major trauma center, so the clinical experiences would probably be better.
*No mergers or anything drastic in the foreseeable future.
*Really liked the Medical Center.


CONS:
*Students also seem burnts out when I visited the school.
*Pricey tuition
*City of Albany is super sketch.






((I'm leaning more towards NYMC. The two schools seem very similar. So the cheaper tuition at NYMC is tipping things in their favor.))

 

[jackson1]

I think you pretty much answered your own question. I'd go with NYMC.

 

[urrugby]

NYMC. Both programs are going to be relatively similar (as are most medical schools in the US), so your major consideration should be access to resources (clinical, social, etc.).

I know a handful of people who just graduated from the program, and have matched at top residency programs. They have some complaints about the grading system from their second year, but seem to think that the core issue has been resolved since.

FYI, never look at board scores when evaluating a program. Your score depends on how hard you study for the exams.

 

[sarahl86]

Your ability to match well depends on you, your activities, and how well you can communicate. Not the fact that you came from NYMC. Plus, you'll have more access to different programs, hospitals, everything being so close to NYC which will be a huge plus when it comes time to apply for residency if you used your time wisely.

NYMC also has a trauma center. The anatomy lab is decent - well ventilated, large windows on the top floor keep it nice and bright. Talk to students about the Touro situation: 2013 would be the last class to be unaffected in name by it, and IMO only good things can come from the school having more money.

 

[Jfasten]

I've interviewed at both places this year. I would say Albany over NYMC.

The schools are very similar...'Academically' they are comprable. I think you'll get very good clinical experiences at both (Albany is the only level 1 trauma center around and NYMC has NYC right nearby). There is no advantage one school would give you over the other in terms of matching (if you do well, you'll match well...vice versa).

From speaking to current students, NYMC is a more competetive, 'cutthroat' environment. Most of the kids I talked to seemed pretty burnt out (which I assume you'll find everywhere). On top of this, the faculty and administration, I've been told, are not very responsive to the students and their needs. With Albany, the whole atmosphere seemed much more caring and friendly to me-- more of a community vibe. Sure, there were kids who were burnt out but overall I felt much more comfortable with the environment. Also, in Albany you can live in a nice apartment as opposed to dorm-style living. These things, specifically the nurturing atmosphere, is very important to me. Of course, who knows if I got an accurate sense of the school from those students I spoke to.

Location-wise, I would definitely saw NYMC because of the proximity to NYC. This is fairly straightforward. However, bottom-line, if I were given an option, I would steer away from NYMC because of the Touro merger. Though I realize that no one knows exactly what will happen (and I'm not trying to start an argument about this issue), why would you subject yourself and your education to that type of uncertainty if you have a choice? The administration has not exactly been forthcoming about the issue so who knows what the implications will really be. A lot of what I have heard seems like damage control. I have been told by several physicians (including NYMC alums, some of whom are in my family) that it 'would be wise' for me to steer clear of NYMC, or anyplace for that matter, in such a period of uncertainty.

Then again, a 15k scholarship is significant. I wouldn't think too hard about it unless you actually have the choice. Spare yourself the stress.

In the end, you'll be fine at either place.

 

[Adnama]

Your ability to match well depends on you, your activities, and how well you can communicate. Not the fact that you came from NYMC. Plus, you'll have more access to different programs, hospitals, everything being so close to NYC which will be a huge plus when it comes time to apply for residency if you used your time wisely.

NYMC also has a trauma center. The anatomy lab is decent - well ventilated, large windows on the top floor keep it nice and bright. Talk to students about the Touro situation: 2013 would be the last class to be unaffected in name by it, and IMO only good things can come from the school having more money.

I think it's silly to say that the class of 2013 will not be affected. Although, you might not have Touro on your degree, you will still be associated with it. In 10-20 years, if NYMC has changed it's name to NYMC-Touro or even to just Touro, you will fall under that umbrella as well. If Touro merger doesn't matter to you then don't worry about it but if it does matter to you - realize that you will be affected.

 

[gplex86]

I think you guys are being a bit too drastic. He has a scholarship to NYMC and seems to like the area better.

I've been to the meetings in person. The facts are that NYMC may change it's sponsorship from the Archdiocese to Touro College. "Merger" is not really the proper term for what's going on, and the administration no longer uses that language. The president and CEO, Dr. Adler, has been doing a lot to keep students informed with periodic emails and public Q&A's. There's only so much they can say due to the confidentiality agreement.

Contractually, NYMC will always be a separate institution and will retain its name. Touro may eventually add it's own name to NYMC, although this will not affect the incoming class. Personally, I don't see why it matters.

The benefits to NYMC will be a massive infusion of cash (equals research funding) and the addition of Hackensack University Medical Center as a university hospital. That's a big fish to catch right there, if you know anything about Hackensack. Future plans include establishing another clinical campus in New Jersey and bringing Touro's other professional programs to NYMC (nurses, PA's, etc).

You can view uncertainty with fear or with a sense of opportunity. I'm excited about the potential POSITIVE changes.

 

[mikey014]

Hey everyone,

After posting this sometime last week, I was actually accepted to AMC yesterday. But I think I'm withdrawing today

And I feel like NYMC is a better fit for me all around. I am looking forward to starting the program. And I think I'm going to stay with NYMC even if higher ranked waitlists come through.

NYMC has been producing great med students in the past, has a wonderful matchlist, historically students had great board scores, and being close to NYC is a great plus.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[Giggles12]

Yay!! Congrats! I LOVED NYMC... being near NYC, dorm living which means not having to search for housing in a neighborhood I don't know too well and easy to socialize, NYC rotations, mini board exams, cute traditions the school has upheld, and so much more.

See you in August!