I am surprised and grateful to have received several acceptances this cycle.
I’m leaning towards BU, but I’d love to hear opinions on whether or not that choice makes sense.
About me: I am from the west coast but attended college in NYC. I would like to match into an NYC residency or at least ultimately settle down there. Currently interested in IM, peds, med/peds, or OB/GYN. I am pretty set on going into academic medicine (w public health focus), as I work in that setting now and see it as an ideal fit. In addition, I would like to practice in an urban safety net hospital, and I hope to do some work in government.
BU:
+The focus on serving underserved populations is so aligned with my values. BMC is absolutely the kind of setting I want to practice in for my entire career.
+I do like Boston and BU is in a more central location than the other 2 schools are in NYC.
+Seems to have the most opportunities for research in my areas of interest. Also, being in Boston would give me access to a wide network of public health researchers.
+Most prestigious of the three (I think)? I do want to get a competitive fellowship and faculty position at a leading academic center, and looking at some of the recent IM match lists has reminded me that for these programs, prestige matters (I know there are plenty of things that matter more and always exceptions).
-Since I want to be in NYC for residency and/or fellowship, I wonder if the other schools would give me more of an advantage?
-Have not gotten fin aid yet, but I have a feeling it will be minimal. COA will almost definitely be highest of the schools, but not sure by how much.
Hofstra:
+I loved everything about my interview day. The staff, faculty, and students were so nice and everyone seemed genuinely happy. The school clearly cares about the students in a way I did not see at the other two schools.
+Their curriculum blew me away and I am convinced that they must be producing top notch doctors.
+Although they don’t have as strong of a public health research program as BU, there seem to be a lot of opportunities for strong mentorship.
+Matches a lot of people into NYC residencies.
+Even though I disliked the surrounding area, it has a lower cost of living than Boston or Brooklyn. Also I have heard they give some decent scholarships. Have not gotten fin aid yet.
-I have always lived right in the city, and I think I would be absolutely miserable in the Long Island suburbs. Also, I’d like to be able to go without a car for at least the preclinical years.
-While I am sure this awesome school will only become more well-respected over time, it is a newer school and does not seem to have much name recognition. How much of a problem is this?
SUNY Downstate:
+In NYC. In addition to wanting to match there, I have family and friends in the city and would have more of an immediate support system.
+Kings County is a strong public hospital that would offer great clinical training.
+Seems engaged with the community around it, which is important to me.
+Might be the cheapest overall because I would get in-state tuition second year.
-Might not be a huge cost savings since I am OOS first year and received no scholarship funds here (but may not receive any at the other schools, so this may be a non-factor).
-I was not impressed by the school on interview day. We did not meet many students or faculty and the whole thing was really underwhelming. Overall, I don’t have a great feeling about the school, but maybe it is because I did not see enough of it?
-Not as prestigious as BU? Not sure though, and maybe downstate is better respected within NYC?
Also: I am waitlisted at 2 top-10 schools. Given my career goals, how much of an advantage would one of these options confer over say BU?
Sorry for the long post! Thank you all for your help!!!
I’m leaning towards BU, but I’d love to hear opinions on whether or not that choice makes sense.
About me: I am from the west coast but attended college in NYC. I would like to match into an NYC residency or at least ultimately settle down there. Currently interested in IM, peds, med/peds, or OB/GYN. I am pretty set on going into academic medicine (w public health focus), as I work in that setting now and see it as an ideal fit. In addition, I would like to practice in an urban safety net hospital, and I hope to do some work in government.
BU:
+The focus on serving underserved populations is so aligned with my values. BMC is absolutely the kind of setting I want to practice in for my entire career.
+I do like Boston and BU is in a more central location than the other 2 schools are in NYC.
+Seems to have the most opportunities for research in my areas of interest. Also, being in Boston would give me access to a wide network of public health researchers.
+Most prestigious of the three (I think)? I do want to get a competitive fellowship and faculty position at a leading academic center, and looking at some of the recent IM match lists has reminded me that for these programs, prestige matters (I know there are plenty of things that matter more and always exceptions).
-Since I want to be in NYC for residency and/or fellowship, I wonder if the other schools would give me more of an advantage?
-Have not gotten fin aid yet, but I have a feeling it will be minimal. COA will almost definitely be highest of the schools, but not sure by how much.
Hofstra:
+I loved everything about my interview day. The staff, faculty, and students were so nice and everyone seemed genuinely happy. The school clearly cares about the students in a way I did not see at the other two schools.
+Their curriculum blew me away and I am convinced that they must be producing top notch doctors.
+Although they don’t have as strong of a public health research program as BU, there seem to be a lot of opportunities for strong mentorship.
+Matches a lot of people into NYC residencies.
+Even though I disliked the surrounding area, it has a lower cost of living than Boston or Brooklyn. Also I have heard they give some decent scholarships. Have not gotten fin aid yet.
-I have always lived right in the city, and I think I would be absolutely miserable in the Long Island suburbs. Also, I’d like to be able to go without a car for at least the preclinical years.
-While I am sure this awesome school will only become more well-respected over time, it is a newer school and does not seem to have much name recognition. How much of a problem is this?
SUNY Downstate:
+In NYC. In addition to wanting to match there, I have family and friends in the city and would have more of an immediate support system.
+Kings County is a strong public hospital that would offer great clinical training.
+Seems engaged with the community around it, which is important to me.
+Might be the cheapest overall because I would get in-state tuition second year.
-Might not be a huge cost savings since I am OOS first year and received no scholarship funds here (but may not receive any at the other schools, so this may be a non-factor).
-I was not impressed by the school on interview day. We did not meet many students or faculty and the whole thing was really underwhelming. Overall, I don’t have a great feeling about the school, but maybe it is because I did not see enough of it?
-Not as prestigious as BU? Not sure though, and maybe downstate is better respected within NYC?
Also: I am waitlisted at 2 top-10 schools. Given my career goals, how much of an advantage would one of these options confer over say BU?
Sorry for the long post! Thank you all for your help!!!
