Columbia vs Cornell

[kRakat0wa]

Hi All,

Could anybody give any insight into the differences between Columbia and Cornell, in terms of prestige, case load etc for specialities like neurosurgery, ent, plastics etc. Not as residency, but as departments in general. Because rankings always seem to rank NYP as a whole and not the two departments separately. And do they compete much? Or is there cooperation between the likes of Dr. Solomon and Cornell's Neuro Chair. Im not asking for myself, thants a long way away, but as I say nobody seems to compare the two schools separately.

Cheers.

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[LucidSplash]

Hi All,

Could anybody give any insight into the differences between Columbia and Cornell, in terms of prestige, case load etc for specialities like neurosurgery, ent, plastics etc. Not as residency, but as departments in general. Because rankings always seem to rank NYP as a whole and not the two departments separately. And do they compete much? Or is there cooperation between the likes of Dr. Solomon and Cornell's Neuro Chair. Im not asking for myself, thants a long way away, but as I say nobody seems to compare the two schools separately.

Cheers.

Are you asking us to compare their medical schools or their general surgery and surgical subspecialty residency programs?

 

[kRakat0wa]

Are you asking us to compare their medical schools or their general surgery and surgical subspecialty residency programs?

No NOT their medical schools. But neurosurgery, ENT, plastics sugary departments in terms of clinical ability, reputation, academic, research etc and also i guess their residencies.

 

[LucidSplash]

No NOT their medical schools. But neurosurgery, ENT, plastics sugary departments in terms of clinical ability, reputation, academic, research etc and also i guess their residencies.

The purpose of this forum is to discuss things specific to surgery residency. What is your specific interest, what are you evaluating them for?

 

[kRakat0wa]

The purpose of this forum is to discuss things specific to surgery residency. What is your specific interest, what are you evaluating them for?

Sorry I guess Im not good at figuring out what posts go where. Specifically neursourgery I was looking for which department columbia or cornell was considered the most prestigious, best residency, superior equitptment and faculty etc. What experiences do people have of either/both? I was asking because rating always lump them into NYP together.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Sorry I guess Im not good at figuring out what posts go where. Specifically neursourgery I was looking for which department columbia or cornell was considered the most prestigious, best residency, superior equitptment and faculty etc. What experiences do people have of either/both? I was asking because rating always lump them into NYP together.

It states you are premed. Worrying about which program has a stronger Neurosurgery department doesn't really seem to be relevant. Work towards getting into med school and then work towards a neurosurgery residency if you wish.

 

[kRakat0wa]

It states you are premed. Worrying about which program has a stronger Neurosurgery department doesn't really seem to be relevant. Work towards getting into med school and then work towards a neurosurgery residency if you wish.

Yes, yes. I need to get into medical school first, but ignoring that can anybody answer the question.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Yes, yes. I need to get into medical school first, but ignoring that can anybody answer the question.

Not too many neurosurgeons around here. And you'll have to expect that they have been at both locations to really be able to compare them. So I am not sure you'll really be able to get a good answer to your question. Both schools in general have good reputations.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Moving to pre-allo.

 

[Lawpy]

Moving to pre-allo.

Columbia has a stronger neurosurgery program. Beyond that I have no idea.

how do you evaluate the strength of a residency program. it's a bit subjective

 

[WedgeDawg]

how do you evaluate the strength of a residency program. it's a bit subjective

I was specifically talking about reputation. Both are excellent programs I'm sure.

 

[Lawpy]

I was specifically talking about reputation. Both are excellent programs I'm sure.

right but how do you assess which has a stronger reputation

 

[WedgeDawg]

right but how do you assess which has a stronger reputation

By asking people in the know

 

[kb1900]

I have repeatedly heard Columbia has the strongest neurosurg program in manhattan

 

[mw18]

right but how do you assess which has a stronger reputation

I by no means have a standardized system or a vast network of knowledgeable people, but Columbia's neurosurgery department is known well enough for being excellent that it's gotten to me. Not a knock on Cornell though. Just haven't heard.

 

[Lawpy]

By asking people in the know

I by no means have a standardized system or a vast network of knowledgeable people, but Columbia's neurosurgery department is known well enough for being excellent that it's gotten to me. Not a knock on Cornell though. Just haven't heard.

so determining which program is more reputable, stronger etc. really depends on asking seniors/those familiar in med school? this is a general question and not particular to Columbia vs Cornell NSGY rankings (which i don't understand why OP would care if he isn't even in med school but that's besides the point)

 

[WedgeDawg]

so determining which program is more reputable, stronger etc. really depends on asking seniors/those familiar in med school? this is a general question and not particular to Columbia vs Cornell NSGY rankings (which i don't understand why OP would care if he isn't even in med school but that's besides the point)

It's a very nuanced question that you shouldn't attempt to really answer until you're well into medical school (at least well into your clinical year) and have decided on a field.

 

[mw18]

so determining which program is more reputable, stronger etc. really depends on asking seniors/those familiar in med school? this is a general question and not particular to Columbia vs Cornell NSGY rankings (which i don't understand why OP would care if he isn't even in med school but that's besides the point)

In the absence of standardized information then I would seek the advice of people who are making their decision making on factors that are similar to mine or picking their brain about aspects that may not be the most important to them. I think being in a position to directly compare Cornell and Columbia would be more based on interviews and what you learned from the school for residency.

 

[Lawpy]

It's a very nuanced question that you shouldn't attempt to really answer until you're well into medical school (at least well into your clinical year) and have decided on a field.

In the absence of standardized information then I would seek the advice of people who are making their decision making on factors that are similar to mine or picking their brain about aspects that may not be the most important to them. I think being in a position to directly compare Cornell and Columbia would be more based on interviews and what you learned from the school for residency.

yeah these are the questions/discussion best done by late MS3s/MS4s getting ready to apply to residency. just going on from the more general line from what OP had presented

 

[mw18]

yeah these are the questions/discussion best done by late MS3s/MS4s getting ready to apply to residency. just going on from the more general line from what OP had presented

Yeah there are doximity rankings but I don't think they're given much clout. I could be wrong. But they have Columbia as number 4 and Cornell at 30 for reputation. I don't see what value this information, even if accurate, is for someone that isn't a med student that knows their specialty of interest though.

For parity's sake, Cornell (71%) is number 2 in % subspecialization (interested to know if this is a sign of it being a strong program making academic leaders or a place where residents feel they need more training upon leaving) with Columbia 10th at 52%.

Edit: for neurosurgery

 

[Shreman]

Columbia has a reputation of being academic to a fault. Notoriously low resident autonomy from Sub-I/past residents experiences. Many (half-jokingly) describe it as the Manhattan residency that almost definitely requires a fellowship after in order to be surgically confident. On the bright side, it is known for the strongest nsurg research in Manhattan, with lots of dedicated time and very academically prolific residents (go figure).

As WedgeDawg points out, this is an advanced question and a discussion may, respectfully, go over the head of someone not in medical school or actively involved in a nsurg department. I could point out more details based on information I have gleaned from working in a nerurosurgery department myself, but it will be at best meaningless, and at worst bias you before you get your feet on the ground.

Not to chide, but focus on entering medical school first, and take it step by step from there. Inch by inch, life's a sinch. Yard by yard, life is really hard.