Comparing the NYC schools

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MD-2007-Gal

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If you had your choice of any NYC school, which would it be? I think I love NYU, and I was accepted there. I'm still waiting to hear from Cornell and Columbia (interviewed at both of those schools in October), on the other hand. I think I've decided against Mt. Sinai- the students seemed happy, but their hospital really is in a lot of trouble right now.

Share opinions, please! Thanks!
 
I really liked Mt. Sinai...can you be more explicit about the trouble the hospital is in?

Columbia was nice too but housing there wasn't so hot and isn't guaranteed for 4 years.

NYU is cool too...I might go there

Cornell - I didn't apply
 
I loved Cornell. I loved the facilities, the location, most of all the students I met who seemed a bit more diverse/non-trad than Columbia, and they sold me on the PBL approach which I was completely dubious about beforehand. And Cathy - what a nice person.

Columbia was also good. I felt the students were happy but...at least the ones I met seemed a little younger, a little more intense...and I didn't think they were the prettiest of all the NYC schools no matter HOW many times they claimed this on the tour 🙄 I liked Dean Frantz though. I also liked the area alot.

Mt Sinai - haven't interviewed there yet.

NYU - ugh. young, immature, ultra-competitive. Bellevue was the best thing going for it. Others have had different impressions so maybe it was just the students I talked to.

Einstein - oy vey! I liked the faculty and the students though they seemed a little unmotivated and the schools seemed kind of cut-off even though it's close to Manhattan. Good dorms.
 
I really liked Mt. Sinai...can you be more explicit about the trouble the hospital is in?
Sinai is having financial trouble...I can't remember exactly what's going on since I read an article on it over the summer, but I think other people have discussed this on SDN so try searching the threads

I liked Sinai though. The center where they videotape and critique your patient interviewing skills is a great idea and resource.

However, Cornell is my favorite. They really seem dedicated to their students and ready to spend their money to enhance students' education...ie the all expenses paid international rotations. Plus PBL, which leaves you with more time in the day to pursue other interests...

I have to agree with the boy wonder about Columbia not being very diverse. Cornell on the other had is more committed to diversity and had the highest % of URMs in the state.

Einstein wasn't very diverse either, but they have good clinical opportunities. Good dorms, but overall, living in the Bronx sucks, especially if you don't have a car. There is absolutely nothing to do there.
 
Can someone comment on SUNY Downstate?
 
Originally posted by the boy wonder
Columbia was also good...and I didn't think they were the prettiest of all the NYC schools no matter HOW many times they claimed this on the tour 🙄 I liked Dean Frantz though. I also liked the area alot.

prettiest? 😕
 
Thanks for the opinions! Feel free (anyone!) to add more.

I hadn't included NYMC on my list, since it's in Westchester, which any true NYC native can tell you certainly is not in the city! 😀 You can do your third and fourth years there, though. I want to go to a school in an urban setting, so although NYMC was absolutely gorgeous, Valhalla isn't my cup of tea.

Downstate grads get great residencies, since their clinical training is excellent.

Columbia students seemed a bit arrogant to me. They also are constantly putting down NYU and Cornell (and occassionally Einstein) for what I see as no apparent reason. The students also seemed incredibly competitive.

Columbia's undergrad campus is "pretty," but the med school? Not in my book it ain't.
 
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