Downstate vs NYMC vs Rochester

[KnightTalking]

SUNY Downstate
Pros

• MD/MPH program
• Close to home; can get an apartment with best friends near family
• IS tuition is very affordable
• Access to underserved population in NYC which is the population I would like to work with eventually
• More opportunities to match with NYC based residency programs
• possibly more local prestige?
• unsure if lectures are mandatory???

Cons

• Little to no national prestige so may be difficult to match into competitive specialties compared to Rochester. This is something that a PGY 1 at Downstate who went to Downstate for med school had informed me. He felt Downstate's name had kept him out of the bigger programs he was applying to for residency (ie. NYU, Cornell, Columbia etc)
• Very much seems like its a "on your own" culture in that the support is minimal from faculty and admin seems minimal
• 2 years pre clinical
• Large class size

Rochester
Pros

• MD/MBA program; Rochester has agreed to waive 75% (86k) of my MBA tuition costs
• More prestigious nationally
• Very supportive faculty
• Love the liberal arts aspect to it as an Art major
• I think I'd like Rochester as a city given that I went to school at Binghamton and it seems to be a combination of urban and suburban areas
• More opportunities for experiences abroad to serve underserved populations
• A place to explore my interests in health administration, health policy, and guidance through MBA program on how to eventually open a nonprofit while practicing clinically (still working on mission statement)
• Strong mentorship
• 1.5 years preclinical
• Small class size

Cons

• Not as integrated with NYC/lacks urban medicine environment that downstate provides
• Far from family (weather doesnt bother me)
• Have to buy a car, my 2007 Toyota wont do lol
• Expensive MD program (assuming I get no aid which hasn't been decided yet)
• No recorded lectures I believe (correct me if I am wrong)
• I'm sure every school has access to working with underserved populations but compared to the two other schools I have a feeling I would do less of that at rochester

NYMC
Pros

• Close to home/family/friends; could potentially commute if needed so saving in room/board
• Good clinical exposure at Westchester Medical Center
• lectures are not mandatory and are recorded

Cons

• Little to no national prestige so may be difficult to match into competitive specialties compared to Rochester
• Expensive
• 2 years preclinical
• large class size

Summary: I’m looking for a medical school that offers strong clinical training in an urban setting, where I can gain exposure to diverse patient populations and high-acuity cases. While I’m interested in general surgery, cardiology, and emergency medicine, I don’t want to pigeonhole myself before I’ve had extensive hands-on experience. I want a program that gives me flexibility to explore different specialties through early clinical exposure, strong mentorship, and elective time. At the same time, I’m committed to advancing health equity and integrating policy into my medical career, so I want opportunities to work with underserved communities, ideally in a public hospital setting where I can see firsthand how systemic issues impact patient care.

Since I plan to pursue an MD-MBA, I’m also drawn to schools that provide exposure to hospital administration and leadership opportunities. If I don’t complete an MBA through a combined program, I would still aim to earn one later, though I’m not yet sure when. Research will be important for keeping competitive residency options open, so I want access to meaningful clinical or policy-based research, even though I’m not focused on benchwork.

Last thing, how would things change if I get accepted into Sinai? I am still awaiting a decision. Thanks everyone!

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[cbum]

If you get into Sinai, go to Sinai lol.

I would choose Rochester from these options because it provides the best opportunities clinically and for its home residency programs.

 

[KnightTalking]

If you get into Sinai, go to Sinai lol.

I would choose Rochester from these options because it provides the best opportunities clinically and for its home residency programs.

Even if I’d like to go for an nyc based residency?

 

[Bowel-Plumber]

Just my opinion but from these options Downstate is the best choice. 5 years in Rochester for your MD/MBA is a long time if you’re not happy with the location. I’m not sure what your PGY1 friend went into or how competitive it was. But Downstates match list is solid. The school obviously isn’t on the same level as Rochester when it comes to the name, but I don’t think it’s worth paying more to live in a worse area. In fact, being near the city allows you to find research and make connections at these NYC programs at a way that Rochester couldn’t.