Drexel COM vs SUNY Downstate

[Mr. Game & Watch]

Grateful that I have multiple acceptances, but now need to decide by the end of this week! Any insight/advice would be greatly appreciated!!! NY resident here.


Drexel

Pros

• Better interview experience (better overall vibes with students/staff)
• Nicer facilities/tech integration
• Slightly better name recognition
• More organized/supportive administration
• SLIGHTLY cheaper COL than NYC/Brooklyn
• Located about 10-15 mins from Philly, nice having the option to live just outside the city hub
• Felt more comfortable, nicer neighborhood immediately surrounding the school
• Solid peds match results (what I'm leaning towards)
• Medical Spanish Program

Cons

• More expensive (significant factor, by about 50k)
• Farther from friends/fam/SO
• Uncertain if they are true P/F
• Far affiliated hospitals, some located about 1.5 hours or more outside Philly
• Smaller PH focus (one of my stronger interests)

Downstate

Pros

• Less expensive (IS Resident, about 50K or more)
• Will be closer to family & friends
• Solid step 1 scores/match list
• True P/F
• Like the curriculum layout, spaced out exams
• Curriculum's "Social Determinants of Health Pathway" (may help with residency apps/LORs)

Cons

• Higher COL (slightly)
• Meh neighborhood surrounding the school
• Rough commutes to some clinical sites (can be an hour or more on the subway at odd hours)
• Less organized administration (can already tell, one of the common complaints from students too)

Ultimately, I think the most significant factors are: 1) Residency/Step1 performance (similar), 2) Proximity to support, 3) Curriculum Structure, 4) Cost, and 5) Comfort. Thank you for helping!!!

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[Medicine Mamba]

Drexel better name recognition? Really?
Most ppl would pick Downstate easy. Cheaper and closer to your support system.
There are a lot of complaints about Drexel out there, while Downstate is a popular (but not perfect) school.

 

[AlphaDoctor]

Drexel is definitely a more well known and established school. I’m a huge fan and highly considering attending myself.

 

[ciestar]

Drexel has an affiliated children’s hospital which is huge when you’re interested in peds.

But, that price tag cannot be ignored.

 

[Moko]

If you're happy with both match lists and can see yourself being content at both programs, seems like a no brainer to go to Downstate given the somewhat lower cost and greater proximity to family. (The COL will be higher in NYC than Philly, so that evens things out a bit)

When it comes time for rotations, it might make sense to rent out a cheap place closer to the clinical site in order to cut down on commute. Time is precious during M3/M4.

 

[ciestar]

If you're happy with both match lists and can see yourself being content at both programs, seems like a no brainer to go to Downstate given the somewhat lower cost and greater proximity to family. (The COL will be higher in NYC than Philly, so that evens things out a bit)

When it comes time for rotations, it might make sense to rent out a cheap place closer to the clinical site in order to cut down on commute. Time is precious during M3/M4.

Sound advice. I opted not to do rotations at Hahnemann third year, opted for an all-year site and moved closer to it. My commute became five minutes and rent was $600 a month cheaper. I am pay for it now at the beginning of fourth year, but, it is working out.

 

[Mr. Game & Watch]

Agreed @Moko - tough to turn down a school I was particularly high on since the beginning of the cycle, but think the right decision would be to be choose the more affordable school if I like both options with the added bonus of being closer to my support system