Einstein vs. Hofstra (Zucker)

[Martin van Nostrand]

A bit about me: I am a 20-something-year-old who is hoping to keep their options open in terms of residency but strongly interested in surgical sub-specialties, esp neurosurgery. For this reason, I would imagine the strength of clinical experience and research that I receive during medical school would be very important. I have moderately strong ties to NYC, which both schools are in/very close to. I would not mind staying in NYC for residency, and if not, I would like to go to California, although I am really not all too picky and would generally like to go to a strong residency program regardless of location. Things that are personally important to me are going to the gym, reading, meditating, sleeping well, and being able to cook. Professionally I am interested in going into academic medicine and specifically a surgical sub-specialty as I mentioned above, although I am fully aware that this may and likely will change during my time in medical school.


Einstein:
COA: ~$69,400/year ($17,500/yr scholarship)

(+) Research-intensive medical school, Require a scholarly project and support year-out research
(+) Patient population
(+) Higher (?) ranking (according to US News/PD)
(+) More established reputation/history esp in NYC
(+) Incredible clinical experience
(+) In New York City
(+) Great/affordable student housing
(+) Relationship with Montefiore
(+) Stronger (?) match
(+) Two clinical sites (Weiller Hospital and Jacobi) right on campus
(+) Research site right on campus
(+) Seems to really care about their students, Responsive to student feedback
(+) The alumni network is amazing
(+) Newly renovated fitness center

(-) Recently renovated curriculum, Maybe a positive overall but also may have bumps as first class with the new curriculum
(-) Anatomy lab is moving to prosection only, Might save time but lack dissection experience
(-) Overall a bit more expensive
(-) Larger class size, Could also be a positive
(-) Lower neurosurgery rankings (?), (Early I know but I am strongly interested in Neurosurg)


Hofstra/Northwell (Zucker):
COA: ~$57,400/year ($35,000/yr scholarship)

(+) Relationship with Northwell Health
(+) Strength of Northwell in Neurosurg and other surgical sub-specialties
(+) Great research within Northwell and also partnership with Cold Spring Harbor Lab
(+) Rapidly rising reputation, esp in the Northeast
(+) Strong match list
(+) Group-based/self-driven PBL curriculum
(+) ICE curriculum (Initial Clinical Experience where students have longitudinal clinical experience weekly)
(+) Smaller class size
(+) Really enjoyed my interview day, Physicians seem very happy to be at Northwell
(+) True anatomy lab, Dissection not protection
(+) Center for Innovation and Learning looks amazing
(+) Great fitness center on campus

(-) Newer/less established school
(-) Lower (?) ranking (according to US News/PD)
(-) Mandatory classes
(-) Would need to get a car
(-) No clinical sites on campus
(-) No research site on campus
(-) Outside of NYC, but a close drive

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[MongutheDoggy]

Einstein > Hofstra imo. I would choose Einstein as a way to keep more doors open... not that Hofstra would close doors, but Einstein would make it easier bc of its reputation.

 

[Banco]

I would pick Einstein here. It has a stronger national reputation, more research resources, pumps out grads into strong residencies throughout the country every year, and students overall seem to really like it. I don't think the cost difference is so massive here and it'd be worth it to pay the premium. Hofstra is solid and their in-house neurosurgery residency is strong - so if you do decide Hofstra, I'm sure you'll have no problem exploring your interest and getting on research.

Hard to compare match lists for Neurosurgery because there is such a huge student selection bias and it's a small field. You can compare the match lists kind of superficially I suppose

Einstein: Match Results 2020 | M.D. Admissions | Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Hofstra: You'll have to search the threads.

Einstein has plenty of NSGY matches over the last 10 years. With Hofstra it's a bit hard to draw a conclusion yet because it's so new, but there are a couple so far. So I think you can get there from both places. Also keep in mind your view might change on what you want to do in medical school.

 

[deleted959514]

That difference in COA is not significant relative to the more doors Einstein will open for you due to its strong reputation (for surgery and academia). Einstein no question.

 

[nasalover101]

AE all the way.

 

[Martin van Nostrand]

Thank you everyone for your input! I think I have decided on attending Einstein.

If anyone facing a similar decision should stumble across this post, my inbox is always open to discuss.