Einstein vs UC Davis

[premedoenophile]

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Hi all,

I could really use some help in deciding here. I am currently in the Bay Area and absolutely love it, but I also like the idea of living in NY. I'm turned off by the Bronx although current students say they manage to get into the city. I'm interested in research and possibly academic medicine. I feel like Davis students are happier and closer than Einstein's, but I feel like my background may be more similar to Einstein students. I am at a complete and utter toss-up.

Here's a little comparison chart I made (not that it helped me):

Davis Einstein

Sacramento (~1 hour from SF) Bronx (~1 hr from Manhattan)
US News rank: 47 Us News rank: 38
~$35,000/year ~45,000/year
On interview day: loooved it On interview day: gave it a "B+"
Class size: ~90 Class size: ~180


Any input is much appreciated!!

 

[bobsmith]

Based on what you've written here ("loooved it" vs "B+" and 10k/year cheaper), I feel like you should go to Davis.

Admittedly, I don't know much about Einstein (or Davis for that matter... so maybe you shouldn't listen to me at all 😛), but it doesn't seem like you have a really strong reason to go there over Davis, especially since I get the sense that you know you'll be happy at Davis.

 

[RunningDiva]

Can't really help w/ the comparison as I didn't interview at Einstein.

I did interview at Davis, tho. What I liked:

• I really loved the commaderie (sp) of the Davis students. They seemed down-to-earth peeps. Most are also CA residents.
• The 7 student run clinics give you plenty of opportunity to learn clinical medicine from literally the first week you start.
• You're tested every other week on material. No falling behind allowed! Depending on your studying habits, this could be great for you (or not).
• New medical education buliding --> nice! Also, brand new trauma center of the hospital just opened (level 1, only in area).
• Housing is cheap in Sacramento. And the school is in Sac, not Davis.
• 1.5 hours to SF, 2 hours to Tahoe, rafting on the American River nearby.

I didn't get a chance to go to 2nd look weekend so maybe some one can chime in about that.

 

[vitty]

It is really a toss up. If you want to do research than I would strongly recommend Einstein. Davis has a lot of active research but mainly in the basic sciences and even then, it isn't what Einstein has. I have heard that Einstein has a lot of clinical opportunities... but I don't know. Davis has the student run clinics, which I believe is their greatest asset. I went to UCD as an undergrad and while I liked the med school/hospital I have had enough bad experiences with it not to want to go there. A lot of my friends who went to UCD said the administration was very unsupportive but I have no idea to what extent that may be true. You are right though, they have a very close nit class and consistently bring in a mix of good people. You cannot go wrong with your decision, good luck!

Hi all,

I could really use some help in deciding here. I am currently in the Bay Area and absolutely love it, but I also like the idea of living in NY. I'm turned off by the Bronx although current students say they manage to get into the city. I'm interested in research and possibly academic medicine. I feel like Davis students are happier and closer than Einstein's, but I feel like my background may be more similar to Einstein students. I am at a complete and utter toss-up.

Here's a little comparison chart I made (not that it helped me):

Davis Einstein

Sacramento (~1 hour from SF) Bronx (~1 hr from Manhattan)
US News rank: 47 Us News rank: 38
~$35,000/year ~45,000/year
On interview day: loooved it On interview day: gave it a "B+"
Class size: ~90 Class size: ~180


Any input is much appreciated!!

 

[Doctor Rod]

It is really a toss up. If you want to do research than I would strongly recommend Einstein. Davis has a lot of active research but mainly in the basic sciences and even then, it isn't what Einstein has. I have heard that Einstein has a lot of clinical opportunities... but I don't know. Davis has the student run clinics, which I believe is their greatest asset. I went to UCD as an undergrad and while I liked the med school/hospital I have had enough bad experiences with it not to want to go there. A lot of my friends who went to UCD said the administration was very unsupportive but I have no idea to what extent that may be true. You are right though, they have a very close nit class and consistently bring in a mix of good people. You cannot go wrong with your decision, good luck!

I agree with Vitty, though, admittedly, I didn't interview at UCD. Einstein is very well known (out east) for their basic, clinical, and translational genetics research. If that is something that you would really like to develop, then I'd highly recommend Einstein. However, as has been said many times on SDN, the place where you'll be most happiest is the place where you'll be most successful! You can certainly do academic medicine in UCD! It may just be the matter of you doing a little extra leg-work to find those circles of students who share those career objectives.

Another major factor that I had consider when making my choice is: where do you see yourself practicing? East coast or West coast? UCD will have a lot of strong ties to Stanford, UCSF, and a lot of the major science institutes out west, whereas Einstein will have connections with Columbia, Sloan-Kettering..etc. This is evidenced by their amazing match list from 2010, its really jaw-dropping (to me - an internal medicine guy). It seems as though the vast majority placed into top 5 Medicine Residencies!
http://myalbert.einstein.yu.edu/aecom/students/match/2010.htm

Moral to the story is you'll be fine anywhere you go! You may have a bit more of a Cali bias since you have had more exposure to that environment. My motto is, you only live once! Why not be a bit adventurous in your 20s (that is assuming that you are in your 20s and don't make the additional 40k of debt).

Cheers

 

[premedoenophile]

Hi,

Thanks all for the input - it is sooo appreciated! I just want to clarify that although I preferred Davis on interview day, I have gotten really psychologically attached to the idea of Einstein in recent weeks. It's hard to explain but I feel like my initial impression and recent impression even each other out, which is why I am having such a hard time deciding...

 

[zebalong]

Hi,

Thanks all for the input - it is sooo appreciated! I just want to clarify that although I preferred Davis on interview day, I have gotten really psychologically attached to the idea of Einstein in recent weeks. It's hard to explain but I feel like my initial impression and recent impression even each other out, which is why I am having such a hard time deciding...

Same thing happened to me with Einstein. LOVED Case when i interviewed there.. but after thinking about Einstein all season i ultimately chose to go there. Good luck in your decision either way you can't go wrong.

 

[alibai3ah]

Personally I would go with UC Davis. I went to undergrad there and a pretty good experience. I worked at the UC Davis medical center as well. I think the price, weather, and location alone should steer you in UC Davis' direction.

While Einstein is in New York, Bronx is an area I have heard some bad things about. I really don't think you'll be going to New York all that often, especially your first two years.

I think both schools are not that far apart in terms of research. While UC davis is a bit more clinically focused, I don't think Einstein will provide you with THAT many more opportunities. I don't think the school is worth the extra 40K (over 4 years) or living in that area.

 

[LeftyUM]

Personally I would go with UC Davis. I went to undergrad there and a pretty good experience. I worked at the UC Davis medical center as well. I think the price, weather, and location alone should steer you in UC Davis' direction.

While Einstein is in New York, Bronx is an area I have heard some bad things about. I really don't think you'll be going to New York all that often, especially your first two years.

I think both schools are not that far apart in terms of research. While UC davis is a bit more clinically focused, I don't think Einstein will provide you with THAT many more opportunities. I don't think the school is worth the extra 40K (over 4 years) or living in that area.

Einstein students actually end up traveling to Manhattan quite often, its really only a 25-30 min bus ride, of course depending how deep into Manhattan you wish to go could take longer but it is very doable. I myself am attending Einstein, and I really liked the place. Its a VERY diverse class and honestly was one of the major reasons why I chose it. The students also seemed very laid back. Their global health programs are amazing, and their research is top notch. Someone already mentioned their stellar match list, so thats a plus While people have this certain idea about the Bronx, its not as bad as most make it out to be. Sure its nothing like being surrounded by skyscrapers in Manhattan, but its not terrible. Most major hospital centers have not so well areas surrounding them anyways.

 

[candyqueen]

I interviewed at both UC Davis and Einstein and while I really liked Einstein on interview day, I absolutely fell in love with UC Davis. The clinical experiences, proximity to family and friends, weather, and cost played the biggest parts in my decision to pick UC Davis.

I have heard good things about Einstein's global health program, but UC Davis
also has international opportunities in countries like Nicauragua, Honduras, etc. And while you might have to look harder for research at Davis, it is definitely not a weak point of UC Davis (I believe they are a clinical and translational research center).

Ultimately, you should go where you will be happiest, which I believe is a huge part of one's success in school. Let us know what you end up deciding!

 

[CytokineStorm]

I interviewed at both UC Davis and Einstein and while I really liked Einstein on interview day, I absolutely fell in love with UC Davis. The clinical experiences, proximity to family and friends, weather, and cost played the biggest parts in my decision to pick UC Davis.

I have heard good things about Einstein's global health program, but UC Davis
also has international opportunities in countries like Nicauragua, Honduras, etc. And while you might have to look harder for research at Davis, it is definitely not a weak point of UC Davis (I believe they are a clinical and translational research center).

Ultimately, you should go where you will be happiest, which I believe is a huge part of one's success in school. Let us know what you end up deciding!

I think that candyqueen makes some good points. I cannot really share any specifics regarding AECOM's curriculum or clinical exposure; nevertheless, I do believe that Davis offers a pretty diversified set of academic and clinical experiences. If you are considering research, Davis offers a medical student research fellowship that would be a pretty cool track to presentations, publications or both! I think it is only natural for you to feel a little bit attached to AECOM after pretty much setting upon matriculating there... You are lucky to have such a great decision to make as arduous as it may be 🙂 Good luck!

 

[premedoenophile]

Hi all,

This was a very difficult decision, and I struggled with it constantly over the past few days. In particular, I really appreciated what Cytokine said - that it was only natural to feel attached to AECOM after committing to it - and in the end I think that recognizing this fact helped push me back to my original preference, Davis. In trying to get myself amped for AECOM, I downplayed its cons and focused on its strengths. The past few days have been a big internal negotiation of giving up these strengths, which were a bit blown out of proportion in my mind, but still it was a little heartbreaking.

So I chose Davis, and I'm very happy. I've been emailing with another SDNer who was in the EXACT same situation as me, and she chose AECOM. She made her choice largely on the desire to live someplace new, as she has always lived in Southern CA. Rank played a role as well. It's only fitting that AECOM and UCD each got one "vote," as they are both so great.

In the end I made my decision based on the following:

Location: Sacramento is boring, and the Bronx is dreary. Both are close to big cities. SF is my favorite city, and my current and future home. NY is an exciting fantasy situation which overwhelms me when I visit (although had I moved to NY I'm sure I would have adjusted). But in the end Sac wins because it's kind of a cute little town, and I wanted to be close to SF (and my family in LA) more than I wanted to be in NY.

Rank/reputation: I know rank shouldn't matter, and it's largely BS, but I couldn't help but pay attention. AECOM is 38 (41 in 2009) while UCD is 47 (48 in 2009). Close enough not to wholly matter, but the numbers did make me lean toward AECOM. But I want to match in CA and practice in CA, and I think UCD has an advantage there.

Gut feel: Like I said before, I loved UCD on interview day and was "OK" on AECOM.

Research/clinical: Comparable. My interviewer at UCD, a truly fantastic and inspirational woman, has told me several times that I could work with her on her awesome social/community-based research...so that made up for AECOM's research advantage.

Things I didn't care about (but are nice perks in the end): tuition and weather.

Thank you all for your comments : ) they were hugely helpful but mostly comforting as I sorted out my thoughts. I appreciate the time you all took to share your opinions with me!

 

[ruiner]

Your name is very close to "pedophile." Just an irrelevant observation, but I seriously had to look twice.

 

[CytokineStorm]

Hey Premedoenophile, its clear that you put a lot of thought in this decision and you should have a clear conscience moving forward. It's tough to put an option down when you hear others speaking so enthusiastically about it, but in the end you did what was right for you. Start getting amped about Davis, we have an awesome place to lay the foundation our careers! I guess I'll be seeing you soon, take care!

 

[candyqueen]

Congrats on making your decision!

 

[premedoenophile]

Your name is very close to "pedophile." Just an irrelevant observation, but I seriously had to look twice.

Errrrrr...

Well I love wine, and have very appropriate feelings for children! Thanks for the tip though, I'll see if I can capitalize some letters to avoid that problem.

And thanks Cytokine and Candy!

 

[mrmilad]

Errrrrr...

Well I love wine, and have very appropriate feelings for children! Thanks for the tip though, I'll see if I can capitalize some letters to avoid that problem.

And thanks Cytokine and Candy!

Well the 47 you are talking about is a Research Ranking if I am not mistaken. UCD is ranked 20th for primary care, and clinical. Einstein is ranked 46th for clinical. So when you look at both the rankings if that is so important for you UCD is all around a bit higher with a 20 in primary and a 47 in research. But then again you are interested in research, so guess you may be more interested in the research ranking.

PS Congrats!

 

[mdeast]

Well the 47 you are talking about is a Research Ranking if I am not mistaken. UCD is ranked 20th for primary care, and clinical. Einstein is ranked 46th for clinical. So when you look at both the rankings if that is so important for you UCD is all around a bit higher with a 20 in primary and a 47 in research. But then again you are interested in research, so guess you may be more interested in the research ranking.

PS Congrats!

The primary care rankings are pretty useless BTW. Not to say that the research rankings aren't pretty useless too....but definitely less so.

 

[jbz24]

Well the 47 you are talking about is a Research Ranking if I am not mistaken. UCD is ranked 20th for primary care, and clinical. Einstein is ranked 46th for clinical. So when you look at both the rankings if that is so important for you UCD is all around a bit higher with a 20 in primary and a 47 in research. But then again you are interested in research, so guess you may be more interested in the research ranking.

PS Congrats!

Primary care rankings are useless. Plus Einstein has historically been in the 20s for research but has taken a dip the past 5-6 years.

 

[mrmilad]

The primary care rankings are pretty useless BTW. Not to say that the research rankings aren't pretty useless too....but definitely less so.

Well yea you guys are right about the primary care, and that both are pretty useless. My advisor at my undergrad did say you can take the research ranking more seriously but really its based on the amount of money that the school receives from NIH and their investors that sets the ranking. In either case, Congrats!

 

[CytokineStorm]

It's all about the primary care rankings! Why ignore something that some obscure statistician put so much blood, sweat, and tears into! 😀

Regarding the other slightly more useful research ranking determinate, I imagine that Davis should move up in the next couple of years. My rationale for such a bold prediction is that the new Betty and Irene School of Nursing should be bringing in some extra research dollars to the school of medicine. We'll see, I'll be waiting for the next edition of the US News rankings with eager anticipation 🙂