Harvard vs. Cornell vs. Mount Sinai

[d_i]

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Harvard
Pros
·One year preclinical curriculum; P/F
·Expecting lower COA due to Unit Loan system and parental contribution waived for students whose parents earn less than $100,000
·Prestige
·Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
·No AOA
·Step 1 after first clinical year

Cons
·Boston is less diverse than NYC
·Vanderbilt Hall

Cornell (MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIP)
Pros
·1.5 year preclinical curriculum; P/F
·Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
·Located in NYC (although in less diverse area as compared to Mount Sinai)
·Unit Loan for COA

Cons
·Olin Hall
·AOA

Mount Sinai
Pros
·Focused on student wellness; really feel like everyone cares about the medical students
·Located in NYC in very diverse area (between Upper East Side and East Harlem)
·Many different clinical sites across very diverse neighborhoods
·Aron Hall

Cons
·2 year preclinical curriculum
·Not as prestigious as Cornell and Harvard
·Expecting higher COA (unless I can leverage Harvard/Cornell COA)
·AOA
·Focused on primary care


I would like to be placed in a residency in NYC in the future. I do not know the type of physician I would like to become, but definitely want to pursue academic medicine (researching cancer).


If any current students /students familiar with these institutions could please help with reasons why the particular school, it would be much appreciated (especially from experts like @Goro @gyngyn @HomeSkool @LizzyM @Catalystik ).

 

[878956]

If I were in your shoes, I would go with either Harvard or Cornell. I would strongly lean towards Harvard because being at Harvard can open up opportunities/doors you would not find elsewhere. MSKCC is by no means out of the question, if you were to matriculate at Harvard. AOA doesn't really matter since it is Harvard and its name is universal. Without question, Harvard will allow you to be in a residency in NYC.

I don't think there is a better place to pursue academic medicine than Harvard. Hopefully you make (in my opinion) the smart decision and choose Harvard.

In addition, Boston isn't too far from NYC. So for those long weekends, you could always spend them in NYC if you desire.

 

[libertyyne]

Lower COA , higher ranking, more prestige, and an amazing cancer center. I'm unsure why you have reservations about the big H.

 

[d_i]

Lower COA , higher ranking, more prestige, and an amazing cancer center. I'm unsure why you have reservations about the big H.

I have lived in NYC my whole life, which makes the decision a bit tough since my family is here. But, Harvard is very close so that makes the decision easier.

Regarding the COA, I haven't received the official award letter yet, but based on what I read about their formula for determining need/scholarship, I do believe it should be less expensive.

Thank you for your feedback!

 

[d_i]

If I were in your shoes, I would go with either Harvard or Cornell. I would strongly lean towards Harvard because being at Harvard can open up opportunities/doors you would not find elsewhere. MSKCC is by no means out of the question, if you were to matriculate at Harvard. AOA doesn't really matter since it is Harvard and its name is universal. Without question, Harvard will allow you to be in a residency in NYC.

I don't think there is a better place to pursue academic medicine than Harvard. Hopefully you make (in my opinion) the smart decision and choose Harvard.

In addition, Boston isn't too far from NYC. So for those long weekends, you could always spend them in NYC if you desire.

Thank you!

 

[d_i]

I'm also wondering about the students from Harvard and Cornell. How competitive are they? Does the school support its students by looking at them as more than just a number?

Those revisits haven't happened yet so I have not been able to see that for myself, which is why I appreciate any feedback from those more experienced.

 

[klumpke]

I'm also wondering about the students from Harvard and Cornell. How competitive are they? Does the school support its students by looking at them as more than just a number?

Those revisits haven't happened yet so I have not been able to see that for myself, which is why I appreciate any feedback from those more experienced.

im thinking i may end up at cornell and i can tell you right now that im like the opposite of a competitive premed lol but n=1 on that one

 

[ScreenName23]

im thinking i may end up at cornell and i can tell you right now that im like the opposite of a competitive premed lol but n=1 on that one

Same!! We are going to have a chilll class (I hope)

Also, good luck with your decision! You can’t go wrong but I’d probably go Harvard...

 

[klumpke]

Same!! We are going to have a chilll class (I hope)

Also, good luck with your decision! You can’t go wrong but I’d probably go Harvard...

AYOO. Tbh I think that gunner rep is Cornell of old, ive loved everyone so far... so @d_i we now have n=2, come to cornell

 

[InactiveLurker]

Unless you get full ride to Cornell, Harvard seems more of a safe bet, especially if you were to change your opinion about where you want to match at the last moment. Both schools will match you great into NYC with added benefit of Cornell that you would be more used to NYC hospital, ahem, very special ancillary stuff culture

 

[shortcoatdream15]

If you’re trying to land a residency in NYC mt Sinai is Harvard tier. If you want to keep your options for anywhere in US, then Harvard

 

[878956]

If you’re trying to land a residency in NYC mt Sinai is Harvard tier. If you want to keep your options for anywhere in US, then Harvard

Not true. Mount Sinai is in no way Harvard tier even in NYC. That title goes to Columbia and Cornell.
Them and NYU outperform Mt Sinai in terms of landing of residency in NYC.

The OP's choice is really between Harvard and Cornell and based on the polls, it is clear that Harvard is the heavy favorite.

 

[878956]

You can't use match lists to see which school has a better placement in New York. Just because Sinai doesn't place many people in New York doesn't mean people from Sinai want to stay in New York and don't get residencies there. Anybody from sinai that wants to stay around nyc will be able to.

With that said, one can't really say "Mt. Sinai is Harvard tier for NYC" because anyone from Harvard can go anywhere, that includes nyc.

Landing a residency wasn’t really my point. Mount Sinai is not Harvard tier in any category was the point I was trying to make.

 

[trobinsonmd]

Most people would call declining Harvard "crazy", but I think this really is one of the cases in I would do it. I turned down a very prestigious CA school for NYU and the whole New York experience has been unforgettable, both personally and professionally... Weill is located in a cool part of town, the clinical opportunities are amazing, and its reputation isn't too far off from Harvard... Boston is not the best place to live

 

[d_i]

Thank you everyone for your advice/opinions. I am choosing Harvard 🙂