Help NYU vs SBU

[ptarta]

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Hi guys,

I'm an incoming sophomore transfer at either NYU or stony brook, but I can't pick which one! I got into both schools for fall 2025.

Stony brook pros:

• cheaper (33k/year)
• good research and academics
• hospital on campus
• good med school placement

Stony brook cons:

• further away from home
• not eligible for honors programs bc l'm a transfer
• dead campus
• less prestige
• does not have neuroscience major, only biochemistry

NYU pros:

• amazing neuroscience program
• NYC location is amazing
• great connections and communication
• alumni network
• grossman som right there
• very rigorous and prestigious
• many hospitals nearby
• many opportunities nearby

NYU cons:

• very expensive (90k/year)

I want to be a neurologist, both making upwards of 370k-400k/year. Is it worth it to take out a 100k loan for NYU? It's my dream school and I couldn't imagine turning it down — I feel like I'll regret it forever and look back on it.

I also really want to get into a T30 med school, and NYU has a great program to do so. But does stony brook?

Please help! Do I live out my NYU dream for 100k in debt I will be able to easily pay off later in life? Or do I go to Stony Brook and save all the debt for med school?

 

[syrupedbacon]

The cost difference per year is like the same as a year of med school tuition. I'd recommend going to Stony and using the money you save for med school.

Also (presuming you're in state?) I think 33k is an overestimate of the COA.

There's also an option to do a Bio degree with a Neuroscience concentration at Stony that may interest you.

I chose to do my undergrad at Stony while turning down my dream school due to the cost difference. It really stung in the moment but I have no regrets and am picking between Stony and a T20 for med school.

 

[Rachapkis]

If you do well at Stony Brook, your MCAT score is good, and you have good ECs, the fact that you attended Stonybrook will NOT affect your admittance to medical school (however prestigious). If that is all you care about, I would save the money and go to Stonybrook. However, college is about so much more than gaining admission to medical school. Only you can determine whether the other factors (fit, location, attending your dream school, etc.) are worth the extra money. That said, whenever someone is really torn between two places, I often remind them that their future self will never regret having a bigger bank account.