HELP! Stony Brook/Renaissance vs Hofstra/Zucker

[Beepboop3]

Hey guys! I am incredibly conflicted between these two schools. For the most part, they seem to be the same. Both are P/F and have similar step scores, match lists, and research. But I created a pros/cons list of other factors for the two schools. I would love some feedback because I'm not sure what to value here.


**HOFSTRA/ZUCKER SOM**

PROS:

- Got a scholarship, so tuition comes out to $45k/yr + they offered a 5% private loan

- Northwell hospital system (huge in NY)

- Separate dedicated Step 1 (after 2nd year) and Step 2 (after 3rd year) periods

- Initial clinical experiences from M1 year, great for exploring different specialties and getting started on clinical research

- Closer to NYC


CONS:

- Extremely long blocks (8-12 weeks), which means lots of material on each exam but more time to do shadowing/research at the beginning of the block

- Exams are short answer/essay format

- Non-NBME exams but practice NBME tests offered

- Less established

- Mandatory 8am-12pm classes

- Expensive housing (\~1300/mo)



**STONY BROOK/RENAISSANCE SOM**

PROS:

- Better PD ranking

- Multiple choice, NBME exams

- Recorded lectures

- Exams every 2 weeks (I think this is a pro?)

- Cheaper housing (\~1000/mo)

- Free iPad Air


CONS:

- I am considered out of state so tuition is $73,000. So, it's a $112,000 (plus interest) tuition difference after 4 years (might qualify for instate after a year but have to fill as independent and figure out car insurance/registration)

- Combined Step 1 and Step 2 study period and very close to residency applications

- Heard that admin sucks and doesn't give a **** about student concerns (eg. parking, med student exclusive study spots, more research opportunities)

- Rumors of potentially having internal ranking for preclinical years

- Kinda in the middle of nowhere

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[ablanco]

Hard to argue with the cost at Hofstra, with similar outcomes. Mandatory lectures blow. Probably don't need an iPad air. I really only see the lecture delivery/testing to be the only compelling reason to go to Stonybrook.

 

[abcd234]

You can apply for in-state tuition after one year at Stony Brook so the difference in cost is nowhere near what you have down.

 

[littlebearfanpage]

As someone from Long Island, both Hofstra and Stony are in the middle of the suburbs with absurdly expensive housing. Location is extremely similar between the 2. Also Northwell is expansive, but Stony has the big state flagship university hospital

 

[User71]

You can apply for in-state tuition after one year at Stony Brook so the difference in cost is nowhere near what you have down.

Do not accept this statement as true. Do your own research. https://www.suny.edu/smarttrack/residency/

To me this is not a close call unless tuition is truly closer.

Hofstra.

 

[secondariesftw]

Do not accept this statement as true. Do your own research. https://www.suny.edu/smarttrack/residency/

To me this is not a close call unless tuition is truly closer.

Hofstra.

From that link.......This seems to match what everyone was saying.

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At SUNY's State-operated campuses (University Centers, University Colleges, and Technology Colleges), students are generally considered New York State residents if they have established their domicile in New York State for at least twelve months prior to the last day of the registration period of a particular term.