MCG VS. SUNY Downstate

[StatMode]

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Hey everyone! I have found myself in a happy but stressful predicament. Was all set to go to SUNY Downstate until I was accepted off the waitlist May 1st to MCG. Now its crunch time!

Medical College of Georgia (MCG )
Pros

• Instate Tuition
• Cost of living lower and wouldn't have to pack up and move (much easier logistics wise to search apartments, find roommates etc)
• Nice new facilities

Cons

• On the quiet side (but I think it is beneficial to studying)
• I dont know if its very well known to residency programs across the country to maximize my success come match time
• Don't really seem to push public health or global health ( but I was hoping to get involved on my own leg work in Atlanta's CDC, Grady and refugee populations)

SUNY Downstate
Pros

• Known for its early clinical exposure. Students get to do so much so I feel maybe I would be better prepped for residency
• NYC is fun
• Very diverse patient population
• I am interested in possibly matching to NY and of course the match list id NY heavy
• Strong in public health

Cons

• Old facilities (Gets the job done I suppose but I want the best tools possible in my studies)
• OS Tuition ( I do get instate after living off campus the first year which helps, but their instate is still higher than MCG
• COL can be higher for less room even with roommates

Will edit if I think of anything else or if you want more info. As of now I am interested in OB/Gyn, but I am very open. Please help! Thank you 🙂

 

[Entadus]

What's the tuition/COA difference, exactly? It sounds like MCG would be the more practical choice.

Also, why are you interested in matching in NY?

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

I say MCG. Stay closer to home and save a good chunk of change

 

[StatMode]

What's the tuition/COA difference, exactly? It sounds like MCG would be the more practical choice.

Also, why are you interested in matching in NY?

Hi Entadus!

MCG: $28,358 tuition + fees
COA- (off campus, instate) $64,844

I haven't received my award yet, but I am sure COA will be lower once I go through what I want to take.

SUNY: $65,834 (tuition + fees first year)
$ 40,824 (tuition and fees last three years)
COA- $100,861 (For the first year only. All loans. I wouldn't take all due to subtracting things like health insurance and reducing the amount for books/supplies, but still pricey)

I am originally from NY and my family may move back up there (or somewhere up North in that area) so I may want to follow them 🙂

Thanks!

 

[StatMode]

I say MCG. Stay closer to home and save a good chunk of change

Thanks for your input Cyrus! Much appreciated 🙂

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

Thanks for your input Cyrus! Much appreciated 🙂

congrats on the acceptances!

 

[Entadus]

Hi Entadus!

MCG: $28,358 tuition + fees
COA- (off campus, instate) $64,844

I haven't received my award yet, but I am sure COA will be lower once I go through what I want to take.

SUNY: $65,834 (tuition + fees first year)
$ 40,824 (tuition and fees last three years)
COA- $100,861 (For the first year only. All loans. I wouldn't take all due to subtracting things like health insurance and reducing the amount for books/supplies, but still pricey)

I am originally from NY and my family may move back up there (or somewhere up North in that area) so I may want to follow them 🙂

Thanks!

Hmm, that's a pretty significant cost difference. Will you be relying on loans to cover it?

And you say your family MAY move back to NY... but they certainly live in Georgia now! Plus, if they DO move back, it will be possible to match in NY after med school. Sure, it would be easier to match in NY from Downstate, but still possible from Georgia.

At this point, and from my keyboard here, I think MCG is looking like the better choice. Best of luck with your decision!

 

[StatMode]

Hmm, that's a pretty significant cost difference. Will you be relying on loans to cover it?

And you say your family MAY move back to NY... but they certainly live in Georgia now! Plus, if they DO move back, it will be possible to match in NY after med school. Sure, it would be easier to match in NY from Downstate, but still possible from Georgia.

At this point, and from my keyboard here, I think MCG is looking like the better choice. Best of luck with your decision!

Yep! All loans 🙁 I was thinking of that if I have to rack up debt it should be in the environment that will leave me with the lowest. You're right that I should not plan the future right now when it comes to residency. Definitely looking like MCG is the way.

Thank you very much! 🙂

 

[abouttreefiddy]

Because you mentioned the weight of preparation for residency i just wanted to mention SUNY downstate only has 0.2 better rating by residency program directors (2.8 vs 2.6 for mcg). I would look at the match lists also though and see if either impresses you more. I was going to say the extra money isn't worth the slight advantage, but i just noticed you said you can get in state tuition for SUNY after a year, so even though it is more expensive if you really liked it much better than mcg it wouldn't be outrageous to choose SUNY. Congrats on the acceptances!

 

[StatMode]

Because you mentioned the weight of preparation for residency i just wanted to mention SUNY downstate only has 0.2 better rating by residency program directors (2.8 vs 2.6 for mcg). I would look at the match lists also though and see if either impresses you more. I was going to say the extra money isn't worth the slight advantage, but i just noticed you said you can get in state tuition for SUNY after a year, so even though it is more expensive if you really liked it much better than mcg it wouldn't be outrageous to choose SUNY. Congrats on the acceptances!

Hey treefiddy!

Doing research into PD rankings, I am seeing that it is very subjective and not a good measure of the school itself? (Hope I have that right) It seems to rank way down. I did see impressive matches with NYU, Hopkins, Boston, Emory, Duke etc sprinkled throughout both schools' lists.

Arrrgggghhh I liked both! lol Some real soul searching is needed to see who has the slighter edge but the scale is really tipping towards MCG.

thank you very much!