MCW vs NYMC

[mdhopeful99]

MCW
Pros

• Better research funding/opportunities here – especially if I choose a research centered scholarly pathway.
• Lower living expenses and could potentially save tens of thousands after all 4 years
• Incredibly impressed on interview day – got the feeling that the school truly cares about their students
• Seems MCW has an incredible reputation in Wisconsin and fairly strong rep nationally – matches students into competitive residencies across the country
• I’ve read that they have really nice facilities – unfortunately haven’t been able to see for myself (COVID)
• Froedtert and Children’s Wisconsin (a top nationally ranked pediatric hospital) as the school’s primary academic hospitals – located on this medical campus

Cons

• Large class size – although NYMC is just as big so this is neglicible
• Weather, I am originally from the north east and New York also gets cold winters, but Wisconsin will be frigid
• Don’t know anyone in the Midwest at all – have never even been to the Midwest so this would be brand new to me (could be a pro, but thinking about it makes me slightly anxious)

NYMC
Pros

• Match list that punches above its weight class – clearly, they are generating quality physicians
• Extended family and some friends nearby, familiarity with area – however this is not a substantial factor for me
• Located on Westchester Medical Campus – also opportunities to rotate at numerous locations throughout NYC and beyond
• Students and graduates I know have spoken highly of their experiences at the school
• Don't know much about it, but dean seemed to discuss BioInc (a biotechnology incubator on campus) as an avenue for significant research opportunities

Cons

• Worry I will be overshadowed by the higher tier med schools in the area – spoke to a current M3 who told me he has never felt this way
• I’ve read some things about NYMC’s reputation as a “back-up” school – wonder if this is true or how the school is viewed by attendings and others in the medical community
• Cost of living – expensive area and I’ve heard M3 and M4s live in the city for rotations
• Heard the Touro takeover diminished research funding/ability?? Not entirely sure about this though

Undecided, but thinking I want to do surgical specialty, don’t know where I will practice after school but family is in South east coast of US – both schools are P/F for first 2 years, similar size, and seem to have similar curriculum structure. Sorry for lengthy post and would love any insight, thoughts, or direction!

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[9blade]

I would lean towards MCW because you get good research opportunities and it seems like you would be saving more money in 4 years. What's the COA for each school? I assume NYMC is a bit more expensive. I know the Midwest gets cold, but so does NY. I don't think it's substantially that more colder. To me, after a certain temp, cold is cold. Either way, I would side with MCW. I do have a friend who goes to NYMC and she loves it.

 

[mdhopeful99]

I would lean towards MCW because you get good research opportunities and it seems like you would be saving more money in 4 years. What's the COA for each school? I assume NYMC is a bit more expensive. I know the Midwest gets cold, but so does NY. I don't think it's substantially that more colder. To me, after a certain temp, cold is cold. Either way, I would side with MCW. I do have a friend who goes to NYMC and she loves it.

Thanks for your insight! Fact is I've talked to a few students at both schools and they love it, so thats ultimately a great sign. Tuition for each is nearly the same - I think NYMC is like 1-2k more (I have no idea if I can claim IS tuition after M1 year at MCW though - as it would save me an additional 4k a year but I will err on the side of caution now and assume thats not possible until I know for certain). Really the savings come from COL, super rough estimates based on previous year costs/FA packages put me at potentially saving 6-12k per year on COL at MCW.

 

[TabbyTuxy]

It sounds like there are a lot of similarities between the programs and the educational outcomes will be roughly the same in each. At this point, I think considering quality of life is really important, and for me this comes back to cost of living. Wisconsin will be incredibly cheap -- a quick Zillow search shows that you'd have your pick of some nice apartments in Milwaukee for a really affordable price, while Valhalla/White Plains is literally 2x more expensive for rent alone. Personally, I'd want to live somewhere with a short commute to class/clinicals, and in an apartment that makes me feel really happy, especially since you will be spending a lot of time there.

Another consideration is whether you prefer a suburban or "urban" lifestyle. Milwaukee isn't a large city, but it does have a more distinct city character than you'd find at NYMC. However, NYMC would be great for someone who craves that "big city" energy a short train ride away. Day-to-day, though, it will probably feel quite suburban, much more so than MCW. That may or may not appeal to you.

I'd bet climate isn't too terribly different. Both get four seasons, and once it's cold, it's cold. WI will be more bitter but NY will still get the snow, ice, and need to bundle up and brush off the car some mornings.

 

[mdhopeful99]

It sounds like there are a lot of similarities between the programs and the educational outcomes will be roughly the same in each. At this point, I think considering quality of life is really important, and for me this comes back to cost of living. Wisconsin will be incredibly cheap -- a quick Zillow search shows that you'd have your pick of some nice apartments in Milwaukee for a really affordable price, while Valhalla/White Plains is literally 2x more expensive for rent alone. Personally, I'd want to live somewhere with a short commute to class/clinicals, and in an apartment that makes me feel really happy, especially since you will be spending a lot of time there.

Another consideration is whether you prefer a suburban or "urban" lifestyle. Milwaukee isn't a large city, but it does have a more distinct city character than you'd find at NYMC. However, NYMC would be great for someone who craves that "big city" energy a short train ride away. Day-to-day, though, it will probably feel quite suburban, much more so than MCW. That may or may not appeal to you.

I'd bet climate isn't too terribly different. Both get four seasons, and once it's cold, it's cold. WI will be more bitter but NY will still get the snow, ice, and need to bundle up and brush off the car some mornings.

Couldn't agree more with this. I imagine it is going to be difficult for me to ignore the apparent difference on COL between Milwaukee and the Valhalla/NYC area. Cost aside, I am also trying to figure out if there is anything glaring about either school that I am unaware of or missing. With that being said, with my present knowledge I do believe both will provide me with great opportunities and outcomes. Thanks again for your thoughts!

 

[Putkernerinthehall]

I think MCW is probably a little stronger, especially for research. Couple that with lower COL, I'd go with MCW.

 

[mdhopeful99]

I think MCW is probably a little stronger, especially for research. Couple that with lower COL, I'd go with MCW.

Thanks for your input! Any other reasons you think MCW is a better choice? Or are research and COL primary in your suggestion

 

[Zen Arcade]

Thanks for your input! Any other reasons you think MCW is a better choice? Or are research and COL primary in your suggestion

MCW is ranked pretty high on the residency directors list - probably viewed by most as mid-tier, while NYMC is lower tier. Milwaukee is a great city with a lot to do. Yeah, its not NYC, but Chicago is not far. Saving up to 12k on living is huge too - thats almost 50k in savings! I think MCW is a no brainer as it is overall the better school when considering research, rank, and its cheaper. If you can brave the cold - which honestly isn't much worse than NY - than I think it would set you up well to match into a surgical specialty.

 

[Putkernerinthehall]

Thanks for your input! Any other reasons you think MCW is a better choice? Or are research and COL primary in your suggestion

Yeah, MCW is just a better school. As noted above by other poster, MCW is a solid mid-tier medical school. NYMC is decidedly low tier.

 

[mdhopeful99]

MCW is ranked pretty high on the residency directors list - probably viewed by most as mid-tier, while NYMC is lower tier. Milwaukee is a great city with a lot to do. Yeah, its not NYC, but Chicago is not far. Saving up to 12k on living is huge too - thats almost 50k in savings! I think MCW is a no brainer as it is overall the better school when considering research, rank, and its cheaper. If you can brave the cold - which honestly isn't much worse than NY - than I think it would set you up well to match into a surgical specialty.

Thank you! I'm inclined to agree with all the points you've made, and have been thinking about them a lot. Part of me is just wondering if there is anything glaring or big that I might be missing. I appreciate your insight

 

[_bkworks_]

NYMC

 

[Putkernerinthehall]

I'd go to MCW. It's a better school and significantly less expensive.

 

[ruledaworlds]

I'd go to MCW. It's a better school and significantly less expensive.

You've posted that 3 times now in the same thread haha

I'm a student at NYMC if you have any questions

 

[Putkernerinthehall]

You've posted that 3 times now in the same thread haha

I'm a student at NYMC if you have any questions

Haha, at least I'm consistent!

 

[dgray]

MCW
Pros

• Better research funding/opportunities here – especially if I choose a research centered scholarly pathway.
• Lower living expenses and could potentially save tens of thousands after all 4 years
• Incredibly impressed on interview day – got the feeling that the school truly cares about their students
• Seems MCW has an incredible reputation in Wisconsin and fairly strong rep nationally – matches students into competitive residencies across the country
• I’ve read that they have really nice facilities – unfortunately haven’t been able to see for myself (COVID)
• Froedtert and Children’s Wisconsin (a top nationally ranked pediatric hospital) as the school’s primary academic hospitals – located on this medical campus

Cons

• Large class size – although NYMC is just as big so this is neglicible
• Weather, I am originally from the north east and New York also gets cold winters, but Wisconsin will be frigid
• Don’t know anyone in the Midwest at all – have never even been to the Midwest so this would be brand new to me (could be a pro, but thinking about it makes me slightly anxious)

NYMC
Pros

• Match list that punches above its weight class – clearly, they are generating quality physicians
• Extended family and some friends nearby, familiarity with area – however this is not a substantial factor for me
• Located on Westchester Medical Campus – also opportunities to rotate at numerous locations throughout NYC and beyond
• Students and graduates I know have spoken highly of their experiences at the school
• Don't know much about it, but dean seemed to discuss BioInc (a biotechnology incubator on campus) as an avenue for significant research opportunities

Cons

• Worry I will be overshadowed by the higher tier med schools in the area – spoke to a current M3 who told me he has never felt this way
• I’ve read some things about NYMC’s reputation as a “back-up” school – wonder if this is true or how the school is viewed by attendings and others in the medical community
• Cost of living – expensive area and I’ve heard M3 and M4s live in the city for rotations
• Heard the Touro takeover diminished research funding/ability?? Not entirely sure about this though

Undecided, but thinking I want to do surgical specialty, don’t know where I will practice after school but family is in South east coast of US – both schools are P/F for first 2 years, similar size, and seem to have similar curriculum structure. Sorry for lengthy post and would love any insight, thoughts, or direction!

I know literally nothing about MCW, I'm sure it's a great school. Current NYMC M3, I can say that not all M3s/4s live in the city for rotations, and there isn't decreased research funding - our new dean has a lot of research initiatives actually. However, you're definitely not going to have the same research connections as you would find at a med school connected to a larger research university. Feel free to PM with Qs.

 

[mdhopeful99]

Thanks for feedback everyone. Both are great schools but I've made my decision and MCW is a better fit for me! I have decided I will attend MCW in the fall unless I get off the WL at my top choice. Appreciate it!