Mount Sinai Vs BU

[Question123]

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Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I am into Mount Sinai and debating whether to go on my BU interview... (also into other schools as well). I am really interested in public/community health, so I am somewhat interested in BU, but it seems as though Mount Sinai offers just as much in the way of community work and also doesn't cost an arm and a leg to attend. Thoughts?

 

[w8ting2exhale]

Sinai all the way!!!!!!!! Sorry I'm bias here cuz I know nothing about BU other than the fact that the Craiglist killer was from there 😳

 

[mdeast]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I am into Mount Sinai and debating whether to go on my BU interview... (also into other schools as well). I am really interested in public/community health, so I am somewhat interested in BU, but it seems as though Mount Sinai offers just as much in the way of community work and also doesn't cost an arm and a leg to attend. Thoughts?

I'd personally go with Sinai and maybe forget about BU. For me...

Manhattan >>>>> Boston.
Sinai is ranked 22, BU is ranked 35.
Sinai is #1 medical school for community service.
Both have diverse patient populations (Sinai=Harlem, BU=South Boston)
Sinai has lower tuition, cheap campus housing (note: one block from Central Park).
It has a very non-competitive true P/F system.
Boston is cold. VERRRRY cold.

 

[Fulfilnadream]

I say you go to the BU interview just to see for yourself with your own eyes whether or not it "Vibes" with you. After all the analysis and numbers there is a gut feeling factor. Its hard to asses your gut without having been there. Again i am not telling you where to go but if you can afford (timewise or financially) to visit BU it is an amazing school and it might just be amazing to you. I can say that personally I like Sinai myself, although I havent really seen BU.

 

[Question123]

Yes, I realize that ideally I should go, but I haven't heard many hard sells for it and it is a lot time/financially to do these interviews... I am just wondering if people found there was something special about BU that they didn't find at Sinai? I am also into Tufts (if only I could've combined the interviews!), but I am just curious about other's perspectives/knowledge on BU...

Anyway, thanks for the insights - if anyone is pro-BU, let me know why!

 

[bannie22]

They are different. BU's campus does look abit better than Sinai's two tall buildings.

BU has seafood, and I would prefer to live in Boston over NY. Thats just me.

Its probably more of why I might not choose to go to those places rather than why I would go there.

You should go and see it for yourself, I think they are very different.

 

[ScronCron]

I absolutely LOVED BU, even more than Mt. Sinai. Most of the schools I interviewed at were ranked much higher than BU, but BU is one of my top two. I would check it out.

 

[slowbutsteady]

Accepted to both, LOVE both!! I would base it totally on whether you want to be in NYC or Boston.

Very different cities.

But the two schools actually have many things in common.

 

[slowbutsteady]

Manhattan >>>>> Boston. Depends on personal preference.

Sinai is ranked 22, BU is ranked 35. The rankings change a lot each year so this is not significant.

Sinai is #1 medical school for community service. Surprised by that because Boston Medical Center is a free hospital and serves an almost 100% underprivileged community of patients.

Both have diverse patient populations (Sinai=Harlem, BU=South Boston) True.

Sinai has lower tuition, cheap campus housing (note: one block from Central Park). True.

It has a very non-competitive true P/F system. So does BU.

Boston is cold. VERRRRY cold. NYC is almost as cold!!!

 

[alibai3ah]

Yes, I realize that ideally I should go, but I haven't heard many hard sells for it and it is a lot time/financially to do these interviews... I am just wondering if people found there was something special about BU that they didn't find at Sinai? I am also into Tufts (if only I could've combined the interviews!), but I am just curious about other's perspectives/knowledge on BU...

Anyway, thanks for the insights - if anyone is pro-BU, let me know why!

I might be biased, but I know many people who liked Tufts a lot more than BU. In your situation, I would go with

Mount Sinai >>> Tufts >>> BU

The latter two are very expensive, so just go with Sinai. If you really like Boston a lot, I would pick Tufts over BU.

 

[DoctwoB]

Tough choice, I also interviewed at both schools and really liked both.

Curriculum: pretty similar, both systems based pass-fail with some, but not a huge emphasis on small group stuff.

Prestige: Sinai by a little bit, but thats very subjective (Sinai would be better for NY residency, BU for Boston residency, probably a wash outside of those two states)

Cost: Sinai wins (by about ~4k a year I think), though that includes at least 1 year of living in a dorm. Get an apartment and that difference goes away or even favors BU.

People: Both schools seemed to have a really awesome student body who legitimately cared about the underserved

Clinicals: Another wash. Both work with very underserved populations (Sinai with spanish harlem and BU with all of boston's underserved)

Basically I'd say it comes down to whether you'd rather live in Boston or NYC, and whether that difference is worth the slightly higher cost of BU. I'd see which school gives you a better aid package, meaning you should probably go to the interview.

 

[bannie22]

Just to point out:
Rankings do not change as drastically (22 vs 35) IS significant.
But significant in a sense where it will affect your residency? Probably not.
Your ego? Perhaps.

Yes, apparently Sinai won a prize for being most active in the community.


BU > Tufts. I cannot imagine how Tufts can > BU.

 

[Question123]

Oh boy, thanks for all the info guys (and keep it coming)... it looks like I might just suck it up and pay the $$ to travel to BU... but I guess I really need to consider whether I want to be in Boston.... sigh.

 

[paki20]

Just to point out:
Rankings do not change as drastically (22 vs 35) IS significant.
But significant in a sense where it will affect your residency? Probably not.
Your ego? Perhaps.

Yes, apparently Sinai won a prize for being most active in the community.


BU > Tufts. I cannot imagine how Tufts can > BU.

US News undergrad rankings dont change much but for some reason the US News med school rankings (research rankings) fluctuate quite a bit (even top 10)...baylor was top ten and cornell was top 12 just a couple of years ago..now this year they are barely making the top 20 list..

Mt. Sinai was ranked 29 or 30 just a couple of years ago if not last year...it has made a huge jump this year to 22...and uchicago was ranked 22 a few years ago and now its ranked 13 this year

point is medical school rankings do fluctuate quite a bit

you can google for older US new rankings for medical school to see the differences

 

[jbz24]

I'm a student at Mount Sinai, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but there's absolutely no reason to go to BU over Sinai UNLESS it's a geography issue or you just hated Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai is clearly a more reputable and well-respected program, not just in NY, but nation-wide, when compared to BU. BU's still a great program and the students do well there, but really if you're already accepted to Sinai, I don't see a reason to check out BU unless you're just curious.

 

[bannie22]

35-22 = 13. big difference.
the other differences were less than 10.

and mt sinai was climbing from maybe hi 20s a few years ago so its really steady increase more than what you call a drastic increase.


and we really all know that the top 20 is the top 20. the difference is really minute especially the higher you go.

diminishing returns!

 

[guyski79]

35-22 = 13. big difference.
the other differences were less than 10.

and mt sinai was climbing from maybe hi 20s a few years ago so its really steady increase more than what you call a drastic increase.


and we really all know that the top 20 is the top 20. the difference is really minute especially the higher you go.

diminishing returns!

What's so special about 20?

Why isn't it the top 25 or top 28?

Is the difference between 15 and 21 larger than the difference between 22 and 28?

 

[bannie22]

Nope, but people call them the top 20. and not the top 25 or top 28.

Why dont you get something so simple?

 

[ScronCron]

Wow, the ranking/prestige obsession. It never ends on SDN. Now, hopefully to redirect this thread...

If what you've learned about BU leads you to believe a good fit, it's worth checking out. The money you spend on interviews is a drop in the bucket compared to what you'll spend the next four years.

From my experience interviewing and talking to the students and faculty at BU, I found the culture of the school to be a place where I would thrive. The faculty and administration are committed to the students and everybody seems to love being there. I even met an alum as I was leaving who had his first child and came to visit old friends and colleagues and share the new addition to his family. When I was accepted, my interviewer called me personally to congratulate me and gave me her cell phone in case I had any questions. A week later, a current student called me to congratulate me and answer questions. Few people at the age of applying to medical understand how wonderful and rare an environment like this is (I'm a little bit older than most).

You have the opportunity to receive a great education at both schools, and students at both schools match extremely well. If you have the opportunity, check out as many schools as possible. My opinions of many schools changed drastically after interviewing.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[bobsmith]

Nope, but people [who? citation needed] call them the top 20. and not the top 25 or top 28.

Why dont you get something so simple?

just curious

 

[bannie22]

just curious

use search function 😎 🙂

 

[bobsmith]

use search function 😎 🙂

lol

 

[AD28]

how is this even a question?

mt. sinai >>>>>>>>>>>> BOOOOOOO

better ranking for those that care about those things, cheaper tuition, you save on airfare and other interview related costs, more diverse clinical rotations, warmer weather, and you're not stuck in boston, which is a horrible city.

oh yea and yankees >>>>>>>>>>> red sox

 

[noshowl]

how is this even a question?

mt. sinai >>>>>>>>>>>> BOOOOOOO

better ranking for those that care about those things, cheaper tuition, you save on airfare and other interview related costs, more diverse clinical rotations, warmer weather, and you're not stuck in boston, which is a horrible city.

oh yea and yankees >>>>>>>>>>> red sox

Boston is a horrible city only if you're a yankees-rooting airhead.

 

[naijaboi]

I would pick Mt. Sinai over BU. However, I think if you can afford it, visit BU as well. You never know with financial aid. I have gotten in at both schools, and as mentioned previously, they are both very similar programs. I have lived in Boston for 9 years. It is a lovely city, but so is NY. BU treats all the under-served in Boston but it does so, begrudgingly. Mt. Sinai clearly does so with much enthusiasm. Mt. Sinai also guarantees housing, BU doesn't. Tuition is cheaper at Mt.Sinai. BUMC is nice, but student facilities at Mt. Sinai is a lot nicer.

 

[bannie22]

^ damn naijaboi. you got in everywhere 😛

 

[DoctwoB]

I would pick Mt. Sinai over BU. However, I think if you can afford it, visit BU as well. You never know with financial aid. I have gotten in at both schools, and as mentioned previously, they are both very similar programs. I have lived in Boston for 9 years. It is a lovely city, but so is NY. BU treats all the under-served in Boston but it does so, begrudgingly. Mt. Sinai clearly does so with much enthusiasm. Mt. Sinai also guarantees housing, BU doesn't. Tuition is cheaper at Mt.Sinai. BUMC is nice, but student facilities at Mt. Sinai is a lot nicer.

Hmm, the people I talked to at BU were very enthusiastic about treating the underserved and relished their role as the safety-net. Was actually one of the things I liked most about BU (and Sinai for that matter)

 

[NNukibw77]

i know we are over the rankings, but this is interesting.

"The 2010 US News & World Report has ranked Mount Sinai School of Medicine 22nd out of 126 medical schools nationwide. In the past four years, Mount Sinai has improved in the rankings more than any other school in the United States, jumping from 32nd in 2005 to 22nd in 2010."

Mt. Sinai is on the rise. http://www.mountsinai.org/Education?citype=News&ciid=04292009

 

[FluffyRabbit]

35-22 = 13. big difference.
the other differences were less than 10.

and mt sinai was climbing from maybe hi 20s a few years ago so its really steady increase more than what you call a drastic increase.


and we really all know that the top 20 is the top 20. the difference is really minute especially the higher you go.

diminishing returns!

The thing about medical schools is that the top 20 changes every year, unlike law schools, where the T14 have always been the same schools.

That being said, Mount Sinai all the way! Given that BU rejected me post-secondary and Sinai has given me an interview, I can't really have it any other way. 😛

 

[dw2158]

The thing about medical schools is that the top 20 changes every year, unlike law schools, where the T14 have always been the same schools.

That being said, Mount Sinai all the way! Given that BU rejected me post-secondary and Sinai has given me an interview, I can't really have it any other way. 😛

ha! i find that this has a large effect on my opinion of any given school as well 🙂