Mount Sinai vs Cleveland Clinic

[Cowaabungaa]

Hey, long-time lurker here who has a decision to make. In terms of money, let's just pretend I have a benefactor who will pay for everything either way, so money is not a concern at all

Sinai:
+ It's in an awesome part of NYC and I'm originally from NYC; went to second look here and loved it
+ Very diverse yet laid-back class, P/F pre-clinical years
+ Good residency placement within NYC
- Traditional curriculum
- Have to look a little harder for research opportunities

CCLCM:
+ Awesome PBL curriculum with integrated research
+ Match list looks ridiculous--I assume people don't have problems getting into desired Northeast residencies, but please correct me if I'm wrong
+ Fully P/F with individualized assessments
- It's in the Cleve (I know the Cleve has its lovers but bear in mind I'm from NYC), and LeBron might not be staying there much longer
- Claustrophobic class size (32)--are there actually any young 20-somethings to hang out with in Cleveland besides those from Case undergrad/grad and CCLCM?

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[Cowaabungaa]

bump 🙄

 

[mdeast]

I'm enrolling at Sinai and didn't apply to CCLM. I don't think the research opportunities are difficult at Sinai. It's not built into the curriculum akin to how CCLM does it, but it's seems pretty easy to do and Sinai has a lot of different types of research.

I'd take NYC over Ohio in a second. But, I tend to value location moreso than other applicants.

Cleveland Clinic is a really cool program (and free? right?). Personally, without finances, I'd choose Sinai. But again, biased... and I didn't consider CCLM.

 

[jbz24]

It really depends how you value location and fit at each school. Prestige-wise they should be similar. You say finances don't matter but I can't see them being very similar. Research will be just as easy to find at Sinai as CCLCM. P/F all four years is a big plus for CCLCM. Small class size can be both good and bad (bad in the sense it makes the people you deal with everyday smaller and less diverse, good in the sense that it's less competition from your peers). Location is a big minus for most of us (Cleveland vs. NYC).

Edit: Forgot to mention by bias as a recently-graduated student at Sinai.

 

[w8ting2exhale]

ah, the angst of decision-making....If money isn't an issue, your main focus should be "which school is the better fit?" The fact that CCLCM is so unique makes this a very important consideration. If you like the innovativeness of the program, go for CCLCM. At CCLCLM, you'll definitely be taught in a special way that can't be replicated elsewhere. However, it's different (hence, not for everyone) so if you have doubts about whether you'll enjoy it, pick Mount Sinai. Basically, go with the program you like best, because only then will you be able the make the most out of your med school experience. Good luck! I know it's stressful to decide but just follow your gut 😉

 

[p2pinspot]

The program at Cleveland Clinic is a 5 year research oriented degree. Full scholarships are provided to students because physician-researchers traditionally don't get paid as much as traditional doctors. There are no grades. Because of this, there is less competition between students. Students teach each other and learn more directly because there are no large lectures. Students are assessed based on e-portfolios and evidence based research. They are required to meet certain competencies in order to progress in their education.

 

[FluffyRabbit]

Hey, long-time lurker here who has a decision to make. In terms of money, let's just pretend I have a benefactor who will pay for everything either way, so money is not a concern at all

Sinai:
+ It's in an awesome part of NYC and I'm originally from NYC; went to second look here and loved it
+ Very diverse yet laid-back class, P/F pre-clinical years
+ Good residency placement within NYC
- Traditional curriculum
- Have to look a little harder for research opportunities

CCLCM:
+ Awesome PBL curriculum with integrated research
+ Match list looks ridiculous--I assume people don't have problems getting into desired Northeast residencies, but please correct me if I'm wrong
+ Fully P/F with individualized assessments
- It's in the Cleve (I know the Cleve has its lovers but bear in mind I'm from NYC), and LeBron might not be staying there much longer
- Claustrophobic class size (32)--are there actually any young 20-somethings to hang out with in Cleveland besides those from Case undergrad/grad and CCLCM?

I think your decision ultimately comes down to how important location is to you in comparison with the curriculum, that only you can decide. Many of the other factors are quite a wash, really.

I don't think you should worry that much about research opportunities. IIRC Case and Sinai are both T20 in terms of NIH funding, and there will be more than enough labs and studies for you to work in. Odds are it's easier at CCLCM because of the way they tie it into the curriculum, but I'm sure at Sinai you can get involved as well as long as you're willing to ask around and shoot off a couple of emails.

As for residency placement, Sinai does well especially in NYC, but as you've already pointed out, CCLCM's is fairly ridiculous too. I'd imagine you'll have no problems getting NE residencies or going back to NYC if that's what you want from either school.

I don't think the class size is going to be claustrophobic, since we can hang out with the University Program kids too. Most social events, student organizations, and Doc Opera are shared between all Case tracks, although it might take some extra effort because our classes are separate. As for meeting non-students, that's definitely possible, but of course it's going to be easier in NYC.

 

[Cowaabungaa]

bump! vote vote vote

 

[vc7777]

Do you intend to perform research post-graduation? What are your career ambitions?

Is there a particular area of research you would like to do? Have you investigated research opportunities in that area at both schools?

BTW, I don't think you should be concerned with social life outside of the school. There are plenty of young people at the bars on any given night, and there are even other institutions of higher learning around Cleveland.

 

[Cowaabungaa]

Do you intend to perform research post-graduation? What are your career ambitions?

Is there a particular area of research you would like to do? Have you investigated research opportunities in that area at both schools?

BTW, I don't think you should be concerned with social life outside of the school. There are plenty of young people at the bars on any given night, and there are even other institutions of higher learning around Cleveland.

Not sure if I want to go into academic medicine at this point but I'd like to keep my options open. I do plan to do research during med school though. If I end up at Sinai I will probably be applying for a Doris Duke CRF to take a year off for research anyway.

What other institutions of higher learning are you referring to? I only know of Case and its graduate schools. And as a guy fresh out of college I would like to be able to network with people outside of medicine as well.

 

[CCLCMer]

bump! vote vote vote

I don't know what you're expecting people on SDN to tell you, but I don't think you're going to get the answer from us. No one else can make this decision for you, and if the majority of people vote to tell you to go to CCLCM, are you really going to come here based on the advice of a bunch of complete strangers? Like other people have already said, think about what you want out of med school, and make a decision based on YOUR criteria.

Obviously I love CCLCM and am glad I came here. But from what you're saying, it sounds like the location and social life is a major issue for you, and if that's true, then you should go to Mt. Sinai. Nothing is going to make Cleveland turn into NYC--it is what it is. Personally, I'd rather live in Cleveland than NYC, but I'm not much of a big city person, and I'm not a 22-year-old guy fresh out of college.

 

[loljkttyl]

Both are outstanding schools with excellent reputations that will open doors for you in the the future and give you a solid foundation in clinical training. Since cost is not a deciding factor for you, go with the location that you could see yourself being the happiest over the next four years. I recently graduated from Sinai, and I would choose it again without question.

 

[Kimaris]

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[Cowaabungaa]

I don't know what you're expecting people on SDN to tell you, but I don't think you're going to get the answer from us. No one else can make this decision for you, and if the majority of people vote to tell you to go to CCLCM, are you really going to come here based on the advice of a bunch of complete strangers? Like other people have already said, think about what you want out of med school, and make a decision based on YOUR criteria.

Obviously I love CCLCM and am glad I came here. But from what you're saying, it sounds like the location and social life is a major issue for you, and if that's true, then you should go to Mt. Sinai. Nothing is going to make Cleveland turn into NYC--it is what it is. Personally, I'd rather live in Cleveland than NYC, but I'm not much of a big city person, and I'm not a 22-year-old guy fresh out of college.

I'm just trying to get as much information as possible about both schools as possible before I make a difficult choice. I know both are awesome programs but I know a little less about CCLCM since I did not go to its Second Look or have a chance to meet most of the students. Above all I'm trying to gauge what other people see as pros and cons of both schools. SDN voting will not decide for me but it will give me a good idea of what people here think--and I value their (and your) opinion.

 

[Metatron]

Because costs is really not a factor, I would just stick with NYC. Besides, I have read in other Case threads that some people have concerns with returning to their home state for residency.