MSSM v. NYU v. Einstein

[jaynest]

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Any thoughts?

I'll list only my concerns about each one:
MSSM: Hospital is in financial crisis
NYU: Research and overall atmosphere is competitive and not entirely nurturing
Einstein: Location, location, location

I've been favoring the MSTP at Einstein; however, I remain attracted to the location at both NYU and Sinai. There are a number of positives at each school, just as there are a number of negatives.

I'm particularly interested in hearing any comments you might have to offer that would adress the concerns listed above.

I've been thinking this decision through for a good number of days now and feel no closer to a conclusion yet.

Any help will be most appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[DarkChild]

i take it you've been accepted to all three?
are they all MD/PhD?

 

[jaynest]

yup! I am VERY happy about this! I had been on the waitlist at Sinai but just got a call from Dr. Logothetis the other day informing me of my acceptance.

I've revisited all three schools and am, as I said, torn between the three for very different reasons. Yes, all three are MD/PhD programs.

So does anyone have any advice at all? If not necessarily about the MD/PhD, then at least about the MD and the institution itself? There must be others out there who are considering some of these very same schools . . .

 

[Lab-Rat21]

NYU and Sinai have more recognized research programs than Einstein. They also have better facilities and LOCATION than Einstein.

Between NYU and Sinai that's a HARD choice...I would look at the grading system and curriculum at each and see if YOU match the school's belief system. Between NYU and Sinai you cannot lose, especially if you're MD/PHD, full paid right? Awesome!

Good luck deciding...

 

[jaynest]

Hi Lab-Rat,

Thanks for your response. I'm still mulling over this decision but find myself leaning towards Einstein for a number of reasons:

1) highly flexible MSTP
2) great, cheap housing & cheap(er) cost of living
3) VERY good research - I was highly impressed by the people with whom I spoke at my revisit and during my interview. Also, I've spoken with a number of people in industry and academica and Einstein appears to be very well regarded
4) the program seems relatively laid-back and people seem happy

Other reasons? I don't know. I'm sure I have some more. However, I'm still not 100% set in this decision.

What are the rest of you Einstein/NYU/Sinai peops thinking? Where are you going and why? GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE! 🙂 I hope I get the chance to meet some of you.

Lab-Rat, thanks again for your comments.

 

[JM.]

LOL - maybe not NYU since I am waitlisted there....but only for MD 😉

 

[md_student10021]

Originally posted by jaynest

I'll list only my concerns about each one:
MSSM: Hospital is in financial crisis
NYU: Research and overall atmosphere is competitive and not entirely nurturing
Einstein: Location, location, location

I've been favoring the MSTP at Einstein; however, I remain attracted to the location at both NYU and Sinai. There are a number of positives at each school, just as there are a number of negatives.

You have 3 excellent choices! Here's the deal. Einstein and NYU are probably better choices as far as research strength. Nobody really knows for sure about MSSM and its financial crisis, so it may zero impact on basic science research, but maybe it will.

NYU's competitive atmosphere shouldn't worry you. After all, MD/PhD's always get great matches, and that is what the "competiveness" (if there is such a thing) is all about.

As far as Einstein's location, it depends on you...it's not exciting, but then you'll be spending a ton of time working while you're in school, and if you are going out, the drive to Manhattan is minimal, no? Of course, if you're married and have a family, Einstein might be a little better, because of cost of living, etc.

I recommend checking out the research opportunities available at each institution. Every school has its research strengths and weaknesses (except maybe Harvard...), so be sure there are several labs in your particular field of interest.

Best of luck!!

 

[snoopy17]

jaynest, i can only comment on einstein because i interviewed there.
my tour guide seemed to stress how "tight" the classes are at einstein and how relaxed the first year seems. for instance, the week before exams, about 95% of the class took a trip to the mountains to ski/snowboard together. i thought that was pretty cool. and i know it has been mentioned a zillion times already, but the housing there is just ridiculous! it's a huge plus living really close to your fellow students because you get more of a sense of community. i'm seriously considering going there over my state school acceptances. and as for the location, i honestly would reather prefer living a little further from the city. being smack in the middle of all the action might be a little too distracting for my studies...but that's just me. obviously, you can't go wrong with any of your decisions. congratulations on your acceptances!

 

[oldladypremed]

Don't let the location of Einstein worry you. Its not dangerous and very easy to get into Manhattan. You also have the Bronx Zoo and the Bontanical Gardens which are the best places to relax and enjoy in the entire world. (My biased opinion)

 

[jaynest]

I am very happy to announce that I will be going to Einstein this fall!

I look forward to meeting future classmates and I wish the very best of luck to everyone! I hope you all end up at the institution of your choice. 🙂

PS- Any others Einstein-bound out there?

 

[Lab-Rat21]

I am j/k. You go full-paid right? I deeply respect MSTP students b/c of the time commitment and how balanced b/w clinical and research they must be...

Anyways, I am waitlisted at Mt Sinai and probably will get waitlisted at Einstein too. Einstein has great cancer research, which is what interests me...I am strongly leaning towards Sinai b/c of location and the "crisis" or w/e does not bother me at all, they will bounce back strongly.

If I am waitlisted at Einstein I will let you know...I liked the school a lot, except for the location...but the gym, housing, and cafeteria were great. It's good to know you'll be so close to NYC for med school, HOW EXCITING!😀

 

[jaynest]

Originally posted by Lab-Rat21
If I am waitlisted at Einstein I will let you know...I liked the school a lot, except for the location...but the gym, housing, and cafeteria were great. It's good to know you'll be so close to NYC for med school, HOW EXCITING!😀

Hahaha, are we talking about the same school?! The cafeteria is great?! hehehehe, not so sure about that, but OK . . . 😉

Seriously though, Einstein is a great place and I hope you get in! And if you get waitlisted, feel heartened to know that the they normally accept a large number of people from the waitlist at Einstein.

Anyways, if you're down with Sinai, great! It really is a wonderful school and, at a different time, I would strongly consider going there. However, I do not want to risk the next 7+ years of my education at a school whose main hospital is a big question mark. It might be an insignificant factor in the long run. Or, worst case, the hospital might close (that's a doomsday scenario). Either way, the hospital is in a true crisis at the moment and I can't stake my education at a school where there is such a large financial question mark. That is just me. Maybe I'm overreacting. You are probably right: the institution has deep pockets, the situation will turn around fast and right itself, and it will be as strong as ever. I'm just pessimistic sometimes, that's all.