anonymouspeanut
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- Joined
- May 16, 2025
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- Pre-Medical
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Hi everyone! Would appreciate any insight on these two schools. I think I know which school I'm leaning towards, but I wanted to make sure I'm not overlooking anything important! I will need to take out private loans for both, and I'm IS for both. I'm undecided on specialties right now, but potentially ENT, ophtho, anesthesia? I would be happy with doing residency in NYC but really I'm open to anywhere.
NYMC
Pros:
- Stronger research integration (research is really important to me)
- Strong matches in competitive specialties
- WMC right on campus, Level 1 trauma center
- Overall more organized admin and structure
Cons:
- More expensive than Downstate by approximately 12k/year.
- Really not a fan of the location. Very isolated.
- In-house exams, but I've heard they're integrating more NBME now
- I've heard exam schedule and class attendance requirements seem to change pretty frequently between blocks
- I wasn't crazy about the vibe when I visited. Facilities were beautiful though
- 2 years preclinical
Downstate
Pros:
- Much prefer location here. I visited and even though it was a little run-down, I liked the overall vibe.
- NBME exams
- Lower COA
- Very diverse patient population and diverse pathology, great clinical exposure
- Match really well into NYC institutions, decent matches in competitive specialties
- 1.5 years preclinical
Cons:
- Research is hard to come by and students are kind of on their own to find research mentors. But pretty convenient access to other NYC institutions for research (in addition to Downstate mentors)
- Doesn't seem to match ENT much? But they did in 2026 so could just be that no one applied in 2025? Maybe I'm naive lol
I really just want to make sure I'm not missing any blaring red flags for either school. Everyone I talk to gives me different input for these two schools and I'm really torn. Thank you!
NYMC
Pros:
- Stronger research integration (research is really important to me)
- Strong matches in competitive specialties
- WMC right on campus, Level 1 trauma center
- Overall more organized admin and structure
Cons:
- More expensive than Downstate by approximately 12k/year.
- Really not a fan of the location. Very isolated.
- In-house exams, but I've heard they're integrating more NBME now
- I've heard exam schedule and class attendance requirements seem to change pretty frequently between blocks
- I wasn't crazy about the vibe when I visited. Facilities were beautiful though
- 2 years preclinical
Downstate
Pros:
- Much prefer location here. I visited and even though it was a little run-down, I liked the overall vibe.
- NBME exams
- Lower COA
- Very diverse patient population and diverse pathology, great clinical exposure
- Match really well into NYC institutions, decent matches in competitive specialties
- 1.5 years preclinical
Cons:
- Research is hard to come by and students are kind of on their own to find research mentors. But pretty convenient access to other NYC institutions for research (in addition to Downstate mentors)
- Doesn't seem to match ENT much? But they did in 2026 so could just be that no one applied in 2025? Maybe I'm naive lol
I really just want to make sure I'm not missing any blaring red flags for either school. Everyone I talk to gives me different input for these two schools and I'm really torn. Thank you!
