NYMC vs Drexel

[ROGI]

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I went through old threads about this topic, but I did not see any specific reasons why to pick one school over the other.
Reasons I would want to go to NYMC:
-rotations in NYC
-nice facilities with non-basement anatomy lab
-close knit feeling?
-my interview went very well, I really enjoyed the dean of admissions and the overall feel of the school
Reasons I dont want to go to NYMC
-Valhalla and living in the woods (I love big cities)
-living on campus, although it would definitely help with studying
-losing affiliation with St. Vincent's - not knowing if i could do all of 3rd and 4th in nyc


Reasons I would want to go to Drexel
-Philadelphia
-PIL program?
-rotations in different cities of Pennsylvania and New Jersey
-their new clinical building (i did not get to see it because it was under construction)

Reasons I dont want to go to Drexel
-my student interview was not very excited to be there
-the interview day was not very enjoyable (maybe cuz i was freaked out since it was my first interview)
-older facilities

Please chime in with anything that could help me choose, i'm pretty much 50/50 right now. If anyone has more specific info about NYMC affiliations with hospitals in NYC, i would love to know.

 

[JohnnyExtra]

I can't really compare the schools, but I turned down a NYMC interview after my Drexel acceptance. I was sold on PIL, though.

 

[lykyamy00]

i'm in the post bacc at drexel and we have class in the hospital every day. drexel works through hannamen and i guess its a decent hospital but when comparing it to westchester med (where NYMC works through) those just dont even compare. hannamen airlifts all of its major cases somewhere else. westchester is the place where all the major cases get airlifted. if you are looking based on their major clinical hospital settings alone, there is no comparison.... NYMC is tons better because of westchester med. i would choose NYMC over drexel in a heart beat

 

[JohnnyExtra]

i'm in the post bacc at drexel and we have class in the hospital every day. drexel works through hannamen and i guess its a decent hospital but when comparing it to westchester med (where NYMC works through) those just dont even compare. hannamen airlifts all of its major cases somewhere else. westchester is the place where all the major cases get airlifted. if you are looking based on their major clinical hospital settings alone, there is no comparison.... NYMC is tons better because of westchester med. i would choose NYMC over drexel in a heart beat

Keep in mind, with Drexel you don't have to do your clinical years at Hahnemann. You have many options:

• Abington Memorial Hospital
• Allegheny General Hospital
• Bayhealth Medical Center
• Bryn Mawr Hospital
• Capital Health System
• Chambersburg Hospital
• Coatesville VA Medical Center
• Crozer-Chester Medical Center
• Eagleville Hospital
• Easton Hospital
• Friends Hospital
• Hahnemann University Hospital
• Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center
• Lehigh Valley Hospital
• Mercy Catholic Medical Center
• Mercy Fitzgeral Hospital
• Mercy Philadelphia Hopsital
• Monmouth Medical Center
• PinnacleHealth Hospitals (Harrisburg)
• Reading Hospital and Medical Center
• Saint Peter's University Hospital
• St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
• York Hospital

 

[whoknows2012]

I know this is just semantics but NYMC isn't losing its affiliation st. vincent's per se, it is just closing, unfortunately. As for getting most of you rotations in NYC 3rd and 4th yr it will definitely be a toss up but for now (even before we get an additional 3-4 rotation sites including Hackensack, 1 in the bronx and 1 in Westchester) most 2nd years got what they wanted in terms of having a majority of their rotations in the NYC area (bronx, manhattan, SI). It is kinda crazy seeing 8-10 helicopters per day (at least) landing in front of WMC bringing in critically injured patients. It has got to be interesting to rotate at WMC based on the sheer fact that they receive traumas from a 100 mile radius! Although I must say I plan on doing most of my rotations in NYC and hopefully we will have gained Hackensack(very close to NYC and a 25 min train ride away) by the time I start my clinical years.

 

[ROGI]

i'm in the post bacc at drexel and we have class in the hospital every day. drexel works through hannamen and i guess its a decent hospital but when comparing it to westchester med (where NYMC works through) those just dont even compare. hannamen airlifts all of its major cases somewhere else. westchester is the place where all the major cases get airlifted. if you are looking based on their major clinical hospital settings alone, there is no comparison.... NYMC is tons better because of westchester med. i would choose NYMC over drexel in a heart beat

Interesting point. But of course, I'm assuming I will not be ending up at Hahnneman. However, I think rotating throughout NYC would be unmatched because of the cases you would see that you may not see anywhere else in the U.S. for the most part. Correct me if I am wrong, please.

 

[lykyamy00]

of course rotating in NYC would be mostly unmatched anywhere else. other than hannamen drexel rotates through chop and those i think are the only two hospitals in philly that drexel rotates through... otherwise i'm not sure where the rest are but between WMC and i think now just one hospital in NYC (due to st vin's closing) i really dont think that drexel's clinical rotation sites compare to NYMC's. however... i really havent experienced either of them from a clinical perspective myself

 

[swamprat]

Allegheny General is a major level 1 trauma center in Pittsburgh you can do a full year rotation at.

 

[FlowLimited]

of course rotating in NYC would be mostly unmatched anywhere else. other than hannamen drexel rotates through chop and those i think are the only two hospitals in philly that drexel rotates through... otherwise i'm not sure where the rest are but between WMC and i think now just one hospital in NYC (due to st vin's closing) i really dont think that drexel's clinical rotation sites compare to NYMC's. however... i really havent experienced either of them from a clinical perspective myself

Where are you getting your information from?

Drexel has four or five hospitals within city limits that students can rotate through. CHOP is not one of them. CHOP is Penn's children's hospital.

There are 15-20 other sites throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware where students can do rotations.

 

[lykyamy00]

Where are you getting your information from?

Drexel has four or five hospitals within city limits that students can rotate through. CHOP is not one of them. CHOP is Penn's children's hospital.

There are 15-20 other sites throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware where students can do rotations.

oh sorry i was reading the list that someone posted and i miss read the st christopher's children's hospital as children's hospital of penn that was my mistake

 

[FlowLimited]

oh sorry i was reading the list that someone posted and i miss read the st christopher's children's hospital as children's hospital of penn that was my mistake

No big deal; I figured it was a mistake. I was just making sure the facts were straight.

 

[FlowLimited]

Allegheny General is a major level 1 trauma center in Pittsburgh you can do a full year rotation at.

At Drexel you can do full year rotations at:

Allegheny General Hospital - Pittsburgh, PA
Monmouth Medical Center - Long Branch, NJ
St. Peter's University Hospital - New Brunswick, NJ

Also, not choosing an all-year site does not mean you have to move every six weeks. Many students are able to arrange their schedules to stay in one place.

 

[tennistycoon]

Hey - I interviewed at both and these were my thoghts:

I loved both schools...but here are some minor things i picked up on:

Drexel - I liked the location a bit more (only because I am from a really small town and wanted to be near (not exactly IN) a big city. Also, I liked that Drexel's class size is a little larger. PIL program didn't phase me - I'm not too fond of that kind of learning - I like lectures. There is housing across the street. small point: but the cafeteria staff was really rude, and driving in philly is a nightmare (if you aren't use to city driving - which i am not).

NYMC - I could see myself settling down in Westchester post-medschool, post-marriage, so landing a residency in Westchester might be easier if I went to medschool (this is my theory - not necessarily true). NYMC matched AMAZINGLY well for Radiology, which is a specialty I am interested in. Anatomy lab = superb...but recent Touro merger is questionable (for class of 2014 and beyond...not before that). One positive thing about the Touro merger is that new rotations in Jersey will be available because Touro was going to create their own MD school in jersey but after they bought NYMC they scratched those plans and are going to give those clinical sites to NYMC kids (just don't know if in the future those sites are also going to be available to Touro DOs as well). Another con about this school (for me personally) is that most students live on campus in 4 person apts. (I havent had a roommate in 4 years so going from living by myself to having 3 roommates could be overwhelming). Another positive is that NYMC has "mini-boards" to prepare students for the USMLE.


So I've been accepted to NYMC and waitlisted at Drexel. If I were to get off of Drexel's Waitlist, I honestly don't know where I would choose - so once you figure it out please keep me posted!!! =D

Good Luck - and congrats!!!!! The main point is that WHEREVER you go...you are going to be a DOCTOR!!! How hard you push yourself while at Drexel or NYMC will determine how you will do on your USMLEs and where you will land a residency...so just keep motivated and you will do great no matter where you end up!! Congrats once again Dr. ROGI =P

 

[gplex86]

NYMC's situation with New York City - most people got what they wanted. I believe half the class is moving down there. Some got everything or "just about everything" at Metropolitan, in Manhattan. That's a university hospital of NYMC.

Beyond that, there's still Montefiore North in the Bronx, RUMC on Staten Island, and apparently some students are doing surgery at Bronx-Lebanon. St. Vincent's had a special charm, though, and it was in a great neighborhood. Oh well. When you look at old affiliation lists for NYMC, it's amazing how many NYC hospitals there used to be... they're all closed. Sign of the times?

If you end up having to do one rotation at Westchester, it's not a huge deal. For some specialties (pediatrics) it's preferable.

 

[whoknows2012]

Hey - I interviewed at both and these were my thoghts:

I loved both schools...but here are some minor things i picked up on:

Drexel - I liked the location a bit more (only because I am from a really small town and wanted to be near (not exactly IN) a big city. Also, I liked that Drexel's class size is a little larger. PIL program didn't phase me - I'm not too fond of that kind of learning - I like lectures. There is housing across the street. small point: but the cafeteria staff was really rude, and driving in philly is a nightmare (if you aren't use to city driving - which i am not).

NYMC - I could see myself settling down in Westchester post-medschool, post-marriage, so landing a residency in Westchester might be easier if I went to medschool (this is my theory - not necessarily true). NYMC matched AMAZINGLY well for Radiology, which is a specialty I am interested in. Anatomy lab = superb...but recent Touro merger is questionable (for class of 2014 and beyond...not before that). One positive thing about the Touro merger is that new rotations in Jersey will be available because Touro was going to create their own MD school in jersey but after they bought NYMC they scratched those plans and are going to give those clinical sites to NYMC kids (just don't know if in the future those sites are also going to be available to Touro DOs as well). Another con about this school (for me personally) is that most students live on campus in 4 person apts. (I havent had a roommate in 4 years so going from living by myself to having 3 roommates could be overwhelming). Another positive is that NYMC has "mini-boards" to prepare students for the USMLE.


So I've been accepted to NYMC and waitlisted at Drexel. If I were to get off of Drexel's Waitlist, I honestly don't know where I would choose - so once you figure it out please keep me posted!!! =D

Good Luck - and congrats!!!!! The main point is that WHEREVER you go...you are going to be a DOCTOR!!! How hard you push yourself while at Drexel or NYMC will determine how you will do on your USMLEs and where you will land a residency...so just keep motivated and you will do great no matter where you end up!! Congrats once again Dr. ROGI =P

I know we already PMed about this but I wanted to clarify something; While it is true that most first-yrs live in either 3 or 4 br apartments on campus, those who would like to live in 2 br unfurnished apartments have no problem getting what they want. I haven't spoken to one person who requested a 2br unfurnished and ended up in a 4br furnished or vice versa. (furnished being dorm-style living) So I wouldn't worry about it unless you literally have no furniture.

 

[ROGI]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm still a little on the fence. I seem to be drifting towards to NYMC because I would be close to NYC and would hopefully get to do most of my rotations in the city. Also I really like the idea of the student run clinic in NYC, the new anatomy lab, and the close knit community. From some of the physicians I have spoken with, some of them say go to Drexel because it is more well known, others say go to NYMC because you need to be in NYC at some point in your life. Overall, it seems like I should go with what feels right and I think NYMC feels right, but I'm hoping I'm not missing something important.

These are a couple things im really interested in:
Emergency Medicine
Global Health
Volunteering
lots of study spaces that arent in my apt/dorm (I usually go to coffee shops to study.....I know i'm one of those annoying people who sits on their laptop and brings snacks with them).

Any more suggestions/info?

 

[whoknows2012]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm still a little on the fence. I seem to be drifting towards to NYMC because I would be close to NYC and would hopefully get to do most of my rotations in the city. Also I really like the idea of the student run clinic in NYC, the new anatomy lab, and the close knit community. From some of the physicians I have spoken with, some of them say go to Drexel because it is more well known, others say go to NYMC because you need to be in NYC at some point in your life. Overall, it seems like I should go with what feels right and I think NYMC feels right, but I'm hoping I'm not missing something important.

These are a couple things im really interested in:
Emergency Medicine
Global Health
Volunteering
lots of study spaces that arent in my apt/dorm (I usually go to coffee shops to study.....I know i'm one of those annoying people who sits on their laptop and brings snacks with them).

Any more suggestions?

In an effort to seem unbiased if this was replaced with drexel I would agree with your decision because in the end you need to go where YOU think you'll be happiest and what seemed like the best fit for you. I think you have your answer...

 

[Neocortex]

I live 45 minutes from NYMC and i love the area. I think the setting is conducive to success. Maybe this is why there are such high board scores. I would choose NYMC. I was also accepted there this year and i think i am going to live here post-med school also. Its a great area to raise a family.

I was also accepted at UCONN, which is ranked much higher, so im not sure if im definitely going to NYMC, anyone have any input.

 

[whoknows2012]

I live 45 minutes from NYMC and i love the area. I think the setting is conducive to success. Maybe this is why there are such high board scores. I would choose NYMC. I was also accepted there this year and i think i am going to live here post-med school also. Its a great area to raise a family.

I was also accepted at UCONN, which is ranked much higher, so im not sure if im definitely going to NYMC, anyone have any input.

I do as well (well I did until I moved in up here) whereabouts?

 

[Neocortex]

hopewell junction. in dutchess county

 

[ekcMD]

I am a first-year NYMC med student and I LOVE it here. It is very important that you find a place that matches your personality. Main reasons I like NYMC:

1. Secluded and boring Valhalla means I can concentrate on studying

2. Proximity to the city means I can still get my foodie fixes (love dim sum and brazilian bbq which you just can't get around campus)

3. Westchester Medical Center is THE place to see rare and interesting cases. Also, our match list and board scores rock. Although, taking 2 miniboards and 2 finals plus lab during finals week is NOT fun...

4. Really diverse class with awesome extracurricular activities like the culture show, follies, med school prom, etc.

5. I just really like the administration and faculty here. You get the sense that they really care about you.

I live off-campus in one-bedroom 700 square foot apartment with a fiance that works and commutes into the city (he bikes to the train station and takes the 30 minute train ride in). The one-bedroom apartment costs the same as living on campus (granted, this is because I am splitting it with another person).

I too hated the dorm-like feel of the on-campus. A lot of us actually live off-campus nearby, and I've never felt that I was inconvenienced more than the people that live on-campus.

There's TONS of study space in the mods, so I'd be at school all day anyway so it's not like you miss out on socializing if you don't live there. It's also a chance to escape the tense atmosphere during finals week, etc. A lot of people move off-campus their second year, and I even know several first-years that moved off-campus in the middle of this year because they were used to living in their "own place."

 

[ROGI]

thanks for the great info ekcMD!

So it is possible to live on campus for 6 months and then move off-campus without a fee or anything? Because I'm thinking about trying on campus housing out just because I believe it would help with studying, but it would be nice to move out if I didnt like it after 6 months.

1. Secluded and boring Valhalla means I can concentrate on studying ---- I FEEL THE SAME WAY 🙂

 

[gplex86]

thanks for the great info ekcMD!

So it is possible to live on campus for 6 months and then move off-campus without a fee or anything? Because I'm thinking about trying on campus housing out just because I believe it would help with studying, but it would be nice to move out if I didnt like it after 6 months.

1. Secluded and boring Valhalla means I can concentrate on studying ---- I FEEL THE SAME WAY 🙂

They will try to fill your spot with a permanent resident. If they can, you're off the hook. Otherwise you pay or get someone to sublease. That's usually not a problem because 3rd/4th year students with mixed rotations are always on the hunt.