Hi everyone!
I'm trying to decide between Columbia and NYU. I've been thinking on this for awhile and honestly have no clear idea about how to distinguish the two, or what really matters in terms of the "best fit" for medical school. I'll give a run down of my thoughts so far, but any insight would be much appreciated!
Background about my interests - I'm coming into medical school with an interest in nutrition, public/community health, and preventive medicine addressing chronic diseases; so far I envision that taking me into primary care, but I spoke with my interviewer at Columbia about the field of preventive cardiology which sounded interesting! While that's a strong interest, I have thought about wanting to keep my options open to other possibilities as well. Not too big on research, although a service-learning or community-based participatory research project sounds up my alley in terms of looking at access to care and resources, health inequities in underserved populations, etc.
Similar between the two:
-P/F grading
-1.5 year pre-clinical
Columbia
+More "prestigious" in name and ranking - not really sure how important this is, although it's clawing at the back of my brain. How much does this matter? Does it translate to "better" education or more opportunities? (especially given my interest)
+Similarly, affiliated with NYP which is supposedly the "best" hospital system in the city, although not sure how important this is pre-residency or with regard to my interests.
+Access to Mailman School of Public Health and Institute of Human Nutrition - I could get a dual degree in an MPH or MS in nutrition during my 4th year I believe, which sounds appealing although I'm not sure how much that will actually affect my future career.
+Diversity - Surrounding neighborhoods are much more diverse, and gives me an opportunity to brush up on my Spanish. Along with that, the free clinics seem to address more diverse and underserved populations (homeless, Spanish harlem, mens' clinic?)
+More relaxed / happy student population? I've heard about the laid-back nature of the students from many different sources, and it's nice that the school itself doesn't try to promote its own ranking
-School's open disdain towards primary care - have heard stories about professors viewing primary care as a state-school thing, and the administration tried to shut down the Family Medicine program, but I think there's enough support since it is still going.
+/- More expensive tuition, but cheaper off-campus housing (which is of interest, as I'll be moving with my significant other and we want a pet lol)
-More "traditional" learning and older technology - I've talked to some friends there who say that sometimes the education systems / websites and whatnot are cumbersome, and the lectures aren't the best given that they bring in big names who aren't necessarily focused on teaching. Honestly, I'm fine with lectures (probably prefer them) and figure that we will all do most of our learning on our own anyway.
NYU
*Side note - I'm applying to the 3yr-MD program in primary care, which if accepted would save me 1 year of tuition and guarantee me residency. Huge plus if it happens, but still want to hear anyone's thoughts about the normal 4yr program too!
+Affiliation with Bellavue - that seems cool, and a public hospital might expose me to the patient population I'm interested in, although again not sure how important this is pre-residency.
+More exciting part of town? I heard this was one of the most "fun" and happening areas in the city being right downtown, which is cool but I'm not one to go out and party that often or spend lots of money on shows, and being a med student would I even have time?
+/- Exams every 2 weeks on a Friday = free weekend every 2 weeks? Not sure if this rapid testing schedule is good or bad; less material to cover each exam compared to a big final but does anyone have any thoughts?
+/- More PBL learning? Not sure if this is a good thing. In general the school seems a bit more modern in its curriculum / teaching style / education resources (but I honestly know nothing; halpz)
+/- Cheaper tuition (esp. with the 3yr), decent on-campus housing but expensive off-campus housing
-Less diversity in the patient population?
-Possibly snooty environment given the school's focus on its rankings
-Less flexible dual-degree options, although NYU has a lot of cool programs like Food Studies I might try to take advantage of.
In general, I'm leaning towards Columbia but for superficial reasons (ranking, dual-degree options, diversity), although if I am accepted to the 3yr program the cost and time savings and guaranteed residency is a huge draw for me. Ultimately, I'm also asking what matters in terms of med schools besides "fit" (if anything?). I will be going to both their revisit days which will hopefully help, but still definitely welcome any and all insight others may have to offer! Thanks!
I'm trying to decide between Columbia and NYU. I've been thinking on this for awhile and honestly have no clear idea about how to distinguish the two, or what really matters in terms of the "best fit" for medical school. I'll give a run down of my thoughts so far, but any insight would be much appreciated!
Background about my interests - I'm coming into medical school with an interest in nutrition, public/community health, and preventive medicine addressing chronic diseases; so far I envision that taking me into primary care, but I spoke with my interviewer at Columbia about the field of preventive cardiology which sounded interesting! While that's a strong interest, I have thought about wanting to keep my options open to other possibilities as well. Not too big on research, although a service-learning or community-based participatory research project sounds up my alley in terms of looking at access to care and resources, health inequities in underserved populations, etc.
Similar between the two:
-P/F grading
-1.5 year pre-clinical
Columbia
+More "prestigious" in name and ranking - not really sure how important this is, although it's clawing at the back of my brain. How much does this matter? Does it translate to "better" education or more opportunities? (especially given my interest)
+Similarly, affiliated with NYP which is supposedly the "best" hospital system in the city, although not sure how important this is pre-residency or with regard to my interests.
+Access to Mailman School of Public Health and Institute of Human Nutrition - I could get a dual degree in an MPH or MS in nutrition during my 4th year I believe, which sounds appealing although I'm not sure how much that will actually affect my future career.
+Diversity - Surrounding neighborhoods are much more diverse, and gives me an opportunity to brush up on my Spanish. Along with that, the free clinics seem to address more diverse and underserved populations (homeless, Spanish harlem, mens' clinic?)
+More relaxed / happy student population? I've heard about the laid-back nature of the students from many different sources, and it's nice that the school itself doesn't try to promote its own ranking
-School's open disdain towards primary care - have heard stories about professors viewing primary care as a state-school thing, and the administration tried to shut down the Family Medicine program, but I think there's enough support since it is still going.
+/- More expensive tuition, but cheaper off-campus housing (which is of interest, as I'll be moving with my significant other and we want a pet lol)
-More "traditional" learning and older technology - I've talked to some friends there who say that sometimes the education systems / websites and whatnot are cumbersome, and the lectures aren't the best given that they bring in big names who aren't necessarily focused on teaching. Honestly, I'm fine with lectures (probably prefer them) and figure that we will all do most of our learning on our own anyway.
NYU
*Side note - I'm applying to the 3yr-MD program in primary care, which if accepted would save me 1 year of tuition and guarantee me residency. Huge plus if it happens, but still want to hear anyone's thoughts about the normal 4yr program too!
+Affiliation with Bellavue - that seems cool, and a public hospital might expose me to the patient population I'm interested in, although again not sure how important this is pre-residency.
+More exciting part of town? I heard this was one of the most "fun" and happening areas in the city being right downtown, which is cool but I'm not one to go out and party that often or spend lots of money on shows, and being a med student would I even have time?
+/- Exams every 2 weeks on a Friday = free weekend every 2 weeks? Not sure if this rapid testing schedule is good or bad; less material to cover each exam compared to a big final but does anyone have any thoughts?
+/- More PBL learning? Not sure if this is a good thing. In general the school seems a bit more modern in its curriculum / teaching style / education resources (but I honestly know nothing; halpz)
+/- Cheaper tuition (esp. with the 3yr), decent on-campus housing but expensive off-campus housing
-Less diversity in the patient population?
-Possibly snooty environment given the school's focus on its rankings
-Less flexible dual-degree options, although NYU has a lot of cool programs like Food Studies I might try to take advantage of.
In general, I'm leaning towards Columbia but for superficial reasons (ranking, dual-degree options, diversity), although if I am accepted to the 3yr program the cost and time savings and guaranteed residency is a huge draw for me. Ultimately, I'm also asking what matters in terms of med schools besides "fit" (if anything?). I will be going to both their revisit days which will hopefully help, but still definitely welcome any and all insight others may have to offer! Thanks!
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