Paying for Med School - Particularly in NY

[emtb23]

Hi,

Just to preface this post, I have looked through old posts on the same topic, and have not found all of the answers I'm looking for. Sorry if this is repetitive for those of you who read this board frequently.

I'm currently pre-med at Cornell, and am starting to think about how I'm going to pay for med school. My parents are footing the bill for college, though I (as I see many others) am on my own when it comes to med school.

My biggest question has to do with state vs. private institutions. Just to ballpark, I decided to look some numbers up. I came up with Harvard (sucks. Go Red!) Med's tuition as $38,776 (with "fees" an ominous $55,610 - what's that all about? Living expenses?). In comparison, SUNY Upstate's tuition for NY residents is $18,800. That's pretty significant.

Now, here come the questions. Is the difference between the education and opportunities obtained at a private school/SUNY school really that different? Is this similar to the ivy/state discussion that people have at the undergraduate level, or is there a more tangible benefit? Considering that I'm going to be paying this time, I think I'd much rather opt for public.

Second, for anyone with a knowledge of SUNY med schools, how do they compare to those of other states? Looking at the US News rankings, they're nowhere to be found. Should I pack up and move to California?

Third, what are the opportunities like for grants and scholarships? I'm not top of my class at Cornell by any means, but I think I'd make a competitive applicant. Do I stand a chance? If not, and scholarships really aren't common (with the exception of MD/PhD programs), how does Harvard arrive at a figure of $102,625 as average debt after graduation? Do people's parents just fork over cash, like they do for college?

Thanks for your help.

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[MD2b20004]

Hi,

Just to preface this post, I have looked through old posts on the same topic, and have not found all of the answers I'm looking for. Sorry if this is repetitive for those of you who read this board frequently.

I'm currently pre-med at Cornell, and am starting to think about how I'm going to pay for med school. My parents are footing the bill for college, though I (as I see many others) am on my own when it comes to med school.

My biggest question has to do with state vs. private institutions. Just to ballpark, I decided to look some numbers up. I came up with Harvard (sucks. Go Red!) Med's tuition as $38,776 (with "fees" an ominous $55,610 - what's that all about? Living expenses?). In comparison, SUNY Upstate's tuition for NY residents is $18,800. That's pretty significant.

.
Now, here come the questions. Is the difference between the education and opportunities obtained at a private school/SUNY school really that different? Is this similar to the ivy/state discussion that people have at the undergraduate level, or is there a more tangible benefit? Considering that I'm going to be paying this time, I think I'd much rather opt for public.

Second, for anyone with a knowledge of SUNY med schools, how do they compare to those of other states? Looking at the US News rankings, they're nowhere to be found. Should I pack up and move to California?

Third, what are the opportunities like for grants and scholarships? I'm not top of my class at Cornell by any means, but I think I'd make a competitive applicant. Do I stand a chance? If not, and scholarships really aren't common (with the exception of MD/PhD programs), how does Harvard arrive at a figure of $102,625 as average debt after graduation? Do people's parents just fork over cash, like they do for college?

Thanks for your help.

Harvard gives alot of grants and scholarships, they have ALOT of funding. ALOT OF MONEY, so tuition income is nothing to them really compared to the 100s of millions they get in research money and donations. Don't be fooled by tuition figures, you can go to Harvard and end up paying less than your average state school and NO you don't have to be a 4.00 and 45 MCAT for that opportunity, not even close...

 

[rpkall]

If money is an issue, go to one of the SUNYs. I hear Stony's the best, but I'm really VERY happy at Upstate. I'm very impressed with the curriculum, the administration, and the faculty as well as the clinical opportunities and the summer programs/fellowships. I'm sure the other SUNYs are on the ball too, but I obviously can't speak for the rest.

If you get into Harvard, though, what are you going to do--NOT go? Yeesh. If you get into a huge name school, GO. Medschool is the same everywhere, as long as you put in the time and do the best you can every step of the way; the name is often what counts in this world, though, unfortunately. So go if you get the opportunity, would be my 2 cents.

Best of luck to ya.

 

[bigdan]

Stony Brook IS the best (jk, I'm biased) SUNY.

The "name thing" is a hot topic. If you aren't hell bent on academic medicine - if you want to work in the local community hospital - my opinion is that the name doesn't matter. But that's my opinion. There are some points to consider. SOME places do weight your residency application on medical school attended. Also, if you talk to folks that went to a big name undergrad, my experience is that they tend to think the name carries weight...I went to Utica College for undergrad, and I happen to think that the name carries little weight.

I, personally, could not justify paying >250K (for Emory, my former #1 choice) versus paying MUCH less here at a SUNY, just to have the exact same two letters after my name. MANY disagree with me. Go with what works for you.

dc

 

[emtb23]

Harvard gives alot of grants and scholarships, they have ALOT of funding. ALOT OF MONEY, so tuition income is nothing to them really compared to the 100s of millions they get in research money and donations. Don't be fooled by tuition figures, you can go to Harvard and end up paying less than your average state school and NO you don't have to be a 4.00 and 45 MCAT for that opportunity, not even close...

Do all of the other, say top 25 schools, also give a lot of grants/scholarships? Or do they just not have tuition and expenses that are that high?

bigdan: Does your quoted price of >250k for Emory mean that Emory doesn't give grants/scholarships?

rpkall: You said if money is an issue, go to one of the SUNYs. Unless you're loaded, isn't money an issue for just about everyone? If the difference is between 250k and 60k, I feel like just about everyone should feel their wallet lighten up after choosing the former. Or are the people who go to SUNY schools really struggling to begin with, and anyone who can afford to take out the loans to make up for the difference for a private school just does that?

As for the big name vs. state school debate, I'm surprised to hear that it's so relevant for med schools. From what I can tell at Cornell, one has to be very smart and hard working just to get into any med school. I can't imagine that there is a huge difference between the smartest med school student and the dumbest (relatively), just as I can't imagine that there can be a huge difference between the best med school and the worst. After all, every med school teaches people to be doctors, which I assume means that the minimal standard of care/education at each institution is very high.

This is compared to say, the best and worst law schools, which are extraordinarily different in quality. You can afford to produce crappy lawyers, they just wont get jobs. You can't really afford to produce crappy doctors... they'll kill people, right?

 

[bigdan]

Yo.

Emt- You're right on (IMHO) regarding the thought of getting into medical school; that's my point exactly. I'm telling you that others think otherwise. No biggie.

Emory actually has GREAT opportunities, and is a TREMENDOUS school. They give this big ass scholarship (Woodruff Fellowship, I think) that pays for ALL of your medical school, based on merit, not financial need. And 7 people get them. I just wasn't one of those lucky folks (thank god SB and UMDNJ were so generous). The financial aid info they sent me was for around $60K/yr for each of the four years.

I love SB. If you get a second, see if you can find the match lists on our websites. We're not a big name like Harvard, but you've gotta see where folks are getting residencies.

G'luck.

dc

 

[kassie]

As a Cornell alum and soon-to-be SB alum...here's my advice: I would apply to all of these schools, see where I get in, and then think about the money. You have to see these places on the interview trail and balance the benefits vs. expense. And benefits aren't limited to school reputation...it also includes how your personality fits with the school, where students match (especially if you have a specific interest), the area, the patients, the profs, etc etc.

SB was my choice for several reasons I'm not going to bore you with. Fortunately, money was not a big consideration as I am a mudphud but I picked SB anyway. I did pay for college and needed money along the way, so I do have debt, but it's not bad considering I payed the whole way 🙂 I don't think I would have done any better at a bigger name school.

PS - The numbers quoted don't usually include housing. i.e. SB housing is insanely expensive.

Match day is in less than 7 days for me!!!

 

[rpkall]

rpkall: You said if money is an issue, go to one of the SUNYs. Unless you're loaded, isn't money an issue for just about everyone? If the difference is between 250k and 60k, I feel like just about everyone should feel their wallet lighten up after choosing the former. Or are the people who go to SUNY schools really struggling to begin with, and anyone who can afford to take out the loans to make up for the difference for a private school just does that?

You'd be surprised. Many of the folks in medical school come from very comfortable financial situations (or, at least their parents are comfortable); many don't come from such situations. I was saying that if your parents are willing to pay the bill for some of your education, then choosing based on name (especially an Ivy like Harvard or Yale) is a better bet. Yes, SUNYs are much cheaper--and quite frankly, I think they all have excellent programs, as I attend one and am very happy--but I have to say that I believe that the "name" matters in this world, especially when it comes to opening doors for yourself and your children one day. For better or worse, good or bad, having gone to medical school at a highly-regarded private institution will open doors for you (and maybe your kids, when it comes to sending them off to the same college as a legacy or something). And anyone who says it doesn't is either in denial or blind. It gives you opportunities to mingle and network with powerful people; it's impressive to ignorant people when you say "I went to Haaaahvard", etc, etc, etc. If you can afford it, do it.

If you're footing the bill all by yourself for medical school (i.e., the loans are in all your name, you're taking supplemental private living expense loans, and your parents aren't contributing ANYTHING either now or later to help you pay it off), then my advice would be to go to a state school and rack up less than half the debt.

 

[ny skindoc]

My biggest question has to do with state vs. private institutions. Just to ballpark, I decided to look some numbers up. I came up with Harvard (sucks. Go Red!) Med's tuition as $38,776 (with "fees" an ominous $55,610 - what's that all about? Living expenses?). In comparison, SUNY Upstate's tuition for NY residents is $18,800. That's pretty significant.

Now, here come the questions. Is the difference between the education and opportunities obtained at a private school/SUNY school really that different? Is this similar to the ivy/state discussion that people have at the undergraduate level, or is there a more tangible benefit? Considering that I'm going to be paying this time, I think I'd much rather opt for public.

Second, for anyone with a knowledge of SUNY med schools, how do they compare to those of other states? Looking at the US News rankings, they're nowhere to be found. Should I pack up and move to California?

Thanks for your help.

The four SUNY med schools are comparable in quality to the other public med schools in the US.There are pluses and minuses to each institution but it wont matter much which you go to as the quality of residency matching is very good for all of them.
The California system is unique in the US,their public med schools are well funded by the state and they are among the best schools in the US.Do not relocate to CA as admission to public med school there is the most competitive in the countyr.You are far better off in NY.
If you get accepted to Harvard/Penn or the few comparable schools then its worth spending the money,as doors will open for you-their name swill carry clout.
The real question to be faced is a SUNY vs a well known private school ie Tufts,Jefferson,GW, etc.The extra money is then in my opinion not worth it.But thats a personal choice you can make after your interviews.

 

[kassie]

I still think you need to apply first and then evaluate. Never assume you will get into someplace like Harvard and therefore don't apply to the SUNYs or you will find yourself not accepted anywhere...

 

[Brainsucker]

I know that I'll probably provoke a lot of disagreement by saying this, but debt is worth it. If a couple places are about equal in your mind by other factors but one will be significantly cheaper, then by all means, go for the cheap one. But if there's something that really turns you on about a school, just go into debt. They all have financial aid, so you'll be able to get through, if not in high style. In any case, you should wait to compare financial aid offers before you start chosing on money.

It's true that differences in med students are muted compared to law students, but there are definite cultural differences in student bodies. Schools themselves have different cultures and emphases. Personally, I'm thrilled to be going to a school that is big on neurology, surgery, and subspecialties. Curricula differ. Beyond that things, location is big. It is four or five (research years are common) years of your life.

 

[Llenroc]

The four SUNY med schools are comparable in quality to the other public med schools in the US.There are pluses and minuses to each institution but it wont matter much which you go to as the quality of residency matching is very good for all of them.
The California system is unique in the US,their public med schools are well funded by the state and they are among the best schools in the US.Do not relocate to CA as admission to public med school there is the most competitive in the countyr.You are far better off in NY.
If you get accepted to Harvard/Penn or the few comparable schools then its worth spending the money,as doors will open for you-their name swill carry clout.
The real question to be faced is a SUNY vs a well known private school ie Tufts,Jefferson,GW, etc.The extra money is then in my opinion not worth it.But thats a personal choice you can make after your interviews.

Are you joking? I would not pay $$$ to go to any of those latter schools. Most people at those schools go there because they did not get into their state school. There is little to no prestige attached to saying "I went to Tufts" or "Jefferson" vs. a SUNY school.