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Simple Poll.
University of Pittsburgh or Mount Sinai????
University of Pittsburgh or Mount Sinai????
Poll: UPitt or Mount Sinai??
- Thread starter Scooby Doo
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Wow...no one even has an opinion to vote on these schools? 
haha
Maybe just a lull in SDN activity right now
hahaMaybe just a lull in SDN activity right now
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Pitt's a better school, a *MUCH* better hospital but its pittsburgh. Its hard to remove the NYC from Sinai--Manhattan just confers to much cool stuff to pick Pitt...even though I will admit that its a superior medical school.
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Wow...so far it's a tie...9 to 9...
Grrr..this is tough
A good tough..but tough...
Grrr..this is tough
A good tough..but tough...
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Curriculum at Pitt a big plus. Most people think housing at Sinai a big plus (although I kind of disagree -- I know, I know it's way better than Columbia, but anything would be!). NYC a big plus or a big minus, depending on the person.
I had a bad experience with student hosting at Pitt, as in my host toatally flaked out (as in would not return my calls, and did NOT host me) as I arrived in the midst of a snowstorm!! Kind of soured me on the place a bit. But, as a grand member, I take my voting responsibilities very seriously, and after carefully weighing all factors, voted for Pitt anyway!
I had a bad experience with student hosting at Pitt, as in my host toatally flaked out (as in would not return my calls, and did NOT host me) as I arrived in the midst of a snowstorm!! Kind of soured me on the place a bit. But, as a grand member, I take my voting responsibilities very seriously, and after carefully weighing all factors, voted for Pitt anyway!
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•••quote:•••Originally posted by bobcat:
•Scooby,
Didn't you get into Columbia? Why are you considering these schools? By the way, I would choose Pitt.•••••I got into Columbia, but I was extremely impressed with Sinai when I was there. I also want to hold out for financial aid to see how that pulls through. I am going to take a serious second look at columbia during their comback weekend....I just want to know if it will really be worth it going there over say another top 25 school.
•Scooby,
Didn't you get into Columbia? Why are you considering these schools? By the way, I would choose Pitt.•••••I got into Columbia, but I was extremely impressed with Sinai when I was there. I also want to hold out for financial aid to see how that pulls through. I am going to take a serious second look at columbia during their comback weekend....I just want to know if it will really be worth it going there over say another top 25 school.
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•••quote:•••Scooby has spent 20+ years of his life learning to make rational decisions ••••Hmm...I know many people who would argue with you on that point
<img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />
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Didn't apply to Sinai, not sure what their curriculum is exactly, but I didn't think it had the PBL or the block-schedule (6 wks of JUST anatomy) that Pitt boasted. Pitt is dang cheap for a big city too, so if you can't save by staying in-state, save $ somehow. Oh yeah, Pitt's got nearly all the hospitals in a 50 mile radius, while Sinai doesn't have all the hospitals in Manhattan... Nonetheless, tough choice for sure.
Pitt has my vote.
Pitt has my vote.
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When I interviewed at Pitt, all they could talk about was their new Dean, who apparently was brought in to spice up/bring in money for research. They kept asking me if I had specific ideas for independent research, and told me that opps for research would be booming by the time we got there.
Take it as you will...
Take it as you will...
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The NIH funding for Pitt research was just increased a couple of months ago. I believe they are just behind Baylor in NIH research $ now.
Plus, Pitt has a NIH sponsored MSTP program in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University. Though Sinai has one as well, I know that Pitt's research is pretty well respected in the Bethesda research circles.
Also, Pitt has a premiere institute for transplantation research: The Starzl Transplantation Institute. If you don't know about this man definitely read his book, The Puzzle People, and you will begin to grasp the need to check the yes box on the back of driver's license under the heading: ORGAN DONOR !!
Anyway, forget about Pitt and Sinai.. .Vote for ME !
Plus, Pitt has a NIH sponsored MSTP program in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University. Though Sinai has one as well, I know that Pitt's research is pretty well respected in the Bethesda research circles.
Also, Pitt has a premiere institute for transplantation research: The Starzl Transplantation Institute. If you don't know about this man definitely read his book, The Puzzle People, and you will begin to grasp the need to check the yes box on the back of driver's license under the heading: ORGAN DONOR !!
Anyway, forget about Pitt and Sinai.. .Vote for ME !
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Ditto on what Johnny-5 said. My dad had a liver transplant. Guess where the first one of those was done? Pittsburgh. Also their research funding is great and they have MSTP, so the research oppertunities are much greater.
I am an MSTP applicant so it's a no-brainer to me, but if research means anything to you I think Pitt is the best choice.
I am an MSTP applicant so it's a no-brainer to me, but if research means anything to you I think Pitt is the best choice.
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ok...I am from pittsburgh, and I have been living in NYC for the past 4 years. Pitt definitely has a more dynamic curriculum, more friendly, organized, and supportive administration, and a better hospital system. Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have larger, more reputable hospital systems than Mt. Sinai. I think Pitt has it all over Sinai in both curriculum and clinical education. In the heart of the poshness of the upper east side, Sinai does not draw as diverse a patient population as Pitt does. Even though Sinai Hospital is the border between the Upper East Side and East Harlem, very few (if any) residents of East Harlem go there. Pitt is THE hospital system in Western PA, and it has a great reputation amongst residency directors. In addition, medical research is Booming at Pitt. And Pittsburgh is a fun city that is dang cheap...I mean DANG CHEAP. You can rent a nice place for under $300 a month, and food expenses are significantly cheaper in Pittsburgh. I feel as though I am blowing the bank every time I go to the supermarket in NYC! Bottom line: medical school is medical school...we will all be learning a language. When we get to residency, we will learn how to become doctors. Choose the school where you feel the most comfortable, where the material is presented in the way that best suits your learning style. That's my 2 cents.
So, shout out to Pitt 2006! I'll be there unless I hear from a waitlist.
So, shout out to Pitt 2006! I'll be there unless I hear from a waitlist.
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tough one scoob. both schools are really worthwhile. i'd choose sinai b/c i love nyc. location is a very important factor (for me) and i don't know if i could hang in pitt for four years. their program seems really impressive and they look like they are on the up and up as far as reseach/rankings go. i like the fact that their curriculum is pbl. sinai's is both right? you gotta go with what your mind and heart are saying (if possible). i'd probably choose Sinai.
Oh, glad to see that you are weighing your options. Those are three great schools that you are deciding between. I'd revisit Sinai when you revisit Columbia if you can. I'm in Washington Heights so email if you want to chizill. Have fun.
Oh, glad to see that you are weighing your options. Those are three great schools that you are deciding between. I'd revisit Sinai when you revisit Columbia if you can. I'm in Washington Heights so email if you want to chizill. Have fun.
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Scooby,
I can't say that I had the oppportunity to go to Siani, but I am planning on heading to Pitt next year. Just to reiterate what others have said, Pitt has a much more supportive atmosphere, cool curriculum, and the hospital system is top notch and there are several different hospitals in the Pitt area that attrach a varied patient population. Granted Pittsburgh in not NYC, but my friends there now really enjoy the area; it is cheap and safe. Just my two cents. :wink:
I can't say that I had the oppportunity to go to Siani, but I am planning on heading to Pitt next year. Just to reiterate what others have said, Pitt has a much more supportive atmosphere, cool curriculum, and the hospital system is top notch and there are several different hospitals in the Pitt area that attrach a varied patient population. Granted Pittsburgh in not NYC, but my friends there now really enjoy the area; it is cheap and safe. Just my two cents. :wink:
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Scooby,
I too face similar situation as you. I agree with everything everyone has said above and Pitt has my vote. If I don't get off the waitlist at my state school, I am be at PittMed in July looking for a house to live! Hope to see you there!
I too face similar situation as you. I agree with everything everyone has said above and Pitt has my vote. If I don't get off the waitlist at my state school, I am be at PittMed in July looking for a house to live! Hope to see you there!
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sorry, i really don't know all that much about pitt, but i do a thbing or two about sinai, and i think many of the posts here come from people who have recieved misinformation. to clarify:
1) most of sinai's patients actually come from spanish harlem, so if wind up at sinai, you will spend the vast majority of your time taking care of a very diverse and under-served community. this also means lots of hands on experience. in terms of affiliates, sinai has more hospital beds per student than any other medical school besides harvard. they also have the third largest faculty/student ratio. all this means that students at sinai get tons of clinical experience, including both private and public city hospital where the students and residents pretty much get to run the show.
2) sinai has one of the largest nih sponsored mstp program in the country and they are adding more md/phd spots next year (within a few years the % will be close to 1/8th of the class). in other words lots of research. plus last year, the school generously funded over half of sinai's first year students to stay on campus during the summer and do research.
3) reputation: i am not really sure how to measure this but i know sinai's is very strong and is constantly improving. as for the caliber of students in sinai's first year class, i think their qualifications speak well of the school's reputation (gpa=3.67, mcat=10.8). in fact, i am not sure what pitt's stats are, but i don't think they are that high (though i am sure they are still quite respectable).
4) cost of living: even with yearly price hikes, i think sinai's tuition is significantly lower than most other schools (including pitt). plus sinai offers tons of financial aid and even a couple of full-ride merit scholarships. so i am not sure that spending four years in the city of pittsburgh (or any other similar town) will translate into money saved. in fact, sinai probably is less expensive. and, you get to live in the heart of new york city, right next to central park. pretty good, if you want my opinion.
5) finally, sinai is very relaxed and has one of the most "chill" curriculums in the country. and students there are very happy.
so those are the facts about sinai. i didn't mean to be so wordy, but other people who have posted have gotten some of their facts wrong about sinai while trying to prove their point about how good other schools are. like i said before, i don't know all that much about pittsburgh, but i still think that when the facts are laid on the table, sinai stacks up quite wll with almost any other school in this country.
that being said, make whatever decision you will based on the facts at handf and on your own first hand experinces. talk to students at both schools and get a feel for what they are like and what there school is like. med schools tend to be small and people on the outside usually only know the most superficial things about each, so invest the effort to look a little deeper. and then decide for yourself.
best of luck
1) most of sinai's patients actually come from spanish harlem, so if wind up at sinai, you will spend the vast majority of your time taking care of a very diverse and under-served community. this also means lots of hands on experience. in terms of affiliates, sinai has more hospital beds per student than any other medical school besides harvard. they also have the third largest faculty/student ratio. all this means that students at sinai get tons of clinical experience, including both private and public city hospital where the students and residents pretty much get to run the show.
2) sinai has one of the largest nih sponsored mstp program in the country and they are adding more md/phd spots next year (within a few years the % will be close to 1/8th of the class). in other words lots of research. plus last year, the school generously funded over half of sinai's first year students to stay on campus during the summer and do research.
3) reputation: i am not really sure how to measure this but i know sinai's is very strong and is constantly improving. as for the caliber of students in sinai's first year class, i think their qualifications speak well of the school's reputation (gpa=3.67, mcat=10.8). in fact, i am not sure what pitt's stats are, but i don't think they are that high (though i am sure they are still quite respectable).
4) cost of living: even with yearly price hikes, i think sinai's tuition is significantly lower than most other schools (including pitt). plus sinai offers tons of financial aid and even a couple of full-ride merit scholarships. so i am not sure that spending four years in the city of pittsburgh (or any other similar town) will translate into money saved. in fact, sinai probably is less expensive. and, you get to live in the heart of new york city, right next to central park. pretty good, if you want my opinion.
5) finally, sinai is very relaxed and has one of the most "chill" curriculums in the country. and students there are very happy.
so those are the facts about sinai. i didn't mean to be so wordy, but other people who have posted have gotten some of their facts wrong about sinai while trying to prove their point about how good other schools are. like i said before, i don't know all that much about pittsburgh, but i still think that when the facts are laid on the table, sinai stacks up quite wll with almost any other school in this country.
that being said, make whatever decision you will based on the facts at handf and on your own first hand experinces. talk to students at both schools and get a feel for what they are like and what there school is like. med schools tend to be small and people on the outside usually only know the most superficial things about each, so invest the effort to look a little deeper. and then decide for yourself.
best of luck
Poor Scoob,
You have a tough decision to make. I think Pitt and Sinai are pretty much the same school in different cities from the sound of things. Not that it really matters (I love it when people qualify a statement this way) but Bruno is right about the caliber of Sinai's student body...Pitt has a measily 3.67 GPA, 10.5 MCAT avg. (all the smart kids must have gone to Sinai). And since I'm talking about things that don't really matter...The "not that it realy matters" USNEWs rankings put Pitt at 17 and Sinai at 22.
Seriously though, you have an enviable dilemma. Good luck and I'm sure you'll do just fine no matter where you decide to go.
You have a tough decision to make. I think Pitt and Sinai are pretty much the same school in different cities from the sound of things. Not that it really matters (I love it when people qualify a statement this way) but Bruno is right about the caliber of Sinai's student body...Pitt has a measily 3.67 GPA, 10.5 MCAT avg. (all the smart kids must have gone to Sinai). And since I'm talking about things that don't really matter...The "not that it realy matters" USNEWs rankings put Pitt at 17 and Sinai at 22.
Seriously though, you have an enviable dilemma. Good luck and I'm sure you'll do just fine no matter where you decide to go.
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I would pick Pitt. After I interviewed at Pitt, I liked the school/faculty/environment more than any private school I interviewed at. The city is not as exciting as NYC but I think the school is awsome.
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Go to Columbia and forget about it. Remember, you'll be one of the chosen few "Physicians and Surgeons"!!!
Reputation never hurts, trust me!! Every time people ask me where I went to undergrad (a no-name podunk school) and I tell them, I see a sour look in their faces, as if they feel they should talk to me in a condescending tone. Columbia is still in Manhattan, and it would rival Mt. Sinai in just about anything, except maybe research.
Reputation never hurts, trust me!! Every time people ask me where I went to undergrad (a no-name podunk school) and I tell them, I see a sour look in their faces, as if they feel they should talk to me in a condescending tone. Columbia is still in Manhattan, and it would rival Mt. Sinai in just about anything, except maybe research.
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Neither, both suck. Just playing, Scooby. I think it's a tough call. Go with what your heart says.
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Yes, but lady in red, you are going to the school I would give my first born to be going to
haha..j/k...but still...I will be going to columbia over sinai and pitt b/c of the finaid I got from them! Very very generous!
haha..j/k...but still...I will be going to columbia over sinai and pitt b/c of the finaid I got from them! Very very generous!
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•••quote:•••Originally posted by Scooby Doo:
•Simple Poll.
University of Pittsburgh or Mount Sinai????•••••I know about Pitt's curriculum, but what is Sinai's like? Maybe you should consider their differences in order to make a decision. For me, i ranked other schools higher than Pitt simply on the fact that I want to go to a school that has Pass/Fail. Hence, i'm going to Northwestern.
Good luck in your decision.
•Simple Poll.
University of Pittsburgh or Mount Sinai????•••••I know about Pitt's curriculum, but what is Sinai's like? Maybe you should consider their differences in order to make a decision. For me, i ranked other schools higher than Pitt simply on the fact that I want to go to a school that has Pass/Fail. Hence, i'm going to Northwestern.
Good luck in your decision.
