Question about my chances for matching in NYC

[Sleaux]

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To get this out of the way...a quick background: my step 1 score is in the low 220s, I've high passed most med school courses (honored both the psych course and clinical rotations), have 4 publications, with a 5th pending (all in neuropharmacology), and have a BS and masters in biopsych.

So, would I fit in anywhere in NYC? I currently live in New Orleans, and the logistics of visiting/intereviewing the many NYC programs is daunting (from a time and $$$ perspective). Research isn't terribly important to me, but I'd like to have the option to pursue it if I so choose. Are the top tier programs (NYU, Sinai, etc.) out of reach? Should I even care? I've heard great things about St. Vincent's, but I'm worried somewhat about the financial standing and living arrangement there (Jersey City???).

I guess my question is three-fold. Which programs would likely offer an interview (given my background)? How on Earth do I go about learning about multiple programs that are 1500 miles away? Which programs outside of the top-tier are reasonably reputable (low FMG numbers, high fill rates, etc)?

FWIW, this site has been a great resource and I've learned a great deal since I started visiting. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[VMSmith]

I'd say you are a pretty strong candidate - you should be in good shape to get interviews at a lot of the NYC programs, maybe not all of them but probably the majority, including the top-tier ones. Your step 1 score isn't mind-blowing, but step 1 scores aren't as important in psych as in other specialties. Take time to craft a strong PS that shows a commitment to psychiatry, and the rest of your application will hold up perfectly well.

Your research background will probably make you appealing to the more research-oriented programs like Columbia and Sinai. Cornell might not be the right fit for you as it is quite psychodynamically oriented. Not sure if NYU would either, though you seem to have done pretty well clinically and if you have strong LORs I imagine they'd take a good look at you. With your background I'd recommend emphasizing the research you've done even if you're not sure if you want to continue it. It's what makes you stand out from most other applicants.

If you really want to go to NYC you should be able to.

As far as tiers, this is what I've heard:

Tier 1:
Columbia
Cornell
NYU
Sinai

Tier 2:
LIJ
Albert Einstein
Beth Israel

Those are the only ones I know anything about so I'm not going to say anything about the other ones. If you applied to those seven I'd say you'd get at least 4-5 interviews.

Learning about programs is what the interview process is all about. A lot of times you won't really get a good feel for a program until you actually go for the interview. It helps to know where you want to be geographically, otherwise you pretty much fly all over the country just to see whether you want to consider going to a program.

 

[BobA]

I imagine you'll get plenty of interviews in NYC, but don't know for sure since I didn't interview there myself.

I can tell you what NOT to do though! I wasn't interested in NY until late in the season. Initially, I didn't want to live in such a big city. However, early October I realized that they had some great programs there and I decided I might live there if I was going to get great training. Despite a similar background to yours I did not get interviews at NYU, Columbia or Cornell.

So the point of this reply is to tell you to get your application in right away. Beyond that I can't tell you much.

 

[Sleaux]

Your research background will probably make you appealing to the more research-oriented programs like Columbia and Sinai. Cornell might not be the right fit for you as it is quite psychodynamically oriented. Not sure if NYU would either, though you seem to have done pretty well clinically and if you have strong LORs I imagine they'd take a good look at you. With your background I'd recommend emphasizing the research you've done even if you're not sure if you want to continue it. It's what makes you stand out from most other applicants.

If you really want to go to NYC you should be able to.

As far as tiers, this is what I've heard:

Tier 1:
Columbia
Cornell
NYU
Sinai

Tier 2:
LIJ
Albert Einstein
Beth Israel

Thanks a million for the advice. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is Beth Isreal the only school in your second tier that is on Manhattan? I should have specified in the OP that I'm really only interested in Manhattan and Brooklyn programs.

Learning about programs is what the interview process is all about. A lot of times you won't really get a good feel for a program until you actually go for the interview. It helps to know where you want to be geographically, otherwise you pretty much fly all over the country just to see whether you want to consider going to a program.

This is going to cost a damn fortune, isn't it?

 

[Sleaux]

I imagine you'll get plenty of interviews in NYC, but don't know for sure since I didn't interview there myself.

I can tell you what NOT to do though! I wasn't interested in NY until late in the season. Initially, I didn't want to live in such a big city. However, early October I realized that they had some great programs there and I decided I might live there if I was going to get great training. Despite a similar background to yours I did not get interviews at NYU, Columbia or Cornell.

So the point of this reply is to tell you to get your application in right away. Beyond that I can't tell you much.

Thanks, BobA. Actually a third year, so I've still got some time to figure this all out.

 

[masterofmonkeys]

schedule your interviews so you can do them all in one or two gos. Stay at a hostel (if you book far enough in advance 50-80/night in midtown is not impossible). Take your SO and make it a vacation.

I did all but two of my Northeast interviews in one go and it ended up being fairly reasonable. I think it turned out to be under 1000 all told for 5 days. Now, 4 interviews in 5 days was BRUTAL, but I did alright.

www.statravel.com www.studentuniverse.com and hostels.com are your friends.

 

[Sleaux]

schedule your interviews so you can do them all in one or two gos. Stay at a hostel (if you book far enough in advance 50-80/night in midtown is not impossible). Take your SO and make it a vacation.

I did all but two of my Northeast interviews in one go and it ended up being fairly reasonable. I think it turned out to be under 1000 all told for 5 days. Now, 4 interviews in 5 days was BRUTAL, but I did alright.

www.statravel.com www.studentuniverse.com and hostels.com are your friends.

We'll be given that kind of leeway in scheduling? That certainly would simplify things...

 

[VMSmith]

Right, Einstein is in the Bronx and LIJ is on Long Island.

St. Vincent's and St. Luke's both are in Manhattan and are in pretty good locations, esp. St. Vincent's.

I think they're both considered in the second tier but am not totally sure so I left them off my list. I honestly don't even know what programs would be in the 3rd tier, but whatever programs they are, don't bother applying to them.

 

[masterofmonkeys]

If you apply early enough and get an invite early enough, sure. Most places interview on 2 days in each week. Overlap on days offered is why I wasn't able to do all 6 in two weeks or less.

There was only one program where I didn't get my first choice in dates. They only had three days for research-oriented applicants and the interview day I wanted filled up literally by that same afternoon.

 

[VMSmith]

Yeah you can put together your interview schedule for the most part. Some programs are limited in the sense that they interview only 1 day per week, but even then you should able to cluster your interviews together without too much trouble as long as you get your application in reasonably early.

 

[Sleaux]

Right, Einstein is in the Bronx and LIJ is on Long Island.

St. Vincent's and St. Luke's both are in Manhattan and are in pretty good locations, esp. St. Vincent's.

St. Vincent's is by far the most attractive program, given my interests...they seem to be very clinically-based and not particularly research-oriented. The red flags, however, are the financial standing of the hospital as well as housing issues (I'm told that the residents may only be offered housing in Jersey City, which really doesn't sit well with me...I seriously doubt I could afford to live in the Village without major help from the program).

What is your take on the quality of these programs? I've heard mixed reviews on St. Luke's, but I'm definitely not opposed to living in Midtown.

 

[VMSmith]

I edited my previous post, looks like you replied before the changes showed up.

I'll let people who actually know those programs answer your question.

 

[espaceLumiere]

St. Vincent's is by far the most attractive program, given my interests...they seem to be very clinically-based and not particularly research-oriented.

I agree.
Yes they did go bankrupt, but from googling it, it seems like they are doing fairly well
http://www.nysun.com/new-york/st-vincents-emerging-from-daunting-bankruptcy/59464/

This years residents will get to live in the current apts. in the village. Next year is a question mark but I'm guessing that place done for as far as the residents are concerned. The Jersey City apts can be found here: http://grovepointerentals.com
It is a LUXURY apartment. When I looked it up a couple months ago, they were quoting $1900 for a studio. The apt. situation is not a big deal- if they don't offer any additional housing and don't offer any income supplement, then the only thing you can do is a) get a roommate and/or live outside of Manhattan. It will be a pain to take the subway to get to work instead of just walking a few blocks, but you can save a lot of money on rent and food. The thought of paying $1800/month for a box sickens me and the less I can pay on rent the happier, even if it means I have to take a 40min commute to get to work. I used to drive 40 minutes to class, so it's no big deal for me.

Which programs would likely offer an interview (given my background)?
-Don't worry about that- just apply to anywhere you like. It doesn't cost that much and you never know. If you love Cornell, apply. If they don't offer an interview, so be it. With applying, I didn't assume, I just tried. You never know.

How on Earth do I go about learning about multiple programs that are 1500 miles away?
-I started with the brand name programs, went to their websites to learn a bit more, did some research here. But the biggest learning experience was going to the interviews and talking to the other interviewees about other programs. In my experience 99% of the interviewees were from the NYC area and can tell you things about different programs. That helped out a lot for me.

Which programs outside of the top-tier are reasonably reputable (low FMG numbers, high fill rates, etc)?
-This is my informal method based on my experiences. WARNING- maybe there are some really good programs that I missed, but this worked for me and I found some great programs this way:
If it is not brand name and it's not in Manhattan or Long Island, don't bother.

 

[Sleaux]

Are you in NYC perchance? Thanks for the advice. I'm certainly not opposed to living in Brooklyn and commuting in. Half the price, twice the space...right? Is this wishful thinking on my part?

 

[espaceLumiere]

Are you in NYC perchance? Thanks for the advice. I'm certainly not opposed to living in Brooklyn and commuting in. Half the price, twice the space...right? Is this wishful thinking on my part?

I'm an outsider trying to get into a NYC.

Brooklyn is cheaper, but I've heard that Brooklyn is becoming a cool place and people are beginning to move into certain areas so the rent is higher. But still cheaper than Manhattan. If you want to save money, really, you got to get a roommate and avoid Manhattan.

NYC is exciting, but it is expensive:
http://swz.salary.com/costoflivingwizard/layoutscripts/coll_start.asp
http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html

You basically have to drop your standard of living big-time. Basically your cost of living doubles but your income does not double.