Rank SUNY Downstate

[UbuntuGM]

In the minds of SDNers, how does SUNY Downstate rank? Bottom tier? Mid tier?

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[yankeesmed]

In the minds of SDNers, how does SUNY Downstate rank? Bottom tier? Mid tier?

It's in New York City. You'll get a very good medical education and have a great life outside of med school, especially if you live in a desirable area like Park Slope or in Manhattan. The student housing there is expensive anyway so you'll be paying expensive rent wherever you live.

You already know the answer to where it "ranks." It doesn't. The fact that it's a US med school makes it a great opportunity. The fact that it's in the center of Brooklyn makes it an even better one.

 

[UbuntuGM]

It's in New York City. You'll get a very good medical education and have a great life outside of med school, especially if you live in a desirable area like Park Slope or in Manhattan. The student housing there is expensive anyway so you'll be paying expensive rent wherever you live.

You already know the answer to where it "ranks." It doesn't. The fact that it's a US med school makes it a great opportunity. The fact that it's in the center of Brooklyn makes it an even better one.

Thanks for not answering my question. I appreciate your reassurance, though.

 

[Cleavername]

In the minds of SDNers, how does SUNY Downstate rank? Bottom tier? Mid tier?

by research strength, i think, its the lowest of all sunys i think. it goes from stony > buffalo > upstate > downstate. i suppouse its subjective how it ranks among the other 3.

 

[MegaProjectile]

Its location makes it competitive to get into. Academically, it's in the bottom tier although all med schools are tightly regulated so you'll get a good education regardless of where you go.

Downstate also lets you become in-state after a year. Something probably more important to consider.....

 

[yankeesmed]

Thanks for not answering my question. I appreciate your reassurance, though.

I answered your question by saying it doesn't rank.

Downstate is a great place to study medicine. I would chose it over Upstate, Buffalo, New York Medical, Albany, and possibly Stony Brook. That is because it is in New York City.

This occurs in other fields as well. Brooklyn Law School, for example, does not "rank" high. However, its graduates receive a superior law education because of the vast resources surrounding the school. They graduate well prepared to obtain jobs in New York City and their success is disproportionate to the school's "rank."

 

[wanderer]

Other than Stony Brook the 3 SUNYs are pretty similar in reputation, so it shouldn't come down to that. Go with what you feel comfortable with. I and many other applicants that I met felt that the faculty at Downstate were rather unenthusiastic. I did not get the same impression at the other SUNYs. Whether or not that really makes a difference I don't know.

 

[swamprat]

I interviewed at downstate.. wasn't really impressed everything is old and crappy looking and its in a sh*tty area... good if you like ER though apparently.

 

[riceman04]

I interviewed at downstate.. wasn't really impressed everything is old and crappy looking and its in a sh*tty area... good if you like ER though apparently.

What does the bolded mean considering your exposure to emergency medicine is limited as an undergrad med student?

 

[riceman04]

SUNY Downstate may not be heralded as the creme de la creme of medical schools...but it is an accredited medical school that sends its kids to top residency programs just like every other school and sets the groundworks for developing amazing physicians.

Sorry...I had to get on my pedastal for that one

 

[swamprat]

What does the bolded mean considering your exposure to emergency medicine is limited as an undergrad med student?

Not in a sense they're learning anything different but they're hospital affiliations are great for ER experience and theyre known to put out a lot of ER doctors. I was told this by a friend who goes there currently an MS2 as well as my interviewer since at the time I was considering ER as a specialty.

 

[235009]

here is my opinion: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=7636494#post7636494

basically downstate tries to sell you on their location as it is the closest SUNY to manhattan. in terms of atmosphere it is definitely dead last - whether it is the vibe from faculty and administration or location and resources.

 

[Retinam]

I would say SUNY Downstate is a mid-tier school, in regards to rankings - which really don't mean much. They have excellent residency placements and I know many of my friends who attend their enjoy their clinical years!

 

[UbuntuGM]

I'm asking because I've interviewed there and 2 other NY schools (Albert Einstein, which recently rejected me, and Cornell - which will be a rejection I'm sure) and Downstate has placed me on their alternate list, making it the most likely school out of the 3 to accept me. And while I'm aware the US News Rankings don't mean anything, I'm trying to justify choosing DS over some other schools I'm waiting to hear back from. I was also very unimpressed by the school facilities, the med students' (lack of) enthusiasm, and the general ugliness of the neighborhood. But it seems to be my only chance of going to school in NY.

 

[UbuntuGM]

ugh... seems like the general consensus is that people should only go to downstate if they love brooklyn or if it gives them good financial packages. Looks like it may have be VCU for me.

 

[Salpingo]

What does the bolded mean considering your exposure to emergency medicine is limited as an undergrad med student?

Not sure what its like at other schools, but the EM department is very active at the undergraduate level. They offer an early exposure elective in the basic science years that runs a couple of weeks. There's also a phlebotomy elective that'll get you into the ER early, performing basic procedures. The chair gives biostats lectures, and actively recruits students for research. The head of emergency imaging (i.e. ultrasound) also comes by a lot to give early exposure during anatomy. The only department more active would probably be neuro.

the med students' (lack of) enthusiasm

You're exposed to some of the worst issues in healthcare early on, so there's a decent amount of cynicism in the student body, probably more than average. You'll also have a good deal of frustration with disorganized bureaucracy/administration, but again, I don't know how that compares to the average. Most of that comes with dealing with administrative assistants and older faculty members. Speaking from personal experience, the dean's office is INCREDIBLY supportive, as are the majority of clerkship directors. All you have to do is send out an email.

Downstate is unique in the range of the student body. There are some people who just barely got in to medical school and others who could have gone anywhere, but chose to save money/stay close to family. Program directors, particularly in the New York area, seem to respect that. If you do end up getting in, you have to forget about rank, especially in the eyes of SDNers, and realize the type of doctor you become is your responsibility.

 

[UbuntuGM]

Downstate is unique in the range of the student body. There are some people who just barely got in to medical school and others who could have gone anywhere, but chose to save money/stay close to family. Program directors, particularly in the New York area, seem to respect that. If you do end up getting in, you have to forget about rank, especially in the eyes of SDNers, and realize the type of doctor you become is your responsibility.[/QUOTE]

you're so inspiring

 

[riceman04]

Not in a sense they're learning anything different but they're hospital affiliations are great for ER experience and theyre known to put out a lot of ER doctors. I was told this by a friend who goes there currently an MS2 as well as my interviewer since at the time I was considering ER as a specialty.

Oh IC