I looked at both schools and I agree that is kinda a tough one....
SB: obviously much cheaper, the students seemed nice, match list is varied, some really good matches some so so; class room learning (I wasn't too hot on this one) students said there were some problems with the curriculum, not many hospitals to rotate through, very non-diverse patient population (primarily middle class italian), pretty expensive to live there ($800 for a studio seemed pricey), it is close to the beach!!!, train to NYC is only like $10
UofR: I sat through a PBL and loved it, however, the facilitator was excellent and I was told this can vary; the students were amazing, very nice went out of their way to talk to us interviewees, students are still involved in many extracurriculars, match list is very very strong, they have a couple of programs for specializing in neuro programs and medical humanititis, cheaper to live, the immediate cultural opportunities are better, eastman music center, musuems, however, NYC is like 5 hours away, student body is from all over the US versus from NY (although we are a pretty diverse state :wink: ), the host I stayed with were the coolest I meet on my interviews, much better research opportunities, plus they were building a translational research center, it is one of the only hospitals in NY (and definitely in upstate NY) that is financially secure, you get to rotate through many hospitals including a VA (which usually mean you get to do much more) and cooperstown, class is smaller at Rochester, they give the students money to do international electives etc., give the students money to do research, the list of extracurricular groups seemed really impressive, they have computers integrated extremely well into the curriculum and also used in their small group sessions, they have video taping of interactions with patients (actors) (which stony brook did not have)
I have to admit Rochester was my favorite school I interviewed at but I just interviewed at Stony brook, some last minute financial aid freaking...AT rochester I interviewed with a JD who was just an amazing woman and the head dean himself (who was so nice, and plays an active role with the students)
Academically:hands down rochester
Financially: stony brook