Rochester vs. Einstein

[deleted1008555]

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Hi everyone,

I’ve been super lucky to be accepted to Rochester this cycle, and my interview at Einstein was pushed back until later this month due to COVID. I know I may not even get into Einstein, but if I do, I’m assuming I will have to make a pretty quick decision, so I want to be prepared!

A little background about me- I’m from Michigan but don’t really care about matching in a specific location or staying close to home. I’m not sure what specialty I’d be interested in, but probably not anything too competitive. I definitely want to stay in academia, would like to practice in an urban, underserved area, and am also interested in policy and environmental and social determinants of health.

Rochester:

Pros

• Cost; received $20,000 in need-based aid for first year (and probably more in future years due to parents' retirement?); puts COA around 61k per year
• Admin seems SUPER supportive/ communicative
• Closer to home; not necessarily a pro for me haha but a 6 hour drive would be nicer than having to fly back home
• Students seem to really like their school and be close; on interview day everyone was super friendly and didn’t seem too stressed even though they had an exam that week
• Breweries and Nature; I’m from Michigan so big fan of beer and lakes
• Ranked higher than Einstein but 34 vs. 40 is basically nothing and both match lists look really strong to me

Cons

• No recorded lectures; this is a HUGE negative for me since in undergrad I had a hard time paying in lectures and was more efficient/ successful studying on my own
• Lectures/mandatory activities from 8-5 most days; I just don’t understand how students have any time to study/ for themselves
• Need a car; I currently live in Chicago and don’t have a car so that’s an added cost plus I <3 and will miss public transit
• Location; I’m more of a big city person and I want to practice medicine in an urban, underserved area
• Few opportunities for health policy/advocacy; every time I asked about this I just got the answer of I don’t know but something probably exists (I have not found any orgs/opportunities really related to this though)
• I know absolutely no one in Rochester
• Brutal winters
• Small class size; I know this is a pro for a lot of people, but I went to a big state school for undergrad, and I like being able to just disappear in the crowd if I want to sometimes haha

Einstein:

Pros

• Location; I really like NYC and a few of my closest friends are living there for the foreseeable future. Plus that sweet sweet public transit. (To be fair, I’m not sure how I’d feel about the Bronx since I wasn’t able to visit, but I like the idea of having less distractions than Manhattan and the patient population/clinical experience in the Bronx is what I’m looking for)
• RECORDED LECTURES
• Research; I know Rochester is a big research school too but it just seems more front and center at Einstein and I want to stay in academia
• More opportunities for health policy/advocacy based on my website investigation and just location in general. Specifically really interested in Environmental Health MD/MPH program with CUNY (but also that means even more $$$)
• Bigger class size
• I’ve heard their class is also close especially since most people live in the student housing, but to be fair since I didn’t get the opportunity to see/hear about this first-hand

Cons

• Admin seems disorganized; It took a LONG time (6+ weeks) for me to get my interview rescheduled, and it sounds like a lot of other people have had similar issues even pre-COVID. I’m not sure if this is a problem once you’re a student or if it’s more of just an admissions issue, but it makes me a little nervous. Also how they handled M4s and COVID makes me concerned they don’t care as much about students’ well-being
• Cost; MSAR has the COA (assuming no financial aid) at around 86k/ year, so 100k more pre-interest compared to Rochester over 4 years. Also, I’m a little confused because Einstein’s tuition is cheaper than Rochester but their “other expenses” category is a lot more. I know NYC is an expensive city but with Einstein’s cheap student housing and no need for a car I would expect about a wash in terms of living expenses?
• Would have to fly home

Additionally, I believe both schools are true pass-fail so that’s not a factor. If money wasn’t a factor, I would choose Einstein in a heartbeat just to not have to go to class from 8-5 every day, but also the other pros are a lot more important to me than the pros of Rochester. Part of me feels like when I’m making an attending salary, will I really care that much about an extra 100k of debt if it means I got to spend 4 years of my life in a place where I’d rather be? But also, I don’t think I would be unhappy at Rochester by any means (it seems like a great school just maybe not the greatest fit for me), so on the other hand, is it really worth an extra 100k of debt if I would still be happy and successful at either place?

Hopefully Einstein gives me some $$$ and my decision is super easy, but if not I would appreciate some advice! Also, since I didn’t get to visit Einstein, if anyone could give me some more info (especially regarding my cons and just student life in general) that would be super helpful/ thank you in advance!!

 

[DirtyNewYorker]

I'd pick Einstein. You could cut down heavy on that 86K COA at Einstein by utilizing their housing. Delis in the BX are mad cheap and their food just hits different. Five dollar food trucks will be some of the best meals you've ever had. Montefiore patient diversity is also a huge plus for Einstein students. The monthly metro card is $127 which is also pretty cheap for transportation. Sounds to me like you'd be a lot happier in NYC than Rochester (I don't blame you at all, upstate NY doesn't have it like NYC).

 

[MrPooperScooper]

Kind of hard to beat Einstein when it comes to urban, underserved medicine.

 

[deleted1008555]

I'd pick Einstein. You could cut down heavy on that 86K COA at Einstein by utilizing their housing. Delis in the BX are mad cheap and their food just hits different. Five dollar food trucks will be some of the best meals you've ever had. Montefiore patient diversity is also a huge plus for Einstein students. The monthly metro card is $127 which is also pretty cheap for transportation. Sounds to me like you'd be a lot happier in NYC than Rochester (I don't blame you at all, upstate NY doesn't have it like NYC).

Thanks for the advice! It makes me feel better to know that other people also think the COA estimate seems high haha

 

[cfat12]

Honestly, no recorded lectures and mandatory class is a big turn off for me. I got accepted into Einstein and interviewed at the school in November. Although the admissions staff is unorganized, all the students I talked to seemed to be very happy with the school and the support from the administration. Also, based on what you are looking for, Einstein seems to be a better fit for you. Good luck in your interview!

 

[deleted1008555]

Honestly, no recorded lectures and mandatory class is a big turn off for me. I got accepted into Einstein and interviewed at the school in November. Although the admissions staff is unorganized, all the students I talked to seemed to be very happy with the school and the support from the administration. Also, based on what you are looking for, Einstein seems to be a better fit for you. Good luck in your interview!

Thank you!!

 

[glialman]

Went to Einstein and had the same decision. Best four years ever...go to Einstein and don’t look back.

 

[RSVBT]

^I had the same choice-- I chose Einstein.

Can vouch it is awesome here.