I turned down an alumni scholarship at Upstate five years ago for a spot at U of Rochester with only a $750 scholarship...I matched in EM last week and am leaving with 200,000+ in debt...that $750 didn't go to far.
I knew back than that if i took the spot at Upstate it would be strictly for the money because after spending time at Rochester I knew in my gut it's where I wanted to be. Now that I can look back on it, it was absolutly the best thing for me. I would do it again without question. However, I also have friends leaving Upstate who got an excellent education and aren't carrying nearly the debtload that i have. I interviewed multiple candidates this year and shared this story with them....Two weeks before we had to let go of extra spots or lose our deposit I called Rochester and asked to come back for a second look. They asked what questions I had and i said i wanted to know why they felt i should give up a very cheap ride at Upstate in exchange for massive debt. I got three parts to my answer. First, noone at Rochester has ever defaulted on their loans...meaning noone has had trouble paying them back in the history of Rochester.
Second, I met with Dr. Ruth Lawerence...a semi retired pediatrician who went to Rochester in the 1940s as one of only six women in the class. She told me that she too back than had to decide with finances in mind because of meager means. I'll never forget what she said, "you only get your education once and you can't put a price on it". She shared with me about how when Rochester became a medical school, it was one of the first allopathic schools in the country to only accept the number of students they anticipated on graduating four years later. At the time, most schools would start with 400+ and cut the class in half each year leading to cutthroat competition. Rochester is founded in a spirit of teamwork and she told me that even back than she never felt different or singled out as a female in her class. I felt like everyone in my class has had my back the last four years so I believe that this history plays a part today.
Third, Rochester has four advisory deans as opposed to one. I don't know how many schools can say this now since it's been five years since I've looked at medical schools. That means that each class is divided into four groups and about 25 are with each dean. The dean meets on a weekly, biweekly basis with their group. I feel like my dean knows me as an individual very well and although i never had a crisis in medical school my friends who did had phenominal support because of the close knit dean/student relationships. When it came time to have my dean write my letter, i felt it was the best protrayal of me anyone could have and that came from knowing me well. It has been an amazing feeling over the last four years to have this relationship.
I think this shows in our class match results...five people matched in plastics, one in neurosurgery (three the year before)...etc.
This all being said, I also feel that the SUNY schools have a fantastic education system and you can't base it on money alone...it has to feel right to you and my reasons are why Rochester was right for me moreso than the money issue. PM me if you want to talk more!
