Hi everyone,
I was recently fortunate to receive acceptances to Mt. Sinai and Dartmouth, and I have a question that I wanted to ask. While I was initially leaning heavily on Sinai, I have been having some second thoughts. I sense (and continue to believe) that Mt. Sinai has: (1) a bigger name in the medical research community, (2) more diverse clinical exposure, and (3) a much better location (for someone who has lived around NYC for all of his life, like myself). Thus Sinai seemed like an obvious choice at first.
Although I have spoken to many first and second years at Sinai (including several during my interview day) who seem very "happy" with their school's "laid back" environment (e.g., take home tests, P/F, etc.), I have also spoken to a significant number of fourth years who seemed dissatisfied with their clinical years at Sinai. I was told that: (1) the clinical grading system of 25% honors, 25% high pass, and 50% pass (a much more stringent grading scheme than say Yale) creates a hostile and competitive learning environment, (2) the administration plays favorites, and (3) unless you're cozy with the administration, many Sinai students find themselves "on their own" during residency applications.
I understand that not everyone will find their medical schools to be a good fit, and I also understand that politics is an inevitable part of the medical establishment. However, I find all of this to be rather disconcerting and offputting. I am wondering if anyone (perhaps a current Sinai third/fourth year or graduate) could comment...
Thanks!
I was recently fortunate to receive acceptances to Mt. Sinai and Dartmouth, and I have a question that I wanted to ask. While I was initially leaning heavily on Sinai, I have been having some second thoughts. I sense (and continue to believe) that Mt. Sinai has: (1) a bigger name in the medical research community, (2) more diverse clinical exposure, and (3) a much better location (for someone who has lived around NYC for all of his life, like myself). Thus Sinai seemed like an obvious choice at first.
Although I have spoken to many first and second years at Sinai (including several during my interview day) who seem very "happy" with their school's "laid back" environment (e.g., take home tests, P/F, etc.), I have also spoken to a significant number of fourth years who seemed dissatisfied with their clinical years at Sinai. I was told that: (1) the clinical grading system of 25% honors, 25% high pass, and 50% pass (a much more stringent grading scheme than say Yale) creates a hostile and competitive learning environment, (2) the administration plays favorites, and (3) unless you're cozy with the administration, many Sinai students find themselves "on their own" during residency applications.
I understand that not everyone will find their medical schools to be a good fit, and I also understand that politics is an inevitable part of the medical establishment. However, I find all of this to be rather disconcerting and offputting. I am wondering if anyone (perhaps a current Sinai third/fourth year or graduate) could comment...
Thanks!
