- Joined
- Jul 24, 2016
- Messages
- 61
- Reaction score
- 52
Hi all,
Wanted to get some ideas from peeps about my predicament. Any input/further considerations I should be making would be highly appreciated! (Esp from those who choose in general US vs. Canada MD).
I'm an international with a Canadian PR card and have gotten into Stony Brook and Queen's University. I had gone to undergrad in NYS, have been working in basic neuro research (hope to go into neurology/psych/surgery) post grad. Long term plans would mostly be clinical with collab with translational research (have never tried clinical research). I definitely want to continue doing basic research while in med school, but would not mind moving into more clinical research.
Stony Brook University
Pros
Cons
Queen's University
Pros
Cons
Summary: I think I don't have any strong gut feelings from interview days. Was stressed for both (SBU was first one ever and Queen's was MMI which I'd not really prepped for), liked both campuses - both are suburban-ish (can't really gauge difference in clinical rotation hospitals, I think SBH is slightly better). I feel as if opportunities in and after med school at SBU is more and my heart says SBU, but the immigration issues and pricetag is telling me to lean towards Queen's.
Thank you!
Wanted to get some ideas from peeps about my predicament. Any input/further considerations I should be making would be highly appreciated! (Esp from those who choose in general US vs. Canada MD).
I'm an international with a Canadian PR card and have gotten into Stony Brook and Queen's University. I had gone to undergrad in NYS, have been working in basic neuro research (hope to go into neurology/psych/surgery) post grad. Long term plans would mostly be clinical with collab with translational research (have never tried clinical research). I definitely want to continue doing basic research while in med school, but would not mind moving into more clinical research.
Stony Brook University
Pros
- New LEARN curriculum, people are doing well, high STEP avg (234?)
- Small-ish class size (~120), new facilities, anecdotes of having great support systems
- Matches well into NYC hospitals with known good neuro research programs and general great residency programs (Weill, Columbia, NYU, Sinai etc.)
- Great research affiliates (CSHL, Brookhaven, Mount Sinai) - Option to also specialize with a research project (Scholarly Concentrations)
- I have a couple of friends attending and overall general friend network/support systems in the NYC/North East area/States
Cons
- Hefty price tag: $360k USD in loans. Private loans (7-9% monthly APR), not eligible for government loans This is the main deterrent.
- I would forever be an international: ie. worry about staying in status, working many times as hard to secure a good residency spot with the right visa (H1B vs. J1, etc.). Basically have to deal with US immigration and it's just never been fun.
- I would most likely lose my Canadian PR, and worst case would have to return to home country (SE Asia)
Queen's University
Pros
- Clinical teaching focused, well-known within Canada (Rank #4 out of 17).
- Smaller class size (~105), decent facilities
- Not quite sure how matching (CaRMS) works as of yet but I haven't heard bad things about Queen's?
- Family is in Canada (different city though out west)
- Can get citizenship - yay no more holding a passport/having the rights of a developing country with questionable human rights issues!
- Substantially cheaper: about less than $170k USD (about 3% monthly APR). Can apply for government loans. Any where I'd be able to pay back loans, but earning potential is higher in US > Canada.
Cons
- Not a research heavy school
- Harder to specialize since the job openings are limited by government quotas given how the healthcare system is set up. Again, unsure how the matching/placement works and increase needs for Primary care/Family Medicine
- I have no/very few current support network/friends at Queen's/around this geographical area/Canada - yes, I'm aware that I'll make some..
Summary: I think I don't have any strong gut feelings from interview days. Was stressed for both (SBU was first one ever and Queen's was MMI which I'd not really prepped for), liked both campuses - both are suburban-ish (can't really gauge difference in clinical rotation hospitals, I think SBH is slightly better). I feel as if opportunities in and after med school at SBU is more and my heart says SBU, but the immigration issues and pricetag is telling me to lean towards Queen's.
Thank you!
Last edited: