Stony Brook vs. SUNY Downstate

[Golden_Fox]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I am currently deciding between Stony Brook and Downstate and would really appreciate any honest input, especially from current students or recent grads.

For context: I’m from NYC and definitely see myself staying here long-term. Right now I’m interested in anesthesiology or derm but I know that can change. Stony would likely end up being about $50k more over 4 years, mainly because I’d need a car and tuition is slightly more.

Stony Brook

Pros

• Stronger research integration
• More organized admin/overall structure from what I’ve seen
• Smaller class size
• NBME exams
• Strong matches in competitive specialties
• Programs like SB HOME, advising pods, etc. seem well developed
• Quieter environment, which might be better for focusing

Cons:

• More expensive overall (~$50k more over 4 years with car + insurance)
• Need a car, which adds another layer of hassle
• Location is a downside for me, feels pretty isolated
• Less exposure to NYC-style patient population/pathology
• Being farther from Manhattan might make networking harder
• I am a city person at heart

Downstate

Pros:

• Much prefer the location (Brooklyn/NYC)
• Lower COA
• NBME exams
• Very diverse patient population and strong clinical exposure
• Matches well into NYC programs
• 1.5 year preclinical
• Easy access to other institutions in NYC for research if you’re proactive

Cons:

• Research seems less structured, more on you to find mentors
• Admin and facilities don’t seem as polished
• Larger class size
• Some variability in matches for smaller specialties year to year
• More self-directed overall

What I’m trying to figure out:

• Is the extra ~$50k for Stony worth it for the structure and research support?
• How big is the difference in research opportunities in reality?
• Does being in NYC actually give a meaningful advantage for residency (connections, aways, etc.)?
• For competitive specialties, do students feel equally supported at both?
• Am I overvaluing location?

Main concern

I don’t want to choose based on comfort (NYC) and regret missing out on better structure/resources, but I also don’t want to ignore how important environment is for me long-term.

Any honest thoughts would really help. Especially if you’ve had to choose between similar setups.

 

[curiouswombat]

This may be too late, but I think if you're serious about derm then maybe Stony. For context, recently chose downstate over NYMC and talked to someone from downstate. Downstate doesn't have the same research opportunities, which you can still work with / do research elsewhere in NYC if needed. Their clinical experience is great, though and you get to do more / see more progressed cases as a med student bc it is under-resourced. I think it also depends on your values / if you want to be a community-advocate vs. more academic medicine.

 

[Golden_Fox]

This may be too late, but I think if you're serious about derm then maybe Stony. For context, recently chose downstate over NYMC and talked to someone from downstate. Downstate doesn't have the same research opportunities, which you can still work with / do research elsewhere in NYC if needed. Their clinical experience is great, though and you get to do more / see more progressed cases as a med student bc it is under-resourced. I think it also depends on your values / if you want to be a community-advocate vs. more academic medicine.

Thank you for your response! I am largely leaning toward anesthesia but have derm and plastics on my radar. I definitely prefer an academic environment. The issue is I prefer Downstate’s location, as I am a city person. It is really tough.

 

[fakeeagle]

I'm no expert, but honestly Downstate seems to match well, and it sounds like you'd be happier there. My vote is Downstate!

 

[Golden_Fox]

I'm no expert, but honestly Downstate seems to match well, and it sounds like you'd be happier there. My vote is Downstate!

Thank you for your input!

 

[drdvr]

what did you decide?

 

[Golden_Fox]

what did you decide?

I posted because I am on the Downstate WL and wanted to make a decision in the event I get off it. Both schools have their pros/cons so it’s pretty much a win-win situation. Leaning Downstate if I get off WL.

 

[chilly_md]

Things change, but if you want to do derm, you will match where the wind takes you. So being in NYC does not matter in terms of that. Anesthesia you could match to NYC from either. Stony Brook usually was known for more research while Downstate had older facilities. I don't know how much that has improved. Think about your housing situation for both as well since that'll impact your life as a student significantly. Likely is equally expensive but time to the school/clinical sites is good to factor in.

 

[BrainEnjoyer]

Take a look at the grading and the time given for Step studying. I don't know much about Downstate, but Stony Brook has a great dedicated period for Step studying, with very high average scores. Grading is Honors/High Pass/Pass/Fail for most clerkships.

 

[Golden_Fox]

Things change, but if you want to do derm, you will match where the wind takes you. So being in NYC does not matter in terms of that. Anesthesia you could match to NYC from either. Stony Brook usually was known for more research while Downstate had older facilities. I don't know how much that has improved. Think about your housing situation for both as well since that'll impact your life as a student significantly. Likely is equally expensive but time to the school/clinical sites is good to factor in.

Was accepted to Downstate so now I officially have 5 days to choose. Stony has rotations all at the same hospital while Downstate has rotations over NYC. At Stony I would live with at least one roommate and have to get a car while Downstate I can live in an apartment by myself (which I would prefer) and also not have to get a car. Living alone without roommates would be less of a distraction. My quality of life will definitely be better at Downstate as I would be in the city while Stony Brook is in Long Island.

 

[HopefulApplicant667]

Would you have access to a stronger support system in NYC? Competitive specialties require a lot of work on top of the normal medical school workload, which can be stressful. As a nontrad, I think people may not realize just how important it is to have your people nearby to lean on during stressful times!

 

[Golden_Fox]

Would you have access to a stronger support system in NYC? Competitive specialties require a lot of work on top of the normal medical school workload, which can be stressful. As a nontrad, I think people may not realize just how important it is to have your people nearby to lean on during stressful times!

Yes by far. My parents live in Brooklyn. Some of my friends live in nyc.

 

[HopefulApplicant667]

It sounds like you're leaning Downstate but are hesitant due to the better access to research at Stony Brook. Briefly skimming Stony Brook's 2025 match list, there seem to be only 2 derm-bound students. One of them seems like she took a research year per Google, which is I think essentially required for derm anyway. Downstate matched 6 people to derm in 2025, although my guess is that the class size is bigger. Both schools match a ton of students to anesthesia. Doesn't seem like Downstate has significantly worse outcomes w/r/t derm or anesthesia here.

 

[chilly_md]

Was accepted to Downstate so now I officially have 5 days to choose. Stony has rotations all at the same hospital while Downstate has rotations over NYC. At Stony I would live with at least one roommate and have to get a car while Downstate I can live in an apartment by myself (which I would prefer) and also not have to get a car. Living alone without roommates would be less of a distraction. My quality of life will definitely be better at Downstate as I would be in the city while Stony Brook is in Long Island.

Downstate then. There are tradeoffs either way. You're reliant on other forms of transportation to get to all the different sites instead of being at one hospital that you can drive to. But living by yourself beats having a roommate unless you happened to find a great fit (sibling or somebody you become close friends with at school).

 

[Golden_Fox]

It sounds like you're leaning Downstate but are hesitant due to the better access to research at Stony Brook. Briefly skimming Stony Brook's 2025 match list, there seem to be only 2 derm-bound students. One of them seems like she took a research year per Google, which is I think essentially required for derm anyway. Downstate matched 6 people to derm in 2025, although my guess is that the class size is bigger. Both schools match a ton of students to anesthesia. Doesn't seem like Downstate has significantly worse outcomes w/r/t derm or anesthesia here.

Thank you so much for your help.

 

[Golden_Fox]

Downstate then. There are tradeoffs either way. You're reliant on other forms of transportation to get to all the different sites instead of being at one hospital that you can drive to. But living by yourself beats having a roommate unless you happened to find a great fit (sibling or somebody you become close friends with at school).

100%. Thanks for the insight.