SUNY Buffalo vs. Rochester

[Thefinalelectronacceptoor]

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Hi all, just looking for a bit of advice here. I was all set to go to SUNY Buff but recently got accepted off the Waitlist at Rochester. UB will be my cheaper option by around 70k (before interest yippee) but there's no denying that Rochester has a more impressive match list. Some people have told me that the school I attend will not have any impact on potential residency positions down the road, while others have told me that while that is most likely true, it might be worth going to Rochester just to give myself the best chance possible for matching into top residency programs. For what it's worth I enjoyed by visits to both schools but definitely got on better with the students at U of R. Any advice would be hugely appreciated! Thanks🙂

 

[deleted1008555]

Have you already gotten your financial aid package from Rochester? They make you submit a ton of information but they’re really good with need based aid so it might not be as expensive as you think. But also regardless I think I would still go with Rochester especially if you want a competitive specialty/ now that Step 1 is p/f.

 

[Thefinalelectronacceptoor]

Have you already gotten your financial aid package from Rochester? They make you submit a ton of information but they’re really good with need based aid so it might not be as expensive as you think. But also regardless I think I would still go with Rochester especially if you want a competitive specialty/ now that Step 1 is p/f.

Thanks for the reply! And I’m still waiting to hear back from them about aid. Regarding competitive specialties, is there any “proof” per se that a higher ranked school makes them easier to achieve? I’ve talked to a few people on the hiring committees for residency programs and they have all told me they never consider the medical school when making a decision and plan on just putting more emphasis on letters of rec now.

 

[longbeakedechidna]

Thanks for the reply! And I’m still waiting to hear back from them about aid. Regarding competitive specialties, is there any “proof” per se that a higher ranked school makes them easier to achieve? I’ve talked to a few people on the hiring committees for residency programs and they have all told me they never consider the medical school when making a decision and plan on just putting more emphasis on letters of rec now.

I've had a similar debate of private school with slightly better match vs cheaper SUNY school as a NY resident. I decided SUNY because:

1) P/F through pre-clinical years. Especially with Step 1 P/F, I think residencies may look at anything else they can (such as pre-clinical grades if available). I think Rochester has honors still in pre-clinical years, so if you wanted a competitive residency, there may be some extra pressure to be at the top of the class in pre clinical years. Although this could be your chance to differentiate yourself too.
2) Lectures. I'm would study best with recorded lectures I can go back to watch at my own pace. I would still attend many, but I would want to re-review them at times. The school I declined had recorded lectures but only available for a limited time, and I don't think Rochester records them at all. Waking up to make it to an 8am lecture every day that I could not go back and review later would be tough for me.
3) Helpfulness of staff/students. My experience with staff at a few different SUNY schools (including Buffalo - currently waitlisted) has been super outgoing and helpful. Tour guides at Buffalo, Upstate, and Stony Brook all pulled aside members of the class to ask how they are doing and talk for a few minutes, and most people seem to be really happy. People have also offered visions for my involvement in their research and global health projects, and other ways I could be involved. I can't speak to Rochester on this one, but all of the SUNY schools just felt super friendly and collaborative to me, and gave me a vision of how I would belong and be cared for. I think this had extra weight for me without 2nd looks lol.

Money is definitely a consideration, as well as closeness of support group and living in a small city vs suburb.

From friends at Rochester (who are quite happy there), I have also heard there isn't much interaction between the different class years. As someone without a medical family background, one of the things I looked for was lots of collaboration between years to help show me what to do (and what not to do). I feel like this will make it easier for me down the road so I don't miss anything early on.

Anyways that's all I've got. There are no wrong answers for you here, either place would be incredible, so best of luck!

 

[Thefinalelectronacceptoor]

I've had a similar debate of private school with slightly better match vs cheaper SUNY school as a NY resident. I decided SUNY because:

1) P/F through pre-clinical years. Especially with Step 1 P/F, I think residencies may look at anything else they can (such as pre-clinical grades if available). I think Rochester has honors still in pre-clinical years, so if you wanted a competitive residency, there may be some extra pressure to be at the top of the class in pre clinical years. Although this could be your chance to differentiate yourself too.
2) Lectures. I'm would study best with recorded lectures I can go back to watch at my own pace. I would still attend many, but I would want to re-review them at times. The school I declined had recorded lectures but only available for a limited time, and I don't think Rochester records them at all. Waking up to make it to an 8am lecture every day that I could not go back and review later would be tough for me.
3) Helpfulness of staff/students. My experience with staff at a few different SUNY schools (including Buffalo - currently waitlisted) has been super outgoing and helpful. Tour guides at Buffalo, Upstate, and Stony Brook all pulled aside members of the class to ask how they are doing and talk for a few minutes, and most people seem to be really happy. People have also offered visions for my involvement in their research and global health projects, and other ways I could be involved. I can't speak to Rochester on this one, but all of the SUNY schools just felt super friendly and collaborative to me, and gave me a vision of how I would belong and be cared for. I think this had extra weight for me without 2nd looks lol.

Money is definitely a consideration, as well as closeness of support group and living in a small city vs suburb.

From friends at Rochester (who are quite happy there), I have also heard there isn't much interaction between the different class years. As someone without a medical family background, one of the things I looked for was lots of collaboration between years to help show me what to do (and what not to do). I feel like this will make it easier for me down the road so I don't miss anything early on.

Anyways that's all I've got. There are no wrong answers for you here, either place would be incredible, so best of luck!

Thanks so much for your thoughtful response. I knew Rochester doesn’t record lectures and I’m like you in that I think I would be a much more efficient learner having the option to watch them at my own pace. I also liked your points about the P/F grading and interclass collaboration. I think I’m leaning towards Buffalo and you are making me feel better about my decision 🙂

 

[HASH1188]

I’ve worked with many talented surgeons who did they’re medical school at Buffalo and have gone on to competitive residencies and fellowships. They all said how much they loved the environment and culture at the school.