SUNY Downstate vs. SUNY Upstate vs SLUMD

[threeaway2323]

Hi, lucky enough to be admitted to three programs. Need to make a decision in a few days, super torn as to what to do.

Background: NYS Resident, living in Queens. Aiming for ophthalmology residency so research is extremely important for me. I would appreciate any help, advice or thoughts.

SUNY Downstate:

Pros:

• Close to home, family and friends.
• NYC, can't beat living here in your mid-twenties
• Excellent clinical experiences and training
• Decently strong match
• New sim center?? (idk if MS1s will be using this)

Cons:

• I've heard that MS3 is brutal. Residents are overworked, often times they're IMGs and don't mentor well
• Haven't heard much about them flexing their research capabilities
• Facilities overall seem a little bit shabby
• High COL
• Mediocre match outside of NYS

SUNY Upstate:

Pros:

• Spacious and pretty campus
• Overall people seemed a little bit friendlier and lax, more Type B than Downstate
• Seemed like more students were involved in research
• Seems like the school matches students all over the country, moreso than Downstate

Cons:

• Syracuse is kinda far and not a great city in my opinion
• Patient population doesn't really seem diverse
• Overall I don't feel like I'd have access to as many opportunities when compared to Downstate

St. Louis University SOM

Pros:

• School is really, really pretty and has great amenities
• Students seems down to earth and easy to talk to
• Brand new hospital affiliated with the school opening up in September

Cons:

• Going to be about 50k more expensive over the course of 4 years than either SUNY
• Their research capabilities are severely eclipsed in the face of WashU
• Match is all over the place, didn't really get a fair idea if SLU would open any doors for me
• Far. Super duper far from home, fam and friends.
• St. Louis as a city isn't the safest place to be.

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[deleted913806]

If I were you, I’d go with downstate. Better area and closer to support system

 

[Therealestdoc]

Go to downstate, better school, better hospital connections and closer to home.

 

[PugsAndHugs]

Downstate student. Don’t underestimate support from family and friends.

Just to touch on some of your pros/cons:
- SIM center is up and running, MS1s-MS4s are all using it already. We used to have to commute to the Bronx for this but now we never have to do that again.
- Plenty of research opportunities. We matched 5 Ophtho this year, none went unmatched that applied Ophtho from what I know.
- Obviously it's not as pretty and glamorous as your Manhattan hospitals, but it's one that operates efficiently and depends on all their healthcare workers (especially medical students) to function smoothly.

 

[sealfriendo]

Agreed with others. Downstate is near and honestly think it's the best school on your list. Easy decision imo. Congrats on some awesome choices.