SUNY Downstate vs SUNY Upstate

[grad2014]

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Hi Guys,

May 1st is coming up and I have had a hard time narrowing my choices between SUNY Downstate and SUNY Upstate. I feel that I am leaning towards Downstate right now, but I would really appreciate some feedback from current students or others who know a decent amount about the school. I am an NY resident so tution is essentially the same.

For downstate: I like the fact that it is the city. I wouldn't need a car for anything thanks to the MTA which is one of the biggest things for me. I also feel rotations in the city would give me better experience as well. But what worries me is the fact that the area seems a little shady. Also there is the fact that Downstate hospital has been having financial problems and may even go bankrupt. I was hoping someone could give me some more insight into what that would mean for the students going there. I have really been worrying about that so any help would be wonderful.

Upstate: I really like their campus because its close to Syracuse Uni as well and the school itself has a campus feel to it. Along with that, it has a better Study Abroad program which I find very appealing. There are also alot of other programs I am interested in there that Downstate doesnt offer. However, I would need a car to travel and I really don't want to drive. Along with that, Upstate is also just a lot colder, which while may be a stupid thing, is actually somewhat important to me.

Any feedback would be awesome, especially some info about Downstate's bankruptcy and its implications for future med students there would be great! Thank you

 

[Patros]

I'm not a student at Downstate so I can't speak authoritatively to Downstate' financial troubles, but it is troubling that hospitals all over Brooklyn are about to collapse. I really doubt anything will happen to the medical school, but potentially losing Kings County Hospital will still be a big blow. If Kings County or LICH actually does go under, you'll lose rotation sites, but I'm sure the university hospital will still be running.

Upstate had some problems with LCME accreditation, but I believe that's been resolved. Overall, I think Upstate's campus is nicer, but Syracuse is a bit isolated from NYC and the other east coast cities.

Also make sure you take a look at the match lists. I find that Downstate students mainly go to NYC and LI, whereas Upstate students scatter to the wind and go across the country. If you're hoping for a high-profile residency in NYC, I think Downstate would be much better.

 

[IgE_]

Does anyone else have an opinion on this? I am also interested in some responses.

 

[wanderer]

Ultimately it depends on where you are comfortable living for now as well as for residency since many people stay in the area they train in. Downstate isn't in the best area but with some common sense you'll most likely be fine. It is in Brooklyn and is a subway ride away from many of the things that make NYC a great place to be in.
In terms of financial future - I think Downstate itself will be okay, but who knows what will happen to the affiliates. Kings County will probably safe for the next few years. LICH is almost nonexistent as far as students go - hardly anyone rotates there and if it closed tomorrow few students would be affected.
In terms of rotations you mostly work at city/state hospitals which means you get a lot of hands on experience. There are pros and cons to this as being thrown into things means you'll get a lot more experience than your colleagues around the country but sometimes that means you don't learn things the proper way. You'll also get a lot of experience with blood draws, IVs etc. which is good as a student but ultimately done by ancillary staff at most hospitals.
I can't say much about Upstate but don't pick a place based on study abroad. It will come down to a maximum of 8 weeks out of the next four years, and even those 8 weeks are not a guarantee.

 

[sbu2012]

I visited downstate and I love it. I don't think you can go wrong with either though.