SUNY Upstate (instate) vs. Boston University

[greenwinds]

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Dear friends,

I am new to SDN. I must make the decision between a state school (SUNY Upstate) and Boston University. The price difference will be around $130,000. Due to the fact that BU tuition is 43K and Upstate is around 20K - and I can live significantly close to home and resupply on food and the like.

I have been consulting with a number of residents and doctors - many of whom always say go to the cheapest school possible - since BU is not an ivy league it will not make a considerable difference where one will place within residency. However, I am a fan of the Boston city and am quite emotional about pursuing dermatology which in itself is quite competitive. Some physicians in this case say to go to boston because I need the name to help me with such a competitive residency and in the long run a derm. career will be well reimbursed.

As you all know - May 15th is the deadline, and I would not be posting here at all if I was leaning towards one or the other - even after my whole last month of thinking.

 

[Schaden Freud]

Definitely SUNY Upstate. Don't fall into the "Ooooh I wanna live in Boston" mentality. It'll get old really fast.

Dear friends,

I am new to SDN. I must make the decision between a state school (SUNY Upstate) and Boston University. The price difference will be around $130,000. Due to the fact that BU tuition is 43K and Upstate is around 20K - and I can live significantly close to home and resupply on food and the like.

I have been consulting with a number of residents and doctors - many of whom always say go to the cheapest school possible - since BU is not an ivy league it will not make a considerable difference where one will place within residency. However, I am a fan of the Boston city and am quite emotional about pursuing dermatology which in itself is quite competitive. Some physicians in this case say to go to boston because I need the name to help me with such a competitive residency and in the long run a derm. career will be well reimbursed.

As you all know - May 15th is the deadline, and I would not be posting here at all if I was leaning towards one or the other - even after my whole last month of thinking.

 

[Funky]

Dear friends,

I am new to SDN. I must make the decision between a state school (SUNY Upstate) and Boston University. The price difference will be around $130,000. Due to the fact that BU tuition is 43K and Upstate is around 20K - and I can live significantly close to home and resupply on food and the like.

I have been consulting with a number of residents and doctors - many of whom always say go to the cheapest school possible - since BU is not an ivy league it will not make a considerable difference where one will place within residency. However, I am a fan of the Boston city and am quite emotional about pursuing dermatology which in itself is quite competitive. Some physicians in this case say to go to boston because I need the name to help me with such a competitive residency and in the long run a derm. career will be well reimbursed.

As you all know - May 15th is the deadline, and I would not be posting here at all if I was leaning towards one or the other - even after my whole last month of thinking.

I'm not sure how many more students match in derm in BU compared to Upstate but I would say it's comparable. Residency placement is mostly all up to you and your Step I score. I say go with the school you feel the most comfortable in. I'm not sure if I would want to pay the additional 130k to live in boston all things considered.

 

[Topspin82]

Definitely SUNY Upstate. Don't fall into the "Ooooh I wanna live in Boston" mentality. It'll get old really fast.

Says the Tufts SOM '11 🙄 lol

I would compare the match rates between the two schools and decide (money shouldn't be the only factor, happiness also comes into play). If you're happy, you tend to be more productive but there's no substitute for hard work, esp for derm. Good luck!

 

[Schaden Freud]

How does going to Tufts discredit me? 😕

Says the Tufts SOM '11 🙄 lol

I would compare the match rates between the two schools and decide (money shouldn't be the only factor, happiness also comes into play). If you're happy, you tend to be more productive but there's no substitute for hard work, esp for derm. Good luck!

 

[Topspin82]

How does going to Tufts discredit me? 😕

Because Tufts is in Boston...and you said...nevermind....

btw, not trying to discredit you! Congrats

 

[AnxiousBoy]

I'm on Suny's waitlist so you know which way I'm leaning 😀 😀 😀

 

[Dr Terrier MD]

I would say definitely SUNY-Upstate (although i should mention i'm on the BU waitlist). Sorry AnxiousBoy

 

[Dr2Bee]

BUSM matches in Dermatology:
2007 - 2 candidates
2006 - 0 candidates
2005 - 4 candidates
2004 - 2 candidates
2003 - 4 candidates

Dermatology is a super competitive field. Going to a particular school will only do so much...you'll still have to be at the top of your class with awesome Step 1 scores and some impressive research. Unless BU has something that places you at a bigger advantage that we dont know of and you want to share with us. I've heard that BU has some impressive placements in other competitive specialties every year. It might just make more financial sense to go to a state school and save money.

 

[greenwinds]

how about when looking into plastics?