I was accepted to both schools and am now stuck with the dilemma of choosing which school to attend. I loved both schools - the super-nice admissions staff, very diverse student body, lots of nontrads, well-balanced curriculum. Though Drexel is much more expensive (SUNY is my state school), it has much newer facilities, is more technology-driven, and is 20 min from my parents' house 🙂 . Anyway, I guess I just wanted to hear from others their opinions of these schools, especially in regards to the residency match, which clinical departments each school has strengths in, and clinical reputation overall (primary care vs specialties, etc). Anyany opinions? Please no hate posts, I do not mean to annoy by yet another "one vs another school" school.
SUNY Upstate vs. Drexel
- Thread starter DrKitty
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I go to Upstate but I'm from Philly. What I can tell you is that our ortho, oncology, geriatrics, and EM people are among the best in the country. It is a school geared toward primary care so most of our graduates end up in one of the categorical programs in either FP, IM, or surgery, but we have plenty of people in very competitive fields (one of my TAs just matched in neurosurgery). As for the newer facilities thing, I'm not so sure; we have a new building being built and a major expansion well underway. For the first two years, the lecture halls have been relatively recently updated. What I'd say is that you can't go wrong with either. If you're really concerned about money, want to do primary care, or want one of the specialities above, Upstate's the place for you. If you want a city with lots to do, want PBM, or want a place that's closer to your parents, go to Drexel.
Best of luck. I think you'd be happy at either.
Dave
Best of luck. I think you'd be happy at either.
Dave
Thank you so much for the info, Random. I noticed that SUNY Upstate did not list anybody from 2005 going to Derm and they don't really have Derm clinical department. I am not saying I want to go to Derm, I just like to know there are many options outthere. What can you say about specialties like Derm and plastics at SUNY Upstate?
My impression is that they're not as good as elsewhere. While I have friends at Drexel, none of them are doing rotations yet, so I can't say how our people compare to theirs. What I will say is that in our surgically oriented specialites, ENT and urology seem to be our strengths. While I have worked with people in the Department of Medicine, I haven't done much of anything with the people in our derm division (except for a lecture or two), so I don't really feel qualified to speak about that. As for our match results, I looked at the old stats as well and my guess is that because an IM prelim year is required, they just bundled the people who're doing derm in with either the TY matches or the IM matches.
One thing to consider though: even though both places can get you into pretty much any specialty you want, they're both geared primarily toward primary care.
One thing to consider though: even though both places can get you into pretty much any specialty you want, they're both geared primarily toward primary care.
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DrKitty said:
I got to Drexel, love it, as I should. I'm from Syracuse (will defend it to the death) and applied to SUNY. I would have gone there had I not been wait listed. If your from NY, and you get into SUNY, go there. I think the debt issue alone is a compelling enough arguement. Both schools are about on the same level. Drexel's rep I think is on the rise though, since the change from MCP Hahnemann and Drexel's really putting money in (Expansion of Queen Lane). Of course, U Hospital is expanding and building that children's hospital, so I suppose that's something to consider.
So from a drexel student, unnless snow and smaller city are big issue for you, go to SUNY.
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I'm at Upstate and love it. The administration seems genuinely concerned with the students' experience with the program and its curriculum; the students are, for the most part, pretty laid back and helpful when it comes to working in small groups and doing projects; you can't really beat the tuition, and I think the area offers a pretty nice balance of activities to support a year-round lifestyle (hiking in the summer months, winter sports the rest of the time). You've got an urban campus (with all the health care challenges of a city), but it's a short drive to the country.
Don't know much about Drexel, though. I couldn't apply there b/c my MCATs were too old and crusty, and already expired.
Don't know much about Drexel, though. I couldn't apply there b/c my MCATs were too old and crusty, and already expired.
Syracuse is urban, I guess, but coming from the Philly area, I think that the two cities aren't really comparable; my understanding is that the schools are, though. Realistically, while some people certainly study more than others, with few exceptions, Syracuse has enough going on to keep you busy when you're not studying but not nearly as much as Philly, where you won't even have to worry about the possibility of running out of things to do.
Oh, one other thing - I read in the university paper a couple of days ago that the vertical expansion on University Hospital won't be done until 2009; I think they were originally predicting the end of next year. I don't know if they'll gradually open finished parts of it, though.
Oh, one other thing - I read in the university paper a couple of days ago that the vertical expansion on University Hospital won't be done until 2009; I think they were originally predicting the end of next year. I don't know if they'll gradually open finished parts of it, though.
