SUNY Upstate vs. NYMC vs. Drexel

[tennistycoon]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Thoughts??

I understand that Upstate is cheaper but other than $$ I was wondering if people could share some insight on what they would choose if offered the opportunity.

Thanks.

 

[d1ony5u5]

How do you feel about the NYMC proposed merger with Touro?

I haven't been to NYMC yet, but will soon. Was at Upstate and loved it. Haven't been to Drexel. For these reasons, I will not comment yet on your options. I would like to know what you think about NYMC, though!

 

[Phantom88]

hey tennis, i interviewed at both nymc and upstate, so i can give you a little insight about the two of them.

nymc- first off if you have been there you either like or hate the area, it is a very small town suburban feel, and the prospect of travelling to nyc for years 3 and 4 is nice, but for two years you have to be willing to live in valhalla. the facililties were pretty nice here, including the new childrens hospital. again the campus feels kind of separated in its own little world. and the price is kind of outrageous, the fin aid guy came to talk to us during interviews telling us to not be afraid of the price, i think it scared kids even more.

upstate- very nice campus, with very new facilities and the gorgeous new childrens hospital. much more urban feel, i mean syracuse is no nyc but has its own city charm to it. the price really cant be beat, and housing in syracuse is pretty darn cheap in comparison. in addition i thought the faculty, admin, and students were some of the nicest i met anywhere.

ultimately its up to you and what you are really looking for in a med school, but i would seriously consider the price tag

 

[BlueElmo]

I would choose Upstate.

 

[tennistycoon]

thanks for the comments.

nymc was my first interview so I didn't really know what to expect/what to really "look" for.

i liked the campus a lot - pretty, nice ppl, awesome anatomy lab. I felt like it was new-ish (not run-down like some of the other places i have been to). it's true that the price is a lot more, but i like that it is close to NYC (and the options of doing 3rd/4th year in nyc.) i certainly am not looking for a completely urban campus or a completely rural campus so both NYMC and Upstate seemed big enough yet not like I was in the middle of nowhere. i also think that having to most likely live with 3 other people is going to be a big change for me...i stayed with a student host when i went and i wasn't really thrilled with the living arrangements. it seemed too college-like for me...and not really conducive to studying which i'm assuming i should be doing a lot of during med school. also - i know this is a minor point, but i don't think NYMC video-tapes/streams lectures (they have scribe service), but I'm definitely one of those people that would like to have the option of going back and reviewing a lecture.

i also had a great time at upstate (which was weird because i went in thinking that it wasn't going to be the school for me). by far - the NICEST administration i've met...so friendly/helpful. i think if i were to go here i would love to take anatomy in the summer - it would be a great way to lighten the courseload in the fall (and is an option i don't think other places have). facilities were decent...better than most, but i still think nymc just felt "newer". cheaper (obviously). but, do i really want to be in upstate, ny for the next four years? (i think that is what is holding me back - the location).

also - someone mentioned the touro merger...i'm definitely on edge about that...not really sure what all is going on (it all seems very up in the air to me/confusing). I wouldn't be thrilled about getting a "touro" degree if NYMC were to change its name 4 years down the road since touro is giving them a crap load of money...i'm not saying that this is what is going to happen btw...i'm just saying, for a merger to happen now, there's really no telling what could happen 4 years from now when it's time to graduate/apply for residencies. i know it's a stupid thing to think but, it just seems like nymc is losing some of its prestige by merging with touro.

(if there are any current NYMC 1st/2nd years...i'd love your point of view on the touro merger).

 

[d1ony5u5]

oh, I forgot the most important part! I'm in the Upstate wait list, so I forbid you to go there!!!!

 

[tennistycoon]

(well i haven't even been accepted/rejected/waitlisted to upstate yet...just trying to stay hopeful) - but if i do get an acceptance and choose to decline, i will be sure to let you know. good luck! =)

 

[tennistycoon]

also - good luck at NYMC (i'd love to hear your thoughts on the school after your interview!)

 

[d1ony5u5]

Haha, thanks. Yeah, we'll be able to have an interesting conversation afterwards!

 

[whoknows2012]

I wouldn't worry too much about the Touro merger. They are taking the same support for NYMC as the Archdiocese of Westchester did. Was the school called Archdiocese SOM at NYMC? No, and it wont be called Touro SOM or any other variety. It will also not be attached to a diploma for the same reason. They are funneling in $30,000,000 which will help beef up dual degree programs, research and facility improvement (although the facilities that most Medical Students/Prospective Students care about are all less than 5 yrs old except for housing). If anything this should be seen as a positive and many peoples negative reactions were based on presumptions they had about what a merger with Touro would actually entail, not facts.

 

[tennistycoon]

thanks for the info...i know there has been a lot of mis-information out there...do you happen to know anything about NYMC losing hospital affiliations (St. Vincents, etc), but also gaining affiliations with some Jersey schools (due to the touro merger).

i know there were some NYTimes articles about St. Vincent's having financial issues and I remember also reading somewhere about Touro previously wanting to open a new medschool, but now that they are with NYMC they were going to hold off on the new medschool and keep those hospital affiliations...

once again - this is allllll stuff that i've only heard, and certainly have no idea about what is true/what isn't true - just trying to figure out what is actually going on.

thanks!

 

[whoknows2012]

As of right now St. Vincent's is not longer a rotation site, as the 2nd yr's recently had their lottery for 3rd yr rotation sites. This is very much up in the air as if there is any positive news regarding their finances, the site will be added as it becomes available. Also, it would be assumed that NYMC would get HUMC (Hackensack University Medical Center) as an additional MAJOR rotation site, but it is rumored that it would be phased in and not just added at one time. We get emails regarding the merger every so often so i'll try and keep everyone updated.

 

[tennistycoon]

thanks again - also, (i know, i'm sorry - i'm asking a million questions)...but how do you like the housing at NYMC..(do you live on campus/do most students live on campus)? i really loved this school, but i haven't had a roommate for the past few years, so i'm a little nervous about that. lol

 

[whoknows2012]

I personally live in on-campus housing as does about 2/3 of the class. I chose to live in the un-furnished apartments which are less like college dorms and more like actual apartments. I have one roommate, and to be honest its as good as could be expected based on the circumstances of choosing a random roommate. The furnished apartments also are usually 3 and sometimes 4 bedroom apartments which, again, would be more like college style living. Huge downside to furnished apartments is that they give you a twin-bed and I would not be able to sleep in a twin bed if you paid me (being relatively tall + sleeping in a full bed for 8 out of the past 9 yrs=not being able to sleep in a twin bed lol) however, you can bring your own bed its just a pain in the ass. The downside to un-furnished apartment is that you either need to bring all of your own furniture or rent some which could get expensive. If you can get on campus housing its the economical decision because rent is anywhere from $7500-$8300 for 12 months which is significantly cheaper than anywhere else nearby.

 

[tennistycoon]

i had no idea that the unfurnished apts were for 2 ppl rather than the 4 as it is with the furnished. i just assumed regardless if u were in furnished or unfurnished it was 4 bedroom apts. i could def. live with 1 other person - i was just nervous of having 3 completely random ppl living with me, esp. since i haven't had a roommate in the past 4 years and am insane OCD about keeping things clean.

you have been really helpful so i can't thank you enough!!👍🙂

valhalla isn't too far and since i interviewed months ago, and have had some interviews after NYMC, schools have really blurred in my mind. i think i would love to go to a second look day to at least refresh my mind and remember why i wrote, "AWESOME SCHOOL - WOULD LOVE TO GO HERE!" on my notes that i took from my interview day, haha.

 

[whoknows2012]

to at least refresh my mind and remember why i wrote, "AWESOME SCHOOL - WOULD LOVE TO GO HERE!" on my notes that i took from my interview day, haha.

Probably because its true 😀...but seriously I love it here if you couldn't tell, and it is so much better than I expected and I have a feeling most people here feel that way.

 

[d1ony5u5]

Hey tennis,

Sorry, we will be unable to have that conversation about NYMC and Upstate. I just got accepted from the waitlist to my top choice, so I canceled my NYMC interview. I really liked upstate, though.

I am withdrawing from the HPA, so I now permit you to go to Upstate if you decide it is best for you!!

Good luck!!

 

[softmed]

Just for clarification:

NYMC is NOT merging with Touro. That implies that the Touro DO schools would merge with NYMC. It's not happening and will not happen. Touro University owns many schools just like Drexel University owns many schools. Right now NYMC is supported by the church. In a year, it'll probably be supported by Touro. Would you really rather they be supported by religion than a university?

Here's what I'd say (as a person that interviewed at all places):

Upstate >>> Drexel > NYMC

You're talking about in state tuition being less than half of Drexel and NYMC's tuition. Even if you're out of state, you can get in state tuition after a year (and it's still less money for your first year). All that really matters in medical school is class rank and board scores. If you look at the stats in terms of MCAT and GPA of the accepted students at all three schools, you're going to see that Upstate is probably highest (ie, Upstate probably has the highest quality students coming in). It's not going to count extra toward your residency just because you paid more for medical school.

Also you should factor in the cost of living. Upstate has dirt cheap housing (usually including all utilities) within walking distance of campus in a relatively safe neighborhood. There are also Walmarts everywhere which all have cheap food. If you live in Westchester County you'll be paying probably 2 to 3 times for housing and have to shop at Save a Lot which is also 2 to 3 times the price for food. Philly probably has cheaper housing than Westchester where the medical school is, but you'll still be paying a lot more for food.

I would go to NYMC over Drexel, but only because it's so close to family. Otherwise, pick Drexel over NYMC. It would probably end up being less money because of the area and I think tuition might also be less (look that up first). Overall however, Upstate is the least expensive tuition in the least expensive area out of the three. I can't think of a single reason to NOT go to Upstate unless you're allergic to snow, as Syracuse is the snowiest city in New York (and possibly the United States).

 

[alibai3ah]

thanks for the comments.

nymc was my first interview so I didn't really know what to expect/what to really "look" for.

i liked the campus a lot - pretty, nice ppl, awesome anatomy lab. I felt like it was new-ish (not run-down like some of the other places i have been to). it's true that the price is a lot more, but i like that it is close to NYC (and the options of doing 3rd/4th year in nyc.) i certainly am not looking for a completely urban campus or a completely rural campus so both NYMC and Upstate seemed big enough yet not like I was in the middle of nowhere. i also think that having to most likely live with 3 other people is going to be a big change for me...i stayed with a student host when i went and i wasn't really thrilled with the living arrangements. it seemed too college-like for me...and not really conducive to studying which i'm assuming i should be doing a lot of during med school. also - i know this is a minor point, but i don't think NYMC video-tapes/streams lectures (they have scribe service), but I'm definitely one of those people that would like to have the option of going back and reviewing a lecture.

i also had a great time at upstate (which was weird because i went in thinking that it wasn't going to be the school for me). by far - the NICEST administration i've met...so friendly/helpful. i think if i were to go here i would love to take anatomy in the summer - it would be a great way to lighten the courseload in the fall (and is an option i don't think other places have). facilities were decent...better than most, but i still think nymc just felt "newer". cheaper (obviously). but, do i really want to be in upstate, ny for the next four years? (i think that is what is holding me back - the location).

also - someone mentioned the touro merger...i'm definitely on edge about that...not really sure what all is going on (it all seems very up in the air to me/confusing). I wouldn't be thrilled about getting a "touro" degree if NYMC were to change its name 4 years down the road since touro is giving them a crap load of money...i'm not saying that this is what is going to happen btw...i'm just saying, for a merger to happen now, there's really no telling what could happen 4 years from now when it's time to graduate/apply for residencies. i know it's a stupid thing to think but, it just seems like nymc is losing some of its prestige by merging with touro.

(if there are any current NYMC 1st/2nd years...i'd love your point of view on the touro merger).

It's not stupid at all. I would be concerned as well. I would go with SUNY Upstate over all the other schools (and this is an easy decision as well).

It has the better price, better reputation, and NYMC/Drexel both have the stigma of being safety schools. This merger is another cause for concern. Go with Upstate for sure!!

 

[tennistycoon]

Hey tennis,

Sorry, we will be unable to have that conversation about NYMC and Upstate. I just got accepted from the waitlist to my top choice, so I canceled my NYMC interview. I really liked upstate, though.

I am withdrawing from the HPA, so I now permit you to go to Upstate if you decide it is best for you!!

Good luck!!

haha it's all good - congrats on the acceptance!!! 👍🙂

 

[pelliper]

this shouldnt even be a question, upstate is both cheaper and better

 

[tennistycoon]

i should have clarified - the reason why i am considering nymc/drexel so heavily over upstate is because i have lived in upstate ny my entire life and was drawn towards schools that were near bigger cities but not necessarily right IN the middle of the city.

thank you everyone for your input - and if you have any other input, i'd love to hear it! =)
(especially from ppl that have interviewed at all 3 or even 1 or 2 of the 3.)

 

[rushhour2]

this shouldnt even be a question, upstate is both cheaper and better

Co-sign.