Thoughts on Downstate vs. AECOM?

[allisonbk]

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Hi Everyone,

I am currently holding spots at both schools and would love to hear your opinions. I live very close to Downstate now, and it's location does not bother me (like it does so many others). Does anyone else have any other pros/cons?

Thanks for your help!

 

[loljkttyl]

I think Einstein has a slightly better reputation and a better sounding name 😛 Also, when I visited Downstate, I got the impression that the students there were always trying to defend their school's reputation and trash other schools.

 

[DrKitty]

I think Einstein has a greater reputation overall, it has a name, while Downstate is known for hard core clinical exposure

 

[2010MD]

I think Einstein has a slightly better reputation and a better sounding name 😛

A slightly better reputation that will cost you $$$$$$$$$ though (I assume the OP qualifies for in-state tuition). While I personally liked Einstein a little more than Downstate, I don't think I liked it tens of thousands of dollars more. As far as some of the other presumed benefits of private vs. public schools, I didn't find that AECOM's facilities were that much better (if at all better) than Downstate's.

I think there are some minor lifestyle issues to consider as well. Personally I felt less like AECOM was part of NYC, because of how relatively inaccessible it is by public transit (yes, I know there is that express bus thing but it's not the same as having the subway 2 blocks away). I feel like Downstate is a less isolated campus in terms of its accessibility to the rest of the city. There is also the issue of AECOM's facilities being closed on Saturdays -- this didn't seem to bother any of the students I met there, but I can see it being inconvenient at times.

I think both schools are amazing -- and faily comparable -- in terms of the diversity of clinical experiences you can get.

 

[allisonbk]

A slightly better reputation that will cost you $$$$$$$$$ though (I assume the OP qualifies for in-state tuition). While I personally liked Einstein a little more than Downstate, I don't think I liked it tens of thousands of dollars more. As far as some of the other presumed benefits of private vs. public schools, I didn't find that AECOM's facilities were that much better (if at all better) than Downstate's.

I think there are some minor lifestyle issues to consider as well. Personally I felt less like AECOM was part of NYC, because of how relatively inaccessible it is by public transit (yes, I know there is that express bus thing but it's not the same as having the subway 2 blocks away). I feel like Downstate is a less isolated campus in terms of its accessibility to the rest of the city. There is also the issue of AECOM's facilities being closed on Saturdays -- this didn't seem to bother any of the students I met there, but I can see it being inconvenient at times.

I think both schools are amazing -- and faily comparable -- in terms of the diversity of clinical experiences you can get.

thanks everyone for the quick replies!

hi 2010MD- i think you and i are thinking the same way. i did like aecom, but i just don't think it is worth the money. i also felt much more isolated in the bronx than in brooklyn. i am drawn to aecom's reputation though, as well as it's P/F grading!

would love to hear any other thoughts!

 

[NYMed]

thanks everyone for the quick replies!

hi 2010MD- i think you and i are thinking the same way. i did like aecom, but i just don't think it is worth the money. i also felt much more isolated in the bronx than in brooklyn. i am drawn to aecom's reputation though, as well as it's P/F grading!

would love to hear any other thoughts!

Hey allisonbk, I am in your exact shoes right now, and have no idea what to do. I actually liked aecom A LOT more than Downstate, but I still dont know if the extra money is worth it... I am leaning toward aecom right now for the following reasons:

1. My best friend was in our shoes last year, chose Einstein (she absolutely hated Downstate when she visited), and is even more happy there right now than she first thought she would be. It has far exceeded her expectations.

2. While I'm also not a fan of the bronx, the actual immediate area surrounding AECOM seems better to me than the one surrounding Downstate.

3. A good friend of mine is now a fourth year med student at Downstate and applying to residencies, and while all his stats are really good, he did not even get an interview with his top choice program (Columbia), and he is suspecting the less prestigeous reputation of Downstate might be the cause (But he did originally decline his acceptances to NYU and MSSM to attend Downstate). He now says that you pay for getting that foot in the door, and Einstein will accomplish that better than Downstate.

And lastly, this is not as big of a deal, but to address an above poster's comment about Downstate students always defending their school and trashing others, I just broke up with my ex-bf, who is a third year at Downstate. And one of our BIGGEST problems was the fact that he just couldnt seem to be happy for me for getting accepted to AECOM for example, and other schools that have a better reputation than Downstate. He proceeded to trash all of them, saying that I should go to Downstate, and that it's one of the best schools out there and that everyone else just hasn't realized it yet. He had the biggest chip on his shoulder that I have ever seen.

So yeah, those are my thoughts. Please let me know which side you're leaning on and which you will ultimately choose, because I'm also really unsure.

 

[allisonbk]

Hey allisonbk, I am in your exact shoes right now, and have no idea what to do. I actually liked aecom A LOT more than Downstate, but I still dont know if the extra money is worth it... I am leaning toward aecom right now for the following reasons:

1. My best friend was in our shoes last year, chose Einstein (she absolutely hated Downstate when she visited), and is even more happy there right now than she first thought she would be. It has far exceeded her expectations.

2. While I'm also not a fan of the bronx, the actual immediate area surrounding AECOM seems better to me than the one surrounding Downstate.

3. A good friend of mine is now a fourth year med student at Downstate and applying to residencies, and while all his stats are really good, he did not even get an interview with his top choice program (Columbia), and he is suspecting the less prestigeous reputation of Downstate might be the cause (But he did originally decline his acceptances to NYU and MSSM to attend Downstate). He now says that you pay for getting that foot in the door, and Einstein will accomplish that better than Downstate.

And lastly, this is not as big of a deal, but to address an above poster's comment about Downstate students always defending their school and trashing others, I just broke up with my ex-bf, who is a third year at Downstate. And one of our BIGGEST problems was the fact that he just couldnt seem to be happy for me for getting accepted to AECOM for example, and other schools that have a better reputation than Downstate. He proceeded to trash all of them, saying that I should go to Downstate, and that it's one of the best schools out there and that everyone else just hasn't realized it yet. He had the biggest chip on his shoulder that I have ever seen.

So yeah, those are my thoughts. Please let me know which side you're leaning on and which you will ultimately choose, because I'm also really unsure.

I am actually leaning towards Downstate for the following reasons:

1. $

2. Location- I would love to be able to stay in my current apartment in Brooklyn Heights and I really don't see myself being happy in The Bronx. I plan to do a re-visit, however, to give the area a second chance.

3. I am a slightly older non-taditional student, and it seems like Downstate students are more independent (they live off campus etc..). This may turn a lot of people off, but it is a "pro" for me.

It's a tough decision though, and I am going to have to give it a lot more thought. Let me know what you find out!

 

[bug22catch]

I am considering both schools also, and all the points people have brought up are very interesting!

I also think it's important where you want to practice and which specialty. Einstein has probably got a better national reputation, but maybe in new york people also greatly respect downstate's clinical experience.

Does anyone know each school's average board scores?

 

[gotdoc]

I vote Einstein. It's well ranked on BOTH charts, clinical and research. My friends attend (both of which were choosing between Einstein and Downstate) and they are absolutely thrilled with their decision. They look healthier and happier than when they were in undergrad!

The housing there is pretty sweet, too.

 

[newyorker21]

I am actually leaning towards Downstate for the following reasons:

1. $

2. Location- I would love to be able to stay in my current apartment in Brooklyn Heights and I really don't see myself being happy in The Bronx. I plan to do a re-visit, however, to give the area a second chance.

3. I am a slightly older non-taditional student, and it seems like Downstate students are more independent (they live off campus etc..). This may turn a lot of people off, but it is a "pro" for me.

It's a tough decision though, and I am going to have to give it a lot more thought. Let me know what you find out!

i am also in the same predicament...i was not a huge fan of downstate when i interviewed there, though i liked the price and i also like brooklyn (not the school's location, but areas surrounding it) much better than the bronx...however, i loved einstein when i went to visit, everyone seemed really happy to be there and the class schedule and p/f is def. a plus! so my only hesitation with aecom is the money...double the money for similar medical educations? not sure whether it is worth it yet...if money wasn't a problem, then aecom would def. be my choice..

i think what i will end up doing is waiting to see if financial aid will help in making my final decision..

 

[2010MD]

3. I am a slightly older non-taditional student, and it seems like Downstate students are more independent (they live off campus etc..). This may turn a lot of people off, but it is a "pro" for me.

I completely agree with this observation as well. I am also a slightly older, non-traditional student, and schools where a vast majority of students live in the campus dorm and where the social scene seems limited to dorm/campus activities have felt less right for me personally (I actually had a similar feeling about NYU). I felt like Downstate had some class/school identity despite the fact that many students live in Park Slope, Prospect Heights, or other other neighborhoods along the 2/5. At AECOM I felt like there was a lot of class cohesion among the students living in the dorms together, but they didn't really know their classmates who lived in other areas. Obviously each of these scenarios is just a matter of personal preference, but as an applicant in a similar situation to yours agree with your observation and think it's an important consideration.

 

[zero2hero]

Just got the letter today. Hard decisions to follow but right now I'm leaning towards AECOM. Downstate is great for it's price but I feel like I won't enjoy it as much. It's gonna be a tough couple of months.