Tough decision: time to choose

[Kris5866]

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Given all the factors (cost, education, residency match, environment) and accepted at both, which would you choose, NYMC or Downstate and why? I'm stuck with a very difficult decision here and could use a little input. THANKS!

 

[Assassin]

easy decision for me - i would choose downstate and sleep well at night, without worrying about loan$$$ hanging over me 🙂 NYMC offers nothing to justify their price tag.

 

[moo]

Downstate. Never been there but since it's a state school, i'm guessing tution is cheap.

 

[paean]

Kris, residency match might be best found out by asking the two for a list of where the last two years graduates matched. That said, unless there is some compelling reason you want to be at NYMC, I'd go with Downstate. They have similar reputations as solid but not top tier schools, and graduating with significantly less debt will give you more options in the future. If there is some reason you are unsure, you're welcome to post the particulars for all us voyeurs to comment on. Did you get a better impression at one than the other?

 

[Kris5866]

Well, here are some of my pros and cons:

Downstate - great clinical reputation, not-so-hot pre-clinical, subpar on-campus living, competitive atmosphere, great value, not the best neighborhood, ok affiliates, below average level of technology, comprehensive library...

NYMC - average clinical and pre-clinical, great on-campus living, non-competitive atmosphere, expensive, suburban campus, great affiliates, brand new state-of-the-art medical education building...

I visited both campuses twice and I generally got a better feel from NYMC, however, as we all know, there is a huge difference in price and it's hard for me to justify spending so much more money for the same MD degree.

Thoughts?
Kris

 

[Cody1MD]

Hi,

I will be starting at Downstate this year. I personally liked Downstate's new curriculum (block system based) compared to NYMC traditional approach. I also felt that I would get more clinical exposure at Downstate. NYMC is expensive and far away from where I live. Both med schools matched well during the residency matchlist for 2002 and they have them posted on their website. I hope this helps! If you have any further questions regarding Downstate feel free to ask.

mike 🙂

 

[psyche]

I interviewed at NY Med and have never been to Downstate. I've heard that Downstate does not exactly overwhelm you with its physical beauty, but provides a great clinical experience...and isn't that really the whole point of medical school. I was not overly impressed with NY Med, and was actually surprised that so many high calibre fellow interviewers seemed excited by the prospect of attending. The clinical affiliations didn't seem too terrific, and the school had this claustrophobic, quasi-undergraduate vibe that might be hard to take for someone used to the vitality of the city. Apparently students score well on the boards, but that may be because they work them to the bone. I believe Downstate enjoys a better reputation on nearly every meaure I can think of. And it costs just a little more than half of what NY Med would. This should be an easy decision.