Tulane vs. Downstate

[abefroman]

---

Members do not see this ad.

OK, I never thought I would be lucky enough to post one of these. But after having no acceptances on May 20, I now have two.

I am really torn. I had been getting all excited about Tulane and now I get into Downstate.

Tulane
Pros: Great clinical education, New Orleans, great MPH program.
Cons: Expensive, fiancee has to find a job in New Orleans, far from family.

Downstate
Pros: More affordable.
Cons: Not the best neighborhood. Seems like students are less of a community than at Tulane.

What do you think? Where would I be better off in residency match, especially if I want to come back to NYC anyway?

Thanks for your help.

 

[ncmd]

First of all, congratulations!!! That is awesome to get two acceptances to medical school. I don't know that much about either school, but don't let money too big a factor- go where you feel like you would get the best education. I would suggest posting your post on the allopathic forum- other people have posted such queries and they seem to get good responses from students AT each school or people that were also deciding on those schools. Good luck!!!

 

[BlackPuma]

i withdrew from downstate, so I know about the school....

its very cheap, its in a great city, ur close to family, and have you looked at their matching rates? there were like 10 cornell and columbia residency placements, another 10 nyu, 2 yales, blah blah...

it had a very impressive matching rate, and u save a lot of money, that is a big + in my book...

 

[daisypnaymph]

My vote is TULANE but just because I will be getting my MPH from there :wink: Honestly, depending how close you are with your family... during your med school education will be the times you will need your family support mentally, physically, emotionally, etc. <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" />

So good luck with whichever med school you decide. Just make sure you make a solid decision because you do not want to think about the 😕 "what ifs" in the middle of your med school years 😛 CONGRATS!

 

[Angel_Eyes]

My vote is TULANE!! Congratulations!! Just think MARDI GRAS!!!
Seriously....New Orleans is AWSOME but it also has the potential to be a distraction. If your from louisiana...don't pay any attention to my post because you already know don't ya?? 😀

 

[Daredevil]

Having been to and know people who attend Downstate, I don't find the students there to be all that excited about the school. Sure, the tuition is cheap and the clinical education is superb, but just something seems to be missing.

Although I don't know much about Tulane, I would probably still choose it over Downstate.

 

[abefroman]

Thanks for the input. I'm still wavering. Any more thoughts?

 

[driven]

Hey abefroman,

First of all CONGRATS. This is really great. I am hoping to apply to both schools, and would love to hear your final decision. Also, can you please post your stats to see if I am competitive for those schools. Thanks in advance and

 

[smilingdawg]

I currently work at Tulane Medical school and it does have a great atmosphere. As for the money, it shouldn't matter as long as you are happy. I have no doubt that your fiance could find a job in New Orleans. My fiance and I both work at Tulane. If you have any specific questions or want to know anything else, let me know.

 

[abefroman]

Driven: I'll give you my stats, but I really don't think stats are all that important at either of these places. I was accepted off the waitlist at both and I had a 3.9 GPA and 37R MCAT. Obviously people with lower stats but different or better experiences, recs, interviews, etc. were able to get in ahead of me.

I would say apply to both. You have nothing to lose.

Right now I'm leaning toward Downstate, but it's not final yet. Money isn't that much of an issue, especially since apartments are so much more expensive in Brooklyn. I think I would get a great education and be happy at either place, but I'm thinking I'd rather be closer to my family. Plus the reputations of the two are similar so it's not like I'm giving up much if anything to go to Downstate.