UIC vs NYMC? PLEASE HELP!

[casanova70]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey everyone, my name is Peter. I need ya'lls help (I'm from TX, so yes, I say "ya'll").
This was my second year of applying to med school. I interviewed at UIC in February, and received my acceptance letter about 5 weeks later. I was assigned to the Urbana track. This made me a very sad panda. I am from a small town in South Texas (McAllen), and did my undergrad at UT Austin, then moved to Dallas, so I wanted to continue my upward climb of metropolitan cities (no offense to the Urbana people, cause I've heard that UC is actually pretty cool). So, like a lot of other people, I requested a change to Chi-town.
I had a few more interviews lined up, but honestly, in my mind, the reason for attending them was 75% to take a trip and 25% to see the school, since I LOVE Chicago, and I have a friend who's an M3 there, and I've always had great times visiting, not to mention all the pluses of UIC, since I've always been in research and it is a great research school.
My 3 "optional" interviews were at NYMC, Drexel, and SLU. Like I said, I wasn't expecting much, but man I really liked NYMC. The campus was awesome with trees, GRASS, campus-wide wifi, and the surrounding area itself (Westchester) was great and only 25 mins north of NYC, which, to me, is the best city in the US. Basically I left there confused, but not too worried, since I didn't think I'd get in. They said they'd let me know in 8 weeks (this was April 28th).
This past friday, I woke up and received an email from UIC saying I had been granted a scholarship ($5K the first year, $2.5K the next three years if I perform well...this isn't too much in the grand SCHEME of medical school tuition, but hell, I'll take $12.5K anyday! Woohoo free money!). I called my parents to tell them the news, and while on the phone with them I received a call from UIC telling me that my track change request was approved. WORD! This was awesome, it looked like it was all settling in place (*maliciously rubs hands together*). So I get online to email my M3 friend, and there's a freakin' acceptance letter from NYMC. This was too much news for a 20-min period, man.
But now I'm stuck.
Did anyone out there choose from these 2 schools? What affected your decision and why? Did anyone choose one and now regrets not choosing the other?
I feel like I'm weighing the pluses of the social/environmental aspects of NY against the academic aspects of UIC, but I can't help it, I love NY, it's just such a crazy place. But, honestly, is UIC a much better school?
I don't think that I want to go into family practice, but maybe into some sort of surgery or even derm (don't laugh), and I think UIC would offer me a better opportunity to accomplish this.
But the anatomy lab @ NYMC was amazing, not morbid at all, and on-campus housing is incredible and super cheap.
At the same time, I feel kind of an allegiance to UIC, since they were the first to accept me, and since they granted my track change request, and since they gave me that sweet scholarship, not to mention that Pilar Bautista, who works with Dr. Girotti at the Hispanic Center of Excellence, is like the coolest evar!!!!1!!1!!111!shift-one. I feel like this "allegiance" is drawing me to UIC for non-academic reasons, much like NYMC is drawing me to it because of NYC.

I'm trying to limit my brain-battles in this post (as you can tell I'm extremely verbose), but any and all help is greatly appreciated. I'm really confused here.

Feel free to PM/email me ([email protected]) if you'd like!
BUT PLEASE HELP!!!!!

ciao
pma

 

[Ambs]

Wasn't the deadline May 15th, or was it extended to May 16th?

Well any how. Wow, what an energetic post that was! It seemed like you typed it in one, very excited breath.

You seemed to love NYMC. You loved the housing, the location, the facilities, etc. It seems like you really felt "good" there.

I interviewed at NYMC, and I didn't apply to UIC. From my limited experience, I'm inclined to say that both schools are comparable academically. NYMC is a fine medical school, and you will NOT be compromising in academic strength by going there.

You are the one who will make the most of your resources, may that be at NYMC or at UIC. If you're going to be happier at NYMC, perhaps you will be more involved and more motivated. Also, it is wonderful that UIC was your first acceptance and that they have been kind to you. But that doesn't mean you have to choose them. This decision is based on where you were happiest. And I wouldn't include money in this decision because $12.5K in the long run is not significant.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[casanova70]

I know, the deadline is here, but the email I received from NYMC said that they are sending me a letter in the post as well....so I guess I can hold my position at UIC until I make up my mind, which will have to be shortly after receiving the NYMC letter in the mail.
Wow, you are the *first* person to tell me NYMC (excluding my friends in NYC who want me up there). I appreciate your thoughts!
I did a search here for "NYMC" and found that people have said more negatives about it than positives, so I don't know...and, like I said, I don't know if just subconsciously I'm putting a lot of weight in the fact that I really like NY, but I need to realize that if I'm going to medical school there, I probably won't have time do be doing the sort of stuff that I associate the city with (i.e. drinking heavily, and hanging out daily in Central Park doing things I probably shouldn't be doing).
once again i've said too much!

 

[bbtbay]

I interviewed at UIC and was placed on hold. I have decided to go to NYMC for this upcoming year. The fact that you got the scholarship and Chicago track is awesome!! I thought Chicago was completely full but maybe people withdrew post May 15.

I have friends at both schools and they have said positives and negatives about both. I have heard that at both schools you are constantly studying for exams, but at UIC it is a bit more competetive (the grading scale makes it competetive). I wrote a post about the positives and negatives of NYMC in the NYMC Class of 2009 thread. UIC is great because you are surrounded by so many medical schools and affiliated hospitals. You will see a great diverse patient population during your clerkships, but the same can be said for you at St. Vincents and Metropolitan in Manhattan. In terms of finances, I think UIC will be more expensive for you coming from out of state, even with your scholarship.

This post probably did not help, but PM me if you have any other questions about NYMC because I've gotten to know a lot about it...

 

[sdnstud]

Hey casanova70,

UIC is too expensive for out-of-staters (~$70K budget) and in my opinion, no one should pay that much for a public medical school unless it is the only option available to him/her. Your UIC "scholarship" is a recruiting tool. If your family earnings make you eligible for need-base grants/loans, MOST schools will give you at least that much in institutional grants.

NYMC is a solid middle-tier school. It has an impressive match-list, above average USMLE scores, on-campus hospitals (including a brand-new children's hospital), nice facilities and much more.

If you're worried about the name of the school, take the advice from a physician I met. He said, "Unless you're going to a top 10 medical school, the name of your school will not matter in residency matching. If you get into a top 10 school, go. If you don't get into a top 10, choose a school that will allow you to strive academically. A big fish in a small pond does better than a small fish in a big pond. Go to a school where you think you will do well. don't worry so much about the name of the school." 👍

 

[Calizona]

How much do you value being in a large city. UIC is IN chicago, while NYMC is outside a little ways. Also, how different will the cost be between the two choices? From you post, I"d say you seem more jazzed to go to UIC, but you are confused about your interest do to this opportunity to now choose your school. You definitely gotta sit down and write out a pro's and con's list. Realize that at UIC you will be surrounded by mostly Illinois residents. At NYMC it will be mostly NY and CA residents. If cost is not an issue for you, I would choose UIC. It depends on how important it is to you to pay more at UIC. Did you apply to any TX schools? I"m guessing since you didn't mention any that cost really isn't an issue.

 

[camisho]

Go for UIC...better reputation, you got the track you wanted (i.e. you know you'll be happier, along with the fantastic research going on), and they threw some $$ your way. Either place, you'll be paying a lot, but the bottom line is, which place will give you the better education? NYMC has nice anatomy labs, yes, but their clinical training is severely lacking and it is a very competitive, cutthroat environment. I'd go with UIC in a heartbeat, but that's just me...good luck either way

 

[robinhood]

i would choose UIC

Go for UIC...better reputation, you got the track you wanted (i.e. you know you'll be happier, along with the fantastic research going on), and they threw some $$ your way. Either place, you'll be paying a lot, but the bottom line is, which place will give you the better education? NYMC has nice anatomy labs, yes, but their clinical training is severely lacking and it is a very competitive, cutthroat environment. I'd go with UIC in a heartbeat, but that's just me...good luck either way

 

[skiz knot]

I would take UIC but w/ the caveat that you should get back to UC for the 1st years then head off to Peoria. UIC-Chicago has serious "issues." PM for details.

 

[chitown82]

I would take UIC but w/ the caveat that you should get back to UC for the 1st years then head off to Peoria. UIC-Chicago has serious "issues." PM for details.

Can you elaborate on what these issues are? Thanks.

 

[aragonh]

Goto UIC!!!

I'll be there (chicago track) and Im not from IL. We can both kick a** there.
Yeah theyre may be competition, but f*ck, Im going to be looking for some people who will be willing to help each other out. U sound like a cool cat.

And by the way, when did you interview?? From your stories, I think we had the same day of interview. . . . .I think u mentioned that you applied to a Texas school last year and u had a horrible interviewer.

I also interviewed w/ Pilar. Shes a cool person.

 

[casanova70]

I interviewed Feb. 28th. I was the guy that was a little hung over.
Yeah Pilar was great, she's been super nice to me, so that's why I feel a pull to go to UIC.
We'll see!!!! I wrote to Dr. Girotti, and I'm waiting to hear back from him....

 

[aragonh]

I interviewed Feb. 28th. I was the guy that was a little hung over.
Yeah Pilar was great, she's been super nice to me, so that's why I feel a pull to go to UIC.
We'll see!!!! I wrote to Dr. Girotti, and I'm waiting to hear back from him....

I think that was you . . . .I thought u were just tired, not hunged over. You interviewed in the afternoon didnt you??

 

[aragonh]

I checked my travel receipts. I didnt interview that day. But I did meet a Texan candidate who has a similar background story to yours.

 

[casanova70]

I thought Chicago was completely full but maybe people withdrew post May 15.

Yeah, I received acceptance there back in March, not post-May 15...

Regarding tuition costs, let me show you what I've seen at the UIC/NYMC websites (this is solely for tuition, not cost-of-living)...
UIC
Resident: $9,940/semester = $19,880/year
Non-Resident: $23,005 = $46,010/year*
(found at http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/rr/academic02_03.shtml#med1)
*I remember someone saying at the financial aid meeting during the interview day that if you get financial aid and are able to show that, for a full year, you did not receive ANY outside money (i.e. from your folks/family), you could actually be established as an Illinois resident, meaning you would pay resident tuition for the following year...does anyone else remember this?

NYMC
$37,200/year
(found at http://www.nymc.edu/studentlife/finplan/index7.htm, click on the left where it says "Budget")

So....if what I remember is correct, and I could establish residency after a year at UIC, wouldn't it be cheaper to go to UIC???

During my student interview at UIC, I asked the guys what was their biggest complaint about the school, and they said the lack of organization in the administration...that it was tough to get straight questions, and paperwork was often lost, etc.
What are your opinions with the hospitals affiliated with both schools? NYMC is affiliated with a ton of hospitals in the city...
What about research opportunities? UIC is a great research facility...

Notice I'm not even close to making a decision!

I'll be there (chicago track) and Im not from IL. We can both kick a** there. Yeah theyre may be competition, but f*ck, Im going to be looking for some people who will be willing to help each other out. U sound like a cool cat.

Same here, aragonh. If I go to UIC, I'm gonna try to put together all the people at the "UIC Class of 2009" for a night of boozing a few days before school starts, whaddya think?

 

[casanova70]

BTW, didn't Mary Schmich once say:

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

damnit NYC is the best...Then, when I become a big-time plastic surgeon, I'll move out to Cali...Is that a plan or what?

 

[Ambs]

BTW, didn't Mary Schmich once say:

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

damnit NYC is the best...Then, when I become a big-time plastic surgeon, I'll move out to Cali...Is that a plan or what?

So, NYMC it is?

 

[casanova70]

nah, it's just something that popped in my head...i still don't know.
man i wish i was in this predicament last year, when i only got two friggin interviews and no acceptances!

 

[Ambs]

nah, it's just something that popped in my head...i still don't know.
man i wish i was in this predicament last year, when i only got two friggin interviews and no acceptances!

Good luck with your decision!