Upstate: Syracuse or Binghamton for 3rd Year?

[woolie]

I was wondering what other people thought about the 3rd year split between Binghamton and Syracuse.

I'm inclined to stay in Syracuse for the Level I, Burn Center, Joslin Diabetes, etc. On the other hand, apparently you're at the back of the line in terms of hands on work compared to B'hamton. So maybe Binghamton is better for primary care, and being more involved in patient care.

Decisions, decisions ... anyone else have ideas on this? We have to send back the decision form within 2 weeks of the interview.

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[idq1i]

Originally posted by woolie
I was wondering what other people thought about the 3rd year split between Binghamton and Syracuse.

I'm inclined to stay in Syracuse for the Level I, Burn Center, Joslin Diabetes, etc. On the other hand, apparently you're at the back of the line in terms of hands on work compared to B'hamton. So maybe Binghamton is better for primary care, and being more involved in patient care.

Decisions, decisions ... anyone else have ideas on this? We have to send back the decision form within 2 weeks of the interview.

You will absolutely hate the city of binghamton. It is the trashpit of America. Take it from someone who spent 5 years in school there.

 

[Kashue]

Originally posted by idq1i
You will absolutely hate the city of binghamton. It is the trashpit of America. Take it from someone who spent 5 years in school there.

SUNY: BingHamton?

One of the post-docs I know said the same thing about Bighamton - he didn't apply to Upstate Medical because he hated his undergrad experiences at Binghamton.

 

[DrKram20]

I guess you have to really consider what area of medicine you want to go into. If you're looking into a primary care field, then the Binghamton campus would probably suit you better. If you aren't sure or what to specialize, then the opportunities at Syracuse are much better than at Binghamton.

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by Kashue
SUNY: BingHamton?

One of the post-docs I know said the same thing about Bighamton - he didn't apply to Upstate Medical because he hated his undergrad experiences at Binghamton.

That's the one! I think I got a good education, but I hated the city. Syracuse is just like binghamton (IMO)

 

[woolie]

Idq1i, you are funny! What's up with those crazy leaping monkeys!?

I think I will probably do family medicine (I like working with kids) but you never know. Syracuse has the better program for specialites I think, and you also can see the depth of the work even if you're not the one doing the work. Plus, I think the research opportunities are in Syracuse - which I am interested in. Even if I do end up with family med, I still want to have had the opportunities to see as much as I can. I kind of like the trauma stuff as well, and I like the idea of emergency medicine.

 

[hsouth]

The idea of picking up and moving after 2 years bothers me. Probably easier on students without spouses or families. While Syracuse isn't exactly NYC, Binghamton is about as far from major metropolis as it gets. Population of aobut 50k I think and not exactly brimming with jobs for spouses. If given the choice (fingers crossed that I get in!), I'll probably stay in Syracuse.

 

[darkcity998]

binghamton is a BORING place. syracuse is actually a step up.

 

[DrKram20]

I know it's not the City or anything, but there actually are things to do here in 'Cuse. There's tons of great bars and restaurants, good sports all year round, museums, art galleries, plays, all that crap. And for the person who posted on a different thread about how there's nothing to do or no place to grab something to eat after 9, well they're just talking out their a$$. Call up Sabistinos at about 1:30 in the morning and they'll deliver you pizza, wings and a keg (tap, ice, and cups too!!). And for those who think there is no difference between the cities of Binghamton and Syracuse, well you're mistaken.

 

[bigdan]

OP-
Maybe try this question in the Allo forum, so that you can get an idea from people that have done Binghamton versus Syracuse, or are currently doing it.
The MSIII and IV that I'm meeting down here seem to enjoy the amount of hands on work that they're getting to do. I assume that's of importance to you. BUT...the other posters, while a bit excessive (I can name a city or two in Arkansas and several places in Europe that suck much harder than Binghamton), do have a point in that Binghamton is very depressed economically, and there really isn't much to do here - no clubs, no young people save those at the University...I'm kinda itching to get out of here. I think Atlanta is nice...
The docs I work with in Binghamton are great, and good people too. PM me if you're in the area or want to know more.

dc

 

[SarahGM]

Take it from me, a girl who grew up outside of Syracuse for 22 years... you do NOT want to live in Binghamton! Granted, it may be lame coming home to see the parents there, but the 'Cuse does have it's charm... check out Armory and Hanover Squares for the nightlife, nearby Skaneateles, and skiing in my hometown of Tully. And how 'bout them Orangemen?!

 

[darkcity998]

also, i found more people at binghamton to be a bit racist. i had a few incidents on the day of my graduation and my first time shopping at wegmans years back! things may have changed up there. the only minorities you'll see there are from SUNY, restaurants and only a few townies. geesh, those bad memories at bing...definitely stay in syracuse.

 

[DrKram20]

S.U. may have cost me about $28,000 a year but atleast I got a national championship out of the deal. WOOOHOOOO!!! The 'Cuse is in the House!!!!

 

[woolie]

Originally posted by darkcity998
also, i found more people at binghamton to be a bit racist. i had a few incidents on the day of my graduation and my first time shopping at wegmans years back! things may have changed up there. the only minorities you'll see there are from SUNY, restaurants and only a few townies. geesh, those bad memories at bing...definitely stay in syracuse.

This is a really good point; after so many years living in NYC, I think I will always feel most comfortable in a really diverse population. I don't have much patience anymore for this kind of stuff and it would drive me nuts to have friends (or me) being hassled like this ... 🙄

I mailed my form back choosing Syracuse !

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by woolie
I mailed my form back choosing Syracuse !

One more soul saved😀

I hope I had a role in it =)

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by darkcity998
also, i found more people at binghamton to be a bit racist. i had a few incidents on the day of my graduation and my first time shopping at wegmans years back! things may have changed up there. the only minorities you'll see there are from SUNY, restaurants and only a few townies. geesh, those bad memories at bing...definitely stay in syracuse.

Racist?? Nah
Dumb as rocks? Absolutely

 

[darkcity998]

I don't think you will regret this decision, Woolie. Good Luck!!!

 

[lotanna]

my good friend went to Binghampton, and I went there once, ok i only spent 2hrs there, but wth? Its as primitive as u get, goodness the student population at my undergrad, mich state is bigger than the whole town 😀 Plus there's really nothing to do, like i dont even understand how the students survive, cause walking around the campus, i didnt really see much going on at all. Not diversely populated AT all

 

[darkcity998]

Originally posted by idq1i
Racist?? Nah
Dumb as rocks? Absolutely

Racist, yes! I got called chink so many times when I ate at Red Lobster, waiting for the bus, and innocently shopping at Wegmans and that small mall in Johnson City. That was 1997 though.

I'm not even Chinese or East Asian! There are many Asians in SUNY Bing and I just get classified as one of them. All of the students there boost the economy of that dingy town. When it's school break, the whole city is dead.

 

[punjabiMD]

hi, I found this thread after doing a search for "Binghamton." I'm at SUNY Upstate and will be going to Binghamton for my 3rd/4th years. Even though I want to go into academic medicine (probably something like interv. cards), I'm really looking forward to going to Binghamton (instead of Syracuse) for a number of reasons.

If you still want some info, PM me.