Upstate vs. Buffalo- Debate!

[HouseHead]

Major debate in my house right now- Upstate or Buffalo? I liked both, both accepted me, and both are too far from Manhattan for my tastes.

Anyone else trying to decide between the two? What factors have YOU been considering? I can't seem to decide on a clear winner in the "race to be my med school"

I'd love to see what y'all have to say- tawk amonst yourselves...

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[geldrop]

If you have an SUV go with buffalo, as in my oppinion its probably a more fun place (big party school) and in addition has some VERY good research oppurtunities. Also near canada and niagra falls.


SUNY upstate i have only drove past, i think its about an hour west of a casino i went to. I heard its a nice place my cousen went there and she enjoyed it.

If your doing research definitely go to Buffalo, thats my opinion. I have an md/phd interview at buffalo, and syracuse flat out rejected my butt for md/phd but gave me an md interview. I think the rejection was more so because they don't have the research oppurtunities i was interested in, i had a hard time writing their secondary app saying what i wanted to research there.

 

[JMD]

There is a possibility that I might be making the same decision soon (if all goes well). I've been accepted to UB, and I am interviewing at Upstate this month. Being a native Buffalonian, I originally thought there was no chance I would attend UB because I wanted to get out of B-lo, but the interview day there really impressed me. I really thought the new curriculum at UB sounded great, and it seems like they are doing alot to innovate and increase the quality of their program. My interviewers were great, too.

Although I have not formally interviewed yet, I have spent a good deal of time at Upstate w/ friends who go there. Judging from all of the things they tell me, I feel that the UB has a stronger program (or at least one better suited for me). I am still going to interview just in case, though.

Although I would like to leave B-lo, it is not because I dislike it here, I have just been here all of my life. There really is a great deal to experience here if you take the time (Theatre, art, sports, bars, and some of the best restaurants you will find in the country). And I must say, there is definitely more to do here than in Syracuse. One last thing, the snow really isn't that bad. The past few years we have gotten 1 bad snowstorm a year, and to tell you the truth, it can be pretty fun. Basically, everything gets closed down, you get your friends together and get a whole lot of Boos (or movies, or board games, or whatever your thing is...), have a few snowball fights, and just hang out.

Anyways, sorry to ramble on, but I think that I will be choosing UB (even over a school like U Pitt due to $). So, maybe I'll see you this fall househead.
Anyone that has any Buffalo ?s can PM me.

 

[BobbyDylanFan]

Originally posted by HouseHead
Major debate in my house right now- Upstate or Buffalo? I liked both, both accepted me, and both are too far from Manhattan for my tastes.

Anyone else trying to decide between the two? What factors have YOU been considering? I can't seem to decide on a clear winner in the "race to be my med school"

I'd love to see what y'all have to say- tawk amonst yourselves...

I think Cuse' is a good city to live in....great college football... go Orangemen!! There is a casino maybe only a 30-45 min drive away, called the Turning Stone which is pretty nice. I don't know if you're planning on going into primary care or not but you are probably aware that witch Upstate you can go to Binghamton for the final two years if you wish to go with primary care or rural medicine.
Now with B'lo you have the Buffalo Bills (and Jills ), the chicken wings, probably a better night life (bars opened till 4 AM), especially with Niagra Falls canada right next door. From what I've heard UB is a little bit more focused on research, but I'm not sure.

Good luck deciding, I'll let you know if I think of any other big differences between 'Cuse and B'Lo

OH and if you don't mind posting your stats, that would be cool

 

[JMD]

Househead,
Toronto is only 1.5 hours away. It is not Manahattan, but it is an amazing city with TONS of stuff to do. I go up there about twice a month to go out...great clubs, I dare say on par with much of what Manhattan has to offer (at least since Twilo closed down). I sent you a pm.

 

[Rafael Cavalcan]

hi,
Can you guys, who were accepted at Buffalo, post your scores?(MCAT and GPA) It would really help me out. I'm an undergrad at UB (fresh) and I'm very interested in UB med school.

Thank you

 

[Trajan]

Accepted at Syracuse, waiting on Buffalo post-interview.

I liked the people at both institutions very much, but Syracuse seemed a bit warmer. As far as location goes, Buffalo is bleak (especially the 'neighborhood' where the med school is located). Syracuse has a much more collegiate feel, has an attractive main building, and is located next to Syracuse University.

Syracuse definately has the more old-fashioned curriculum. For me that is a plus, as I'm reluctant to jump on the Rochester double helix band wagon (Buffalo seems to be following Rochester in this regard). Such curricula certainly SOUND wonderful, but I'm not convinced that pretending to be a doctor in your MS I and II years is a good thing from a patient's perspective, or student's for that matter.

Rumor has it that Buffalo is better for research, but unless you are MD/PhD, I think that's a moot point that premeds worry about too much.

I'm not sure about selectivity, but my hunch is that the schools are on par. I have a 3.5/32R and got into Syracuse in October but was waitlisted at Buffalo a few weeks before. However, my interview at Buffalo was only so-so (one interviewer seemed to think I was a bad candidate for not doing typical premed volunteer work), and that may have had something to do with it. On the other hand, Buffalo did admit something like 80% of interviewed candidates last year (many from wait lists), so who knows.

Either way, they're both fine schools with relatively low tuition, so you really can't go wrong.

 

[HouseHead]

Thanks for all the input. Lots of things to think about.
One factor that might help me out- my s.o. has a tentative job offer in Buffalo; if it comes through and none of my higher-ranking schools do, I think that decides that

Per the requests of a few, my stats: 3.65 overall GPA, 39Q MCAT, bio major, 1.5 years as medical assistant, semi-professional pursuit of a career in the arts prior to undergrad.

JMD: The best house club in Manhattan (probably the world) is The Shelter, Saturday nights (12am until until) www.clubshelter.com
If anyone decides to check it out, PM me and I'll tell you where to find me.

 

[dancer7]

when i looked at the avg. stats it seemed like buffalo was more selective. my pre-med advisor said upstate probably had the least amount of resources as compared to buffalo or stony brook. i think he was talking about primarily research however. i also thought buffalo had some really good clinical opportunities in addition to the research stuff. i liked the feel of upstate better and i still havent turned them down yet, but i think i would choose buffalo. what do people think of stony brook? i'm leaning towards going there and i'd love to hear what other new yorkers think.

 

[bruinkid]

does anyone know the tuition per year at syracuse for each of the 4 years?

 

[BobbyDylanFan]

Originally posted by bruinkid
does anyone know the tuition per year at syracuse for each of the 4 years?

SUNY Upstate
2002 stats: (in/out) 10,840/21,940
Books: 1,765
Fees: 990

% students receiving aid: 90
avg grant: 2,487
avg loan: 18,784
avg debt: 81,835

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Secong hand info regarding stoney Brook: best of the sunys for research, facilities are nice, location: sort of out in the middle of nowhere but pretty close to NYC, probably best overall rep of the SUNYs ?

peace,
BDF

 

[JMD]

Bump.

Anyone contemplating any SUNYs or that has any good info they would like to share, feel free to post. Over the next few months it would be great if people posted which SUNY they have decided on. i know last year all of the new UB people got together for a picnic before classes started. It would be cool to do something similar.

 

[HouseHead]

Originally posted by BobbyDylanFan
Secong hand info regarding stoney Brook: best of the sunys for research, facilities are nice, location: sort of out in the middle of nowhere but pretty close to NYC, probably best overall rep of the SUNYs ?
[/B]

I would agree with that. I was waitlisted there last year; I really liked it when I interviewed. They seemed very responsive to students, and the students seemed happy. But then, that seemed true at Buffalo and Upstate as well (f Downstate!). Primary deciding factor if I were to select between the 3 (f Downstate!) would be proximity to Manhattan (f Downstate!).

 

[JJNY]

Househead,

A friend of mine, who was born and raised in Manhattan (Gramercy), went to Syracuse and hated it so terribly that he transferred to Downstate between his MS2 and MS3 years.

I actually have an interview there (Upstate) on March 24th, but I'll probably cancel it because I can't see myself going to a school so far out in the wilderness....

 

[Naphtali]

I'm want to do MD/PhD, so some of this may not apply to others.

I've just found out I've been accepted MD/PhD to Upstate. I've interviewed at Buffalo, but haven't herad back yet.

Both seem like good schools. Buffalo probably has better research facilities, but I've already identified faculty at Upstate that I'd like to work with, so I think I'd be happy there too. I liked the layout and feel of the physical environment a bit more at Upstate... the neighborhood is nicer, and next to S.U., and so has nightlife nearby. Then again, students at Buffalo have a hell of a time too.

Curriculum wise, they actually seem pretty similar. If I recall, Buffalo has 8 students per cadaver, which is a bit much, but everything else was ship-shape. Computer support at Buffalo seemed especially good.

The deciding factor may be that Upstate is closer to where I'm from (northeast PA). Then again, I have relatives in Buffalo, so that's good too. Honestly, I'm still undecided. I like both schools.

-Naphtali

 

[BobbyDylanFan]

Originally posted by Naphtali
I'm want to do MD/PhD, so some of this may not apply to others.

I've just found out I've been accepted MD/PhD to Upstate. I've interviewed at Buffalo, but haven't herad back yet.

Both seem like good schools. Buffalo probably has better research facilities, but I've already identified faculty at Upstate that I'd like to work with, so I think I'd be happy there too. I liked the layout and feel of the physical environment a bit more at Upstate... the neighborhood is nicer, and next to S.U., and so has nightlife nearby. Then again, students at Buffalo have a hell of a time too.

Curriculum wise, they actually seem pretty similar. If I recall, Buffalo has 8 students per cadaver, which is a bit much, but everything else was ship-shape. Computer support at Buffalo seemed especially good.

The deciding factor may be that Upstate is closer to where I'm from (northeast PA). Then again, I have relatives in Buffalo, so that's good too. Honestly, I'm still undecided. I like both schools.

-Naphtali

Hi Naphtali,

Would you mind posting your stats...just curious to what it takes to get in at a SUNY for MD/PhD.

Thanks,
BDF

 

[Doc AdamK in 2006]

For those people wanting to go to Buffalo, please accept if you plan to stay in Buffalo.

Becasue you will become addicted.

The Bills, Bars, Wings, Theater, Museums

Come here if you plan to stay in Buffalo. Its a great palce to raise a family

Plus you have Roswell the best Cancer facility.

Research is better at Buffalo and will continually be better than Upstate for many years.

We need good physician that love and want to stay in Buffalo, not those NYC people that think they are Gods gift to medicine.

Buffalo people are really down to earth and it is the city of good neighbors. Its the truth.

AK

 

[PatriciaNg]

I interviewed at upstate two weeks ago and had a great impression of the school. Everyone there was extremely helpful and the environment if very relaxed. The dorms are really nice and located in a great area. Although it might get a little boring sometimes, but hey would you have THAT much time while in medical school?

 

[MNA]

I don't know about Syracuse but if don't like snow and cold weather you might want to reconsider Buffalo. Having lived there for a couple of years, it can get depressing. Even though alot of the med school buildings are connected, the library is not, and parking can be a problem. The winter season lasts from oct/nov- mar/april.

 

[Naphtali]

LOL. Gotta love the lake effect! Still, this winter, 'Cuse has more snow than Buffalo. (130 inches vs 95 for Buffalo.) Both cities are pretty snowy. If you can't handle the snow, go to Downstate or Stony Brook.

Like I said in another thread, the snow removal service in Syracuse is one of the wonders of the world.

-Naphtali

 

[HouseHead]

Originally posted by Naphtali
LOL. Gotta love the lake effect! Still, this winter, 'Cuse has more snow than Buffalo. (130 inches vs 95 for Buffalo.) Both cities are pretty snowy. If you can't handle the snow, go to Downstate or Stony Brook.

Hey, if I had the choice, I would!!! (F Downstate!)

 

[DrCarin]

Originally posted by Doc AdamK in 2006
For those people wanting to go to Buffalo, please accept if you plan to stay in Buffalo.

Becasue you will become addicted.

The Bills, Bars, Wings, Theater, Museums

Come here if you plan to stay in Buffalo. Its a great palce to raise a family


AK

Well, I'm currently trying to decide which SUNYs that I will apply to for fall 2004. Not really sure where I want to go, or if I even want to be in NY at all. But I agree with Adam (I pmed you by the way), Buffalo is a great city in a lot of ways- if you can deal with the snow and the cloudy winters. And if nothing else, it's a hockeytown!!! (can't beat that!)

 

[DrCarin]

Originally posted by Apollyon
Quite likely not for long.

Sabres or no Sabres, B-lo is and always will be a hockeytown!!

 

[HouseHead]

Bump. I still haven't made up my mind. I'll be going to both their second look days next month unless I hear something good from one of my top choice interviewers.

 

[rd32]

One problem with Buffalo clinical rotations is that many of the attending physicians are IMG's. A frequent complaint is that they do not speak english well and are not great teachers.

 

[kr2007]

Syracuse versus Buffalo.

My sister attended UB for 6 years and I went to grad school in Syracuse, so had alot of experience with both.

First, the weather is equally horrendous in both, so don't conisder that in your decision.

I absolutely hated Syracuse (From Manhattan). My program was solid (theraputic), yet I still chose to leave for clinicals. The city is culturally vacant and economically depressed. It is absolutely dull and has an extremely small downtown/nightlife scene where the people are easily recognizeable after several nights. The university is essentially the only thing holding the city together.

I also worked clinically in one of Upstate's teaching hospitals and was not really impressed by the level of instruction or faculty committment to teaching.

I have not lived in Buffalo, but always had a pleasant time when I visited. It is a much larger city and actually has some interesting things to discover both downtown and on trips to Toronto. Also, it has a much larger airport which makes leaving cheaper and easier. Syracuse's tiny airport severely limits your mobility (e.g., $500 roundtrip to NYC!!).

Essentially, the only positive arguments after 50 threads have been great college football and a casino 45 minutes away. After NYC, I'm guessing, but this might be a let down.

Good Luck and congratulations --- It's always a good thing to have choices. Just thought I would put my two cents in. My experience in Syracuse was awful, but I do know peopl ewho seemed happy there. These were mostly people who grew up there though. It is kind of a tight knit place.

 

[HouseHead]

Anyone going to the Buffalo second-look day on April 5th and Upstate's on April 25th? I am, unless I hear something good from the other schools at which I interviewed. If anyone else is, I'd love to hear from you.

 

[HouseHead]

All set for Buffalo next week! I was going to fly up (Jet Blue), but turned out it will be cheaper to drive up with the fams and rent a room for a night Lordy this is an expensive process...

Anyone who's going to be there too- let me hear ya! (We're going to be doctors! )

 

[jackgates1]

I just gotta say, i've been to both and Syracuse definently gives a better vibe. That's just my opinion though

 

[met19]

buffalo is a great city and school...too bad i won't be able to go there for med school....trust me i'm from Long Island and I thought I would hate it....but you just end up loving it

 

[zpdoc]

Originally posted by kr2007
Syracuse versus Buffalo.

I absolutely hated Syracuse (From Manhattan). My program was solid (theraputic), yet I still chose to leave for clinicals. The city is culturally vacant and economically depressed. It is absolutely dull and has an extremely small downtown/nightlife scene where the people are easily recognizeable after several nights. The university is essentially the only thing holding the city together.

yeah, but they're expanding the Carousel mall to turn it into the Largest Mall in North America!!

I am an MSII/III at Upstate. I wasn't jumping up and down at the chance to be in Syracuse for 4 years, but honestly I havent' really had time to get down on the fact that Syracuse doesn't have any major museums or cultural activities. There are bars and parties to celebrate at after tests, a minimum of pretentious snobs, and a few nice parks and a lake to chill at when the weather is nice, so I can't complain too much. Yes the research could be better, but there are plenty of NIH/HHMI fellowships you can apply for if you're really interested. And yes the weather sucks, but it will suck almost anywhere else you go to in NY.

 

[MedguyNYC]

Buffalo class of 07' here. Anyone else?

 

[jwalst55]

If anyone is interested this was last year's debate:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9934&perpage=20&pagenumber=2