Upstate VS. Uwisc MADISON

[UCLAgurl]

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I am experiencing a serious bout of inability to make a decision. here are my brainstorming notes:

U Wisconsin: lesser known school. I Liked madison, liked the school/facilities they showed us, tuition out of state all 4 years 😱 , probably have to stay in wisc for a decent residency slot? 😕 😳 most of my family live in California. School has an improving reputation/potential for growth. ranked highly in primary care although Im not interested in primary care. I remember something about transplant surgery being highly active there. New construction in progress on some hospital..was it pediatric?.

Upstate: well known school, lower tuition over 4 years, its in New York State 👍 , can probably get a decent residency spot in either NY or LA 🙂 but I Heard some suspiciously negative comments from both people online and people I interviewed with/ talked to over there (is it true, whats up with that?). Facilities were dreary looking and functionalist-not too exciting, no breath taking architecture or self promotion. Everyone minded their own business, they have some research going on but apparently not enough for the md/Phd student who interviewed me, 5hour drive to NYC if you brave the weather and driving conds. I dunno much about the SUNY medical schools really. I wish I had paid more attention on the interview day 😳 But it was soooooo cold that day that I was focusing more on maintaining normal body temperature than looking around.


If you have read until this line, then you must be awfully tired but please dont let that stop you from posting. What would you do and why?

 

[akaz]

I am experiencing a serious bout of inability to make a decision. here are my brainstorming notes:

U Wisconsin: lesser known school. I Liked madison, liked the school/facilities they showed us, tuition out of state all 4 years 😱 , probably have to stay in wisc for a decent residency slot? 😕 😳 most of my family live in California. School has an improving reputation/potential for growth. ranked highly in primary care although Im not interested in primary care. I remember something about transplant surgery being highly active there. New construction in progress on some hospital..was it pediatric?.

Upstate: well known school, lower tuition over 4 years, its in New York State 👍 , can probably get a decent residency spot in either NY or LA 🙂 but I Heard some suspiciously negative comments from both people online and people I interviewed with/ talked to over there (is it true, whats up with that?). Facilities were dreary looking and functionalist-not too exciting, no breath taking architecture or self promotion. Everyone minded their own business, they have some research going on but apparently not enough for the md/Phd student who interviewed me, 5hour drive to NYC if you brave the weather and driving conds. I dunno much about the SUNY medical schools really. I wish I had paid more attention on the interview day 😳 But it was soooooo cold that day that I was focusing more on maintaining normal body temperature than looking around.


If you have read until this line, then you must be awfully tired but please dont let that stop you from posting. What would you do and why?

I think U Wisc has a better rep in science etc. portion of the med school

 

[coco11]

I've definitely hear dof UW-M but never of suny upstate until I started reading these forums. I think you might have the reputations backwards.

 

[Koil Gugliemi]

UW is the clear winner...Madison is a great town, they've got a very good reputation in many fields.

 

[GenSurgChick]

UW Madison has a great reputation across most specialties. I see no reason why you'd have to stay in Wisconsin for a decent residency in any number of fields, particularly if you do well with grades/boards or otherwise distinguish yourself. But you'll need to do that if you want your pick of residency programs, regardless of where you end up for med school. And yes, they are national and international leaders in transplant. 🙂

As for the weather, well, keep in mind that Syracuse gets almost as cold as Madison in the winter, and averages more snow. (From Nat'l Weather Service records)

If it were me, I would go to UW given your choice. I did interview there for both med school and residency, but chose to go to WashU instead for both.

Otherwise, I have no affiliation with either institution.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[UCLAgurl]

Thank you. I should probably ask about two other schools I have been waitlisted at: Drexel (Philadelphia, PA) and University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA). IF by any chance I get accepted at either of those places as well, how would you assess the situation then? Thank You very much

UW Madison has a great reputation across most specialties. I see no reason why you'd have to stay in Wisconsin for a decent residency in any number of fields, particularly if you do well with grades/boards or otherwise distinguish yourself. But you'll need to do that if you want your pick of residency programs, regardless of where you end up for med school. And yes, they are national and international leaders in transplant. 🙂

As for the weather, well, keep in mind that Syracuse gets almost as cold as Madison in the winter, and averages more snow. (From Nat'l Weather Service records)

If it were me, I would go to UW given your choice. I did interview there for both med school and residency, but chose to go to WashU instead for both.

Otherwise, I have no affiliation with either institution.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[GenSurgChick]

Thank you. I should probably ask about two other schools I have been waitlisted at: Drexel (Philadelphia, PA) and University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA). IF by any chance I get accepted at either of those places as well, how would you assess the situation then? Thank You very much

I'd still go with UW Madison.

 

[Ambs]

UW Madison has by far the "better rep." It is an insanely good school. Incredible research, very strong clinical.

 

[finch]

Although upstate doesnt have the reputation that wisconsin has, they still have pulled off a pretty sweet match list for at least the last couple years. Personally, if I was in your situation I'd probably go to upstate and save the money.

 

[akaz]

Thank you. I should probably ask about two other schools I have been waitlisted at: Drexel (Philadelphia, PA) and University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA). IF by any chance I get accepted at either of those places as well, how would you assess the situation then? Thank You very much

UW Madison

 

[UCLAgurl]

The match list at upstate was what caught my eye as well. I got the acceptance package yesterday. They also have student dorms at clark tower with free cable/internet,with furnishing and its located on campus next to the gym. I called about the rates for a studio apt and it comes out by my calculations to about 9k for 12 months. thats pretty reasonable I think compared to my undergrads rates.
Im still investigating which teaching style I would be more comfortable with.

Thank You all for your comments. Keep them coming 🙂

Although upstate doesnt have the reputation that wisconsin has, they still have pulled off a pretty sweet match list for at least the last couple years. Personally, if I was in your situation I'd probably go to upstate and save the money.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Like everyone has said, Madison has the better reputation. A California native, I had never heard of the SUNY system until recently, while Wisconsin has been on the radar for a while. Just my little anecdote to throw in.
Both locations are cold as hell... 😱

 

[star22]

Reputation at Upstate??? I think Madison is ranked fairly high for both research and primary care, but Upstate isn't ranked for either (or maybe in super low in primary care). I wouldn't think twice about choosing Madison personally.

 

[UCLAgurl]

Thank You everyone for your comments.
I have finally made the decision to go to SUNY upstate.

Madison is great, gives students rural medical training, summer research stipends, has brand new facilities, primary care focus, graduates match in california, I even heard from a peds resident at CHLA who was from wisconsin. But overall madison doesnt have the diversity I am looking for both in terms of patient population and student population (obviously mostly instate,something like half of the student body from UW undergrad). I feel a little like I might stick out as the outsider: the out of stater. Please dont get me wrong, madison had the most friendly students, people and all that, it was really clean, no crime, cheap housing, everone was nice. Too nice. My student host taught me so much and was really generous. I almost feel a little guilty in withdrawing from there. I hope the spot goes to someone who appreciates all that they offer and holds the school in high esteem as I do.

In the end, Upstate has a better match list for the possible specialties I might consider going into and I like the fact that the students usually stay on the east coast as I kinda spent a part of my childhood there. I find that I like snow, cold weather and a seasonal variation more so than the dry, season-less perpetual oven of southern california. What people call "bad weather" is actually good study weather. I also would love to have a chance to go back and visit NYC once in a (long) while. The most important thing is that I will have some family there as well so I wont be lonely and miserable. syracuse is urban and close to other cities like rochester and buffalo, niagara falls, toronto and I have the satisfaction of knowing that I will be able to stay in one place for all four years as clinical rotations will also be in syracuse for me.

in the end I came to the advice some people gave me: go where you think you will be happy, and where you can enjoy your time. It doesnt matter where I go to school as I will be responsible for making sure I am doing well there and heading where I need to be going afterwards. So, thats that.

Thank You