VCU vs Stony Brook

[MiddleEMed]

Hi everyone,

So, I was lucky enough – especially as an international student – to get accepted to VCU! I honestly love their program, and Richmond seems like an exciting city and a low-ish CoL compared to NYC, where I currently am. I have an interview coming up with SBU in March, but the big thing is, as an international, both institutions have made it clear that I am not eligible for financial aid of any kind. So as I'll need to look for private loans, I'm kind of wondering if it is even worth considering SBU because of financial purposes, considering both will be basically the same tuition costs.

VCU

Pros:

• The biggest seems to be the cost of living in Richmond. It'll help minimize the amount I'll need to borrow (relatively).
• Dedicated Step 1&2 prep time with tutors
• They have a 3-year MD program that you can apply to during your first year – although you have to commit to VCU for residency
• P/F pre-clinical with online and recorded lectures
• Seems to have very modern facilities
• Lots more diversity in the people & patient population

Cons:

• I guess it is slightly lower ranked than SBU.
• Less research opportunities perhaps?
• If I want to go back to NYC for residency (unsure), this seems to be the weaker option.
• Super expensive overall cause of no FA (same for SBU though)

Stony Brook (note this is pre-interview, things could change)

Pros:

• Close to NYC so I'd have access to friends I've made here – although it doesn't seem feasible that I'd go to the city that often.
• Better reputation it seems
• Better research opportunities
• I'd ideally like to match into a big city (perhaps Chicago, or even back to NYC) for residency – this might be better for that?

Cons:

• Definitely higher CoL than Richmond, with a lot less to do
• Student housing options seem pretty meh – I've lived in tiny rooms with many roommates for years, I'm ready to stop doing that
• Less diverse patient population
• Has a 3 year MD program, but you need to apply before school starts.

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[Bowel-Plumber]

Don’t have much input on your decision but I do want to mention that Stony Brook allows students to apply into the 3 year MD during their first year in February.