Why go to NYMC?

[Pewl]

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So, why should anyone pick NYMC? This is a question I've been asking myself since I'm almost positive the interviewer will ask me the same thing. Does anyone out there have a good reason for choosing NYMC? Me, personally, I like them because I'm a California applicant and NYMC seems to take a lot of California public school people. =D

Why do YOU want to go to NYMC?

 

[Messerschmitts]

If it weren't for the price or the lack of rankings, NYMC would be a top choice for me; when I interviewed there I thought they had the cleanest, most beautiful atmosphere/facilities of any other med school I visited. All of it look so new and sophisticated. I especially loved their dissection lab room, which was very spacious with a tall ceiling, a large glass wall/roof (can't remember which) to let in sunlight during the day, and a negative vacuum suction system that constantly pumps in fresh air from outside instead of recycling old air. It made a marked difference in how bad the cadavear smell was. In comparison, the dissection lab room at University of Cincinnati (which is a far better school in most other respects) was underground, clausterphobic, and smelled much worse.

Also you can mention that NYMC offers the peacefulness of a suburban environment, whilst being within striking distance of the excitement New York City. Actually I can't stand suburbs (total city slicker), but that's what I said. 😛 But don't listen to me, I didn't get into NYMC last year (bastards).

 

[ndayev6]

I interviewed there, and I think the best answer is probably the most common answer. It is located right outside of the city. You don't have to deal with the traffic, but you are within a 20 minute drive to the city. NYMC is a somewhat rural setting and is isolated, which is nice for somebody that likes fresh air. You can appeal to the interviewer if you relate to the positives of both the city and the country. But like I said, I am sure that everybody has done this.

 

[Labslave]

I'm not trying to fluff any feathers here, but I asked this question to about 10 students on the day of my interview and almost every student said, "Because it was the only school that accepted me."

This is the case because of the expensive tuition (on top of less than stellar financial aid/scholarship opportunities) and rural location (I was told that it was necessary to have a car to get groceries, etc.), NOT because it's a horrible school.

In fact, I was really impressed with the anatomy lab (as a previous poster mentioned) and the rest of the facilities, as well. The proximity to NYC is also really awesome. I just couldn't get over the insane tuition and the fact that nobody seemed to be excited about being there.

 

[drmota]

its really expensive. so it must be good. final answer.
-mota

 

[ivy91]

NYMC is in Valhalla, and is more of a 40 minute commute to the city by car - in other words, it's uber-suburbia, and you'd probably need a car to get around and do stuff. If you are concerned about location, NYMC probably not the best choice. I don't know much about the program, but wanted to give my two cents just in case you'd be happier being closer to the city. I mean, I've heard of people complaining about being too far from the city at Columbia, which is indeed on the outskirts of the city at 168th, but at least it's on Manhattan island. Hop on the subway, an you're in the heart of the city in no time. Best of luck deciding!

 

[medicomel]

nontrad-friendly
excellent clinical opportunities during yrs 3 and 4
opportunity to live in the city
superior USMLE pass rates
cooperative atmosphere

 

[-Goose-]

nontrad-friendly
excellent clinical opportunities during yrs 3 and 4
opportunity to live in the city
superior USMLE pass rates
cooperative atmosphere

agree with all of this, plus one thing:

MATCH LIST!!
their list is amazing... probably as competitive as any school i've seen (seriously)... good luck!

 

[Pewl]

Where exactly do you go to access matchlists for each school?? I've been trying to find these.

 

[medicomel]

you'll get a student handbook when you interview there...it contains the list.

 

[Pewl]

you'll get a student handbook when you interview there...it contains the list.

Bah, you can't go online and find it somewhere so you can compare schools? =P

 

[medicomel]

Bah, you can't go online and find it somewhere so you can compare schools? =P

allow me to roll up my sleeves and help you...gimme a sec. 😉

 

[Pewl]

allow me to roll up my sleeves and help you...gimme a sec. 😉

But really, they don't have these matchlists online? Shouldn't that be like a felony or something?

 

[Freakingzooming]

I'm not trying to fluff any feathers here, but I asked this question to about 10 students on the day of my interview and almost every student said, "Because it was the only school that accepted me."

This is the case because of the expensive tuition (on top of less than stellar financial aid/scholarship opportunities) and rural location (I was told that it was necessary to have a car to get groceries, etc.), NOT because it's a horrible school.

In fact, I was really impressed with the anatomy lab (as a previous poster mentioned) and the rest of the facilities, as well. The proximity to NYC is also really awesome. I just couldn't get over the insane tuition and the fact that nobody seemed to be excited about being there.

actually- the majority of students attending NYMC had multiple acceptances. Between my roommates and I, we had acceptances to several different schools- (BU, Tufts, SUNY downstate, MCW, Creighton, SLU, Albany, Drexel, Chicago Med). Most of us chose to come to NYMC. So yeah. I chose on going to NYMC over several other schools on the basis of location and curriculum. We have had for the past several years, a 100% on pass rate on Step 1, excellent board scores, and I believe solid teaching all around.

 

[tkdusb]

agree with all of this, plus one thing:

MATCH LIST!!
their list is amazing... probably as competitive as any school i've seen (seriously)... good luck!

http://www.nymc.edu/admit/Medical/info/Match2005.asp

Um... I think you be making a bit of an overstatement. Their match list seems pretty average to me.

This isn't even the best school in the state and its match list is amazing:
http://www.med.nyu.edu/alumni/event_highlights/2004/matchlist.html

 

[boyz of 4d]

I'm a current first year and I ended up with 8 acceptances (including all 4 suny's) and picked NYMC over them. I picked it due to the feeling I got when I visited (seemed cooperative/good social atmosphere/and there good results on USMLE) I could also say if I had to redo the process I'd still have chose NYMC over my other acceptances. Any prospectives who have any questions feel free to PM me.

 

[tkdusb]

I'm a current first year and I ended up with 8 acceptances (including all 4 suny's) and picked NYMC over them. I picked it due to the feeling I got when I visited (seemed cooperative/good social atmosphere/and there good results on USMLE) I could also say if I had to redo the process I'd still have chose NYMC over my other acceptances. Any prospectives who have any questions feel free to PM me.

I definitely picked up on that vibe during my interview. If you're willing to share, could you give me some idea what your financial aid package was like? The person who spoke during our interview said that students mainly finance using a combination of private and government loans. Does NYMC give any grant money?

 

[crzyemeni]

its so boring, studying will be the most interesting thing you'll do all day!

but really, its a focused environment and the people seem to like it there. plus i like the way the housing is a 15 second walk from the lecture halls, labs, and offices.

 

[Flopotomist]

one plus - there wont be any of those pesky uppity homosexuals at this school.

 

[crzyemeni]

one plus - there wont be any of those pesky uppity homosexuals at this school.

I hope so, unless they start hosting film festivals and art shows...

 

[zurned]

3rd and 4th year rotations are available in the city so you can move there in two years. But, you have to find your own housing if that is the case.

 

[Pewl]

HAHA, ok, so there are no homos at nymc. Is that supposed to be incentive or something? I live near Hollywood! =P

What did you guys at the interivew say when asked "Why NYMC?"

 

[-Goose-]

"Um... I think you be making a bit of an overstatement. Their match list seems pretty average to me. "

I still think nymc's overall match list is 'amazing' compared to similarly-ranked schools... its definitely amazing if you look at some particular subspecialties (ie Rads-- very difficult to match).

 

[Pewl]

Who else here has interviewed at NYMC? what did you think?

 

[BOBODR]

Who else here has interviewed at NYMC? what did you think?

I interviewed at NYMC last week and it in my opinion was amazing.

1) Ridiculous USMLE prep and scores
2) Amazing facilities and beautiful campus, with that a safe campus
3) 3 and 4th yr rotations in Manhattan if you want , but if thats not your thing pickfrom the other 21 affiliated hospitals
4) Brand new peds hospital on the campus which is awesome and innovative
5) got a great feel for the type of person at that school, i.e - collegial feel to the students
6) research opportunities if you want but no thesis forced upon you
7) nice admissions staff, to me the admissions staff says alot about the school and the admissions staff was great
8) its only 20 minutes from yankees stadium/bronx and 35 minutes from the city. The town its in is not that bad at all and has alot of what medical students would be looking for anyway (bars, restaurants, etc)
9) tuition is high but no more ridiculous that most other private schools (Tufts, Rochester, BU, etc....)
10) Anatomy lab is 1000 times nicer than any I have seen (I have seen 5) with RWJ being the closest comparison and its still not even close.
11) There match list is actually amazing esp for placing in Cali or NY residencies

Yeah I thought the school was ok 😉

 

[Pewl]

I just saw Rosalind Franklin's match list today. It totally kicks NYMC's butt =P

 

[Comrade]

agree with all of this, plus one thing:

MATCH LIST!!
their list is amazing... probably as competitive as any school i've seen (seriously)... good luck!

the match list is pretty good. what i don't get is this... So NYMC students are matching in competitive residencies. That would make me think residency directors should think highly of NYMC grads. And if that's the case, they'd rank it highly for the US News survey and that should weigh heavily in the school's overall ranking. But, it's not in the top 62? why?

are they not sending in stats?

 

[Pewl]

the match list is pretty good. what i don't get is this... So NYMC students are matching in competitive residencies. That would make me think residency directors should think highly of NYMC grads. And if that's the case, they'd rank it highly for the US News survey and that should weigh heavily in the school's overall ranking. But, it's not in the top 62? why?

are they not sending in stats?

I think the US News rankings are just based off of like research grants or something. I'm at UCLA and we're #11 overall, but I really don't think the med school here is that particularly great. We DO get a ton of funding for research though.

 

[BOBODR]

I think the US News rankings are just based off of like research grants or something. I'm at UCLA and we're #11 overall, but I really don't think the med school here is that particularly great. We DO get a ton of funding for research though.

The USNEWS is mostly based on research $$$. While NYMC has plenty of research opportunities and great qualities I listed before, they are not a research powerhouse. They do have tons of clinical sites with great experience and board scores that are well above the national average.

 

[obgyn06]

Man you guys are impressive.
I HATED nymc. It was the only school where I didn't even want to finish the tour because I hated it so much. I don't know....I just didn't get a good feel from the other students or something. Yea, their dissection lab was beautiful, but in the long run, that doesn't matter AT ALL. You spend 1 semester there. Big deal.
Much bigger deal is the clinical training. Anyway - not that anyone cares, but I hated it. (I also didn't like Wake Forest at all either BLECH).

 

[Pewl]

Man you guys are impressive.
I HATED nymc. It was the only school where I didn't even want to finish the tour because I hated it so much. I don't know....I just didn't get a good feel from the other students or something. Yea, their dissection lab was beautiful, but in the long run, that doesn't matter AT ALL. You spend 1 semester there. Big deal.
Much bigger deal is the clinical training. Anyway - not that anyone cares, but I hated it. (I also didn't like Wake Forest at all either BLECH).

woops, don't get me wrong, i'm not at the UCLA med school. I'm doing grad school at ucla, but my department (biomedical physics) is a part of the med school. Honestly, I don't see what's so great about the school here except for the research funding and the reputation.

 

[ruwan]

its so boring, studying will be the most interesting thing you'll do all day!

not to sound mean, but that's exactly what you'll be doing in any med school around the country.

 

[Pewl]

Anyone else have any advice for NYMC interview?

 

[tkdusb]

Anyone else have any advice for NYMC interview?

Just be yourself, it's not stressful at all. The only two things that I would think about beforehand are the "Do you have any red flags?" and "Why NYMC?" questions. I think it's best to not have to stammer out your answer as I did. My interviewer was super nice though.

 

[-Goose-]

Would you guys pick NYMC over Albany Med? just curious.