Can any current students comment on how useful having a car would be?
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Hi there,
Current MS1. So I don't have a car, and I find getting around fine. I'll break things down into categories.
Social events
-Don't really need a car, since a lot of social events happen at Einstein (courtyard events, dinners). If you want to get to the city to bar hop you can take the BxM10 express bus which takes you right into Manhattan. Really convenient (literally stops outside housing).
Clinical Sites
Einstein is amazing in that they will get you to where you need to go for clinical sites. This becomes more important during 3rd year and 4th year when you are at the hospital a lot. Basically shuttles run to almost all of the major hospitals that partner with Einstein. Also, Jacobi and Weiler (two hospitals) are literally a 5-10 min walk. Just to be clear, the shuttles are open to 1st and 2nd years as well. If you need to meet a doctor at Montefiore, or just wanna go to the hospital to see it, the shuttles will take you there. They run for the most part every hour. One last thing, in first year you have a course called ICM, which stands for Intro to Clinical Medicine. Basically you interview patients (some people are paired with OB/GYN's, internists, geriatricians, emergency docs, etc) under the supervision of a preceptor. If your clinical site is far away, Einstein will help you get there (whether that be via a Vital car (private car basically) or shuttle, or public transit (they give you the metrocard)).
General Living
So in general a car would be useful if you like to go home over the breaks or weekends (assuming you live close by). Also, it will be helpful to get groceries (if you don't have a car then you have to carry the groceries or buy a "granny cart").
Last point
Many of the people at the school (maybe ~20-30%) have a car and will be more than willing to help you out if you need it. In fact, some people in my year offer to take people with them to Fairway (nicer grocery market). Also, public transit will get you there.
Basically it comes down to whether you want that extra convenience. For me, a car isn't worth it. The extra time I spend waiting for the shuttle I use to study. Hope it helps.