Hi Everyone, I am fortunate enough to be accepted by these two schools, but I have to make a decision within 4 days. Would appreciate any advice. Thank you!!!
Rochester:
Pro-
-Highly ranked, more well-known
-good medical education in general. seems like they design their curriculum to really cultivate a good doctor holistically, not just about passing exams.
-Good home residency programs (but I don’t really want to stay in Rochester for that long)
-Tons of research opportunities
-nice students
Con-
-location: far from friends and support system, not much to do besides study
-high tuition $6xxxx
-Having to establish a new life in a new area sounds intimidating, having to learn how to drive and get a car...
-not so diverse student body
->In general, I trust Rochester in that I would match to a good program after 4 years there, but I am just worried about my mental health since I am away from the city I am familiar with, away from good food, and my friends. I just think it’s a very good school but somehow I don’t belong there.
SUNY Downstate:
Pro-
-Location, I love to stay in NYC. I have all my friends here, better for my mental health since I am already dealing with Anxiety (My biggest concern)
-clinical exposure to urban population
-cheaper as an IS, $4xxxx
-I want to stay in NYC for residency
-Diverse student body
Con-
-not so much research-focused. I am worried about this since I don’t have much research experience coming into medical school, and I would like to make up for that during the 4 years.
-lack of support from school, bad admin, pretty much on my own.
-> In general, I think Downstate is not as good as Rochester in student support, research, or curriculum design…. But I just love to stay in NYC. My brain tells me to go to Rochester but my heart tells me the other.
*They are all p/f and have recordings.
Please feel free to share any comments. I appreciate any input. Thank you!!
Rochester:
Pro-
-Highly ranked, more well-known
-good medical education in general. seems like they design their curriculum to really cultivate a good doctor holistically, not just about passing exams.
-Good home residency programs (but I don’t really want to stay in Rochester for that long)
-Tons of research opportunities
-nice students
Con-
-location: far from friends and support system, not much to do besides study
-high tuition $6xxxx
-Having to establish a new life in a new area sounds intimidating, having to learn how to drive and get a car...
-not so diverse student body
->In general, I trust Rochester in that I would match to a good program after 4 years there, but I am just worried about my mental health since I am away from the city I am familiar with, away from good food, and my friends. I just think it’s a very good school but somehow I don’t belong there.
SUNY Downstate:
Pro-
-Location, I love to stay in NYC. I have all my friends here, better for my mental health since I am already dealing with Anxiety (My biggest concern)
-clinical exposure to urban population
-cheaper as an IS, $4xxxx
-I want to stay in NYC for residency
-Diverse student body
Con-
-not so much research-focused. I am worried about this since I don’t have much research experience coming into medical school, and I would like to make up for that during the 4 years.
-lack of support from school, bad admin, pretty much on my own.
-> In general, I think Downstate is not as good as Rochester in student support, research, or curriculum design…. But I just love to stay in NYC. My brain tells me to go to Rochester but my heart tells me the other.
*They are all p/f and have recordings.
Please feel free to share any comments. I appreciate any input. Thank you!!