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- Apr 3, 2017
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I've been fortunate enough to be accepted at both Stony Brook and Downstate. I've checked out previous threads, but a lot of them seem outdated, especially given the recent curriculum changes at each of these schools. I was wondering if anybody could help me make a decision.
Stony Brook
Pros
Cons
Downstate
Pros
Cons
Summary: When I was accepted back in November (received my decisions on the same day), I had decided immediately that I was going to Stony Brook over Downstate. But I think my initial impression was based too much on reputation and the shiny buildings. Now that I'm thinking about it, I realize how valuable location is to me. But I'm drawn to both schools and I can't make up my mind!
Stony Brook
Pros
- For some reason, SBU seems to be have a better reputation. I went to a top-20 college in NY and the consensus among my pre-med classmates (and laypeople) is that SBU is the better school. But nobody seems to be able to tell me why, specifically.
- My impression is that Stony Brook has a bigger focus on research, which I'm definitely interested in doing.
- Shiny buildings and newer facilities, which is a (small) perk.
- Smaller class size of ~130 people.
Cons
- H/P/F in pre-clinical years. I've heard that this can lead to increased competition and stress.
- Location is boring. In my mind, I just imagine myself seeing a ton of upper-middle class white patients at SBU during M3/4.
- I have a car, but I hate driving. And it's a pretty old car of questionable reliability.
- Step 1 is taken after M3. I think this is a new thing they're trying (correct me if I'm wrong).
Downstate
Pros
- Location: I was born and raised in NYC, and I intend to stay and work in the area for the rest of my life. Furthermore, my family and friends are all situated in NYC (Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan), and I'd like to be able to spend time with them when I can.
- Diverse patient population and interesting cases. Downstate isn't the best neighborhood, but everybody I've spoken to sings praises about the clinical education and exposure I'll get there.
- 1.5 pre-clinical + 2.5 clinical years. Longer clinical education.
- Tests are pretty much questions taken from Step 1 practice exams.
- P/F pre-clinical (with internal ranking).
Cons
- Larger class size of ~190 people, which is then divided into halves (presumably because it would be too crowded otherwise). My understanding is that each half will alternate courses in morning/afternoon, including anatomy lab.
- Dreary, old facilities.
- I have heard of M3/4 students being randomly assigned, by lottery, to clinical rotations in New Jersey. Not a fan of this.
- Step 1 is taken after only 1.5 years. Not sure if this is good or bad, but both schools have the same average Step 1 score (235).
- I have no idea how to read Match Lists, but it looks like Downstate hasn't matched anybody into integrated plastics in the last ~7 years, which I doubt is due to lack of interest. I'm not really looking to go into an IPS residency, but is this indicative of something else?
Summary: When I was accepted back in November (received my decisions on the same day), I had decided immediately that I was going to Stony Brook over Downstate. But I think my initial impression was based too much on reputation and the shiny buildings. Now that I'm thinking about it, I realize how valuable location is to me. But I'm drawn to both schools and I can't make up my mind!