Comments from the Class of 2006
Adelphi University
Working at Winthrop University Hospital allowed me
to see the residents from various medical schools, mostly from the
New York Area. Over the course of my 2 1/2 years there, it became
obvious that the students from Downstate were the most confident,
assured and prepared. Downstate Alumni, doctors, nurses and P.A.’s
praised it and all said the clinical experience opportunities at
King’s County were unparalleled. It’s proximity to the
city and to my house was also a big factor in choosing Downstate."
Albany University, SUNY
Close to home and I wanted to become more familiar
with NYC."
Amherst College
Cheap tuition and a good residency placements."
Clinical training and cost vs. quality of education."
Bard College
The excellence and thoroughness of clinical training
resident tuition, location and the MD/MPH program."
Barnard College
The interviewer feedback was almost all positive.
It is rare to find such universal response in other schools. It made
an influential first impression on me. My interviewer confirmed my
good impression. My answer to the “personal hardship” question
was deeply personal. He seemed to respond and empathize. That kind
of caring is hard to find elsewhere. I realize that this was the
kind of environment I wanted to be in."
Clinical training that’s available and the excellent."
Downstate offered the best education for the money
spent. It was the best choice out of all the acceptances."
The student were very positive when I visited and
the cost."
Bates College
I wanted a medical education in an urban
setting that would provide the opportunity for wide range of clinical
experiences. The cost isn’t bad either."
Binghamton University
It offered a good medical education with the benefit
of paying in state tuition."
Clinical experience reputation, cost and
location."
It’s a good, affordable school with a great
reputation."
A school with great reputation for it’s clinical
and theoretical traditions, which is in my community and close to
home."
Location, Cost, and Curriculum."
I am from Brooklyn and I wanted to be close to home.
I also liked the curriculum and the academic atmosphere. The students
seemed happy and enthusiastic about their experience here."
Its reputation and the opportunity to experience diverse
situations and environments. Another reason was for the cost and
location. There is nothing like New York City and a quality education
at such a low cost."
I was excited to attend a school affiliated with hospitals
that were busy…A place where you didn’t know what was
going to happen next. The location, the price … what more
can I ask for?"
Seemed like the perfect place for me. A place that
fit my needs exactly."
I was impressed by what I heard of the students’ clinical
experiences. Also, I appreciated the diversity of the student body
and the location."
Urban location, reputation for clinical exposure,
experience and tuition."
Location, excellent reputation and low cost."
Boston College
Location, close to my permanent home. 3rd & 4th
year program – clinical base."
Location, clinical experience and cost."
Boston University
Confidence in Program, Residence match & success
on USMLE by past students, cost and location."
Organ-based curriculum, getting involved in the public
health department and cost."
Brooklyn College
The excellent reputation."
Location and it is a great school, at an affordable
price."
It is part of the BA/MD program associated with Brooklyn
College. "
I was a member of the BA/MD program at Brooklyn College."
Part of BA/MD College / SUNY Downstate program."
Diverse student body, correct clinical experience,
financial consideration, close to home, easy to commute and block
curriculum."
Learn art of medicine, interact with the community,
research, and meet interesting people, becoming a physician who is
competent for the medical world. "
The BA/MD program."
Location, curriculum."
Good program, location and price."
The school had a continuous relationship with Brooklyn
College and I was informed of the schools black curriculum. The system
appeared more conduction to learning."
Brown University
Tuition, diverse patient population, student body,
faculty and urban environment in New York City."
Diversity, clinical exposure and price."
City College, CUNY
The integrated curriculum, location and hands on training."
Reputation for clinical instruction and low cost."
Colby College
Enthusiasm of medical students, attractive in-state tuition and unsurpassed
clinical exposure."
Colgate University
The cost of tuition and reputation for
providing excellent clinical experience. Being from Long Island,
I was also looking for a school that was close to home."
Location and my father is an alumni."
Columbia University
I read about Downstate’s great tradition
of making good doctors and I liked the location and the price."
Clinical Opportunities are priceless."
Location, cost, great exposure and good residency
placement."
I liked the organ based learning approach.
Furthermore, I conducted research with a Downstate faculty member."
Location, organ based curriculum, reputation and tuition."
Clinical reputation, academic reputation, cost and
location."
It’s in Brooklyn."
Proximity to the most diverse student body and patient
population, intensive clinical experience, innovative curriculum,
and humanistic approach. The facilities do have a little to be desired
and the administrative red tape has been a little disconcerting but
these are obviously small, incidental detractors at an overall wonderful
institution."
Cooper Union
Clinical experience, finances and location."
I was impressed with the clinical training one gets
at Downstate."
Cornell University
Downstate’s reputation for excellent clinical
experience and its attention to community health are the factors
that really attracted me to this school. As a strong believer in
the human aspect of medicine, Downstate impressed me as a school
that shared my beliefs and would help me to keep that idealism during
my education."
Location."
Location, clinical experience and atmosphere. "
I am from Long Island and wanted to be close to my
friends and family. Everyone I met and spoke to who was a student
was so enthusiastic about the school I really liked the clinical
experience."
The commitment to holistic medicine (treating a patient
as a person rather than a disease) and community. The cultural diversity
not only in the student body but in the community as well. "
The clinical experience at Downstate is superior to
other schools and the in-state tuition is an added bonus."
The clinical experience, tuition rates and location."
My first choice it has a great curriculum."
CUNY
Reputation, introduction of some graduates from Downstate, and financial
aid package."
Location in a diverse community."
Dartmouth College
Price and reputation made the option that much more
attractive."
The unparalleled clinical exposure, the price and the quality of
its education."
Duke University
Great clinical experience, location and tuition."
Unparalleled exposure to diverse clinical settings,
along with an excellent education at an affordable price."
Recommended by my advisor and I like the curriculum."
Emory University
The clinical experience that I will get is unmatched
and the location."
Organ based curriculum is what I wanted. Location
and cost."
Fisk University
I was impressed by the academic curriculum.
I like the fact that Downstate students are immediately exposed to
the clinical aspects of medicine. The class/school is very diverse.
Very important to me coming from a HBCU. The location of the school
and its affiliated hospitals will give me lots of experience and
exposure to a vast number of things. I did not feel I could get this
at other schools."
Fordham University
My decision result from concluding there was a close
fit between SUNY Downstate and my interests, experience and character.
SUNY Downstate offers excellent clinical exposure and up and coming
research areas informed by its position as a serves of inner-city
populations."
Geneseo, SUNY
It’s excellent reputation for clinical training,
research history and the medical faculty’s commitment to community
health. Also, the diverse environment."
Location (urban area), clinical experience and low
tuition."
George Washington
Clinical exposure and low cost."
Georgetown University
Good school and low tuition."
Gonzaga University
Opportunity to study medicine in a diverse environment
and cost."
Harvard
Downstate is an excellent school in an ideal location
and it’s much cheaper than most other schools."
Hofstra University
Reputation, price and location."
Hunter College
Excellent price for quality education in one of the
most diverse, vibrant and colorful cities of the world. Friendly
faculty, staffs who are ready to give personalized care and attention."
Johns Hopkins University
Its history of providing an excellent clinical experience.
The diverse student body and clients."
Julliard /Marymount
Reputation, location and diversity of student body."
Oberlin College Emory University (MPH)
The most fruitful exchange of ideas occurs when you bring people from different backgrounds together. Downstate creates an atmosphere for a great clinical learning experience."
Lehman College
Location, tuition and rich clinical experience."
Long Island University
Excellent reputation for clinical experience and location."
M.I.T.
The friendly and welcoming environment. The convenience
of location and the cost efficiency of the education made Downstate
my first choice."
Excellent location, patient population, student body
diversity and cheap."
Manhattan College
Location and curriculum."
Marymount Manhattan College
It’s affiliations with different hospitals and
its low tuition."
Medgar Evers College
SUNY gives me a sense of family, everyone is very
helpful and I love that."
Mercy College
Cost and reputation of having excellent clinical training."
Muhlenberg College
It’s research and clinical reputation and it’s
long history of community service."
New York Institute of Technology
Clinical experience, reputation/student success, geography,
cost and friendly atmosphere."
New York University
Location, Cost and Good School. "
Location. "
I decided to attend Downstate because I know it will
provide me with an exceptional education that will meet the demanding
changes that will occur in the future of healthcare."
Great school for a great price."
Great school, excellent reputation and inexpensive."
It’s the best school for me."
The school has a very good reputation, conveniently
located and affordable."
The excellent reputation of the school, it’s
low cost and it’s location."
I am grateful for the opportunity!"
Location, affordable and clinical exposure."
Unique hospital experiences the big city has to offer."
Exceptional experience gained from education, faculty,
location and cost."
Price, Location, clinical training & reputation."
Northeastern University
Great reputation for giving students a good clinical
experience throughout the four years. Other reasons are cost and
location."
Notre Dame
Geographic location in NY, cost of tuition, Opportunity
to see a wide range of diverse pathologies and knew a couple alumni."
Penn State
Low tuition, location and the experiences."
Princeton University
After working for five years on the finance side of
healthcare services, I decided that I would rather be a healthcare
provider. The College of Medicine at SUNY Downstate promised a third
and fourth year experience more enriching than most other schools,
plus SUNY saw fit to admit me."
Queen College
The facility, I wanted to be in an area that I felt
was truly representative to the minority community."
Great school reputation, great faculty, fantastic
location, and opportunities for community participation."
Great reputation, location and price."
The exceptional clinical experience in conjunction
with the cost and location made Downstate the clear choice for me."
The great curriculum, support services, location and reputation."
Earliest acceptance, most inexpensive tuition and
location."
Quinnipiac College
The NYC location, clinical reputation, curriculum
and cost were my main reasons for attending. Also, diversity and
research opportunities were secondary choices."
Rutgers University
Best clinical training and best tuition."
Seton Hall University
The positive experiences with faculty and students.
People who genuinely care will support me throughout my education.
I will become a competent & caring physician with a strong base
of both textbook and clinical knowledge available in few other places."
Southern California University
Location, price, reputation and recommendations of
past faculty members."
St. John’s University
I wanted to stay in New York and I am familiar with
the school."
Low tuition, location, clinical and the experience.
The friendliness and efficiency of the admission office was also
a factor. They made me feel welcome during the interview process."
Its reputation of providing an excellent clinical
education. Working in various hospitals as a volunteer and as a nursing
assistant, I heard many good things about Downstate and Kings county
as a teaching hospital, from doctors, patients, and nurses. Downstate
is very affordable compared to other schools and it has a good academic
and research reputation as well."
Location, cost."
St. Johns's University / Queens College
I have to admit that SUNY Downstate was not my first
choice. However, at some point after receiving invitation for interviews
at other institution. I came to realize that Downstate is the place
to be. The experience far outweighs what I’ve heard from other
places/students. I look forward to the next 4 years with the opportunity
to take and give back."
Stanford University
Superior clinical experience. Opportunity to work
with Brooklyn community and in NYC. Reduced in-state tuition. Diverse
student body."
The clinical training, the academic support and the
price are all reasons I choose Downstate. I was also impressed by
the diversity of the student body."
SUNY
I was excited about coming to Downstate because of the diversity
that would be in my class and in the programs, I would be involved."
SUNY Stony Brook
Price, location and reputation."
Downstate provides a great clinical and basic science
education. It also is very cheap and close to home."
Great curriculum, an even greater residency match
and tuition."
It’s extensive and rigorous clinical training
as well as the cost and the location."
Downstate was close to home and offers good clinical
training."
The energy at Downstate is amazing. The staff, faculty & students
are friendly and down to earth."
Excellent reputation in preparing clinically well
rounded graduates. Affordability and location are added bonuses to
an already good choice."
For excellent clinical training and Downstate close
ties to its community."
Syracuse University / Columbia
Great clinical experience and low cost."
Touro College
MD/PHD Program."
Tufts University
Resident placement, location, success rate and alumni
were happy with Downstate & the education."
University of Chicago
Cost, location, residency matches and clinical affiliations Downstate
offers."
University of Denver
Impressive curriculum with CBL, block system and physician
shadowing. Interested in inner city and public health medicine. Once
I had actually applied and received an interview, the interview process
sealed my decision. The faculty were pleasant, the staff and students
helpful and the students were very cohesive, which is important to
me as a community."
University of Maryland
Location, convenience and cost."
The curriculum meets my needs and the location and
cost."
University of Massachusetts
SUNY Downstate is an excellent medical school that
meets my preference for public universities. In addition, the university
is located in New York, which nicely meets my personal requirements."
Early clinical experience, excellent medical education
and the offers of the MD/MPH program."
University of Miami
Cost, location, residency matches and clinical affiliations
Downstate offers."
University of Michigan
Location, price, clinical experience, teaching methods
and nice interview experience."
The clinical experience and cost."
The best education and experience in combination that
any future physician could hope to receive."
University of New Orleans
Cost, community basis and good clinical training."
University of Pennsylvania
At Downstate, I have the opportunity to work with
and work in a culturally diverse environment. In addition, the resources,
the integrated curriculum and the support groups available to me
surpass that of many other medical schools in the country."
I decided to attend SUNY Downstate for a few reasons.
First, I had heard excellent things about the clinical experience
here at Downstate and wanted to benefit from that. Secondly, SUNY
has a renowned research faculty and I wanted to have those opportunities
available to me. Third, staying in New York was very important to
me because I am married and did not want to relocate my husband.
Finally, the low cost of tuition was a big incentive in deciding
on coming to SUNY."
Its strong commitment to its community is most attractive
to me one of my career goals is to play an active part in an urban
community."
Ambience. Right in NYC."
Excellent clinical experience, friendly staff and
system based learning approach."
Hands on experience in an undeserved community."
Reputation, cost and location."
The extremely affordable tuition combined with an
extraordinary education made Downstate a top choice for me. The clinical
experience offered to first years is another attractive and unique
feature. In addition, the location is ideal for me."
University of Southern California
Great medical training a diversified patient population."
University of the Science in Philadelphia
Downstate provides the convince of being close to
home, the price is right and the quality of a New York education."
Vassar College
Great medical training a diversified patient population."
University of Southern California
The strength & diversity of curriculum,
cost, location as well as my impression of the people at the school.
After my interview, I was impressed by Downstate."
Wellesley
Great medical training a diversified patient population."
Wesleyan University
Location, cost, clinical experience and good reputation."
I was told the clinical experience ant
Downstate would be excellent and that I would see things that I’d
never see anywhere else. I also heard that the focus on research
would be minimal to nonexistent (a good thing for me)."
Williams College
Downstate’s outstanding reputation for training
excellent clinical physicians and the cost is unbeatable."
Yale University
Excellent reputation among attending physicians
and residency directors. Urban location, close to home. Student oriented
administration. Affordable in state tuition."
Yeshiva University
Downstate provides the best clinical education
in New York in an environment that emphasize learning terminology
and caring. I chose Downstate over many other schools."
Emphasis on student diversity, close to home, excellent
reputation and cheap tuition."
York College, CUNY
The staff and student body is ethnically diverse.
In addition, I will be able to experience a wonderful scholastic
and clinical training."
I want to practice medicine in NYC, so training here
in such an intense clinical arena is invaluable. Downstate has an
excellent reputation and is extremely affordable."
Reputation & clinical education."
Location (urban city) and the excellent research opportunities."
