Comments from the Class of 2009
Albany College of Pharmacy
Plenty of Clinical Experience."
I thought it would be a great opportunity. "
Amherst College
The geographic location played a large part. I heard
great comments form former students about their experience here,
and that seemed to solidify my decision."
Barnard College
Close to good food."
I enjoyed my day here when I interviewed. I also wanted
to stay in NYC."
Close to home, cheap, great education."
Location, Great medical experience and faculty."
I live 10 minutes away from Downstate, several family
members attended Downstate medical school and residency programs.
The cultural diversity of the school."
Ben-Gurion University
I decided to attend Downstate because of the school’s
academic reputation and busy clinical facilities. Additionally, the
financial aid available makes medical school very possible."
Binghamton University (SUNY)
Brooklyn, Value, Proximity to Manhattan, home."
Close to parents."
Location, reputation, clinical exposure,
in-state tuition."
Close to home, clinical experience."
Downstate is affordable. Close to home. And has a
great reputation for clinical exposure."
Price; location, MD/MPH program in 4 years,
vicinity to home."
Boston College
More than anything it was the vibe I got when I came
for my interview. The students here just seemed relaxed and I loved
that everyone seemed to be into more than just studying 24/7. I had
to choose between Boston and New York and decided on here for the
opportunity to experience a new city."
Location close to home, more affordable tuition, reputation
as a great medical school, and knowing some students who had highly
recommended it."
Quality of clinical experience. NYC. Tuition."
Clinical Experience, location, price, location of
all my favorite fast food restaurants nearby."
Location, cost, experience."
Brandeis University
A few of my friends are students here at the College
of Medicine already, and have said many great things about the school.
The hands-on approach to learning attracted me. "
Brooklyn College (CUNY)
I decided to attend because I have lived in Brooklyn all my life
and I wanted to be close to home and my family. "
Quality of education & training. Tuition cost."
Low cost, diverse student body."
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and Downstate was
my first choice because of the diversity that it has to offer. Many
people I know also attend the medical school, so I felt very comfortable
with the environment."
‘Cause it’s cheap."
I was a student in the BA/MD program at Brooklyn College.
However, volunteering with the Arthur Ashe Institute, and getting
exposed to the emergency medicine room at Kings County also drew
me in. It was also convenient location-wise. I was acquainted with
a good number of medical students and doctors who’ve graduated
from Downstate, so I knew that I would get an amazing education here."
I decided to attend Downstate because it is very close
to home."
Brown University
Affordable price for NY residents and 6th on the nation
on placing medical school faculty."
Bryn Mawr College / Columbia Postbaccalaureate
Clinical Exposure."
Bucknell University
Serves a diverse community. Be able to obtain great
clinical experience in Brooklyn. Half the price of private medial
schools. "
Buffalo University (SUNY)
Location, cost attendance, reputation."
Carnegie Mellon University
It was in a good location."
City College of New York (CUNY)
Quite a few people in the city spoke highly of Downstate.
The price is relatively affordable for such quality of education.
The location of the school in the city is convenient because it is
close to home. "
The school was recommended to me by a friend (an MD),
who attended it years ago. He spoke very highly about it, and the
faculty. My place of residence, Queens, also influenced my decision
to attend Downstate and not other schools I was accepted to."
Colgate University
The clinical experience, attitudes of the students& alumni,
general outlook of the school. Tuition. "
It is close to Kings County Hospital, where there is the best clinical experience available. In addition, I am and will give back to my community. Finally, the school has a great location in the middle of Brooklyn close to the trains."
College of Staten Island (CUNY)
I like the fact that it is located in Brooklyn because
it makes me feel really close to home."
Reputation, Location."
College of William & Mary
Life long New Yorker, price, proximity to home, clinical
experience."
Urban educational experiences. Close to home."
Columbia University
Location, cost, network & quality. (not in any particular order)"
Close by- I love being in the area. NYC"
It is located in New York and provides opportunity
to learn in challenging and multicultural environment."
The urban location of SUNY Downstate was a very important
factor in my decision to attend. I was also interested in the clinical
experience offered here."
I liked the school and wanted to stay in NY."
I had a great interview and it was my first acceptance.
I decided to stay in New York. I really like it here, and California
was too far away from home. Location, Location, Location."
Because of the common atmosphere. The wonderful environment."
I want to learn medicine in an urban, underserved
area, because as a future MD/MPH, I want to work in this type of
community. I found the school to be welcoming and very flexible towards
MD/MPH students."
No other school offered me what Downstate could."
Great clinical program and lower tuition for in-state
residents."
Cooper Union
I decided to attend SUNY Downstate because of the
location, price and reputation of the medical college."
Cornell University
Clinical years, patient population, diversity, price,
location."
The opportunity for a great clinical experience."
Wonderful reputation & great location for clinical."
Proximity to NYC, diversity of people, opportunity
to do clinical outside US, cost, combined degree programs."
SUNY-> in state, WTC."
Great hands on opportunities, close to home, good
tuition."
Price, location and clinical experience."
Enjoyed the interview day. Good location and in-state tuition."
SUNY school, relatively cheap, great clinical exposure."
Downstate is located in NYC and is close to home.
The clinical years at Kings County and other affiliated hospitals
are great. Taking all these factors together along with the cost
of education is why I chose to attend Downstate."
SUNY Downstate caters to the people I am most interested
in working with, the Hispanic and Caribbean community. This was my
main motivation to become a doctor. That, coupled with the great
opportunities provided with being in NYC."
I wanted to be in an area where I would get a great
clinical experience. Downstate has awesome opportunities to see a
wide variety of medical cases with a lot of early hands on experience."
Born and raised in New York. Wanted to go to school
close to my family. The education is a great value. I also wanted
to work with an underserved population."
SUNY Downstate has a great reputation for their clinical education.
I also liked the idea of being in New York City."
Good clinical exposure."
From the schools, I was accepted to, Downstate was
the best choice as far as cost, location, and diversity of the student
body and population of community being served. (not in any order
of importance)."
Close to home, good chance to get a great urban learning
experience, especially clinical."
I decided to attend Downstate because of its location,
the diversity of the school and the price."
I came for the clinical experience, diversity and
its proximity to New York City."
Cornell University / NYU
Location-Urban and close proximity to family and significant
other. Wanted to practice in Large city and thought that people had
great things to say about the clinical experience. "
Dartmouth College
Reputation for excellent clinical experience close
to home, friends and family."
Drexel University
I’m a NYS resident, so the school is close to
home and the tuition is more affordable. The clinical experience
is supposed to be great here. I know many alumni who recommended
the school."
Emory
Basically, I was choosing between Downstate and [another
school]. I really wanted to be in an urban setting since I am planning
on continuing to live in an urban area. Downstate seemed to be a
much better fit with the opportunities it will present in the future
and of course now, for doing well in the Residency Match."
Florida International University
Location, good clinical exposure, diversity of students
and patients."
Fordham University
It’s in Brooklyn."
For its great diversity & emphasis on research
investigation. The urban environment & the immense experience
accrued are also major factors in attending SUNY Downstate."
George Washington University
I wanted to couple my love of science with my desire
to help others. I chose Downstate because of the availability of
clinical experience."
I decided to attend SUNY Downstate because of its
reputation for clinical training."
Love the area and block centered curriculum."
Hunter College (CUNY)
Basically, I was choosing between Downstate and [another
school]. I really wanted to be in an urban setting since I am planning
on continuing to live in an urban area. Downstate seemed to be a
much better fit with the opportunities it will present in the future
and of course now, for doing well in the Residency Match."
Emory
Good Primary Care Training, Low tuition, location."
Location NYC."
Very diverse population in the area. This institution
is known for its clinical medicine."
John Hopkins University
Wanted to stay in NY, great clinical education."
In-state tuition and the promise of exceptional clinical
years brought me here."
Down to earth faculty & students. Emphasis on
serving undeserved population. Reputation for unique clinical exposure."
Lehman College (CUNY)
The diverse nature of the students & faculty body
is very attractive to me. I also learned of the excellent clinical
experience I would gain prior to the clinical rotation and more importantly,
the experience that would help during the residency. I also like
the idea of staying close to home."
I wanted to study & work on a familiar and diverse
area. The school is known for its reputation and I thought it would
be a good experience. Downstate is also close to home."
Manst College
Clinical Experience."
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Great school, in-state tuition, friendly faculty and
staff, students very interested in learning, and happy to be at Downstate."
McGill University
Price, location, clinical exposure."
I applied to SUNY for the opportunity to study medicine
in NYC. I feel that NYC will give me great clinical experience, especially
working with the underserved. I also chose SUNY for tuition purposes
it is a state school."
Medgar Evers College (CUNY)
Downstate’s clinical experience is second to
none. I’ve heard great things from Alumni and their mission
fits my personal goals."
New York Institute of Technology
Clinical diversity and affordability."
New York University
I decided to attend SUNY Downstate of its location,
price and reputation."
Father attended, Close to home."
Great location (close to Manhattan), wanted to learn
medicine in an urban environment, good academic reputation."
Downstate offers a great clinical experience, excellent
teaching and a great price for state residents."
I decided to attend SUNY Downstate because it has
an excellent educational program and affordable tuition. I am a NY
resident. I was actually born at Kings County Hospital. I grew up
in East New York, Brooklyn, and I would like to practice community
medicine in the area. Thus Downstate was the best choice for me."
Good clinical experience, close to home."
It’s in NYC."
Clinical, tuition, location."
I wanted clinical experience. Your school offers the
best to that field. I am slightly excited to find out the best in
the next few semesters."
I got a very good impression of the school from my
interview. Everyone was very friendly and helpful and overall. I
got the best vibe from Downstate compared to any other school I interviewed
at. I also like the location, cost and clinical experience that we
will receive here."
Good Tuition, Good location (Wanted to stay in NYC
and I live in Manhattan). Liked the school at interview (very friendly)."
I decided to attend Downstate because of its proximity
to my family and friends who all live in Brooklyn. The good education
it offers and because I’m cheap."
Location, clinical experience, residency match list,
tuition. Students seemed happy and down to earth interview."
I decided to attend Downstate because it’s a
very diverse environment. Also, Downstate has a great reputation
with many residency program directors. The students at Downstate
seem very warm and cooperative. This is the type of environment I
wanted to be in for 4 years."
I wanted to stay in Brooklyn!"
The neighborhood surrounding Downstate offers a unique
experience. The reputation of Downstate was also important."
Northwestern University
Due to the strength of the clinical training as well
as the strength of the family."
Penn State University
Location, tuition, close to home."
Pomona College
The opportunity to be trained in & be involved
in a community that has a real need for services. Also, the curriculum & focus
on hands-on training was key. Next=Location! I love Brooklyn and
I’m excited to plant roots here."
Princeton University
Close to friends and family. A great school."
Location, tuition, good education."
Queens College (CUNY)
I decided to attend the College of Medicine at SUNY Downstate because
the curriculum appealed to me, it was cheap and close to home."
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
This school has the most clinical experience opportunity
of any school I was interested in. It was also the closest to home
and had the cheapest tuition. Most importantly, however, was that
this school is made for people like myself; a first generation under-represented
college student."
St. John’s University
The diverse student/faculty population. I know a 4th
year and she can only speak highly of the school & it’s
academic environment. Location= > New York,."
I chose Downstate because of its excellent clinical
training and cultural diversity."
Stanford University
Great education for an affordable price. 4 Yr MD/MPH
program. Exposure and direct contact with urban communities. Mobility
between the 5 boroughs. The experience of living in New York City."
Location in NYC and close to home. Great experience
during rotations."
Downstate has an excellent reputation as far as producing
excellent physicians. The location is perfect, it is in a melting
pot, so the experience & exposure to so many cultures will be
beneficial. In addition Downstate is close to home."
I decided to come to Downstate because of its relative affordability,
proximity to family and its opportunity to interact with a diverse
patient population."
The best clinical experience. Best education value."
SUNY Downstate is a wonderful teaching institution.
The surrounding diverse community offers great opportunities for
learning and patient care/education."
For its clinical exposure throughout all the years
of attending Downstate and for its low tuition."
I did research at Downstate when I was in high school.
I’ve also I lived in Brooklyn all my life and that was another
important connection. It’s a great education at an affordable
price in the greatest borough in the world."
I have been living in Brooklyn since birth. So Brooklyn
is home to me. It is truly an honor to care for the community."
Location, patient population, education, reputation
state school."
I decided to attend this school because of its reputation,
promise of hands-on learning experience and finally because it allows
me to live in NYC."
SUNY Albany
I have family and friends living in New York and wanted
to be close to that support system. The Brooklyn area is one with
a large Caribbean population and that was also important to me."
SUNY Downstate
Location and Price."
Swarthmore College
In-state tuition, location near family and friends,
I like Brooklyn, good experience visiting for an interview. Heard
good things about the type of people who attend Downstate, good clinical
experience."
You accepted me. I wanted to live in the city for
a few years."
Syracuse University
The school’s reputation. The location."
If you can make it in New York City, you can make
it anywhere. There is so much diversity in patients and diseases
that I will see and experience things people at other schools only
read about. New York City also has a lot to offer as far as culture
and other developing experiences."
Touro College
I chose Downstate because - Great reputation, nearest
to home, low cost, father’s residency and former faculty here."
Tufts University
In-state tuition, organ based system curriculum, NYC,
Kings County Hospital."
Union College
Location."
University of California - Berkeley
Location, Clinical experience, diversity of class."
Supportive Atmosphere (faculty, peers). Explore the
wonders of New York City."
University of California – Los Angeles
Tuition, City Life"
The school really gives you a chance to serve all
different types of people. Being so close to Manhattan is awesome.
Also you can’t beat the price."
University of California - San Diego
Reputation as a great med school with opportunities
for hands on experience."
University of Chicago
I loved the idea of a systems based approach to medicine,
and the clinical exposure is second to none."
University of Delaware
Excellent reputation, location and curriculum."
University of Miami
It was the only viable option that offered me a metropolitan
atmosphere with an attitude."
University of Michigan
I applied here originally because I wanted to go out
of state and be in an urban area."
Clinical experience, Location & $$$."
University of Minnesota / Boston University
I heard fantastic things about the clinical program-
i.e, the amount of hands-on clinical experience at SUNY Downstate
is unparallel compared to other institutions."
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
For the clinical experience, the location of NYC,
price, in state."
I liked the atmosphere when I came for my tour, and
I liked the organ-system teaching approach. Brooklyn was also a big
factor, wanted to be in the city."
SUNY Downstate has a great reputation and is located
in a very diverse and exciting city. I wanted to experience treating
an urban population."
University of Notre Dame
I wanted to learn medicine in an urban setting."
University of Pennsylvania
Downstate offered good clinical experience. It is
close to home. Financially, Downstate was a good fit for me."
I decided to attend because of location and cost."
I decided to attend Downstate because I know that
I will gain excellent clinical experience and work closely with physicians."
Great clinical training, chance to live in NYC and
experience what it has to offer."
Early clinical experience, close to home."
Great school. Hands-on educational experience. Great
location."
University of Rochester
Location, Cost."
University of Virginia
Clinical experience, New York City medical school.
In state tuition."
Vassar College
I decided to attend the College of Medicine at SUNY
Downstate Medical Center for the unsurpassed clinical experience
and education."
Washington University
The organ based program seemed more interesting than
the traditional program. I liked the urban location on campus."
Good school, good place."
Wellesley College
I liked the block system and loved my tour."
Wesleyan University
I liked what I had heard and learned about the program
here at Downstate. When I visited, I liked the attitude of the students
I had met. Also, even as someone coming from out of state, the cost
was a large factor."
Williams College
Location-I’m from the suburbs and was looking
for something new. Reputation- the school does well on the boards & matches
well. Interview- staff was very friendly & welcoming"
Yale University
Excellent clinical training. I am interested in working
with a diverse patient population. Also, my mentor attended SUNY
Downstate, and encouraged me to apply. He was very influential towards
me."
It’s very close to my family and I wanted to
receive medical training in the New York City area. After my interview,
I also became very interested in the many clubs and non-academic
programs available."
