Comments from the Class of 2010
Amherst College
Downstate’s reputation for excellence in clinical
medicine education was the primary reason for my decision to attend
the school."
I am impressed with the school’s credentials.
I also find the location convenient, since I am a Brooklyn resident."
Barnard College
I wanted to be in New York, grew up in Brooklyn, looking
for a diverse school."
Downstate is close to home and you can’t beat
the price. I also loved how [they] developed the website for their
students, I figured that if the website was so helpful, they would
be even more supportive in person."
I love East Flatbush!"
Baruch College
I decided to attend Downstate because I’ve been
told by many students that Downstate has the best clinical experience."
The tuition is inexpensive, and it is in New York
City. I love NYC;) everything is very convenient in NYC."
Binghamton University
They let me in."
Downstate has a great reputation of
graduating great doctors. The location and tuition, can it be beat.
Everyone is very nice."
Boston College
Clinical education, location, tuition, systems –based
curriculum."
Brandeis University
Best option out of all med schools
b/c of proximity to home, price and quality of educators."
Great interview, tuition discount after my first
year, urban setting, NYC has many top-notch hospitals."
Good location for clinical experience.
Good residency placement. Close to Manhattan. Nice people."
The opportunity to study medicine
in NYC was very exciting for me. In addition, I believe the clinical
experiences at Downstate are unparallel."
Brigham Young University
Studying medicine in New York City."
Brooklyn College
SUNY Downstate Medical School has an excellent reputation
and I knew that I would be receiving a great education here. I also
viewed it as an opportunity to hone my skills of working with a diverse
urban population. The fact that is close to home is an extra plus."
I was in a summer program there at Downstate. I lived
in N.Y, great school. The cost is fair and student diversity."
Downstate offers a uniquely diverse population to
learn in medicine is a field that requires the ability to interact
effectively with all people. The environment that Downstate has to
offer allows for great acceptance of those around us. Furthermore
Downstate’s
urban environment allows for experiences otherwise difficult to gain."
I have always lived in Brooklyn and wanted to serve
Brooklyn communities and the less privileged members of Brooklyn.
I intend to remain in Brooklyn and pursue a practice in pediatrics.
Attending Downstate will provide me with the necessary resources
and excellent practice."
I live in Brooklyn and Downstate’s location,
academic excellence, and great tuition prices all appeal to me."
I chose Downstate through the BA-MD program in high
school."
Great clinical experience, diverse student body, low
tuition. The location offers unique opportunities to learn medicine
in a culturally diverse setting."
Brooklyn College’s BA/MD Program."
I decided to attend Downstate because I think this
school offers excellent clinical training, which is the most important
part of training to become a physician."
Location, educational program set-up."
SUNY Downstate is a great school. I love the clinical
exposure that I will receive at this school. The location is great
because it is located in the heart of Brooklyn. I’m happy to
be here.
I am part of a medical program with SUNY Downstate
and because the school provides a great education."
Convenient location, great education and more affordable.
During my undergraduate education, I shadowed a physician at NY Presbyterian
Hospital who ranted & raved about Downstate’s clinical training.
The clinical experience gained here is highly regarded. And it is in the clinical
setting where physicians gain a lot of insight."
I got an overwhelming sense of the administration
and faculty willingness to help. The academic atmosphere is much
more hands on and supportive than other schools."
Great area. Nice, friendly people. Low tuition. Close
to family, friends."
The diversity of people I expect to meet as patients
and / or mentors / friends is unparalleled by another medical school.
Brooklyn and New York are great places to live. Downstate’s
focus on patient care and learning the art of medicine from the beginning
of the medical school career has also been an important factor."
Brown University
Good education, close to home and I like what they’re
about."
Location. Reputation-I know both alumni and current
students. Cost."
Location – proximity to home. Clinical exposure.
Cost."
I chose SUNY Downstate because it provides excellent
clinical experience, its proximity to home and New York City and
low cost."
It’s an American Medical School with the reputation
and connections that will open up options for residency programs.
It is in a great location and tuition is more affordable for N.Y
residents."
Colgate University
I decided to attend SUNY Downstate because I felt
that its geographical location and reputation promised both a thorough
basic science and clinical education. It was also strongly recommended
by both my pre-med adviser and a good friend who was a 2nd year.
Additionally I wanted to remain close to family in the New York area."
Columbia University
I got in."
Very good clinical experience and teaching, also a
good location."
Great clinical education (student tour guides really
sold this well). Comfort of staying in New York City (lived here
for over a decade). Best medical accepted."
Big class, great clinical opportunities, fun times!"
So I can live at home."
Seemed like a friendly diverse place where you get
a great deal of clinical exposure. Plus in-state tuition is nice."
I chose Downstate for the excellent clinical training,
NY city location, and proximity to home."
I chose Downstate for the excellent clinical training,
NY city location, and proximity to home."
Cooper Union
Great school! Many of my friends & family have
attended Downstate; all of them have had great experiences here."
Cornell University
Systems – based curriculum. New York City location.
In-state tuition."
The location allowed me to be close to my boyfriend.
I wanted to keep my loans low and so SUNY Schools were my top choice.
Downstate has a huge patient population and I can see a large variety
of diseases and healing issues."
Cost, family, location."
Downstate COM has an excellent reputation for providing
high quality instruction to its students. It is well known for its
clinical exposure, contributing to a well rounded, comprehensive
learning experience.
They say that medical school is a challenge, then in the words of George W. Bush “Bring
it on”.
Great reputation and in NYC, my interview day was
great. Lower tuition because it is a state school."
I really liked the fact that the school was in an urban area. Not only will the
patients be from many backgrounds, our fellow classmates will be diverse.
Because of the organ based learning curriculum and early hands-on clinical experience."
Location – close to home, in a city setting, reputation of the school.
Affiliated with HHC hospital. Urban healthcare exposure."
It’s in Brooklyn! It also seemed to have unrivaled clinical opportunities.
The price is the icing on the cake."
Cheap tuition. Location – New York City Area. Patient diversity.
I liked the location in Brooklyn, as well as the opportunity for good exposure
to clinical experiences."
In state tuition. Diversity student body & patient population. Excellent
reputation for clinical training. Location in NYC."
Aside from the in-state tuition, I liked the location
of the school, the hands-on clinical exposure, and the neurosciences
pathway."
Cost. Close to home. Diversity of patient population.
Early clinical experience."
CUNY College of Staten Island
Early Assurance program at College. Loved when I visited.
Spoke to students of Downstate and they were very happy. Lived locally – good
location, great education."
Dartmouth College
Clinical training and Brooklyn are nice. And, very
frankly, you can’t beat the price. From working at Wingate
[High School], I knew the commute. Now in the morning I know my best
route. Though I’ve heard other schools may have higher ratings,
the way I believe it, you can’t beat this training."
It’s a break from the monotonous rural college."
Duke University
The greatest influence in my decision was my brother’s
great experience here (Class of 2006) and his success in attaining
one of his top choice residencies."
The medical school and its community are extremely
diverse, and I wanted to work in a low-income area."
Was accepted, clinical diversity, City atmosphere."
Affordable and close to home. Heard great things about
3rd & 4th years."
Emory University
The location, near NYC and close to home, the reputation,
and clinical experience lent to my decision to attend SUNY Downstate."
Safe location."
Fordham University
Location – diversity, inner city. Residency
matches."
It seemed like a nice environment and I liked the
academic schedule. It was also a convenient location."
The reason I decided to attend the college of medicine at SUNY Downstate
Medical Center because it is close to home. I really did not want
to dorm and I’ve been attending various programs here at Downstate.
The amount of support I obtained during these programs I don’t
think I would find anywhere else."
Georgia Tech
I wanted to be in NYC and it has great experience."
Georgetown University
I decided to attend SUNY Downstate because of its
location and tuition."
Clinical experience. Strong residency matches. Diversity
of population (patients & students)."
Haverford College
Excellent faculty; superb clinical experience."
Hunter College
I feel that is the best way to utilize all my skills
and life objectives."
Over at the hallmarks of Downstate’s alumni
philosophy is the clinical advances made in medicine. Also I can’t
imagine residing in another city than New York. Then, I will be exposed
to the most diversity and best training in the industry."
The school is in a neighborhood that I lived in for
the last eight years. It has a good reputation and it is in the ideal
location."
James Madison University
I decided to attend Downstate because of the opportunity
for early clinical expose, the location in New York City, and the
mission of the school/hospital to serve underinsured people."
Johns Hopkins University
Location, organ-system-based curriculum format."
Lehman College
I decided to attend the college of medicine at SUNY
Downstate Medical Center because it seems like the friendliest institution
out of all that I visited. I felt that Downstate would make me feel
most comfortable in my transition into medical school. Nevertheless,
it is close to home. I live 10 blocks away, so I am already well
acquainted."
Lewis & Clark College
Clinical training. Diversity. Opportunity for training
with underserved population. Location. Price."
Villanova University
Location / Price."
Marist College
The unparalleled clinical opportunities combined with
the location and proximity to the city."
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Diversity of clinical experience. Reasonable tuition.
Rotations."
Middlebury College
Location, clinical exposure, diversity and all for
the right price."
New York University
I decided to come to SUNY Downstate because of its
close proximity to NYC where I hope to do my Residency and future
Medical practice."
Location. Money. Few acceptances."
This is the only school where I was accepted. Great
Emergency Med Reputation. Cheap!"
In NYC. Great clinical experience. Recommended by
a doctor I know."
I liked the family-like feeling of the school, and
I also liked the amount of help given to the students. It’s
in Brooklyn & its affordable."
The location was a large incentive in coming to SUNY
Downstate. Also, the cost for out-of-state residents is much smaller
than at other schools, and the tuition in general is quite low. Finally,
the school has a good reputation. I have several friends who attended
here."
I live in Brooklyn so it is very close."
Northwestern
Excellent clinical reputations. Strong Professors
and great environment, close to New York."
Close to home, clinical experience in NYC."
Location, price, curriculum, community served. Linkage
program with post-bac program."
Pomona College
Great school reputation of students getting good residency
placements."
Penn State
I love SUNY Downstate, Kings County, and Brooklyn
in general."
Queens College
It’s very close to where I live, not expensive,
and has a great clinical program.
"
Rutgers University
I wanted an urban school where I could have a variety
of experiences with a more reasonable tuition."
I liked the blocked scheduling to the clinical experience
they offer."
Santa Clara University
Because Brooklyn RULES!!! "
Skidmore College
I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. Being trained
at a prestigious medical institution was a priority, so I feel lucky
to be a student at Downstate."
Located in NYC. Great reputation for clinical. People
were really friendly at my interview & students seemed to love
the school."
Stanford University
People. Clinical experience. Money."
Good clinical experience in low-income
area. Good location (close to Manhattan)."
Location to large urban environment,
clinical training, cost."
St. John’s University
I was exposed to the medical field as a child because
I was constantly sick. Growing up in Ecuador, I also realized how
important and needed medical care is in some areas. Hence, I wish
to become a doctor in order to help those in need and because I have
a deep passion for the sciences. I cannot picture myself in any other
field!!!!"
Stony Brook University
I have been doing summer programs here since my freshman
year in college and I really enjoyed it. I like the diversity, the
cost and being close to home."
Downstate has a reputation for providing an excellent
clinical experience and it is located in one of the most diverse
cities in the world."
Proximity to home. Price. Reputation of hands on experience."
It’s nice place and close to my family."
The clinical experience that SUNY Downstate provides
is unparalleled. Ultimately I was looking to join an institution
that would provide me with a strong training in both academics and
clinical practice. Also, SUNY Downstate also has a rich history of
community service, a cause very close to my heart."
The location, clinical experiences, basketball and
weight lifting facilities near the dorms, diversity."
I decided to attend SUNY Downstate College of Medicine
for several reasons: amongst them are its diverse student body and
its commitment to serving those who are socially and/or economically
disadvantaged."
Diversity of the student population. Great
curriculum. Emphasis on clinical medicine. Cooperation among students.
I chose Downstate because of its location
and the wonderful things I heard about the clinical experience here."
Close to home. Diversity of class. Highly
touted clinical experience."
I decided to come here because of the diverse
patient population. I want to have a diverse experience and have
more of a hands-on experience with the patients."
SUNY Albany
Clinical experience. Downstate offers some of the
best clinical experience of any medical school in the country. Plus,
it’s the only medical school in the best Boro of the city,
Brooklyn."
tuition, close to home, I like Brooklyn,
diverse patient population, diverse classes and faculty. I also love
New York."
SUNY Binghamton University
The deciding factor when choosing between Downstate
and other medical school I was accepted to was the diversity of the
student body, employees and patient population. As a New Yorker,
I felt at home."
I decided to attend SUNY Downstate Medical
Center because it is a great school at an even better price."
Four reasons: excellent clinical experience;
close to home; financial reasons."
Syracuse University
Great education, particularly clinical exposure. In-state
tuition."
The Catholic University Of America
Reputation, location and tuition."
Touro College
Great school, lots of diversity. Block system, New
York City."
I wanted a school with a strong clinical
education; I also wanted to stay in Brooklyn, where I have lived
my entire life."
UCLA
New York. Clinical experience."
I loved what I learned about the school during my
interview."
Diversity. Amazing patient contact."
I wanted to go to a great school and study
in an urban and diverse environment."
It’s in New York, and it has a great clinical
experience."
University Of California
Diverse, urban and immigrant patient population, similarly
diverse student body. Great location."
NYC is an exciting place to practice and Downstate
students are very diverse."
University Of Colorado
Superior clinical experience. Location. Close to friends
and family. "
University Of Connecticut
Wanted to stay in New York. Clinical experience (interested
in emergency med). Public school tuition. Friendliness of staff /
students. Reputation and recommendations by doctors."
University Of Iowa
I wanted to go to school in New York City and Downstate
offered a wonderful opportunity to study in the city with a very
diverse class and patient population. Also as an out of state student
the opportunity to receive in-state tuition after one year was very
appealing."
University of Maryland
Wanted to live in New York. Got in off wait list."
University of Michigan
he only school I got into! I’m excited to be
in New York City and be among motivated students."
Strength of clinical education. CBL work. Location."
Clinical experience. Located in Brooklyn."
University of North Carolina
Desire to live in NYC and large catchments area at
hospital (greater chance of seeing rare conditions)."
University of Notre Dame
Downstate has an excellent reputation for clinical
excellence. The location was also a major factor given that I was
born and raised in Brooklyn."
University of Pennsylvania
Because it was in NY and was in a linkage program
from my postbac studies."
Location in NYC. Great clinical training. In-state
tuition."
Tuition was cheap compared to private institutions.
I heard great things about the hands on experiences. Individuals
I met seemed down to earth and extremely friendly."
I wanted to be in a city & pay state tuition.
There is a lot of clinical experience. Neuroscience pathway."
Location. Quality of education
esp. in regard to clinical exposure. In-state tuition."
I enjoyed the emphasis
on the practice of medicine as an “art” and the personal
aspect of medicine in addition to the science. I am also very excited
to be in NYC."
University of Pittsburgh
Atmosphere, location, clinical training, MD/PhD. Diversity
of class, match list."
University of Rochester
Location in NYC. Friendly atmosphere. Available dorms."
University of California at Berkeley
It offered me an opportunity to obtain two degrees."
University Of San Diego
It’s in a big city. There’s a diversity
of students and patients. Wanted to see what’s like to live
in New York. MPH program included in 4 years."
University Of Wisconsin
Location, tuition, program, clinical experience."
Vassar College
I liked the school when I visited. It is more affordable
than most other schools, especially for a NY resident."
Villanova University
I decided to attend Downstate because I wanted to
be at a school in an urban area, close to home. I live in Staten
Island, about 40 minutes away so this was perfect. Also I wanted
to go to a school attached to a good ER and I knew Kings County is
one of the best in the world."
The only school I was accepted
to."
Washington University
I thought the students I met on my interview day and
other visiting days were people I wanted as my colleagues. Kings
County Hospital will offer many opportunities for learning."
Wellesley College
I wanted to be in New York and the fact that I would
be considered a resident after one year was a major factor."
Wheaton College
Clinical experience within multicultural and underserved
urban communities."
I chose to attend because of: cost;
clinical experience; location."
Williams College
I chose to come to Downstate because it will provide
exposure to a diverse population and an abundance of different medical
situations. It is also close to home."
I wanted to go somewhere where I’d get the most
hands on experience with patients."
Willamette University
I liked the atmosphere and I wanted the opportunity
of studying in New York."
Yale University
The opportunity to study medicine in an urban area.
(I’m interested in public health) and the hands-on clinical
experience."
Yeshiva University
Wonderful reputation. Great location."
Location, financial, schooling."
