SUNY - Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine (Brooklyn)

Negatively ☹️

3 out of 10

8 out of 10

2 out of 10

1 out of 10

The interview was fine and not stressful. It was very much based on the AMCAS, which I don't think is the best way to interview. I spent a large part of the time clarifying what exactly I was doing between specific dates (I am a postbacc) since I graduated from college. I talked about my research and the specialty I am interested in (Neurosurgery) and my interviewer told me my current grades wouldn't "cut it" to get into such a competitive specialty. She seemed to really love the school (which she thought was pretty crazy - I did too for that matter, but didn't mention it) and so did quite a few of the other interviewees. Overall, I thought the facilities were horrendous, the location is the worse ghetto you can possibly imagine, and the patient population is going to be bottom-of-barrel. If that is something that you want in a school ("gritty" is the euphemism I have heard) then this could be the place for you. The one thing it does have going for it is that the patient population is largely uninsured or medicare, etc, so medical students are allowed to "practice" on the large patient volume (which would never happen at a private hospital, for example), so you do end up leaving with a very strong set of clinical skills which will serve you well in residency. The neurosurgery program was shut down a few years ago and there is talk of reinstating it but no final word yet (for those interested in that specialty). On the up-side, the neurology residents/med students pick up a lot of the slack that neurosurgery residents would be doing so it could be a good experience. The only wireless is in the library and besides the dorms which are across the street (and you may have to share one small dorm room with another person), you will have to commute to this school because the surrounding neighborhood is depressing and mad shady. To end on a positive note, Kings County is the busiest hospital in the country. If you can grit your teeth and bear it, a medical education at Downstate can serve you well as a resident.

Clarify what you did between certain dates on your AMCAS.

Read SDN, read website for school.

What volunteer activities have you participated in? (I hadn't.)

Nothing.

The facilities are falling apart and dirty. The students didn't seem especially accomplished. The clientele consisted of uninsured "lead-pipe beatings," stab wounds, and other gang-related type violence. We didn't even get to see the library. 8 to a cadaver. The neighborhood is dangerous and there is nowhere to shop and nothing to do.

Nothing. I made a practice run down to the school previously to time how long I would need to get there. I recommend this if you are in the NYC area.

1 out of 10

1 out of 10

1 out of 10

Student

Enthusiastic

In state

2-3 hours

Train or subway

< $100