Entering Class Fall 2006 / Graduating 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 unparalleled."
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 Health Sciences University 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 Health Sciences University 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 Health Sciences University 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."