Hi premeds! This page serves as a high-yield resource for SUNY Downstate Medical School Admissions. The information from this page is a GOLDEN resource. We’ve compiled it from SUNY Downstate Medical School acceptance rate data, the SUNY Downstate Medical Center website, and most importantly, from SUNY Downstate med students themselves! You will have facts such as admissions statistics, but you’ll get an insider perspective about the curriculum.
SUNY Downstate is located in New York City. It is a state school and you’ll have an advantage if you have lived in New York City or are a New York State resident.
Whether you’re comparing medical schools that you have been accepted to, preparing for an interview, or wanting to learn more about SUNY Downstate Medical School, keep reading!
If you have questions about SUNY Downstate Medical School, contact us down below.
WHY CHOOSE SUNY DOWNSTATE MEDICAL SCHOOL?
The most common reasons we’ve heard from students:
- NYC – access to resources, FUN, vibrant culture
- Well thought out medical school curriculum
- Several opportunities to serve the local community
Applications
There are 4 secondary essays, so we suggest you start on them early! Although some of the essays are optional, the Cracking Med School Admissions team recommends writing an answer for all of them, unless Essay #1 does not apply to you. With each secondary essay, the goal is for the admissions committee to get to know you from various perspectives.
SUNY Downstate Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts (2019-2020):
Essay 1)If there were periods longer than 3 months, from the time you graduated from high school to now, when you were not employed full-time or in college full-time, please briefly describe your activities. (Limit 150 words)
Essay 2) If you are not attending college full time as of September 15, please describe your activities for the period September 15 to July 1. (Limit 150 words)
Essay 3)If you are not from the 5 boroughs of New York City, describe what personal, urban experiences prepare you to live and study in New York City, and what will be your personal support system. (Limit 150 words)
Essay 4)If you had a completed application to the College of Medicine in a prior application cycle, please highlight any changes since your previous application in a list with dates. (Limit 150 words)
Essay 5) If you have a specific reason why you wish to attend SUNY Downstate or a medical school in New York City, please explain. (Limit 150 words)
If you have questions about SUNY Medical School’s secondary application, email us at info@crackingmedadmissions.com or contact us.
NEED HELP WITH EDITING YOUR
SUNY SECONDARY ESSAYS?
Get the Cracking Med School Admissions team’s expertise through our secondary essay editing packages. If you have questions, email us at info@crackingmedadmissions.com or contact us.
SUNY Downstate Medical School
Interview Format
The SUNY Downstate Medical School interview is a one-on-one traditional format. Based on our students’ experiences, they ask common medical school interview questions.
To ace your traditional interview, you need to know how to answer common medical school interview questions. It’s important to practice, practice, practice.
Cracking Med Resources for Interviews:
- How to answer “Tell me about yourself” Medical School Interview Question
- How to answer “Why this Medical School?”
- 43 Questions To Ask Your Medical School Interviewers
- Download our Cracking Med School Admissions interview guide below
Contact us if you want to schedule a mock interview with our Cracking Med School Admissions team! Take a look at our interview packages.
download your interview guide
If you are prepared, the interview gives you the perfect opportunity to standout and shine by sharing with people what you are passionate about.
SUNY Downstate Medical School Acceptance Rate
SUNY Downstate does not participate in external surveys and it’s median GPA / MCAT score acceptance rate varies year by year.
From it’s school profile, the states represented in the 2018 incoming class were “California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia”
Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders
We Personally Advise Every Student We Work With
Rachel Rizal, M.D.
Changing the trajectory of people's lives
Undergraduate
Princeton University
Medical School
Stanford School of Medicine
Residency
Harvard, Emergency Medicine
Awards & Scholarships
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USA Today Academic First Team
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Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.
Advising students to attend their dream schools
Undergraduate
Johns Hopkins University
Medical School
Stanford School of Medicine
Residency
Stanford, Pediatrics
Awards & Scholarships
Marshall Scholar
Tylenol Scholarship
Global Health Scholar
Each year, the Cracking Med School Admissions team
helps students get accepted to top medical schools.
We can help you get accepted!
Contact us today.
The Insider's View on SUNY Downstate's Medical School's Pre-clinical years
How to Get Into SUNY Downstate Medical School – Know the Curriculum
SUNY Downstate Medical School Curriculum Overview:
Curriculum:
Overview:
At SUNY Downstate Medical Center, your first 1.5 years is in basic biology classes and you learn about the human body. Half of the pre-clinical curriculum is taught in organ blocks. They also give you adequate vacation time in between the units.
Pre-Clinical Years:
The first year at SUNY Downstate Medical School focuses on foundational science and normal anatomy & physiology. Interspersed throughout your pre-clinical years are clinical experiences.
The blocks during the first year of med school are:
- Human Structure and Function
- Molecules to Cells
- Infection and Host Defense
- GI, Endocrine, and reproduction
- Cardiovascular, Renal, and Respiratory
- Brain, Mind, and Behavior
Photo Credit: Curriculum Map at SUNY Downstate Medical School: https://sls.downstate.edu/admissions/_images/com_curriculum/curriculum-4-year-map.png[/caption]
How to Get Into SUNY Downstate Medical School – Know the Curriculum – Know Unique highlights about pre-clinical years:
- 1 week vacations after 1-2 pre-clinical blocks
- Organ-based system
- Opportunity to see patients
- Problem based learning classes twice a week
Taking Time Off:
Most MD candidates at SUNY Downstate Medical School graduate within 4 years. There is very little flexibility to take classes or pursue additional research during your clinical years and you have a lot of required electives, even in your fourth year.
What students are saying about SUNY Downstate Medical School
The Insider's View on SUNY Downstate Medical School's clinical Years
SUNY Downstate Medical School Clinical Curriculum:
Clinical Years:
You spend your last 2.5 years of medical school in clinical rotations. There are several required advanced clinical medicine rotations during your fourth year.
The core clinical curriculum consists of:
- Women’s Health (6 weeks)
- Pediatrics (6 weeks)
- Psychiatry (6 weeks)
- Neurology (4 weeks)
- Elective (4 weeks)
- Inpatient medicine (8 weeks)
- Primary Care (4 weeks)
- Surgery (10 weeks)
The fourth year curriculum consists of:
- Medicine or Pediatrics Sub-internship (4 weeks)
- Diagnostic Imaging (4 weeks)
- Critical Care (2 weeks)
- Translational Science (4 weeks)
- Geriatrics / Palliative Care (4 weeks)
- Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)
- Other electives (12 weeks)
How to Get Into SUNY Downstate Medical School – Know unique highlights about clinical years:
- Less elective time 4th year, but you have great rotations in geriatrics, radiology, and emergency medicine at one of the busiest hospitals.
- Community-oriented
- Culturally diverse patient population
To see the school’s residency match list, click here.
What students are saying about clinical rotations at SUNY Downstate Med
Housing
Where do students live?
Most students live in apartments near the hospital. Some students also elect to live at home if they live close by.
Getting around:
There’s great public transportation in New York City. Many students also Uber/Lyft around the city. Some students bring a car.
financing
Financial Considerations:
You can apply for grants and financial aid. There is in-state tuition for New York residents.
Cracking Med School Admissions Resources
Here are useful Cracking Med School Admissions resources:
- How To Write A Personal Statement For Medical School
- Download Cracking Med School Admission’s FREE AMCAS Activities Workbook
- Premed Timeline: Planning For Medical School Applications
Read our other popular school blogs here: