SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, also known as SUNY Downstate Medical Center or Downstate, is a public medical school and hospital located in New York City. The institution is among the 64 schools that make up the State University of New York (SUNY) system. It is also the only academic medical center for health education, research, and patient care that caters to the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn.
Downstate’s stature as the sole academic medical center established in Brooklyn plays a crucial role in its reputation in clinical, translational, and public health research. As an integrated entity, the school’s research spans the entire spectrum—bringing together different scientists, clinical researchers, and practitioners who have common interests.
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at SUNY Downstate Medical Center is 14%. This means that out of 100 applicants, only 14 gain admission to the school—making it extremely selective. In order to pass the first round of the school’s filters, applicants must first meet their SAT and ACT requirements, as well as present a GPA that meets the school’s standards. Showing exemplary credentials proves a student’s academic preparation for the university’s rigorous academics and training.
Admitted Students Profile
As of Fall 2018, the university had a total student body of 1,846 and around 8,000 faculty and staff members. Based on the number of alumni who are on the faculty of American medical schools, SUNY Downstate ranks eighth nationally. In fact, more physicians practicing in New York City graduated from Downstate compared to any other medical school. With 1,040 residents or young physicians undergoing training, the school’s residency program is recognized as the 16th largest in the United States.
Tuition Figures
According to 2019 statistics, the undergraduate tuition and fees of SUNY Downstate Medical Center amount to $7,274 for New York residents and $16,924 for students living outside the state. For the graduate programs, the tuition and fees are $11,474 for New York residents and $22,814 for students from other areas.
An average of 111 students or 49.33% of the enrolled undergraduates have obtained scholarships or grants as a form of financial aid with an approximate amount of $5,703.
Location
Downstate Medical Center is located at 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, New York City. It houses the College of Medicine, Colleges of Nursing and Health Related Professions, Schools of Graduate Studies and Public Health, and University Hospital of Brooklyn. The school also has its own major research complex and state-of-the-art biotechnology facilities.
Academics
Downstate offers upper-division transfer and post-baccalaureate programs that cater to future health professionals. Professional education is provided in majors like Accelerated BS in Nursing, RN-BS, Diagnostic Medical Imaging, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant.
There are also MS degree programs in Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Therapy, Medical Informatics, and Public Health. Meanwhile, doctoral-level programs equip research medical scientists, medical doctors, and public health professionals with the preparation they need for higher learning.
Downstate serves as the fourth-highest recipient of grants among the 64 SUNY campuses. In 2011, the total of sponsored research programs—including those with funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), DARPA, and private foundations—amounted to a total of $60 million. It’s also worth noting that Downstate is the only Brooklyn-based healthcare facility that holds the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology.
In addition, SUNY Downstate College of Medicine has an Integrated Pathways curriculum that focuses on multiple core competencies such as Medical Knowledge, Systems-Based Practice, Professionalism, Interpersonal & Communications, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, and Patient Care. Each of these competencies should be completed in order for an individual to be granted an M.D.
There are many pathways to graduation offered by the college of medicine. These include joint degree programs such as MD/Ph.D., MD/MPH, MD Medical Educators Pathway, MD Clinical Neuroscience Pathway, and MD Global Health Pathway.
Meanwhile, clinical year students are required to rotate at various hospitals that include University Hospital of Brooklyn (In-house), Kings County Hospital (In-house)—the only level 1 pediatric trauma center in Brooklyn, Downstate at Bay Ridge (In-house), Brooklyn Veterans Administration Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, North Shore University Hospital, Staten Island University Hospital, and New York Methodist Hospital.
Student Life
At SUNY Downstate, clubs and organizations for students are not limited to the college of medicine. These groups also involve other schools that compose SUNY Downstate such as the College of Health Related Professions (CHRP), College of Nursing, School of Graduate Studies and School of Public Health. Organizations cater to a wide range of interests such as music, ethics, human rights, ethnic dialogues, and global health among many other things.
Downstate takes pride in having a diverse educational and clinical environment of students who come from different corners of the world. Students form a close bond with faculty members who are always willing to provide mentorship in all aspects of their education.
To give students a more comfortable stay in the campus, there are on-campus housing, computer labs, wireless capabilities, and two residential towers. With more than 40 student groups and recreational opportunities, students may take part in different cultural and social activities. New York City is also easily accessible through public transportation, so getting around the campus and the city itself won’t be a problem for students.
Athletics
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Notable Alums
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University had served as a second home to many well-known personalities in the medical field. Below are the school’s most prominent graduates:
- Julius Lempert, father of modern otology
- Mestel, a pioneer in the field of pediatric surgery, especially known for the first successful separation of Ischiopagus Tripus conjoined twins
- Susan Love, a prominent advocate of preventive breast cancer research, currently Professor of Surgery at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
- Adrian Kantrowitz, inventor of the intra-aortic balloon pump and left ventricular assist device. His team performed the first pediatric heart transplant at Maimonides Medical Center.
Learn more about the other SUNY colleges. Each SUNY has its own unique offerings, campus and academic requirement.
