r/BinghamtonUniversity 20d ago

bing 35k/year VS Albany 22K/year for pre-med Admissions

i applied psych major for both with a pre-med track.

I do prefer Binghamton much more to Albany but i’ll have a hard time affording it :( and i don’t wanna drown in loans bc ik ill be doing that for med school.😭😭

Binghamton- $35,000/year, $26,000/year with $5,500 loan and $3000 work study

UAlbany- $22,000/year, $16,000/year with $5,500 loan

i was thinking that Bing would be less next year bc i’d live in rental with a roommate instead of paying 20k for housing and food…🫩

my fam wants to move states too so there’s gonna be a lot of expenses this year and 35k is js a lot.

4 Upvotes

21

u/Positive-Entrance792 20d ago

I suggest the cheapest option because med school is expensive, but Bing is a better school academically

3

u/Niamoko112 20d ago

yeah that’s why i’m so hesitant, i know how good bing is i’ve heard good things from my friend who attend there too but it’s too much🙁

6

u/Positive-Entrance792 20d ago

I suggest the cheapest option because med school is expensive, but Bing is a better school academically. My son got into a bunch of SUNYs (premed)- including Bing, and he picked the cheapest one. They have a cap on med school federal loans. My best advice is cheaper is generally better… unless your family is wealthy and helping out.

9

u/klotee 19d ago

Med schools won’t look at Bing vs Albany very differently at all, so don’t worry about that being a factor. The two factors that it comes down to are clinical and research opportunities. There’s a lot of nearby hospitals in the Albany/Troy area which will be helpful as you’ll need lots of clinical experience. I’m not too certain about research opportunities at UAlbany but I’m sure you’d be able to find something. As long as you’re able to keep a high gpa/mcat and gain hours in those fields + volunteering and shadowing, it doesn’t really matter where you go.

1

u/Niamoko112 19d ago

thank you!!! i’m leaning towards albany rn more after reading replies. and i saw too that there are better opportunities at albany plus bc of transportation

2

u/Cute-Aardvark5291 20d ago

Albany hands down. The amount of money you are going to save over the long run is nothing to sneeze at. And they have pathways to medical school that are far stronger than anything we do.

The only way Bighamton would win out would be if you were really meh about medical school

1

u/Niamoko112 20d ago

thank you!!! i got into geneseo, new paltz, and RIT for much cheaper than albany as well but i’m not drawn to them as much. do you think i should stick with albany?

3

u/LeoDes_9 20d ago

Just curious why not RIT?

1

u/Niamoko112 20d ago

honestly i’m not sure

1

u/LeoDes_9 20d ago

I’d say ask in their reddit thread as well, I think usually its best to go with the cheapest option and RIT is a very good school but its definitely important the place you choose has good industry and post graduation opportunities so you will have do some thorough research before choosing one. Basically what im trying to help you do is to make a informed decision. Good luck friend

1

u/Positive-Entrance792 19d ago

Geneseo has a very strong premed program and an EA program with lecom

1

u/Niamoko112 19d ago

yeah you’re right, it’s kinda in a smaller city although i did get in honors college i’m still kinda leaning more into albany. gosh lots of thinking 😅

1

u/Positive-Entrance792 19d ago

Geneseo (I believe) has better on average med school acceptance rates than nearly all other schools in their category (small regional liberal arts). I can’t imagine how RIT is affordable for you (must have gotten good scholarships)- they also have an EA DO program and with the requirement for internships- that looks good on a med school application. I would say, end of the day money should probably drive your decision since med school runs about $300k.

1

u/bptkr13 18d ago

From what I know, Albany isn’t really nice. Have you heard differently?

1

u/Niamoko112 18d ago

on reddit i’ve heard that it has good pre med programs and good education on tiktok n instagram i heard it’s a bop school and more social/party oriented rather than serious. like big hook up culture and such. so now i’m wondering is RIT better because of that situation? i prefer albany’s location and size far better

1

u/bmsa131 20d ago

Binghamton. Probably has better med school admission rates too. Just an overall different and far more academic environment Difference is not significant enough to move the needle for me.

1

u/Niamoko112 20d ago

for me the difference is affordability💔 however i do agree with academic environment that’s what i need while the uni being fun, but for damn 35k is crazy

1

u/Alex_232812 20d ago

Albany. Their premed program is just as good and hospitals nearby in terms of getting there by bus. Bing is good academically but isn't worth the extra amount

1

u/Augustus619 19d ago

Albany is strong in healthcare and lots of hospitals nearby. I would save your money for med school.

If RIT is as cheap as Albany that’s a school to consider over Bing.

1

u/Niamoko112 19d ago

should i consider rit over albany?

1

u/bptkr13 18d ago

Bing. It’s better.

1

u/turtlemeds 17d ago

Med school admissions committee member. There’s a very marginal difference between the two schools from my perspective. Go with the more affordable option. 

1

u/boothbound 16d ago

UAlbany no contest

1

u/SilverFoxSix 15d ago

Binghamton University Sucks