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MCC Daily Tribune

Number of Applications to SUNY's Four Medical Schools Rise Amid Pandemic

Sharp Rise in Applications Part of National Trend and Attributed to SUNY’s Pivotal Role in Treating and Studying Coronavirus, Leading Vaccine Trials, and Creating World’s Top Ranked Saliva Test

Yesterday, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced a significant year-over-year surge in M.D. program applications to SUNY’s four medical schools. Compared to the number of applications received in 2019, the University at Buffalo, Upstate Medical University, Stony Brook University, and Downstate Health Sciences University all experienced a notable spike in M.D. applications in 2020.

SUNY M.D. Program Application Increase Breakdown:

  • University at Buffalo: 40 percent
  • Upstate Medical University: 26.2 percent
  • Stony Brook University: 13.5 percent
  • Downstate Health Sciences University: 8.5 percent

The uptick in applications to SUNY’s four medical schools is part of a broader nationwide trend. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), medical school applications are up 18 percent over the last year thanks in large part to the example set by medical workers, doctors, and public health figures.

“The unwavering commitment of doctors and public health experts to providing care, vital information, solace, and hope during the darkest moments of this pandemic has been a profoundly inspiring experience for us all,” said Chancellor Malatras. “It has also served as an awakening and turning point for many young people who are now motivated to join the ranks. From being on the frontlines in March and developing the world’s top-ranked saliva test, to cutting edge research about how the virus behaves and leading trials for the Pfizer vaccine—our physicians and physician-scientists have been at the very forefront of understanding, treating, and eradicating this deadly virus. M.D. applications are up because more people are seeing what we are capable of, and know that there is no better place to learn and launch their medical careers.”

Back in April at the height of the pandemic and pursuant to an executive order signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, 227 medical students from Upstate Medical University, Downstate Health Sciences University, and Stony Brook University graduated early in order to work on the frontlines and provide much-needed relief at overwhelmed hospitals. Many were assigned to hospitals in the New York City Metropolitan area, the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. ...

SUNY Health encompasses four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, the state’s only college of optometry, and 37 other campuses dedicated to health professions and services. Together, SUNY Health graduates more than 11,000 health professionals every year, including one of every three medical school graduates, nearly one of every three nursing graduates, and one of every four dentists in the state.

The full release is available online.

Rosanna Yule
Government and Community Relations
12/23/2020