New York City can be considered a center of the educational process in the United States. According to official statistics and research, Manhattan (as one of five boroughs) spends the highest amount of expenses per pupil compared to other cities and states. Learn more at i-manhattan.
The general and accessible system of education in the city began to develop during the colonial period when the United States was not an independent state. At that time, the original system was similar to the present one. Children at the age of 6-7 had to attend school for ten to eleven years.
Medical School of the City University of New York (CUNY) is a public educational institution. The first public educational institutions began to appear in the country only in 1791. Prior to that, schools founded by churches and supported by the government spread across the United States. Read more about the history of the founding and operation of the famous School of Medicine in Manhattan.
The establishment of a School at the City University
First of all, it is worth noting that the abovementioned School of Medicine operates at CUNY. Studying the history of the whole university, you can learn more about this school. CUNY is quite a powerful source of knowledge for students. During its two-century existence, the university improved its academic programs while the teaching staff gained invaluable work experience.
Photo source: https://www.cuny.edu/
The history of the City University of New York begins in the 19th century. In 1847, the doors were first opened for citizens to receive an education. It was founded as “The Free Academy”, in which children from low-income and wealthy families studied together, behind the same desks. During the two centuries of its existence, the educational institution continued to develop. Physically, the territory was expanded, new buildings were opened and the university campus was created. From the intellectual side, heads of the department and teachers gained new experience.
CUNY School of Medicine
Now, let’s return to the medical faculty of this university. The public school, specifically as a building for the medical faculty, was established in 2015. The Medical School that started its operation in 2016 has existed since 1973 at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education. It was built in Hamilton Heights on the campus of the City College of New York (CCNY).
Founded as an institution to provide strong medical education, this school has become a unique learning environment. A special admission system was introduced here, based on a seven-year bachelor and doctoral program. The education system in this school should be mentioned as well. After completing the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program at the CCNY, the student moves to the next course at the Manhattan Medical School. It combines a bachelor’s (as a level of education) and preclinical medical education.
However, because of the strict admissions committee, it is not easy to enroll in this educational institution in New York. According to the official statistics of this school, the enrolment rate barely reaches four percent! This school can compete with the Ivy League because of such selective admission. The acceptance rate in the Ivy League is even lower.
Origin of the Medical School
The Medical School, as we know it today, opened its doors in Manhattan in 1973. At the same time, the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education was built and opened, under which this school functioned. These medical infrastructure facilities in New York were to meet the needs of people in remote areas where the necessity for primary care hospitals was only increasing.
Photo source: https://mymedschool.org/
The Medical School, administered by the Sophie Davis School, carried out an annual intake of students. Applicants had to pass exams and competitive entrance examinations. The results from secondary school were also taken into account. In view of the admission level, it is fair to say that the enrolment board of this educational institution performed its work quite conscientiously. As the quality of education improved, requirements from students increased as well.
None of the students received financial benefits, neither poor children nor wealthy ones. The requirements were such that everyone should reach the top of their mental abilities on their own while teachers would help students overcome obstacles on their way.
The only priority set by the Sophie Davis school concerns the national question and the origin of the person. The school gave preference to students who belonged to national minorities, for example, African Americans or Hispanics. Still, the educational process itself remained unchanged. Such students studied hard with the rest to achieve their goals.
As for the goal, this school trains solely primary care physicians. According to school statistics, about 40% of students manage to successfully learn the educational material and become a specialist. But others who gave up this profession had to pay some charitable contributions to support the school. This institution is named after Sophie Davis, the wife of the famous American Leonard Davis, who was a student at CCNY and one of the school’s major benefactors.
Photo source: https://en.davis.huji.ac.il/
Modern activities of the Manhattan Medical School
As mentioned above, in 2016, the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, later renamed the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program, merged with the CUNY School of Medicine. The Medical School and the Education Program complemented each other. In the first stage, the student spends three years studying in the Sophie Davis Program. Then, with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from the City College of New York, he or she will be recommended for admission directly to the School of Medicine under special conditions (applicants are exempt from entrance exams).
This School of Medicine is considered to be a kind of basis for a career as a doctor or Ph.D. During the three years of study, students learn new things and progress, master their profession and develop it. Attending this Manhattan institution provides a unique opportunity to further develop in medicine.
Photo source: https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/
Modern medical school at CUNY continues to play an important role in medicine not only in NYC but throughout the country. The fact is that the educational institution is focused on increasing the number of professional doctors in the fields of medicine that are not so common. Students can practice in the learning process and after graduation as a physician in underserved areas in New York State.
According to the official statistics of this school, over 65% of graduates of the CUNY School of Medicine become specialists in New York (it is the highest percentage among medical schools in the state). 41% of the institution’s alumni work in the field of primary care, which is also one of the highest indicators among other schools.