Are there any current students who might be able to speak to the differences between UofA Tucson and Phoenix? Is there anyone who was accepted to both schools? How did you decide which campus to attend and why did you choose it? Also, I know neither campus has lots of money to give students for scholarships, but does anyone have an idea if there is a significant difference in aid awards?
Thanks for your help!
As a current student, I would like to emphasize exactly the statement above from thephoenixrises.
Because I don't go to PHX, I can't help you with specifics there, but I can help you with what I do know.
1. As many already know, Phoenix is having some accreditation issues. They are working very hard to fix these--and will likely keep accreditation--but you should be informed. I suggest you do your own research on this and make your own opinion.
2. UACOM's merging with Banner means a new hospital + college of medicine campus at Tucson. PHX, on the other hand, will expand its connection to more hospitals (on that note, you can't beat walking down a hall to shadow the next surgery/whatever you want).
More specifics on Tucson (again, I can't tell you much on PHX because I don't have experience there):
1. Attached hospital means REAL patient interaction on DAY 1. I kid you not; you may have been an undergraduate student (or whatever path you took) 3 months ago, but all of a sudden you are allowed to work with real patients. My friends at PHX have only worked with standardized patients thus far (which is useful, but in no way the same as a real patient experience).
2. Attached hospital means plenty of opportunities to volunteer for free clinics almost right away (I was trained to give shots, take blood samples, etc. before we had even learned how to perform a physical in school). I'm told (and it's pretty self-explanatory) that nothing can prepare you for 3rd year clerkships like hands-on clinical experience your first two years.
3. The school is NOT perfect, but they do everything in their power to fix their shortcomings. That often means mandatory surveys for students on every professor, every subject, etc. But I would MUCH rather they take our feedback and actually implement positive changes than not care at all. Ex: Last year, the students provided feedback that one of our blocks is too short, so this year they added an entire week for us to that block. That meant switching around our schedules, the professors, spring break, etc. which would have been a lot easier for them not to even attempt, but they take our feedback seriously.
4. P/F curriculum is not something to take likely when choosing a school! It's the difference between 115+ type-A neurotic, selfish, cut-throat students and those who share notes, study guides, and extra material. And this comradery happens between classes, too. My class uses notes/study guides made by the years before us, and we are also already creating studying material for those of you who join the 2020 class (highly recommended, btw
😉)
5. The atmosphere is so supportive, that you have to make an EFFORT to completely fail out and be isolated. In addition to #4, we have learning specialists, psychiatrists, and well, just a kick-ass community. Use what you need, and take comfort knowing the rest is there when/if you need it.
6. Opportunities hit you left and right, you won't even be able to keep up. Between shadowing, research, and volunteering opportunities, it's almost overwhelming (in a good way) how much you can get involved in from your first day.
I could go on and on, but this has become a wall of text--and that's no fun after a while. Let me know if there are any more questions!
