Just to add my two cents...
I grew up about an hour from Kville in Hannibal, MO..you know...Mark Twain, Huck Finn? Anyway, I went to college at Truman State, in Kirksville. So, I've been a northeast Missouri resident all my life. From a 'local' point of view, here is what I think.....If you are impressed with the school, curriculum, and all that stuff at both schools, you now need to focus on just simple living. Such as, where will you be happier? I have been really offended by classmates and by some of the upperclassmen who have claimed to come to KCOM for the great school, only to make non-stop fun of Kirksville, it's lack of culture, no good restaurants, the bad nightlife, even the towns-people. Now, I agree, it does get a bit boring at times. However, it's important to remember that there are almost 20,000 people here who call this place home.
My point is to 1. compares SCHOOLS 2. compare environment If you can handle the slower pace in Kirksville and the wonderful small-town attention KCOM has to offer for a mere two years, then that's great. However, if you want to come to KCOM, but will be miserable because the nearest microbrewery is an hour and a half away..then you need to think of things in that respect. If you have no family involved, then you may not appreciate the small-town atmosphere of Kirksville that many medical students that have children appreciate very much.
I guess I am focusing on this because you said the schools presented themselves equally to you. Consider things like cost of living, how far will your loan money go if that is your only income, how far will your commute be, and will your classmates be just a couple streets, or even a couple doors away when you need something.
Personally, I can't imagine living in a bigger town. I've always been able to get across town in 10 minutes and I value that a lot!
Good luck with your decision, and (in my completely 100% objective opinion-even though I have never set foot on AZCOM's campus), I would say choose KCOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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