Colorado (OOS) vs Arizona - Phoenix (IS)

[demonslayer]

Hi everyone! I am excited and grateful to have multiple options for attending medical school. I am narrowing it down to these two. I am interested in competitive specialities (ENT/ophthalmology right now) may change later tho still open.

University of Colorado
Pros:

• Prestige – Higher ranked, better national recognition
  
  
• Connections – Stronger network, especially for competitive specialties
  
  
• Location – Hospital within the CUSOM campus. Denver is awesome, and I love to ski—this would be a huge lifestyle bonus
  
  
• Academic Rigor – Seems to have more research opportunities and more NIH funding (for now at least)

Cons:

• Cost – Significantly more expensive for me (around 25k - 30k more expensive a year)
  
  
• Culture Fit? – Slight concern I may not fully vibe with the student body or environment. Coudn’t read to student environment to well on Preview day.

University of Arizona (Phoenix)
Pros:

• Cost – Way more affordable (in state tuition), potentially some faculty discount
  
  
• Support System – My family and close friends are nearby
  
  
• Familiarity – I grew up in Phoenix, so I know the city well (and will be able to save money commuting from home)

Cons:

• Ranking – Not as nationally recognized, might hurt chances in competitive specialties
  
  
• Research – Seems like fewer opportunities for high-profile research (Need research for ENT/Optho)
• Smaller Campus - only one or two building with clinical training sites around Phoenix

Also, I was accepted to Tufts University where my SO currently is. Still considering attending, but high tuition + high COL.

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[The OTC]

Are your parent’s faculty at U of A? I don’t understand the discount you mentioned.

U of A Phoenix matched at some quality ENT/Optho programs so feel comfortable that both (or all three) options are great!

Tufts and Colorado may be a little more beneficial because UA Phoenix does not have ENT home program yet. UAPHX does have a new Optho program so you would be able to network there.

you got some great options!

 

[scottsterling]

Hi there! Seeing this kind of late, but I am currently a med student at UA - Phoenix, but did my undergrad at University of Utah. Very familiar with both schools and would be happy to chat. Not sure if you are married or have a significant other, but one HUGE advantage of UA - Phoenix is that your spouse can get a job with any of the in state universities (ASU, NAU, UA), which allows you to get qualified tuition reduction, enabling you to essentially get free tuition ($25/ semester). IS vs OOS status doesn't matter either. Such an amazing financial opportunity that is often under advertised for UA.

Are your parent’s faculty at U of A? I don’t understand the discount you mentioned.

U of A Phoenix matched at some quality ENT/Optho programs so feel comfortable that both (or all three) options are great!

Tufts and Colorado may be a little more beneficial because UA Phoenix does not have ENT home program yet. UAPHX does have a new Optho program so you would be able to network there.

you got some great options!

Qualified Tuition Reduction

policy.arizona.edu

 

[xUnrevealed]

Tufts and Colorado may be a little more beneficial because UA Phoenix does not have ENT home program yet.

I'd pick Colorado over UA Phoenix because of this. Having a home program at the med school you attend is huge imo. Lowkey worth, even with the higher COL & tuition.

University of Colorado

Cons:

• Culture Fit? – Slight concern I may not fully vibe with the student body or environment. Coudn’t read to student environment to well on Preview day.

Can speak to the culture fit since I was raised in Colorado (hence the bias towards it). Very chill people, very candid and understanding, and honestly the best culture any place has to offer imo. DM if you have specific questions on it

 

[demonslayer]

I also got into Colorado! I will not be attending there because I got into my in state school here in Cali...however, they were my top option until I got removed from the WL at my in state school...Seems like you are a big fan of research...I think Colorado had some really nice opportunities for their students which was another reason it was hard to pass up...Are you from Phx and that's why you are leaning toward them?

Hey! I'm from Phoenix, so my support system would be much better there. I agree it's hard to pass up Colorado since they get significantly more research funding than the UA-P campus. But, I am leaning towards UA-P cause of the cost and support system.