Colorado (OOS) vs Arizona-Tucson (IS)

[teddybear6078]

Hi all! I recently have been trying to decide between University of Colorado (OOS) or University of Arizona Tucson (IS). I am currently interested in Pediatric Ortho and have lived in Tucson pretty much my whole life. Thank you for the help!

Denver:
Pros:
-new location!: ability to explore a new city/environment
-new friends/fresh start!
-higher ranking and better orthopedic residency program
-established research and reputation
-P/F shelf exams and attainable to get honors in clerkships
-friday exams and more free time…?
-traverse weeks
-earlier year 4 stuff?

Cons:
-LIC model
-not in the best area in Denver (safety concerns?)
-tuition (70k/year)
-farther away from home
-1 year preclinical (but classes after LIC)


Tucson:
Pros:
-simulation center!
-block rotations
-pretty campus
-tuition (40k/ year before benefit) and a tons of savings (especially with employee benefit)
-break within clinicals!
-shelf exams after each block

Cons:
-already know some students (could be a pro, just not a fresh start)
-location, no new growth
-lower ranking
-exams on mondays, fridays, thursdays (less free time)
-worse match lists
-AOA, shelf scores do matter


Equivalent between both:
-could see myself happy at both
-Societies Mentoring/COMPASS guides
-P/F preclinical, honors/high pass/P/F clinical
-integrated hospital
-doctoring class
-similar breaks

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[hydroflaskhomie]

What's your funding situation look like? If it's >120k in straight loans difference, there's not enough convincing pros on your list for me to say pick Colorado above UA-T.