Colorado vs UCSD

[jusc2917]

University of Colorado
Pros

• New (2 years new, so not complete guinea pigs) LIC model is intriguing and have heard really good feedback from students and docs
• Only one year pre-clinical
• Step 1 and 2 after 1st clinical year
• I am from CO and all my US based support system is here (would stay living with long-term partner without question on moving)
• Lots of research that I am specifically interested in

Cons

• not true p/f, still has AOA
• not ranked quite as high as UCSD, but not sure the difference is enough to matter
• Larger class size and there seems to be less community than between UCSD students

UCSD
Pros

• More recognized name in medicine
• Lots of opportunity for research
• Slightly more competitive match list than CO
• True p/f
• Student community seems tighter-knit, more student groups (academic and social)
• Living somewhere new in the US and by the ocean, moving might be a great life experience

Cons

• Moving away from support system--my partner might have the opportunity to relocate with his company, but it would be a shift from space-->navy and I know that's not a field that he's too excited about. I wouldn't want to live apart, but also wouldn't want him to be unhappy with his work if he did move with me.
• traditional 2 year preclinical
• less research in my specific field of interest

Summary: I'm very torn between what feels like two great options. I've grown up in CO and abroad (due to most of my family overseas), but only have lived in CO in the US. This seems like a great opportunity to try living elsewhere, but it would be really hard if that means long distance with my partner. While UCSD isn't a top 10 school, it still seems like an opportunity I shouldn't pass up on the ranking and name of the med school- or is their ranking vs CO not as much of a difference as I'm making it out to be?

I feel like I'd go to UCSD for the ranking and community between students, or stay in CO for curriculum, research and support system outside of peers.

COA differs only by ~7k total over the 4 years, so I'm not factoring that into my decision, unless I get other scholarships from one program or another that haven't been extended yet.

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[LeeSin]

I think in a vacuum UCSD over Colorado. However, if your entire support system is in Colorado and your partner is as well you really might want to consider the effect that will have on your medical education. If your partner can relocate that's great too, but like you said you might be having an effect on their career and life as well. I think going long distance with your partner and moving away from your support system would have a very negative effect on you especially as medical school gets tough. However if you can make it work you'd be very happy at SD. In summary: it depends a lot on how happy your partner is in CO and how much you enjoy being around them and your support system. Congrats on two great schools!

 

[chilly_md]

Does your partner work in tech? There is a certain large company that is coming to my mind when you are mentioning both space and Navy projects.

 

[jusc2917]

Does your partner work in tech? There is a certain large company that is coming to my mind when you are mentioning both space and Navy projects.

Engineering- aerospace, but could likely use his clearance for naval contracts. I don't know much about the tech world but it seems like relocating / remote work would likely be easier in that field!

 

[chilly_md]

Engineering- aerospace, but could likely use his clearance for naval contracts. I don't know much about the tech world but it seems like relocating / remote work would likely be easier in that field!

It likely is less of an issue. He would know the specifics and it would be good to have an honest conversation about how interested he is in the work they are doing and if he knows many details about it. I was going to say if it was software engineering, he very well could be going into a bad situation if it is a Navy project that is antiquated compared to his current work. Additionally, there's the usual points about starting over with a new manager and team members, especially if he likes his current team a lot.