CUSM vs UIC

[lukamagic77]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi everyone, deciding on California University of Science and Medicine vs University of Illinois SOM

For specialty that I'm interested in, I want to go into something fairly competitive (GI or ROAD) so I don't want to hamstring myself.

School: CUSM

Pros:

- Close to home (45-50 minutes from my family)
- Have lived in CA my whole life and want to be here for my long term future as well (residency and beyond)
- Beyond family, have very close friends that will be an hour drive way
- Professional Development Semester gives me a lot of flexibility (for those who don't know, you have a choice of a semester off either before or after clerkships)
- Cost will definitely be cheaper over time (not just because of tuition prices, but also all the little things family will help with)

Cons:

- New school, match list shows strong connections inside CA but lack of higher end specialties and IM programs
- I'm not sure I would be happy in the area of the school itself, I enjoy urban living much more and the school is about as suburban as it can get

School: UICOM

Pros:

- Better match lists for sure, people in competitive specialties as well as matching top CA IM programs
- Urban living in Chicago, would be far more exciting for me to be in a big city
- More established school

Cons:

- Never lived outside CA, and like I mentioned I see the rest of my life in CA
- Following up on that, the COLD
- Cost of attendance would end up being higher by paying not only OOS tuition but also no family support on the little things
- No support system, starting new there

 

[Basalganglia4life]

My vote is CUSM. It is cheaper, closer to family, in the area you want to do residency and practice. Sounds like an easy choice