Help me choose my medical school

[Queenbee26]

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Hi Folks! I'm a current applicant set to start medical school this July 2025. My goal is to match into neurosurgery but I am going in with a very open mind that my interest could change during rotations. I have been fortunate to have 6 DO acceptances right now and I am struggling to make a choice. My top three choices right now are as follows with pros and cons that matter to me the most:



ROCKY VISTA University - Colorado Campus

Pros:

• 1-hour drive from parents, close to support system
• Have lived in Colorado for the last 7 years so I know the area very well.
• Went to undergrad in Colorado so have more connections and can possibly continue my undergrad research project on Alzheimers (I already published once on that project and recently learned that I can continue my undergrad experiences and include those on residency applications)
• Close to Denver, not completely rural-focused
• Close to multiple good hospital systems that I’m well aware of.
• Had two Neurosurgery matches this year.
• Great board scores
• Has a traditional cadaver lab plus a VR lab for anatomy
• P/F grading

Cons

• More recently established than my other two choices (established 2006).
• Building reputation, most people in my close network don't think highly of the school and think of it as a "safety school"
• Not a big research lab on campus; will have to rely more on outside connections and networking (The school does have a research track which can provide some structural support for research)
• Been in Colorado for a while, so will not get to branch out to a different state and experience something new

TOURO University Nevada (Est 2004)

Pros:

• Has an established research building with labs - The Engelstad Research Complex. Recently, one of their professors discovered a new pathway for AIDS so their research is pretty impressive as far as I am aware
• In Las Vegas, so in a modern setting
• Closer to california for good audition rotations
• People seem friendlier, the Dean gave me a personal call for the acceptance but I know that’s also part of their job to sell the school
• Get to experience a slightly different living environment
• P/F with class ranks

Cons:

• Far from family and friends, even though it’s a cheap flight
• Never been to Las Vegas, not sure if I will like the area
• Other branches of Touro have a better reputation than this one.
• It’s a religious school and they have some religious holidays, although I’m not sure how much that will impact my classes itself

Edward Via COM - Virginia

Pros:

• Located on Vtech Campus, great opportunities to make connections with other professors for research and publications
• Most established out the choices (estabished in 2001)
• Pretty college town - I have visited and I like the area
• Lots of SIM labs
• Cheapest of all three, cheaper living cost
• Closer to northeast, possibility of good audition rotations

Cons

• Strict attendance and dress code policy
• Very far away from home, 1 full travel day (will end up spending more in travel here)
• In a more secluded rural area, will be harder network with hospitals and doctors
• Letter grading

Any opinions on these schools or how I should make this choice? I have heard a lot that where you go to medical school doesn’t matter but I want to maximize my chances of matching into a competitive specialty. Thank you!!

 

[Basalganglia4life]

Tough decision. But my vote is rocky vista. It's close to your family, you know the area, and you already have contacts there for research which is going to be something you are really going to have to prioritize if neurosurgery is your goal

 

[LunaOri]

Rocky Vista. You already know that they have matched applicants into neurosurgery (it might make sense to contact those successful applicants and ask about how they did it).