How would you rate the University of Colorado Denver's medical school in comparison to some top scho

[FutureNeuro328]

I'm currently weighing my my top school choices. I absolutely love UC Denver's location. I love Colorado, and I love the Rockies. However, I'm also considering program strength and reputation. Perhaps, that is not the best way of thinking. I think I'd be much happier in Denver compared to the other locations (except maybe Northwestern), but at the same time, I have heard that the higher renowned the program is, the better you are matching at top residencies. Could you alleviate me on some of this matters? I am admittedly a little ignorant on how to level my school choices.

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[Tom&Jerry]

Pretty much every school can get you into a top program permitted you work hard. Personally, I would factor in how much you are going to enjoy your time there and how well you will "fit" the school as a strong #1 deciding factor. It will be hard to thrive in medical school, if you hate where you are.

Although top medical schools have a higher tendency to get you into higher residencies, but its up to you to decide how much you want to sacrifice there. 4 years is a significant amount of time. I'd also factor in cost of attendance as well. No one likes debt.

 

[FutureNeuro328]

Pretty much every school can get you into a top program permitted you work hard. Personally, I would factor in how much you are going to enjoy your time there and how well you will "fit" the school as a strong #1 deciding factor. It will be hard to thrive in medical school, if you hate where you are.

Although top medical schools have a higher tendency to get you into higher residencies, but its up to you to decide how much you want to sacrifice there. 4 years is a significant amount of time. I'd also factor in cost of attendance as well. No one likes debt.

I just realized part of the question I asked got cut off lol. You still answered great though. Thanks!

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[WedgeDawg]

What specialty/ies do you think you're interested in? Why do you want to go to a top residency program? What does top residency program mean to you?

These are all questions that we should address before we think about choosing between Colorado and another school based mostly on this reasoning.

 

[FutureNeuro328]

What specialty/ies do you think you're interested in? Why do you want to go to a top residency program? What does top residency program mean to you?

These are all questions that we should address before we think about choosing between Colorado and another school based mostly on this reasoning.

Fair enough. My top specialty is neurosurgery. Below that is general surgeon (still a surgery specialty). If I had to pick a 3rd, it would be oncology. Hmm, to answer what I think a top residency is, I'd have to say one that creates infinite opportunities, one that's name resonates nationally, and most importantly, one that properly trains and prepares me for as much as they possibly can within the time frame for the residency. Of course, another key factor is location. Since I will be spending several years (for neurosurgery, 7 years) there, I have to like the area. UC Denver, in fact, is one area that I have considered for residency as well. I know it's way to early to start thinking about things like that, but I just can't help myself haha. UC Denver, UWashington, and Duke are probably my top choices.

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[Goro]

I'm currently weighing my my top school choices. I absolutely love UC Denver's location. I love Colorado, and I love the Rockies. However, I'm also considering program strength and reputation. Perhaps, that is not the best way of thinking. I think I'd be much happier in Denver compared to the other locations (except maybe Northwestern), but at the same time, I have heard that the higher renowned the program is, the better you are matching at top residencies. Could you alleviate me on some of this matters? I am admittedly a little ignorant on how to level my school choices.

I'd classify it as Miami/Wake class. You'll get a fine education there.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Fair enough. My top specialty is neurosurgery. Below that is general surgeon (still a surgery specialty). If I had to pick a 3rd, it would be oncology. Hmm, to answer what I think a top residency is, I'd have to say one that creates infinite opportunities, one that's name resonates nationally, and most importantly, one that properly trains and prepares me for as much as they possibly can within the time frame for the residency. Of course, another key factor is location. Since I will be spending several years (for neurosurgery, 7 years) there, I have to like the area. UC Denver, in fact, is one area that I have considered for residency as well. I know it's way to early to start thinking about things like that, but I just can't help myself haha. UC Denver, UWashington, and Duke are probably my top choices.

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So for neurosurgery in particular, 90% of programs are going to train you to be a highly competent surgeon and physician. Where graduates go after residency is somewhat more variable, but people go into academics from many programs and people go into private practice in even more. Even if you decide 4 years from now to apply into neurosurgery, your career goals will still be in flux throughout your 7 years in residency. You'll also find that when you're applying for residency, a lot of other factors (fit, location, the personalities residents you'll be spending most of your waking and sleeping hours with, etc) become a lot more important than it being "top" and what the "top" residencies are aren't even totally agreed upon by people who've been in the field forever. Colorado, UW, and Duke all have spectacular neurosurgery residency programs that will fulfill the requirements that you are looking for right now, but I agree that it really is too early at this point, as a premed, to be thinking about specific residency programs, especially for a field like neurosurgery.

The other thing I will mention is that for neurosurgery, your match chances are higher from more prestigious schools (see charting outcomes 2018), but you certainly can match neurosurgery from any USMD school.

Based on your recent posts, it looks like you are just starting the process of applying to medical school, so even now it is a bit premature to be thinking about any specific school before you've even gotten interviews. Not doubting that you will get interviews looking at your WAMC thread, but exactly where you'll get them and which will turn into acceptances is still up in the air. Next March, once you have your acceptances, then you can weigh the individual merits of each of the schools that you're choosing between and figure out which would be the best fit for you given your career goals.

Until then, focus on applying and interviewing well, so that when the time comes, you have all the options you'll need.

 

[trobinsonmd]

If you do well at Colorado (or basically any MD school) and network correctly, you can match neurosurgery. One of my friends went there and matched derm... the nice thing about Colorado is that they are now P/NP and the student body (from what I have heard) is very collaborative and not very competitive. Also they have a mandatory research project and will set you up with a research mentor, which will help you network with neurosurgeons and perhaps get some neuro research under your belt early on. It is really expensive for out of state students though. If you ask me, it is similar to a UCI or a USC, I think it has gained more respect over the years... also I know you didn't mention pulm, but they are #1 in that if that is something you are interested in