Pitt V Ucla

[Mold Roger]

Evening Folks! Wanted to ask everyone for some insight. I am from California (intend to eventually work in California - but for med school, residency, fellowship don't mind being out of state). Financially, both schools come out to same. Both schools seem to be in environments where the people are supportive and location is nice (I actually like/don't mind the snow as I have lived in snow for few years). I have a support system in both areas. Overall, both are really amazing opportunities that I am really grateful for.

Most likely will not pursue surgical. Most likely to pursue medical, patient-facing specialties (IM, ER, etc.).

So, I wanted to open it up to those with any insight:

Is there anything specific -- a cool program/opportunity/attribute of either/both schools?

Any thoughts/comments would be helpful towards deciding as second look events fall on same day 🙁

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[Goddo Usoppu]

Pitt:

• Longitudinal Research Project - research powerhouse and required research
• Community Alliance Project - puts you in touch with community org where you volunteer (these are great opportunities for strengthening your residency app)
• Stream Pathways - basically areas of concentration (healer, advocate, innovator, leader) -- really cool (don't think UCLA has anything like this)
• Three Rivers Curriculum - very collaborative (I would imagine more so than UCLA given its mandatory)
• 5 Flex Weeks are a big thing (for personal, research, projects, etc)!
• High tech anatomy lab with VR (not at UCLA) - this again in my opinion is amazing teaching tool

UCLA

• discovery year (can get a dual degree ... e.g. MBA)
• lots of global health opportunities (not that powerful in Pitt)
• Early Authentic Clinical Experience (you can start seeing patients from year 1 - not at Pitt)
• 1st year students can be health coaches, patient navigators, etc. (really cool opp)
• more free clinic/homeless outreach than Pitt (if you are big on underserved)

In terms of hospital system, mentorship, and student orgs - both schools offer equivalent prestige & opportunities. But I think ucla has more student orgs than pitt.