U of Arizona - Phoenix v Indiana University (IU) *****

[wya2020]

Trying to decide between these two programs currently. interested in a competitive specialty, possibly plastics but I know that could change with more exposure. Basically if I could get into a competitive specialty like plastics from AZ I’d go but I’m not sure if they’d prepare me best bc they’re less established w potentially less opportunities. see below. Maybe if I just kill step I can match into any specialty from anywhere but then why does where u go to med school matter

UA - PHX:

cons:
-OOS COA 80k per yr could petition for IS possibly but nothings guaranteed - would have to b fin indp for petition rules w no parental support
- newer less established school and reputation
- don’t think they have a plastics residency program
- hard to find data on school online, lower rank - probs bc newer n used to be affiliated w tuscon so risky?
- a lot of internal med. or ER med matches, less variety n less competitive specialties
- avg USMLE scores not published

Pro:
- half of class matches into California schools
- smaller class size at 100-120
-very supportive faculty open to helping students w questions and connections, v involved
- recent class had a dermatology match into Emory, noticed some other competitive schools
- love the city n west coast
- students I spoke to seemed v happy at school
- potential research opportunities w Mayo Clinic nearby
- Mayo has plastics residency program n az matches well into Mayo bc same state

IU:
pro:
- IS COA 57k but reduced w family financial support not available in AZ
- more established program w higher rank 42
- research institution
- avg USMLE 234
- variety of residency matches
- has an affiliated plastics residency program but I wouldn’t want to stay in IN for residency so idk how much this helps

Cons:
- not excited about staying in Midwest - out of the 8 campuses only Indy appeals to me and is the most sought after
- multiple campuses - still haven’t told me which campus I’m assigned to could b at a satellite campus with less resources for two yrs that would really put me at a disadvantage as satellite campuses have less research n funding
- the interview day and student body seemed v unenthusiastic n even complained about atmosphere
- 350 class size
- most matches in Midwest - maybe be students prefer to stay there? maybe by residency programs slightly have regional bias?

edit:
I would also like to add another big difference that I failed to consider: IS tuition at IU v OOS at UA which would end up being a difference of 80k

if my end goal is to match out west - can that be done from IU? Is the price tag of UA worth it? UA has a v competitive match list as well as more regionally focused out west but IU is a bigger name n also has v competitive matches even if more self selected in Midwest

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[Banco]

While I'm sure you can match plastics from Arizona given you put in the requisite work needed and have the scores/application for such a competitive specialty, I do have to say that having a home plastics department and an I6 residency is an advantage. The general surgery department/residency at IU is also very impressive.

That being said, if the idea of having to live in Indiana makes you want to off yourself, you probably should go to Arizona. Reputation is an intangible thing to measure. You will likely have to work a bit harder to seek out mentors, research, letters if there isn't a home plastics department there. Your clinical grades and exam scores are mostly up to you.

Can you speak to current students at Arizona who may have matched I6 plastics? They can give you a better insight.

 

[wya2020]

P

While I'm sure you can match plastics from Arizona given you put in the requisite work needed and have the scores/application for such a competitive specialty, I do have to say that having a home plastics department and an I6 residency is an advantage. The general surgery department/residency at IU is also very impressive.

That being said, if the idea of having to live in Indiana makes you want to off yourself, you probably should go to Arizona. Reputation is an intangible thing to measure. You will likely have to work a bit harder to seek out mentors, research, letters if there isn't a home plastics department there. Your clinical grades and exam scores are mostly up to you.

Can you speak to current students at Arizona who may have matched I6 plastics? They can give you a better insight.

UA Phoenix does have a plastics and reconstructive surgery department. Their website says their surgery department has 8 division and plastics is one of them. they however do not offer a plastic surgery residency. Would that even put IU and UA with research opportunities? Or would I not get the same clinical exposure because there is no residency for that specialty?

ive reached out to current students but not heard back yet

 

[Banco]

P

UA Phoenix does have a plastics and reconstructive surgery department. Just not a residency? Is that possible...I might be mistaken. Their website says their surgery department has 8 division and plastics is one of them. Would that even put IU and UA?

ive reached out to current students but not heard back yet

Yes that is totally possible. The route to get to plastic surgery is I6 (6 year program specifically for plastic surgery) or general surgery -> plastic surgery fellowship (5+2 years). Not all hospitals have an integrated (I6) plastic surgery program, but can still have plastics departments because that still falls under the umbrella of general surgery.

If they do have a department with research available, then you should certainly be able to find some mentors and research opportunities. What I was saying is that having a home residency can be an advantage, as home students are often favored (when qualified). But in your case since you hate Indiana, I doubt you would want to do residency there anyway lol.


But again, get a hold of some students who have tried to do what your goals are and get their insight.

 

[wya2020]

Yes that is totally possible. The route to get to plastic surgery is I6 (6 year program specifically for plastic surgery) or general surgery -> plastic surgery fellowship (5+2 years). Not all hospitals have an integrated (I6) plastic surgery program, but can still have plastics departments because that still falls under the umbrella of general surgery.

If they do have a department with research available, then you should certainly be able to find some mentors and research opportunities. What I was saying is that having a home residency can be an advantage, as home students are often favored (when qualified). But in your case since you hate Indiana, I doubt you would want to do residency there anyway lol.


But again, get a hold of some students who have tried to do what your goals are and get their insight.

I emailed some members of the plastic surgery interest group at UA as per the suggestion of another peer so hopefully that will provide some insight.

is the only advantage of a home residency that you would be favored for that program because u went to that institution? Does it also help with more clinical exposure or research or such if u wanted to do ur residency elsewhere? Ex: if I went to IU and then did my residency elsewhere would I benefit from IU having had a plastics residency program when I was a student

 

[Banco]

I emailed some members of the plastic surgery interest group at UA as per the suggestion of another peer so hopefully that will provide some insight.

is the only advantage of a home residency that you would be favored for that program because u went to that institution? Does it also help with more clinical exposure or research or such if u wanted to do ur residency elsewhere? Ex: if I went to IU and then did my residency elsewhere would I benefit from IU having had a plastics residency program when I was a student

It's hard to say exactly, but having an established home department/residency program allows for (in general) a greater apparatus for mentorship, research, getting letters of recommendation. It might also be possible that the plastics program is overall stronger and the faculty have more connections. These factors can help you match. It has little to do with actual clinical training as a student. Home student residency advantage is certainly a thing though, because they know you, they know how you work/your personality/your application and would be happy to take you over a "stranger" if you're qualified.

Now you can also have plenty of research/famous faculty etc. even if you don't have an I6 residency. I'm sure you can get there from Arizona too. No matter where you go, you will have to work your ass off to match such a competitive field.

What might also help you is to get a hold of some of Phoenix' match lists and see if people have matched into plastics.

 

[wya2020]

I would also like to add another big difference that I failed to consider: IS tuition at IU v OOS at UA which would end up being a difference of 80k

if my end goal is to match out west - can that be done from IU? Is the price tag of UA worth it? They have a v competitive match list as well more regionally focused out west