1. Farmington is a quiet suburb which is good because there will not be too many things to distract you from your education. But we are close enough to Hartford and major cities like Boston and NYC where you can definitely get away when you like.
2. % that fail? Individual exams or the whole year? A few people fail for any given exam (med school exam) I am sure. I could be wrong as I really have no idea how other people do. But as far as the whole year (any given year), I believe that is far and few between. Pass/fail is a Godsend.
3. As far as specialties go. I know for the past decade almost, UConn has been sending people into their choice of residency programs. Just do well on the boards and you should be ok since we do not have class rank programs really only look at board scores.
Let me know if you have more questions.
Unlike others posting here (and I respect your opinons), I have had a great experience here at UConn. It is hard at times but so is anything worthwhile. I believe you'd get a top notch education at 1/4 the price!