University of Arizona Tucson or Phoenix?

[yogidocnamaste]

Hi everyone!

I am extremely fortunate to have received acceptances at both the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson and the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix. I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to choose a school, but I'm having a tough time deciding between the two, and keep going back and forth on which one I am leaning towards. As with most decisions, there are pros and cons to each choice. I see myself as a good fit at both schools, and am an in-state applicant so the costs are similar.

I was wondering if anyone is/was in the same situation (or anyone who just has an opinion about either school) and would be willing to comment and provide some input. I know there was a thread about this about 4 years ago, but much has changed since then and I was hoping to get some more recent advice.

Thanks in advance!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Put your list of pros and cons for each and then you might get some better responses

 

[pano10]

Not sure where you are with your decision, but I'm in a similar situation with these two schools--one of the main differences for me seems to be the accelerated curriculum/no on site hospital at Phoenix v the more traditional curriculum/on site hospital at Tucson. Both seem to have fantastic faculty, good research, good ECs, and a very collaborative student body. I can't find their match lists online, though...has anyone else found it?

 

[gyngyn]

Not sure where you are with your decision, but I'm in a similar situation with these two schools--one of the main differences for me seems to be the accelerated curriculum/no on site hospital at Phoenix v the more traditional curriculum/on sight hospital at Tucson. Both seem to have fantastic faculty, good research, good ECs, and a very collaborative student body. I can't find their match lists online, though...has anyone else found it?

Phoenix hasn't graduated a class yet.

 

[order66.exe]

Phoenix hasn't graduated a class yet.

I think they've been graduating classes since 2011, while still under Tucson's accreditation.

Personally, I lean much more towards Phoenix. I like the true pass/fail and step 1 oriented curriculum, the clinical sites and the opportunities in Phoenix better. I don't think having to drive 5 minutes to Banner will effect the education in any significant way. Interested in seeing what second look has in store!

 

[gyngyn]

I think they've been graduating classes since 2011, while still under Tucson's accreditation.

The MSAR indicates that they have not independently graduated a class...

 

[pano10]

The MSAR indicates that they have not independently graduated a class...

They graduated their first class in 2011 under Tucson's accreditation. They currently have LCME provisional accreditation as of February and full accreditation is the next step

 

[gyngyn]

They graduated their first class in 2011 under Tucson's accreditation. They currently have LCME provisional accreditation as of February and full accreditation is the next step

Yes, I know.

 

[ArizonaVet480]

I think it's a matter of preference. While Tucson may have the university hospital, Phoenix is a big city and there will most likely be great opportunities maybe even better than Tucson. Being from Arizona I can tell you that Tucson is pretty much a dead city. I don't think I could spend 4 years there but then again if it was my only option then I probably would.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

They graduated their first class in 2011 under Tucson's accreditation. They currently have LCME provisional accreditation as of February and full accreditation is the next step

If they are under Tucson's accreditation then they haven't graduated their own class yet. Therefore the match list is most likely encorporated in Tucson's match list because Pheonix hasn't graduated their own class yet.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Moving to SSD

 

[Slack3r]

If they are under Tucson's accreditation then they haven't graduated their own class yet. Therefore the match list is most likely encorporated in Tucson's match list because Pheonix hasn't graduated their own class yet.

UA-Phoenix was separately accredited in 2012, but has accepted students since 2007 and the match lists are reported separately. The true "first class" of the separately accredited UA-Phoenix will graduate next year. I wouldn't take this fact into consideration when choosing between the two schools.

UA-Phoenix is brand new, with an impressive campus, although I do not know how their third/fourth years are structured or where they rotate. UA-Tucson has the direct affiliation and proximity to UMC/Diamond Children's. Both schools will get you where you want to go.

 

[Pluto2016]

Hi everyone!

I am extremely fortunate to have received acceptances at both the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson and the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix. I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to choose a school, but I'm having a tough time deciding between the two, and keep going back and forth on which one I am leaning towards. As with most decisions, there are pros and cons to each choice. I see myself as a good fit at both schools, and am an in-state applicant so the costs are similar.

I was wondering if anyone is/was in the same situation (or anyone who just has an opinion about either school) and would be willing to comment and provide some input. I know there was a thread about this about 4 years ago, but much has changed since then and I was hoping to get some more recent advice.

Thanks in advance!

Tucson is an established program with better clinical teaching infrastructure.
If you want to go the primary care and do a residency in Family Medicine you can go to Phoenix otherwise Tucson is the way to go.

 

[yogidocnamaste]

Not sure where you are with your decision, but I'm in a similar situation with these two schools--one of the main differences for me seems to be the accelerated curriculum/no on site hospital at Phoenix v the more traditional curriculum/on site hospital at Tucson. Both seem to have fantastic faculty, good research, good ECs, and a very collaborative student body. I can't find their match lists online, though...has anyone else found it?

Hi, no I haven't made up my mind and am still debating between the two.

Phoenix:
Pros:
- Newer facilities
- Overall, the Dean and the school seems very progressive and forward thinking
- Good impression about the admission process, very organized, excellent communication that shows hat they really care about students
- In Phoenix - big city that I am used to
- Access to top ranked hospitals like Phoenix Children's and Barrow Neuorlogical Institute at St. Joe for rotations (however, I am not sure if these hospitals will still be available now that with the Banner arrangement)

Cons:
- Much newer, not as well established as Tucson
- Dean may be leaving, not sure if this may impact the school with the loss of a great leader
- Don't have a hospital attached to the med campus - not as convenient for shadowing, and patient interaction, etc.
- Campus is in downtown among the many office buildings - doesn't have a traditional university campus
- Not a lot of info on their web site re: their various clinical departments (not sure if they are indeed not well established or they just need to work on their website)

Tucson:
Pros:
- Well established, just looking at their websites, looks like they have many well established clinical departments
- The hospital is right next to the med school - very convenient
- Offer several different tracks that I am interested in
- Cost of living in Tucson is lower than Pheonix

Cons:
- In Tucson - a small city that I am not used to, not sure if I will be bored (I am not a outdoorsy kind of a person)
- Their overall admission process seems a bit unorganized, not sure if that's a reflection of the school or not
- Their average STEP 1 score is a bit mediocre
- Don't have top ranked hospitals nearby like in Phoenix

I am still going back and forth between the two. Any insights will be greatly appreciated

 

[yogidocnamaste]

Tucson is an established program with better clinical teaching infrastructure.
If you want to go the primary care and do a residency in Family Medicine you can go to Phoenix otherwise Tucson is the way to go.

I am curious to hear why you said Phoenix is for primary care only. Can you please elaborate? I am currently not particularly interested in primary care, am thinking surgery, OB GYN (at least for now).

 

[BamaNicole]

Tucson is an established program with better clinical teaching infrastructure.
If you want to go the primary care and do a residency in Family Medicine you can go to Phoenix otherwise Tucson is the way to go.

That's a focus at many schools. Many students who graduate from UA Phoenix have chosen other residencies. For example, we had quite a few rad oncologies, emergency medicine and even two plastic surgery placements last year. We have many students interested in surgery. I 'm interested in OBGYN.

UA-Phoenix was separately accredited in 2012, but has accepted students since 2007 and the match lists are reported separately. The true "first class" of the separately accredited UA-Phoenix will graduate next year. I wouldn't take this fact into consideration when choosing between the two schools.

UA-Phoenix is brand new, with an impressive campus, although I do not know how their third/fourth years are structured or where they rotate. UA-Tucson has the direct affiliation and proximity to UMC/Diamond Children's. Both schools will get you where you want to go.

I can answer that. We rotate at many clinical partners all over the valley. We have our main partnership at Banner University Medical center but there is also Banner estrella. There's also rotations at Honor health, St. Joseph's, the VA, Phoenix Children's hospital and Maricopa Integrated Health System to name a few.