Turned_Scared
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Hey guys, I was lucky enough to get into Temple Lewis Katz SOM and University of Arizona COM–Tucson. I’m a California resident and need help choosing between the two. My priorities are:
• Matching into a competitive specialty (Derm, Ortho, Surgery, Plastics, Neuro, ENT, Ophtho, RadOnc)
• Building connections to get into a strong institution in residency, hopefully somewhere in California
• Educational rigor and reputation
• Research opportunities
• Structured board-prep time
• Cost/tuition (Out-of-State rates)
• Environment & quality of life
Temple Lewis Katz SOM
• Class size & grading
◦ ~180 students/year
◦ Preclinical: Pass/Fail
◦ Clinical: Honors/High-Pass/Pass/Fail
• Match outcomes (Class of ’23)
◦ Competitive specialties: 23/174 (13.2%) into Derm (4), Ortho (7), 17(Surgery), Plastics (2), Neuro (1), ENT (2), Ophtho (6), RadOnc (1)
• Research
◦ ≈$124 M NIH funding; Fox Chase, Urban Health, Transplant, Cardiovascular centers
◦ Tier 2 in research
• Clinical training
◦ Temple University Hospital: 721-bed Level I adult trauma center
◦ Tier 4 in Primary Care, but not sure if that matters based on my goals.
• Board prep
◦ Step 1: 8-week, no-class block (Feb–Apr MS 2)
◦ Step 2 CK: 4–6-week window before Oct 31 of MS 4
◦ Both use NBME shelf exams and school assessments throughout.
• Tuition (’24-25, Out-of-State)
◦ $62,157
• Environment
◦ Urban North Philadelphia; mission-driven, high volume
UA COM–Tucson
• Class size & grading
◦ ~120 students/year
◦ Preclinical: Pass/Fail
◦ Clinical: Honors/High-Pass/Pass/Fail
• Match outcomes (Class of ’23)
◦ Competitive specialties: 11/118 (9.3%) into Derm (3), Ortho (5), Surgery(~8), Plastics 0, Neuro 0, ENT 2, Ophtho 1, RadOnc 0
• Research
◦ ≈$110 M NIH funding (Tucson); ≈$123 M combined with Phoenix
• Clinical training
◦ Banner–UA Med Center: Level I adult trauma center; UA Tucson VA
◦ Tier 1 in Primary Care, but not sure if that matters based on my goals.
• Board prep
◦ Step 1: 6–7-week block after preclinical modules (mid-Mar to late-Apr MS 2)
◦ Step 2 CK: 3–4-week break in MS 4, arranged with advisors
◦ Both use NBME shelf exams and school assessments throughout.
• Tuition (’24-25, Out-of-State)
◦ $58,876
• Environment
◦ Mild climate, outdoor lifestyle, lower crime
◦ Tucson’s climate, cost of living, and campus vibe feel like a better personal fit than urban Philly, but I might attend to see it in-person to get the best feel and I’m driven to attend the strongest institution for my long-term goals.
I’m not sure how much each of these differences will impact my competitiveness for derm, ortho, optho, plastics, neurosurgery, etc. My ultimate goal is to go to an institution that will give me the best education, training, and reputation to match well into residency. Regardless of location, I am going to work as hard as I possibly can.
Do you guys have any insights about these schools in terms of education, reputation, or anything else like that?
Thank you in advance for your advice—weighing these options is proving tougher than I expected! I appreciate all the help!!!
• Matching into a competitive specialty (Derm, Ortho, Surgery, Plastics, Neuro, ENT, Ophtho, RadOnc)
• Building connections to get into a strong institution in residency, hopefully somewhere in California
• Educational rigor and reputation
• Research opportunities
• Structured board-prep time
• Cost/tuition (Out-of-State rates)
• Environment & quality of life
Temple Lewis Katz SOM
• Class size & grading
◦ ~180 students/year
◦ Preclinical: Pass/Fail
◦ Clinical: Honors/High-Pass/Pass/Fail
• Match outcomes (Class of ’23)
◦ Competitive specialties: 23/174 (13.2%) into Derm (4), Ortho (7), 17(Surgery), Plastics (2), Neuro (1), ENT (2), Ophtho (6), RadOnc (1)
• Research
◦ ≈$124 M NIH funding; Fox Chase, Urban Health, Transplant, Cardiovascular centers
◦ Tier 2 in research
• Clinical training
◦ Temple University Hospital: 721-bed Level I adult trauma center
◦ Tier 4 in Primary Care, but not sure if that matters based on my goals.
• Board prep
◦ Step 1: 8-week, no-class block (Feb–Apr MS 2)
◦ Step 2 CK: 4–6-week window before Oct 31 of MS 4
◦ Both use NBME shelf exams and school assessments throughout.
• Tuition (’24-25, Out-of-State)
◦ $62,157
• Environment
◦ Urban North Philadelphia; mission-driven, high volume
UA COM–Tucson
• Class size & grading
◦ ~120 students/year
◦ Preclinical: Pass/Fail
◦ Clinical: Honors/High-Pass/Pass/Fail
• Match outcomes (Class of ’23)
◦ Competitive specialties: 11/118 (9.3%) into Derm (3), Ortho (5), Surgery(~8), Plastics 0, Neuro 0, ENT 2, Ophtho 1, RadOnc 0
• Research
◦ ≈$110 M NIH funding (Tucson); ≈$123 M combined with Phoenix
• Clinical training
◦ Banner–UA Med Center: Level I adult trauma center; UA Tucson VA
◦ Tier 1 in Primary Care, but not sure if that matters based on my goals.
• Board prep
◦ Step 1: 6–7-week block after preclinical modules (mid-Mar to late-Apr MS 2)
◦ Step 2 CK: 3–4-week break in MS 4, arranged with advisors
◦ Both use NBME shelf exams and school assessments throughout.
• Tuition (’24-25, Out-of-State)
◦ $58,876
• Environment
◦ Mild climate, outdoor lifestyle, lower crime
◦ Tucson’s climate, cost of living, and campus vibe feel like a better personal fit than urban Philly, but I might attend to see it in-person to get the best feel and I’m driven to attend the strongest institution for my long-term goals.
I’m not sure how much each of these differences will impact my competitiveness for derm, ortho, optho, plastics, neurosurgery, etc. My ultimate goal is to go to an institution that will give me the best education, training, and reputation to match well into residency. Regardless of location, I am going to work as hard as I possibly can.
Do you guys have any insights about these schools in terms of education, reputation, or anything else like that?
Thank you in advance for your advice—weighing these options is proving tougher than I expected! I appreciate all the help!!!
