University of Rochester vs USF (CORE) (Waitlist)

[DifficultChoice]

I live in Florida and was accepted to Rochester and wait-listed at USF CORE. I was also waitlisted at the University of Florida. I was wondering if there is any advice on if I should write a USF letter of intent.

Rochester (COA $90,000, but believe the real cost is significantly higher due to low allocation for housing)
Pros
- Hospital and Medical School are connected
- Pass/Fail preclinical with internal quartiles
- Nature, State Parks, and more nearby
- Close to Toronto (have extended family there)
- Established name recognition, the highest rank (I was accepted at)
- Good class size, 100 students
- Exposure to students in other departments, nursing, pharm, etc
- Pathway program in Medical Education
- easy flights back home

Cons
- Cold weather and snow
- Student culture did not feel as welcoming

USF (COA $68,000, but believe the actual cost is higher due to low allocation for housing)
Strongly encourages a letter of intent
Pros
- In downtown Tampa (wanted to live in a city)
- Already affiliated and involved with several of their partnered research programs and clinical sites
- Moffitt Cancer Center (strong interest in Oncology)
- Close to the family for support
- Rising in rank, regional name recognition
- Students are grouped into 20-member learning communities
- scholarly concentration program with a strong emphasis on medical education
- Summer weather all year rounds

Cons
- Graded preclinical: Honors/High Pass/Pass/Fail
- Possibily less colarorative culture
- Driving between clinical sites, academic building


Thank you for all your help.

---

Members don't see this ad.