Hello! I know it's last minute, but I'm struggling to decide between these two schools.
UCLA Pros:
UCLA Cons:
Pitt Pros:
Pitt Cons:
Thank you for any help or guidance you can provide me! I'm feeling very torn at the moment.
UCLA Pros:
- Interested in matching back to the West Coast for residency
- P/F for the first 3 years
- My partner and I will initially be long distance. LA will allow them to visit more often (same time zone, cheaper/more direct flights)
- Discovery Year seems like a great opportunity to get more deeply involved with research/my specific interests.
- Better weather + access to outdoors (I go hiking regularly)
UCLA Cons:
- More expensive: $300k in loans compared to about $175k for Pitt (This may be lower, as current students say UCLA overestimates some of the living expenses).
- I've heard mixed things about the new curriculum (particularly how well the school prepares you for STEP exams), and there doesn't seem to be much exposure to NBME material.
- Schedule seems pretty intense (cramming a lot into the first 2 years to make room for the Discovery Year, and will now require classes during all 3 summers)
Pitt Pros:
- Students I spoke to seem happy, and it seems easy to find mentors/research with faculty
- Less expensive: $175k in loans over about $300k for UCLA
- From my campus visit, seemed to have nicer/newer facilities (smaller factor)
- Offers Flex Weeks to get experience shadowing, etc. (and 1 can be used as a personal break)
Pitt Cons:
- The location is in a part of the country I don't intend to stay in.
- Only P/F for the first 2 years
- More rigid class schedule, including mandatory attendance and Longitudinal/Community Alliance Programs (These were initially a pro, but a current student told me they can be very hit or miss, as they were only recently made mandatory.
- 1.5 year preclinical could mean later exposure to specialties and delay me in choosing a specialty/building my residency application
Thank you for any help or guidance you can provide me! I'm feeling very torn at the moment.
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