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So I really loved Tech. Originally it was near the bottom of my list as far as Texas schools went, but my interview day sparked my interest. Since then I've read almost everything I could find about the school and now it is probably my top choice.
I keep teetering back and forth between UTHSCSA (my hometown, originally my top choice "by default") and Tech and would appreciate it if some current or former students could comment on a few specific questions I still have about Tech. I think I'm leaning 90% towards Tech, but want to make sure of a few things before I commit for sure.
1. What is the current policy on recording lectures? I know in the past it could only be recorded by a scribe who would then type up a transcript and only the written transcript was distributed. Then the school started doing audio recordings themselves. Is that still what's going on? Are you disadvantaged by having audio-only recordings with no video?
2. How much time is dedicated for step 1 studying/taking? San Antonio will have ~7 weeks with their new curriculum. I doubt Tech has that much. Is there some kind of integration at the end of 2nd year that brings together all the "blocks", or do you have to review everything independently (and thus need more dedicated study time)?
3. How is 3rd year structured in general? What kind of roles does the average student have on the wards? I'm OK with doing my fair share of "scut" work if that's what it means to be a team player, but I also want to actually get my hands a little dirty and learn what I'm there to learn. Do students have a clear role and do most students feel that their evaluations are fair and objective?
4. How about 4th year? What's the balance of emphasis between primary-care focus and surgery/ER/neuro/ICU/etc focus? I'm still undecided about what I want to do and want a well-rounded experience that is not overly focused on either field. Is it fairly easy to get into electives, particularly if you're going into something that requires a bunch of specific sub-I's or other electives?
5. How are the research opportunities? I'm planning on having a career that revolves primarily around direct patient care, but I could see myself going into academic medicine down the road. Is there enough research to be done (and is it easy enough to get into) to make me competitive for bigger academic programs if I someday choose that route?
6. Do you get the sense that there is any discrimination against Tech students by residency directors because they are ranked "lower" than the other Texas schools? I know rankings are largely tied to NIH funding and appreciate that being a giant research institution is not their mission. I personally don't care about prestige/rankings at all except for what difference it makes, if any, to a residency PD when deciding between two similar applicants from different schools.
7. What's this I hear about a ban on Apple products???
Thanks.
I keep teetering back and forth between UTHSCSA (my hometown, originally my top choice "by default") and Tech and would appreciate it if some current or former students could comment on a few specific questions I still have about Tech. I think I'm leaning 90% towards Tech, but want to make sure of a few things before I commit for sure.
1. What is the current policy on recording lectures? I know in the past it could only be recorded by a scribe who would then type up a transcript and only the written transcript was distributed. Then the school started doing audio recordings themselves. Is that still what's going on? Are you disadvantaged by having audio-only recordings with no video?
2. How much time is dedicated for step 1 studying/taking? San Antonio will have ~7 weeks with their new curriculum. I doubt Tech has that much. Is there some kind of integration at the end of 2nd year that brings together all the "blocks", or do you have to review everything independently (and thus need more dedicated study time)?
3. How is 3rd year structured in general? What kind of roles does the average student have on the wards? I'm OK with doing my fair share of "scut" work if that's what it means to be a team player, but I also want to actually get my hands a little dirty and learn what I'm there to learn. Do students have a clear role and do most students feel that their evaluations are fair and objective?
4. How about 4th year? What's the balance of emphasis between primary-care focus and surgery/ER/neuro/ICU/etc focus? I'm still undecided about what I want to do and want a well-rounded experience that is not overly focused on either field. Is it fairly easy to get into electives, particularly if you're going into something that requires a bunch of specific sub-I's or other electives?
5. How are the research opportunities? I'm planning on having a career that revolves primarily around direct patient care, but I could see myself going into academic medicine down the road. Is there enough research to be done (and is it easy enough to get into) to make me competitive for bigger academic programs if I someday choose that route?
6. Do you get the sense that there is any discrimination against Tech students by residency directors because they are ranked "lower" than the other Texas schools? I know rankings are largely tied to NIH funding and appreciate that being a giant research institution is not their mission. I personally don't care about prestige/rankings at all except for what difference it makes, if any, to a residency PD when deciding between two similar applicants from different schools.
7. What's this I hear about a ban on Apple products???
Thanks.