- Joined
- Oct 30, 2012
- Messages
- 382
- Reaction score
- 153
2014-2015 Baylor College of Medicine Application Thread
- Thread starter gettheleadout
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2009
- Messages
- 89
- Reaction score
- 38
And past BCM data here...
https://www.bcm.edu/education/schools/medical-school/prospective-students/success-indicators
I don't know if Baylor is at or near 1st again nationally, but it would appear likely given the numbers (both BCM's score and the national average increased by 1 from last year).
Hey, do you have a link to the report? Thanks!
I smiled at your use of the word "disadvantaged." The pre-med process really shapes us to think this way, but when I began medical school, it ushered in a radical shift in the relationship between myself and my peers. Competition gets replaced by collegiality. Of course, there are still varying levels of success but in no way is there a sense of "beating" others or being "disadvantaged." The curriculum and faculty minimize any incentive for that mentality. And as mnmike said, if you are accepted to Baylor then you're more than qualified to succeed here. In medical school and throughout your medical career, you're going to brush shoulders with a number of people whom are smarter, wiser and more experienced than you. At first it's intimidating but I would sooner look at them as people from whom to learn than as competition. From here on out, you're all part of the same team.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2009
- Messages
- 89
- Reaction score
- 38
I saw that info originally posted by our Office of Student Affairs. ynot may have a different source.
We also received an e-mail today stating that BCM maintained its 21st ranking in the 2015-2016 USNWR research rankings (still top in TX) and rose to 11th for primary care.
~~~~~~~
Just one opinion, FWIW, about supposed medical school rankings. USNWR has managed to establish itself as the litmus test/standard setter (the J.D. Power for medical schools if you will, which I also find to be rather presumptuous, even hokey in setting product reliability standards...who judges a car's reliability by the first 90 days?!) for comparing medical schools, to the point where even the schools themselves often cite them.
But if you look sedulously at USNWR's admitted methodology, it relies on some questionable techniques. Does it really ring true prima facie that the following would be the pecking order of the best medicals schools based on primary care (even though BCM @ # 11 bests, e.g., Harvard, Washington U. (St.L), Stanford, and Hopkins in this reckoning)--->
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankings...are-rankings?int=af3309&int=b3b50a&int=aac509
1 Univ. of Washington (not Washington U.)
2 Univ. of N.C.
3 U.C.S.F.
4 Univ. of Nebraska
5 Oregon Health and Science
5 Univ. of Michigan (tie)
7 UCLA
8 Univ. of Colorado
9 Univ. of Wisconsin-- Madison
10 Univ. of Minnesota
11 BCM
12 Harvard
12 Michigan St. (tie)
12 Penn (tie)
16 Univ. of Iowa
17 UAB
17 UTSW (tie)
19 U.C. Davis
19 Chicago (Pritzker- tie)
19 Univ. of Hawaii-- (tie)
19 Washington Univ. (St. Louis-tie)
I am an iconoclast in this regard. I suspect that among the medical training program cognoscenti, BCM is regarded WELL BETTER than 21st (research)/11th (primary care) among all medical schools overall. I think, in turn, that this is likely a function of BCM's typically ~ # 1 ranking in Step 1 average (243 for the past year, 2014, per the NBME) and top 5 Lizzy M average for its acceptees (# 4 in the last listing I saw). I think that the residency programs surely see these realities, and that the TMC (Texas Medical center complex) is simply a great forum/learning environment after that 18 month preclinical period that together produce the often nation-leading Step 1 average. Simply also look at the match lists and drill down on the residency programs. Consider, e.g., that last year 10 of 10 @ BCM who reportedly applied for ortho matched into ortho.
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2014
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 24
Has anyone gotten accepted in the past few weeks? Does anyone know whether they're still sending out acceptances?
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2014
- Messages
- 39
- Reaction score
- 51
I got in the first week of February but I haven't heard of any recent acceptances. I have a few friends still waiting. I'm also pretty sure they still have a good amount of acceptances to send out.
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2011
- Messages
- 143
- Reaction score
- 35
No sorry, that info was from student affairs.
~~~~~~~~
Per BCM MS1 TexasBear, "the majority of acceptances go out in March and April." There is another wave in early May off of the WL as many prior OOS acceptees opt instead for other schools such as their IS public schools or other upper tier schools (other than BCM). There were 72 (of 119 accepted from OOS) in a recent class who ultimately opted to matriculate elsewhere, so quite a lot are accepted off of the WL and/or later in the process, and nobody knows when you show up in Anatomy when you were accepted.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2015
- Messages
- 124
- Reaction score
- 102
Long-time lurker here. I tried looking for the answer to this question in older posts, but to whom have people typically addressed their LOIs? I'm aware of the email address created for interviewed applicants, I'm just wondering whether it's the dean(s) or the general admissions committee I should address in the letter itself. Thank you!
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2013
- Messages
- 120
- Reaction score
- 43
The Dean(s)
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2015
- Messages
- 30
- Reaction score
- 23
Nice avatar! I am a current junior at Texas A&M going to be applying to BCM in 2015-2016 application season. I hope I get accepted to BCM!
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2015
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 12
I'm really starting to think that TexasBear's statement that the majority of acceptances go out in March and April is false. Maybe only April, not March. The acceptances this year have followed last cycle's pattern almost exactly, and last year's BCM thread had no posts of acceptances in March. I know that not everyone uses SDN, but I would imagine that the sample size should be large enough that at least one person would post!
Baylor's annoyingly slow admissions committee must be taking March off to watch the NCAA March Madness tournament.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2013
- Messages
- 229
- Reaction score
- 252
As much as I would love to agree with you, the second look weekend has been moved up this year by about two weeks which should also shift their time table assuming they want to accept the class before that weekend. Although with the snail's pace perhaps they aren't too concerned with students making arrangements for that.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2015
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 12
Moved up as in moved to an earlier date? When is it anyways?
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2013
- Messages
- 229
- Reaction score
- 252
I think it was late April last year and now it's mid April? Someone can jump in if that's incorrect. Probably has to do with the holding one offer date being moved up.
Anyways should mean that decisions are on a little earlier timeline this year.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2015
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 12
I think you're right. I found this on the AAMC website:
Application and Acceptance Protocols - Admission Officers
The AAMC recommends the following guidelines to ensure that M.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. applicants are afforded timely notification of the outcome of their applications and timely access to available first-year positions and that schools and programs are protected from having unfilled positions in their entering classes. These protocols are often referred to as “Traffic Rules” by admissions officers and pre-health advisors. These recommendations are distributed for the information of prospective M.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. students, their advisors, and personnel at the medical schools and programs to which they have applied.
The AAMC recommends that each M.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. granting school or program:
4. By March 15 of the matriculation year, issue a number of acceptance offers at least equal to the expected number of students in its first-year entering class and report those acceptance actions to AMCAS.
I'm not sure if these are treated as just optional guidelines or if they are firm rules, but it looks like Baylor's class is now full, and any post-interview applicants that haven't heard back by now are either waitlisted or rejected 🙁
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2010
- Messages
- 11,799
- Reaction score
- 2,808
What makes you say Baylor's class is now full? Just the traffic rules?
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2015
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 12
Yea, just based on the traffic rules. I hope the class isn't full but it sure seems that way. The site says that "the AAMC recommends the following guidelines..." but I'm not sure if AMCAS schools can just treat them as recommendations or if they actually have to follow them as firm rules.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2009
- Messages
- 89
- Reaction score
- 38
Baylor's entering class will be about 185 students, but iirc the school will send out something like 300+ total acceptances. Even if BCM abides by the traffic rules and has sent out at least 185 so far, they've likely got plenty of acceptances left to give out.
Whoop! Best of luck to you and all the other Aggies browsing. Plenty of us down here at BCM. My best advice to you and all the other A&M applicants is to make Karen your best friend right now; do everything she tells you.
Whoop! Best of luck to you and all the other Aggies browsing. Plenty of us down here at BCM. My best advice to you and all the other A&M applicants is to make Karen your best friend right now; do everything she tells you.
Last edited:
There's an email address for interviewed applicants? Do you know where I can find it?
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2015
- Messages
- 124
- Reaction score
- 102
It should be on one of the handouts in the folder they gave you.
I can't find it there. Can somebody please PM it to me?
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2015
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 12
I was under the impression that the acceptances that get the number to 300 plus are the ones that are sent out after acceptees withdraw. I'm pretty sure they don't send out more acceptances while their class is full, so it seems that the next acceptances will only be for applicants coming off the waitlist.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2010
- Messages
- 11,799
- Reaction score
- 2,808
I don't think you understand how this works; every school makes a total number of initial acceptances far greater than the number of spots in their class prior to the one-acceptance-holding date (April 30 this year). Yes, some acceptances will be given out after that, but Baylor probably gives ~240 or so acceptances out prior to that; there is no "full class" since there's no guarantee the first 185 acceptees will actually attend.
Bottom line, we have no idea how many acceptances BCM has actually given out at this point, and there's no reason to be pessimistic, especially when so many strong applicants (even in-state!) have not heard back.
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2010
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 101
This.
Being pessimistic will only cause unnecessary worry and you practically have no control over the march of events from here on out.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2014
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 2
How do current students feel about doing work-study? In general, I've heard you shouldn't work during medical school but it is tempting to check "yes" for work study on the financial aid app.
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2010
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 101
It's a mix. There are some more demanding jobs that require your full attention (doing phlebotomy at Ben Taub) and some really chill ones that only require you to be present (erasing the chalkboard after each lecture, working at the library front desk). For the latter, you are literally being paid to attend class or sit and study. It pays $15/hr and is worth it. If you are even vaguely interested, I would check yes.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2009
- Messages
- 89
- Reaction score
- 38
in case anyone is worried about probation affecting bcm students matching well, the match statistics were just posted this year... some numbers of note:
out of a class of 186:
13 orthopedic surgery
11 urology
11 ophthalmology
7 anesthesiology
6 otolaryngology
6 dermatology
full breakdown:
out of a class of 186:
13 orthopedic surgery
11 urology
11 ophthalmology
7 anesthesiology
6 otolaryngology
6 dermatology
full breakdown:
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2010
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 101
in case anyone is worried about probation affecting bcm students matching well, the match statistics were just posted this year... some numbers of note:
out of a class of 186:
13 orthopedic surgery
11 urology
11 ophthalmology
7 anesthesiology
6 otolaryngology
6 dermatology
full breakdown:
It's beautiful.
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2014
- Messages
- 76
- Reaction score
- 88
Is baylor receptive to update letters? Can't remember what they said at my interview day. And is email the way to go for update letters? And do yall think a new publication is worthy of an update letter?
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2015
- Messages
- 19
- Reaction score
- 26
Deleted
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2014
- Messages
- 68
- Reaction score
- 65
Yes on my interview date, Dr. Vallejo said they were receptive to update letters. Plus, a new publication is significant!
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2011
- Messages
- 34
- Reaction score
- 24
in case anyone is worried about probation affecting bcm students matching well, the match statistics were just posted this year... some numbers of note:
out of a class of 186:
13 orthopedic surgery
11 urology
11 ophthalmology
7 anesthesiology
6 otolaryngology
6 dermatology
full breakdown:
Baylor seemed to do quite well this year. UTSW did not have a good showing. However I believe UTH came out of nowhere and did the best out of all of the texas schools.
out of a class of 231:
18 Anesthesiology
13 orthopedic surgery
8 dermatology
8 urology
5 neurosurgery
5 ophthalmology
5 otolaryngology
4 plastic surgery
Now that we are on the topic of match results, which residencies are the most competitive? I have a basic idea of derm, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery being the really top ones, but can someone give a ranking?
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2009
- Messages
- 399
- Reaction score
- 238
You can look at the NRMP Charting the Outcomes report for an idea of which residencies are most competitive (can look at step score avgs and % that match, though of course that is oversimplifying things)... I would add ENT, urology and rad onc to what you stated above. BCM has a long history of matching very well into competitive surgical subspecialties but you can certainly go into what ever you like from here 🙂
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2012
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 10
Congrats to UT Houston! That's an impressive match. I'd be wary of directly comparing these numbers, though. And about comparing match lists as better/worse in general. Students don't apply to the same specialties or locations in the same distribution at every school. It all varies depending on student priorities and where/how they choose to apply. Obviously, UT Houston students seemed to like anesthesiology while Baylor students tended towards optho. That's mixed parts a reflection of student success and student priorities, and those alone are very difficult to disentangle. All that and location make a huge difference in difficulty too. And UT Houston's class size is ~25% bigger. Altogether, too many factors to make the lists directly comparable.
I'd just use these match lists to show that either school (and most any school) is more than capable of delivering students to the places they desire 🙂
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2015
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
in case anyone is worried about probation affecting bcm students matching well, the match statistics were just posted this year... some numbers of note:
out of a class of 186:
13 orthopedic surgery
11 urology
11 ophthalmology
7 anesthesiology
6 otolaryngology
6 dermatology
full breakdown:
This is rediculous. Did anyone else catch 3 going to BCM derm, 2 going to Yale emergency medicine, 2 hopkins IM, 1 UCSF optho, or the 1 guy/gal matching to Harvard plastics?!? BCM...youre students amaze me. Let me come interview this fall!!! Por favor?
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2015
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
Can some current students comment on how Baylor students seem to match to the places I mentioned in my last post? Seems like top programs are taking quite lots of Baylor students each cycle for competitie specialties (optho, EM, plastic, IM). Thankz you!
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2015
- Messages
- 35
- Reaction score
- 16
I am on the only one that feels like there is no way that Baylor hasn't sent out more acceptances since the first week of February?
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2010
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 101
1. Students going to Baylor are smart to begin with.
2. We have a shortened preclinical curriculum which allows more time to do away rotations, research, etc.
3. We do one year of clinics before taking Step 1. Doing shelf exams before Step 1 has many advantages.
4. We have ~8 weeks of dedicated Step 1 studying time. Step score average for the matching class is 243.
5. Baylor's name recognition helps a lot during interviews.
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2011
- Messages
- 470
- Reaction score
- 273
My status on the file check page has switched to "not supported." Happen to anyone else? I'm guessing rejections/waitlists should come out soon since nearing the end of the application cycle
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2014
- Messages
- 68
- Reaction score
- 65
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2014
- Messages
- 967
- Reaction score
- 1,556
Got a missed call from BCM this morning with no message. Eep.
*Edit* Calling the number back goes to the main BCM switchboard.
*Editedit* My application status is no longer supported.
*Edit* Calling the number back goes to the main BCM switchboard.
*Editedit* My application status is no longer supported.
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2011
- Messages
- 470
- Reaction score
- 273
Haha wouldn't want to get my hopes up
