Baylor v.s. Cornell

[namsoon]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Yeah that was my impression and what everyone from houston says. That's why I was looking to see what someone from dallas thought.

Being from Dallas and currently living in Houston, I can say that yea, Houston sucks by comparison (though I would certainly overlook that if I got into Baylor 😀)...but that's what 99.9% of Dallas people will say, while Houstonians will say the exact opposite. It's just a rivalry type thing, I suppose. In fact, the phrase "Dallas sucks" has been uttered by my Houston friends so many times that it has lost all meaning to me.

To the OP, both schools are top notch, so I'd go based on location. For me, that'd be Texas, as I just found out that I wouldn't like living in NY as much as I thought I would (I just got back from a trip there). Others will (and apparently already have) tell you to go with NY because they can't live in Texas.

Oh yea, you also might want to consider the heavy PBL at Cornell. It's not for everyone, but if that's your learning style, it's something to consider. In any case, this is definitely not a bad position to be in 🙂

 

[latinfridley]

I'm biased, but I'll say BCM is pretty awesome. The clinical opportunities at some of the best institutions in the country (MDACC, TCH, Houston VAMC, SLEH...) is pretty amazing. Our county hospital (BTGH) is great for seeing a great deal of diverse patients and pathology. We are in the midst of a 1 billion dollar expansion and we are building our own teaching hospital, more research buildings, etc... Our clinical departments are getting better and better post Methodist split. If you're possibly interested in some of the more competitive specialties, it helps to go to a school with a strong department in that specialty. I'm interested in neurosurgery, and BCM has a great department, one of the best. The TMC is the largest medical center in the world and its getting even bigger. It is projected to almost DOUBLE in size in the next 10-20 yrs. Our public transportation system is pretty good. We have light rail and metro buses, and several nearby parking options for about 60 bucks a month. Cost of living is reasonable and as has been mentioned, tuition is cheap compared to most other medical schools. There are plenty of museums, restaraunts, bars, sporting events etc.. to keep you occupied outside of school.
Cornell has a lot of similarities: a few great clinical institutions (MSKCC, NYPH), lots to do nearby, etc...
There are two differences that would make me more excited about BCM, namely its sense of expansion and progress, and the cost of education. Cornell tuition, from what I understand, is expensive, > 30,000/yr (w/o fin aid).
IMHO cost should be a major consideration. Avg BCM student debt after graduation was something like 60 thousand (includes living, school, etc..). Cornell student average debt is over 140 thousand. Remember you have to pay those loans back, starting sometime in residency for most, and monthly payments can be a biatch in terms of influencing your quality of life.
Another good thing to do is to check out residency match lists to see where folks end up.

 

[searun]

well, we're all glad that you'll be avoiding our fine state.

didn't anyone tell you the reason why we have so many med schools? we need all the medically trained people we can get to fill the "executioner" positions in our prisons. 🙄

Not a problem. I solemnly promise not to darken a single doorstep in Texas for the rest of my life. I don't even like to get routed through Houston on airline flights.

I saw "No Country for Old Men" yesterday. Best film of the year in my opinion but not exactly Chamber of Commerce or Visitors and Convention's Bureau material for Texas.

Lyndon Baines Johnson gave us Vietnam and G.W. and the Texas mafia gave us Iraq, my two all time favorite American wars. Plus Dallas has the shrine for the Kennedy assassination. Yeah, I am not a fan of capital punishment either.

I am sure that many fine folks live in Texas, and Baylor is a great school, but I plan to live the rest of my life perfectly content never to visit Texas again. No offense intended, just my personal preference. And yes, I know, no one will miss me in Texas. But I am not running for office so it does not matter.

If you love Texas, fine, but I don't.

 

[TexanGirl]

Being from Dallas and currently living in Houston, I can say that yea, Houston sucks by comparison (though I would certainly overlook that if I got into Baylor 😀)...but that's what 99.9% of Dallas people will say, while Houstonians will say the exact opposite. It's just a rivalry type thing, I suppose. In fact, the phrase "Dallas sucks" has been uttered by my Houston friends so many times that it has lost all meaning to me.

To the OP, both schools are top notch, so I'd go based on location. For me, that'd be Texas, as I just found out that I wouldn't like living in NY as much as I thought I would (I just got back from a trip there). Others will (and apparently already have) tell you to go with NY because they can't live in Texas.

Oh yea, you also might want to consider the heavy PBL at Cornell. It's not for everyone, but if that's your learning style, it's something to consider. In any case, this is definitely not a bad position to be in 🙂

It's a moot point. Neither city is significantly better than the other, since neither city is even distinguished in the least way. You're taking a pick between two equally crappy cities. I've seen both cities, and I think Dallas is only marginally better (but not enough to even make it an issue). I was very, very turned off by Houston when I first saw it, but I plan to give it another chance when I apply. It's egregiously humid down there, and it is, by far, the most aesthetically displeasing city I've ever visited. Pollution, urban sprawl, flat topography, lack of history and character are all drawbacks, but very inconsequential once you realize how much you'll be saving by going to school there.

Synth, can you elaborate on the political/cultural atmosphere of the Dallas area? I live in a small town of 4000 about 60 miles north of Dallas, and I'm not entirely sure what you mean.

 

[TexanGirl]

Personally I can't imagine anyone without a connection to Houston wanting to go there. I lived in the SE suburbs and in central houston for about equal time. What suburbs were you in? Houston has some decent areas that's unquestionable. It has great food and a pretty decent art scene. As a whole I think it kind of sucks though. I'm not a big fan of spread out cities with no foot traffic either.

Nor am I. That's my biggest problem with Texas cities. I remember when we had family from Europe come over and visit Dallas, they were shocked at how empty it was, like a ghost town, with no people ambling around. They were from huge metropolitan cities themselves (London and Copenhagen) so you can imagine the disbelief.

I'm not a fan of suburbs either. Somehow the idea of a two-story home with a large yard, a dog, and a picket fence doesn't appeal to me. Ideally, I'd be able to practice somewhere more urban and hip, but for the time being, I'm content to be in TX.

 

[Jolie South]

Yeah that was my impression and what everyone from houston says. That's why I was looking to see what someone from dallas thought.

I grew up in Dallas and hate it. The pretentious attitude is out of control. It's all about the money and showing that you have the money. Big haired ladies driving suburbans or lexus SUVs, not my thing.

And I swear if I see another one of those stupid coach bags, I will go apes**t on someone.

 

[Drogba]

I grew up in Dallas and hate it. The pretentious attitude is out of control. It's all about the money and showing that you have the money. Big haired ladies driving suburbans or lexus SUVs, not my thing.

And I swear if I see another one of those stupid coach bags, I will go apes**t on someone.

There is something about southern old money that grates me even more than northern old money. I think it's the baroque sense of style of which the big hair is a central element. Not that the whole J Crew, yachting fluorescent pants look that you encounter in the NE isn't aggravating. Some of the most ridiculously dressed rich people I've ever seen were around princeton (which by the way is an incredibly boring "city"). I'll never forget that middle aged pale white man wearing pink pants.

 

[midn]

What's all this about cities sucking? I guess I don't get out enough to understand.

Oh, and I love the suburbs; so much more quieter and relaxed here.

As long as the city is runner-friendly, I'm happy. The only thing that I will mourn after leaving Austin is all the rolling hills. Running on flat ground is so much less interesting although I've started to get some bad lower-back problems from all the hills in Austin.

 

[TexanGirl]

I grew up in Dallas and hate it. The pretentious attitude is out of control. It's all about the money and showing that you have the money. Big haired ladies driving suburbans or lexus SUVs, not my thing.

And I swear if I see another one of those stupid coach bags, I will go apes**t on someone.

So, I take it that you're from the Highland Park area? Plano? Southlake? 😀

There is something about southern old money that grates me even more than northern old money. I think it's the baroque sense of style of which the big hair is a central element. Not that the whole J Crew, yachting fluorescent pants look that you encounter in the NE isn't aggravating. Some of the most ridiculously dressed rich people I've ever seen were around princeton (which by the way is an incredibly boring "city"). I'll never forget that middle aged pale white man wearing pink pants.

Eww, I don't even begin to understand the latest trend in guys wearing fluorescent aka highlighter-colored pants. They could easily pass off as safety patrol officers on the highway with their bright colors.

Oh, and I love the suburbs; so much more quieter and relaxed here.

Each to his own. Suburbs bore me; they're too mundane. I've noticed that people don't get out much in suburbs either. They just sit at home after they retire from a long day at work. 😕 I don't know about you, but that's not how I want to spend my life. I want a place that's always movin', pedestrian-friendly, and livable.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I hate Dallas, and I hate Houston slightly less. I think. But both have their strong points for sure. They are big cities with a lot to offer. Houston is a pretty diverse city. Not like NY, but still pretty diverse.

NYC is a cool city. My mom lives there, and I have spent a lot of time there. We certainly have better Mexican food in TX, but there is a hell of a lot of good food in NY too.

If you say that you wouldn't want to live in TX because Bush is from here, you have **** for brains, and you are far too stupid to be a doctor, or be in any profession that doesn't involve a shovel. Would you go to college at Yale, if given the chance? Bush went there. What if someone said that they wouldn't want to go to Harvard because the Boston Strangler was from Massachusettes? It's just one guy, folks. Yes, he's a doofus. BFD. There are stupid people everywhere, and unfortunately, a lot of them hold public office.

I have never seen anything that compares to the Texas Medical Center. A guy who has been helping me through this process, who was an oncologist at UPenn until recently, sent me an e-mail telling me that he had the same impression of the TMC, after a conference he went to at MD Anderson.

 

[Drogba]

What's all this about cities sucking? I guess I don't get out enough to understand.

Oh, and I love the suburbs; so much more quieter and relaxed here.

As long as the city is runner-friendly, I'm happy. The only thing that I will mourn after leaving Austin is all the rolling hills. Running on flat ground is so much less interesting although I've started to get some bad lower-back problems from all the hills in Austin.

vs

 

[midn]

vs

I hated Boston because of all the tall buildings, I think I'd like NY even less. You can't see anything! It's all concrete with a smidgen of parks. Ugh, too much pavement.

Suburbs are generally cheaper to live in plus you get a nice front yard and backyard.

 

[Quix]

I vote for Cornell. The med schools are comparable. New York is one of the great cities of the world and Houston really really sucks. And contrary to popular opinion, you do not spend your entire life at the med school. Plus Baylor is pretty much Texans, pretty boring, not the most interesting mix of students. Bush is from Texas. So yeah, buck up, and go to New York. You will be glad you did.

Strictly speaking, Bush is from Connecticut. 😉

I'd move to Houston only if it were possible to live in Goode's Barbecue on Kirby.

 

[namsoon]

Strictly speaking, Bush is from Connecticut. 😉

I'd move to Houston only if it were possible to live in Goode's Barbecue on Kirby.

I second both comments...except that I already live in Houston.

 

[TexanGirl]

I hated Boston because of all the tall buildings, I think I'd like NY even less. You can't see anything! It's all concrete with a smidgen of parks. Ugh, too much pavement.

Suburbs are generally cheaper to live in plus you get a nice front yard and backyard.

WHAT?? You get amazing views from those tall buildings that you just can't get in flat ol' suburbia! Not to mention, the architectural variety of the buildings and bridges in NYC/Boston is impressive in itself -- everything from the brownstone homes to gothic skyscrapers. Compared to them, Houston and Dallas aren't tastefully designed, unless beastly highway systems, empty lots, and strip malls are your thang.

Haha, I speak with bias though. I was born in Brooklyn, so TX is just kind of underwhelming for me. And seriously, I'm still wondering what are you supposed to do with yards? I don't know what to make of all that space.

 

[Drogba]

I'm all for natural beauty in place of a concrete jungle but suburbia is not that.

 

[midn]

I guess after the stress of finals, I'm more for the relaxed environment of the suburbs right now.

The only thing I remember about Boston is being stressed out, but that's mostly because I had to rush from place to place because of my interview.

Anyways, to each his/her own 🙂.

 

[searun]

I hate Dallas, and I hate Houston slightly less. I think. But both have their strong points for sure. They are big cities with a lot to offer. Houston is a pretty diverse city. Not like NY, but still pretty diverse.

NYC is a cool city. My mom lives there, and I have spent a lot of time there. We certainly have better Mexican food in TX, but there is a hell of a lot of good food in NY too.

If you say that you wouldn't want to live in TX because Bush is from here, you have **** for brains, and you are far too stupid to be a doctor, or be in any profession that doesn't involve a shovel. Would you go to college at Yale, if given the chance? Bush went there. What if someone said that they wouldn't want to go to Harvard because the Boston Strangler was from Massachusettes? It's just one guy, folks. Yes, he's a doofus. BFD. There are stupid people everywhere, and unfortunately, a lot of them hold public office.

I have never seen anything that compares to the Texas Medical Center. A guy who has been helping me through this process, who was an oncologist at UPenn until recently, sent me an e-mail telling me that he had the same impression of the TMC, after a conference he went to at MD Anderson.

Unfortunately, the undergraduates of Yale did not get a vote about admitting Bush, otherwise he would have attended a community college. He was admitted as a legacy, due to Daddy Bush's influence. The good people of Texas elected this guy governor,so they had a choice, and even worse they continue to elect the worst state legislature in the Union. And the Texas Mafia draft dodgers, got us into Iraq. Oh, and the people of Massachusetts did not vote for the Boston Strangler either. Texas had a choice, and made a poor choice. And before you bring up the national election, Bush lost the popular vote against Gore.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Unfortunately, the undergraduates of Yale did not get a vote about admitting Bush, otherwise he would have attended a community college. He was admitted as a legacy, due to Daddy Bush's influence. The good people of Texas elected this guy governor,so they had a choice, and even worse they continue to elect the worst state legislature in the Union. And the Texas Mafia draft dodgers, got us into Iraq. Oh, and the people of Massachusetts did not vote for the Boston Strangler either. Texas had a choice, and made a poor choice. And before you bring up the national election, Bush lost the popular vote against Gore.

Bush lost the popular vote against Gore by a pretty small margin, so you can't exactly argue that there was some overwhelming American majority that wanted Gore, only to be thwarted by Texas. The truth of the matter is, neither candidate was particularly appealing. And the guy's been elected twice, so its not like there has been a particularly great alternative. The truth of the matter is, the most qualified people are likely eliminated long before the big election.

3.8 million TX residents voted for Bush in that election. There are ~25 million people in TX. I personally don't know anyone who thinks he's doing a good job.

And Bush was not a horrible Texas governor. Not great, but basically, just another guy to hold the office. He has really let loose since getting to the White House.

The word typically used to describe your attitude is "bigotry". It is pretty closed-minded of you to make negative generalizations against any group of people. Particularly because they are from a given geographical region. Are there any other groups of people you hate? Have you been fitted for a white hood and robe yet?

 

[searun]

Gee, I usually get accused of being a liberal Kool Aid drinker and an environmentalist whacko rather than a member of the KKK. But whatever. As I said, I am sure that there are many wonderful people who live in Texas and the people of Texas are not responsible for the decisions of G.W., just some bad judgment for being fooled by this fool for so long.

The point of my comments is that Texas is not every one's cup of tea, not that it is location of the heart of darkness. It certainly is not my cup of tea so I will keep drinking the Kool Aid. If I had to choose between Baylor and Cornell, I would choose Cornell because I would rather live in New York City than Texas.

If you love Texas, fine. Some people love blue, some people love green. I am not passing judgment on anyone from Texas, with the exception of Bush (and yes I know he is originally from Maine) and the Texas Mafia that advises Bush. Why is it that the guys who have never heard a shot fired in anger seem to be the people who start foaming at the mouth at the thought of sending someone else's 20 year old kid to war? No, I never did see the Bush girls in Iraq, not even for a photo op. I am not a pacifist. World War II was necessary. Vietnam and Iraq, not so good.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

OK I can live with that. Its just that I've been around a lot, all over the country, and there's nowhere that I just flat out hate enough that I would not want to spend four years for medical school there if it was a great opportunity. Maybe I'm just laid back like that. I don't care if the people are liberal or conservative or black or white or whatver.

As for Iraq, I wouldn't say its a bad cause, as much as it is a futile one. I don't think it is possible to accomplish what needs to be accomplished in order for this campaign to be any kind of success, and what really sucks is if we just dropped everything and pulled out, it could be a disaster. It could set them back about 100 years. But if we don't pull out, we're keeping our guys in the meat grinder, working towards a goal that we know we can't achieve. How to handle this will be no small task for our next president. Obviously, we need to bring our role in this to an end, but I have no idea how to go about it. I wish we could just get everyone in Iraq to promise to play nice, and then bring everybody home, starting this evening.

 

[searun]

I agree with you. And if I grew up in Texas, I am sure that I would love it and see its virtues. I grew up in Oregon and I definitely love the Northwest. Bush's environmental policies are very destructive to the Northwest, old growth timber and native salmon recovery. Fortunately, the environmentalist lawyers have tied his administration up in federal court.

I think your analysis of Iraq is exactly right.

 

[Jolie South]

WHAT?? You get amazing views from those tall buildings that you just can't get in flat ol' suburbia! Not to mention, the architectural variety of the buildings and bridges in NYC/Boston is impressive in itself -- everything from the brownstone homes to gothic skyscrapers. Compared to them, Houston and Dallas aren't tastefully designed, unless beastly highway systems, empty lots, and strip malls are your thang.

Haha, I speak with bias though. I was born in Brooklyn, so TX is just kind of underwhelming for me. And seriously, I'm still wondering what are you supposed to do with yards? I don't know what to make of all that space.

hello? what do you do with yourself in summer without a pool? also, the backyard barbecue, cookout, or party without a yard leaves something to be desired. setting up tiki torches, being outside, relative quiet. yea totally under-rated by city dwellers who live in cramped downtown apartments. thus, leading me to ask the question 'what do people do on the 4th of July without a yard?'

i will cede the other points about living in a city though.

 

[Jolie South]

I agree with you. And if I grew up in Texas, I am sure that I would love it and see its virtues. I grew up in Oregon and I definitely love the Northwest. Bush's environmental policies are very destructive to the Northwest, old growth timber and native salmon recovery. Fortunately, the environmentalist lawyers have tied his administration up in federal court.

I think your analysis of Iraq is exactly right.

I'm sure none of us had a problem with you disliking texas. it's ok. i couldn't live in the northeast simply for the "yankee" accent. 🙂

however, i was opposed to the vehement manner with which you insulted texas. it's extremely unfair to make sweeping generalizations about a place and a people that you know relatively little about.

i also disdain the superiority complex that most east coast people have towards us. we're not a bunch of backwoods bumpkins who reminisce about the good ol' days on the ranch with dubya. i think most texans if given the opportunity to live in NYC or texas would choose texas. it's part of us. we like it and don't result to namecalling other regions of the US to assert this preference.

 

[Jolie South]

So, I take it that you're from the Highland Park area? Plano? Southlake? 😀

Plano, actually, but I'm getting the hell out as soon as possible. I didn't even apply to Southwestern.

I would never subject my kids to that level of materialism after what I dealt with growing up.

How does this $400 monstrosity not disturb anyone else?

 

[Picklesali]

COL? Cost of Location?

If you're going to use acronyms, use popular ones. Way to be ambiguous.

Yeah, I think Drogba meant COL="Cost of Living"

I think it is a pretty common phrase... 🙂

 

[qtpai]

I'm sure none of us had a problem with you disliking texas. it's ok. i couldn't live in the northeast simply for the "yankee" accent. 🙂

however, i was opposed to the vehement manner with which you insulted texas. it's extremely unfair to make sweeping generalizations about a place and a people that you know relatively little about.

i also disdain the superiority complex that most east coast people have towards us. we're not a bunch of backwoods bumpkins who reminisce about the good ol' days on the ranch with dubya. i think most texans if given the opportunity to live in NYC or texas would choose texas. it's part of us. we like it and don't result to namecalling other regions of the US to assert this preference.

I will reiterate that I don't like Texas. Because I thought it was made clear why Texas is, with the exception of Austin, a horrible place, and yet it continues to be defended, let me elucidate my criticisms on the suburbs and metropolitan wasteland that is Dallas.

Dallas cannot compare with most of the other cities I have seen outside of Texas, and it cannot compare to Austin. Dallas feels like a wasteland much of the time, and many areas, even in the burgeoning economic centers, are aesthetically and atmospherically bleak and sometimes even frightening. I shouldn't even have to mention that many parts of Dallas are the home to some of the highest crimerates in the US. It is extremely economically polarized, racist, and I personally know many rich conservatives who would want nothing more than **** over as many poor as possible if they were given the opportunity.

The suburbs of Dallas are utopias in a bubble, where while there is no crime, house millions of right wing Christians who cannot fathom a way of life even remotely different than their own and as such hold to extreme moralistic (and often hypocritical) and intolerant views of other people. Dallas is so red it is frightening, and it isn't a moderate kind of red; some of the most conservative politicians come from Texas, and are well-supported.

Besides that, you oftentimes don't know who your neighbors are, except the fact that they are often vacuous materialists, and would rather not talk to you if they don't have to. While nobody can say that Texans are "backwoods bumpkins," as Jolie put it, many Texans are indeed backwards, and I suspect many in this dystopic suburbia are quite miserable. Then again, this probably isn't limited to Texan suburbs but might be a more general critique of the "culture of suburbia" in general.

I have found little redeeming about Texas besides Austin, and I know many of my friends who think similarly. Whether or not I am justified in my criticisms or not, well, come to Texas and find out for yourself. Better yet, come live in the suburbs here for a while, the richer the better.

 

[Vvandenn]

I will reiterate that I don't like Texas. Because I thought it was made clear why Texas is, with the exception of Austin, a horrible place, and yet it continues to be defended, let me elucidate my criticisms on the suburbs and metropolitan wasteland that is Dallas.

Dallas cannot compare with most of the other cities I have seen outside of Texas, and it cannot compare to Austin. Dallas feels like a wasteland much of the time, and many areas, even in the burgeoning economic centers, are aesthetically and atmospherically bleak and sometimes even frightening. I shouldn't even have to mention that many parts of Dallas are the home to some of the highest crimerates in the US. It is extremely economically polarized, racist, and I personally know many rich conservatives who would want nothing more than **** over as many poor as possible if they were given the opportunity.

The suburbs of Dallas are utopias in a bubble, where while there is no crime, house millions of right wing Christians who cannot fathom a way of life even remotely different than their own and as such hold to extreme moralistic (and often hypocritical) and intolerant views of other people. Dallas is so red it is frightening, and it isn't a moderate kind of red; some of the most conservative politicians come from Texas, and are well-supported.

Besides that, you oftentimes don't know who your neighbors are, except the fact that they are often vacuous materialists, and would rather not talk to you if they don't have to. While nobody can say that Texans are "backwoods bumpkins," as Jolie put it, many Texans are indeed backwards, and I suspect many in this dystopic suburbia are quite miserable. Then again, this probably isn't limited to Texan suburbs but might be a more general critique of the "culture of suburbia" in general.

I have found little redeeming about Texas besides Austin, and I know many of my friends who think similarly. Whether or not I am justified in my criticisms or not, well, come to Texas and find out for yourself. Better yet, come live in the suburbs here for a while, the richer the better.

👍

 

[midn]

I will reiterate that I don't like Texas. Because I thought it was made clear why Texas is, with the exception of Austin, a horrible place, and yet it continues to be defended, let me elucidate my criticisms on the suburbs and metropolitan wasteland that is Dallas.

Dallas cannot compare with most of the other cities I have seen outside of Texas, and it cannot compare to Austin. Dallas feels like a wasteland much of the time, and many areas, even in the burgeoning economic centers, are aesthetically and atmospherically bleak and sometimes even frightening. I shouldn't even have to mention that many parts of Dallas are the home to some of the highest crimerates in the US. It is extremely economically polarized, racist, and I personally know many rich conservatives who would want nothing more than **** over as many poor as possible if they were given the opportunity.

The suburbs of Dallas are utopias in a bubble, where while there is no crime, house millions of right wing Christians who cannot fathom a way of life even remotely different than their own and as such hold to extreme moralistic (and often hypocritical) and intolerant views of other people. Dallas is so red it is frightening, and it isn't a moderate kind of red; some of the most conservative politicians come from Texas, and are well-supported.

Besides that, you oftentimes don't know who your neighbors are, except the fact that they are often vacuous materialists, and would rather not talk to you if they don't have to. While nobody can say that Texans are "backwoods bumpkins," as Jolie put it, many Texans are indeed backwards, and I suspect many in this dystopic suburbia are quite miserable. Then again, this probably isn't limited to Texan suburbs but might be a more general critique of the "culture of suburbia" in general.

I have found little redeeming about Texas besides Austin, and I know many of my friends who think similarly. Whether or not I am justified in my criticisms or not, well, come to Texas and find out for yourself. Better yet, come live in the suburbs here for a while, the richer the better.

Jesus buddy, did you have a traumatic childhood experience in Texas or something?

Well, I'm going to go cut myself to ease the pain of living in my dystopic suburb.

 

[TexanGirl]

I will reiterate that I don't like Texas. Because I thought it was made clear why Texas is, with the exception of Austin, a horrible place, and yet it continues to be defended, let me elucidate my criticisms on the suburbs and metropolitan wasteland that is Dallas.

Dallas cannot compare with most of the other cities I have seen outside of Texas, and it cannot compare to Austin. Dallas feels like a wasteland much of the time, and many areas, even in the burgeoning economic centers, are aesthetically and atmospherically bleak and sometimes even frightening. I shouldn't even have to mention that many parts of Dallas are the home to some of the highest crimerates in the US. It is extremely economically polarized, racist, and I personally know many rich conservatives who would want nothing more than **** over as many poor as possible if they were given the opportunity.

The suburbs of Dallas are utopias in a bubble, where while there is no crime, house millions of right wing Christians who cannot fathom a way of life even remotely different than their own and as such hold to extreme moralistic (and often hypocritical) and intolerant views of other people. Dallas is so red it is frightening, and it isn't a moderate kind of red; some of the most conservative politicians come from Texas, and are well-supported.

Besides that, you oftentimes don't know who your neighbors are, except the fact that they are often vacuous materialists, and would rather not talk to you if they don't have to. While nobody can say that Texans are "backwoods bumpkins," as Jolie put it, many Texans are indeed backwards, and I suspect many in this dystopic suburbia are quite miserable. Then again, this probably isn't limited to Texan suburbs but might be a more general critique of the "culture of suburbia" in general.

I have found little redeeming about Texas besides Austin, and I know many of my friends who think similarly. Whether or not I am justified in my criticisms or not, well, come to Texas and find out for yourself. Better yet, come live in the suburbs here for a while, the richer the better.

I completely agree with you, although I do think you're painting an extreme picture. There are many Dallasites that aren't anything like you describe, so, there's hope yet for the future. Also, let me preface this by saying I am by no means enamored by Dallas, but I do think over time, one can learn to appreciate the place, any place even.

What Dallas needs is major cultural revitalization. It has the upscale shopping, fine dining, and good neighborhoods like any other major city, but it lacks any definitive character. It is so generic downtown that I can't imagine anyone making a trip there for the "attractions." Another problem is the sprawl of the DFW area; cities like Boston, SF, DC are much smaller in comparison, but all have lively city centers -- a hub where people can congregate either for entertainment or business. That's important, because instead of residents retreating back to their suburbs for things to do, people are looking inwardly at their cities for a sense of culture. The bar is set higher for the city to become a more dynamic and invigorating place to stay.

You are spot on about Dallas being racially and economically polarized. Inner-city Dallas is scary. What's worse is I'd imagine a lot of lifelong Dallasites don't even realize how bad it is, because they've been sheltered so long in dystopic suburbia. I think TX cities need to make an effort to become more compressed and inclusive, which can be achieved by minimizing the city-suburban differences. For instance, introduce a larger public transport system, so maneuverability between places is an option.

Anyways, we're on the same wavelength. I'd be happy to go med school in TX, but beyond that, I'm not so sure if I'd be happy living here.

 

[TexanGirl]

hello? what do you do with yourself in summer without a pool? also, the backyard barbecue, cookout, or party without a yard leaves something to be desired. setting up tiki torches, being outside, relative quiet. yea totally under-rated by city dwellers who live in cramped downtown apartments. thus, leading me to ask the question 'what do people do on the 4th of July without a yard?'

i will cede the other points about living in a city though.

Haha, swimming? The last time I set foot in water, I nearly ended up drowning. (Can't swim. Never learned. Shame, isn't it?) A cute lifeguard had to jump in and save me, but at that point, I was already traumatized enough to know I would never be swimming again. It scares me that I could've suffered from irrevocable brain damage or worse, be dead, if that lifeguard hadn't been so attentive.

I've never take part in those activities, so I wouldn't know what they're like.

Oh, and NYC is pretty much amazing for 4th of July. You can watch the Macy's Fireworks live (the biggest fireworks bonanza, I think) and there's free live performances from that. Also, a rooftop works just as well as a yard for entertaining. Probably better, because of the view.

 

[Drogba]

Haha, swimming? The last time I set foot in water, I nearly ended up drowning. (Can't swim. Never learned. Shame, isn't it?) A cute lifeguard had to jump in and save me, but at that point, I was already traumatized enough to know I would never be swimming again. It scares me that I could've suffered from irrevocable brain damage or worse, be dead, if that lifeguard hadn't been so attentive.

I've never take part in those activities, so I wouldn't know what they're like.

Oh, and NYC is pretty much amazing for 4th of July. You can watch the Macy's Fireworks live (the biggest fireworks bonanza, I think) and there's free live performances from that. Also, a rooftop works just as well as a yard for entertaining. Probably better, because of the view.

Anyone who would rather live in a dallas suburb rather than a Manhattan loft disregarding COL is someone I cannot understand. Put the pool on the roof!

 

[TexanGirl]

Anyone who would rather live in a dallas suburb rather than a Manhattan loft disregarding COL is someone I cannot understand. Put the pool on the roof!

That's what I'm talking about. 👍

I find that most people who strongly prefer one place over the other haven't even given the other place a chance. They have these preconceived notions of how it should be like, and why they can't be there. For Texans, it's always "Oh, it's too cold up there" and "New Yorkers are too rude." And for New Yorkers, it's always "No way, there's no greater place than NY!" and "I don't want to live in Bush country with a twang." It's funny, because both groups are so proud of where they come from that they don't even realize how similar they sound.

I wouldn't even bother trying to convert them. 🙂

 

[Dr O]

Guys....first I would like to thank you all for your advice/opinions...you have all touched on key points about the two that will definitely impact my decision and I couldn't stop laughing while reading some of the posts....

One question though.... For those of you who have access to the residency match list from both Baylor and Cornell, I would like to know what are your thoughts on different places/specialty graduates from each end up?

I'm not really sure how to analyse the results, but I thought Cornell's match result for 2007 was a bit more impressive......correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[midn]

Guys....first I would like to thank you all for your advice/opinions...you have all touched on key points about the two that will definitely impact my decision and I couldn't stop laughing while reading some of the posts....

One question though.... For those of you who have access to the residency match list from both Baylor and Cornell, I would like to know what are your thoughts on different places/specialty graduates from each end up?

I'm not really sure how to analyse the results, but I thought Cornell's match result for 2007 was a bit more impressive......correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't think I'll be much help since I haven't really looked into residencies yet, but do you have the links to the match lists?

 

[Dr O]

I don't think I'll be much help since I haven't really looked into residencies yet, but do you have the links to the match lists?

I don't have a link...they gave us a printed copy in our folders when we interview

 

[edfig99]

Guys....first I would like to thank you all for your advice/opinions...you have all touched on key points about the two that will definitely impact my decision and I couldn't stop laughing while reading some of the posts....

One question though.... For those of you who have access to the residency match list from both Baylor and Cornell, I would like to know what are your thoughts on different places/specialty graduates from each end up?

I'm not really sure how to analyse the results, but I thought Cornell's match result for 2007 was a bit more impressive......correct me if I'm wrong.

I would just caution on giving any significant weight to match lists. Match lists don't really reflect much about the school, but rather the individuals in a given class and their interests which obviously changes from year to year. People apply to different residencies and rank the programs they do based on a whole lot of factors which aren't captured in the match list - i.e. my wife needs to work in this city, so i'm limited my applications to these programs which may not be "higher ranked" according to some random subjective report, but is frankly my number one based on necessity.


To the OP:
Deciding on which school to choose is a complex multivariable equation and only you can determine which variables have a higher weight. All schools are accredited by the same accrediting body according to the same accrediting standards so from the standpoint of academics, a med school is a med school is a med school whether it's a big name Ivy or a state school. Sure curricula vary, and you do have to give some thought of how you'd rather learn - actively or passively, small group or lecture, etc, and there are some differences in clinical training...but at the end of 4 years it's the same degree.

But more importantly, you'll have to figure out how important the economics, the location, and the other extra-curricular elements (i.e. research, int'l opportunities, school name/rep, your general "gut reaction" from meeting with students) mean to you since that ultimately is what vary from school to school. 4 years is a long time and your mental/emotional/spiritual well-being is paramount to continued success and for "enjoying" (yes, it's possible) your med school experience.

good luck and congrats on having to make a choice. most applicants at this time don't have that opportunity.

 

[skyeblue0610]

No contest...Baylor.

Houston weather sucks like no other but it's the Texas Medical Center and Memorial Hermann is an amazing hospital to do rotations

 

[latinfridley]

No contest...Baylor.

Houston weather sucks like no other but it's the Texas Medical Center and Memorial Hermann is an amazing hospital to do rotations

Sorry, thats UTH that rotates at Memorial Hermann, not BCM.

 

[NobodyOwnsMeTHO]

Hey. I have also received acceptances into both of those schools. I am just as stuck as you are but new york seems like one hell of a city. Both schools have good names; what about politically. Anyone know what's going on with Baylor College of Medicine after the Methodist split?

 

[NobodyOwnsMeTHO]

Also, anyone know the average USMLE scores for each of these schools Baylor vs. Cornell. I think Cornell is 235 but I can't find baylor's

 

[latinfridley]

Hey. I have also received acceptances into both of those schools. I am just as stuck as you are but new york seems like one hell of a city. Both schools have good names; what about politically. Anyone know what's going on with Baylor College of Medicine after the Methodist split?

http://www.bcm.edu/bestminds/

 

[TheRealMD]

Also, anyone know the average USMLE scores for each of these schools Baylor vs. Cornell. I think Cornell is 235 but I can't find baylor's

236. Not going to help you much.

What's with all the Dallas hatred? I lived there for a good part of my life and never realized that there's that much to dislike about the city itself. Sure, there are bad areas, but all cities have those.

Funny how a topic about NY and Houston has turned into Dallas vs Houston, two areas where I might be going to med school next year.

In fact, have at it. Go ahead and duke it out. We'll see who's the winner.

 

[TexanGirl]

236. Not going to help you much.

What's with all the Dallas hatred? I lived there for a good part of my life and never realized that there's that much to dislike about the city itself. Sure, there are bad areas, but all cities have those.

Funny how a topic about NY and Houston has turned into Dallas vs Houston, two areas where I might be going to med school next year.

In fact, have at it. Go ahead and duke it out. We'll see who's the winner.

I think you missed the point of the argument. It wasn't directed exclusively at Dallas, or its bad areas. It was more at the larger American issue of suburbia and what comes along with it: McMansions, strip malls, SUV's, traffic congestion, haphazard sprawl, etc. Texan cities, more so than other American cities, just happen to epitomize this growing trend because of the lack of urban planning, the high rate of car ownership, and the availability of lots and lots of land.

I don't know. Some people seem to love it, others don't.

 

[TheRealMD]

I think you missed the point of the argument. It wasn't directed exclusively at Dallas, or its bad areas. It was more at the larger American issue of suburbia and what comes along with it: McMansions, strip malls, SUV's, traffic congestion, haphazard sprawl, etc. Texan cities, more so than other American cities, just happen to epitomize this growing trend because of the lack of urban planning, the high rate of car ownership, and the availability of lots and lots of land.

I don't know. Some people seem to love it, others don't.

I love to be near it, just not in it. Easily accessible!

 

[TexanGirl]

I love to be near it, just not in it. Easily accessible!

😛 If by easily accessible, you mean walking.

 

[Jolie South]

Anyone who would rather live in a dallas suburb rather than a Manhattan loft disregarding COL is someone I cannot understand. Put the pool on the roof!

I never claimed to like dallas suburbs. I just said that the suburbs can have their advantages.

I don't think you can do a comparison and say that living in the city or the suburbs is 100% bad. They're different and have different pros and cons. It depends on what you're looking for. I personally don't like the suburbs, but that doesn't mean I can't recognize things that I had growing up there that maybe you wouldn't have in the city.

p.s. the whole diatribe about dallas was completely unnecessary as I realize that dallas sucks after having lived there for 18+ years, but thanks anyways.

 

[nomoreplz]

I have never seen anything that compares to the Texas Medical Center. A guy who has been helping me through this process, who was an oncologist at UPenn until recently, sent me an e-mail telling me that he had the same impression of the TMC, after a conference he went to at MD Anderson.

This is something I've been noticing on my medical school interview travels. The TMC destroys. Maybe the only place that can compare is NYC - which is totally unhelpful, since we're trying to compare Houston to NYC.

I would just caution on giving any significant weight to match lists. Match lists don't really reflect much about the school, but rather the individuals in a given class and their interests which obviously changes from year to year. People apply to different residencies and rank the programs they do based on a whole lot of factors which aren't captured in the match list - i.e. my wife needs to work in this city, so i'm limited my applications to these programs which may not be "higher ranked" according to some random subjective report, but is frankly my number one based on necessity.

Yeah, I second this. You will have a hard time truly understanding matches, first of all, unless you look up all these different rankings for residency programs, etc etc, and THEN, lilke edfig says, what if your SO is going to Boston so you ranked your Boston choices highest, regardless of program ranking? I have had med sku admissions people tell me at several different schools not to value the match list too highly. After all, at this level - these two schools - it's up to you to distinguish yourself, via grades/board scores/ECs/whatever else they look at. I don't even give much weight to board scores. I'm pretty sure that wherever I go, I will score about the same.

 

[nomoreplz]

Honestly, the more I think about it, this comes down to two things:

1) Cost.

Also, maybe wait and see what the financial aid is from Cornell (if any.)

2) Where do *you* want to spend your next 4 years? Go to the second look weekends (does Baylor have one? I know Cornell does.) See the cities. Get a feel for your classmates. Tada! I think you'll know where you want to be after doing this.

 

[TheRealMD]

Honestly, the more I think about it, this comes down to two things:

1) Cost.

Also, maybe wait and see what the financial aid is from Cornell (if any.)

2) Where do *you* want to spend your next 4 years? Go to the second look weekends (does Baylor have one? I know Cornell does.) See the cities. Get a feel for your classmates. Tada! I think you'll know where you want to be after doing this.

Pretty sure Baylor has a second weekend, however I wonder when schools start sending this info to accepted students.