Baylor v. UT Houston

[XULA Alum]

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I want to return to Texas for residency for personal reasons. I have been very pro-Baylor for a little over a year and liked it even more after I did a rotation there. My interview went very well and all of the faculty were very nice and appeared approachable. A few weeks later I interviewed at UT Houston and, surprisingly, liked it (I say surprisingly because I had no expectations). I went back for a second look and my interest remains. What one program has, the other lacks. For example, the psychotherapy training at Baylor seems far superior, but the mentoring at UT Houston is more accessible. So, I'm curious how people think the two programs compare?

 

[2tall]

In viewing previous threads on this topic, you won't garner much response. There's no way to compete with the "northeast versus threads."

If you do an advanced search of Baylor refined to this forum, you'll pull up some info. The gist: people echoed your feelings about UT, but felt their interview day to be unorganized...people (literally like 3 people) felt Baylor was one of the best programs Texas has to offer.

I'd assume that the Menninger Department of Psychiatry would be more recognized nationally. If you decide to remain in Texas, would it really make a difference? Gabbard and Yudofsky have a shiny new textbook out. You could get 'em to autography it.

Interim chair was a vice chair at Baylor, past APA pres, and current World Psych Org prez (did I just make up an organization?). UTH's PD trained at Baylor. Does that mean she'll bring some of BCM's culture/philosophy to their program?

There are distinct differences between the programs, however I don't think one could go wrong with either. Flip a coin!

My quick impression...
Baylor - residents seemed stressed but happy. More $ (~13K more than UTH over the 4 yrs), but seems you earn every penny. Pros - Menninger Clinic (not department) seems like a mental health utopia and great learning experience. You have the opportunity to get an MPH at UTH or train at the Houston Galvestion Psychoanalytic Institute while there. Pros/Cons (depends on your perspective) - lots of consults, VA call.

UTH - residents seemed relaxed and happy. Pros - gotta love the Harris County Psychiatric Center = 1 stop shopping. While not as structured as Baylor seems, I'd assume you would have the ability to do the MPH or psychotherapy training (just would take some initiative).

 

[dianamd]

I want to return to Texas for residency for personal reasons. I have been very pro-Baylor for a little over a year and liked it even more after I did a rotation there. My interview went very well and all of the faculty were very nice and appeared approachable. A few weeks later I interviewed at UT Houston and, surprisingly, liked it (I say surprisingly because I had no expectations). I went back for a second look and my interest remains. What one program has, the other lacks. For example, the psychotherapy training at Baylor seems far superior, but the mentoring at UT Houston is more accessible. So, I'm curious how people think the two programs compare?

Personally, I would not want to live in Texas, but I would love to go to Baylor to be part of Menninger -- I know a few of the former higher-ups at the clinic, and they basically speak in glowing terms about it (one was there when it was in Kansas and one is there now at Baylor).

The guy at Baylor basically told me that he believes their training is on part with some of the top programs in the country -- UCLA, Yale -- etc., that level.

So, for that reason, I would love to spend time there one day.

As far as your comparison, I can see wanting a better lifestyle (UT), but for superior psychotherapy training vs. superior mentoring, I think the former is harder to come by and therefore would value it more highly.

Also, if you are going back to Texas for personal reasons, maybe you don't want to be miserable there! I don't know if that's how you felt towards Baylor, but if so, decide carefully.... GOOD LUCK!

 

[2tall]

Regarding UTH...I don't think it has anything to do with lifestyle. "Lifestyle" seems to imply one works less or that the job isn't as intense. It's more about the atmosphere.

 

[XULA Alum]

Thank you all for your comments, I really appreciate them. I welcome working hard and staying late, so, that definitely is not a barrier for me. I just feel that UTH and Baylor have different cultures and I feel as though I would be happy in both. I forgot to ask what you all thought the programs' child programs. I have heard that UTH's child program is really good. I am interested in child. Do you think that should have some influence on my decision? Or it doesn't really matter?

 

[fotolilith]

One of the biggest differences between Baylor and UTH is that Baylor (at least claims) to have a higher emphasis on psychotherapy training. If you're really into therapy, then Baylor might be the place for you. However, less than 15% of all psychiatrists use therapy on all of their patients, and UTH is still required to provide training in it, so it may not be that big of a deal.

The next thing is name recognition. Baylor is the place to go, if you care about that stuff. You would get just as good an education and faculty experience at UTH, though, and name recognition may not matter after residency anyways.

As for the "culture" of UTH, that's really code for one main thing - residency at UTH is less stressful. Baylor residents have a more intensive call schedule. You may say "I welcome hard work and long hours," but does your family welcome not having that time to spend with you? Overall, the residents at both schools were very laid back and friendly, but I did hear more stories of pissed off residents slamming doors at Baylor.

Really, the quality of training is identical at both places, so ignore the hype and figure out the place you fit best. If you want a less stressful residency, got to UTH. If you want a degree from Baylor, and feel that is worth driving 45 mins every day to get to the Menninger Clinic (I think I heard it's moving, but Baylor has halted several building projects because of their potential merger with Rice, so who knows when that might happen) and several more calls, then go to Baylor. Either place has great faculty and residents, so it's up to what you feel is more important to your quality of life.