Baylor vs. UTSW 2018

[SouthernBelleFutureDoc]

I know that this is a repeat thread (sorry). I've read the old threads, but I still can't decide.


Baylor
Pros
• Higher faculty to student ratio
• World’s largest medical center
o Better networking for residency
o 8 million patient visits per year
• Better USNWR rating
• 1st for NIH funding
• Private → more personalized and more resources
• Smaller class size
• Texas Children’s → largest pediatric hospital in the nation
o Can rotate in San Antonio as well
• MD Anderson
• Best 18-month curriculum
• Higher step scores
• 243-246 Step I
• Specialized track for healthcare policy and management
• More stay at Baylor for their residency than at UTSW
• Top pediatrics
• Top PM&R
• MD Anderson #1 for radiation oncology
• Less cut-throat
• Would be able to do away rotations at other hospitals in med center
• People are less stressed during pre-clinicals


Cons

• Competition in med center
• Public transportation to school
• No protected research time




Southwestern
Pros

• 2nd largest burn center in the country
• Zale Lipshy → highest-ranked neurology and neurosurgery programs in North Texas
• Top dermatology program
• Top OB/GYN
• Top urology
• #1 in nation for plastics
• Parkland rotations
• Protected research time


Cons

• 2nd for NIH funding
• 233-237 Step I
• Students are stressed


Summary: Technically the pros list is longer for Baylor, but UTSW has some substantial pros that Baylor doesn't have. I don't know what kind of medicine I want to pursue, but networking at UTSW would be great if I wanted to do something competitive like plastics or derm.

Thanks for your help!

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[DrDwayneJohnson]

You'd be okay with networking at either school. Do you have any family ties in those areas? Or maybe a partner that would need to relocate?

Honestly I'd say wait to see what FinAid packages look like if you're super on the fence.

 

[DokterMom]

Better Mexican food at Baylor -- seriously.
And having lived in both cities, I think Houston is a much kinder and more welcoming place, FWIW.

Finances are a wash.
If I recall, can't you rank UTSW as #1 and hold Baylor until May 1?

 

[Skittsie13]

As a current UTSW M1 I can say your concerns about stress and it being cutthroat are not really reflective of my experience here. I know that's the reputation but I think it's based on what the school was like a long time ago and is really not what current students experience. I would also take into account living experience -- at Baylor parking is super expensive so you have to live somewhere along the rail line or with a bus or shuttle to campus.

Is there anything I can answer for you as a UTSW student?

 

[SouthernBelleFutureDoc]

Thank you to everyone who replied! I don't have a preference or ties to either city. I haven't gotten all the info for FinAid, so I think I'm going to wait and see which package is better.

@Skittsie13 I'm glad that you're enjoying UTSW! I have friends at both schools who are MS1s now, and it appears to me that my Baylor friends are less stressed with the curriculum. That being said, I'm making an assumption based on a relatively small sample size.

 

[Skittsie13]

Thank you to everyone who replied! I don't have a preference or ties to either city. I haven't gotten all the info for FinAid, so I think I'm going to wait and see which package is better.

@Skittsie13 I'm glad that you're enjoying UTSW! I have friends at both schools who are MS1s now, and it appears to me that my Baylor friends are less stressed with the curriculum. That being said, I'm making an assumption based on a relatively small sample size.

If you're able to I'd recommend going to both schools second looks. You have like 3 months to make a decision so take your time and make sure you explore both options equally!