Best Undergrad for UTSW?

[Coldsoldier]

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So being instate, I've honestly fallen in-love with UTSW. I did a research paper with a Surgeon there in my junior year of high-school which was also my freshman year in college and I've been volunteering there for sometime now. My senior year is fast approaching and I'll be applying to a 4 year university to finish up my last 2 years soon and I was thinking of either UTD but now my friends are telling me about UT-Austin. I looked on UTD's website and I was quite impressed with their HPAC program. http://www.utdallas.edu/pre-health/results

UTD also seems to have a very good relationship with UTSW, while UT is probably the more prestigious university. I am aware that going to either and having a great MCAT score and GPA could probably get me into UTSW but I want to be able to balance both and not feel too overwhelmed. UTD was given the "Tier one" status but I really don't quite care for the rank, to me its more about what the school offers and I can't help but drool over UTD's HPAC program. UT is also cheaper but has ALOT of people and its quite known for being a party school but also great in academics. While UTD is abit more expensive but alot less people and for what I hear isn't really much of a party school.

Don't get me wrong, I want to have fun, but I still really want to get things done since I'm on a accelerated path. (RCHS). Any advice?

 

[DrGiraffe]

UTA - UT-Arlington btw.

UT-Austin is normally just UT.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Moving to pre-allo.

 

[Ub3rmensch]

By UT-A, do you mean UT-Austin or UT-Arlington? UTA suggests Arlington.

 

[Coldsoldier]

By UT-A, do you mean UT-Austin or UT-Arlington? UTA suggests Arlington.

Oh sorry. I meant UT-Austin

 

[2012Aggie]

It doesn't matter. What does matter is your GPA, MCAT, research, and extracurriculars. Go the the school you will be happiest at and graduate with minimal debt.

 

[Mount Sinai]

UTSW accepts an avg of 5 students from UT Arlington. just sayin'.

 

[Stumpyman]

Doesn't matter much at all. Not a big difference between those two schools. I can tell this: UT Dallas has a lot more research and volunteering opportunities, while UT Austin is over-saturated with pre-meds.

Other than that, it's purely your choice.

 

[Celerity]

This is copied from another thread a couple weeks ago.


I went to UTD, so here is my 2 cents. (I also transferred from CC in the Dallas area)
If your planning to apply in Texas and want to go to a Texas med school UTD is well represented in medical school students in Texas. Out of the state, I don't know but the school is well on its way to achieving tier 1 status. Most of what people in and out of the state know of UTD is that it is a big research school. This is especially true with nanotechnology research. They have a Nobel Laureate who got their prize in nanotechnology.
The school has a great premed advising department as well as programs aimed to help students with science classes. Also from what I remember, UTD is the state school in Texas that requires the highest SAT score. That won't matter to you as much, because you are transferring.
I can go on about the positives but here is a few negatives.
Parking is hell on earth at that school. This year to make up for budget cuts, they increased enrollment by 20%. They did not expand parking or food resources, as such the cafeteria ran out of food almost every day.
Cost is about $5k a semester if you take a full load.
Feel free to PM me for questions.
Good luck

 

[Bojack Horseman]

If I were in your shoes, I would choose UTD. You would probably have more fun in Austin, but you would also have way more distractions.

 

[MIAYO]

This is copied from another thread a couple weeks ago.


I went to UTD, so here is my 2 cents. (I also transferred from CC in the Dallas area)
If your planning to apply in Texas and want to go to a Texas med school UTD is well represented in medical school students in Texas. Out of the state, I don't know but the school is well on its way to achieving tier 1 status. Most of what people in and out of the state know of UTD is that it is a big research school. This is especially true with nanotechnology research. They have a Nobel Laureate who got their prize in nanotechnology.
The school has a great premed advising department as well as programs aimed to help students with science classes. Also from what I remember, UTD is the state school in Texas that requires the highest SAT score. That won't matter to you as much, because you are transferring.
I can go on about the positives but here is a few negatives.
Parking is hell on earth at that school. This year to make up for budget cuts, they increased enrollment by 20%. They did not expand parking or food resources, as such the cafeteria ran out of food almost every day.
Cost is about $5k a semester if you take a full load.
Feel free to PM me for questions.
Good luck

I really wouldn't underestimate quality of pre-med advising. It can make a huge difference.

 

[Celerity]

I really wouldn't underestimate quality of pre-med advising. It can make a huge difference.

Yeah the director of HPAC there used to be director of admissions at UTSW. I really liked him. He isn't afraid to be honest about what you need to do or the improvements you need to make. He is also a historian too, so that's a plus in my book.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Both are good. At UT you have to work to seperate yourself from all the other idiot premeds (there are a ton).

 

[PantherPride]

UTD or UT are both fine if you want to get into UTSW. Your decision is going to come down to things like finances, distance from home, and what kind of college lifestyle you want

 

[Whatyousay]

Saw plenty of people from UT-D at the Texas schools that I interviewed at, including UTSW.

 

[Laplace]

I would say UTD definitely. Saw countless UTD students at every interview and having kept in contact with them after, they've all been extremely successful with getting accepted. It's unfortunate that you'll be transferring though because everyone tells me they give out full ride scholarships to every entering freshmen with a qualifying SAT score.

 

[Coldsoldier]

Haha, thank you guys for all the well thought out opinions. Yea it kinda sucks, but I've won some scholarships that total around 30k. So hopefully it gets me through without paying for much. I had no idea that the former head of admissions of USTW was leading the HPAC program. I'll need to get in contact with him ASAP!

 

[deleted393595]

It's unfortunate that you'll be transferring though because everyone tells me they give out full ride scholarships to every entering freshmen with a qualifying SAT score.

I think that UTSA and UTH also do, but you'd want to do your research first. But Laplace definitely is right about UTD's generous financials since they are keen on strengthening their university by attracting talent via scholarships. I think that they offer $14K per year or something in that vicinity.

But irregardless, your undergrad doesn't matter, so go where you feel the most comfortable and where you can get the most money.

They have a Nobel Laureate who got their prize in nanotechnology.
Good luck

They used to 🙁

Dr. McDermott passed away a few years ago.

 

[Laplace]

They used to 🙁

Dr. McDermott passed away a few years ago.

McDermott was one of the TI founders, the nanotechnology Nobel laureate was Dr. MacDiarmid

 

[Laplace]

Haha, thank you guys for all the well thought out opinions. Yea it kinda sucks, but I've won some scholarships that total around 30k. So hopefully it gets me through without paying for much. I had no idea that the former head of admissions of USTW was leading the HPAC program. I'll need to get in contact with him ASAP!

I think you're overestimating how good the HPAC program is. Ultimately it's on you. Also one of my friends who attends UTD told me their prehealth advising director was leaving to accept a position working for TMDSAS.

 

[deleted393595]

I think you're overestimating how good the HPAC program is. Ultimately it's on you. Also one of my friends who attends UTD told me their prehealth advising director was leaving to accept a position working for TMDSAS.

And sometimes, SDN >> Any advising programs out there.

McDermott was one of the TI founders, the nanotechnology Nobel laureate was Dr. MacDiarmid

Well... if you sound them out, there's practically no difference 😛

 

[natorx]

man I go to UTEP

Hope I can get some love in the UT system when I apply later this year. I do love our state accepts 90% of residents helps us local pre-medders.

I'm a non-traditional student, hopefully I can stand out in a good way. All Texas schools are real good.

 

[hownowmauvecow]

There are a couple of people from UTEP this year at UTSW (in the MS1 class). In the end the only things that matter are your grades, MCAT scores, ECs and rec letters. School prestige only takes you so far and in the end it is better to go where you think you will perform the best rather than the school that you may perceive to be the best. UTSW has students from all over so please don't pick where to go for undergrad based on what you think will give you the greatest chance to get in here.