Competitiveness of Dallas Psychiatry programs?

[DocHawk3088]

Hi, I'm a new member, I tried searching through for a previous thread like this but couldn't really find one specific enough to my situation. If one already exists, let me apologize in advance and if you could redirect me that way, it'd be great.

I'm mainly wondering about my prospects getting into a Psychiatry program in the DFW area, which I know is basically JPS and UTSW. UTSW has 15 spots, but how competitive would it be for me to get in?

A little background, I had to repeat my first year of medical school due to prolonged absences I took when my Dad had gotten sick. M1 year repeat went fine without any failures, M2 year as well, but right around Step 1 time my Dad passed away leaving a lot of debt for me and my Mom and my brother to deal with. I ended up spending more time then I realized helping her sell off the house and the majority of our belongings so she could move in with me where I go to school. I ended up failing Step 1 with a 187, and made a 221 on my second attempt. So far rotations have been going well, with no failures of any clerkships and a couple high-passes.

Assuming I do well on Step 2 CK/CS, what are my shots at a Psychiatry spot at UTSW, for those in or familiar with the program? Would research help my odds? I'm really aiming for a Dallas location mainly because it works out in a lot of ways for me, I'm interested in Psychotherapy which I know UTSW has a focus on, and it allows me to stay close to my family.

If this is in the wrong place, or if there's somewhere I can get answers to this question, sorry about this and thanks!

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[TexasPhysician]

UTSW is going to be very tough for you. Significant research including multiple publications may help. Currently UTSW is the most competitive program in TX with Austin and UTMB close behind.

I think you still stand a good chance at JPS.

Definitely apply to both as you never know for certain.

 

[manly_man246]

UTSW is going to be very tough for you. Significant research including multiple publications may help. Currently UTSW is the most competitive program in TX with Austin and UTMB close behind.

A bit OT but you don't feel that the Baylor program is as competitive as UTSW or others you've listed? Why's that? You can just PM me if you don't feel like clogging up the threads.

 

[DocHawk3088]

UTSW is going to be very tough for you. Significant research including multiple publications may help. Currently UTSW is the most competitive program in TX with Austin and UTMB close behind.

I think you still stand a good chance at JPS.

Definitely apply to both as you never know for certain.

Thanks, I appreciate the honesty! I was worried about JPS since they only have 5 spots, but you're right, never hurts to try for both. I have a couple research months I could use just to help what little chance I have. Is there anything else I can do other than the obligatory away rotation?

 

[TexasPhysician]

A bit OT but you don't feel that the Baylor program is as competitive as UTSW or others you've listed? Why's that? You can just PM me if you don't feel like clogging up the threads.

Baylor has the best medical school in the state, but objectively the psych residency program is less competitive. UTMB as a quick comparison is 100% AMG due to higher demand. Baylor hasn't been able to do that. Residents have transferred out of Baylor due to perceived higher scut work resulting in higher work hours (from someone I trust who went there). Glen Gabbard has become less involved there as he has started his own private practice.

I'm not saying Baylor isn't a good place to train though. I didn't train there, so I don't know everything about them. They have some great faculty though. I'm merely stating that it would be easier to match at Baylor than the ones I listed above. If you are interested in Baylor, that is a good thing for you.

The Texas applicants I meet continue to rank UTSW-Dallas, UTSW-Austin, and UTMB high on rank lists.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Thanks, I appreciate the honesty! I was worried about JPS since they only have 5 spots, but you're right, never hurts to try for both. I have a couple research months I could use just to help what little chance I have. Is there anything else I can do other than the obligatory away rotation?

If you really want DFW, I'd consider 2 away rotations at JPS. Demonstrate that you REALLY want them. The few people I know who have done 2 aways at 1 location have all matched there. You could do an away rotation at UTSW-Dallas which would 99% chance land you an interview, but unless you blow step 2 out of the water, I'm not sure you can do enough to increase your odds of matching there.

 

[psychattending]

With UTSW having 15 slots, it is not out of reach for you. I would recommend that you arrange to do a 4 week sub-I there. The vast majority of programs will look pass red flags in your application if you perform very well on a sub-I. At a minimum doing one should get you an interview and if you do well on the rotation it should put you in the matchable part of their list.

 

[HarryMTieboutMD]

Also, the PD at UTSW is an analyst and in my experience interviewing there (and others who I know as well), he uses the interview to have a meaningful conversation and get to know the applicant in a way that no other interviewers (at least with whom I interviewed) could. Now, I have no intention of practicing anything remotely resembling psychodynamic psychotherapy, and I ranked UTSW (a neuroscience/biological powerhouse btw... yes, with an analyst program director) lower on my list simply because I liked other programs better, but my interview with the PD was one of the more memorable ones from the interview trail.

 

[ari202]

Sorry about your father's death. I think its very commendable the way you were there for your family.

Are you DO? I think there is a JPFortWorth Program that is both MD/DO spots. I think there is a program in Louisiana that's about 2 hours or so from Dallas. I want to say it is LSU-Shreveport...it is not too far from Dallas if i recall. My school sent me their info a while back, but I wanted to stay closer to AZ/CA due to family reasons.

 

[TexasPhysician]

I think there is a program in Louisiana that's about 2 hours or so from Dallas. I want to say it is LSU-Shreveport...it is not too far from Dallas if i recall. My school sent me their info a while back, but I wanted to stay closer to AZ/CA due to family reasons.

While Shreveport is about 3 hours from DFW, Texas A&M is closer. Austin is just as close as Shreveport and a more exciting city.