pixiestix_7
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Hello! I was lucky to receive pre-match offers from Dell, UTSW, and A&M, and an interview from Baylor. A&M has a 5-year MD/MPH program, while the others have 4-year options, so I've already withdrawn from that pre-match. I also interviewed with Johns Hopkins, but that admissions decision doesn't come out until mid-March, so I'm trying to figure out how to rank for TMDSAS. I want to do an MPH with an emphasis on advocating for evidence-based public policy, want to pursue clinical/QI/public health research, and am interested in peds/EM/OBGYN at this point. All 3 have residencies/departments in the specialties I'm interested in, with Dell & Baylor having some really cool fellowship options, but UTSW is kind of lacking in intriguing fellowships.
Dell
Pros
Baylor
Pros
UTSW
Pros
Dell
Pros
- Flexible curriculum to pursue an MPH and research
- Earliest clinical exposure starting at beginning of 2nd year
- Close to the state capital and could get involved in evidence-based public policy
- Incredible faculty (a lot of which were previously at UTSW but came to Dell) that pursue many diverse interests whether research, public health, or advocacy outside of practicing medicine
- P/F preclinical & clinical
- Most affordable of the 3 schools with cheapest tuition, no extra cost for MPH, and possible tuition scholarship
- I grew up in Austin, love the city, & still have family there
- I was really impressed by how much students loved the school and the different things they've been able to pursue when I visited
- Newer program but impressive match history
- Smaller medical center but still has Level I adult & pediatric trauma centers as well as a Level IV NICU
- Some current students said pre-clinical curriculum is highly condensed and required more independent studying when STEP came around for topics that weren't as clinically relevant but still tested (like the Krebs Cycle)
- No formal medical Spanish coursework but there are immersion trips to Spanish-speaking countries
Baylor
Pros
- TMC (need I say more lol)
- Very prestigious institution
- Formal medical Spanish classes
- Curriculum with emphasis on learning rather than performance with AM/PM exams & more frequent exams
- P/F precinical & clinical
- Again, was impressed by how passionate the students were about Baylor and how friendly they were during campus tour in both Houston & Temple
- Possibility of ending up in Temple, which I'm not completely opposed to, but would probably mean I focus more on community medicine, which is another interest of mine; can also do rotations at Houston during 3rd/4th year & they don't count as away rotations
- Most expensive of the 3 schools with private tuition & extra cost for MPH (but scholarships are available, I believe)
UTSW
Pros
- Research powerhouse, albeit largely basic science
- Have worked at UTSW & Children's Medical Center for the past 4 years doing research, clinical work, and shadowing, so have established quite a few strong connections/mentorships
- Great match history
- Formal medical Spanish coursework, including an Interpreter Apprenticeship
- P/F preclinical but internal ranking & some clinical rotations count towards GPA
- I've heard the student atmosphere is not as cutthroat as it used to be, but it seems like the environment is not as welcoming/collaborative as Dell or Baylor
- May not have the chance to visit campus and get an idea of how the students feel about the curriculum & opportunities
- New in-house MPH program that is not well-established, though I'm sure it's good
