Dell vs McGovern

[Jane_Jane]

Please help me decide between these two. I’m so indecisive.
I matched to MG and was taken off Dell WL today. I already signed a contract for an apartment near McGovern (as I was assuming I wouldn’t be taken off the WL). And I’m having mixed feelings about where to go now that I get to choose.
For context: I’m interested in Ortho but open minded to other fields. I know for sure I will not do internal med or family med.

McGovern

Pros
- TMC
- More research resources (already joined a research project with a neurologist here)
- NBME exams (in-house first semester)
- True P/F first semester
- Lived in Houston all my life, friends to families are all here
- Cheaper
- Non mandatory lectures (lectures are recorded)
- Provided STEP prep resources
- More vacation days/time off to prep for STEP

Cons
- Graded after 1st semester
- Houston traffic is insane
- 2 yr preclinical
- Large class size (I’m scared)

Dell

Pros
- Small class size/divided into groups of 5 mentored by a physician
- True P/F preclinical
- Loved the small campus/lots of windows
- Love Austin as a city more
- Do have some family here too
- 3rd yr dual degree
- 1 yr preclinal

Cons
- Non mandatory lectures but they’re not recorded
- More expensive to live
- Less clinical/research resources
- In-house exams
- No 3rd party STEP prep resources provided
- Less organizations

I think the biggest thing is the P/F thing. Having P/F preclinical is awesome. But at the same time, can’t help but admire the TMC.
Please provide me with any insight or correct me if any of these points are false.
Thank you guys!

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[greenfuzzypeople]

Personally I would go Dell because I love Austin and the flexible 3rd year option however it does look like Mcgovern has more resources. Based on your list, you have less cons for Mcgovern and the research opportunities there would prob be more helpful for matching something competitive like ortho.

You cannot make a bad choice here, both are fantastic options!

 

[dllock713]

Austin also has insane traffic

 

[hommefatale]

I might be biased here because I am close with a few Dell students, but I can provide context into some of your cons. From what I understand, the in-house exams are not a huge deal since they are only for pre-clinical - most people I've talked to still feel prepared for STEP and things. I will say for research resources, the third year flexibility is a huge boon. One of my close friends was involved in several dermatology-related research projects, and another one ended up spending a year on a research fellowship in another state. I don't think you would necessarily be at a significant disadvantage, but your current connection with TMC research is also a huge pro! Best of luck, I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

[pdidd3]

Honestly Dell and McGovern are pretty neck and neck. One is an extremely innovative curriculum with a promising early track record. The other is a well established institution, kind of old school, but very solid for a medical education.

Cuz of ur interest in ortho, i would lean McGovern just because they match insane amounts of people into ortho year after year and have one of the best ortho trauma programs in the country. Several medical students at T5s I have talked to said when they do Sub-Is with McGovern students, they are consistently the best prepared in the room.

Dell also is matching people into top ortho programs despite it being such a new school.

TMC is kinda overrated, and I would value other factors like curriculum much higher than that