Dell vs UTMB (2023)

[palmtree12]

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Hey everyone, I'm a TMDSAS applicant and I'm torn up because I cannot decide whether to rank Dell or UTMB #1 on Friday. I could use any help you guys have to offer.

Dell
Pros:

• New school with a high ceiling (literally and figuratively), attractive facilities
• My family lives 30 minutes from Austin, friends from high school, like Austin as a city
• Small class may allow for each student to receive more individualized support by faculty
• I do like the idea of having one year to pursue personal endeavors (can focus on school during preclinicals and MS2, no conflicting priorities especially if pursuing a competitive specialty)
• I like the modern approach to learning and believe in what it can do for learning outcomes

Cons:

• New school, not well established despite good reputation
• Smaller class may mean less people like me, and mostly split up after MS1 anyway
• Accelerated preclinical may be tough, shorter holidays, very nontraditional schedule
• Cost of living in Austin (but family might move closer and I could live with them so this could be a nonfactor)
• I'm a bit hesitant about such a nontraditional medical education, but willing to take the leap

UTMB
Pros

• Established school, you know exactly what you're getting into, predictable education
• Have friends at the med school now, and I do like the Greek life there, feel like I will be well supported by peers
• Large class, I know I will find my niche and make good friends, never met more happy students
• Will have relatively full summers and holidays
• Large alumni network for connections

Cons

• I definitely like Galveston more than most, but it is not Austin by any stretch of the imagination
• Larger class may mean less individualized support from faculty, especially at an established institution
• Juxtaposed to Dell, I find the same old style traditional education to be less exciting, though well established
• May have to have conflicting priorities during med school years if I decide to pursue a competitive specialty
• As an older school, it's not really on the up and up, and reputation is currently not at the same level as Dell

Summary: I think the choice I'm faced with is do I take the chance on the shiny new school with much higher potential but arguably more downside (Dell), or do I go with the safe choice where you know what you're getting (UTMB)? I have other TMDSAS interviews, but will 100% be ranking these #1 and #2, as I like the collaborative atmosphere of both schools, feel as if there on similar levels with regard to residency matching, and the locations. Anything helps, thanks everyone!

 

[pugsygirl17]

I interviewed at both of these schools & I would choose Dell for the pros you mentioned above. For me, Austin>>>Galveston. Also the free year at Dell to do research, get a second degree, etc is super enticing. And the fact that your family is really close to Austin would be another big plus for me.

I feel like you can't wrong with either school though. I really liked both schools. Just based on your pros/cons list and my overall experiences at both interview days, I would lean towards Dell as #1.

 

[Max2022]

Where you would be happy
And where you have more rotation option and alumni network and mentors