Drexel vs Texas Tech---which is better for med school to get desired residency?

[Larry Smith]

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Dear SD list,

I have been accepted to both Texas Tech and Drexel for med school---I'm torn--I am from lubbock and have been living away for a long time, and the thought of going back and living at home where life is easy is very appealing, but i would be in a long distance relationship with my partner who lives in NYC. Drexel would be much closer to NYC, but a tougher adjustment and not as easy of a lifestyle for studying, more work to gain a social support network---so the decision is really,

will going to drexel make it easier to get into the residency of my choice?

any help would be much appreciated.
thanks

 

[Winged Scapula]

Either one.

In most cases, the medical school you attend does not make anywhere near a significant difference in your residency application. The major factors are USMLE Step 1 score, LORs, and grades.

The few times it makes a difference is when you are comparing say, going to Harvard vs going to Texas Tech or Drexel. Maybe TT has a slight edge over Drexel in terms of national reputation (and perhaps only because Drexel seems to change its name every few years). Another consideration would be whether or the program has a residency or department in the specialty you are considering. Its easier to make connections that way but since the majority of pre-med students change their specialty before they apply, its not worth worrying over at this point in time.

It sounds as if you think you would be happier in Lubbock. Most long-distance relationships don't work and considering how much time you'll need to study, I'd think it would be easier to maintain the relationship if you were in Philly. After all, you can read your books on the train to NYC and see each other much more frequently. Making friends is easy in medical school, regardless of where you are.

In the end, you have to make the decision, but don't worry about reputation of these two medical schools when it comes to residency, because its all the same.

 

[HCE]

Agree with the Winged one.

The only other thing I might consider is where you may want to geographically end up for residency (if you have a preference). When it comes time to do audition rotations (not necessary, but can be helpful), it is easier to rotate close to your school.

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

The above advice is all very good. Make your decision based on your life and less on reputation. Both schools should get you what you want if you do your part.


Although one other thing, wouldn't it cost you a lot less to attend TT? That might be a good consideration as well??

 

[Raidergate]

I went to Tech for med school, and got exactly what I wanted out of it. I matched into one of the best gen surg residencies out there, and people from my class are doing things like ortho at mayo and michigan, anesthesia at UCSF, and several other derm/optho/radiology programs. Going to Tech, or any school for that matter, alone won't limit what you can do. You will limit what you can do, and it's on you to prove that you're just as good as those from the big, name brand schools out there.

Tech was great for me. Schools in the south, especially texas, have a good combination of huge patient loads, as well as a little more laid back attitude that really let you function as a "junior doctor." I got to do so much more hands on stuff as a med student than my fellow interns from places like emory, uab, jefferson, etc. I couldn't have been happier.

Also, one of my fellow interns is from Memphis, but went to med school in philly, and he has some mighty fine stories about how he was abused as a student and the general differences in how people treat each other in northern big cities vs the south. I saw none of this, in fact, I can't remember more than a couple times that I was singled out for ridicule by staff members, and even then it wasn't a big deal. According to my fellow 'tern, it was a regular thing for him.

Anyway, this is all just personal experience, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd pick Tech every time and I'm not sure how many people would say the same for their schools. I had a great four years, and feel as prepared as anyone heading into my internship next week (fingers crossed, of course).