Houston Programs

[Adab]

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Given my wife will be working in Houston, I really need to be there for residency. Could someone please compare UT-Houston vs Baylor ophthalmology for me? I suspect Baylor is a more prestigious, and thus competitive, program, but how much "better" is it really? I'm a 244/99 from a top20 medschool with few honors, but not AOA, and probably in the top50-66% of my class, few publications, some ophtho research with posters, and hopefully a good letter from our big-wig ophthalmology dept head. Being in Houston is my #1 priority, and I really love ophthalmology so far. But if I do not think I will match at those two programs , I would rather choose an alternative like anesthesiology (which may make me more competitive for UT or Baylor). In other words my dilemma is thus: If I cannot match in ophthalmology at UT or Baylor, I will instead choose a field that will be more of a "guarantee" match there. Do I have a good shot at those two programs?

 

[ophtho1122]

Speaking from a UT-Houston stand point, your numbers are about average for our residents. You'll have a hard time matching here simply because we only offer 3 spots per year and your numbers are average, not excellent. That being said, if you interview well and hopefully have done an away rotation here, you have a fair chance. There are a lot of people that want to stay in Houston, and Baylor is very competitive and highly academic. Baylor is a much harder program to get into based simply on numbers and academic publications, although they do have more spots to offer. They like applicants that are heavily academic and have pedigree. UT-Houston is much more laid back and less academic, although that is changing. We get good surgical volume, amazing diversity of patients, and without all the stress of some programs. If you really love Ophtho, give it a shot. Worst case scenario, go to Galveston as a back up. It is not far from Houston . Once you get out of Residency, it will not matter what program you went to unless you plan on an academic career.

 

[CSME_MD]

Baylor is a great program, very intense but hard to get into, you need atleast 250+ and be from a top 25 med school, unless you are from Medical College of Wisconsin (they take one from MCW every year, some kind of relationship)

UT-Houston is avg or below avg program, not great reputation in texas, only attraction is big city. Your scores should be good enough to get into UT-Houston. I would be cautious though, all there PGY2 this year are
Foreign Medical Graduates - no matter what excuse you get, howcome no US grad matched there this year????
FYI: UT Galveston is the worst rated program in Texas.

 

[ophtho1122]

The reason a FMG gets an ophtho spot over a US grad is very high board scores, great research, and connections, which both of these residents had (only two of the three PGY2's are FMG's, the other is US trained). One of the residents did over a year of research at our eye center and had some impressive publications before getting accepted. The other resident that you speak of, again had a great background and his father is a premier retina surgeon in Texas. This next years incoming class all have great board scores, very personable, and are all US grads if that really matters. I do not come from Texas, but ranked UT Houston very high on my list. I like the program because it is laid back but yet can get you into a highly competitive Fellowship if you wish. Our Chief last year is doing an ASOPRS Oculoplastics Fellowship in Chicago and another resident from last year is at USC/Doheny doing Peds. You have to find a program that you fit in with and then go for it. UT-Houston is a great program in a great city with a lot to offer.

 

[Adab]

thanks for the honest feedback. much appreciated. it's unfortunate that a city as large as houston has only two programs (unlike, say, chicago). quick last question: how many spots does baylor have? (can't seem to find that info on the web)

 

[PDT4CNV]

I interviewed at Baylor several years back. I think the reputation is solid and the training is good. The surgical volume is good as well, although at the time the residents seemed a bit overwhelmed and morale could have been better. The attendings I met could have been more approachable.

UT Houston does not have much reputation and I did not interview there. I do know one of the senior residents there. I saw him at the ALCON course this year and he spoke well of the program. He made it sound as though the surgical volume there was good.

 

[indytx]

baylor has 6 spots. the sfmatch website helpfully lists the number of spots at each program.

 

[OMD]

I interviewed at UT-Houston and really liked it. Ranked it fairly high. The attendings seemed approachable on interview day, the surgical volume seemed adequate, and the residents seemed nice. Overall, at the end of the day, what I think are important characteristics in a program. You'll figure it out when you go. Important for the interviewer is deciding what is most important to them when evaluating programs. Location, research opportunities, surgical volume, etc?

 

[Adab]

In my case, would you recommend away rotation at Baylor or UT-Houston?

 

[ophth_not_opth]

Baylor is a top-notch program. Speaking from first hand experience, I will tell you that the staff is fantastic, approachable, and very supportive. As a resident, the level of camaraderie is fantastic. Education there is well rounded, with a solid didactic schedule, a county hospital, the country's busiest VA eye clinic, a private clinic, and a children's hospital. I know the reputation is somewhat malignant, but this is an old reputation that is no longer applicable. Despite being across the street, I cannot comment accurately on the UT Houston program, except that residents seem like good people.

 

[OMD]

Both. If you are that bent on staying in Houston, then go to both places even if you spend a month that was supposed to be free so you could go on interviews, especially if you aren't going to interview at as many places since you are so intent on Houston. This will cover yourself at both places so you aren't kicking yourself wondering what else you could have done come January.

 

[doodpac]

h

 

[azzarah]

Baylor has 8 residents per year.

 

[ophth_not_opth]

No, Baylor takes 6 per year. UTSW takes 8 and has applied for the ability to take a ninth.

 

[azzarah]

I asked one of my interviewers and she said they take 8 per year....Maybe I'm mistaken, but that's what I have written in my notes....

 

[Haptic]

baylor is definitely 6....they told us that last week

 

[azzarah]

OK, I guess I'm hallucinating! 6 it is! (not that it matters all that much!)

 

[IOP]

baylor is definitely 6....they told us that last week

As a former resident who keeps in touch with the residency, it's six per year.
Not that it's all that important.