How Big is the Difference Between UTSW/Baylor and the Mid-Tier TX Schools?

[FaulerHund]

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I am a Texas applicant. I prematched into UTMB, TTU Lubbock, TTU El Paso and A&M, and I have withdrawn from TTU El Paso and A&M. The concensus seems to be that UTMB, UTHSCSA (Long) and UTH (McGovern) are about on-par with each other, while UTSW and Baylor are above them. But how far above those mid-tier schools are UTSW and Baylor? If I rank UTSW #1 and fail to get in, how diminished will my prospects be on the basis of prestige? How much harder would I have to work to get into a top specialty? Does it really make that big of a difference?

 

[Hadoken]

First, congratulations to you on your multiple acceptances! That's a great problem to have. You are 100% correct that UTSW and BCM are the "premier" programs in the state. I would even consider UTH higher on your list if you were considering pediatrics so you could go through Texas Children's. I think BCM has more time off and has the best boards in state vs nation?? I remember hearing their average last year was high 240s. On the otherhand, UTSW has largely the best ranked in-state residency programs with a few exceptions where you could use your training as a springboard for that.

If I were you, I would try and find a copy of all match lists from previous years and see if it has people going where you want to go. It seems like you probably crushed undergrad/exams.. I think you will have great opportunities no matter where you go. If you went to a lower tier on your list, you are correct that there may be some bias favoring the better regional programs. But if you crush step, you're getting invite to interview for residency way more times than not. Admittedly, this does not hold true for brand name programs that like pedigree like PENN.

All that being said. The short answer is I don't think it matters after step 1. I strongly feel that school rankings matter insignificantly at the level of the individual. I go to a lower tier Texas school, have high scores, and have invites at top programs in a competitive specialty. Go where you'll be most happy. The next four years will suck sometimes.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[whyamievenhere]

Invest in MSAR Online and look at matriculant demographics. You'll see info on where their grads go.

Get into med school before you start worrying about resiencies

I prematched into UTMB, TTU Lubbock, TTU El Paso and A&M

First of all, there's no need to be unnecessarily abrasive on these forums. Premeds are dicks enough without your "contributions."

Sadly, a numbe rof people have poor reading comprehension skills. Obviously, the MCAT VR section will be troublesome for them.

Second of all, OP stated in their second sentence that they have already gotten into 4 medical schools. I can't sugar coat this: I am worried about your reading comprehension. I suggest taking your time to read the post before you hit reply next time.

Finally, to the OP, all of the Texas schools have matched students into competitive residencies. No matter where you go, you will have a good chance at matching into whatever specialty you wish.

 

[DokterMom]

The most prestigious residency programs in the most competitive specialties are disproportionately populated by the top graduates of the most prestigious medical schools. That really shouldn't come as a surprise. Disproportionately. Not exclusively.

From what I've seen, a 'top' candidate from a 'good' medical school fares about as well as a 'good' candidate from a 'top' medical school. So not as competitive as a 'top' candidate from a 'top' school, but better than a 'good' candidate from a 'good' medical school.

No rocket science, no surprises, no real way to quantify more clearly.

As has been said, from a 'good' school like UTMB, if you are a 'very good' or better candidate (STEP scores, clinical evaluations, pre-clinical grades) then every specialty will be possible for you. If you work hard enough and do well enough, every program in every specialty should still be possible, but you will have to do somewhat better than the guy from Harvard just because of the pedigree gap.

 

[Goro]

First of all, there's no need to be unnecessarily abrasive on these forums. Premeds are dicks enough without your "contributions."



Second of all, OP stated in their second sentence that they have already gotten into 4 medical schools. I can't sugar coat this: I am worried about your reading comprehension. I suggest taking your time to read the post before you hit reply next time.

Finally, to the OP, all of the Texas schools have matched students into competitive residencies. No matter where you go, you will have a good chance at matching into whatever specialty you wish.

Fair enough; point taken. You are truly my student.

 

[sliceofbread136]

First, congratulations to you on your multiple acceptances! That's a great problem to have. You are 100% correct that UTSW and BCM are the "premier" programs in the state. I would even consider UTH higher on your list if you were considering pediatrics so you could go through Texas Children's. I think BCM has more time off and has the best boards in state vs nation?? I remember hearing their average last year was high 240s. On the otherhand, UTSW has largely the best ranked in-state residency programs with a few exceptions where you could use your training as a springboard for that.

If I were you, I would try and find a copy of all match lists from previous years and see if it has people going where you want to go. It seems like you probably crushed undergrad/exams.. I think you will have great opportunities no matter where you go. If you went to a lower tier on your list, you are correct that there may be some bias favoring the better regional programs. But if you crush step, you're getting invite to interview for residency way more times than not. Admittedly, this does not hold true for brand name programs that like pedigree like PENN.

All that being said. The short answer is I don't think it matters after step 1. I strongly feel that school rankings matter insignificantly at the level of the individual. I go to a lower tier Texas school, have high scores, and have invites at top programs in a competitive specialty. Go where you'll be most happy. The next four years will suck sometimes.

Let me know if you have any questions.

UTH students do not rotate through texas children's normally, exclusively baylor

 

[Hadoken]

thanks for this correction!

 

[Lucca]

If your end goal is to stay in TX you will probably be fine at any of the Texas schools. If you want to go somewhere competitive outside of Texas, UTSW and Baylor name will probably make a significant enough difference. You can look at the match lists and get a crude idea for this.