McGovern vs. UTMB vs. TTUHSC Lubbock

[girlscoutcookies]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi!

It is getting to the time to submit my match ranking for the TMDSAS match, and I was hoping for some insight on how I should ranking these schools. As of right now, I am interested in anesthesiology and hematology/oncology which is why I am drawn to McGovern with its close proximity to MD Anderson. However, I am still open, and I don’t want to close off other unique opportunities that the other two facilities may provide. Additionally, I recently on a tour and the student guide said any school can provide you enough opportunities for any specialty, so I don’t want to blindly go to McGovern for the sole reason of being close to MD Anderson. I also want to account in for quality of life (defined as personal life outside school in the context of this post). If anyone can review the list I have made and provide other insights, that would be greatly appreciated!

Current ranking right now:

1. McGovern
2. UTMB
3. Texas Tech

Context:

• Asian gay male
• Wants to improve my medical Vietnamese and work with Vietnamese patients
• Interested in anesthesiology and hematology/oncology but open to other possibilities

McGovern

• Pros:
  • Within TMC, especially MD Andersen
  • Good research and shadowing opportunities
  • Has a big Vietnamese population
  • Rotations around Houston
  • Good match list
  • Best quality of life: has a lot of Asian options (Bellaire), most liberal and biggest queer population, great cafes
  • Has good opportunities for Global Health (the best for me as there is an opportunity in Vietnam)
• Cons:
  • Tiered grading after first semester
  • Highest cost of living being in downtown Houston
  • Humid but not as humid as Galveston
  • Neutral pro/con: Not the best indoor gym but close enough to outside gyms + playing volleyball opportunities
  • Bad traffic

UTMB:

• Pros:
  • Has good opportunities for Global Health
  • Unique opportunities with Criminal Justice Hospital and for ID with IHII
  • Good research opportunities
  • Really liked the campus when I toured
  • P/F
  • Good match list
  • Nice indoor facility (gym)
  • Decent cafes
  • Moving to a 1.5-year preclerkship schedule which gives more time for electives in MS4
• Cons:
  • Weather (really humid and sandy)
  • Cost of living vs. quality of life is not the best
  • Mostly older population
  • Neutral pro/con: not a lot of Asian population but close enough to Houston
  • Neutral pro/con: close to the beach but not the best beach to actually enjoy

Texas Tech (Lubbock)

• Pros:
  • Nice and newest facilities
  • Lowest cost of living
  • P/F
  • Sister is close so I can share rent with her (lowest cost of living among the 3)
  • Provided the most outside resources
  • Has the most opportunities for community outreach and early patient interaction
  • Tied to an undergraduate institution which provides fun events and best amenities
  • Little to no traffic
• Cons:
  • Not as much research opportunities
  • Assigned away rotations with less input
  • Not a lot of Asian options (restaurants and supermarkets)
  • Not the best quality of life: small college town, not the best cafe options
  • Decent match list but not as good as the other two schools (confounding factor as student population is more primary care oriented)

 

[obiwan]

UT Houston > UTMB > TTUHSC

 

[RagingBolt34]

UT Houston > UTMB > TTUHSC

Yeah, pretty much this. TTUHSC can go higher for you if you want, depending on your financial situation, but if you're interested in those more competitive specialties, McGovern will give you a big advantage over the others.