Only apply to TX schools?

[nynh19]

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Do any TX residents have any experience only applying to TX schools? I’m a TX resident, however I haven’t lived there long. My family moved there a few years ago and I’m in college outside of the state. Before applying, I will have lived in the state for a year while working. One applicant I spoke to said she was only applying to TX, that it wasn’t worth applying anywhere else. I’m worried because I haven’t lived in the state long that I won’t be looked upon very favorably and should branch out. Suggestions? Thank you.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

You can't go wrong just applying to TX medschools contingent on your metrics and stats being competitive. There were many applicants on SDN who were successful only applying to TX medical schools this past cycle @AnotherLawyer comes to mind.

However, if you stats and metrics are in the "superstar" status, meaning you are competitive to get interviews from T10s, then I would also apply to AMCAS also just to increase your chance of an acceptance.

Many AMCAS schools do not offer interviews to TX applicants unless they are "superstars" because of the low tuition and great value that TX medschools offer their matriculates such that most don't leave the state if accepted elsewhere.

As long as you meet the TX resident requirements, you have nothing to worry about regarding unfavorable bias from the TX medschools.

 

[DokterMom]

Agreeing with @DV-T --

• If your numbers are superstar caliber and you would prefer a Top 10 enough to pay for it, then go for it.
• If your qualifications are borderline, then apply TX and broadly to DO schools
  
• If your numbers are somewhere in between, then apply to every TX school with full confidence that there's one that's a good fit for you.

Look at it from the perspective of a med school admissions committee.

• We have applicant Nynh19 who is (let's assume) at least a marginally-well-qualified applicant and who has applied to all of the TX schools from least to most competitive. If Nynh19 is a good candidate, one or more of those TX schools will extend an offer of admission with annual tuition in the ~$18K ballpark. If we (OOS school) really want Nynh19 but are not hugely more prestigious than the TX schools that have extended an offer, then we can reasonably expect to have to cough up sufficient financial aid to bring our tuition down to ~$18K -- and that's generally a lot of money. Is Nynh19 that good? Or, if we can't cough up that kind of financial aid, do we really want to spend our resources (time and interview spots) on an applicant who is likely to go elsewhere for financial reasons, thereby also weakening our yield stats?

• Alternately we have applicant Nynh19 who has (hypothetically) not received any offers from TX schools. Hmm... Wonder what's wrong with him/her?

For what it's worth, the 'IS' qualification is a technical metric, not truly a "How much does Nynh19 really love Texas?" deal. (Though to be perfectly honest, Texans get really funny about this, so you might want to spout some verbal love for your new home. "Not a native but got here as soon as I could" is a useful phrase. 😎)

 

[SpoiledMilk]

I always love @DokterMom posts! They are virtually always on point and as a fellow Texan, I am glad she calls TX home...

 

[nynh19]

Thank you everyone for replying and being so thorough! This makes a lot of sense. For what it is worth, it wouldn't be a lie to say I want to stay in TX! I've lived a few places now, and by far enjoy Texas the most. The opportunities are plentiful and the people have showed me nothing but kindness. I certainly wouldn't mind saying I'm committed to Texas!
Thanks again.

 

[Skittsie13]

Just to share an anecdote -- my family moved to TX a few years before my app cycle and I had never lived in TX before. I was a good candidate but not quite top 10 competitive with a LizzyM 74. I applied to probably 25 schools on AMCAS and didn't hear a peep from a single one -- not even ones that have good relationships with my OOS undergrad! I wouldn't recommend applying OOS unless you fit one of the criteria previously stated.

 

[AnotherLawyer]

Do any TX residents have any experience only applying to TX schools? I’m a TX resident, however I haven’t lived there long. My family moved there a few years ago and I’m in college outside of the state. Before applying, I will have lived in the state for a year while working. One applicant I spoke to said she was only applying to TX, that it wasn’t worth applying anywhere else. I’m worried because I haven’t lived in the state long that I won’t be looked upon very favorably and should branch out. Suggestions? Thank you.

I lived in TX for four years as an adult thereby becoming a resident and applied only through TMDSAS after being out of state for two years (though I did maintain my TX residency). I did not receive a single question during interviews about my commitment to TX or whether I planned to remain in TX after graduation (I do) and had a very successful cycle.