OOS - Texas A&M vs UTMB Galveston

[Calimd2019]

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Hello all, first post!

I was recently accepted to both Texas A&M and UTMB in Galveston Texas, and wanted opinions from those familiar with the schools. I am having a really difficult time picking between the two and could easily see myself at either. Coming from OOS, I honestly do not know much about either school's reputation or which is preferred. I saw a similar thread, however they didn't talk much coming from an OOS perspective not knowing much about the schools other than interview day presentation. I think the consensus is they're both "mid tier" Texas schools? Anybody else been in a similar situation picking between them? From interview days it seemed as if A&M's facilities were way nicer, and the cities where they can do rotations seemed better than Galveston (then again I've never been to Dallas, Houston, Round Rock, or Temple, though, but from what I hear). But again I'm not sure of their reputation or comparing which has better pre-clinical curriculum/more success (are they both good schools?). Either way, thank god for Texas and their tuition rates! Thanks in advance for the help.

I guess some things I was considering were cost (same), location, match lists, reputation, curriculum/schedule, feel, etc.

Schedule it seems like both schools have ~3 half days per week with tests about once every 3 weeks, so again very similar. Though A&M is moving to a 1.5 year pre-clinical curriculum (good or bad?).

Match list (though UTMB had a larger class of about 70 more when comparing last match):

derm: 2 A&M, 6 UTMB
ortho:6 A&M, 3 UTMB
Rad: 9 A&M, 16 UTMB
Plastics: 1 A&M, 3 UTMB
Oto: 1 A&M, 3 UTMB
Ophth: 5 A&M, 4 UTMB

 

[deleted632431]

The reason I would chose Texas A&M is because:
1) The faculty/staff seem to very invested in the students as much as the students are invested in their medical school education.
2) I feel like that the change to the 1.5 pre-clinical curriculum is a positive because healthcare is obviously changing which means that medical schools also need to change their approach to provide an effective education.
3) The different tracks allow you to chose what kind of environment you want to live/work in. The affiliated hospitals in Houston are in one of the largest/best medical centers in the country (I am obviously interested in the Houston track). If you decide to stay in College Station, they have the AIM program which allows you to follow patients throughout your clinicals years and really helps you build relationships with your patients. You are also allowed flexibility meaning that even if you chose Temple for your clinicals, you are allowed to go to Dallas to do a rotation. There is flexibility in regards to doing your rotations within A&M's network.
4) They are building a NEW gross anatomy lab that will be available to the Class of 2019. This means state-of-the-art technology.
5) Living in College Station is extremely affordable! One medical student told me she pays $390 rent per month for her spacious townhouse. You are also connected to the undergraduate Texas A&M campus, so you are allowed to participate in intramural sports, REC center, go to football games, etc.
6) A&M will provide you with a FREE USMLE Step 1 course. They already have high passing rates, but this is expected to increase the average USMLE Step 1 scores.

I'm sure UTMB has some of these advantages are well, but what really sells me about A&M is their 1.5 year curriculum. Getting 6 months clinical experience BEFORE you take your Step 1 is a huge advantage that UTMB doesn't have.

 

[deleted632431]

As for reputation, both of them are pretty equal. In the end, you should chose the school where you can see yourself going to. Medical school is hard, and having amazing/compassionate/kind faculty and peers definitely helps you get through it.

 

[The Buff OP]

UTMB G!

Then you could also pick to do your rotations at TMC.

 

[Calimd2019]

The reason I would chose Texas A&M is because:
1) The faculty/staff seem to very invested in the students as much as the students are invested in their medical school education.
2) I feel like that the change to the 1.5 pre-clinical curriculum is a positive because healthcare is obviously changing which means that medical schools also need to change their approach to provide an effective education.
3) The different tracks allow you to chose what kind of environment you want to live/work in. The affiliated hospitals in Houston are in one of the largest/best medical centers in the country (I am obviously interested in the Houston track). If you decide to stay in College Station, they have the AIM program which allows you to follow patients throughout your clinicals years and really helps you build relationships with your patients. You are also allowed flexibility meaning that even if you chose Temple for your clinicals, you are allowed to go to Dallas to do a rotation. There is flexibility in regards to doing your rotations within A&M's network.
4) They are building a NEW gross anatomy lab that will be available to the Class of 2019. This means state-of-the-art technology.
5) Living in College Station is extremely affordable! One medical student told me she pays $390 rent per month for her spacious townhouse. You are also connected to the undergraduate Texas A&M campus, so you are allowed to participate in intramural sports, REC center, go to football games, etc.
6) A&M will provide you with a FREE USMLE Step 1 course. They already have high passing rates, but this is expected to increase the average USMLE Step 1 scores.

I'm sure UTMB has some of these advantages are well, but what really sells me about A&M is their 1.5 year curriculum. Getting 6 months clinical experience BEFORE you take your Step 1 is a huge advantage that UTMB doesn't have.

UTMB G!

Then you could also pick to do your rotations at TMC.

Thanks for the replies. I agree with every point you made @DocEllen. I also know that A&M is associated with Baylor Scott and White in Temple for rotations, and it has many residency programs...is it helpful if applying there for residency if you are an A&M medical student?

They're so dang similar, they even have the same rotation locations! And even the poll is tied 50/50. LOL

 

[deleted632431]

I don't think that the fact you are an TEXAS A&M MEDICAL STUDENT will help you get a residency there. However, I do think that if you plan on doing your residency with Baylor Scott & White in College Station, then I think it would be advantageous to do your clinicals in College Station. Your clinicals are not just to learn the applications of medicine, but it is a great opportunity to network with the doctors and healthcare professionals in that hospital/area. Networking takes you a long way. In fact, one of the reasons Jimmy Fallon got where he is today is because of his amazing ability to network and build/maintain connections with other people.

But this doesn't mean that if you don't do your clinicals in College Station that you won't get a residency there. It's just something to keep in mind.

 

[Calimd2019]

I don't think that the fact you are an TEXAS A&M MEDICAL STUDENT will help you get a residency there. However, I do think that if you plan on doing your residency with Baylor Scott & White in College Station, then I think it would be advantageous to do your clinicals in College Station. Your clinicals are not just to learn the applications of medicine, but it is a great opportunity to network with the doctors and healthcare professionals in that hospital/area. Networking takes you a long way. In fact, one of the reasons Jimmy Fallon got where he is today is because of his amazing ability to network and build/maintain connections with other people.

But this doesn't mean that if you don't do your clinicals in College Station that you won't get a residency there. It's just something to keep in mind.

O ok. I was referring to S&W in temple since I was looking at their current residency programs and noticed in many of the really competitive specialties (plastic, ortho, ophth, etc) there are a lot of students from A&M, wasn't sure if this was by coincidence, networking as you mentioned, or if it was largely due to the fact that they were A&M students that helped them get those competitive specialties (which would be a good thing):

http://healthcare-professionals.sw....ucation/residencies/plastic-surgery/residents
http://healthcare-professionals.sw....education/residencies/ophthalmology/residents
http://healthcare-professionals.sw....tion/residencies/orthopedic-surgery/residents

 

[LChristmas]

Doing away rotations in the UT Health System (Dallas, Galveston, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston) might be easier if you are a student at a UTMB branch. Just something to think about, but I see that as a huge advantage.

 

[TCU1990]

Honestly they're both very comparable. Different curriculum setup, but A&M you can also get MD/MBA in addition to MD/PhD, MD/MPH, MD/MS (UTMB offers all except MBA I think) if you're interested in any dual degree programs. Would you rather be in Galveston/Houston, or CS, Dallas, Houston, Temple, Round Rock? Also A&M requires you to do research and complete a "minor" in public health, international health, or others I forgot, which could be very beneficial when applying to residency. I think even daily schedule, exam schedule, and match lists are all pretty comparable, so pick where you want to spend the next 4 years and felt the most at home, can't go wrong either way. I loved them both too!

 

[Earl Simmons]

Incredible that this vote is tied.

My vote is for A&M. The 1.5 year preclinical curriculum sounds like a great idea. Doing clinical work a S&W is great, but you have the flexibility to go to Houston, Dallas, or stay in CS/B too.

 

[Silverflash]

I voted for UTMB, but I think they're really close and that you can't go wrong. A few things to consider:

- At A&M, you either do all four years in Bryan, or you move after your first year (first 1.5 years for the Houston track). Doesn't bother me, but I know people who are ranking it last simply because they don't want to be uprooted after one year.
- Cost of living is higher in Galveston than in Bryan, though neither are crazy expensive.
- 1.5 preclinical is a big deal. More clinical exposure earlier, but potentially more intense preclinical courseload. Again, I personally like it, but it's not for everyone and you should weigh the pros and cons.
- UTMB has a more established infrastructure than A&M. A&M's Bryan campus is three buildings, soon to be four with the new anatomy lab, and there are no hospitals on campus. UTMB is a medical center.
- A&M is very close to and has a relationship with their undergrad campus, meaning you get to use their (very nice) rec center, campus facilities like libraries, and you get football tickets.
- UTMB has mandatory PBL three times a week, starting from your very first week as an MS1. Again, good or bad depending on your opinion on PBL.

I dunno, I really don't think you can go wrong, they're both great schools.

 

[DermViser]

Either way, thank god for Texas and their tuition rates! Thanks in advance for the help.

You're paying in-state tuition? Or are you saying even the out-of-state tuition prices are a good deal?

 

[vikingsking82]

I was debating these schools myself and ultimately am going to choose A&M. Everything was very well said by @Silverflash, I think the biggest issue I had was the whole "uprooting" after 1 year thing if you choose A&M. BUT what ultimately helped me get over that and the fact that UTMB was more of a medical center vs 4 buildings for A&M in B/CS was the fact that since you're most likely only in B/CS for 1 year, then you should consider UTMB's medical centers (where you rotate) vs where you rotate at A&M, and actually I think A&M has a huge advantage for the most part since they allow you to rotate in these (plus more):

Houston - #1, #3, #4 best hospitals in Texas (Methodist Hospital, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center)
Dallas - #2 best hospital in Texas (Baylor)
Temple - #10 best hospital in Texas/a top teaching hospital in the U.S. (Baylor S&W)
Round Rock/Austin - two hospitals are both tied at #31 best hospitals in Texas (St. David's Medical Center in Austin and St. David's Round Rock Medical Center)

for comparison, UTMB hospitals - #25 best in Texas

I actually think this is pretty unique to A&M and a huge selling point, you literally can't rotate in better hospitals. So you'll rotate longer (2.5 years) than most schools in the best hospitals in Texas!

 

[Silverflash]

You're paying in-state tuition? Or are you saying even the out-of-state tuition prices are a good deal?

A number of the Texas med schools give $1000 scholarships to ALL out of state students, which automatically qualifies them for in-state tuition. Ironically, at schools that do this, OOS students end up paying $1000 less than IS students. >_>

 

[DermViser]

A number of the Texas med schools give $1000 scholarships to ALL out of state students, which automatically qualifies them for in-state tuition. Ironically, at schools that do this, OOS students end up paying $1000 less than IS students. >_>

How does getting a $1000 scholarship (which is a drop in the bucket), qualify you for in-state tuition?

 

[Earl Simmons]

How does getting a $1000 scholarship (which is a drop in the bucket), qualify you for in-state tuition?

It's just some rule that not only the medical schools have, but also the public universities (ex. http://www.finaid.txstate.edu/scholarships/international.html). If the school grants you >=$1000 in scholarships, you qualify for in-state tuition.

 

[altblue]

I don't think that the fact you are an TEXAS A&M MEDICAL STUDENT will help you get a residency there. However, I do think that if you plan on doing your residency with Baylor Scott & White in College Station, then I think it would be advantageous to do your clinicals in College Station. Your clinicals are not just to learn the applications of medicine, but it is a great opportunity to network with the doctors and healthcare professionals in that hospital/area. Networking takes you a long way. In fact, one of the reasons Jimmy Fallon got where he is today is because of his amazing ability to network and build/maintain connections with other people.

But this doesn't mean that if you don't do your clinicals in College Station that you won't get a residency there. It's just something to keep in mind.

Helpful post and all, but I'm loving how Jimmy Fallon is an example here.

 

[Calimd2019]

Thanks for all the input, all excellent points! @DermViser sorry yeah, forgot to mention I would be paying in-state tuition at both (~$16,500/year tuition+fees). @vikingsking82 wow, I hadn't realized that about A&M's rotation sites!

 

[DermViser]

Thanks for all the input, all excellent points! @DermViser sorry yeah, forgot to mention I would be paying in-state tuition at both (~$16,500/year tuition+fees). @vikingsking82 wow, I hadn't realized that about A&M's rotation sites!

Does A&M have the specialty departments on site w/the med school in the first 2 years?

 

[Calimd2019]

I voted for UTMB, but I think they're really close and that you can't go wrong. A few things to consider:

- At A&M, you either do all four years in Bryan, or you move after your first year (first 1.5 years for the Houston track). Doesn't bother me, but I know people who are ranking it last simply because they don't want to be uprooted after one year.
- Cost of living is higher in Galveston than in Bryan, though neither are crazy expensive.
- 1.5 preclinical is a big deal. More clinical exposure earlier, but potentially more intense preclinical courseload. Again, I personally like it, but it's not for everyone and you should weigh the pros and cons.
- UTMB has a more established infrastructure than A&M. A&M's Bryan campus is three buildings, soon to be four with the new anatomy lab, and there are no hospitals on campus. UTMB is a medical center.
- A&M is very close to and has a relationship with their undergrad campus, meaning you get to use their (very nice) rec center, campus facilities like libraries, and you get football tickets.
- UTMB has mandatory PBL three times a week, starting from your very first week as an MS1. Again, good or bad depending on your opinion on PBL.

I dunno, I really don't think you can go wrong, they're both great schools.

I actually had the same concern regarding the potential for a more intense preclinical course load. I was told the way they shorten the curriculum without changing much of the daily schedule/exam schedule was that summer break after first year will be switched from 2.5 months to 1 month, but now after year 2 we will have a 3 month period off to do research, take USMLE step1 if we haven't already, clerkships, break, etc... so it doesn't sound like they expect it to be any more intense since they're just moving the periods of time off around, but I guess we'll see if I end up there haha.

Does A&M have the specialty departments on site w/the med school in the first 2 years?

Good question, someone please correct me If I'm wrong, but I believe they have departments of: Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family and Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Radiology, and Surgery on site in College Station, but I'm not sure exactly since most students only spend their first year there and years 2-4 in Houston, Dallas, Temple, or Round Rock afterwards for their remaining half year of pre-clinical and entire clinical years where they do have every specialty.

 

[DermViser]

Good question, someone please correct me If I'm wrong, but I believe they have departments of: Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family and Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Radiology, and Surgery on site in College Station, but I'm not sure exactly since most students only spend their first year there and years 2-4 in Houston, Dallas, Temple, or Round Rock afterwards for their remaining half year of pre-clinical and entire clinical years where they do have every specialty.

What about UTMB? Look at grading system as well. A&M may get to rotate in Houston, Dallas, Temple, Round Rock, but do those places have residency programs?

 

[Calimd2019]

What about UTMB? Look at grading system as well. A&M may get to rotate in Houston, Dallas, Temple, Round Rock, but do those places have residency programs?

UTMB is surrounded by a medical center of 3 hospitals I believe with many residencies there, I think they have all departments on site. As for residency programs at A&M's rotations, the hospitals in Houston, Dallas, and Temple all have a ton of residency programs. Looks like College Station only has a FM residency program, couldn't find anything on Round Rock/Austin hospitals that we would rotate at. Seems like a good amount of the really competitive residency matches for A&M students were all at the same hospital they rotated at in Temple (derm, plastics, urology, oto, ophth, rad onc) so I always wondered if that helped them. Seems like this is also the case for UTMB's students matching competitive residencies at UTMB though. Thanks for the questions, hadn't thought about all of these comparisons.

Grading seems pretty comparable too:
UTMB - Honors/High Pass/Pass/Fail (Top 15% get honors, 16%-50% get high pass)
A&M - Honors/Pass/Fail (Top 15% get honors)

 

[DermViser]

UTMB is surrounded by a medical center of 3 hospitals I believe with many residencies there, I think they have all departments on site. As for residency programs at A&M's rotations, the hospitals in Houston, Dallas, and Temple all have a ton of residency programs. Looks like College Station only has a FM residency program, couldn't find anything on Round Rock/Austin hospitals that we would rotate at. Seems like a good amount of the really competitive residency matches for A&M students were all at the same hospital they rotated at in Temple (derm, plastics, urology, oto, ophth, rad onc) so I always wondered if that helped them. Seems like this is also the case for UTMB's students matching competitive residencies at UTMB though. Thanks for the questions, hadn't thought about all of these comparisons.

Grading seems pretty comparable too:
UTMB - Honors/High Pass/Pass/Fail (Top 15% get honors, 16%-50% get high pass)
A&M - Honors/Pass/Fail (Top 15% get honors)

So then is the med school at Temple? (where derm, plastics, urology, oto, ophtho, and rad onc are)

 

[Calimd2019]

So then is the med school at Temple? (where derm, plastics, urology, oto, ophtho, and rad onc are)

One campus yes, because in the past half the class spent years 1-4 in College Station, and the other half spent years 1-4 in Temple, so both campuses have an entire school. Beginning our year, all students spend year 1 in College Station before choosing which campus you want to finish years 2-4 at (Houston, Dallas, Temple, Round Rock, or stay in College Station).

 

[DermViser]

One campus yes, because in the past half the class spent years 1-4 in College Station, and the other half spent years 1-4 in Temple, so both campuses have an entire school. Beginning our year, all students spend year 1 in College Station before choosing which campus you want to finish years 2-4 at (Houston, Dallas, Temple, Round Rock, or stay in College Station).

So then you'd have to be assigned to Temple or you don't get to interact with those specialties.

 

[TCU1990]

I would rank A&M higher was bc I was VERY disappointed in how outdated a lot of UTMB seemed, I loved it otherwise. For example, most (all?) schools in Texas have great SIM centers full of manikins and what not where you can put your stethoscope up to their chest and hear diff heart rhythms/arrhythmias. For UTMB, you instead put your stethoscope on a rubber "drum" that's connected to a CD PLAYER and you press next track to hear different rhythms. For A&M, students can put their stethoscopes up to the mannikins chest and they also use infrared so everyone can hear the same thing if they want. I think things like that and the difference in facilities (though UTMB obviously is surrounded by huge medical centers). I personally though a lot of them seemed very outdated as well. Even going to their website to learn more/compare each school/look at admissions.... the difference in their websites pretty much sums of the difference in both schools' mentalities it seems like when it comes to being outdated (though not quality - I know both are great and obviously don't pick a school based on their website haha but you get what I'm trying to say).

http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/admissions/index.html
http://www.utmb.edu/somstudentaffairs/admissions/general_info.asp

 

[Calimd2019]

Even going to their website to learn more/compare each school/look at admissions.... the difference in their websites pretty much sums of the difference in both schools' mentalities it seems like when it comes to being outdated (though not quality - I know both are great and obviously don't pick a school based on their website haha but you get what I'm trying to say).

http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/admissions/index.html
http://www.utmb.edu/somstudentaffairs/admissions/general_info.asp

lol the website comparison was pretty funny side by side, but I see your point.

So then you'd have to be assigned to Temple or you don't get to interact with those specialties.

Yeah could be true, not sure how rotating at those top hospitals in Dallas and Houston will affect residency match/if students will match into their competitive residencies in the same way they do in Temple.

 

[natti101]

One campus yes, because in the past half the class spent years 1-4 in College Station, and the other half spent years 1-4 in Temple, so both campuses have an entire school. Beginning our year, all students spend year 1 in College Station before choosing which campus you want to finish years 2-4 at (Houston, Dallas, Temple, Round Rock, or stay in College Station).

So just to clarify, pre-clinicals at A&M is 1.5 yrs. However, you only spend 1 year at CS if you rotate away. Thus there are structured classes for half a year at your rotation city before you begin clinicals? Just trying to picture how that works if there's no actual campus for A&M students. Also I wonder if that would detract from having a strong network of peers? It seems like feeling isolated during clinicals would magnify the difficulty.

 

[Calimd2019]

So just to clarify, pre-clinicals at A&M is 1.5 yrs. However, you only spend 1 year at CS if you rotate away. Thus there are structured classes for half a year at your rotation city before you begin clinicals? Just trying to picture how that works if there's no actual campus for A&M students. Also I wonder if that would detract from having a strong network of peers? It seems like feeling isolated during clinicals would magnify the difficulty.

Correct, structured classes for half a year at rotation city before beginning clinicals there. Since it's block style curriculum, all that would be remaining to complete the last 1/2 yr of pre-clinical curriculum is 4 blocks of different body systems, in addition to preceptorship/clinical skills type stuff interacting with patients, simulations, etc. Outside of the main campus in College Station, each city has classroom buildings and SIM centers for A&M students to complete the last of the preclinical part, so that isn't much of a concern really, or just watch the recorded lectures online since most classes aren't mandatory. However, I do agree and think it's unfortunate of the possibility to "detract from having a strong network of peers." I think its something like 50 M2's go to Dallas, 30 in Houston, 50 in Round Rock, 40 in Temple, and 30 remain in College Station. I guess that would mean there would be plenty (~120-150) of M2-M4s from A&M at all the campuses, but our specific class of 2019 is definitely split up to some degree, since we could only remain with about 30-50 of our specific class wherever we end up.