Perception of Baylor

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
NickNaylor

NickNaylor

Thank You for Smoking
Moderator Emeritus
Lifetime Donor
Verified Member
Physician
Faculty
Verified Expert
15+ Year Member
Gold Donor
Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
17,394
Reaction score
9,146
Points
7,081
Location
Deep in the heart of Texas
  1. Attending Physician
Members do not see this ad.
I'm obviously a Baylor student, and having had some extra time to puruse MDApplicants, I'm now a little worried about the fact that I'm from Baylor impacting my ability to get into med schools. I intend to apply to top tier schools, and while I won't list other statistics about myself (simply because I'm not doing a 'what are my chances' thread), I feel I'm on par in terms of grades and activities (forgive the horrible generalizations).

While I'm sure MDApplicants represents a certain breed of pre-med students, it seems like the majority of students getting into top tier schools are those who WENT to top tier schools. Even if students do exceptionally well, it seems like not having a top tier name attached to your application hurts you.

Can any of you involved in the admissions process (or, better yet, were in my position when you were applying) shed some light on this? I know that there are innumerable other factors working in this, but I'm sure someone can make broad generalizations.

Many thanks.
 
Sic 'em

First off, don't underestimate Baylor. We have a good reputation. Not as high as others, but still good.

When I interviewed at Vanderbilt I was one of 2 students from schools who weren't "top tier" -- the other was from Texas. It's interesting finding yourself in a room full of kids from Hopkins, Princeton, Harvard, etc. But the point is, I was there. You're not short-stacked coming from Baylor. One of the new MD/PhD students next year at Vanderbilt is a friend of mine from Baylor. I've got other friends who are at school at BCM, UTSW, Johns Hopkins, etc.

Your stats and your experiences speak far more than your educational institution.
 
Man if Baylor isnt top tier....I wonder what the hell my UG is?
 
A degree from Baylor is fine. If you look at, say, the Johns Hopkins Med-school roster you will see way more than half of their students are from non-ivies and their kindred. More importantly, look at JH's professor/physician rosters, many have undergradute degrees from good state schools and mid-level privates. Even the Ivy Med-schools want students from outside the Ivies to apply.

It's about you, then MCAT/GPA, then the name of your school...
 
undergrad school doesnt matter

they probably look more favorably on a guy from baylor with a 3.9 than a guy from harvard with a 3.2.
 
ChubbyChaser said:
Man if Baylor isnt top tier....I wonder what the hell my UG is?
Click to expand...
I was thinking the same thing chubby. Remember OP, it's not the school, it's the applicant. You'll be ok... and besides, Baylor's a good school.
 
I apologize if I sound like one of those supermen who is never satisfied with himself/herself. I didn't intend to come across that way. I guess I take for granted the quality of Texas schools simply because I'm a Texan.

I appreciate the input.
 
Selection bias. Ivy undergrads are self-selected to meet two criteria:

1) High achievers.
2) Neurotic.

High achievers will end up at good schools. Neurotic high achievers will also be the ones who take the time to create an MDApps and post on SDN.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. At least that's what I tell myself every night. 😛
 
armybound said:
Sic 'em

First off, don't underestimate Baylor. We have a good reputation. Not as high as others, but still good.

When I interviewed at Vanderbilt I was one of 2 students from schools who weren't "top tier" -- the other was from Texas.
Click to expand...

Sorry buddy, but Baylor, Tech, and the rest are simply not in the same class as TAMU, UT, and Rice. I'm not saying it's a bad school, but it's not exactly an amazing degree to carry around.
 
DocPsychosis said:
Sorry buddy, but Baylor, Tech, and the rest are simply not in the same class as TAMU, UT, and Rice. I'm not saying it's a bad school, but it's not exactly an amazing degree to carry around.
Click to expand...

Are you joking? Baylor is a top notch school and always seems to have a disproportionate amount of students at medical school interviews despite its small(er) pre-med program. The degree is nothing to sneeze at.

As far as Tech goes, when I transferred from a junior college, I had friends say the junior college classes were more difficult than Tech classes, but that isn't a very large sample size.
 
Rice is definitely above Baylor.

OP this is not meant to judge you, but it's definitely true. The best you can do at Baylor is all you can ask of yourself. Baylor is not a bad school, don't worry.
 
Last edited:
This is ridiculous.... who the **** cares???? Score well on the MCAT, problem solved.
 
Livingapparatus said:
I have been under the impression that baylor was too
Click to expand...
Sadly, I can only say we're "striving" to be. I was not as proud of my degree as I should have been. Quite a few of my classmates were real *****s and I felt like the classes weren't demanding enough. A lot of faculty put in just the minimum to get by.

We're, of course, a great place to study religion or business, but our sciences are still lacking.

As far as how it compares to other Texas schools.. not really going to go there, since it only stirs up trouble. Rice is definitely a better school than Baylor. I feel that there could be some other private schools on par with Baylor as far as academics go. The public universities do tend to have higher US World & News rankings, but I don't think that's for academic reasons.
 
independent of geographic region/state biases, i can't imagine there are more than 20 schools in the country that make admissions people say, "wow applicant x is from school y. school y is a really prestigious undergrad school." beyond that, i think there are enough factors to consider about each person's application to where i doubt people have a less chance because of undergrad name.
 
dnagyrase said:
independent of geographic region/state biases, i can't imagine there are more than 20 schools in the country that make admissions people say, "wow applicant x is from school y. school y is a really prestigious undergrad school." beyond that, i think there are enough factors to consider about each person's application to where i doubt people have a less chance because of undergrad name.
Click to expand...

I think this is correct.

The "problem" with attending a school like Baylor is that anything less than outstanding grades (3.7 if not 3.8+) will be viewed more skeptically than the same grades at, say, Rice, or any of the 20 or so schools in the country with a strong national reputation.

So undergrad name and rep can hurt you if you do not have outstanding grades.

FWIW, I am sure that Baylor has a fine rep, but it clearly is not one of those "head turning" schools like Rice, Ivies, Cal, Stanford, Cal Tech, MIT, etc...
 
This is precisely why we all take the MCAT. As they say, it is "the great equalizer".

As long as you have a decent GPA and you have done well on the MCAT you will be fine.
 
Despite the fact that my question was about Baylor in particular, I certainly didn't mean to limit the question to Baylor. I'm in no way disillusioned with the fact that Baylor doesn't have the awesome reputation that the Ivies and others have.

And not to continue the rather silly arguing, but DocPsychosis, I'm pretty sure the three schools you named there are in three different categories of prestige. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone that thinks UT, TAMU, and Rice are somewhat equal.

Again, I appreciate all of your help.
 
FadingPromise said:
Cole,

It seems that you have made up your mind and got some answers you need already, but I thought an extra feedback wouldn't hurt either. I am a Baylor graduate (2008), about to start medical school education in two weeks here in Houston, BCM. No, I wasn't a Baylor Square student, and I applied to BCM like everyone else does through AMCAS.

I didn't even apply to those top private schools outside of Texas for financial reasons. I looked at tutition, cost of living, and concluded I really shouldn't even apply to outer state school. I can never know what would have happened if I applied outer state then, but I can tell you right now I am very happy with my choice.

Now to your specific question, I know two students from Baylor U who will be going to the top IV league school already. And my list of friends are pretty small, so I am sure there are more than who I know. Baylor may not be the top notch school like Rice in terms of reputation (although I had a subtle smile when someone implied TAMU stands above Baylor as well...but I won't argue here sigh). However, I also never thought-both from my experience and from what I saw in experience of my friends-Baylor limited the student's chances.

Lastly, when I was talking to the vice president of admission in Southwestern and another faculty member in BCM during my interview, both told me a similar point that they had a HIGH expectation from Baylor students, as they always have seen some good, solid candidates from Baylor U. Now, if BCM and Southwestern is not the top of your list, then I do not know how much that will worth to you, but in Texas, it does not get better than that either. Those are schools with great general reputation, low cost, and student service that cares about the students (I have heard some contrary point about SW, but I only heard it from rumors).

I hope this helps. Good luck....talk to DR. T, the H-phyz prof and the current Pre-med Committee chair...maybe you already know him well. He can help you quite a bit...not just with the words of wisdom, but with more.
Click to expand...

Right...🙄 God I love how arrogant Baylor students can be about us "dumb Aggies." This has gotten out of hand since 2004. Let me get out of the way for the genius Baylor students!

SAT scores for middle 50% of first year students at each school

Texas A&M
SAT Critical Reading: 520 - 630
SAT Math: 560 - 670

Baylor
SAT Critical Reading: 550 - 650
SAT Math: 560 - 660

Not a real difference. Source: www.collegeboard.com

My point is that they're both good schools on the same footing. They also have different strengths. Either is great for pre-med studies. Jeez.
 
Last edited:
armybound said:
The street goes both ways, buddy.

Didn't they teach you that at farming school? 😉
Click to expand...

You mean the school that was ranked first for "tangible contributions to society" by Washington Monthly? The school with an average SAT score 200 points above national average? One of the few Land-Sea-Space Grant universities in the nation?

God we're such dummies! 😉

I love trading jabs with you, army.
 
AggieSean said:
You mean the school that was ranked first for "tangible contributions to society" by Washington Monthly? The school with an average SAT score 200 points above national average? One of the few Land-Sea-Space Grant universities in the nation?

God we're such dummies! 😉

I love trading jabs with you, army.
Click to expand...
at the end of the day, you're still an Aggie. so, there.

oh, and for stupidity on top of insult:

pa300020_std.jpg


Why are all of those yellow shirts on the field and all of the maroon shirts still up in the stands? 😕
pa300024_std.jpg


Notice the Aggie with her hands on her head in the foreground 😉
 
armybound said:
at the end of the day, you're still an Aggie. so, there.

oh, and for stupidity on top of insult:

pa300020_std.jpg


Why are all of those yellow shirts on the field and all of the maroon shirts still up in the stands? 😕
pa300024_std.jpg


Notice the Aggie with her hands on her head in the foreground 😉
Click to expand...

I should have placed a bet on how many posts it would be before that crap came up. Ah yes, 1 victory against us in the last....25 years?
Here:

2007: 34-10 Aggies win
2006: 31-21 Aggies win
2005: 16-13 Aggies win
2003: 73-10 Aggies win (Ouch!)
2002: 41-0 Aggies win
2001: 16-10 Aggies win
2000: 24-0 Aggies win
1999: 45-13 Aggies win
1998: 35-14 Aggies win
1997: 38-10 Aggies win
1996: 24-7 Aggies win
1995: 24-9 Aggies win
1994: 41-21 Aggies win
1993: 34-17 Aggies win
1992: 19-13 Aggies win
1991: 34-12 Aggies win
1990: 20-20 Tie
1989: 14-11 Aggies win

It goes back like 10 more years.....

👍
 
😀 it's like a revised Godwin's law.. the longer a Texas A&M/Baylor discussion goes, the probability of Baylor winning in 2004 being discussed approaches 1.

we need to get a beer when I'm back in Temple.
 
I'm glad I'm staying out of this one.
 
AggieSean said:
So are we 😉
Click to expand...

Plus my roommate is gonna be an Aggie, so I'm working on toning down the "rivalry", though I might flip if I see A&M plates in the kitchen. 😛
 
eternalrage said:
undergrad school doesnt matter

they probably look more favorably on a guy from baylor with a 3.9 than a guy from harvard with a 3.2.
Click to expand...

This is not entirely true. Schools do weight GPAs differently depending on where you went. Regardless, this conversation has gone away from what the OP asked. To answer the OP, I went to Texas Tech for undergrad and I have a classmate who went to Baylor for undergrad. There is also a guy in our class who went to UT-Dallas. So, there you have it. You can go wherever you want as long as your other stuff looks good.
 
armybound said:
Aggies use eating utensils now?
Click to expand...

Well, when we're not eating corn or anything we've planted, yeah! I got sick of eating out of the trough, so I went to the local Wal-Mart and bought me some paper plates and plastic spoons. It's pretty much made my washboard and basin useless. I don't know what I'm going to do with that stuff.
 
armybound said:
The street goes both ways, buddy.

Didn't they teach you that at farming school? 😉
Click to expand...

hahahahahahahahaha
mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAsgo9Gt2VA[/YOUTUBE]
 
FadingPromise said:
AggieSean,

My apologies if I sounded in any way snobby about the school ranking 🙂 Actually, I wasn't meaning to imply any school's superiorness betweeh the two; but rather, if you are looking at it from the top-notch vs. medium notch schools, Baylor and TAMU fall in a similar place. I think you and I are thinking about it in the same way....however, if you look at a post from the above, someone implicates how Rice, UT, AND TAMU falls in the same throne 🙂)), and that's all I was pointing out.

Regarldess, apologies for needless rank fighting...you are in med school, so you know...and I know. It doesn't matter 😀
Click to expand...

Sorry. I'm just hypersensitive about the issue. I dated a girl from Baylor and she and her friends thought it was funny to CONSTANTLY berate me for my school choice. Funny at first, annoying as hell after the 92nd time. But thanks, I appreciate it. I've always thought that Baylor was a good school and never thought otherwise.

And also keep in mind, some schools are better for some things. Like it's kind of crazy to think that Rice, UT, or Baylor aren't better than A&M in liberal arts. We're not a liberal arts school. Blah blah blah you get it.

Thanks though. 🙂
 
i thought they preferred sheep
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Baylor vs. Vanderbilt
Replies
7
Views
598
obiwan
obiwan
A
Dell vs Baylor vs UTSW
Replies
11
Views
2K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Bishop Fortescue
Would Baylor bat an eye at me with these stats?
Replies
10
Views
2K
Bishop Fortescue
Bishop Fortescue
F
Dell vs Baylor vs UTSW
Replies
5
Views
2K
Med Ed
Med Ed
1
Letters of Interest - General Questions
Replies
5
Views
757
Goro
Goro
Top Bottom