Ranking Texas Schools 2016

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KoalaT

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How do you rank them? This is how I see it, but I'd like more opinions.

Tier 1: Baylor and UTSW
Tier 2: UT Houston (McGovern), UT Galveston (Medical Branch), UT San Antonio, UT Austin (Dell)
Tier ~2.5: A&M
Tier 3: Texas Tech Lubbock/El Paso
Tier 4: UNT (Sorry DO), UT Rio Grande Valley (they don't have live A&P dissections or good hospitals. Big negative)

Newer rankings seem to prefer A&M over Galveston, but I feel like that's heavily weighted in their high student to faculty ratio, multiple campuses and new facilities.

Also newer rankings are putting Galveston lower due to trouble with the new Dell school and hospital rotations. However, they still had like top 3 Step1 scores in the state and have a lot of research opportunity.

I'm especially interested in what you think of A&M vs Galveston as those are my main available choices.

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I don't know if we can fairly classify Dell yet since they've yet to graduate a class.
Ya agreed. But I just put it where I thought it would go. Mainly based off difficulty getting in and resources available in Austin. Although the classes are so small the difficulty getting in part is pretty skewed I guess
 
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Ya agreed. But I just put it where I thought it would go. Mainly based off difficulty getting in and resources available in Austin. Although the classes are so small the difficulty getting in part is pretty skewed I guess

As an estimate based on potential I'd agree with Dell being tier 2, maybe 1 in the future. We'll just have to see I guess
 
@KoalaT, I would mostly agree with your rankings, with maybe McGovern being a touch higher than the rest of its tier. Honestly though, other than Baylor & UTSW being the clear top in TX, I don't think the others are so different as to merit a true "ranking" -- a lot of that is up to the individual making the decision.

Between UTMB and A&M, I think it comes down to location. I think academically, UTMB is hands-down the better school (their great Step scores speak to that, while A&M's are barely average; also much better research opportunities), but if you really can't stand Galveston, then go with A&M. Also have to consider your class being split up/not getting your first choice clinical campus at A&M. I don't think losing the Austin rotation sites is really that much of an issue for UTMB (IIRC only a small percentage of their class went there, and they might still get to stay there?)
 
If you ask Dell, they're between UTSW and Baylor, until they gain rep, at which point they'll be numero uno.

if you ask realists, Dell is a question mark until proven otherwise. But I like how their website spells it out in black and white how to get accepted. Us army folks do well when given clear direction.

I think this is most accurate. However, I'm optimistic in that they will be a great Texas school.

@KoalaT, I would mostly agree with your rankings, with maybe McGovern being a touch higher than the rest of its tier. Honestly though, other than Baylor & UTSW being the clear top in TX, I don't think the others are so different as to merit a true "ranking" -- a lot of that is up to the individual making the decision.

Between UTMB and A&M, I think it comes down to location. I think academically, UTMB is hands-down the better school (their great Step scores speak to that, while A&M's are barely average; also much better research opportunities), but if you really can't stand Galveston, then go with A&M. Also have to consider your class being split up/not getting your first choice clinical campus at A&M. I don't think losing the Austin rotation sites is really that much of an issue for UTMB (IIRC only a small percentage of their class went there, and they might still get to stay there?)

See, this is what I would have thought. However, so many rankings put A&M higher. I think its due to their like 5:1 faculty to student and Galvestons like 1.2:1 or something low like that. Academically, research, and clinically (all the most important things I think for a good education) it seems like Galveston is clearly higher tier.

Also, are you kidding me haha? I would rather be anywhere than College Station/Bryan - even if it was only for the academic years. Galveston may not be the nicest little island, but at least it has more humans than cows 😛. Jk, sorry I'm on Austinite, so I'm harsh. But ya I'd definitely pick Galveston. I think the only way I wouldn't go to galveston at this point was if I got into SouthWestern.
 
I think this is most accurate. However, I'm optimistic in that they will be a great Texas school.



See, this is what I would have thought. However, so many rankings put A&M higher. I think its due to their like 5:1 faculty to student and Galvestons like 1.2:1 or something low like that. Academically, research, and clinically (all the most important things I think for a good education) it seems like Galveston is clearly higher tier.

Also, are you kidding me haha? I would rather be anywhere than College Station/Bryan - even if it was only for the academic years. Galveston may not be the nicest little island, but at least it has more humans than cows 😛. Jk, sorry I'm on Austinite, so I'm harsh. But ya I'd definitely pick Galveston. I think the only way I wouldn't go to galveston at this point was if I got into SouthWestern.
bryan/college station isn't such a bad place to be for pre clinicals lol There are a lot of students and every year new restaurants and stores are being opened
 
I think this is most accurate. However, I'm optimistic in that they will be a great Texas school.



See, this is what I would have thought. However, so many rankings put A&M higher. I think its due to their like 5:1 faculty to student and Galvestons like 1.2:1 or something low like that. Academically, research, and clinically (all the most important things I think for a good education) it seems like Galveston is clearly higher tier.

Also, are you kidding me haha? I would rather be anywhere than College Station/Bryan - even if it was only for the academic years. Galveston may not be the nicest little island, but at least it has more humans than cows 😛. Jk, sorry I'm on Austinite, so I'm harsh. But ya I'd definitely pick Galveston. I think the only way I wouldn't go to galveston at this point was if I got into SouthWestern.

Well, who are they counting as "faculty"? This ratio can be manipulated. I don't think it's that important.

A lot of the tracks only spend the first year in B/CS -- Dallas/Austin move after the first year, and Houston after 1.5. Honestly to me I would think about sacrificing one year to be in a much better city than Galveston for 3.
 
Well, who are they counting as "faculty"? This ratio can be manipulated. I don't think it's that important.

A lot of the tracks only spend the first year in B/CS -- Dallas/Austin move after the first year, and Houston after 1.5. Honestly to me I would think about sacrificing one year to be in a much better city than Galveston for 3.
Ya I'm totally joking. I was a UT Austin Longhorn, so we have skewed views of Aggie land. Regardless, where I live is very low on my list of importance. Ideally, I'd like near Dallas, but then again, that would also lineup with Southwestern and all my other criteria. Otherwise, where I live is of very little importance to me compared to Academics, quality education, etc.
 
Ya I'm totally joking. I was a UT Austin Longhorn, so we have skewed views of Aggie land. Regardless, where I live is very low on my list of importance. Ideally, I'd like near Dallas, but then again, that would also lineup with Southwestern and all my other criteria. Otherwise, where I live is of very little importance to me compared to Academics, quality education, etc.
oh that explains it, t-sips usually don't like cs much. I am an aggie lol saw'em off whoop 😉
 
@KoalaT, I would mostly agree with your rankings, with maybe McGovern being a touch higher than the rest of its tier. Honestly though, other than Baylor & UTSW being the clear top in TX, I don't think the others are so different as to merit a true "ranking" -- a lot of that is up to the individual making the decision.

Between UTMB and A&M, I think it comes down to location. I think academically, UTMB is hands-down the better school (their great Step scores speak to that, while A&M's are barely average; also much better research opportunities), but if you really can't stand Galveston, then go with A&M. Also have to consider your class being split up/not getting your first choice clinical campus at A&M. I don't think losing the Austin rotation sites is really that much of an issue for UTMB (IIRC only a small percentage of their class went there, and they might still get to stay there?)
Also, where do you find these Step1 score statistics? I can't find them anywhere. The only references I have is what the school told us during interviews. Is there another place I can find this sort of thing for schools?
 
Also, where do you find these Step1 score statistics? I can't find them anywhere. The only references I have is what the school told us during interviews. Is there another place I can find this sort of thing for schools?

I saw it earlier but I can't find it now, sorry :/
 
I saw it earlier but I can't find it now, sorry :/
Ya I think it's primarily just from what the schools told interviewees/students, which can be found randomly floating around these forums. But yes, I heard the same as you. Galveston from what I heard had like top 2 or top 3 step 1 scores in Texas, which is pretty killer. I'd heard it was better than Southwestern and second only to Baylor, but Idk since these things are really set in stone statistics. Still... awesome.
 
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It's utsw and Baylor greater than all others. Uth slightly above the rest.

Honestly I don't see dell passing either Baylor or Utsw anytime in the next few decades. They have good research resources, but clinically it just doesn't compare. Their hospital system and residency programs don't even yet come close to even UT Houston.
 
It's utsw and Baylor greater than all others. Uth slightly above the rest.

Honestly I don't see dell passing either Baylor or Utsw anytime in the next few decades. They have good research resources, but clinically it just doesn't compare. Their hospital system and residency programs don't even yet come close to even UT Houston.
I agree that it's going to take awhile, but I think they have great potential to develop a great hospital and residency program. Like Houston and Dallas, It's a very densely populated area with many lower-income parts of town that require great medical needs. I think it has all the infrastructure needed to develop just as big the Dallas and Houston schools.

But you're right. To build the sort of medical district that Baylor and UTSW work within takes many decades.
 
Also, I'd been reading the ATM forum. Doesn't look good. Current students are on their bashing their own school pretty hard. Also, their step1 is pretty low from what I understand
 
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Can you link me to some resources? Where are you getting these STEP 1 averages from for the Texas schools?
 
Can you link me to some resources? Where are you getting these STEP 1 averages from for the Texas schools?
There are no online resources. You have to get them from the school interviews themselves and from current students.. Many schools told you average during interviews, etc.
 
Hey guys, this might be slightly off topic but I received prematched from both Dell and UTSW. I loved both schools and am absolutely torn between them. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? I know UTSW would probably prepare me better and has more prestige but UT is in Austin and their curriculum is fascinating to me. I'm worried about just making the wrong choice and regretting it, like if I pick UTSW and Dell shoots up to surpass them in rank/clinical opprutunities.
 
Hey guys, this might be slightly off topic but I received prematched from both Dell and UTSW. I loved both schools and am absolutely torn between them. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? I know UTSW would probably prepare me better and has more prestige but UT is in Austin and their curriculum is fascinating to me. I'm worried about just making the wrong choice and regretting it, like if I pick UTSW and Dell shoots up to surpass them in rank/clinical opprutunities.

There is absolutely no chance of Dell's clinical facilities surpassing UTSW any time soon, let alone in the next 4 years. From what I've been told, clinical years >>>> preclinical. That being said, go with the school you felt most comfortable at.
 
Hey guys, this might be slightly off topic but I received prematched from both Dell and UTSW. I loved both schools and am absolutely torn between them. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? I know UTSW would probably prepare me better and has more prestige but UT is in Austin and their curriculum is fascinating to me. I'm worried about just making the wrong choice and regretting it, like if I pick UTSW and Dell shoots up to surpass them in rank/clinical opprutunities.
skittsie is correct. If you don't want to regret your decision, UTSW is the safe bet. You know it's a great school, it will continue to be a great school, and the clinical experience is amazing. Dell would be rolling the dice (not that I'm saying it'd be bad) but there's a higher chance you regret going to Dell and honestly zero chance you regret Southwestern
 
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Hey guys, this might be slightly off topic but I received prematched from both Dell and UTSW. I loved both schools and am absolutely torn between them. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? I know UTSW would probably prepare me better and has more prestige but UT is in Austin and their curriculum is fascinating to me. I'm worried about just making the wrong choice and regretting it, like if I pick UTSW and Dell shoots up to surpass them in rank/clinical opprutunities.

Utsw will give you the better experience for sure, but dell is in a better area. Depending on choice of specialty, the difference in prestige really won't make much difference. I would personally choose UTSW because the parkland experience is an amazing and great place to train while Austin's clinical offerings are sparse in comparison.
 
Hey guys, this might be slightly off topic but I received prematched from both Dell and UTSW. I loved both schools and am absolutely torn between them. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? I know UTSW would probably prepare me better and has more prestige but UT is in Austin and their curriculum is fascinating to me. I'm worried about just making the wrong choice and regretting it, like if I pick UTSW and Dell shoots up to surpass them in rank/clinical opprutunities.
If you like what Dell is doing then I would say go with Dell. I didn't bother applying there because I knew that it wasn't for me . The new and unique school doesn't sit well with many people, but if you're one of the few who like their program then you will probably be happier there.
 
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How do you rank them? This is how I see it, but I'd like more opinions.

Tier 1: Baylor and UTSW
Tier 2: UT Houston (McGovern), UT Galveston (Medical Branch), UT San Antonio, UT Austin (Dell)
Tier ~2.5: A&M
Tier 3: Texas Tech Lubbock/El Paso
Tier 4: UNT (Sorry DO), UT Rio Grande Valley (they don't have live A&P dissections or good hospitals. Big negative)

Newer rankings seem to prefer A&M over Galveston, but I feel like that's heavily weighted in their high student to faculty ratio, multiple campuses and new facilities.

Also newer rankings are putting Galveston lower due to trouble with the new Dell school and hospital rotations. However, they still had like top 3 Step1 scores in the state and have a lot of research opportunity.

I'm especially interested in what you think of A&M vs Galveston as those are my main available choices.

So, BCM and UTSW to me seem like they're in their own category and everyone seems to agree with this.

What should be the number one thing you really pay attention to IMO? Step 1 scores. Yes, you do need to feel like you can spend 4 years in a place and you should consider that, but your career as a doctor is going to be way longer than 4 years. Step 1 score literally determines your future, and you want to get the highest score you can even if you don't plan on going into Dermatology. UTMB said that their step scores are like 237.4 average, and the dean said that makes you competitive or just about for basically every specialty. I also really liked the fact that UTMB has one big campus where there's like 3-4 hospitals around you and you can go into Houston and rotate at MD Anderson, Methodist, and St. Joseph's as well, along with Austin (still?) also. Although I'm not a fan of 2 years of straight books, I felt comfortable knowing that if I put the work in, UTMB would train me to get good results in my career. And this was something that stood out to me despite feeling more at home at places like UTHSCSA, Dell, and A&M.

Also I remember UTMB saying you had like up to 6 weeks alone to study for step 1 and I think it was only second to BCM.

Obviously this doesn't mean you will score average, higher, or lower. But it's helpful to see how the scores are. You'll get a good education and as long as you aren't super repulsed by the area that it's located (this is different for each person), consider picking the school based on their average results for step 1 and how much time you get to prepare for the exam. I hear it's a beast.

p.s.: focused more on UTMB because OP mentioned it
 
Fool's errand time.

Ask ten people, you'll get 11 different answers.


How do you rank them? This is how I see it, but I'd like more opinions.

Tier 1: Baylor and UTSW
Tier 2: UT Houston (McGovern), UT Galveston (Medical Branch), UT San Antonio, UT Austin (Dell)
Tier ~2.5: A&M
Tier 3: Texas Tech Lubbock/El Paso
Tier 4: UNT (Sorry DO), UT Rio Grande Valley (they don't have live A&P dissections or good hospitals. Big negative)

Newer rankings seem to prefer A&M over Galveston, but I feel like that's heavily weighted in their high student to faculty ratio, multiple campuses and new facilities.

Also newer rankings are putting Galveston lower due to trouble with the new Dell school and hospital rotations. However, they still had like top 3 Step1 scores in the state and have a lot of research opportunity.

I'm especially interested in what you think of A&M vs Galveston as those are my main available choices.
 
So, BCM and UTSW to me seem like they're in their own category and everyone seems to agree with this.

What should be the number one thing you really pay attention to IMO? Step 1 scores. Yes, you do need to feel like you can spend 4 years in a place and you should consider that, but your career as a doctor is going to be way longer than 4 years. Step 1 score literally determines your future, and you want to get the highest score you can even if you don't plan on going into Dermatology. UTMB said that their step scores are like 237.4 average, and the dean said that makes you competitive or just about for basically every specialty. I also really liked the fact that UTMB has one big campus where there's like 3-4 hospitals around you and you can go into Houston and rotate at MD Anderson, Methodist, and St. Joseph's as well, along with Austin (still?) also. Although I'm not a fan of 2 years of straight books, I felt comfortable knowing that if I put the work in, UTMB would train me to get good results in my career. And this was something that stood out to me despite feeling more at home at places like UTHSCSA, Dell, and A&M.

Also I remember UTMB saying you had like up to 6 weeks alone to study for step 1 and I think it was only second to BCM.

Obviously this doesn't mean you will score average, higher, or lower. But it's helpful to see how the scores are. You'll get a good education and as long as you aren't super repulsed by the area that it's located (this is different for each person), consider picking the school based on their average results for step 1 and how much time you get to prepare for the exam. I hear it's a beast.

p.s.: focused more on UTMB because OP mentioned it

I honestly don't think average step scores are important, especially if you are already a good test taker. You could get a 260+ from independent study if you wanted (look at the carrib). It is much more on you than the school. What you can't achieve on your own is a good clinical experience. That's where you should be looking IMO, and that's why UTSW and Baylor rise so far above the rest of Texas.

Fool's errand time.

Ask ten people, you'll get 11 different answers.

Um no not really. The answer has been UTSW/Baylor>uth>everywhere else>tcom for many years now. Sure there will be disagreements on the everywhere else ranks, but at that point they are all fairly equal anyway
 
I honestly don't think average step scores are important, especially if you are already a good test taker. You could get a 260+ from independent study if you wanted (look at the carrib). It is much more on you than the school. What you can't achieve on your own is a good clinical experience. That's where you should be looking IMO, and that's why UTSW and Baylor rise so far above the rest of Texas.



Um no not really. The answer has been UTSW/Baylor>uth>everywhere else>tcom for many years now. Sure there will be disagreements on the everywhere else ranks, but at that point they are all fairly equal anyway

Yeah that's fair. I think clinical experience is a lot more significant at BCM and UTSW and UTH. I think UTMB still gets to stay #4 then because of the Sealy hospitals around it and option to go into TMC


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Baylor is def the best med school in Texas
 
@TexasSurgeon, you quoted the average Step scores for students matching into TTU Lubbock's orthosurg program. IIRC, TTU Lubbock has a 227 Step 1 average for their med students. Might have been 229, though. Also, the 2015-2016 Step 1 average for A&M was 227 (at least, that's what was written on a piece of paper in our interview packet).
 
So no Loyola, Gtown, BU, Einstein, Tulane, Creighton or Loma Linda????

LUCOM I can understand.

Georgetown I'll make the exception because I truly do like the Jesuit focus on service to others and even then it's kind of meh, but otherwise I don't think I'd be ready.

I just don't want religion in my medical education, but obviously no hate for those who feel differently.


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So, BCM and UTSW to me seem like they're in their own category and everyone seems to agree with this.

What should be the number one thing you really pay attention to IMO? Step 1 scores. Yes, you do need to feel like you can spend 4 years in a place and you should consider that, but your career as a doctor is going to be way longer than 4 years. Step 1 score literally determines your future, and you want to get the highest score you can even if you don't plan on going into Dermatology. UTMB said that their step scores are like 237.4 average, and the dean said that makes you competitive or just about for basically every specialty. I also really liked the fact that UTMB has one big campus where there's like 3-4 hospitals around you and you can go into Houston and rotate at MD Anderson, Methodist, and St. Joseph's as well, along with Austin (still?) also. Although I'm not a fan of 2 years of straight books, I felt comfortable knowing that if I put the work in, UTMB would train me to get good results in my career. And this was something that stood out to me despite feeling more at home at places like UTHSCSA, Dell, and A&M.

Also I remember UTMB saying you had like up to 6 weeks alone to study for step 1 and I think it was only second to BCM.

Obviously this doesn't mean you will score average, higher, or lower. But it's helpful to see how the scores are. You'll get a good education and as long as you aren't super repulsed by the area that it's located (this is different for each person), consider picking the school based on their average results for step 1 and how much time you get to prepare for the exam. I hear it's a beast.

p.s.: focused more on UTMB because OP mentioned it
haha I like this answer because it makes galveston look good. But yes, of course there's more than step 1. But I believe UTMB does have good clinic and research to back it up, so im happy with that. Ya, i'd trade off and take SW over it despite the lower score cause that's just an average and also because of the increase in clinic experience. Very excited for UTMB and fingers crossed for waitlist movement at UTSW
 
haha I like this answer because it makes galveston look good. But yes, of course there's more than step 1. But I believe UTMB does have good clinic and research to back it up, so im happy with that. Ya, i'd trade off and take SW over it despite the lower score cause that's just an average and also because of the increase in clinic experience. Very excited for UTMB and fingers crossed for waitlist movement at UTSW

Hahaha yeah. And UTMB did impress me with their special tracks, particularly the aerospace medicine track. But not the 5 year degrees tho haha.

I feel more excited for UTMB now then I did last week when I interviewed. If I get in, looks like it's time to find a roommate.


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You didn't find anything about campus police shooting an unarmed student in the back (dead, naturally). Or about the president of the school being racist on record (and worse off record) and getting fired/resigning, and the re-hired emeritus?
Then why are you attending?
 
haha I like this answer because it makes galveston look good. But yes, of course there's more than step 1. But I believe UTMB does have good clinic and research to back it up, so im happy with that. Ya, i'd trade off and take SW over it despite the lower score cause that's just an average and also because of the increase in clinic experience. Very excited for UTMB and fingers crossed for waitlist movement at UTSW

Good luck man! I agree utmb is a great place, except that Galveston is kind of disgusting and depressing
 
How do you rank them? This is how I see it, but I'd like more opinions.

Tier 1: Baylor and UTSW
Tier 2: UT Houston (McGovern), UT Galveston (Medical Branch), UT San Antonio, UT Austin (Dell)
Tier ~2.5: A&M
Tier 3: Texas Tech Lubbock/El Paso
Tier 4: UNT (Sorry DO), UT Rio Grande Valley (they don't have live A&P dissections or good hospitals. Big negative)

Newer rankings seem to prefer A&M over Galveston, but I feel like that's heavily weighted in their high student to faculty ratio, multiple campuses and new facilities.

Also newer rankings are putting Galveston lower due to trouble with the new Dell school and hospital rotations. However, they still had like top 3 Step1 scores in the state and have a lot of research opportunity.

I'm especially interested in what you think of A&M vs Galveston as those are my main available choices.

I think it depends on what you think is more valuable. I liked UTMB's daily schedule more, but A&M's 2.5 clinical years more. Pre-clinical aspect, UTMB seems way better. Rotation hospitals, A&M's hospitals are much better. So it's up to you to decide if better pre-clinical aspect is more valuable than rotating at better hospitals. Galveston probably has much better research than College Station, but researching at TMC hospitals and Baylor has unlimited opportunities also. I'm not sure how many UTMB students leave Galveston, so then think about if you'd rather want to stay in Galveston, or prefer Houston/Dallas/Austin/CS/Temple. Either way, good luck with UTSW movement! haha
 
What about UTHSCSA vs McGovern? I know both are similar in terms of tiers but what school would you guys choose over and why?
 
What about UTHSCSA vs McGovern? I know both are similar in terms of tiers but what school would you guys choose over and why?

Now that McGovern has an updated curriculum I would definitely go with McGovern. Both have 1.5 curriculum and are graded so no advantage there really. The TMC is great, and I prefer Houston to SA. I liked the students I met at both schools but probably clicked more with the McGovern students.
 
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