TCOM vs A&M

[futurefwdoc]

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I interviewed at 4 great TX schools (only 3 part of the match) and am trying to get last minute input for my match ranking. I am listing UTMB first but am trying to decide what to do about TCOM and A&M. For context, I’m from Fort Worth, TX and am not sure what specialty I’m most interested in but I do love working with kids so am not against primary care in pediatrics.

TCOM
Pros:
- in my hometown (which I love) = strong support system, great network already
- know a student there who loves it
- one of the best DO schools in the country
- good residency match results
- the culture seems great
Cons:
- multiple board exams
- stigma around DO for residency match (which I know doesn’t matter so much anymore but it’s hard to not consider it esp if I end up falling in love with a more competitive speciality)

A&M
Pros:
- insane alumni network
- could be in Dallas for M2-4 which would bring me closer to home
- it is a good MD program
- I vibed with the currents students I talked to there
Cons:
- will either have to move between M1 and M2 or live in Bryan for 4 years (which is not necessarily a bad thing I just don’t know if I like it there). I think being close to home is a good thing.

I’m honestly just not sure what to value most and what to do to give me the best chance of getting a match. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[superduperman7]

I think that TCOM was very tempting to rank high for me as well because its about 20 minutes from my home, but it seems that if location really mattered that you would rank it first but you are ranking UTMB first. Based on this you already believe in the strength of the program and its prestige as UTMB is a great school but very far from home. TAMU is a great school too, I would argue better program than TCOM, so if your already going to rank a program across the state at number one, you might as well make TAMU number 2 since you only have to be there for 2 years and come right back to DFW in years 3 and 4. But either way you have 3 great programs to rank and I will you all the best on Match Day

 

[futurefwdoc]

I think that TCOM was very tempting to rank high for me as well because its about 20 minutes from my home, but it seems that if location really mattered that you would rank it first but you are ranking UTMB first. Based on this you already believe in the strength of the program and its prestige as UTMB is a great school but very far from home. TAMU is a great school too, I would argue better program than TCOM, so if your already going to rank a program across the state at number one, you might as well make TAMU number 2 since you only have to be there for 2 years and come right back to DFW in years 3 and 4. But either way you have 3 great programs to rank and I will you all the best on Match Day

I appreciate your perspective a lot. Thank you for your thoughts. I think I’m leaning towards listing A&M over TCOM. How much would you personally take into account the grading systems?

 

[superduperman7]

not familiar with the grading systems at either program