Texas State University vs. UT

[Feverish]

Hello,

I am currently a sophomore/junior by credit at Texas State University. I have been relatively serious about my medical pre-requisites and have mulling over the idea of transferring to UT. At Texas State, I am a biology major with a chemistry minor and if I transferred, I would change my major to psychology with a minor in biology.

There would be other other attributes to the relocation; such as not really feeling "at home" at Texas State, not being proud to be a Bobcat, etc. and thankfully, all but two classes transfer.

Would transferring at all be beneficial to my medical endeavors?

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[Lucca]

To your medical endeavors? I don't know. Difficult question to answer.

The easier question to answer is if it is what you want to do for you. Would you be happier in Austin? Do you feel you will succeed here? I feel at home here and I couldn't imagine going to college in a place where I didn't feel like I belonged. If you have been very successful at Texas State then I have no reason to believe you could not be reasonably successful here at UT.

Do whatever is best for you. In terms of medical school it probably doesn't matter at all although there are sizable advantages to attending a tier-1 public research university in a diverse city with a rich culture, unique public health challenges and a budding medical school in terms of extracurricular opportunities.

 

[The Buff OP]

To your medical endeavors? I don't know. Difficult question to answer.

The easier question to answer is if it is what you want to do for you. Would you be happier in Austin? Do you feel you will succeed here? I feel at home here and I couldn't imagine going to college in a place where I didn't feel like I belonged. If you have been very successful at Texas State then I have no reason to believe you could not be reasonably successful here at UT.

Do whatever is best for you. In terms of medical school it probably doesn't matter at all although there are sizable advantages to attending a tier-1 public research university in a diverse city with a rich culture, unique public health challenges and a budding medical school in terms of extracurricular opportunities.

Oye chico, did you major in physics, brah? "Rocket Scientist."

 

[The Buff OP]

Hello,

I am currently a sophomore/junior by credit at Texas State University. I have been relatively serious about my medical pre-requisites and have mulling over the idea of transferring to UT. At Texas State, I am a biology major with a chemistry minor and if I transferred, I would change my major to psychology with a minor in biology.

There would be other other attributes to the relocation; such as not really feeling "at home" at Texas State, not being proud to be a Bobcat, etc. and thankfully, all but two classes transfer.

Would transferring at all be beneficial to my medical endeavors?

I agree with Lucca. UT-A is cutthroat, so much competition and a huge school. Nevertheless, whatever makes you happy. How about A&M? Whoop!

 

[NeuResurgens]

I think Lucca got it right - the biggest factor is going where you feel "at home." When you feel comfortable and happy in an environment, you tend to succeed more. (this is true when choosing which medical school to attend as well, FYI.) If you think UT-A is a good fit for you, then by all means go. If you're not comfortable at TSU, you could think about other transfer options as well, not just UT-A.

 

[DrShephardWannabe]

UT Austin student here, and honestly I can't list any pros of staying at Texas State since you've already said you don't feel like home there.
It's a massive university with massive opportunities. I say go for it.

 

[NickNaylor]

UT Austin student here, and honestly I can't list any pros of staying at Texas State since you've already said you don't feel like home there.
It's a massive university with massive opportunities. I say go for it.

Completely agree. Texas State and UT are separated by a huge margin. I would go to UT if you can swing it. Just understand that by transferring you will have very limited time to do the typical application buildings things - getting involved in ECs, research, meeting professors, etc. So you should be on your game and start seeking our those opportunities if you do transfer ASAP.

 

[Lucca]

Oye chico, did you major in physics, brah? "Rocket Scientist."

I'm not a physics major but I masquerade as one by taking physics classes anyway lol

UT is definitely a big school with a very robust and, at times, obnoxiously large pre-med population. Finding research opportunities here is not so difficult provided you have some degree of credibility like good grades and knowledge of the basic lab techniques employed in that lab. The hardest thing about being an Austin pre-med is finding quality clinical experiences. All available positions are extremely competitive, especially the good ones, so I recommend looking for these outside of Austin whenever possible or joining a club on campus that already has a long term gig with a hospice or free clinic.

 

[clairephillips]

UT rocks! I actually have two degrees from UT, and I can tell you that despite the large population, it isn't hard at all to find your niche. It is a bit difficult to find volunteering opportunities near campus, but I've volunteered with St. David's North Austin and with a hospice here and had great experiences. If you feel like UT is home, then come home! 🙂

 

[DokterMom]

UT Austin student here, and honestly I can't list any pros of staying at Texas State since you've already said you don't feel like home there.
It's a massive university with massive opportunities. I say go for it.

Bigger is not always better.

I think Lucca got it right - the biggest factor is going where you feel "at home." When you feel comfortable and happy in an environment, you tend to succeed more. (this is true when choosing which medical school to attend as well, FYI.) If you think UT-A is a good fit for you, then by all means go. If you're not comfortable at TSU, you could think about other transfer options as well, not just UT-A.

Look for the school that fits you best.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I agree with Lucca. UT-A is cutthroat, so much competition and a huge school. Nevertheless, whatever makes you happy. How about A&M? Whoop!

What makes UT cutthroat? I never thought that when I went

 

[NeuResurgens]

I'm not a physics major but I masquerade as one by taking physics classes anyway lol

UT is definitely a big school with a very robust and, at times, obnoxiously large pre-med population. Finding research opportunities here is not so difficult provided you have some degree of credibility like good grades and knowledge of the basic lab techniques employed in that lab. The hardest thing about being an Austin pre-med is finding quality clinical experiences. All available positions are extremely competitive, especially the good ones, so I recommend looking for these outside of Austin whenever possible or joining a club on campus that already has a long term gig with a hospice or free clinic.

I think every premed feels that way since most of us tend to take the same classes and do mostly the same majors.. It gets irritating hanging out all the time with so many gunners 😛 I know my school feels like it's overflowing with freaking premeds!

 

[The Buff OP]

What makes UT cutthroat? I never thought that when I went

Big pre-med pool.

 

[Lucca]

Big pre-med pool.

While this is true, I don't think we are cutthroat at all. That's not really what I find obnoxious about the immense amount of pre-meds here...I just find it intensely boring. Most science classes are like a freaking echo chamber about GPA, tests, medical school, applications, ECs, etc.... no matter what is actually going on in the class!

Which is precisely why I choose to hide in the physics and philosophy departments as much as possible.

 

[The Buff OP]

While this is true, I don't think we are cutthroat at all. That's not really what I find obnoxious about the immense amount of pre-meds here...I just find it intensely boring. Most science classes are like a freaking echo chamber about GPA, tests, medical school, applications, ECs, etc.... no matter what is actually going on in the class!

Which is precisely why I choose to hide in the physics and philosophy departments as much as possible.

I'm actually thinking of trying out business and see if I like it, so I get a good mix and I won't burnout on pure science classes. Lets see what happens.

 

[belikeme]

UT Austin student here. I would say that if you are going to transfer for a psych degre do it. I think psych at UT awesome but I would not go into natural science at UT. I started out has psych then swithched to bio and id have to say i wish i had never done it. Bio students at UT are cut throat a lot of times ppl do not want to work togetjer because they view everyone as competition. The profs arent the best sometimes.you really have to look and research hard for the best

 

[belikeme]

my boyfrd wanted to go to UT but didnt get in and went to txstate.He said he felt ashamed for not getting into UT but after seeing me and his other frds that got in struggle he became happy he went to txstate. i know firds that transferred from other universities to UT and wish they never had. So really think about it. I feel like my GPA would be much higher if i went to a smaller university like texas state. If you want to transfer due to the prestige that is associated with UT dont. Graduate a proud bobcat and get into med school. in med school no one is going to care where you went to undergrad and if they do who cares you are going to be a doctor

 

[mshopeful17]

UT grad here. I absolutely loved my time at UT, I felt it was a rewarding experience and I got a great education. Very proud to tell people I graduated from Texas...BUT I do feel like my GPA is much lower here than it would have been at say Texas State. So if your main concern is "feeling at home" and "taking pride" in being a longhorn, then I say go for UT. As for being "beneficial to your medical endeavors"...while the education you receive at UT is phenomenal and there are plenty of opportunities (pre-health groups, research, volunteering...etc) your GPA quite possibly could take a hit. Just my .o2 🙂