Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M

[DocMcCoy]

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January 15th is rapidly approaching and I was looking for some advice/comments from current students or others that have interviewed at Tech and A&M this year. Both schools have won me over so I am torn on which offer I should accept.

In my opinion,

Tech:
Positives- small class size, Pass/Fail grading, curriculum, student friendliness, joint program options.
Negatives- anatomy lab, location, uncertainty of 3rd and 4th year location.

A&M:
Positives- small class size, student friendliness, new campus buildings, anatomy lab.
Negatives- grading system, uncertainty of 3rd and 4th year location.

Although some of these may seem superficial, my point is that it just about dead even between the two schools.

I was wondering what others were found to be impressive or lacking with each program, and how current students made your decision. What are some features of the program you would use to promote the school to applicants?

 

[JJMrK]

I don't know anything about either school, but I'll point out my observations after reading your post.

If you cancel out things in the same category that both schools have, your list looks like this:

Tech:
Positives- Pass/Fail grading, curriculum, joint program options.
Negatives- anatomy lab, location

A&M:
Positives- new campus buildings, anatomy lab.
Negatives- grading system

It's basically curriculum (including joint program & grading) vs location and new buildings. I don't know how I would make this decision, but some things to think about might be:
- How bad is Tech's location?
- How bad are it's buildings compared to A&M? Are they terrible, or just not as good?
- P/F grading is pretty important IMO. This can be the difference between killing yourself or enjoying your time in med school.

 

[H2O2]

I don't know anything about either school, but I'll point out my observations after reading your post.

If you cancel out things in the same category that both schools have, your list looks like this:
It's basically curriculum (including joint program & grading) vs location and new buildings. I don't know how I would make this decision, but some things to think about might be:
- How bad is Tech's location?
- How bad are it's buildings compared to A&M? Are they terrible, or just not as good?
- P/F grading is pretty important IMO. This can be the difference between killing yourself or enjoying your time in med school.

I'm in a similar position deciding between Tech, A&M, and Houston. I really enjoying tech and Lubbock, and I agree the facilities are a disadvantage compared to other Texas schools.

The thing I dislike most about A&M is the split campus. People say it doesn't make a difference, but I'm not so sure. The huge selling point for Tech for me is their block style curriculum.

 

[DocMcCoy]

I don't know anything about either school, but I'll point out my observations after reading your post.

If you cancel out things in the same category that both schools have, your list looks like this:
It's basically curriculum (including joint program & grading) vs location and new buildings. I don't know how I would make this decision, but some things to think about might be:
- How bad is Tech's location?
- How bad are it's buildings compared to A&M? Are they terrible, or just not as good?
- P/F grading is pretty important IMO. This can be the difference between killing yourself or enjoying your time in med school.

I think you are right, the real issue comes down to curriculum, is there a real difference between A,B,C,D,F grading and H,HP,P,F grading? Thanks for your reply.

 

[DocMcCoy]

I'm in a similar position deciding between Tech, A&M, and Houston. I really enjoying tech and Lubbock, and I agree the facilities are a disadvantage compared to other Texas schools.

The thing I dislike most about A&M is the split campus. People say it doesn't make a difference, but I'm not so sure. The huge selling point for Tech for me is their block style curriculum.

H2O2, by split campus are you referring to the possibility of moving during 3rd and 4th year? From what I remember it is the same deal for Tech, only A&M seems to have a higher percentage of students that get the location they want.

 

[DrHiner]

H2O2, by split campus are you referring to the possibility of moving during 3rd and 4th year? From what I remember it is the same deal for Tech, only A&M seems to have a higher percentage of students that get the location they want.

It's true. Tech also has split campus... you can spend your last 2 yrs in Lubbock, Permian Basin or Abilene ... maybe it was Amarillo... Either way, Tech and A&M are similar in this respect.

I am torn between these two schools also...

 

[mrfuumanchu206]

In my opinion, the opportunity to work at Scott and White in Temple is a huge huge selling point for A&M. Every year its ranked as one of the top hospitals in the United States, and would be probably the top reason I would prefer A&M over Texas Tech...

However, then comes the issue of whether or not you'll actually be able to work in Temple, as only about half (?) of their class is in Temple and the other half is in College Station/Round Rock.

 

[H2O2]

H2O2, by split campus are you referring to the possibility of moving during 3rd and 4th year? From what I remember it is the same deal for Tech, only A&M seems to have a higher percentage of students that get the location they want.

No, I'm referring to the fact 1st/2nd years are split between Temple and College Station and lectures are teleconferenced supposedly "50/50".

 

[DocMcCoy]

No, I'm referring to the fact 1st/2nd years are split between Temple and College Station and lectures are teleconferenced supposedly "50/50".

OH, I wasn't even aware of that. I remember the anatomy professor saying that sometimes they did teleconferenced lecture with Temple. I was not aware that this was a 50/50 split for all classes.

 

[cher25]

I'm in a similar position deciding between Tech, A&M, and Houston. I really enjoying tech and Lubbock, and I agree the facilities are a disadvantage compared to other Texas schools.

The thing I dislike most about A&M is the split campus. People say it doesn't make a difference, but I'm not so sure. The huge selling point for Tech for me is their block style curriculum.

It is my understanding that A&M is moving to the 'block style curriculum' for the incoming class.

 

[7starmantis]

I didn't find Tech's buildings, anatomy lab, or technology less than other Texas schools. Certainly not less than A&M's although I did really like A&M's anatomy lab. Will Tech's big simulation center be open for our class? Seems like it was going to be and that could be a big plus for Tech.

 

[H2O2]

OH, I wasn't even aware of that. I remember the anatomy professor saying that sometimes they did teleconferenced lecture with Temple. I was not aware that this was a 50/50 split for all classes.

Actually, judging from past TAMU forums, its more like the majority of lectures are in College Station while the Temple folk see it via teleconference.

Cher, I was not aware of the switch to block curriculum. Did you just hear this at the interview or is it on the website somewhere?

 

[cher25]

Cher, I was not aware of the switch to block curriculum. Did you just hear this at the interview or is it on the website somewhere?

They spoke in detail about it at the interview and it's outlined in the interview packet that we received. I haven't checked the website though. But it's definitely block scheduling starting with the incoming class. They're also adding NBME exams at the end of each term. But I found that UT Houston does this also (NBME), so it may be fairly common.

 

[JJMrK]

I think you are right, the real issue comes down to curriculum, is there a real difference between A,B,C,D,F grading and H,HP,P,F grading? Thanks for your reply.

In that case, maybe not. I thought you were talking about true P/F, but the system you described is just A/B/C/F in disguise.

Looks like it essentially comes down to curriculum vs location.

 

[DocMcCoy]

Thanks for all the input. They did talk about switching to the block schedule at A&M. I had an interesting conversation with my interviewer (an MSII) about this. Their Step 1 scores are really good so I asked him why they were going to change the curriculum if it is working so well, he said that was an issue he was concerned with as well. Looks like we will be the test class, not sure if that is a good thing.

Does anyone know for sure if the grading is on a curve for either school, and what the curve is usually set at? Are there any benefits to a H,HP,P,F grading system over a traditional letter grade system or is it just a disguise like JimmyJammer suggested?

 

[cher25]

Thanks for all the input. They did talk about switching to the block schedule at A&M. I had an interesting conversation with my interviewer (an MSII) about this. Their Step 1 scores are really good so I asked him why they were going to change the curriculum if it is working so well, he said that was an issue he was concerned with as well. Looks like we will be the test class, not sure if that is a good thing.

Does anyone know for sure if the grading is on a curve for either school, and what the curve is usually set at? Are there any benefits to a H,HP,P,F grading system over a traditional letter grade system or is it just a disguise like JimmyJammer suggested?

A&M's grading is NOT on a curve. I made sure that I asked this at the interview. They said that your grade is your grade. For example, 75 is 75 even if no one in the class makes an A on the exam, it will not be curved up. At least this is the way that one of my interviewers explained it to me.

 

[cher25]

Another thing that you may want to consider is that A&M will require a 'scholarly project' to be completed before one is eligible to graduate. This new requirement will be implemented with the incoming class. The 'scholarly project' is somewhat like a Masters Thesis and it is a research requirement. This could be a good thing in the sense that research makes you more competitive for some residency positions.

 

[DocMcCoy]

Ouch to the no grading on a curve, I was not aware of that. I know UTHSCA does not grade on a curve and the students tend to think it reduces the level of 'cut-throatedness'. I also heard the average is pretty much in the high 80's or even 90's.

I do think the research requirement is a good thing, although it is easy to say that now without a medical school course load to think about. This sounds similar to what El Paso is doing. I wonder how much of a time commitment this is going to be.

 

[cher25]

I do think the research requirement is a good thing, although it is easy to say that now without a medical school course load to think about... I wonder how much of a time commitment this is going to be.

When I first heard about the research requirement, it was such a turn off that I considered throwing A&M out the window as one of my options. But as I started doing more research on specialties and residency competition, I can now see the benefit. I don't think it'll be so bad since you'll have an entire four years to complete it and it can be on any topic of your choosing. So if it came down to it and I ended up at A&M, I could deal with it if need be.

 

[canjosh]

Well, I interviewed at both places and was accepted to both. I strongly preferred the atmosphere at Tech. The 'culture' there just seemed more cohesive and cooperative to me. I thought the buildings were fine. I actually thought the study space at Tech was better than at A&M. What didn't you like about the anatomy lab? It's just you, your tankmates, the cadaver, and the atlas anyways.

I understood that this year's first year class is actually on the new curriculum at A&M. Tech has been established with their block curriculum for a few years now, so I personally would be more comfortable with that aspect at Tech.

I think the whole Scott and White deal is overblown. I've worked in hospitals for more than a decade now...one of them nationally known and always rated among the best. It was my least favorite hospital to work at, and the bedside care was probably worse than any of the other hospitals I worked at. They are just a large hospital that cares about doing the legwork to become accredited in this and that. I'm convinced hospital ratings are generally CRAP.

I believe what you need from a hospital as a medical student is a healthy volume of pathology, preferably in a tertiary environment. Honestly it's hard to beat a county trauma facility for that. I'm not saying that S&W isn't a quality institution, but I don't think that all the rankings and such should play into your decision much, if at all.

That's my 2 cents...good luck with your decision!

 

[DocMcCoy]

Hey canjosh, congrats on the Baylor acceptance! As far as the anatomy lab at Tech I liked it less than A&M because it felt like it was in a cold dark basement. Just kind if eerie with saws hanging from the ceiling. A&M is upstairs, nice and bright with a window. I mentioned that this is a pretty superficial pro v con. I would never base my entire acceptance off of this, but I just think it would be a better learning atmosphere for anatomy at A&M (for me at least).

I was going to say something similar about Scott and White. I have heard it both ways... Rotations at a hospital with a ton of residents between you and an attending vs. a small clinical setting where you might be one on one with an attending. To me it isn't that big of a deal. There are always away rotations anyway if I want a feel for something different right?

I agree that Tech had a much better atmosphere. At the same time I think College Station as a city has a better atmosphere.

Guess I'm just looking for something that really sets one of the schools above the other.

 

[luckyduck33]

I had a really tough time with this decision as well, and had the pros and cons list too. But I put the list away and stopped debating between the two for a while and just went with my gut, because I was just going back and forth, never able to find anything that was convincing enough for me to choose one school over the other.

What it came down to was deciding what was most important to me personally - a major factor for me was being close to my support system, and I had to decide how important that was to me - but also how much I liked the school overall, how happy I would be, if I could see myself waking up every morning to go to that school. My decision was made based on that instead of the superficial things.

I feel that the superficial things don't matter as much because you aren't able to make a decision based on those. Like you said, both schools come out pretty even. Personally I feel you will get a great education at both and you can't go wrong in choosing one school over the other based on the things you listed, so maybe it would help to consider which place would be the best fit based on the things that are important to you.

Good luck!

 

[canjosh]

Hey canjosh, congrats on the Baylor acceptance!

I agree that Tech had a much better atmosphere. At the same time I think College Station as a city has a better atmosphere.

Guess I'm just looking for something that really sets one of the schools above the other.

Thank you very much! I'm still in disbelief about the BCM acceptance.

And say that bolded statement 3 times aloud. I think choosing a medical school is all about where you think you 'fit' the best. You will be educated to LCME standards either way, and you undoubtedly will feel completely overwhelmed throughout much of your education. So I think you'll be happiest if you go with your gut feeling about where you'll feel most supported by your peers and mentors. In the end, only you can provide that gut feeling. If you interviewed at El Paso and heard Dr. de la Rosa's speech about choosing a medical school---I believe that he hit the nail on the head.

 

[J BELL]

Ouch to the no grading on a curve, I was not aware of that. I know UTHSCA does not grade on a curve and the students tend to think it reduces the level of 'cut-throatedness'. I also heard the average is pretty much in the high 80's or even 90's.

I do think the research requirement is a good thing, although it is easy to say that now without a medical school course load to think about. This sounds similar to what El Paso is doing. I wonder how much of a time commitment this is going to be.

Do you mean these were the average scores at SA or A&M? Thanks for the thread im trying to decide as well and these are my top two. h3ll my only two for now haha.

 

[DocMcCoy]

SA from what I was told from the MS1's at my interview. Glad to know there are others in the same boat. This is hard! There could be worse problems to have though right.

 

[bigslick]

Does anybody know what a typical schedule is like at A&M? Are classes from like, 8-12 or more like 8-5?

 

[32flavors]

Has anyone else had difficulty comparing Texas Tech-Paul L. Foster to these schools? I have pre-match offers at Lubbock and Foster and interviewed at A&M but it seems hard to compare the new school to the older schools. I really liked Foster but am worried about the fact that it will not have much of a reputation when it comes to competing for residencies. Any ideas?

 

[fiat]

Has anyone else had difficulty comparing Texas Tech-Paul L. Foster to these schools? I have pre-match offers at Lubbock and Foster and interviewed at A&M but it seems hard to compare the new school to the older schools. I really liked Foster but am worried about the fact that it will not have much of a reputation when it comes to competing for residencies. Any ideas?

I'm picking between Foster and A&M now. I wouldn't worry about the residency thing, El Paso has been a 3rd and 4th year campus for Texas Tech for like 30 years now. The only thing I'm counting against Foster is the fact thats it's 10 hours away from everyone I know. It's a tough choice.