TMDSAS Ranking UTSW vs UTMB

[sicooo]

Hi guys, I have been fortunate enough to interview at Baylor, UTMB, McGovern, TAMU, long and received a prematch from UTSW. My current rank list looks like this:

1. Baylor
2. UTMB or UTSW
3. UTMB or UTSW
4. TAMU
5. Long
6. McGovern


UTSW

Pros

• Loved the tour, campus + hospitals were beautifullll
• Students seemed very friendly
• Possibly a better environment to help me match into competitive specialty????
• Loved their emphasis on creating great clinicians
• More prestigious
• Enjoyed Dallas
• P/F Preclinicals
• 1.5 years pre clinicals (allows me more time for ECs for residency apps)
• Loved the colleges model they have and the emphasis they placed on mentorship

Cons

• 4 hours away from family, 1 hour away from any extended family
• In house exams and more difficult curriculum
• Completely new city + never moved out before
• School doesn't give much resources for STEP1 (other than Uworld) from what I understand
• Gunner stereotype? Students and faculty emphasized this has changed a lot during tour however.

UTMB
Pros

• Definitely more of a chill and laid back vibe
• P/F preclinicals
• NBME exams (huge pro)
• 2 year pre clinicals (could be positive?? everything spread out more??)
• Campus was pretty-ish
• 1 hour away from family and friends (big pro for me)
• Have friends in the med school and PA school

Cons

• weather
• 2 year pre clinicals (could be negative??? Less time for ECs??)
• Hospitals seem older
• Might not have as many resources/aid to help me match into competitive specialty???
• Surrounding area not so great

Summary: I should preface this by saying that I was born and raised in Houston and my immediate family is here. So Baylor would be my top choice. McGovern's graded preclinicals make me shy away + horrible experience during tour. However, I don't know where to rank UTMB/UTSW. I loved UTSW during the tour, enjoyed Dallas, and have extended family an hour away from it. I went on the UTMB tour yesterday and it was alright but it is closer to home and possibly cheaper long term compared to Dallas. A huge pro for UTMB is how close it is, I would be able to visit my family every weekend and get some support, see friends, and eat moms meals (very yummy). I also have friends in the med school and PA school. However, my biggest fear is that I am mostly interested in competitive specialties. I know this is always subject to change during med school and that its also more than possible to match into something competitive at UTMB however, I don't want to be giving up the chance to go to a school that is prestigious, I loved, and has so many resources to help me in the future just to stay close and have that social support. (I also know there's a chance I might not even match if I rank higher which I am more than happy to attend UTSW if that happens). But overall, it comes down to if I would be sacrificing great opportunities to help me on my journey towards a competitive specialty in order to stay close to my family. Any advice is very much appreciated!!

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[etxaccepted36]

UTMB and UTSW have very different match lists. UTSW 100% gives you a huge edge in matching into competitive specialties, no question.

So it will come down to whether you want to be closer to family or have a better chance of matching into a competitive specialty.

Also, what specifically went so badly during the McGovern tour? I’m curious lol

 

[sicooo]

UTMB and UTSW have very different match lists. UTSW 100% gives you a huge edge in matching into competitive specialties, no question.

So it will come down to whether you want to be closer to family or have a better chance of matching into a competitive specialty.

Also, what specifically went so badly during the McGovern tour? I’m curious lol

From what I have seen on SDN match lists don't serve as a good representation of your ability to match into a competitive specialty? Also, what would you say is that huge edge that UTSW provides? I understand that its more prestigious and had nobel laureates etc. but how does that give it an edge? More research opportunities because it seemed that UTMB has alot too?

The McGovern tour couldn't compare to any others I went on. My sister actually came with me and we could not stop laughing at everything that happened. For example the faculty/students showed up half an hour late and couldn't unlock the door to the presentation room.

 

[etxaccepted36]

From what I have seen on SDN match lists don't serve as a good representation of your ability to match into a competitive specialty? Also, what would you say is that huge edge that UTSW provides? I understand that its more prestigious and had nobel laureates etc. but how does that give it an edge? More research opportunities because it seemed that UTMB has alot too?

The McGovern tour couldn't compare to any others I went on. My sister actually came with me and we could not stop laughing at everything that happened. For example the faculty/students showed up half an hour late and couldn't unlock the door to the presentation room.

Research, connections, resources/support, etc. Both schools will have these but UTSW will have higher quality versions of all of these compared to UTMB.

True, the match lists don’t necessarily determine your ability to match to a competitive specialty since it’s ultimately up to what you accomplish, but higher ranked schools give you the environment that makes matching to a competitive specialty more likely. It’s not a guarantee of course but who you are surrounded with for four years can play a big role in how you ultimately perform.