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I've narrowed it down to two schools, but could use some advice on what may or may not be better based on the experience of others. I loved both schools and they were my top choices after interviewing! That's why it is such a hard choice...I'll list what I see as pro's and con's to both schools:
Texas A&M
Texas A&M
- Cheap tuition (65k for all 4 years)
- Well-known university, but fairly new medical school
- I believe that A&M will continue to improve in rankings/recognition as a med school based on their future plans etc.
- 18 month pre-clinical
- Take Step 1 6+ months after starting rotations
- Is this a benefit? I worry about keeping up on pre-clinical coursework for Step 1 while trying to also do well in clinicals
- Close to family
- I'm married and see this as a great thing for my wife
- Classes from 8 AM to 4 PM three to four days a week
- I'm a self-directed learner and worry about spending so much time in class v. using afternoons to study on my own
- Shorter breaks (4 weeks between years 1 & 2)
- Low cost of living/more conservative community
- Impressive facilities across 5 different campuses
- We will be moving after the first year to a campus other than College Station..possible negative if moving becomes a hassle
- I have above average GPA & MCAT scores for A&M
- Potentially be higher in class rankings...big fish in a small pond?? I know this is hypothetical on how well I do at the school, but if it happens is that significant?
- Multiple courses at one time taken over longer periods of time
- A lot like what I am used to from undergrad...tests overlapping etc.
- Often ranked in top 20 for med schools depending on the ranking
- Cheap tuition, but double Texas A&M (130k for all 4 years)
- 18 month pre-clinical
- Take Step 1 right after pre-clinicals before starting rotations
- Does clinical experience in rotations help on Step 1??
- No family within a 3 to 4 hour plane ride
- Classes 8 AM to 1 PM most days with afternoon labs 1 to 2 days a week
- More time for self-directed study??
- 2.5 month break between year 1 & 2
- Relatively low cost of living/more liberal community
- Impressive facilities close to the school
- Stay in 1 place all 4 years, possibly buy a home to save on rent
- I am straight average when it comes to average GPA & MCAT for the school
- If I am average in class rankings is that negative? Average at better school, or above average at lower ranked school? What is better?
- Well established med school
- Classes are taught in blocks (Usually 4 to 5 weeks in duration with a midterm and final)
- Focus on one subject at a time before moving on to the next. Is this good or bad??