University of Utah vs UT San Antonio

[cbas07]

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Trying to decide between these schools for the next 4 years. The factors that my wife and I are seriously considering (good and not so good):

Utah

- Much of my family and ALL of my wife's family live in Utah
- Utah has beautiful facilities
- Small class with a lot of faculty (some very famous, such as Mario Capeechi)
- My wife already has a well-paying job in Utah
- We are very familiar with the area
- Tuition is ~$32,000
- I'm interested in Ophtho, Urology, Ortho and Utah has great Ophtho and Ortho (not so sure about Urology)
- I know quite a few doctors and some faculty at the U, as well as A TON of alumni (don't know if this matters)
- Research is integrated into the curriculum
- Mandatory attendance
- Snow
- USNWR ranking is ~#50 (was ~#40 last time)

San Antonio

- Tuition is ~$18,000
- Wife would have to find a job, but could probably find something to cover living expenses
- Don't know too many people down there, but I have some family in other parts of Texas
- USNWR ranking is ~#70
- Solid clinical curriculum
- Has #1 Urological funding faculty (Ian Thompson)
- Beautiful/lively City
- Older facilities
- Class size of 220
- HOT in Summer
- Texas is very regional so I could get set up nicely for Texas residencies (but might limit me on other residencies?)
- I can wear cowboy boots without people thinking it's weird
- On probation/testing out a new curriculum

Any input?

 

[LaughingMan]

San Antonio

- Tuition is ~$18,000
- Wife would have to find a job, but could probably find something to cover living expenses
- Don't know too many people down there, but I have some family in other parts of Texas
- USNWR ranking is ~#70
- Solid clinical curriculum
- Has #1 Urological funding faculty (Ian Thompson)
- Beautiful/lively City
- Older facilities
- Class size of 220
- HOT in Summer
- Texas is very regional so I could get set up nicely for Texas residencies (but might limit me on other residencies?)
- I can wear cowboy boots without people thinking it's weird
- On probation/testing out a new curriculum

Any input?

I disagree with the above underlined.
I lived there for 1 years--and seriously--the city lacks a soul.

You got Military--and you got Tourism. Thats it.
There are maybe 1 to 2 nice things to do there.

I hated the city, and moved back to Houston ASAP.

The highway design of the city is ridiculously flawed--moving from point A to point B is extremely inefficient. I know it's small--and my friends make fun of me for it, but the civil engineers who designed SA need to be fired and stripped of their titles.

Best of luck in choosing.

Edit: I should add--the city is good for "Family life" from what I hear.

 

[d12]

It sounds like you have some roots established in Utah. If I was in your situation that'd be a little tough to leave. How happy is your wife with her current job? Finding a well-paying job that you're happy at is tough to come by these days, so that would also factor in for me a little more than some of the other pros/cons.

Normally I'd say go with the cheapest option if you're up in the air, but neither school is that expensive and it doesn't look like you'll have to take out cost of living loans since your wife is working. Plus it seems like you're interested in well-paying specialties. I'd say go with whatever city you and your wife see yourselves happily raising a family.

 

[thesauce]

I wouldn't recommend selecting a school based on what specialty you might be interested in for the following reasons:
A) Most students change their mind about which specialty to pursue
B) Programs, especially small programs, can go south quickly
C) You don't learn jack about individual specialties in med school

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Trying to decide between these schools for the next 4 years. The factors that my wife and I are seriously considering (good and not so good):

Utah

- Much of my family and ALL of my wife's family live in Utah
- Utah has beautiful facilities
- Small class with a lot of faculty (some very famous, such as Mario Capeechi)
- My wife already has a well-paying job in Utah
- We are very familiar with the area
- Tuition is ~$32,000
- I'm interested in Ophtho, Urology, Ortho and Utah has great Ophtho and Ortho (not so sure about Urology)
- I know quite a few doctors and some faculty at the U, as well as A TON of alumni (don't know if this matters)
- Research is integrated into the curriculum
- Mandatory attendance
- Snow
- USNWR ranking is ~#50 (was ~#40 last time)

San Antonio

- Tuition is ~$18,000
- Wife would have to find a job, but could probably find something to cover living expenses
- Don't know too many people down there, but I have some family in other parts of Texas
- USNWR ranking is ~#70
- Solid clinical curriculum
- Has #1 Urological funding faculty (Ian Thompson)
- Beautiful/lively City
- Older facilities
- Class size of 220
- HOT in Summer
- Texas is very regional so I could get set up nicely for Texas residencies (but might limit me on other residencies?)
- I can wear cowboy boots without people thinking it's weird
- On probation/testing out a new curriculum

Any input?

Other than the Rive Walk, San Antonio is a ridiculous city. It's weirdly designed and roads have always been inefficient. I live in Houston and this place is so well planned out.

Honestly, you may want to consider SA just because you'd have less distractions. Less family means less drama, and you may find that a fresh start in a new place will help you get into the zone, if you know what I mean. Rank wise, they're both good medical schools. I've heard Texas med schools tend to match people into good residencies. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[DRjerm]

I'd go with San Antonio !!!

 

[speeddemon]

What does your wife do? If she is making more than $14,000 a year, it would make more financial sense to stay in Utah since both schools will pretty much get you where you want to go.

I have only been to San Antonio once, and it wasn't exactly beautiful in my opinion.

 

[FutureDocsWife]

Trying to decide between these schools for the next 4 years. The factors that my wife and I are seriously considering (good and not so good):

Utah

- Much of my family and ALL of my wife's family live in Utah
- Utah has beautiful facilities
- Small class with a lot of faculty (some very famous, such as Mario Capeechi)
- My wife already has a well-paying job in Utah
- We are very familiar with the area
- Tuition is ~$32,000
- I'm interested in Ophtho, Urology, Ortho and Utah has great Ophtho and Ortho (not so sure about Urology)
- I know quite a few doctors and some faculty at the U, as well as A TON of alumni (don't know if this matters)
- Research is integrated into the curriculum
- Mandatory attendance
- Snow
- USNWR ranking is ~#50 (was ~#40 last time)

San Antonio

- Tuition is ~$18,000
- Wife would have to find a job, but could probably find something to cover living expenses
- Don't know too many people down there, but I have some family in other parts of Texas
- USNWR ranking is ~#70
- Solid clinical curriculum
- Has #1 Urological funding faculty (Ian Thompson)
- Beautiful/lively City
- Older facilities
- Class size of 220
- HOT in Summer
- Texas is very regional so I could get set up nicely for Texas residencies (but might limit me on other residencies?)
- I can wear cowboy boots without people thinking it's weird
- On probation/testing out a new curriculum

Any input?

I clicked on this post thinking I would be writing "Texas>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Utah," but after reading your pros & cons list, I definitely say stay in Utah. Your wife doesn't have any family or friends in Texas, and you're about to be REALLY busy, so this is only going to make her miserable. Just my 2-cents 🙂 I will say, Texas is a great place where she will most definitely make friends, but it will be a hard start, and living in a place with no support system can just become really depressing for a lot of people.

 

[thesauce]

What does your wife do? If she is making more than $14,000 a year, it would make more financial sense to stay in Utah since both schools will pretty much get you where you want to go.

I have only been to San Antonio once, and it wasn't exactly beautiful in my opinion.

So you're ignoring state income tax, the difference in cost of living, and assuming that his wife won't be able to find a job in San Antonio?

 

[Tots]

Moved to school specific discussion.

 

[impermanence]

I like San Antonio and their current major is pretty cool. That said I agree with other posters that family is important, I'd put a lot of weight on my SO's wellbeing/opinion. The students in SA seemed fairly laid back and very nice. Good luck making your decision!

 

[nBeeDee]

Utah

- Much of my family and ALL of my wife's family live in Utah
- My wife already has a well-paying job in Utah
- Tuition is ~$32,000

San Antonio

- Tuition is ~$18,000
- I can wear cowboy boots without people thinking it's weird

Happy wife, happy life.

Maybe your wife is sick of Utah and would be excited for a move, but judging from what you said it sounds like she'd be happier staying. Plus you both have her good income and lots of family to lean on during med school. At first glance I would have said go to UT, but those things may be worth the $14k/year for you.

Personally my SO is moving with me wherever I go to school, but since I wont be 100% sure on where I will end up until May rolls around, shes pretty stressed about having to find a new job in such a short time frame. If you go to Utah, you would save your wife that stress and the possibility of not finding a job or getting one that pays less.

Disclaimer: I know nothing about either of these schools or cities.

Good luck, they both seem like great options for you. Also, I feel like you could wear cowboy boots in Utah and pull it off.

 

[Jazzy G]

If you are considering having kids in the next 4 years, I would definitely suggest U of U. Having family close by goes a long way when you are swamped with school.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

So you're ignoring state income tax, the difference in cost of living, and assuming that his wife won't be able to find a job in San Antonio?

Texas has no income tax...

 

[thesauce]

Texas has no income tax...

That was my point

 

[Status Sciaticus]

That was my point

LOL just making sure.

 

[Suspencer83]

Here's a question,
I've been considering U of U for Pre-med however since they are the only medical school in Utah, that's also my ideal med school.
Would they be less likely to accept an applicant that already attended there as a pre med??
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Here's a question,
I've been considering U of U for Pre-med however since they are the only medical school in Utah, that's also my ideal med school.
Would they be less likely to accept an applicant that already attended there as a pre med??
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

I don't think so. If anything, it seems like it would be a slight boost to your application.

 

[Suspencer83]

Thanks for the input!
May I ask why you said it was a plus?

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[Long Way to Go]

Thanks for the input!
May I ask why you said it was a plus?

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One reason is because you are more likely to matriculate there over other schools because your family and support network is around there.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Thanks for the input!
May I ask why you said it was a plus?

Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Because it's always been that medical schools where there is also a undergrad tend to have higher acceptance rates for students applying to the medical school.

For example, UCLA has a medical school and they have an undergrad school (obviously). The rate of matriculation of undergrads into UCLA's medical school is really high, something like 70-80% I think. But I'm not sure exactly.