UT Austin vs Texas State for prerequisites

[NCMT]

Hello,

I wish someone could give me some advice. I am currently working for a medical device company full time in Austin and waiting for my green card (may take another 3 years). I decided to be a doctor last year and have been taking some prerequisites through UT Austin extension. I did well in my classes but realized that extension does not provide all the courses that are required. I got my BS outside US, so I have to retake all of them. Now there seems to be three choices for me: 1) apply to UT Austin as a transfer student 2) apply for transient admission and take classes in summer 3) take classes in Texas state U.
I am not sure which way to go. I could not only take classes in summer since it would take me forever to finish all those prerequisites. Transfer to UT Austin is an option but I heard it's gonna be very competitive and my under GPA does not look very good (around 3.5 overall). Taking classes in Texas state looks like the most convenient option, but I'm worried that TSU is not as good as UT Austin. Could anybody give me some advice? I appreciate your help!

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[esob]

How old are your grades from your undergrad? If greater than 10 years, you can get them dismissed under the academic fresh start program.

 

[silleme]

If your GPA Is 3.5 on a 4.0 scale then you should be fine as a transfer. IS that your current US GPA, or your foreign one though? I'm not sure what the requirements for international students are, so you'd definitely need to check with the admissions offices at both schools to see what they require from you. If you're doing all 4 years over again to get a degree in the US, then I'd say do whatever is best for you both financially and class availability-wise.

As far as your concerns about Texas State not being good enough compared to UT-Austin, as long as it's a 4 year school and you get a great GPA it should be similar when application season comes around, unless you're shooting for top tier schools. Don't forget you'll need research time, so look into what's available through both schools and go from there. Remember, it's going to take time, so make sure to build good relationships with your science professors and pre-med advisor so you'll have strong recommendation letters. Strong letters from Texas State are far better than ambivalent letters from UT-Austin.

Another thread you might find useful comparing the two is here:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/texas-state-university-vs-ut.1132361/

 

[NCMT]

How old are your grades from your undergrad? If greater than 10 years, you can get them dismissed under the academic fresh start program.

I graduated in 2008.

How old are your grades from your undergrad? If greater than 10 years, you can get them dismissed under the academic fresh start program.

I graduated in 2008. I guess I have some of the courses that I took in 2004 and 2005 dismissed. Thank you for your advice. I don't know this option before.

 

[NCMT]

If your GPA Is 3.5 on a 4.0 scale then you should be fine as a transfer. IS that your current US GPA, or your foreign one though? I'm not sure what the requirements for international students are, so you'd definitely need to check with the admissions offices at both schools to see what they require from you. If you're doing all 4 years over again to get a degree in the US, then I'd say do whatever is best for you both financially and class availability-wise.

As far as your concerns about Texas State not being good enough compared to UT-Austin, as long as it's a 4 year school and you get a great GPA it should be similar when application season comes around, unless you're shooting for top tier schools. Don't forget you'll need research time, so look into what's available through both schools and go from there. Remember, it's going to take time, so make sure to build good relationships with your science professors and pre-med advisor so you'll have strong recommendation letters. Strong letters from Texas State are far better than ambivalent letters from UT-Austin.

Another thread you might find useful comparing the two is here:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/texas-state-university-vs-ut.1132361/

Thank you for your advice. 3.5 is my foreign GPA. My US GPA is better than that. As a nontraditional student, I find it really tough to build a relationship with the professor since I work full time and do not really have a lot of time to spend on campus. This is one of the reasons I am thinking of getting enrolled. I wish I could take advantages of the resources provided by either university, especially for research and shadowing.

 

[Dohnut]

UT Austin hands down. At a couple interviews the people that went to no name undergrad schools got made fun of. It was light hearted but still. Hook em Horns!

P.S. TSU historically refers to Texas Southern University in Houston. Texas State was one of those no name schools in San Marcos that merely changed to a better sounding name when I was attending UT Austin some 12 years ago.

Hello,

I wish someone could give me some advice. I am currently working for a medical device company full time in Austin and waiting for my green card (may take another 3 years). I decided to be a doctor last year and have been taking some prerequisites through UT Austin extension. I did well in my classes but realized that extension does not provide all the courses that are required. I got my BS outside US, so I have to retake all of them. Now there seems to be three choices for me: 1) apply to UT Austin as a transfer student 2) apply for transient admission and take classes in summer 3) take classes in Texas state U.
I am not sure which way to go. I could not only take classes in summer since it would take me forever to finish all those prerequisites. Transfer to UT Austin is an option but I heard it's gonna be very competitive and my under GPA does not look very good (around 3.5 overall). Taking classes in Texas state looks like the most convenient option, but I'm worried that TSU is not as good as UT Austin. Could anybody give me some advice? I appreciate your help!