UT Mcgovern vs Texas Tech Lubbock

[PreachyMusican39]

So I a really having a hard time picking between these two medical schools. I recently prematched into both of them and I am looking for any help or advice you guys can offer.
Just a little bit about myself and what I value. I am very interested in going into psychiatry right now, but I am open to exploring and seeing if another specialty is right for me. I am interested in getting into a competitive psychiatry residency possibly somewhere in the Northeast.

Texas Tech Lubbock

Pros

• Really good environment. Students get along really well during interview day, and I have friends who go there who say that is how the school really is.
• New anatomy labs and really nice sim lab
• I actually really like Lubbock. I've been living here for undergraduate, and it is a lot slower and no traffic. Really fun seasonal activities.
• My fiance would prefer to live in Lubbock over Houston.
• It will cost a little less to attend and live.
• Smaller student body.
• I really liked the overall feel I got from this school.

Cons

• Possibility of being moved to Amarillo or Odessa for 3rd and 4th year.
• Not as research-heavy and I am really passionate about doing research in psychiatry.
• It does not have quite as good of a match-list as UT Mcgovern.
• It has a smaller psychiatry program.

UT Mcgovern

Pros

• Higher ranked on US News (if that means anything).
• Much more research-heavy and has a lot more resources for research.
• It is located in the world's largest medical complex and offers amazing places to do clinical rotations.
• I would probably open more doors (especially if I do decide to try for a competitive psych residency or a different residency such as plastics).

Cons

• Being near downtown Houston would take a ton of getting used to for me and my fiance (we are both suburban kids).
• Larger student body seemed a lot easier to get lost in the crowd.
• More expensive cost of attendance.

Also, a big thing is either choice my fiance is planning to transfer to either Texas Tech's undergraduate program or the University of Houston. I don't know if anyone knows how the two schools compare. I am definitely partial to Texas Tech because I went there.

I'd be really grateful to hear what you guys think.
Thanks!

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[himalayansaltlamp]

I’d say McGovern If your end goal is a competitive psych program, especially since you’re passionate about research. Plus many NE residency programs are in urban areas so maybe it’ll be good to get used to it/experience something different.

how big is the difference in COA?

 

[PreachyMusican39]

Probably around 7-8 thousand. Nothing crazy just 3000 more for tuition and whatever more it costs to rent and live in Houston. COA is definitely a minor difference.

 

[BC34]

Congratulations on both pre matches! think MD schools really aren't that much different from each other when it comes to curriculum and the spot each could put you in. McGovern maybe is looked like a better school to some residencies, but ultimately I think the best decision is the one that makes you and your fiance the happiest. If you think if moving to Houston and dealing with the traffic and higher cost of living is worth it to you and your fiance, then you should do it, cause it might open more doors. But if you still do as good in med school at tech and be happier in general, I think that might be the better option. I doubt your decision will make a huge effect on what residencies think.

 

[BC34]

Also, I've heard from students at TTU med that almost everyone gets to pick the city they want to do clerkships at, plus Lubbock keeps the most amount of students out of the 3 campuses so I think you will be fine when it comes to that. I had an interview at TTU as well and I agree with you on the atmosphere, I think it is by far the best one I've seen throughout the cycle. Tech is still a very resourceful med school that also is right next to a major undergraduate institution, making research in anything plentiful, especially psychiatry that dips into psychological studies that would be immense at both the SOM and undergrad at tech.