UTHSCSA (Long SOM) vs. TAMU

[woohooig]

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I'm having a difficult time ranking these two. Here is my assessment of them:

UTHSCSA (Long)
Pros

• Better research opportunities
• Better match lists
• Higher ranked
• Tons of student support and resources

Cons

• non-NBME exams
• more mandatory attendance
• location
• A, B, C, D, etc grading system
• fewer dual degree options (I am considering getting an MD/MBA or MD/MPH)

TAMU
Pros

• better attendance policy
• NBME exams
• better grading system (H/P/F)
• location: Dallas/Houston/Austin after 1.5 years preclinical
• many dual degree options

Cons

• lower-ranked than Long
• fewer research opportunities

I am currently extremely undecided on what specialty I want to do. If I choose to go a more competitive route like Derm, will I be held back by going to TAMU? Would I have a significant advantage by going to Long for competitive specialties since it's better-ranked? Also, how do the rotation sites for Long and TAMU (across Dallas/Houston/Austin/away rotations) compare? I've been reading everywhere that the quality of rotation sites and affiliations a medical school has with hospitals and such can greatly help when applying for residency. However, I'm having a hard time comparing both of their rotation sites to see which is better. For TAMU, I am not EnMed, so I will not be rotating in TMC if I choose to go to Houston to rotate.

Overall, will one school offer me a significant competitive advantage for more competitive specialties? or can I get similar results with either school if I use my resources properly?

I think I like TAMU more in terms of the attendance policy, exams, etc. Plus this is more of a minor factor, but my SO of 4 years will be going to TAMU for grad school, so I feel like I'd have more of a support system in that regard. But if I can have a significant advantage by going to Long for matching into a more competitive specialty, I don't want to miss out on that. Thank you!

 

[Bot Puppet]

Sounds like you are torn between prestige and happiness! I say choose TAMU.

 

[123OkayGoogle]

I’d go A&M if I were you

 

[SpoiledMilk]

More research oppty/higher rank = derm
Hassle to move after 1.5 years
4 years of same group of study buddy support at Long
Long

 

[woohooig]

Thanks guys! Yeah I'm leaning more toward TAMU. Going to TAMU over Long won't put me at any disadvantage for competitive residencies right?

 

[Deltasidearm]

I am currently extremely undecided on what specialty I want to do. If I choose to go a more competitive route like Derm, will I be held back by going to TAMU? Would I have a significant advantage by going to Long for competitive specialties since it's better-ranked?

Both schools will have students match to every specialty and provide adequate support to get there. Something to consider when evaluating match lists is that it doesn't always come down to better school = more competitive specialties. Many of my classmates at TAMU are interested in nothing more than primary care areas--which reflects one of TAMU's objectives (and may have contributed to why TAMU wanted them). The bottom line is whatever specialty you want to go into is largely up to you and your merit, regardless of where you go. You can bet the neurosurgeons coming out of John's Hopkins or Mayo would be neurosurgeons no matter where they went.

Overall, will one school offer me a significant competitive advantage for more competitive specialties? or can I get similar results with either school if I use my resources properly?

I was fortunate enough in my cycle to be able to pick which school I wanted to go to. I chose TAMU over Long and don't regret my decision. I don't think any school guarantees you anything--you make your own path. TAMU's relationships with multiple strong residency locations and the intangible value of the overall Aggie network is something I valued a lot while in your shoes.

Plus this is more of a minor factor, but my SO of 4 years will be going to TAMU for grad school, so I feel like I'd have more of a support system in that regard.

The one thing you absolutely have to do no matter where you go is to take care of yourself and your mental health before anything else. Please do not discount how important a strong support network is, especially a long-term relationship, when it comes to succeeding in medical school. Speaking from experience, there is a big transition to a long distance relationship and even strong relationships will be strained (though it's certainly possible to prevail).

Obviously, I am biased towards TAMU because it's where I ended up choosing while in your shoes; however, I am and always will be completely honest about my experience and opinions of the school. I can also attest that any TAMU student you interacted with in any official setting (i.e. interview day, social, tours, etc.) are given explicit instructions to be honest about their experiences, too. Ultimately, everyone at TAMU wants you to make the most well informed decision you can because we want what is best for you, which is a culture that just ramps up once you are a student here.

 

[woohooig]

Both schools will have students match to every specialty and provide adequate support to get there. Something to consider when evaluating match lists is that it doesn't always come down to better school = more competitive specialties. Many of my classmates at TAMU are interested in nothing more than primary care areas--which reflects one of TAMU's objectives (and may have contributed to why TAMU wanted them). The bottom line is whatever specialty you want to go into is largely up to you and your merit, regardless of where you go. You can bet the neurosurgeons coming out of John's Hopkins or Mayo would be neurosurgeons no matter where they went.

I was fortunate enough in my cycle to be able to pick which school I wanted to go to. I chose TAMU over Long and don't regret my decision. I don't think any school guarantees you anything--you make your own path. TAMU's relationships with multiple strong residency locations and the intangible value of the overall Aggie network is something I valued a lot while in your shoes.

The one thing you absolutely have to do no matter where you go is to take care of yourself and your mental health before anything else. Please do not discount how important a strong support network is, especially a long-term relationship, when it comes to succeeding in medical school. Speaking from experience, there is a big transition to a long distance relationship and even strong relationships will be strained (though it's certainly possible to prevail).

Obviously, I am biased towards TAMU because it's where I ended up choosing while in your shoes; however, I am and always will be completely honest about my experience and opinions of the school. I can also attest that any TAMU student you interacted with in any official setting (i.e. interview day, social, tours, etc.) are given explicit instructions to be honest about their experiences, too. Ultimately, everyone at TAMU wants you to make the most well informed decision you can because we want what is best for you, which is a culture that just ramps up once you are a student here.

This was very informative and helped clear up a lot of my doubts, thanks so much!!

 

[discomonkey123]

We have faculty written exams btw. We may have an NBME exam every now and then, but overall most of the exams are faculty written. TAMU also does not take preclinical rank into consideration for anything, so its basically P/F, which has made this past year pretty chill.