UTMB or Southwestern? Hard choice.

[Sina]

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I had originally put this in the pre-allo forum, but figured you guys might be better able to help me out. here is the situation.

I've been accepted to UTMB and am in the 1st quarter waitlist at Southwestern and on the waitlist at Baylor. I know that Southwestern has until the 31st to let me know if I'm in. Since they told me I'll only have a couple days to decide if they let me know, I've started to think about it now. Which school do yall think I should go to give these circumstances. Will the repuation make that much of a difference when residencies come around?

I'm from Houston, UTMB is a lot closer than Dallas.
I dont know anyone going to Southwestern.
I know several people going to UTMB.
I like the PBL format and only 4 hours of classes per day. Southwestern is 8-5.
I liked both schools, but found the students at Galveston to be more laid back.
Ive heard about Southwestern's reputation of being very competitive.
Dallas is the nicer city, but probably more expensive to live in too.
GF of 2.5 years is going to Baylor.
Possible chance I may be higher ranked at UTMB rather than UTSW.

Main question is if picking either of these schools will make a siginficant difference when it comes around to residencies. I know that UTSW is ranked ~17th. however utmb did have a pretty good usmle avg score of 223 last yr.

I will go to Baylor if I get in.

 

[aliraja]

Briefly, two things you already know:

1) You'll have a much better time at UTMB - who wouldn't want to go to a med school with frats???

2) UTSW has a much better reputation and, IMHO, you'll have a better chance of getting the residency you want (if it's competitive) than you'll have at UTMB.

I know these are standard responses... but I think it's a simple call. You either decide right now that you want to get out of the trenches and live life (at UTMB) or end up figuring it out later during residency or in your career and then choose the path that lets you enjoy life. It'll happen eventually... it's just a question of when. Remember that either school is solid and both will work you hard... UTSW and Parkland will just work you a whole lot harder. 🙂

And, yeah, Baylor is a good call.

 

[kdoc2005]

I would take Southwestern over UTMB anyday and twice on Sunday. Better reputation, awesome faculty, etc. I know several people who recently graduated from UTSW and had NO trouble getting into the residencies of their choice.

Galveston is more laid back, for sure. But, I think once you are in med school, the whole fraternity-thing should have lost its luster. You will be studying the majority of your waking hours, so there's little time for mixers. Also, you will be living on "the rock." There is very little to do in Galveston at night.

Good luck with your decision!

kdoc2005

 

[kristing]

You can do your rotations in Austin if you go to UTMB. I just got done with an elective there and met folks from UTMB and they were awesome. Austin is a great city, too.

 

[Sina]

I would take Southwestern over UTMB anyday and twice on Sunday. Better reputation, awesome faculty, etc. I know several people who recently graduated from UTSW and had NO trouble getting into the residencies of their choice.

Galveston is more laid back, for sure. But, I think once you are in med school, the whole fraternity-thing should have lost its luster. You will be studying the majority of your waking hours, so there's little time for mixers. Also, you will be living on "the rock." There is very little to do in Galveston at night.

Good luck with your decision!

kdoc2005

i know several people that had NO trouble getting into residencies of thier choice at utmb too. i dont care anymore at this point. i just hope i dont have to make the decesion. does anyone know how the austin rotation thing works, i heard only like 20 people can do it.

 

[jaeida8]

I'm a student at UTMB and am doing my whole 3rd year in Austin. I think up to 24 people can sign up to be year-round Austin students. Galveston-based students can sign up for individual rotations in Austin. Basically if you want to be in Austin you can be. The only thing that sucks about doing year-round in Austin is having to deal with a move when you also have boards to deal with...which is the predicament I am in right now.

 

[neoncandle]

By now, you have made your decision, right? If you don't end up in Dallas, some one else will gladly take your spot. It is competitive, but everyone there seems pretty friendly and Dallas isn't that expensive.

 

[doc05]

utsw>>utmb. good luck.

 

[hans19]

I was in the exact same boat as you albeit 5 years ago.

Accepted to UTMB, waitlisted then accepted at UTSW. I went for a second look visit to both campuses. UTMB's attitude was that it would be a do-it-yourself kind of deal. I was able to talk to a current med student at lunch and that was about it.

When I visited UTSW, they invited me to talk to one of the vice-deans, paired me up with a 3rd year medical student and we did rounds at the hospital. ..And they bought me lunch. That was the deal maker. Not to mention the excellent reputation of UTSW.

I went with UTSW and have NEVER regretted my decision.
3rd year at UTSW has traditionally been an ass-kicker, but when you finish you will be a HOSS. I kind of took that experience for granted. It wasn't until I began my internship that I realized how well we had been trained.

I was no where near the top of my class, but I still matched at one of my top choices in radiology which has had a very competitive match the last few years.
I had a blast in Dallas and I am very happy with my decision.

However, I knew of a few people that had a tough time at UTSW and just couldn't quite adjust, and are bitter but I'm sure thats not uncommon at most med schools in general.

I also have friends that went to UTMB that are very happy with their decision and matched at great places.

The bottom line is that you should go were you think you will get the kind of training and experience you are looking for. But more importantly, go where you think you will be happiest.

Best of luck.
-Hans

 

[lowbudget]

These are just 2 different schools with different personalities. ... and y'all're always welcomed to come hang out with us and bbq on the beach.

 

[rastelli]

I'm a pediatric resident at Baylor. I know several residents from both of these school, and they're all very bright and capable.

In Dallas you'll be exposed to more...there is no doubt about that. Dallas is much, much larger...so, you'll see everything. Parkland is a great place to learn, and the children's hospital is very good as well.

How you feel about your living environment is huge during school and residency. While Galveston is relatively homogenous, Dallas has much to offer.

Regarding residency, reputation of course makes a difference. However, students who are tops in their class generally can go whereever they want regardless of their school.