UTSW vs. Baylor

[bevo00]

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I've been struggling the last few weeks on a decision. I would love some input! It is worth noting the cost before any scholarships between the two schools is nearly identical (not considering housing).

UTSW
Pros:

• Location wise it takes about half as long as it does to get to home as it would from Houston relative to family.
• My fiancée would prefer this location as it is closer to family and the DFW area is preferable to Houston (she has encouraged me to choose what I think would be best despite her preference).
• The DFW area is likely where I would like to practice long-term. Perhaps the connections I establish during medical school could contribute to a future position.
• I honestly prefer the DFW area over Houston and the weather is certainly nicer.
• I really enjoyed the people while I was there and loved how much they raved about how supportive everyone is.
• I received a small amount of money in the form of a grant that will help slightly with costs ($1500).
• Parking is very convenient.
• I should be able to get subsidized housing which would make housing significantly cheaper.

Cons:

• Step scores are not blowing me away.
• 1.5 year curriculum was only implemented in the last few years and a few kinks are still being worked out.
• The reputation for being competitive (however this is really not a con as I've come to find out it's actually rather supportive).
• They are not quite a top 20 school (I really am not sure how this will contribute to residency matching and would like to be prepared to pursue a lifestyle specialty that may be more competitive).

Baylor
Pros:

• Always within the top STEP scores within the country.
• 1.5 year curriculum has been implemented for ages and they seemingly have it perfected.
• Well within the top 20 medical schools in the US.
• Slightly higher consideration even by residency programs than UTSW.
• The Texas Medical Center is among the largest in the world and has some phenomenal resources.
• The people seemed very nice during interview day (though I will likely be able to glean more from second look coming up in the next few weeks).
• May provide me with more opportunity to match into competitive specialties than UTSW (this I am honestly unsure of).

Cons:

• Houston as a city is not blowing me away.
• It is quite far from family (both me and my fiancée are close to family).
• I am fairly certain I don't want to practice in Houston long term.
• The weather can be pretty unpleasant.
• The parking is very expensive.
• It seems unlikely I will be able to get subsidized student housing.
• At this point in time I have no financial or merit based aid offered.

I guess one big thing that I seem to need to determine is if attending one over the other would limit me for future residency choices.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

It sounds like you like Huston much better, and happy wife = happy you so go to UTSW, especially if that's where you want to end up at long term.

Dallas

 

[ranson]

UTSW actually has a higher rep score (Peer: 3.9, PD: 3.9, Total: 7.8)
Baylor (Peer: 3.6, PD: 4.1, Total: 7.7)

 

[UTEPcummingsej]

One thing to keep in mind that I was told by many M3's and M4's is that you shouldn't really take too much into account on past program Step 1 scores (unless they are shockingly low), as a fair amount of it has to do with the amount of work you put in and how determined you are to push for a certain speciality/program. Obviously, if you are pushing for a certain top-notch residency in a competitive speciality, maybe it should be taken more into account, but for the large majority of us, I think it shouldn't be the main deciding factor. But again, just from what I've heard!

 

[bevo00]

At this point I'm heavily leaning UTSW. Anyone have an argument why I should choose Baylor instead?

 

[eljefemdfuturo]

No objective reason to go to one over the other, I think you should go with UTSW since it seems like you'd be happier in Dallas

 

[premed1234567891011]

If you'd be happier living in Dallas, go to UTSW. One big difference between BCM and UTSW is that BCM takes Step 1 during MS3, over a year after starting clinical rotations and UTSW does ~3 rotations (I think) before taking Step 1 in MS2 year.

 

[creamyJ]

Based on what you said, it sounds like you'll be happier at UTSW. Prestige wise, there's probably no significant difference between the two, so you can't really go wrong. On another note, you mentioned that you liked the folks/student body at BCM. What did you think about your interactions with people at UTSW?

 

[bevo00]

Based on what you said, it sounds like you'll be happier at UTSW. Prestige wise, there's probably no significant difference between the two, so you can't really go wrong. On another note, you mentioned that you liked the folks/student body at BCM. What did you think about your interactions with people at UTSW?

Prior to my second look/MS0 weekend at UTSW I only had limited exposure to the student body (interview day). I had fewer interactions with them compared to Baylor (likely related to the way the interview day was scheduled). The difference in all honesty is likely non-existent. However, I'll be attending Baylor's second look weekend this Friday and Saturday, which will allow me to get an even better feel. I'll let you know if anything remarkable occurs in regards to your question.

TLDR: I think both schools have fantastic students who are very kind.

 

[thegrind33]

At this point flip a coin, you can't go wrong at either school.