VTC vs UTHSC

[lexipediag]

Edit: After looking more closely, the tuitions at both schools actually end up being pretty similar.

I’ve been fortunate to be accepted to Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTC) and now off the waitlist at University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine (UTHSC), and I’m trying to decide between them. I’m especially looking for advice from people who are familiar with either school or who have gone through the match process.

I’m interested in pursuing a competitive specialty (still deciding between a few), so things like research opportunities, strong mentorship, and residency match support are really important to me.

VTC: Small class size (about 50 students), required longitudinal research project, strong faculty mentorship, and a lot of individualized attention. Beautiful location in Roanoke, but a smaller city. Downsides are the higher tuition and being a newer/smaller school, so I’m wondering about national recognition and networking reach for residency.

UTHSC: Bigger program with lots of clinical sites (Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga), huge patient volume, and strong clinical exposure, especially in underserved populations. Tuition is more affordable, especially as an in-state student. But research is optional and student-driven, so I’d have to be more proactive to get what I need for a competitive match.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these especially if you’ve matched into a competitive specialty or attended either school. Which environment would better support that goal? Thanks so much in advance!

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[notdanr]

Hello and congratulations! I am entering school this fall, so no insight on match or actual attendance experience.

I was previously accepted to VTC and declined in order to select a school for each of the reasons you list for UTHSC. Additionally, VTC does not have the home residency for which I am interested yet and does not match many students into that residency historically.

It was a hard decision, since my long-term career goals and passion include science. Although VTC has a mission and curriculum to explicitly support that, I followed the logic that I would find my scientific niche anywhere I go and should be open minded about how my time-allocation will play out once classes start rather than assume how I can/will spend my time. You should compare if UTHSC allows elective blocks to be used for research; in my experience looking at other schools, the answer will be yes and it will be comparable to VTC's protected research time. I do not think research being optional versus required in the curriculum will noticeably change the barrier to entry or impact the quality of your personal accomplishments. You will find your niche.

I also considered heavily that I would be going to school primarily for clinical training - I am not pursuing an MD/PhD, and cannot let a focus on research outweigh places where I think I could receive better clinical preparation and connections.

I do believe VTC would provide very strong mentorship and an abundance of research opportunities - the smaller class size and close linkage with Carilion physicians, Virginia Tech's main campus, and the Fralin faculty are each strengths on that front.

 

[medschoolfailure12]

UTHSC definitely since it is more established and cheaper. Research opportunities are definitely plentiful there you just have to put yourself out there

 

[lexipediag]

Hello and congratulations! I am entering school this fall, so no insight on match or actual attendance experience.

I was previously accepted to VTC and declined in order to select a school for each of the reasons you list for UTHSC. Additionally, VTC does not have the home residency for which I am interested yet and does not match many students into that residency historically.

It was a hard decision, since my long-term career goals and passion include science. Although VTC has a mission and curriculum to explicitly support that, I followed the logic that I would find my scientific niche anywhere I go and should be open minded about how my time-allocation will play out once classes start rather than assume how I can/will spend my time. You should compare if UTHSC allows elective blocks to be used for research; in my experience looking at other schools, the answer will be yes and it will be comparable to VTC's protected research time. I do not think research being optional versus required in the curriculum will noticeably change the barrier to entry or impact the quality of your personal accomplishments. You will find your niche.

I also considered heavily that I would be going to school primarily for clinical training - I am not pursuing an MD/PhD, and cannot let a focus on research outweigh places where I think I could receive better clinical preparation and connections.

I do believe VTC would provide very strong mentorship and an abundance of research opportunities - the smaller class size and close linkage with Carilion physicians, Virginia Tech's main campus, and the Fralin faculty are each strengths on that front.

Thank you and congratulations to you as well!!This is really helpful!

 

[lexipediag]

UTHSC definitely since it is more established and cheaper. Research opportunities are definitely plentiful there you just have to put yourself out there

Thanks! I appreciate your insights!