im in utmb, but on the waitlist at southwestern. which one would yall pick. i really liked both schools, but im afraid that sw might be too competitive and that utmb doesnt have a great rep. i know i should wait until i actually get accepted, but i think i should start thinking about it now.
would you pick sw or utmb?
- Thread starter Sina
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considering youre from CA, i dont think you know anything about either school compared to a texas resident. i personally know someone who was in the exact position im in and he ended up picking galveston
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it's a no-brainer for me too - i would pick southwestern, in a heartbeat. but that's just me.
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how did he like galveston? more importantly, how did you like galveston when you were there? if you're decision is going to be made strictly on prestige then SW is the way to go but if Galveston will offer you a good education and the chance to compete for a good residency in your chosen specialty then why not choose galveston?
Dude, people in Cali know whats up. I'd pick SW too. Even if you're an average student at UTSW, the reputation will take you a LONG WAY. It's like saying people in TX dont know the diff between UCSF and UC Irvine. Comon now, give us some credit.
isnt ucsf in the top 5? utsw isnt even in the top 15? theres a diff. i dont think it really makes a huge difference considering my gfs uncle went to baylor and his partner went to utmb and they are equally succesfull
UCSF Is by far and away the best UC, UTSW is by far and away the best UT.
If you have all these anecdotes about people that did well here and there, then you apparently have enough information to make your own decision. If you ask for people's opinion, dont deride them when they give it to you. OBVIOUSLY you can be successful anywhere you go. Thats why we have carribean grads as attendings at JHU. That wasnt even my point. My point was that the rep for SW is so much greater that I'd go there no matter what. But if you dont like my opinion, then ignore it, dont get in a hissy fit.
you'd go there no matter what? what if it was at the cost of being miserable for 4 yrs. im not saying thats what would happen at sw, but its people like you who make reputation such a big deal. and im laughing at this, so dont stress about something so insignificant.
I'm not stressing, why would your dilemma be any skin off my back? I'll probalby be miserable in cleveland next year, but I'm probably going to go b/c I know going there will open more doors for me than going somewhere more "enjoyable". Again, my opinion. I dont think four years of suffering is a big price to pay for legacy that persists for the rest of your life.
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To me there is no contest. UTSW hands down. Even if prestige/residency recognition *directly* isn't a main concern for you, I would consider the indirect implications: the student body at SW is far more interesting/diverse than any of the other state TX schools (this excludes baylor), because it attracts more out-of-state and competitive applicants. At UTMB most of your classmates will be from Texas undergrad places as well... to me that would suck. I definitely don't want to spend the next four years of my life suffering through endless longhorn/aggie jokes and stuff (which is what my interview at UT-Houston was like). I met people at UTSW who came from undergrads like duke, stanford, yale... i'm not saying that necessarily makes it a *better* school, but... well, what the hell, yes I am. That makes it better.
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I hope your misery doesn't lead you to have a breakdown or drop out or anything like that. You can go to many different schools, do really well on the boards and get into a residency you'll enjoy. And get this: You could be happy doing it! What a novel concept!
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I think that it depends. On one hand, the Cali people are right. UTSW has a much much much better reputation than UTMB. It is a top 20 school, whereas UTMB is not even in the top 70. So actually, the difference between UTSW and UTMB is greater, ranking-wise, than the difference between UCSF and UCI.
Does the reputation of the school determine whether you're successful? Not really. There are a ton of doctors from top ranked schools who are kind of meh, and there are many doctors from lower-tier schools who are very successful. On the other hand, the reputation of your school can open doors.
I don't really think that rankings are everything, though. I think that UTMB is a fine school and turns out some really fine doctors. I think that the big draw for UTMB is that the students there are preternaturally happy. Happier than at any other med school I've seen. It's a pretty chill school, and I don't really think you can go wrong.
It just depends on what's important to you. If you're going for happiness, UTMB. If you want reputation, UTSW. Either way, you'll be a great doctor, and your career will be yours to determine.
Does the reputation of the school determine whether you're successful? Not really. There are a ton of doctors from top ranked schools who are kind of meh, and there are many doctors from lower-tier schools who are very successful. On the other hand, the reputation of your school can open doors.
I don't really think that rankings are everything, though. I think that UTMB is a fine school and turns out some really fine doctors. I think that the big draw for UTMB is that the students there are preternaturally happy. Happier than at any other med school I've seen. It's a pretty chill school, and I don't really think you can go wrong.
It just depends on what's important to you. If you're going for happiness, UTMB. If you want reputation, UTSW. Either way, you'll be a great doctor, and your career will be yours to determine.
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One more thought: Sina, I don't mean this to be mean, but it sounds like you're already getting defensive about Galveston. If you think you'd be happy there, then go, and don't worry about what anybody else thinks. If not, don't go.
Anywhere that you go, there will be people who think that you should have gone somewhere else. You don't need to justify your choice to anyone, and you don't need to get defensive with people who have a different opinion, especially when you asked for them.
Good luck.
Anywhere that you go, there will be people who think that you should have gone somewhere else. You don't need to justify your choice to anyone, and you don't need to get defensive with people who have a different opinion, especially when you asked for them.
Good luck.
no , youre right. i think i kind of snapped at that cali dude so i apologize to him. i think i may be a lil defensive because im not sure if ill get into sw yet so galveston is my current school. i also really liked galveston and think it offered some really unique practices (ie-recording bedside manner on video for students to see) and i hate it when people dismiss something solely based on its reputation. heres the bottom line for me: if it wasnt for reputation, id be going to utmb without a doubt. other problem is that my gf got into sw but she could also get into baylor (as could I) so I'm confused.
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If you really preferred Galveston, I think that you should go to Galveston.
FWIW, I ranked UTMB second, despite the fact that it's ranked lower than UTH and that my husband would kill me, since we would have to move. I thought UTMB was really great, and I don't think that I know anybody there that has regretted the decision to go there.
Do you know what kind of specialty you'd like to go into?
FWIW, I ranked UTMB second, despite the fact that it's ranked lower than UTH and that my husband would kill me, since we would have to move. I thought UTMB was really great, and I don't think that I know anybody there that has regretted the decision to go there.
Do you know what kind of specialty you'd like to go into?
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For me, location is key. I'd rather spend 4 yrs in Dallas than 4 in rinky dinky Galveston, commuting from Houston. 🙂
As competitive as UTSW is, people get through it just fine. And rremember, the first 2 yrs are the basic science crap from then on it's hands on stuff.
Those reduced class hours at Galveston scare the bejeezus out of me. I'm just not the type to spend hrs upon hrs studying when I can sleep or watch TV. Not that I'll be attending most of my classes at UTSW but whatever.
As competitive as UTSW is, people get through it just fine. And rremember, the first 2 yrs are the basic science crap from then on it's hands on stuff.
Those reduced class hours at Galveston scare the bejeezus out of me. I'm just not the type to spend hrs upon hrs studying when I can sleep or watch TV. Not that I'll be attending most of my classes at UTSW but whatever.
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Opthamology will be tough regardless of where you go. the other two less so.
I don't believe at all that going to Galveston would exclude you from any residency. Likewise, UTSW is not going to make a competitive residency a walk to get into. However, you should be aware that you would probably have to pull better board scores to be competitive if you go to Galveston.
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I had the same two choices before I ranked, and I ranked UTMB over UTSW. I thought they were both great schools; nice campuses, seemingly friendly students, laid back interviews, great price for both! A large part of my decision was based on the fact that my best friend also interviewed at UTMB but not SW and we really wanted to go to the same place. That didn't work out b/c only I got in (we're out-of-state).
Other reasons I liked UTMB include the PBL curriculum, extreme emphasis on doctor-patient interaction skills, and a quiet town. In fact, the only thing about UTMB is that some people (who don't go there) do not speak highly of it. Without that influence I don't think I'd have found a single flaw with the school.
Like I said I matched at UTMB and I intend to study as hard as I ever have there and to get the same percentile-ranking on my boards as I did on the MCAT. I don't think that lower board scores are a result of anything that happens or doesn't happen in the school, I'm sure if you take full advantage of the education by going above & beyond you'll get a great residency after graduation (as I intend to do 😉 )
As far as your choice goes, if you ranked SW first (which you must have if your app there is still open) it sounds to me like you want to go there. I don't think you'll be miserable there; technically if you are planning on studying as hard as you should at UTMB the two schools will give you the same amount of material and workload. Well good luck getting into UTSW, but if that doesn't work out, I'll see you in August at UTMB!
Other reasons I liked UTMB include the PBL curriculum, extreme emphasis on doctor-patient interaction skills, and a quiet town. In fact, the only thing about UTMB is that some people (who don't go there) do not speak highly of it. Without that influence I don't think I'd have found a single flaw with the school.
Like I said I matched at UTMB and I intend to study as hard as I ever have there and to get the same percentile-ranking on my boards as I did on the MCAT. I don't think that lower board scores are a result of anything that happens or doesn't happen in the school, I'm sure if you take full advantage of the education by going above & beyond you'll get a great residency after graduation (as I intend to do 😉 )
As far as your choice goes, if you ranked SW first (which you must have if your app there is still open) it sounds to me like you want to go there. I don't think you'll be miserable there; technically if you are planning on studying as hard as you should at UTMB the two schools will give you the same amount of material and workload. Well good luck getting into UTSW, but if that doesn't work out, I'll see you in August at UTMB!
Originally posted by vr4nut
As far as your choice goes, if you ranked SW first (which you must have if your app there is still open) it sounds to me like you want to go there. I don't think you'll be miserable there; technically if you are planning on studying as hard as you should at UTMB the two schools will give you the same amount of material and workload. Well good luck getting into UTSW, but if that doesn't work out, I'll see you in August at UTMB!
i really liked utmb and i think i may have mentioned above that if reputation wasnt a factor than utmb would be my #1. the pbl and self directed learning cater to my style perfectly. (ive only gone to like 40% of my classes ever in undergrad.) sw also seemed really traditional. but i dont wanna regret not goin to sw when residency match comes along. 🙁
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All three of those are pretty competitive, non-primary care residencies. Reputation of your school will be a factor in helping you get them. So if your heart is set on one of those three, it's true that UTSW would certainly aid your chances. That being said, if you do well at whichever med school you attend, you'll be able to land any residency you desire. The key is doing well in med school... school reputation is a much, much smaller component of your residency application.
Good luck!
tf
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yo what up,
keep udating ur file to UTSW and go there if u get in.
But... UTMB is a great school, and u should get ur residency in optho if u go to UTMB. just make sure u try to get published in optho journal while in med school, high USMLE and high grades.
UTSW and baylor are the best, the second tier is UTMB, UTH and UTSA, last is tech and a&m.
There;s people at tech getting optho and urology interviews that i know so im sure it can be done anywhere, because it really grades and board scores that can equalize the reputation.
Dont get discouraged, u just matched so just relax. UTSW isnt gonna offer any acceptances off the waitlist till like May anyway.
Plus man, UTMB is great cuz less hours in class thats key. Im at tech and our class is 8-12, right now but i still cant go to class, but if i wanted to i'd go. tech 1st semester was kller cuz if was like 9-5 on some days cuz anatomy
peace
Omar
keep udating ur file to UTSW and go there if u get in.
But... UTMB is a great school, and u should get ur residency in optho if u go to UTMB. just make sure u try to get published in optho journal while in med school, high USMLE and high grades.
UTSW and baylor are the best, the second tier is UTMB, UTH and UTSA, last is tech and a&m.
There;s people at tech getting optho and urology interviews that i know so im sure it can be done anywhere, because it really grades and board scores that can equalize the reputation.
Dont get discouraged, u just matched so just relax. UTSW isnt gonna offer any acceptances off the waitlist till like May anyway.
Plus man, UTMB is great cuz less hours in class thats key. Im at tech and our class is 8-12, right now but i still cant go to class, but if i wanted to i'd go. tech 1st semester was kller cuz if was like 9-5 on some days cuz anatomy
peace
Omar
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I was in the same place as you were...waitlisted at UTSW and matched to UTMB. I don't know what your experience was like but I had a horrible time at UTMB. Everyone's attitude seemed to be like "yeah, it's ok here I guess since I didn't have any choice in the matter and this is where I got matched" whereas the folks at UTSW were like "Our school rocks!." I didn't notice any sort of cutthroat attitudes at UTSW like I had heard and read about.
I would advise you to just keep your name on the waitlist at UTSW and wait and see. I ended up getting a call in June and I was offered a place. Even though I ended up not going to either UTSW or UTMB it was good to keep the option of UTSW open in the event that the waitlist moved enough for me to get in.
I would advise you to just keep your name on the waitlist at UTSW and wait and see. I ended up getting a call in June and I was offered a place. Even though I ended up not going to either UTSW or UTMB it was good to keep the option of UTSW open in the event that the waitlist moved enough for me to get in.
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My Dad did his oncology fellowship at UTMB just last year, so I went down there a lot. The town is ok, I live in dallas so I like that better, SW has a beautiful campus, I work there. I want to go to SW too. I would be torn, I know this doesn't help, just had to reply.
Don't sweat the reputation factor, Sina. If you're interested in a subspecialty of internal medicine (e.g., cardiology), then I recommend that you go to UTSW, simply because it has one of the best internal medicine departments in the country. Graduates of UTSW have a "homefield advantage" when it comes to residency placement at their school--they have more connections at the school than applicants from other schools. In addition, UTSW consistently sends its graduates to the very best internal medicine programs in the country, in part because of the national connections of the medicine faculty there. Subspecialties in medicine require a 2-3 yr fellowship on top of residency training, and fellowship placement positively correlates with the prestige of residency programs (better reputation=better fellowship placement statistics).
Even so, UTMB sends grads to UTSW for internal medicine every year, including 2003 (I think there were 3 in 2003). Additionally, it's still possible to subspecialize in internal medicine and not attend a prestigious residency program; typically, this alternate route entails a year of research after residency. Thus, UTMB by no means restricts your career options with respect to internal medicine. Likewise you can still place into ANY specialty from UTMB, including the most competitive specialities such as orthopaedic surgery. Take a look at the 2003 match list for UTMB, you'll see some very impressive matches ( I think one student matched at Cleveland Clinic for orthopaedic surgery, which is insane).
The bottom line is that your career in medicine will be determined by you, not your school. Go where you'll be happy, and keep this in mind: it is an honor to be accepted to ANY medical school in the U.S. Think of how many people have been cut in the process of being a pre-med, it's downright Darwinian. How many aspiring pre-meds get cut as a result of substandard grades in courses like OChem? A lot. How many pre-meds fail to earn a good score on the MCAT? Thousands. How many write bad personal statements, bomb interviews, or fail to get interviews in the first place? Again, thousands upon thousands of applicants. You're part of a select group of people who have been granted admission to the most privileged profession of all. Congratulations. You should be proud of your accomplishment. Plenty of people would give up a limb to be in your place right now.
Even so, UTMB sends grads to UTSW for internal medicine every year, including 2003 (I think there were 3 in 2003). Additionally, it's still possible to subspecialize in internal medicine and not attend a prestigious residency program; typically, this alternate route entails a year of research after residency. Thus, UTMB by no means restricts your career options with respect to internal medicine. Likewise you can still place into ANY specialty from UTMB, including the most competitive specialities such as orthopaedic surgery. Take a look at the 2003 match list for UTMB, you'll see some very impressive matches ( I think one student matched at Cleveland Clinic for orthopaedic surgery, which is insane).
The bottom line is that your career in medicine will be determined by you, not your school. Go where you'll be happy, and keep this in mind: it is an honor to be accepted to ANY medical school in the U.S. Think of how many people have been cut in the process of being a pre-med, it's downright Darwinian. How many aspiring pre-meds get cut as a result of substandard grades in courses like OChem? A lot. How many pre-meds fail to earn a good score on the MCAT? Thousands. How many write bad personal statements, bomb interviews, or fail to get interviews in the first place? Again, thousands upon thousands of applicants. You're part of a select group of people who have been granted admission to the most privileged profession of all. Congratulations. You should be proud of your accomplishment. Plenty of people would give up a limb to be in your place right now.
