palmtree12
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- Feb 14, 2023
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Hey everyone, I'm a TMDSAS applicant and I'm torn up because I cannot decide whether to rank Dell or UTMB #1 on Friday. I could use any help you guys have to offer.
Dell
Pros:
Cons:
Pros
Cons
Summary: I think the choice I'm faced with is do I take the chance on the shiny new school with much higher potential but arguably more downside (Dell), or do I go with the safe choice where you know what you're getting (UTMB)? I have other TMDSAS interviews, but will 100% be ranking these #1 and #2, as I like the collaborative atmosphere of both schools, feel as if there on similar levels with regard to residency matching, and the locations. Anything helps, thanks everyone!
Dell
Pros:
- New school with a high ceiling (literally and figuratively), attractive facilities
- My family lives 30 minutes from Austin, friends from high school, like Austin as a city
- Small class may allow for each student to receive more individualized support by faculty
- I do like the idea of having one year to pursue personal endeavors (can focus on school during preclinicals and MS2, no conflicting priorities especially if pursuing a competitive specialty)
- I like the modern approach to learning and believe in what it can do for learning outcomes
Cons:
- New school, not well established despite good reputation
- Smaller class may mean less people like me, and mostly split up after MS1 anyway
- Accelerated preclinical may be tough, shorter holidays, very nontraditional schedule
- Cost of living in Austin (but family might move closer and I could live with them so this could be a nonfactor)
- I'm a bit hesitant about such a nontraditional medical education, but willing to take the leap
Pros
- Established school, you know exactly what you're getting into, predictable education
- Have friends at the med school now, and I do like the Greek life there, feel like I will be well supported by peers
- Large class, I know I will find my niche and make good friends, never met more happy students
- Will have relatively full summers and holidays
- Large alumni network for connections
Cons
- I definitely like Galveston more than most, but it is not Austin by any stretch of the imagination
- Larger class may mean less individualized support from faculty, especially at an established institution
- Juxtaposed to Dell, I find the same old style traditional education to be less exciting, though well established
- May have to have conflicting priorities during med school years if I decide to pursue a competitive specialty
- As an older school, it's not really on the up and up, and reputation is currently not at the same level as Dell
Summary: I think the choice I'm faced with is do I take the chance on the shiny new school with much higher potential but arguably more downside (Dell), or do I go with the safe choice where you know what you're getting (UTMB)? I have other TMDSAS interviews, but will 100% be ranking these #1 and #2, as I like the collaborative atmosphere of both schools, feel as if there on similar levels with regard to residency matching, and the locations. Anything helps, thanks everyone!