Comments on: Pros and Cons of Attending Baylor College of Medicine http://rk.md/2009/baylor-college-medicine-pros-cons/ -- welcome to the life of a tech-savvy medical student -- Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:09:07 +0000 hourly 1 By: Rishi http://rk.md/2009/baylor-college-medicine-pros-cons/#comment-9861 Rishi Wed, 12 May 2010 20:29:14 +0000 http://rk.md/?p=1691#comment-9861 Personally, I think having a car in Houston is an absolute must. The city has so much to offer, but everything tends to be spread out (outside of walking distance). As far as needing a car strictly for medical school, I don't think it's <i>necessary</i>, but I'd imagine shopping for groceries and the like would be significantly easier. As a first year at BCM, you won't really need to go outside of the main building in the first place (except for your preceptor, but if you indicate that you don't have a car, you'll probably end up at the Baylor Clinic - well within range). Thanks for the comment! :-) Personally, I think having a car in Houston is an absolute must. The city has so much to offer, but everything tends to be spread out (outside of walking distance). As far as needing a car strictly for medical school, I don’t think it’s necessary, but I’d imagine shopping for groceries and the like would be significantly easier. As a first year at BCM, you won’t really need to go outside of the main building in the first place (except for your preceptor, but if you indicate that you don’t have a car, you’ll probably end up at the Baylor Clinic – well within range).

Thanks for the comment! :-)

]]> By: Nicole http://rk.md/2009/baylor-college-medicine-pros-cons/#comment-9860 Nicole Wed, 12 May 2010 19:42:27 +0000 http://rk.md/?p=1691#comment-9860 Do you think one would need a car in Houston? Is it possible to just walk or bike around since everything's in the TX Medical Center? A student at UT Houston told me it's feasible to get where you need to go without a car, esp. as a first/second year med student- what are your experiences? btw, thanks for having this blog- it's very insightful! :) Do you think one would need a car in Houston? Is it possible to just walk or bike around since everything’s in the TX Medical Center? A student at UT Houston told me it’s feasible to get where you need to go without a car, esp. as a first/second year med student- what are your experiences?
btw, thanks for having this blog- it’s very insightful! :)

]]> By: Rishi http://rk.md/2009/baylor-college-medicine-pros-cons/#comment-9855 Rishi Sat, 01 May 2010 21:25:23 +0000 http://rk.md/?p=1691#comment-9855 Thank you so much for the clarification! I admit that my notion of the pass/fail system and AOA's place is rather juvenile, but I've linked to your comment in the original post so others can be sure to read it. :-) Thank you so much for the clarification! I admit that my notion of the pass/fail system and AOA’s place is rather juvenile, but I’ve linked to your comment in the original post so others can be sure to read it. :-)

]]> By: BCMMSIII http://rk.md/2009/baylor-college-medicine-pros-cons/#comment-9854 BCMMSIII Sat, 01 May 2010 21:01:02 +0000 http://rk.md/?p=1691#comment-9854 I do have to correct one thing in your post where you say: <blockquote>Students going out for the not-so-competitive residencies (psychiatry, pediatrics, etc.) just need to “pass.” Since these students will be more laid back, it’ll reserve the top class spots for those who really need them. In other words, the plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons in the class won’t be competing against their entire class for AOA and other distinctions… just a fraction. At least this is how I try to justify it, because in all honesty, the fact that we’re “pass/fail” has tremendously reduced the “I’m going to fail” mentality for everyone.</blockquote> AOA is more than just whether you are going for a competitive residency. It's a marker of academic achievement and not reserved just for those going for Neurosurgery or Plastic Surgery. It's like an NHS at medical school. It not an assurance of even getting an interview. I know upperclassman who were not AOA and got interviews at some places that AOA candidates didn't. One may want to go for Pediatrics, but it's the difference between going to UPenn's Children's Hospital in Philadelphia vs. an unknown community hospital in Pediatrics. You are still competing against your entire class. The only thing is it is masked on your transcript. So writing someone off as "Oh, you're going for Psychiatry so you don't need AOA," is wrong. Really by BCM going to a P or F only system, it puts a lot more pressure for someone to be an AOA candidate and get a high board score (vs. with before, you could actually get into AOA, if you did really well on your transcript, and happened to not do so well on Step 1). The new system actually makes it easier on slackers, and harder on those at the very top. I do have to correct one thing in your post where you say:

Students going out for the not-so-competitive residencies (psychiatry, pediatrics, etc.) just need to “pass.” Since these students will be more laid back, it’ll reserve the top class spots for those who really need them. In other words, the plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons in the class won’t be competing against their entire class for AOA and other distinctions… just a fraction. At least this is how I try to justify it, because in all honesty, the fact that we’re “pass/fail” has tremendously reduced the “I’m going to fail” mentality for everyone.

AOA is more than just whether you are going for a competitive residency. It’s a marker of academic achievement and not reserved just for those going for Neurosurgery or Plastic Surgery. It’s like an NHS at medical school. It not an assurance of even getting an interview. I know upperclassman who were not AOA and got interviews at some places that AOA candidates didn’t. One may want to go for Pediatrics, but it’s the difference between going to UPenn’s Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia vs. an unknown community hospital in Pediatrics.

You are still competing against your entire class. The only thing is it is masked on your transcript. So writing someone off as “Oh, you’re going for Psychiatry so you don’t need AOA,” is wrong. Really by BCM going to a P or F only system, it puts a lot more pressure for someone to be an AOA candidate and get a high board score (vs. with before, you could actually get into AOA, if you did really well on your transcript, and happened to not do so well on Step 1). The new system actually makes it easier on slackers, and harder on those at the very top.

]]> By: Rishi http://rk.md/2009/baylor-college-medicine-pros-cons/#comment-9851 Rishi Sat, 01 May 2010 19:22:44 +0000 http://rk.md/?p=1691#comment-9851 Thanks for the comment, Emily! While there's no magic recipe for getting into medical school, it should be noted that pre-meds need to focus on acquiring unique life experiences to discuss at interviews and on the actual application. These experiences can be in anything - research, community service, international work/studies, etc. As an OOS applicant, you're at a slight disadvantage since BCM fills ~30% of each class with non-Texas residents, but once you're in, you're in. :-) Saying that Houston is a booming urban center may be a bit of an understatement, but since you're from NYC, the transition shouldn't be too drastic. Like NYC, the traffic is horrible, the population is infused with cultures from all over the world, and the food is great. Unlike NYC, the cost of living in Houston is much cheaper. :-D If you have any specific questions, feel free to drop me a line! Thanks for the comment, Emily! While there’s no magic recipe for getting into medical school, it should be noted that pre-meds need to focus on acquiring unique life experiences to discuss at interviews and on the actual application. These experiences can be in anything – research, community service, international work/studies, etc. As an OOS applicant, you’re at a slight disadvantage since BCM fills ~30% of each class with non-Texas residents, but once you’re in, you’re in. :-)

Saying that Houston is a booming urban center may be a bit of an understatement, but since you’re from NYC, the transition shouldn’t be too drastic. Like NYC, the traffic is horrible, the population is infused with cultures from all over the world, and the food is great. Unlike NYC, the cost of living in Houston is much cheaper. :-D

If you have any specific questions, feel free to drop me a line!

]]> By: Emily http://rk.md/2009/baylor-college-medicine-pros-cons/#comment-9845 Emily Fri, 30 Apr 2010 21:02:04 +0000 http://rk.md/?p=1691#comment-9845 Hi, I'm an OOS (NYC actually) applicant applying to matriculate 2011 and I was already in love with baylor but now I'm obsessed considering you have two cons on that list and they're not really relevant to me. Any thoughts on what it's like to be from the northeast down there/how to get in from up here?! THANKS! Hi, I’m an OOS (NYC actually) applicant applying to matriculate 2011 and I was already in love with baylor but now I’m obsessed considering you have two cons on that list and they’re not really relevant to me. Any thoughts on what it’s like to be from the northeast down there/how to get in from up here?! THANKS!

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