One solid reason a superstar graduating HS senior might choose UTD (SAT, doctors)

[tyanger]

People should understand that UTD has had a program in place for the past several years, in partnership with Southwestern Medical School, that gives joint acceptance to BA and MD training programs at the respective institutions. If you hadn't already figured it out, admission into the program is extremely competitive.

I only bring this up because some of the comments on a recently closed thread make it seem like both UTD supporters and detractors are not aware this program exists. If this is already common knowledge on this forum, then my apologies. Here is a link if anyone wants to know more:

UT-PACT BA/MD Program - Health Professions Advising Center (HPAC) - The University of Texas at Dallas

[mSooner]

Interesting...I wasn't aware of this. Just asked my husband (recent UTSW grad) and he was vaguely aware of some classmates who he thinks came in via this program.

Man, the course plan looks like a drag, though. And your only option is Biology. I guess it is a way to fast track through, but you could really do that on your own anyway if you wanted and had the credits--anyone who is admitted probably does.

They biggest benefit I see is provisional admission to UTSW, which is a big deal.

[TexanAgain15]

I read the title and immediately thought, chess team!

[EDS_]

1. It's odd that the course requirements don't include Ochem II. Ochem II is a big player on the MCAT test.

1a. That 19hr. first semester sophomore year does not look like any fun.

2. I can't find the requirements but I'll bet a nickel that as part of the deal UTSW requires really strong grades and a solid MCAT score.

3. I bet every one of the 20 admitted has way better than the 3.5 GPA posted minimum requirement and stellar SAT scores.

4. I wonder how many of the 20 wash out or change their minds over the 3 yrs. of college?

I'll ask my kid if he knows any PACT students at UTSW and if so what they think about the program.

5. It seems odd to me that UTD tries so hard to hide UTSW's minimum acceptable MCAT score for this program.

[MckinneyOwnr]

Originally Posted by EDS_

1. It's odd that the course requirements don't include Ochem II. Ochem II is a big player on the MCAT test.

1a. That 19hr. first semester sophomore year does not look like any fun.

2. I can't find the requirements but I'll bet a nickel that as part of the deal UTSW requires really strong grades and a solid MCAT score.

3. I bet every one of the 20 admitted has way better than the 3.5 GPA posted minimum requirement and stellar SAT scores.

4. I wonder how many of the 20 wash out or change their minds over the 3 yrs. of college?

I'll ask my kid if he knows any PACT students at UTSW and if so what they think about the program.

5. It seems odd to me that UTD tries so hard to hide UTSW's minimum acceptable MCAT score for this program.

This.

To answer the OP's question, the only reason one would consider UTD given the situation would be due to cost.

[Big G]

Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr

This.

To answer the OP's question, the only reason one would consider UTD given the situation would be due to cost.

Man, a lot of shade bring thrown at this program.

I dunno, to me it seems that gaining (provisional) admission to med school at age 18, rather than chancing it after undergrad, would be a pretty good reason.

For that matter, UTD is a perfectly fine school for lots of fields of study. I don't know that I'd major in English there, but a B-school, engineering or hard science degree from UTD is well-respected.

To think that all or most of the students at UTD have "settled" for it due to cost is a gross misconception.

---

FWIW, the salutatorian at Plano Senior this year declined offers from Berkeley, Rice, Cornell, and Caltech (!) to enroll in the UTD/UTSW program.

I don't have access to her checkbook, but I'd guess the MD certainty and accelerated nature of the program had more to do with her decision than dollars and cents. And even if $$$ were an issue, getting effectively ALL of undergrad PLUS first year of med school paid for shows excellent financial judgment.

[DFWDove]

If I have to pick one in DFW then I would pick UTD over UNT, Austin College,UT Arlington and community colleges. Only SMU ranks better than UTD but you have to be loaded or a merit scholar to be able to afford it.

Rice, UT Austin, Baylor and A & M rank higher than all DFW schools, provide better college experience and grand alumni networks. UTD is very much a commuter school so that's a drawback.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr

This.

To answer the OP's question, the only reason one would consider UTD given the situation would be due to cost.

With respect, that's your thinking not mine. My points about the PACT program were minor quibbles not broad indictments, sorry if it seemed otherwise. Within the PACT program and otherwise UTD pumps a good number of grads into UTSW and other top medical schools every year. UTD's bio program in particular is really strong in this context.

The fact of the matter is getting into any allopathic medical school is a Herculean accomplishment that most people cannot really comprehend. Getting into UTSW - no matter how - is even better.

[MckinneyOwnr]

I've known and am friends with several people who went to UTSW. Not a one of them went through UTD to do so, and if asked, that would not be their recommendation for a "superstar" student.

For the situation given, again, cost is the most logical reason why UTD would be chosen.

[stan4]

I went to UTSW (graduated UT Austin).

This was 15 years ago, but the students that surprised me were the TAMS guys.

If that's still around, worth looking into.

All this being said, I'm not really sure that most high school seniors really know that they want to be doctors.
And a lot of them who thought they did wound up finding out that it wasn't for them during undergrad.

The vast majority of people I have ever known in high school and college who thought they wanted to do medicine didn't wind up doing it. Yeah, some bc they couldn't get in to med school, but many bc they found other careers/interests.

There are even people who have finish medical school or residency or are well into their careers who don't want to be doctors.

I am wary of accelerated programs for that reason.

That being said, I think UTD is a fantastic STEM school. I know many engineers/scientists who did undergrad there. Great bang for buck.