Hello, Looking for advice on UT Austin.
TX resident here and my DS qualifies for automatic admission to UT Austin (top 6% of graduating class). He wants to major in Bio/chem with pre-med track.
Does anyone have insights into pre-med at UTA? I am mainly looking for advice on research opportunities, clinical experiences, and club leadership opportunities. Given its large size, is it easy to get these opportunities? Or are we better off with TAMU or smaller schools like SMU or UTD?
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“UTA” is UT Arlington.
I loved going to UT. Its large size meant there were lots of opportunities, academically and socially. I really blossomed there. Congrats to your son for getting auto admission!
Thank you. UT Austin is definitely known for their Engineering and Business. But I have not heard much about pre-med there. Do you have any insights into it?
Regardless of where your son attends undergrad, it will be up to him to seek these out.
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ETA, he can approach professors who are doing research and see if he can participate in some way. He can and should approach folks regarding shadowing and other clinician experiences. Some suggest starting with your own family physician. Club leadership…there are tons of clubs at UT Austin. Once he becomes active in somethings that he likes, leadership positions will be possible.
Your son will need a strong GPA and sGPA and a strong MCAT score. Most colleges do not prep students to take the MCAT…that is something the students need to do themselves.
These colleges would be fine too.
Really if medical school is a possibility, you might want to choose an undergrad that will require as few (close to $0) in loans as possible as medical school in four years or 5 will be very costly and is usually funded with loans, loans and more loans…and the bank of mom and dad.
My understanding is that Texas is actually one of the better states for instate medical school applicants…but medical school acceptances are not guaranteed.
@WayOutWestMom what did I miss?
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UT Austin is the second largest supplier of med school applicants in the country. 965 last cycle. That suggests that the school and it advisors have plenty of experience in preparing students to apply to med school. Dell School of Medicine is located on the central UT Austin campus, across from the School of Nursing.
Texas is one of the better states for pre-med as Texas mandates that 90+% of available seats in its public med school go to TX residents. Texas medical schools have their own application system–TMDSAS. Your son should familiarize himself with Texas med school requirements that are listed at TMDSAS.
Pre med is competitive everywhere–big schools, small schools, it doesn’t matter. Your son needs to pro-active in seeking out opportunities-- both on and off campus – to get involved with clinical volunteering, community service with disadvantaged groups/communities and leadership roles in his activities. The opportunities are there, but your son needs to look for them.
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Yes, the opportunities are definitely there. My son was helping with research in the biomedical engineering lab as a freshman.
I think the question is because you mentioned others like UTD and SMU - what is the right environment for your student to excel (that you can afford).
You want them to do well - and enjoy the four years.
Take med school out of the equation - where is the best environment for your student.
Thank you very much for the AAMC link. This is really helpful.
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Actually, one more question. Is 965, the number of MD graduates who did Undergrad in UT Austin? or the number of applicants to med schools?
UT Austin had 965 grads apply to med schools.
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