Need advice- can’t decide between these two for D who wants to major in Pre-Med/Physician Asst/Dentist (something in medicine).
We love the Baylor campus and proximity to our home in Austin but not the additional $15K/year over TTU after she gets a $16K/yr grant from Baylor. She’s not crazy about the religious aspect but we like the smaller size and the sense that it’s a very nurturing environment that will help her excel. Tech seems like a party school although she’s not a partier (at least not in HS).
Is Baylor worth the extra money?
We’re waiting on TAMU but I don’t hold much hope for that. Although she has 1300 SAT, her class rank is 37% and she does not want to do Blinn or a baby A&M. Seems like getting in TAMU without auto-accept is tough.
I have a 1310/1600 or 1940/2400 SAT and 29 ACT, I am also around 36% rank, so a similar situation. As of Dec 16 I have been accepted to TAMU as a REVIEW applicant, I was not deferred to another TAMU system school, Blinn or any other program. I think you definitely have a shot, just remember A&M has rolling admissions, meaning first come first serve for their spots. As for your other question Tech and Baylor are both good schools, and for perspective UT has been ranked higher as a party school. If you can manage the Tuition I would recommend Baylor, they have a good medical program and it sounds like the campus will be a good fit. Waco isn’t as developed as Austin, though there is more to do in Baylor than in Lubbock. Also keep in mind the surrounding areas for jobs, internships, co-ops etc. Lubbock is hours away in the middle of the panhandle, whereas Lubbock is in proximity of Killeen, Belton, Temple, Georgetown, and Austin, all of which have hospitals, clinics, and medical centers.
Typo: Waco is in proximity of Killeen…
Thanks! It’s been a couple months and no reply from TAMU. Hope to hear before i have to eat my deposits at the other two schools.
I would go ahead and put a deposit for Baylor. You can always get it back if you decided not to attend before the deadline.
I feel like she’s a strong applicant for TAMU… her SAT score is higher than mine, my school does not rank at all, and I was admitted so don’t lose hope on that one. to answer your question, though… based on the major/track she wants, I’d go with Baylor.
The OP’s daughter is wise not to bank on TAMU as a non-automatic applicant. I do think there may be some better options for her than TTU or Baylor that have been overlooked, however. In particular, UT-Dallas is known for its STEM programs and offers a smaller setting and good financial aid for otherwise high-stat kids outside of the top 25%. Trinity in San Antonio is arguably the best school in the state besides Rice and has a reputation for turning out strong life science grads. Trinity is also known for offering much better merit aid than schools like Baylor and TCU. The University of Houston is similar academically to TTU but is located in a much more interesting metro area with a huge medical center and has much less of a “party school” reputation than Tech. UH also has a good honors college and provides aid to kids outside of the top 25%.
Thanks! We are applying to Trinity too. She got accepted to UT-D but haven’t seriously considered it for some reason, maybe because it’s more of a commuter school.
Trinity sounds like a great option- heard that they are strong for pre med. If she is seriously considering medical school then graduating with no debt is huge. Texas Tech has a medical school. There is some arrangement I thought with the medical school for entrance from undergrad. You might want to look into this. You can avoid partying if that is not your thing.
Motomir, I hear the sounds of the rotor blades of a helicopter parent with “can’t decide between these 2 for D…” “She’s not crazy about the religious aspect but we like the smaller size…” Assuming the tuition/housing dollars are similar range, then the choice of where to attend college should be primarily the student’s. Now to Texas Tech Honors College, respectfully you have not been doing your research very well. “Tech seems like a party school…” Blanket statement: Tech Honors College students have access to a superb academic educational experience…period. Students admitted to the Honors College rank toward the to top in both grades and SAT/ACT scores…usually around 1325-1350 on the SAT. My son attended the Honors College and graduated magna cum laude in 2008. He and his close friends were academically focused both during college at Tech and after. His fellow Tech Honors College grads include a Cornell PhD, a Fulbright Scholar, and two currently getting MBAs at the University of Chicago (my alma mater) and NYU. Finally, Tech is one of only three public universities in Texas (the others being UT - Austin and A&M) with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, recognition of outstanding liberal arts and sciences programs there.
I attend Tech & I must be missing all the partying. Seriously, if you are here to study & learn, get in the Honors College at Texas Tech & you will have more encouragement & opportunities offered to you than you can believe. Plus all things aside Tech is the ONLY school in Texas that has a law school AND a medical school in the same campus (pretty much). Neither UT, A&M, Rice, Trinity, or Baylor can say that. It’s also considerably less expensive than the other schools. If you are on the medical track, I guarantee you the Honors College will more than prepare you for anything.
I work as a tutor in the learning center (history is my major & subject) & I’m blessed to be surrounded by some VERY smart & hard working students. I don’t buy that whole “party school” label at all.
I forgot to add, the ONLY reason I’m here is because of all the other universities, Tech offered me the $$ & a job on top of that. Money talks…it’s pretty fluent in more than one language.