2013-2014 University of Texas - Southwestern Application Thread

[mizim]

Okay I cannot seem to find a clear answer to these questions. When describing the interests you checked off...

1) If you have multiple interests are you still listing activities continuously in bulleted format? Or are you organizing them? For example,

-shadowed X
-did research over X

or

1. Primary Care
-shadowed X

2. Medical Research
-did research over X


2) Does it really matter if we combine interests as opposed to listing them separately and repeating the same activity?

Interested in establishing a medical practice in an underserved area and a career in primary care medicine.
-Shadowed a family doctor in underserved area X.


I would greatly appreciate if you would shed some light on these problems.

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[annawmc]

It depends on what you're wanting to do. I think the redundancy of stating the same activities for different interests would be a waste of characters and a waste of reading time for the adcom. They're intelligent enough to know that if you shadowed a primary care physician in an underserved area then that supports two of your stated interests. There would be no reason to list the same activity for multiple interests. I have no doubt we all made our list differently from one another, but I just checked off my interests and listed in continuous bullet form what I've done to support those interests. Hope it helps, but ultimately it's up to you how you structure it.

 

[McRunner]

Okay, how hard is UTSW for out of state? It is definitely one of my top picks, but I'm a Florida resident!

 

[trs88]

Okay, how hard is UTSW for out of state? It is definitely one of my top picks, but I'm a Florida resident!

Sorry but Florida resident does not equal Texas resident. Texas has a state law that mandates that all Texas public medical schools have their entering class be 90% in state students. The remaining 10% is reserved for out of state students. Since you are aiming for this school which is public, your stats need to be good.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Sorry but Florida resident does not equal Texas resident. Texas has a state law that mandates that all Texas public medical schools have their entering class be 90% in state students. The remaining 10% is reserved for out of state students. Since you are aiming for this school which is public, your stats need to be good.

All stats and variables held equal, by law they would 9 texans for a spot before they would pick you. (according to the 90% legislation rule).

However, if your stats are higher than the median for texas applicants, it should work in your favor.

 

[miss chievous]

.

 

[Guest790]

For III., is anyone even getting close to 3500 characters?? I'm thinking in terms of the optional essay (since that was 2500 characters) and the equivalent for this would be a LOT of bullets....

 

[TXSummers]

I did not do bullet points for the "ideal future" question and I ended up with 3,300 characters+spaces. I don't think that they expect bullets; I think that they want you to be able to explain what about your EC or clinical experience supports your vision of your future practice.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I did not do bullet points for the "ideal future" question and I ended up with 3,300 characters+spaces. I don't think that they expect bullets; I think that they want you to be able to explain what about your EC or clinical experience supports your vision of your future practice.

Either works. I did bullets, it was easier.

 

[TXSummers]

Either works. I did bullets, it was easier.

True that

 

[Guest790]

I did not do bullet points for the "ideal future" question and I ended up with 3,300 characters+spaces. I don't think that they expect bullets; I think that they want you to be able to explain what about your EC or clinical experience supports your vision of your future practice.

It sounds like you are referring to the second textbox (Setting of a medical career). I'm using paragraph form for that. I'm actually talking about the first textbox (Interests related to medicine) where it actually says "do not use paragraph format; list in bulleted format." Going back to my original question, I was stating that it's pretty hard to get anywhere close to 3500 characters with just bullets.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

It sounds like you are referring to the second textbox (Setting of a medical career). I'm using paragraph form for that. I'm actually talking about the first textbox (Interests related to medicine) where it actually says "do not use paragraph format; list in bulleted format." Going back to my original question, I was stating that it's pretty hard to get anywhere close to 3500 characters with just bullets.

I had like 100-200 characters on the bulleted one.

 

[TXSummers]

It sounds like you are referring to the second textbox (Setting of a medical career). I'm using paragraph form for that. I'm actually talking about the first textbox (Interests related to medicine) where it actually says "do not use paragraph format; list in bulleted format." Going back to my original question, I was stating that it's pretty hard to get anywhere close to 3500 characters with just bullets.

Sorry about that I had 1800 characters for that question. But I was obnoxious and repeated things if it fell into more than one category. I formated it: Name of Activity/Internship, Location, Date: Very short 5 word description. I didn't put time (like hrs/week), but that is on my TMDSAS. Good luck

 

[docelh]

Got an application received email. Boils down to:

Don't call us, we'll call you. When that will be, who knows. Thanks.

 

[Chillbo Baggins]

Got an application received email. Boils down to:

Don't call us, we'll call you. When that will be, who knows. Thanks.

Haha, yep. Got it today, too.

 

[miss chievous]

Got an application received email. Boils down to:

Don't call us, we'll call you. When that will be, who knows. Thanks.

Haha yeah, I got the same one. I guess everyone that has been verified before today will be in the same applicant pool.

 

[Dbate]

Haha yeah, I got the same one. I guess everyone that has been verified before today will be in the same applicant pool.

I didn't get an email today. The last email I got from them was on June 11th and Application Received in the subject line.

 

[PescadoAmor]

I didn't get an email today. The last email I got from them was on June 11th and Application Received in the subject line.

I think that's the same email they are receiving today

 

[hownowmauvecow]

Hey everyone! Good luck with this year's application process. I am currently a third year at UTSW so if you have any questions let me know, I would be happy to help ya'll out!

 

[miss chievous]

I didn't get an email today. The last email I got from them was on June 11th and Application Received in the subject line.

My mistake, I didn't realize UTSW had sent these before. I thought they had just started sending them out. sorry about that!

 

[sdresident]

Maybe current students at SW can speak to this because they know their classmates, but how much chance do OOS residents really have? I know the 90% rule. I really like UTSW, but am trying to decide if it's worth doing TMDSAS for 1 school.

My stats:
White, Age 21, Male. (there goes my chances right there lol?).
13/13/11 (37) MCAT
GPA/science GPA both about 3.9.
I have average but not exceptional EC's, with clinical volunteering as an EMT and some research, etc.

Current students, thanks for your input-

 

[Whatyousay]

Maybe current students at SW can speak to this because they know their classmates, but how much chance do OOS residents really have? I know the 90% rule. I really like UTSW, but am trying to decide if it's worth doing TMDSAS for 1 school.

My stats:
White, Age 21, Male. (there goes my chances right there lol?).
13/13/11 (37) MCAT
GPA/science GPA both about 3.9.
I have average but not exceptional EC's, with clinical volunteering as an EMT and some research, etc.

Current students, thanks for your input-

Your stats are certainly solid enough for consideration. I think having ties to Texas gives an applicant a leg up, but I know of a few OOS classmates who spent their entire lives without setting a foot in Texas until they came here. My impression of the OOS admissions process is that it's a bit of a coin flip.

 

[miss chievous]

Your stats are certainly solid enough for consideration. I think having ties to Texas gives an applicant a leg up, but I know of a few OOS classmates who spent their entire lives without setting a foot in Texas until they came here. My impression of the OOS admissions process is that it's a bit of a coin flip.

I would grant you an admission to any school based simply on your hilarious MDApps

 

[sambal]

Hey everyone! Good luck with this year's application process. I am currently a third year at UTSW so if you have any questions let me know, I would be happy to help ya'll out!

Hi mauvecow,

How much does UTSW emphasize primary care?

 

[EBLoneStar]

Hi mauvecow,

How much does UTSW emphasize primary care?

I'll try answering this since I'm currently a 4th year with boatloads of time on my hands. =D

I've never actually understood what that means (a school "emphasizing" primary care), but maybe that's because my only med school experience is UTSW.

I think if you're planning on going into a primary care field, you will find plenty of support and opportunities to explore these opportunities med school and also when it comes time to apply to residency. And you get to choose (pending availability) what site you do your family medicine clerkship (clinic of parkland with parkland patients, Dallas community clinic including private practice, Austin private practice clinics, JPS hospital, or more rural sites including Waco and Tyler Texas), so that's really nice because the rotation can be what you want it to be.

But I don't recall ever getting pressured or listening to speeches where anyone tries it I specifically sell you on any primary care or dissuade you from pursuing a specialty. If you just look at UTSW match lists you will see a ton of students go into competitive subspecialty fields and there's ton of support for pursuing those paths as well with no judgment or pressure to do otherwise.

 

[sambal]

I'll try answering this since I'm currently a 4th year with boatloads of time on my hands. =D

I've never actually understood what that means (a school "emphasizing" primary care), but maybe that's because my only med school experience is UTSW.

I think if you're planning on going into a primary care field, you will find plenty of support and opportunities to explore these opportunities med school and also when it comes time to apply to residency. And you get to choose (pending availability) what site you do your family medicine clerkship (clinic of parkland with parkland patients, Dallas community clinic including private practice, Austin private practice clinics, JPS hospital, or more rural sites including Waco and Tyler Texas), so that's really nice because the rotation can be what you want it to be.

But I don't recall ever getting pressured or listening to speeches where anyone tries it I specifically sell you on any primary care or dissuade you from pursuing a specialty. If you just look at UTSW match lists you will see a ton of students go into competitive subspecialty fields and there's ton of support for pursuing those paths as well with no judgment or pressure to do otherwise.

Thanks for your answer, it's been very helpful! It's also nice to know that you have loads of free time

The school's mission statement states that they want to produce primary care physicians who will practice in underserved areas, so I was curious about what that translates at the curriculum level. If I understand correctly, you haven't felt any particular focus in that direction.

I only ask because I want to specialize in that area of medicine.

 

[dancingmd]

I am still a little confused about the expected formatting for the first "essay" question on the secondary application. I understand that it should be in concise bullet points, but are we expected to explain how each specific experience relates to the specific interest chosen or simply list the name of the experience?

 

[LianaStan]

I am still a little confused about the expected formatting for the first "essay" question on the secondary application. I understand that it should be in concise bullet points, but are we expected to explain how each specific experience relates to the specific interest chosen or simply list the name of the experience?

I personally wrote in a bulleted format with one or two sentences elaborating on the experience. They do give you a lot of characters, and while I think they don't expect you to max it out since they stress a concise statement, I felt an additional short description helped to provide substance to my list.

 

[EBLoneStar]

Thanks for your answer, it's been very helpful! It's also nice to know that you have loads of free time

The school's mission statement states that they want to produce primary care physicians who will practice in underserved areas, so I was curious about what that translates at the curriculum level. If I understand correctly, you haven't felt any particular focus in that direction.

I only ask because I want to specialize in that area of medicine.

Gotcha.

Yeah I'm pretty sure that's going to be part of the mission statement for any medical school these days, since that's what the country really needs in terms of physicians. (whether they say it specifically or not).

I'm not sure how that really would affect the curriculum at any school though besides the clinical rotation choices. The curriculum in th first 2 years is pretty much the same any where you go.

My opinion on why one med school should be chosen over another is just whether you like the city, get along/fit in with the med students and overall vibe of the school, and the quality of the clinical training in terms of variety and acuity and complexity of patients you will see and how much autonomy you will get as a med student.

Going to UTSW means >80% of your patients will likely be poor and medically undeserved and I can't really imagine a better or more fulfilling way to train to be the best doc possible you can be, whether you want to do primary care or anything else for that matter. So many opportunities to do so much good for your patients who are really counting on you and your team to take care of them.

(I love my school, obviously!) =)

 

[sambal]

(I love my school, obviously!) =)

It's great to hear someone who knows, repping UTSW!

I started out at a hot-shot kind of place in the NE, which was not a good fit for me, so I distrust any school that makes a big deal about its ranking in USNews. But what you're saying really humanizes the institution, and proves that its major teaching hospital does focus on disadvantaged populations, so I'm definitely stoked to apply here.

I keep forgetting that years 1 & 2 are pretty standard no matter where you go. However, I noticed that UTSW has colleges, and that they put you into small learning groups with a doc from day 1. That at least seems pretty specific to this school...

 

[bunionberry]

Maybe someone here can answer these two questions so I can save the UTSW staff a call. On the coursework part, I type in the course code AND the name of the course correct? And also, I took my biology lecture classes and labs as a part of a dual credit program at my high school. I have sent the transcript from the community college that was associated with the program that has grades for each course (the two courses were Bio 1 + lab and Bio 2 + lab). At my four year university I currently attend, I have credit for those 8 hours of biology represented as credit for individual courses (So the Bio 1 + lab was 4 hours and counts for an actual 3 hour bio course plus a 1 hour lab). Would I add coursework for the courses I have just credit for at my 4 year university, or report the graded courses I took as part of the dual credit program from the community college? If it's the latter, how would I indicate a dual credit course?

Thanks!

 

[Snake Morrison]

I'm admittedly a little stuck on the "list of experiences" question since I feel that my ECs don't really match up with what they're asking. Healthcare-wise, I have:

1) Volunteered at a hospital in the ICU and at the Volunteer Desk
2) Shadowed some pediatricians who have all been specialists in their field
3) Been certified as a CNA and will begin working as a PCT for a hospital

I have some research and teaching experience that I could put down if necessary, but I feel like it's a bit of an oversight to "not be interested" in the two physician-based areas when my ultimate goal is to be a physician. Anyone have any advice?

EDIT: To clarify the above, I'm more interested in secondary care than primary care, and I'm not sure how to well represent that on this application.

 

[Amygdarya]

I'm admittedly a little stuck on the "list of experiences" question since I feel that my ECs don't really match up with what they're asking. Healthcare-wise, I have:

1) Volunteered at a hospital in the ICU and at the Volunteer Desk
2) Shadowed some pediatricians who have all been specialists in their field
3) Been certified as a CNA and will begin working as a PCT for a hospital

I have some research and teaching experience that I could put down if necessary, but I feel like it's a bit of an oversight to "not be interested" in the two physician-based areas when my ultimate goal is to be a physician. Anyone have any advice?

EDIT: To clarify the above, I'm more interested in secondary care than primary care, and I'm not sure how to well represent that on this application.

Shadowing pediatricians certainly qualifies as interested in primary care-related experience (what kind of specialists are they anyway? I know that ID specialists, for example, do a great deal of primary care sort of work). I'm not sure about the other two experiences you mentioned (they don't really scream "primary care"). But you can expand nicely on your experience shadowing pediatricians.

As for research and teaching, you should list these experiences, as UTSW is *big* on research, but maybe don't dwell on them if academic medicine is not something you're interested in (apparently, adcoms can smell insincerity). But keep in mind that primary care and research are not mutually exclusive, so it's perfectly fine if you're interested in both

 

[Snake Morrison]

Shadowing pediatricians certainly qualifies as interested in primary care-related experience (what kind of specialists are they anyway? I know that ID specialists, for example, do a great deal of primary care sort of work). I'm not sure about the other two experiences you mentioned (they don't really scream "primary care"). But you can expand nicely on your experience shadowing pediatricians.

As for research and teaching, you should list these experiences, as UTSW is *big* on research, but maybe don't dwell on them if academic medicine is not something you're interested in (apparently, adcoms can smell insincerity). But keep in mind that primary care and research are not mutually exclusive, so it's perfectly fine if you're interested in both

They were both pediatric neurologists, so I don't know that I could call it "primary care" in the way that they mean on the application. (They typically only saw referral patients from a PCP.) And listing my research and teaching experience is difficult, because although my resumes for those activities are much stronger and the areas do hold my interest, I could really only see them as something done on the side rather than the focus of my career. I agree with the "insincerity" bit wholeheartedly, and I just want to make sure I represent myself as accurately as possible on this application!

 

[lithe]

If anyone can answer this you'll spare me an email to the admissions folks. UT Southwestern's secondary doesn't allow decimals in the semester hours field, and most of my lab courses were worth 3.5 credits, not the standard 4. Me I'm a huge fan of rounding everything up but I don't know if admissions feels the same. I'm particularly interested because with 2 x 3.5 credit physics classes under my belt, I'm a wee bit shy of that 8 credit requirement...so maybe an even bigger fan of rounding everything up in this case.

 

[Amygdarya]

They were both pediatric neurologists, so I don't know that I could call it "primary care" in the way that they mean on the application. (They typically only saw referral patients from a PCP.) And listing my research and teaching experience is difficult, because although my resumes for those activities are much stronger and the areas do hold my interest, I could really only see them as something done on the side rather than the focus of my career. I agree with the "insincerity" bit wholeheartedly, and I just want to make sure I represent myself as accurately as possible on this application!

Sorry, I'm out of ideas. Or maybe you could try thinking of why you're interested in primary care and what kind of personal experiences support that (i.e. your life experiences which are not necessarily something that you would list in the activities section). After all, the prompt includes personal experiences as well.

 

[sambal]

They were both pediatric neurologists, so I don't know that I could call it "primary care" in the way that they mean on the application. (They typically only saw referral patients from a PCP.) And listing my research and teaching experience is difficult, because although my resumes for those activities are much stronger and the areas do hold my interest, I could really only see them as something done on the side rather than the focus of my career. I agree with the "insincerity" bit wholeheartedly, and I just want to make sure I represent myself as accurately as possible on this application!

I don't see anything wrong with listing your experiences in teaching and research, as long as you make clear that they represent secondary goals, when you're writing the essay.

 

[cyanide12345678]

Maybe current students at SW can speak to this because they know their classmates, but how much chance do OOS residents really have? I know the 90% rule. I really like UTSW, but am trying to decide if it's worth doing TMDSAS for 1 school.

My stats:
White, Age 21, Male. (there goes my chances right there lol?).
13/13/11 (37) MCAT
GPA/science GPA both about 3.9.
I have average but not exceptional EC's, with clinical volunteering as an EMT and some research, etc.

Current students, thanks for your input-

With a 37 you might get interviewed as an OOS (and once you've been interviewed it's really a 50 50 shot). The trick would be to convince them why you want to go to Texas and why UT southwestern means so much to you, if you can make a logical case for that, then you might get in. Regardless, you have a stellar score, you'll go to an amazing school and get an amazing education where ever you end up going.

 

[cyanide12345678]

I keep forgetting that years 1 & 2 are pretty standard no matter where you go. However, I noticed that UTSW has colleges, and that they put you into small learning groups with a doc from day 1. That at least seems pretty specific to this school...

The colleges system is certainly amazing Though at the end of the day you end up getting to know everyone in your class, it's a small tight knit community where you see people with amazing caliber.

 

[cyanide12345678]

If anyone can answer this you'll spare me an email to the admissions folks. UT Southwestern's secondary doesn't allow decimals in the semester hours field, and most of my lab courses were worth 3.5 credits, not the standard 4. Me I'm a huge fan of rounding everything up but I don't know if admissions feels the same. I'm particularly interested because with 2 x 3.5 credit physics classes under my belt, I'm a wee bit shy of that 8 credit requirement...so maybe an even bigger fan of rounding everything up in this case.

I think that is the sort of question that you need to address to admissions. Other students will only be guessing what is the best approach. Here is my guess though, there should be no harm in "rounding up", but you will need to send an email or some correspondence letting them know that your classes were 3.5 instead of 4. But, I'd still contact them directly and ask.

 

[deleted393595]

I think that is the sort of question that you need to address to admissions. Other students will only be guessing what is the best approach. Here is my guess though, there should be no harm in "rounding up", but you will need to send an email or some correspondence letting them know that your classes were 3.5 instead of 4. But, I'd still contact them directly and ask.

This is really random, but is that a Macedonian Swordsman from RTW in your avatar?

 

[cyanide12345678]

This is really random, but is that a Macedonian Swordsman from RTW in your avatar?

Haha I have no idea if it is All I know is that I'm in Sprague college and the avatar represents my spartan spirit

And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, you'll find out if you go to Southwestern.

 

[Whatyousay]

This is really random, but is that a Macedonian Swordsman from RTW in your avatar?

Which reminds me, my grades are going to plummet when RTW2 comes out.

 

[MattMedical]

Anyone received interview invites yet?

 

[miss chievous]

Anyone received interview invites yet?

They don't start sending them until Mid August

 

[cyanide12345678]

Hello there

I'm a "almost" MS2 (well 2 more weeks until MS2 starts). If anyone has any questions about UT southwestern feel free to PM me. I have all the time in the world during summer I might even come across a lot of you during the interview dinner (yummm free food...)

no matter what question you have (doesn't even have to be about southwestern lol), go ahead

 

[armpitcurry]

My stats are not impressive at all but my research experience is extremely extensive, and everybody I have known that got in had stuff published etc..., they take that a and a high MCAT score seriously.

It is tougher to get into, but for my school the avg MCAT was lower than Baylor because they took the students that had more research experience even if they had a point or two lower on the MCAT.

3.6 (4.0 the last 2 yrs)
MCAT: 33
Research: conferences, publish later this year, research committee etc..
Medical experience: Very extensive, probably over a 1000+ hrs of scribe/med asst. work

I'm not going to get my hopes too high though.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

My stats are not impressive at all but my research experience is extremely extensive, and everybody I have known that got in had stuff published etc..., they take that a and a high MCAT score seriously.

It is tougher to get into, but for my school the avg MCAT was lower than Baylor because they took the students that had more research experience even if they had a point or two lower on the MCAT.

3.6 (4.0 the last 2 yrs)
MCAT: 33
Research: conferences, publish later this year, research committee etc..
Medical experience: Very extensive, probably over a 1000+ hrs of scribe/med asst. work

I'm not going to get my hopes too high though.

I think you will be fine. As everyone will tell you that beyond a certain threshold, its not about the numbers.

 

[imymemine]

Maybe current students at SW can speak to this because they know their classmates, but how much chance do OOS residents really have? I know the 90% rule. I really like UTSW, but am trying to decide if it's worth doing TMDSAS for 1 school.

My stats:
White, Age 21, Male. (there goes my chances right there lol?).
13/13/11 (37) MCAT
GPA/science GPA both about 3.9.
I have average but not exceptional EC's, with clinical volunteering as an EMT and some research, etc.

Current students, thanks for your input-

i would definitely apply to utsw if i were you. yes it's worth doing TMDSAS. no brainer.

i'm OOS with zero ties to texas and had no idea what utsw was before looking through msar. i'm only one year in, but i like it here a lot. i'm so thankful i applied here.

 

[mattrmcg]

Does it really matter what classes we claim for the "specify the credits"? Because, if they are looking grade-wise, I would rather put my higher-level coursework in than my lower-level coursework because it looks much better that I have an A in Neuro lab than a B in Bio lab