University of North Texas (UNTHSC/TCOM) Discussion Thread 2014 - 2015

[summer14]

I've heard good things about the area this school is in!! Good luck everyone

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[Mrduralast]

Yeah, I just updated my the second question on the secondary app in order to reflect my new experiences with the other D.O writing me a letter of rec. I made sure to fill out any of the re-applicant stuff on TMDSAS though

 

[ManOfDiligence]

Is there any way we could sent an additional LOR AFTER our application is complete? I figured i'd send them an additional physician letter since a DO is in the process of writing me one.

 

[BlackDogBrownDog]

Is there any way we could sent an additional LOR AFTER our application is complete? I figured i'd send them an additional physician letter since a DO is in the process of writing me one.

Current TCOM student here A thought- hold that physician letter for a little bit in case you don't get an interview soon (unless you won't have a Do one for a while). Then, in, say, mid October if you still don't have an interview send it in as an update to
Your application! That gives you a reason to contact TCOM and another way to remind them of who
You are and why you're interested Or if you get an interview, send it in after your interview to make your app better!

 

[RN2MD2014applicant]

anyone with interviews ? my application rcvd date @UNT: 7/21...should I be expecting something in couple weeks ? how fast do they review applications here ?
i have solid EC: 5 years of working as Registered Nurse from couple months of nursing home to a year of ICU to a year of Psych to 3 years of working the busiest Level I and III trauma ER's in Texas and currently working ER and teaching nursing school. Only issue, i did horrible on my mcat, 20...have sgpa of 3.7
am retaking mcat sep 4th, however, am still counting on a interview with the experience i have and LOR's from some top docs in Houston.

 

[Dr Granger]

anyone with interviews ? my application rcvd date @UNT: 7/21...should I be expecting something in couple weeks ? how fast do they review applications here ?
i have solid EC: 5 years of working as Registered Nurse from couple months of nursing home to a year of ICU to a year of Psych to 3 years of working the busiest Level I and III trauma ER's in Texas and currently working ER and teaching nursing school. Only issue, i did horrible on my mcat, 20...have sgpa of 3.7
am retaking mcat sep 4th, however, am still counting on a interview with the experience i have and LOR's from some top docs in Houston.

Idk if TCOM will look at your app since you are rescheduled for a retake! Maybe someone can shed more light in this. I know the majority if Texas schools won't. You have excellent EC's but you should keep in mind the lowest mcat TCOM accepted last year was a round a 23

 

[costales]

The low scores are outliers/special admits, so I wouldn't hang my hat on that hope. But they will definitely take a second look at your app with the new score. BTW Your sGPA shows you have a good mastery of basic science but need more test-taking practice. Good luck!

 

[GIpremed]

Idk if TCOM will look at your app since you are rescheduled for a retake! Maybe someone can shed more light in this. I know the majority if Texas schools won't. You have excellent EC's but you should keep in mind the lowest mcat TCOM accepted last year was a round a 23

I agree with you that they will wait like the other TX schools. I think that's what the director said to a group of us.

 

[RN2MD2014applicant]

thanks guys, am hoping against all odds !! lol... i know i can do way better than a 20 on mcat....doing a lot of questions, plan on doing all the Princeton questions and examcracker verbal 101...mcat seems more like a test taking skill exam than anything else...

 

[mattrmcg]

Non-trad OMS I here, if you have any questions, let me know!

 

[LChristmas]

Non-trad OMS I here, if you have any questions, let me know!

1. Any interview tips that are specific to TCOM? Closed/Open file? What type of interviewers? Students/Faculty/Physicians?
2. How do you find the relationship between students? Is everyone friendly/competitive/willing to help their fellow med student?
3. What are your thoughts on post-interview contact like thank you notes, LOIs, etc, and are they well received by adcoms?
4. Are you happy with your choice to attend TCOM?

 

[RN2MD2014applicant]

Non-trad OMS I here, if you have any questions, let me know!

any nurses in your class ? any insides on how tcom views nurses ? i just need to put in some effort into my test taking skills and ace this mcat...cant wait to hear from UNT.

 

[radkat101]

1. Any interview tips that are specific to TCOM? Closed/Open file? What type of interviewers? Students/Faculty/Physicians?
2. How do you find the relationship between students? Is everyone friendly/competitive/willing to help their fellow med student?
3. What are your thoughts on post-interview contact like thank you notes, LOIs, etc, and are they well received by adcoms?
4. Are you happy with your choice to attend TCOM?

I know this wasn't necessarily directed towards me, but as a someone who just started first year, I suppose I can answer with my own opinion as well.

1. Interviews were closed file as far as stats. They did have some essays, and they seemed to take secondary responses pretty seriously. I had a DO and MD interview me. Pretty much all the faculty, including PhD's can sign up to interview. I don't think the students do any though.

2. Everyone's really friendly so far. With 230 people there's going to be a lot of personalities, but for the most part the interviews seem to do a pretty good job sifting out the weirdos. They are big on discouraging competition and everyone is really helpful with providing resources to each other.

3. I didn't do any post interview contact, so I can't really answer this one. I do believe you are ranked pretty soon after your interview, and this ranking is pretty much locked in place. I can't imagine letters being much help.

4. So far I'm very happy, but I also just started. I was scared of the curriculum at first, but they seem to have given us a lot more time to study independently this year.

 

[radkat101]

any nurses in your class ? any insides on how tcom views nurses ? i just need to put in some effort into my test taking skills and ace this mcat...cant wait to hear from UNT.

I'm sure the school will appreciate the clinical experience you gained from nursing! Almost everyone I've talked to has some pretty unique backgrounds. We have paramedics, ex-military, firefighters, and I'm sure a nurse or two in the class so they seem pretty receptive of these types of experiences. That being said, I think the lowest MCAT that TCOM has taken the past several years is a 22 with the avg. being a 28 (and maybe higher for this year's class). Make sure to pull that score up!

Edit: Use the Berkely Review for MCAT prep. It is BY FAR the best.

 

[mattrmcg]

1. Any interview tips that are specific to TCOM? Closed/Open file? What type of interviewers? Students/Faculty/Physicians?

I had MDs, DOs, and PhDs all interview me, and everyone was really nice. One thing that you should know is that they do ask you about osteopathy, so I recommend reading into some of the books and talking with the students.

2. How do you find the relationship between students? Is everyone friendly/competitive/willing to help their fellow med student?

So far all the students are really nice. The OMS 2 students do like to come by and see if you need help, the campus has a great support structure to help with tutoring and any problems you may have, and they also separate the student body into advisory colleges to ensure that you are getting advised and are on the right track!

3. What are your thoughts on post-interview contact like thank you notes, LOIs, etc, and are they well received by adcoms?

I didn't do an LOI, but did send thank you notes. Its a must to send thank you notes, not just to gain credit, but to show respect for the interviewers.

4. Are you happy with your choice to attend TCOM?

I am very happy...the area is very safe and nice, and there are so many food choices around here (even more if you have some scratch on hand)

 

[mattrmcg]

any nurses in your class ? any insides on how tcom views nurses ? i just need to put in some effort into my test taking skills and ace this mcat...cant wait to hear from UNT.

I think there was one nurse in our class, or the class before ours at least. I know there have been many techs that were accepted, but the way they see it is if you have experience in the field and they see compassion from your essays and resume, then you are a-ok. The school is non-trad friendly, so that is really cool

Make sure to really nail down the VR score!

 

[costales]

Just to supplement the above: Interviews are given by two professors - one clinical (i.e. a physician from the hospitals/clinics) and one teaching/research (e.g. pharmacology, physiology). There are no student interviewers. Interviewers are not given access to your grades or MCAT scores. Each interviewer turns in a scorecard after the interview. Certain interviewers tend to be overly stingy and critical, and the committee takes that into account. As far as post-interview notes from applicants, I've been told that they read every single one of them.

 

[Dr Granger]

Does anyone have any idea how many prematch offers tcom offers? I've heard some schools offer quite a bit and some are a little stingy with them

 

[costales]

So far all the students are really nice. The OMS 2 students do like to come by and see if you need help, the campus has a great support structure to help with tutoring and any problems you may have, and they also separate the student body into advisory colleges to ensure that you are getting advised and are on the right track!

I am very happy...the area is very safe and nice, and there are so many food choices around here (even more if you have some scratch on hand)

The atmosphere is definitely supportive. I now just read a story about the pregnant 2nd year whose husband had cancer - kudos to everyone: http://www.hsc.unt.edu/news/newsrelease.cfm?ID=1449

If you're not doing well, you'll probably get a phone call. Of course, if you want to quit, they won't beg.

The area around the school is very safe - not to mention the sparse traffic. (But then, Fort Worth is just about the only major city in the U.S. where you can ride a horse to a fast-food restaurant while sipping a beer - all legal.)

 

[mattrmcg]

The area around the school is very safe - not to mention the sparse traffic. (But then, Fort Worth is just about the only major city in the U.S. where you can ride a horse to a fast-food restaurant while sipping a beer - all legal.)

To test or not to test, that is the question...

 

[makeyrmark]

.

 

[Starry]

Quick question - I submitted my primary on June 25th, I am waiting for my mcat retake score from July 12. I know it's best to submit the secondary ASAP, but what is considered "early?" I hope to have the secondary submitted by Aug. 12 when my new score comes in. Is this still early?

It's probably not early but it certainly isn't late. Just do your best to get everything in as soon as possible.

 

[rwmedic906]

any nurses in your class ? any insides on how tcom views nurses ? i just need to put in some effort into my test taking skills and ace this mcat...cant wait to hear from UNT.

Your experience will likely help you catch their attention, but it wont supplement any numbers. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn when I started this process was, there are no work arounds. Prior to matriculating, I had been a paramedic for many moons and i thought that would make up for deficiencies, however, they want to see the numbers before they will acknowledge the experience. Work on the MCAT and I'm sure you'll be in like flyn. As an aside, I actually think my clinical experience has been an impediment during these academic years because I approach some of their test questions from a different perspective. 3rd and 4th year though will be your time to shine!

 

[RN2MD2014applicant]

Your experience will likely help you catch their attention, but it wont supplement any numbers. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn when I started this process was, there are no work arounds. Prior to matriculating, I had been a paramedic for many moons and i thought that would make up for deficiencies, however, they want to see the numbers before they will acknowledge the experience. Work on the MCAT and I'm sure you'll be in like flyn. As an aside, I actually think my clinical experience has been an impediment during these academic years because I approach some of their test questions from a different perspective. 3rd and 4th year though will be your time to shine!

I know bro, 3rd and 4th years are going to be a piece of cake, just waiting to get in. Once i get in, am sure i wont have an issue. Like you said, our approach to questions will be different due to our background. I have some top notch LOR's from docs who wrote book on sepsis for medical school and are trauma specialist here in Houston. If i do well on this mcat, am sure UT Houston will call for sure, i work with all the attendings and residents from UT. But for some reason am gravitated towards UNT. Trying to work hard towards this MCAT, any tips ? I know, working on a lot of problems is the key. Am working on questions using Princeton and Berkeley ...mostly Princeton though...examcracker 1001 once in a while...hope to hit that 30...verbals have really improved, last two examcracker 101, made 12 and 10. Hope it keeps going like this and translates to my actual mcat. Praying and hoping for the best !!
Any tips or advice will be appreciated.

 

[premed1590]

I know bro, 3rd and 4th years are going to be a piece of cake, just waiting to get in. Once i get in, am sure i wont have an issue. Like you said, our approach to questions will be different due to our background. I have some top notch LOR's from docs who wrote book on sepsis for medical school and are trauma specialist here in Houston. If i do well on this mcat, am sure UT Houston will call for sure, i work with all the attendings and residents from UT. But for some reason am gravitated towards UNT. Trying to work hard towards this MCAT, any tips ? I know, working on a lot of problems is the key. Am working on questions using Princeton and Berkeley ...mostly Princeton though...examcracker 1001 once in a while...hope to hit that 30...verbals have really improved, last two examcracker 101, made 12 and 10. Hope it keeps going like this and translates to my actual mcat. Praying and hoping for the best !!
Any tips or advice will be appreciated.

Just retook mine. Definitely recommend the some variation of the SN2ed program. I basically crammed the whole thing into a month. I LOVE BR FOR PHYS AND CHEM! I flew through the PS section because of all the practice and knowledge from BR. Also the BR CBTs 1-3 were pretty helpful for conceptual understanding (the actual mcat had a lot more calculations on PS). EK 101 and TPRH verbal are the best. Practice reading for tone, main idea, etc. My mcat was based largely on interpretation rather than finding support in the passage. Verbals always been a crap shoot for me though. I used TPR for molecular/cell bio and genetics and EK for physiology. Berkley bio is too detailed. Its actually ridiculous. EK is not detailed enough. TPR seemed to be the perfect match. I used EK for physiology because I have a strong bkgd in it, otherwise would have used TPR.

GOODLUCK!! You got this.

 

[mattrmcg]

But for some reason am gravitated towards UNT.

Good choice

But for some reason am gravitated towards UNT. Trying to work hard towards this MCAT, any tips ? I know, working on a lot of problems is the key. Am working on questions using Princeton and Berkeley ...mostly Princeton though...examcracker 1001 once in a while...hope to hit that 30...verbals have really improved, last two examcracker 101, made 12 and 10. Hope it keeps going like this and translates to my actual mcat. Praying and hoping for the best !!
Any tips or advice will be appreciated.

What helped me out a great deal was doing the long-form AAMC exams from long ago (can find them for cheap in publication, I believe)
What makes them excellent is that they take forever to do, and if you set aside an entire day to run through them all like an old MCAT, then you build up a great deal of stamina to take on the current MCAT.
In addition, just do a ton of the problems for VR (that one requires reading and understanding the meaning and author intentions, so go for broke and do the essay questions for a faster boost than reading stuff from Esquire or the WSJ), and understand the meaning behind the equations for both physics and chemistry. For biosci, should be pretty easy if you have a strong science background. One mistake I always made for my first two tests was retreading over stuff I already knew, while postponing the stuff I didn't understand. Just bite the bullet and try and understand that stuff to the point where you can teach someone else it, and you will do fine!

 

[pellegr1]

Seems like not too many II's have gone out... at least I hope. Want this interview soooo bad.

 

[summer14]

Seems like not too many II's have gone out... at least I hope. Want this interview soooo bad.

Hang in there!

 

[RN2MD2014applicant]

Good choice

What helped me out a great deal was doing the long-form AAMC exams from long ago (can find them for cheap in publication, I believe)
What makes them excellent is that they take forever to do, and if you set aside an entire day to run through them all like an old MCAT, then you build up a great deal of stamina to take on the current MCAT.
In addition, just do a ton of the problems for VR (that one requires reading and understanding the meaning and author intentions, so go for broke and do the essay questions for a faster boost than reading stuff from Esquire or the WSJ), and understand the meaning behind the equations for both physics and chemistry. For biosci, should be pretty easy if you have a strong science background. One mistake I always made for my first two tests was retreading over stuff I already knew, while postponing the stuff I didn't understand. Just bite the bullet and try and understand that stuff to the point where you can teach someone else it, and you will do fine!

Thanks, appreciate your input.

 

[RN2MD2014applicant]

Just retook mine. Definitely recommend the some variation of the SN2ed program. I basically crammed the whole thing into a month. I LOVE BR FOR PHYS AND CHEM! I flew through the PS section because of all the practice and knowledge from BR. Also the BR CBTs 1-3 were pretty helpful for conceptual understanding (the actual mcat had a lot more calculations on PS). EK 101 and TPRH verbal are the best. Practice reading for tone, main idea, etc. My mcat was based largely on interpretation rather than finding support in the passage. Verbals always been a crap shoot for me though. I used TPR for molecular/cell bio and genetics and EK for physiology. Berkley bio is too detailed. Its actually ridiculous. EK is not detailed enough. TPR seemed to be the perfect match. I used EK for physiology because I have a strong bkgd in it, otherwise would have used TPR.

GOODLUCK!! You got this.

Thanks appreciate your input...would you mind sharing your one month schedule you made tweaking the SN2ed program. I have a month to go, septemeber 4th is the day.

 

[RN2MD2014applicant]

Does anyone know, turning in MCAT scores around early October...would it be too late or would it be fine...am sure a lot of spots will be filled by then

 

[LChristmas]

I don't think "a lot" of spots will be filled by early October. No doubt that some will be, but there will still be plenty of seats up for grabs. Assuming your application is verified and otherwise complete when your score is released, it will not be too late for you to get a fair shot.

 

[premed1590]

Thanks appreciate your input...would you mind sharing your one month schedule you made tweaking the SN2ed program. I have a month to go, septemeber 4th is the day.

Books/Materials to use:
TPR Bio chapters 2-6 (molec. bio/genetics)
EK Bio chapters 4-8 (physiology)
TBR Organic Chemistry
TBR Physics
TBR Gen. Chem
EK101 VR
TPR Hyper-learning VR
AAMC CBT 9-11
TBR CBT 1-3

- I did 2-3 passages of VR everyday except for the last week.
- Make sure you spend time going over every practice question you do and really understand it. It is really helpful to go over the practice questions the next day, rather than the same day.
- 1/3 refers to every 3rd passage and free standing question (just like in the sn2ed program)
- I did not have time to do "hat-trick". I think it is a brilliant Idea though. If you do some searching on sdn you can find an excel sheet for it.
- I substituted EK101 or TPRH VR for the TBR CBT VR. The TBR VR is weird IMO.
- I retook 2 AAMC CBTs just to get comfortable with the timing. Take scores with a grain of salt.

This is a general summary of what I did:

Week 1:
M - Ch. 2 TPR bio and corresponding passage/free-standing ?s; Ch. 1 Orgo and 1/3
T - Ch. 1 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 1 gen. chem + 1/3
W - Ch. 3 TPR bio and corresponding passage/free-standing ?s; Ch. 2 Orgo and 1/3
Th - Ch. 2 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 2 gen. chem + 1/3
F - Ch. 4 TPR bio and corresponding passage/free-standing ?s; Ch. 3 Orgo and 1/3
S - Ch. 3 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 3 gen. chem + 1/3
Su - Catch-up day

Week 2:
M - Ch. 5 TPR bio and corresponding passage/free-standing ?s; Ch. 4 Orgo and 1/3
T - Ch. 4 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 4 gen. chem + 1/3
W - Ch. 6 TPR bio and corresponding passage/free-standing ?s; Ch. 5 Orgo and 1/3
Th - Ch. 5 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 5 gen. chem + 1/3
F - Ch. 4 EK bio (starting with the nervous system - skip over the eukaryotic cell stuff) and corresponding 30 minute exam; Ch. 6 Orgo and 1/3
S - Ch. 6 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 6 gen. chem + 1/3
Su - Catch-up day

Week 3:
M - Ch. 5 EK bio and corresponding 30 minute exam; Ch. 7 Orgo and 1/3
T - Ch. 7 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 7 gen. chem + 1/3
W - Ch. 6 EK bio and corresponding 30 minute exam; Ch. 8 Orgo and 1/3
Th - Ch. 8 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 8 gen. chem + 1/3
F - Ch. 7 EK bio and corresponding 30 minute exam
S - Ch. 9 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 9 gen. chem + 1/3
Su - Catch up day

Week 4:
M - Ch. 8 EK bio and corresponding 30 minute exam; TBR CBT 1 (substitute EK101 VR or TPRH VR)
T - Ch. 10 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 10 gen. chem + 1/3; go over TBR CBT 1
W - TBR CBT 2 (substitute EK101 VR or TPRH VR)
Th - Go over TBR CBT 2; Take any AAMC CBT (9-11)
F - Go over AAMC CBT; Take TBR CBT 3
S - Go over TBR CBT 3; Take any AAMC CBT (9-11)
Su - Go over AAMC CBT

 

[RN2MD2014applicant]

Books/Materials to use:
TPR Bio chapters 2-6 (molec. bio/genetics)
EK Bio chapters 4-8 (physiology)
TBR Organic Chemistry
TBR Physics
TBR Gen. Chem
EK101 VR
TPR Hyper-learning VR
AAMC CBT 9-11
TBR CBT 1-3

- I did 2-3 passages of VR everyday except for the last week.
- Make sure you spend time going over every practice question you do and really understand it. It is really helpful to go over the practice questions the next day, rather than the same day.
- 1/3 refers to every 3rd passage and free standing question (just like in the sn2ed program)
- I did not have time to do "hat-trick". I think it is a brilliant Idea though. If you do some searching on sdn you can find an excel sheet for it.
- I substituted EK101 or TPRH VR for the TBR CBT VR. The TBR VR is weird IMO.
- I retook 2 AAMC CBTs just to get comfortable with the timing. Take scores with a grain of salt.

This is a general summary of what I did:

Week 1:
M - Ch. 2 TPR bio and corresponding passage/free-standing ?s; Ch. 1 Orgo and 1/3
T - Ch. 1 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 1 gen. chem + 1/3
W - Ch. 3 TPR bio and corresponding passage/free-standing ?s; Ch. 2 Orgo and 1/3
Th - Ch. 2 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 2 gen. chem + 1/3
F - Ch. 4 TPR bio and corresponding passage/free-standing ?s; Ch. 3 Orgo and 1/3
S - Ch. 3 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 3 gen. chem + 1/3
Su - Catch-up day

Week 2:
M - Ch. 5 TPR bio and corresponding passage/free-standing ?s; Ch. 4 Orgo and 1/3
T - Ch. 4 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 4 gen. chem + 1/3
W - Ch. 6 TPR bio and corresponding passage/free-standing ?s; Ch. 5 Orgo and 1/3
Th - Ch. 5 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 5 gen. chem + 1/3
F - Ch. 4 EK bio (starting with the nervous system - skip over the eukaryotic cell stuff) and corresponding 30 minute exam; Ch. 6 Orgo and 1/3
S - Ch. 6 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 6 gen. chem + 1/3
Su - Catch-up day

Week 3:
M - Ch. 5 EK bio and corresponding 30 minute exam; Ch. 7 Orgo and 1/3
T - Ch. 7 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 7 gen. chem + 1/3
W - Ch. 6 EK bio and corresponding 30 minute exam; Ch. 8 Orgo and 1/3
Th - Ch. 8 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 8 gen. chem + 1/3
F - Ch. 7 EK bio and corresponding 30 minute exam
S - Ch. 9 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 9 gen. chem + 1/3
Su - Catch up day

Week 4:
M - Ch. 8 EK bio and corresponding 30 minute exam; TBR CBT 1 (substitute EK101 VR or TPRH VR)
T - Ch. 10 Phys + 1/3; Ch. 10 gen. chem + 1/3; go over TBR CBT 1
W - TBR CBT 2 (substitute EK101 VR or TPRH VR)
Th - Go over TBR CBT 2; Take any AAMC CBT (9-11)
F - Go over AAMC CBT; Take TBR CBT 3
S - Go over TBR CBT 3; Take any AAMC CBT (9-11)
Su - Go over AAMC CBT

thanks for taking time to post this, much appreciated.
you got your results back or did you just take the test ?
good luck, hope it works out for you. am a little concerned with my mcat being a little late...hope my strong application would hold me in good standing with the schools, my results will be out by oct 7th...cutting it too close to the deadline....but my application has already been processed and sent out to schools. Secondaries filled out, only UNT though, dont feel like filling out texas tech secondaries. Dont know, i might after the mcat.

 

[rwmedic906]

thanks for taking time to post this, much appreciated.
you got your results back or did you just take the test ?
good luck, hope it works out for you. am a little concerned with my mcat being a little late...hope my strong application would hold me in good standing with the schools, my results will be out by oct 7th...cutting it too close to the deadline....but my application has already been processed and sent out to schools. Secondaries filled out, only UNT though, dont feel like filling out texas tech secondaries. Dont know, i might after the mcat.

My advice, once you understand all of the concepts the information is testing, do as many problems as you can. This gives you the opportunity to see all of the different iterations through which they will test the concepts as well as helps develop mental stamina. Do as many as you can and use the practice tests. Ive heard a lot of people say that doing TONS of practice questions for the USLME/COMLEX is what correlates best to a good step 1 score and in my opinion its the same with the MCAT. Good Luck!

 

[SaintedHover]

Any opinions on my chances?

My stats:

cGPA: 3.97
BCPM GPA: 4.0
MCAT: Pending, just took the exam July 24. I had an average of 26 for my practice exams.
EC's: Plenty of community service hours. Ranging from being a peer mentor, and doing other things with my church, and other programs that focused on helping the community. Even volunteered in an ER for about 150 hours.
I have 150+ hours of shadowing.
A year of research of experience and possibly a poster presentation by the end of the year.
Employment: Customer service assistant at a grocery store. Was a TA and tutor as well.
Ethnicity/socioeconomics: Hispanic/white. I believe I am considered a 'disadvantaged' as I do come from a family with low-income.

My main concerns are possibly a low mcat score, I am applying late, and I have not shadowed a DO (but will in the near future).

 

[summer14]

Any opinions on my chances?

My stats:

cGPA: 3.97
BCPM GPA: 4.0
MCAT: Pending, just took the exam July 24. I had an average of 26 for my practice exams.
EC's: Plenty of community service hours. Ranging from being a peer mentor, and doing other things with my church, and other programs that focused on helping the community. Even volunteered in an ER for about 150 hours.
I have 150+ hours of shadowing.
A year of research of experience and possibly a poster presentation by the end of the year.
Employment: Customer service assistant at a grocery store. Was a TA and tutor as well.
Ethnicity/socioeconomics: Hispanic/white. I believe I am considered a 'disadvantaged' as I do come from a family with low-income.

My main concerns are possibly a low mcat score, I am applying late, and I have not shadowed a DO (but will in the near future).

Are you a TX resident? But also, your GPA is excellent. I think depending on your MCAT score you have a great shot.

 

[RN2MD2014applicant]

My advice, once you understand all of the concepts the information is testing, do as many problems as you can. This gives you the opportunity to see all of the different iterations through which they will test the concepts as well as helps develop mental stamina. Do as many as you can and use the practice tests. Ive heard a lot of people say that doing TONS of practice questions for the USLME/COMLEX is what correlates best to a good step 1 score and in my opinion its the same with the MCAT. Good Luck!

thats what i have been told by multiple docs i work with, am working problems daily, and can literally see the difference in the way am answering the questions. Wish i had started working on problems earlier...but feel a lot better about mcat this time around...hopefully ace it and start getting interviews by october.

 

[SaintedHover]

Are you a TX resident? But also, your GPA is excellent. I think depending on your MCAT score you have a great shot.

Yes I am a Texas resident. Born and raised in San Antonio, Tx. What MCAT Score do you think would be good for me to still have a shot?

 

[LChristmas]

Yes I am a Texas resident. Born in raised in San Antonio, Tx. What MCAT Score do you think would be good for me to still have a shot?

I think the average is 28? Someone can correct me if I'm wrong though.

 

[summer14]

The average is 28 but I think that with your stats and residency something above 26 would give you a good shot. @SaintedHover

 

[LChristmas]

A big gap in MCAT and GPA will make them wonder what happened, so be prepared to answer that question if it comes up.

 

[SaintedHover]

A big gap in MCAT and GPA will make them wonder what happened, so be prepared to answer that question if it comes up.

I feel it is more of not having the resources to prepare. I don't know my MCAT score yet since I took it July 24. I feel okay about it, but I am prepared for the worst. I plan on retaking it if needed. I am also cutting back on work so I can dedicate more time to studying. I feel if I can just get the timing down, I can get a 32+ easily.

 

[txmed93]

Is anyone going to the Recruitment Weekend tomorrow? None of my friends are going with me.

 

[costales]

A big gap in MCAT and GPA will make them wonder what happened, so be prepared to answer that question if it comes up.

That question is never asked by an interviewer, since it's closed file.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Congrats on interviews everyone! Make sure to post your stats in the "Official Interview Invite Thread 2014-2015 Cycle" in the Pre-Medical Osteopathic forum so we can keep track of the schools giving out invites!

 

[LChristmas]

That question is never asked by an interviewer, since it's closed file.

This is true. I guess they would just be left to come up with their own theories.

 

[pellegr1]

This is true. I guess they would just be left to come up with their own theories.

Did u interview already? Any comments about the interview? I'm especially wondering if they ask certain questions about why UNT for OOS applicants.

 

[LChristmas]

Did u interview already? Any comments about the interview? I'm especially wondering if they ask certain questions about why UNT for OOS applicants.

I have not interviewed. Although, I'm sure that every school will ask, "Why [insert school here]?" I don't think it should be that difficult to articulate why you want to go to TCOM. Do you have an interview date?

 

[SaintedHover]

This might be a dumb question, but can you submit your secondary app without knowing your MCAT score?