2010-2011 Texas Tech (Lubbock) Application Thread

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To any current Tech medical students:
Where does most of the class live? I am an undergrad at Tech, and know that there is absolutely no way I could live at the Cottages, University Trails, etc. as a medical student. Just wondering what places are better suited for medical students, rather than undergrads. I don't need an obnoxiously loud game of beer pong outside my window at 5AM before a test *cough* Cottages *cough*
 
Interviewed here 11/19 and received a prematch offer on 12/1 (yesterday)

Good thing I get Christmas break to figure out how the heck I'm going to rank Texas schools cause I'm at a loss. Everytime I go to a new school the decision only gets even more difficult!
 
Interviewed Nov. 19th, received pre-match yesterday Dec. 1st. Tech is a great school with facilities second to none! Can't wait to get in that simulation lab!
 
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To any current Tech medical students:
Where does most of the class live? I am an undergrad at Tech, and know that there is absolutely no way I could live at the Cottages, University Trails, etc. as a medical student. Just wondering what places are better suited for medical students, rather than undergrads. I don't need an obnoxiously loud game of beer pong outside my window at 5AM before a test *cough* Cottages *cough*

Hey RedRaider, I'm an undergrad at TTU too and some of my friends at the med school have either bought or are renting houses in Lubbock (NOT in Tech Terrace) but over by Indiana & 50th, or out West in the newer part of Lubbock, like Milwaukee & 82nd. Their rents range from $350-$500 a month.

If I decide to stay here, that's probably what I will do. If you're thinking apartments, The Edge (on 4th and Indiana) supposedly caters to grad students, and Savoy Condominiums (3rd and Detroit) is pretty much all grad students/young professionals. There are a lot of apartments on West 50th street as well that have an older population.

PS. I think we had a class together. Honors Ecology with McGinely. The picture looks familiar. 🙂
 
got an interview invite here for either december 10th or 17th last night ~6ish! anyone else hear anything yesterday??
 
got an interview invite here for either december 10th or 17th last night ~6ish! anyone else hear anything yesterday??

I got an invite this morning and picked December 10th. Anyone else joining me on that day?
 
To any current Tech medical students:
Where does most of the class live? I am an undergrad at Tech, and know that there is absolutely no way I could live at the Cottages, University Trails, etc. as a medical student. Just wondering what places are better suited for medical students, rather than undergrads. I don't need an obnoxiously loud game of beer pong outside my window at 5AM before a test *cough* Cottages *cough*

Lots of people live at Ashton Pointe, Quail Creek, Los Colinas. They all are relatively inexpensive and quiet. One of my classmates can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Los Colinas & Quail Creek have the same owners and they give a $100/mo discount to Law & Med students so there's a higher proportion of grad students and families there compared to undergrads. I believe they are around $600ish for 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartments. That is super-amazingly-cheap.

Hey RedRaider, I'm an undergrad at TTU too and some of my friends at the med school have either bought or are renting houses in Lubbock (NOT in Tech Terrace) but over by Indiana & 50th, or out West in the newer part of Lubbock, like Milwaukee & 82nd. Their rents range from $350-$500 a month.

We bought a house just South of Milwaukee & 82nd. Best. Decision. Ever.
Of course, I'm married & my husband has an income and we got an $8000 tax refund for buying it, so I'm probably biased. 😀 BUT it's 3 bedroom, 2 bath, open floor plan and only 4 years old and our mortgage is $850/mo so do with that what you will.

I definitely recommend this area if you're looking to buy or rent. I know there was a house similar to ours up the street being rented out for $1200/mo - so with a roommate that's $600 each for a really nice house with a yard and extra room as an office or whatever. Plus you both have your own bathroom. Pretty good deal if you ask me.
 
Lots of people live at Ashton Pointe, Quail Creek, Los Colinas. They all are relatively inexpensive and quiet. One of my classmates can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Los Colinas & Quail Creek have the same owners and they give a $100/mo discount to Law & Med students so there's a higher proportion of grad students and families there compared to undergrads. I believe they are around $600ish for 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartments. That is super-amazingly-cheap.



We bought a house just South of Milwaukee & 82nd. Best. Decision. Ever.
Of course, I'm married & my husband has an income and we got an $8000 tax refund for buying it, so I'm probably biased. 😀 BUT it's 3 bedroom, 2 bath, open floor plan and only 4 years old and our mortgage is $850/mo so do with that what you will.

I definitely recommend this area if you're looking to buy or rent. I know there was a house similar to ours up the street being rented out for $1200/mo - so with a roommate that's $600 each for a really nice house with a yard and extra room as an office or whatever. Plus you both have your own bathroom. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

I'm definitely leaning towards the house option somewhere. Apartments are nice, but a house is so much better for only a little more per month imho. Plus you don't have to be so close to potentially noisy neighbors as someone earlier mentioned the obnoxiously loud beer pong game, lol.
 
MS1:

Anatomy
8:00-8:50 lecture
9:00-9:30 prelab
9:30-noon(ish) Lab
various lunch club meetings at noon
The rest of the day is yours to study, nap, shadow, etc.

One day a month you will have clinic from 1:00-5:00
also one or two days a month you will have ECE lecture or small group

The rest of first year:
9:00-12:00 lecture.
The rest of the day is yours 😀 (with lunch meetings and the occasional ECE/clinic mentioned above)

MS2:
10:00-12:00 class
1:00-3:00 class
or
nothing in the morning and
1:00-4:00 or 5:00 class

again 1 day a month clinic in the morning and 1 day a month lecture or smallgroup.
👍 we really do only go to class for half of a day. (on the majority of days)

Since they increased class sizes they can't have the entire class in the anatomy lab at once. Everyone goes to the same lecture and prelab (8:00 AM to 9:30 AM). However half the class goes to lab from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and half the class goes to lab from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Each day you alternate between either morning or afternoon lab.

In the second block we've had a lot of professors with 8 AM lectures but you'll also see quite a few 9 AM starts. I'm not sure why it's so variable.
 
One more question - what would current students say are some of the bad things about Tech? I can't really think of anything from an outside view.
So far my big four:

1. The food at the UMC cafeteria is terrible.
2. There's an insufficient amount of study areas on campus.
3. Many of the friends you make in your first and second years are likely going to be going to a different city than you for your third and fourth years.
4. No video lectures.
 
So far my big four:

1. The food at the UMC cafeteria is terrible.
2. There's an insufficient amount of study areas on campus.
3. Many of the friends you make in your first and second years are likely going to be going to a different city than you for your third and fourth years.
4. No video lectures.

Just as an additional perspective:

I hear most people say they like that food. I think they have really good food, especially being a hospital cafeteria. The taco soup is awesome. Pizza is good, for pizza - I'm not a big pizza person. You can make a killer salad at the salad bar. I've had really good mexican food there and the breakfast burritos are gigantic. I dunno. I like it....

2. I hear a lot of people say this. If I'm studying on campus I never have trouble finding a place in the actual ACB or HSC building. I don't study in the library though and I know most people prefer the individual study rooms which, I agree, there could definitely be more of those. They really should just get rid of whatever is in the bottom floor of the library right now and make it into a bunch of little study rooms. I hear people say all the time that it's too hard to get a private room, especially around finals time....

Totally agree with 3.

4. Yeah I guess, but it doesn't bother me. We had a few video recorded at the beginning of this semester as a trial-thing and I preferred the audio. I guess some people like to look at the person speaking, but since they go along with the powerpoints it's never bothered me. The audio loads much faster than video, too. (Note: I never go to class, only study from these....so my opinion may not be the best to take on this....or it may be the very best....depends on your learning style I guess).
 
Congratulation to all of you, who landed an acceptance or interview. I need advice on my application to texas tech and other texas medical schools.
My application details and stats are as following:

application submitted 10th august , transmitted 10/1
TMDSAS cgpa 3.56 and sgpa 3.56 but gpa on my transcript is 3.6, mcat 32
85 hrs of shadowing, physics club, health club and some other ec. Lot of teaching experience at the undergrad university.
I have not recieved a single interview from any of texas medical schools including texas tech.

How do I find what went wrong. What fatal flaw could be present in my application. I am graduating next semester from ut with physics major. What is the procedure to update? Is texas tech open to updates?
 
Congratulation to all of you, who landed an acceptance or interview. I need advice on my application to texas tech and other texas medical schools.
My application details and stats are as following:

application submitted 10th august , transmitted 10/1
TMDSAS cgpa 3.56 and sgpa 3.56 but gpa on my transcript is 3.6, mcat 32
85 hrs of shadowing, physics club, health club and some other ec. Lot of teaching experience at the undergrad university.
I have not recieved a single interview from any of texas medical schools including texas tech.

How do I find what went wrong. What fatal flaw could be present in my application. I am graduating next semester from ut with physics major. What is the procedure to update? Is texas tech open to updates?

You submitted too late. You need to apply VERY early, especially with a below average GPA. I reapplied after only getting 1 interview the first year (application in mid-August) and got way more interviews + an acceptance.

Also, A&M does a file review if you're not accepted. You can call up there after all acceptances are out and talk to them - they will tell you exactly why they chose not to interview and/or accept you. It's EXTREMELY helpful for improving your application.
 
Also, A&M does a file review if you're not accepted. You can call up there after all acceptances are out and talk to them - they will tell you exactly why they chose not to interview and/or accept you. It's EXTREMELY helpful for improving your application.
This can be done over the phone? I graduated, don't feel like driving in just for 5 minutes of talking with someone. But it would be mighty helpful.

Did you do anything to improve your app? My weakest point by far is my GPA, so I'm not sure what to do about that if I don't get in this cycle.
 
You submitted too late. You need to apply VERY early, especially with a below average GPA. I reapplied after only getting 1 interview the first year (application in mid-August) and got way more interviews + an acceptance.

Also, A&M does a file review if you're not accepted. You can call up there after all acceptances are out and talk to them - they will tell you exactly why they chose not to interview and/or accept you. It's EXTREMELY helpful for improving your application.

same dilemma. i applied REALLY REALLY late, didn't get my application transmitted until mid october. I did get an interview from TCOM :xf: 3.88 gpa, 29 mcat, scribing, president of an organization, some volunteer hours, and just starting to do some research. I'm working on volunteering more but should I retake the mcat? it seems to be the major academic disadvantage i have...

Can i email A&M for application improvements?
 
This can be done over the phone? I graduated, don't feel like driving in just for 5 minutes of talking with someone. But it would be mighty helpful.

Did you do anything to improve your app? My weakest point by far is my GPA, so I'm not sure what to do about that if I don't get in this cycle.

I hope we can get the file check done over the phone.

It seems as if you and I are in the same place, bigtruck. Here's to good news in the match for us!!

Sometimes I worry so much about what I'll do if I don't get in, blah, blah, blah, that I forget that this process is a struggle to the finish. The end result will be that much sweeter. And that gives me a boost of confidence like no other. 🙂

C'mon Tech! I wanna be in the Class of 2015! 😀
 
Tech also will go over your application and talk to you about it. I Know for sure there will be a day in Februrary or march where they actually have a "reapplicant review" day where people who didn't get accepted can come to campus and they have presentations and advice and encouragement etc. I think they will talk to you on the phone too.

I also know that Filo at A&M will talk to you over the phone (or at least he used to).

Houston will too... so i'm guessing almost every school will give you advice and talk to you about why you didn't get accepted etc.

But again, chin up... the interview season is winding down but the acceptance season has just started.
 
Tech also will go over your application and talk to you about it. I Know for sure there will be a day in Februrary or march where they actually have a "reapplicant review" day where people who didn't get accepted can come to campus and they have presentations and advice and encouragement etc. I think they will talk to you on the phone too.

I also know that Filo at A&M will talk to you over the phone (or at least he used to).

Houston will too... so i'm guessing almost every school will give you advice and talk to you about why you didn't get accepted etc.

But again, chin up... the interview season is winding down but the acceptance season has just started.


I attended the re-applicant seminar at Tech last year. It was a huge help.
 
This can be done over the phone? I graduated, don't feel like driving in just for 5 minutes of talking with someone. But it would be mighty helpful.

Did you do anything to improve your app? My weakest point by far is my GPA, so I'm not sure what to do about that if I don't get in this cycle.

I know (like AgShan said) that when we applied Filo would talk to you over the phone. I'm not sure about now and I'm not sure about other schools. I think someone here at Tech would surely do that, they are very helpful in the admissions office.

And yes I improved my app before reapplying, it would be pointless to reapply with the same application. I knew I was lacking a bit in clinic experience so I got a job working for a doctor. I knew my MCAT was a little low so I retook it. I knew I applied late so my app was ready to submit basically before the applications were even released.

And as for a low GPA, look into the TCOM 1-year master's program. It's students are notorious for having a very high acceptance rate to med school.
 
anyone know when the last date they send out pre match offers is?
 
to any current med students:

Are there in class quizzes?

numerous online quizzes?

Attendance grades besides the clinical stuff?

Annoying time waster classes ?
 
to any current med students:

Are there in class quizzes?

numerous online quizzes?

Attendance grades besides the clinical stuff?

Annoying time waster classes ?
There are no in class or online quizzes. You aren't required to show up to lecture.

For each unit there is a single quiz 2-3 days before the exam. It can provide up to 2 bonus points on that exam.

Gross Anatomy's lab component has random attendance checks. If you're not there, you'll get docked points off your grade. Early Clinical Experience also has mandatory attendance. If you don't show up to an assigned clinical encounter, you'll get docked a letter grade.

Early Clinical Experience IMO is a time waster, but it's not onerous.
 
I need advice on secondary essays. Do you rewrite them as a reapplicant, or old one can stay. Ofcourse, I am going to rewrite my primary essay. I will greatly appreciate if anyone can throw light on this question.
 
There are no in class or online quizzes. You aren't required to show up to lecture.

For each unit there is a single quiz 2-3 days before the exam. It can provide up to 2 bonus points on that exam.

Gross Anatomy's lab component has random attendance checks. If you're not there, you'll get docked points off your grade. Early Clinical Experience also has mandatory attendance. If you don't show up to an assigned clinical encounter, you'll get docked a letter grade.

Early Clinical Experience IMO is a time waster, but it's not onerous.

Maybe the lectures and stuff are (but they are required for Texas curriculum, so all schools have something similar....plus you don't have to show up for them), but I don't think learning to take a history or do a physical exam is a waste of time at all. I think I'll appreciate not looking like a fool when trying to play doctor 3rd year. Plus, as much as I hate the Biostats part of ECE, it is on Step 1 so that's definitely not wasting your time.

There are no quizzes after BCT and no required attendance, other than clinic days/small groups which are about 2 half days per month, after Anatomy lab.

I need advice on secondary essays. Do you rewrite them as a reapplicant, or old one can stay. Ofcourse, I am going to rewrite my primary essay. I will greatly appreciate if anyone can throw light on this question.

As a reapplicant I was told you should rewrite everything (I know, it sucks....just do it) and it served me well, so that's what I'll recommend.
 
I need advice on secondary essays. Do you rewrite them as a reapplicant, or old one can stay. Ofcourse, I am going to rewrite my primary essay. I will greatly appreciate if anyone can throw light on this question.

I also rewrote all my essays as a reapplicant and wrote all of them this time and it has served me much better this year.
 
Maybe the lectures and stuff are (but they are required for Texas curriculum, so all schools have something similar....plus you don't have to show up for them), but I don't think learning to take a history or do a physical exam is a waste of time at all. I think I'll appreciate not looking like a fool when trying to play doctor 3rd year. Plus, as much as I hate the Biostats part of ECE, it is on Step 1 so that's definitely not wasting your time.
Yeah, clinical skills are one thing. But you don't spend most of your ECE time doing that.

Small group discussions? Ugh. I can't think of a single positive thing gleamed from them.

Then there is all the time you have to spend studying for the useless ECE written exams instead of doing more work for head and neck in gross or histology in BCT. Reading Bates makes me want to do bad things to kittens.

I disagree that we're getting anything out of three absolutely horrid biostats lectures spread out over an entire semester for a test that we're not taking for another ~1.5 years. I fully expect to learn biostats from ground zero by the time that time rolls around... is the administration kidding themselves?
 
I disagree that we're getting anything out of three absolutely horrid biostats lectures spread out over an entire semester for a test that we're not taking for another ~1.5 years. I fully expect to learn biostats from ground zero by the time that time rolls around... is the administration kidding themselves?

I did get something out of biostats in ECE (hated it at the time though) last summer between MSI/MSII I did research and needed to run statistics on my project- using the books and my notes I knew what to do and then had the physician I was working with who has a math degree recommend some more advanced stats which she also ran using an online stat program but as for the basics I was glad I had seen it before so I didn't look like an idiot. Sometimes just getting exposure is good for future experience.

I haven't attended an ECE lecture since the very first one of MSI but do fine in it.

Other things that involve outside time: the last block of MSI has a few small group case study questions (I believe it was 3-4 sessions) and a few micro labs (4 1-2 hours labs) that were for extra credit. And then we have had some small group sessions again this semester (4 total so not a big deal).
 
Interview for 1/7. Complete 9/9. Secondaries not complete till 9/20. Don't loose hope Texas applicants!!
 
Interview for 1/7. Complete 9/9. Secondaries not complete till 9/20. Don't loose hope Texas applicants!!


Is that the last interview date for texas tech? I tht the last date was december 16th. I guess they are giving out more interview invites....hope i am one of them:xf:
 
Accepted yesterday (12/16)!
Interviewed 12/10
 
I've let go of my acceptance here today (came with $10k scholarship). Congrats to whoever gets them.
 
Yeah, clinical skills are one thing. But you don't spend most of your ECE time doing that.

Small group discussions? Ugh. I can't think of a single positive thing gleamed from them.

Then there is all the time you have to spend studying for the useless ECE written exams instead of doing more work for head and neck in gross or histology in BCT. Reading Bates makes me want to do bad things to kittens.

I disagree that we're getting anything out of three absolutely horrid biostats lectures spread out over an entire semester for a test that we're not taking for another ~1.5 years. I fully expect to learn biostats from ground zero by the time that time rolls around... is the administration kidding themselves?

😡 This is not representative of our school. 😡

People who aren't mature enough to understand why we have those small groups are exactly why they are there. Bates is a highly used book (even my friend at Southwestern uses it) which teaches you techniques on how to be a better doctor.

The small groups discuss things that make us better DOCTORS and better people in general. Making us aware of ethical challenges, giving us tips on how to deal with reporting medical errors, physcian suicide rates, how not to judge patients, how patients won't necessarily tell you that they don't understand you, etc. etc.

ijn let me guess, people skills aren't your strong point huh? I'm pretty sure i know you too. There is more to being a doctor than just being smart. If you can't communicate your instructions or the diagnosis, etc with the patient on THEIR level (whatever that may be) then you are of NO good to them.

Then again, maybe you are right. ECE can't TEACH someone like you to care, so maybe it is a waste of time.
🙁 I apologize for my rant, but this hit a really sensitive spot for me.

On a happier note... CONGRATULATIONS PiBond! I was a DA for your interview day!
 
Hilarious. No, Bates is reviled and most think ECE is a waste of time. I don't know why you are so fixated with one of the weakest areas of Tech's curriculum. Administration brown nosers like yourself are the ones who are not representative of the student body. What's the last critical thing you've said about the school? Carry on with the pep rally. 🙂
 
Oh snap!! AgShan and ijn are gonna duke it out over the SDN control of Tech Lubbock!! lol
 
FINALLY got an interview invitation from here for january 7!!! sweeet! I've been complete since July, but I had a new MCAT score come out on September 1.

Edit: I forgot to ask. Since I am interviewing in january, I know that I can't prematch here, but January 7 is dangerously close to the match ranking deadline, and I know a lot of times it takes like 2 weeks for the school to show up on the list. So how am I supposed to rank Tech for the match? Am I interviewing for a waitlist spot at this point?
 
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FINALLY got an interview invitation from here for january 7!!! sweeet! I've been complete since July, but I had a new MCAT score come out on September 1.

Edit: I forgot to ask. Since I am interviewing in january, I know that I can't prematch here, but January 7 is dangerously close to the match ranking deadline, and I know a lot of times it takes like 2 weeks for the school to show up on the list. So how am I supposed to rank Tech for the match? Am I interviewing for a waitlist spot at this point?


just got an interview invite too!!!!🙂
 
FINALLY got an interview invitation from here for january 7!!! sweeet! I've been complete since July, but I had a new MCAT score come out on September 1.

Edit: I forgot to ask. Since I am interviewing in january, I know that I can't prematch here, but January 7 is dangerously close to the match ranking deadline, and I know a lot of times it takes like 2 weeks for the school to show up on the list. So how am I supposed to rank Tech for the match? Am I interviewing for a waitlist spot at this point?

Congrats! (and to shraddham also)

No you're not interviewing for the waitlist. We added an interview day because there were more people admissions wanted to interview and our groups were too big as it was. You're interviewing to match OR waitlist.

It will be on your TMDSAS before the match and if it's not you need to contact them and make them add it.
 
Got an interview invite. Transmitted september 29, and this is the second interview I got. My spirits are raised, there is some hope for applicants like me who applied late.
 
well good luck to all in the match or should I say bad luck :xf: haha

Most of the student ambassadors said they got in during the match and said they believed most of their classmates did too. I only met a couple of people who got in during prematch during my interview there.
 
Crossing fingers -- they're still interviewing???
 
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