2011-2012 University of Texas Medical Branch Application Thread

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After interviewing at a few other schools...whose students would go on and on about the camaraderie/cooperative/non-competitive etc. environment at their respective schools, it was odd to hear none of this from students at UTMB.

Can any current students comment on this? UTMB is my top choice but this is one thing that stood out to me in comparing it with other schools. So I'd just like to hear what it's really like. Thanks!
 
Weird, that surprises me! I'm an MS2 at UTMB, and at least with the tours I gave to interviewees and during our interview day lunch panel, there was plenty of discussion about that quality of UTMB.

But for fun, I'll elaborate! 🙂

UTMB is the friendliest place I interviewed at. Now that I'm a student, I can definitely say I was right in that first assessment of UTMB. In my class, people weekly email out notes they've created to the entire class, share resources they've found online, tutoring materials they've gotten from their specific tutoring group, etc.

Even more than just between the medical school classes, all the schools (nursing, health professions, graduate and medicine) work together on service projects, community activities etc. While I'm not in my clinical years, during summer rotations I've done, I've shadowed both doctors and nurses and everyone was willing to answer my uneducated questions, show me things, let my try my hand at techniques and to teach me things I didn't think to even ask.

And while I'm sad you didn't get this vibe during your interview day, UTMB has extremely friendly and helpful students and faculty. If you miss lecture, someone will send you their personal notes, if you miss your ride (like I did), several people will offer you rides, etc. I genuinely love my classmates - they are some of the kindest, smartest (and funniest) people I've ever met!

Another thing is we're a really tight knit community - I can leave my textbooks and computer and backpack just sitting out in the library, and it will be there when I get back. Like, I accidentally left a $25 bookstore gift certificate in the bathroom (didn't have my name or anything on it) and it got turned in to the bookstore instead of being stolen. I've also left my cell phone various places and it always gets turned in (med school makes you forgetful!). It always amazes me how honest the students are here -- and how friendly too, because as soon as my friends realized I lost my phone, they started emailing me about where it was, that they'd called my husband so he could call it, etc. I don't know, I could go on and on about UTMB 🙂

I've had nothing but positive experiences here and if I could do it all over again, I would definitely pick UTMB again! 😍

Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about UTMB or life here as a med student - I'd be happy to help!

beckmancoulter said:
After interviewing at a few other schools...whose students would go on and on about the camaraderie/cooperative/non-competitive etc. environment at their respective schools, it was odd to hear none of this from students at UTMB.

Can any current students comment on this? UTMB is my top choice but this is one thing that stood out to me in comparing it with other schools. So I'd just like to hear what it's really like. Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
alienwares said:
Interviewed today, and it was pretty awesome. A few highlights:

The welcome presentation was very informative. I was a little uncertain about problem-based learning, but the school's average Step 1 scores are really high (>230). The "block scheduling" is also nice; taking two intensive classes at once instead of five each semester suits my learning style.

Interviews were similar to those at other schools: one by-the-book interviewer, one conversational guy. UTMB was the first school that I could tell explicitly tried to match me with two people with whom I had something in common, and I really appreciated that. One of my interviews ran almost an hour because we got along so well; hopefully a good sign? :xf:

If you are coming here, ask your student tour guide some questions if you can. The tour is handled entirely by students; I do not believe the admissions staff has any role in those. Ours talked to us for about two hours, and mentioned some very UTMB-specific policies that help keep the medical students well-treated... which I would never have thought to even asked about.

All in all, a very well-run program. The high Step 1 scores and a specific research track I'm interested in mean I would prefer this over any of the other Texas schools, even UTSW. Definite top choice and I don't think that will change.
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Very informative! Thanks! I'm interviewing there next week~!:luck:
 
DrHiner said:
Weird, that surprises me! I'm an MS2 at UTMB, and at least with the tours I gave to interviewees and during our interview day lunch panel, there was plenty of discussion about that quality of UTMB.

But for fun, I'll elaborate! 🙂

UTMB is the friendliest place I interviewed at. Now that I'm a student, I can definitely say I was right in that first assessment of UTMB. In my class, people weekly email out notes they've created to the entire class, share resources they've found online, tutoring materials they've gotten from their specific tutoring group, etc.

Even more than just between the medical school classes, all the schools (nursing, health professions, graduate and medicine) work together on service projects, community activities etc. While I'm not in my clinical years, during summer rotations I've done, I've shadowed both doctors and nurses and everyone was willing to answer my uneducated questions, show me things, let my try my hand at techniques and to teach me things I didn't think to even ask.

And while I'm sad you didn't get this vibe during your interview day, UTMB has extremely friendly and helpful students and faculty. If you miss lecture, someone will send you their personal notes, if you miss your ride (like I did), several people will offer you rides, etc. I genuinely love my classmates - they are some of the kindest, smartest (and funniest) people I've ever met!

Another thing is we're a really tight knit community - I can leave my textbooks and computer and backpack just sitting out in the library, and it will be there when I get back. Like, I accidentally left a $25 bookstore gift certificate in the bathroom (didn't have my name or anything on it) and it got turned in to the bookstore instead of being stolen. I've also left my cell phone various places and it always gets turned in (med school makes you forgetful!). It always amazes me how honest the students are here -- and how friendly too, because as soon as my friends realized I lost my phone, they started emailing me about where it was, that they'd called my husband so he could call it, etc. I don't know, I could go on and on about UTMB 🙂

I've had nothing but positive experiences here and if I could do it all over again, I would definitely pick UTMB again! 😍

Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about UTMB or life here as a med student - I'd be happy to help!
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Dr.Hinter will you be guiding the tour on Sept 23?
 
So I got the 'application received and under review' email on 06/24, then took my MCAT again on 07/06 (raised my score to a 30Q!), with the new MCAT released to TMDSAS ~08/11. All my letters are in too. No word on an interview yet... when should I start getting worried??
 
BunnyInTheBox said:
Dr.Hinter will you be guiding the tour on Sept 23?
Click to expand...

No, I'm sorry! I didn't get selected for that day. I had 9/9, 9/16 and then 9/30 coming up for this month -- so many of my classmates love giving interview tours that it fills up really fast 🙂

Best of luck to you though!! (and the other 9/23 interviewees!)

If anyone has any questions, you're welcome to PM me as always!
 
nmed20 said:
So I got the 'application received and under review' email on 06/24, then took my MCAT again on 07/06 (raised my score to a 30Q!), with the new MCAT released to TMDSAS ~08/11. All my letters are in too. No word on an interview yet... when should I start getting worried??
Click to expand...

http://www.utmb.edu/somstudentaffairs/admissions/interview_sch.html

The last interview date is December 9th. I'm assuming interview notices for that last date will go out sometime in early to mid-November. If you haven't heard anything by the end of November, I think it would be safe to assume the worst.
 
First Texas Interivew Invite 😀 weeee!!!

Interview for 10-21-2011
TMDSAS Submitted - Aug 2nd
TMDSAS transmitted - Aug 16th
Interview received - 9/19

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE anyone else interviewing on 10/21 ?
 
Question for fellow IS interviewees - how long did it take for UTMB to show up on your TMDSAS rank list after the interview?
 
I am getting really worried. I haven't received an interview invite from UTMB, and I really do like this school a lot! I was complete in May. Am I done for?
 
DrGiraffe said:
I am getting really worried. I haven't received an interview invite from UTMB, and I really do like this school a lot! I was complete in May. Am I done for?
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Well its hard to say if your "done". The thing is interview season goes on until December. So just have your fingers crossed. Do you mind sharing your stats? Another thing to keep in mind is that Texas schools like to keep their best candidates for interviews at the end. So, that those candidates have the particular school fresh in mind.

Also, keep in mind that all Texas schools are amazing. No matter where you go, you will receive high quality education. It is not so much which school you go to that matters, it is how you perform in medical school that will eventually determine whether or not you will get matched into your desired residency program. So, keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best. Theres a long way to go, everything will eventually turn out to be fine.
 
cyanide12345678 said:
Well its hard to say if your "done". The thing is interview season goes on until December. So just have your fingers crossed. Do you mind sharing your stats? Another thing to keep in mind is that Texas schools like to keep their best candidates for interviews at the end. So, that those candidates have the particular school fresh in mind.

Also, keep in mind that all Texas schools are amazing. No matter where you go, you will receive high quality education. It is not so much which school you go to that matters, it is how you perform in medical school that will eventually determine whether or not you will get matched into your desired residency program. So, keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best. Theres a long way to go, everything will eventually turn out to be fine.
Click to expand...

LOL. Okay bro... okay...
 
PianoMajor said:
LOL. Okay bro... okay...
Click to expand...

Well not "best" but texas schools as I understand like to even out some of their strong candidates throughout the interview period. And sometimes, they want to interview some really strong candidates near the end because they want those candidates to have that particular school in mind near the beginning of the decision deadline. I believe its called the recency effect in psychology, where one is most apt at remembering the first and last from a list of objects. So, interviewing late may not necessarily be that bad a thing. But my basic point was that DrGiraffe should not lose hope. The medical schools admissions process is a waiting game where one has to stay optimistic and hope for the best. Good luck to everyone :luck:
 
I know, but I really do love UTMB. I keep hoping they can just know how much I want to go there.
 
txlover said:
Question for fellow IS interviewees - how long did it take for UTMB to show up on your TMDSAS rank list after the interview?
Click to expand...

I am IS and interviewed on 9/2. UTMB still hasn't showed up on the ranking list yet.

Does anyone one else can answer this question? So all the school we interviewed at will show up on the list right? whether accept or reject?

I really love UTMB 😍 hopefully it is mutual lol
 
cyanide12345678 said:
Well not "best" but texas schools as I understand like to even out some of their strong candidates throughout the interview period. And sometimes, they want to interview some really strong candidates near the end because they want those candidates to have that particular school in mind near the beginning of the decision deadline. I believe its called the recency effect in psychology, where one is most apt at remembering the first and last from a list of objects. So, interviewing late may not necessarily be that bad a thing. But my basic point was that DrGiraffe should not lose hope. The medical schools admissions process is a waiting game where one has to stay optimistic and hope for the best. Good luck to everyone :luck:
Click to expand...

I've heard this, too. I've never personally heard it from a dean of admissions but, for example, I guess last year the dean at UTHSCSA said something to this effect to several groups of interviewees. You can find several posts attesting to such if you look through previous years' threads. If San Antonio does it I wouldn't be surprised if other Texas schools do as well. The one downside to the whole match thing is that Texas wraps things up way earlier than a lot of other schools around the country... so it kind of makes sense.

But at the same time I think it's foolish to delude yourself into thinking "Oh they actually did like me but are 'saving' me for later..yeah! that's it!!".
 
Morzh said:
I've heard this, too. I've never personally heard it from a dean of admissions but, for example, I guess last year the dean at UTHSCSA said something to this effect to several groups of interviewees. You can find several posts attesting to such if you look through previous years' threads. If San Antonio does it I wouldn't be surprised if other Texas schools do as well. The one downside to the whole match thing is that Texas wraps things up way earlier than a lot of other schools around the country... so it kind of makes sense.

But at the same time I think it's foolish to delude yourself into thinking "Oh they actually did like me but are 'saving' me for later..yeah! that's it!!".
Click to expand...

Well a person's numbers should give them a good indication of which category they fall into. If its someone with a 35 mcat score and a 3.8 GPA who still hasn't gotten an interview invite, I'd think that they are being "saved" for later. But ofcourse if someone is like a 28 mcat with a 3.6 gpa then if you haven't gotten an interview as yet, probably now would be a good time to worry 😛
 
I had my interview on 8/5 and it shows on my rank list on TMDSAS. Today's actually the first day I logged in in like a month and a half lol..
 
asrikrishnan said:
I had my interview on 8/5 and it shows on my rank list on TMDSAS. Today's actually the first day I logged in in like a month and a half lol..
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I had my interview on 9/2 and it still has not shown up yet 🙁. Has anyone who interviewed on this date got UTMB shown up on TMDSAS already?
 
ALMD said:
I had my interview on 9/2 and it still has not shown up yet 🙁. Has anyone who interviewed on this date got UTMB shown up on TMDSAS already?
Click to expand...

is there a benefit to ranking your schools now? I thought you just had to do it before january 10th or whatever...?
 
Yeah as far as I can see there is no benefit to doing it now lol. I just assume that the schools that have been put up on the TMDSAS rank list have already evaluated us fully as far as pre-matches are concerned. Maybe that assumption is wrong..
 
asrikrishnan said:
Yeah as far as I can see there is no benefit to doing it now lol. I just assume that the schools that have been put up on the TMDSAS rank list have already evaluated us fully as far as pre-matches are concerned. Maybe that assumption is wrong..
Click to expand...

I thought so but TMDSAS wrote that all the schools we interviewed at will appear on the ranking list whether the schools make us an offer or not.

That how I understand it, someone with a clear understand of the whole ranking and matching mind to explain?
 
ALMD said:
I thought so but TMDSAS wrote that all the schools we interviewed at will appear on the ranking list whether the schools make us an offer or not.

That how I understand it, someone with a clear understand of the whole ranking and matching mind to explain?
Click to expand...

No I meant that they have just evaluated us. Not that they are going to offer pre-matches or not. Oh well maybe I'm wrong about that too.
 
For whoever attended the social the night before, did you think it was beneficial? and also what was it like?
 
ilovebio said:
For whoever attended the social the night before, did you think it was beneficial? and also what was it like?
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I didn't go when I interviewed a few years ago, buuuut...

It's basically an opportunity to talk to current med students for a bit, get some free food and drinks and socialize/unwind before the big day. It's one of a few opportunities to ask questions to med students and get some straight answers about what UTMB/med school/being a med student, etc. is like. The only reason I didn't go was I didn't feel like driving from Houston to Galveston and back 2x in 24 hours :laugh:

Any current interviewees want to comment more? I only know what goes on from the perspective of the med student volunteers lol.
 
ilovebio said:
For whoever attended the social the night before, did you think it was beneficial? and also what was it like?
Click to expand...

I went... yes and no. Yes: I asked a lot of questions and got great feedback, the student I talked was fantastic. No: I could have asked the student panel the next day the exact questions and gotten feedback from 5 students from different level instead of the one student I sat next to (yes I could have moved about and talked to more students but was tired after the drive 🙂).

Hope that helps 😀
 
ilovebio said:
For whoever attended the social the night before, did you think it was beneficial? and also what was it like?
Click to expand...

I actually used the social as an opportunity to chat up with other applicants, and saved the school-specific questions for my student host.

If you're staying in Houston, it won't kill you if you don't come. If you're staying on the island, though, there's really no reason why you shouldn't come. I had a good time.
 
Okay, awesome. Thanks for the feedback everyone! I will go especially if it helped to de-stress the night before and since I plan to stay in Galveston for the night too.
 
ilovebio said:
Okay, awesome. Thanks for the feedback everyone! I will go especially if it helped to de-stress the night before and since I plan to stay in Galveston for the night too.
Click to expand...

Definitely go to Yagas (?) if you can. While it was pretty loud in there, it gives you a good chance to ask the students questions you might not feel like asking during a panel, lets you meet some other interviewees and have some familiar faces to say hi to the next morning, and lets you see Galveston and the island some. Those were my reasons at least lol
 
I'm definitely glad I went to the social the night before to chill and talk to a bunch of current students and interviewees. The students were really candid about what to say during interviews, what not to say in front of faculty/other interviewees, and some things they liked or disliked about the school.

On the actual interview day, everyone made it a point to make sure you were relaxed and comfortable throughout. There was no pressure during either of the interviews either. My second interviewer offered me coffee or water before we started too lol. The questions were pretty much the standard ones that every school probably asks such as why medicine, what makes you a good doctor, etc.
 
Just received an interview invite this afternoon for UTMB on 11/04. Can't wait!😀
I was actually getting ready to write a letter of interest this week haha
 
I also have an interview for 11/04. Any ideas on OOS acceptances? I'm pretty nervous, to be honest. I have no idea how UTMB does interviews.
 
sr6622 said:
I also have an interview for 11/04. Any ideas on OOS acceptances? I'm pretty nervous, to be honest. I have no idea how UTMB does interviews.
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pretty sure they accept the largest percent OOS of the ones I applied at. You have two 30 minute interviews in the morning. Pretty sure they have your essays and activities, but no classes, MCAT or gpa. They're really chill, don't worry about it.
 
My interviews here were among my lowest-stress ones in general as well. The questions were standard (tell me about yourself, why medicine, why UTMB) and one of my interviews ended up running over by about 15 minutes without us noticing. This was my only set of interviews where I'm pretty sure both interviewers were sort of "matched" to me based on common interests/origins/etc. That helped a lot.

I would like it to be November 15, please... :xf:
 
Missorleans said:
pretty sure they accept the largest percent OOS of the ones I applied at. You have two 30 minute interviews in the morning. Pretty sure they have your essays and activities, but no classes, MCAT or gpa. They're really chill, don't worry about it.
Click to expand...

One of my interviewers had all my information (MCAT, GPA, etc)- he told me, but that interview was still very laid back and friendly. They gave me an hour to walk to and complete each interview. I was done an hour early. Of all the interviews, I've been to, this was the most relaxing. I felt too that the students were very sincere and honest about their school.
 
Anyone know whether they'll be sending out OOS acceptances starting next week? Or are they waiting until November 15 to start releasing all of them? I forgot to ask on my interview day...
 
masterwolfie said:
Anyone know whether they'll be sending out OOS acceptances starting next week? Or are they waiting until November 15 to start releasing all of them? I forgot to ask on my interview day...
Click to expand...

Judging from last year's thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=625546&page=4, it looks like the earliest date they sent acceptances of any sort was Nov 13th (I assume Nov 15 fell on a weekend). Maybe someone else has some new information, but don't freak out if you don't receive an offer from UTMB soon. 🙂
 
^^ Thanks guys! I was just wondering since I know some Texas schools will just go ahead and release decisions for everyone in November, since there's only a month (heh, only) between OOS and IS release dates 🙂 Well...I guess I'll find out when I find out xD
 
I recently got an invitation to interview at UTMB!!! I wanted to ask current UTMB students or other people, who have interviewed at UTMB, how their interview process was and the common questions that are asked? Both of my older sisters attended UTMB so I know that the enviroment their is very FRIENDLY but I want to make sure I am fully prepared for my interview so if you have any tips or suggestions I am all ears. Thanks in advance!!!
 
Also does anyone else have a UTMB interview on OCTOBER 28?!!!!!
 
Blaquestar said:
I recently got an invitation to interview at UTMB!!! I wanted to ask current UTMB students or other people, who have interviewed at UTMB, how their interview process was and the common questions that are asked? Both of my older sisters attended UTMB so I know that the enviroment their is very FRIENDLY but I want to make sure I am fully prepared for my interview so if you have any tips or suggestions I am all ears. Thanks in advance!!!
Click to expand...

Click on "interview feedback" at the top. And search for UTMB. You will find all the information you will ever need as far as interview questions go.
 
Blaquestar said:
I recently got an invitation to interview at UTMB!!! I wanted to ask current UTMB students or other people, who have interviewed at UTMB, how their interview process was and the common questions that are asked? Both of my older sisters attended UTMB so I know that the enviroment their is very FRIENDLY but I want to make sure I am fully prepared for my interview so if you have any tips or suggestions I am all ears. Thanks in advance!!!
Click to expand...

What you'll see in your interviews is depends on the interviewer.

Some interviewers will read questions straight off a script, while other interviewers will just try to have a conversation with you (which may or may not be about medicine).

Just be prepared for the standard questions about yourself / the healthcare industry / medical ethics ("Why medicine," "Tell me about yourself," "What is the biggest problem with medicine today," etc.), but don't be surprised if you get an interview where you're just yakking it up with the interviewer.
 
BunnyInTheBox said:
May the decisions be sent out next week? The waiting part is agitating~
Click to expand...

Possibly, if you're OOS (although that's not a guarantee).

If you're a Texas resident, you'll have to wait until 11/15 at the earliest.
 
Are OOS most likely to be accepted after interview?
 
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