2011-2012 University of Texas - San Antonio Application Thread

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Has anyone been invited for interview lately? for Sept. dates?

I am hearing nothing 🙁
 
Got an Interview yesterday for 8/22. Good Luck to those still waiting 👍
 
Morzh said:
I posted this in another thread, but seeing as how it includes a powerpoint by the Dean of Admissions at UTHSCSA outlining the inner-workings of how they rank applicants both before and after interview, I figured some of ya'll would find it interesting. Especially slides 46-48.

Holistic Review in Medical School Admissions: Making it Real
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Thanks a bunch! That is very interesting and it's neat that those slides are UTSA specific!
 
That entire slideshow was pretty interesting to me. I find it kind of refreshing (but also a little scary) that they seem to weigh the qualitative data for each applicant before the quantitative data which seems to be opposite of what Baylor seems to want to do (at least according to this).
 
DoItToIt said:
Where did you find this btw?
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I found it a long time ago (I don't remember where) and re-found it tonight by Googling "med school holistic review"

asrikrishnan said:
That entire slideshow was pretty interesting to me. I find it kind of refreshing (but also a little scary) that they seem to weigh the qualitative data for each applicant before the quantitative data which seems to be opposite of what Baylor seems to want to do (at least according to this).
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I agree.
 
Congrats to everyone on getting interviews! I know some of you will be here this Friday, so good luck! Let me know if I can help in any way!
 
Ursa said:
Congrats to everyone on getting interviews! I know some of you will be here this Friday, so good luck! Let me know if I can help in any way!
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I'll be there this Monday, can't wait!
 
hey, how'd it go for those that interviewed here today? how were the questions and general atmosphere?
 
miraclemd said:
hey, how'd it go for those that interviewed here today? how were the questions and general atmosphere?
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SO laid back, it was great. All the interviewers had were our PS and optional essays, and that's pretty much all I was asked about. The students and 4th years that spent the day with us seemed down-to-earth and genuinely happy that they went to SA. They said 90% of the class had ranked SA 1st or 2nd. Dr. Jones is awesome, too. They really seem to be looking at if you have a true desire to serve in the medical field, what type of leadership roles you've had, and if your personality matches the one that comes across in your essays. I personally loved their admissions philosophy and was extremely impressed by everything.
 
DoItToIt said:
SO laid back, it was great. All the interviewers had were our PS and optional essays, and that's pretty much all I was asked about. The students and 4th years that spent the day with us seemed down-to-earth and genuinely happy that they went to SA. They said 90% of the class had ranked SA 1st or 2nd. Dr. Jones is awesome, too. They really seem to be looking at if you have a true desire to serve in the medical field, what type of leadership roles you've had, and if your personality matches the one that comes across in your essays. I personally loved their admissions philosophy and was extremely impressed by everything.
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awesome! i was worried that they might have been heavy on healthcare and ethics-related questions, etc.

how'd it compare to the TCOM interview day? do you know what % of interviewees generally get accepted here? i also wonder if those who have early interviews are more likely to get accepted (especially during the pre-match period)...

did they release their step 1 pass rate info?

thanks so much, and best of luck this cycle!!:xf:
 
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miraclemd said:
awesome! i was worried that they might have been heavy on healthcare and ethics-related questions, etc.

If you look at the interview feedback for UTHSCSA you'll see that it is possible to get ethics questions, but much less common than at some schools. The fact that it is a closed-file interview naturally facilitates a more conversational and down-to-earth feeling where they really are just trying to get a feel for who you are as a person.

how'd it compare to the TCOM interview day? do you know what % of interviewees generally get accepted here? i also wonder if those who have early interviews are more likely to get accepted (especially during the pre-match period)...

According to USNews TCOM admits ~65% of their interviewees and UTHSCSA admits ~55% of their interviewees. I don't know about what factors are needed in order to get pre-match offers.

did they release their step 1 pass rate info?

I think Dean Jones said 97%.

thanks so much, and best of luck this cycle!!:xf:
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I agree with the above poster about how chill the day was. I felt like they were just really honest and transparent about everything. The new clinical skills building looks fantastic. They were remodeling a bunch of the lecture halls so I think they will be new by the time we matriculate. It is really nice how the hospitals are congregated all around the school and you won't be driving all across town for clerkship. The medical center is in a busy area of town, but not downtown, which makes housing much nicer and more affordable. Traffic will be a beast if you are only used to small towns, but it's nothing compared to Dallas/Ft. Worth and Houston.

Apparently we are going to be pioneering the brand new curriculum (much confusion about that today) according to the follow-up email Dr. Jones sent this afternoon. It seems really interesting, although I admit I am a little anxious about missing out on things that a more traditional curriculum covers. I was also looking forward to having all lectures recorded and classes being optional, but with all the new small group stuff it seems like there will be a lot more attendance-required stuff.

Overall I was extremely impressed. My faculty interviewer said it best. He said SA is a very strong research-oriented school and puts out a lot of groundbreaking stuff. But it is not the most research-heavy school out there, and that is on purpose. As some schools the faculty live under the "publish or perish" mindset, and that often results in teaching responsibilities being seen more as a chore and interruption to their real work. San Antonio strikes a perfect balance between being very strong in research while maintaining a focus on being dedicated to students and creating top-notch physician-clinicians.

Now it's just a painful waiting game. Nov. 15-Christmas if we're lucky, more likely we won't hear anything until Match in Feb.

What it the etiquette on update letters? Only send after a semester is over (Christmastime?) when you can say "I earned A's in these classes and kept doing X activity, etc."? Or would it be helpful to send something in mid-October that says essentially "I loved my interview a few months ago and just wanted to reemphasize how excited I am about this school. My semester is going well and I'm on track to finish this and that science courses with A's..."?
 
It would seem like Xmas time would be more prudent if you havent hear anything back.
 
Good luck everyone! Glad to hear you had a good experience about the interview :xf:

For people who have been invited to interviews, when did you apps transmitted?

Mine was sent on 7/6 and received completion email on 7/12. Have not heard anything since then so I am :scared:
 
Morzh said:
I agree with the above poster about how chill the day was. I felt like they were just really honest and transparent about everything. The new clinical skills building looks fantastic. They were remodeling a bunch of the lecture halls so I think they will be new by the time we matriculate. It is really nice how the hospitals are congregated all around the school and you won't be driving all across town for clerkship. The medical center is in a busy area of town, but not downtown, which makes housing much nicer and more affordable. Traffic will be a beast if you are only used to small towns, but it's nothing compared to Dallas/Ft. Worth and Houston.

Apparently we are going to be pioneering the brand new curriculum (much confusion about that today) according to the follow-up email Dr. Jones sent this afternoon. It seems really interesting, although I admit I am a little anxious about missing out on things that a more traditional curriculum covers. I was also looking forward to having all lectures recorded and classes being optional, but with all the new small group stuff it seems like there will be a lot more attendance-required stuff.

Overall I was extremely impressed. My faculty interviewer said it best. He said SA is a very strong research-oriented school and puts out a lot of groundbreaking stuff. But it is not the most research-heavy school out there, and that is on purpose. As some schools the faculty live under the "publish or perish" mindset, and that often results in teaching responsibilities being seen more as a chore and interruption to their real work. San Antonio strikes a perfect balance between being very strong in research while maintaining a focus on being dedicated to students and creating top-notch physician-clinicians.

Now it's just a painful waiting game. Nov. 15-Christmas if we're lucky, more likely we won't hear anything until Match in Feb.

What it the etiquette on update letters? Only send after a semester is over (Christmastime?) when you can say "I earned A's in these classes and kept doing X activity, etc."? Or would it be helpful to send something in mid-October that says essentially "I loved my interview a few months ago and just wanted to reemphasize how excited I am about this school. My semester is going well and I'm on track to finish this and that science courses with A's..."?
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks so much for the thorough info! Do you know if the new curriculum is going to integrate clinical skills with the basic sciences? Old threads on this school seemed to say that the curriculum here was more traditional and focused on just the sciences..they also mentioned that the facilities here were really old, but it seems like they're remodeling, so that's great.

Also, to confirm, closed-file means that they have access only to our activities and essays, and not to our MCAT or GPA info, right?

Thanks so much!! Best of luck!!
 
miraclemd said:
Wow, thanks so much for the thorough info! Do you know if the new curriculum is going to integrate clinical skills with the basic sciences? Old threads on this school seemed to say that the curriculum here was more traditional and focused on just the sciences..they also mentioned that the facilities here were really old, but it seems like they're remodeling, so that's great.

Also, to confirm, closed-file means that they have access only to our activities and essays, and not to our MCAT or GPA info, right?

Thanks so much!! Best of luck!!
Click to expand...

it will incorporate early clinical exposure. they only have our essays, high school class rank, and sat/act scores
 
From the Dean: "The entering class of 2012 (your class) will be the first group to experience this exciting new curriculum. The first semester of the MS I year will consist of integrated modules teaching the fundamentals of basic science principals related to clinical disease states. The afternoons are reserved for clinical skills such as communicating with patients and learning how to perform and interpret findings of a physical examination. Friday mornings will consist of interactive case-based discussions. The organ-system modules will begin in the MS I spring semester and will continue to the end of the MS II year. Within the organ-system modules, basic science and clinical science will be integrated. Students will interact with patients and learn how to detect abnormal findings in a physical examination. The second year will end in March, allowing students to begin clinical clerkships of third year no later than June.
The differing teaching modalities include lecture, small group discussion, laboratory sessions, written assignments, medical literature searches, self-study sessions, team learning, and standardized patient encounters.

Students will be assessed in the courses by various combinations of module exams, written assignments, attendance, and clinical skills assessment."
 
Morzh said:
From the Dean: "The entering class of 2012 (your class) will be the first group to experience this exciting new curriculum. The first semester of the MS I year will consist of integrated modules teaching the fundamentals of basic science principals related to clinical disease states. The afternoons are reserved for clinical skills such as communicating with patients and learning how to perform and interpret findings of a physical examination. Friday mornings will consist of interactive case-based discussions. The organ-system modules will begin in the MS I spring semester and will continue to the end of the MS II year. Within the organ-system modules, basic science and clinical science will be integrated. Students will interact with patients and learn how to detect abnormal findings in a physical examination. The second year will end in March, allowing students to begin clinical clerkships of third year no later than June.
The differing teaching modalities include lecture, small group discussion, laboratory sessions, written assignments, medical literature searches, self-study sessions, team learning, and standardized patient encounters.

Students will be assessed in the courses by various combinations of module exams, written assignments, attendance, and clinical skills assessment."
Click to expand...
Sounds good to me. Points for attendance! Although, I can only imagine what the writing assignments are like..
 
yay, interview! (8/29) verified 7/8
looks like I'll be flying to Houston, driving to galveston, driving to san antonio, flying out of san antonio. And missing two MWF classes in a row. Oh well. So excited!
 
First year here... just wanted to let you guys know that I interviewed here on the very last day last year and still pre-matched. Don't freak out! It all works out.

Good luck!
 
Missorleans said:
yay, interview! (8/29) verified 7/8
looks like I'll be flying to Houston, driving to galveston, driving to san antonio, flying out of san antonio. And missing two MWF classes in a row. Oh well. So excited!
Click to expand...

👍👍
 
Missorleans said:
yay, interview! (8/29) verified 7/8
looks like I'll be flying to Houston, driving to galveston, driving to san antonio, flying out of san antonio. And missing two MWF classes in a row. Oh well. So excited!
Click to expand...

congrats!!!

qwerty321 said:
First year here... just wanted to let you guys know that I interviewed here on the very last day last year and still pre-matched. Don't freak out! It all works out.

Good luck!
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im just waiting on mine. what were your stats?
 
People who have been invited for interviews, do you mind sharing your stats? I am anxiously waiting :xf:
 
BuffNerd said:
~3.97 gpa, 30q mcat, oos
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Thank you! I am IS with 30N mcat but no interview invitation from San Antonio yet. I was worrying that my mcat is low, thanks for giving me hope 😉
 
ALMD said:
Thank you! I am IS with 30N mcat but no interview invitation from San Antonio yet. I was worrying that my mcat is low, thanks for giving me hope 😉
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lol im just hoping for an interview.

im at a 3.5
but doing an SMP to raise that and my mcat hopefully will be around a 35ish.
 
ALMD said:
Thank you! I am IS with 30N mcat but no interview invitation from San Antonio yet. I was worrying that my mcat is low, thanks for giving me hope 😉
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You're welcome! I was very pleased to get an interview. I think the non-stat portions of my app probably helped a lot.
 
Hey everyone, another UTHSCSA MS-I here. Feel free to post or pm any questions that you might have. Good luck!
 
solo75 said:
Hey everyone, another UTHSCSA MS-I here. Feel free to post or pm any questions that you might have. Good luck!
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Do the students or faculty there express many opinions about the new curriculum changes beginning next year? They seem pretty promising and have lots of benefits, but my faculty interviewer actually expressed a little hesitancy when I asked him what he thought about it. He said that improving curriculum is great and all, but that you have to be very careful when doing away with the "traditional", more comprehensive system so that important topics don't get neglected.

He told me how several years ago Galveston made similar curriculum changes and when the first batch of MS4s to go through it began interviewing with him for residency spots they felt as though they were lacking in some areas. He used pharmacokinetics as an example of a topic that doesn't fit neatly into a systems module that these MS4s were weaker in than their peers.

Overall I'm excited for the changes, but part of me was kind of looking forward to the whole traditional experience. Any thoughts on this from the inside?
 
Glad to see a new UTHSCSA thread. I'm obviously a little slow.

I don't see how the new curriculum would be lacking here at UT. They are tightly regulated and I would assume that a lot of thought and energy was put into it. But there isn't a whole lot of buzz about the changes, at least on the student side.

My knowledge isn't detailed about the changes but I can only see them as positives. Your second year should be geared toward rocking the usmle step 1, which the condensed basic science curriculum would allow ample opportunity to do so. The step is arguably the most important aspect of you residency apps, followed closely by faculty LORs and clerkship grades. My guess is it's modeled similarly to Baylor's curriculum. Their AVERAGE step score from what I remember them telling us when I interviewed there is like a ridiculous 242 (anyone care to correct me?). Say what you will about the differences in 'caliber' of the students there, but I sincerely believe that the curriculum plays a huge role in that statistic. If you have more time to study and if there is less pressure, you will do better. It's that simple.

I would have had a tough time choosing between Baylor and UTHSCSA, but my wife is an MS3 at UT so the choice was easy. But if I were applying in Texas my top 2 choices would be Baylor and UTHSCSA, especially with the new curriculum. But all the schools are great so whatever.
 
ALMD said:
People who have been invited for interviews, do you mind sharing your stats? I am anxiously waiting :xf:
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hey! i'm oos, 3.9 gpa and mcat in mid-30s. pretty good research and decent extracurriculars.
 
Morzh said:
Do the students or faculty there express many opinions about the new curriculum changes beginning next year? They seem pretty promising and have lots of benefits, but my faculty interviewer actually expressed a little hesitancy when I asked him what he thought about it. He said that improving curriculum is great and all, but that you have to be very careful when doing away with the "traditional", more comprehensive system so that important topics don't get neglected.

He told me how several years ago Galveston made similar curriculum changes and when the first batch of MS4s to go through it began interviewing with him for residency spots they felt as though they were lacking in some areas. He used pharmacokinetics as an example of a topic that doesn't fit neatly into a systems module that these MS4s were weaker in than their peers.

Overall I'm excited for the changes, but part of me was kind of looking forward to the whole traditional experience. Any thoughts on this from the inside?
Click to expand...

UTHSCSA's curriculum hasn't changed much since the school was founded. I can tell you with confidence that they wouldn't be changing a thing unless they thought it was for the benefit of the students and faculty. They are attempting to mimic other schools that have had success with a more contemporary curriculum. In fact, we are having a nationally renowned senior dean from UCLA come to observe and provide input, as UCLA went through similar curriculum changes a few years ago. I'm personally excited for the inaugural class of this new curriculum, it should be very exciting for everyone involved.
 
Thanks for the input, David and Solo. I think the new curriculum sounds really exciting, and it would be especially awesome to be a part of the first class to experience it.
 
BMEN said:
Defs. Makes me wonder if the priority for them is quicker due to the 10% cap
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i think you guys are right. i'm pretty sure one of the reasons i got such a quick interview is because i'm oos. i def do not have an interview invite from my own state school, so don't start to worry just yet!

p.s. i hope texans are friendly! 🙂
 
kittenmittens7 said:
i think you guys are right. i'm pretty sure one of the reasons i got such a quick interview is because i'm oos. i def do not have an interview invite from my own state school, so don't start to worry just yet!

p.s. i hope texans are friendly! 🙂
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haha, well as long as you aren't trying to take a spot from one of us in-staters I think you will find us all very pleasant 😉
 
kittenmittens7 said:
i think you guys are right. i'm pretty sure one of the reasons i got such a quick interview is because i'm oos. i def do not have an interview invite from my own state school, so don't start to worry just yet!

p.s. i hope texans are friendly! 🙂
Click to expand...

Very
 
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