2011-2012 University of Texas - Southwestern Application Thread

[doctor freak]

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Someone at UTSW told me that a 33 is highly skewed by URM data. Anyone know if there is any validity to this statement? Would a 33 be considered competitive for UTSW for a non-urm?

Annnd SW is now my "reach" school. Haha

Don't lose hope guys!!! One of my firends had a 32 MCAT, got invited for the first interview day, and got offered a seat in April. I know a few others with 31s and 32s who have also been accepted. They had pretty strong volunteer and extracurricular backgrounds which may have offset that "lower" mcat.

 

[minerva3121]

Don't lose hope guys!!! One of my firends had a 32 MCAT, got invited for the first interview day, and got offered a seat in April. I know a few others with 31s and 32s who have also been accepted. They had pretty strong volunteer and extracurricular backgrounds which may have offset that "lower" mcat.

👍 As you can see from the school profile on the website, the MCAT score range for matriculated students was 24-41. 33 is an average, not a cutoff!

 

[fneverforget]

Don't you think that every school's average MCAT is skewed by URMs?

The student at UTSW told me that UTSW has a higher number of URMs compared to most other medical schools because UTSW wants them so that they may better serve Texas's growing URM population.

 

[BMEN]

The student at UTSW told me that UTSW has a higher number of URMs compared to most other medical schools because UTSW wants them so that they may better serve Texas's growing URM population.

Basically what I was told by tour guide when i went in may. Dont give up yet guys. No sense being defeated before the bell rings for the fight to start. We still got a good year left of this nonesense

 

[PianoMajor]

Recieved an email saying that UTSW has recieved my primary and the reviewing process has begun.

 

[minerva3121]

The student at UTSW told me that UTSW has a higher number of URMs compared to most other medical schools because UTSW wants them so that they may better serve Texas's growing URM population.

If you're curious to know the ethnicity breakdown for the entering class 2010:

7% African American
40% Asian/Pacific Islander
12% Hispanic
7% Other/Unreported
34% White

 

[sol4reclipse]

If you're curious to know the ethnicity breakdown for the entering class 2010:

7% African American
40% Asian/Pacific Islander
12% Hispanic
7% Other/Unreported
34% White

Asians woo hoo! But that means it's harder for me :/

 

[Iwillhealyou]

Asians woo hoo! But that means it's harder for me :/

Asians also includes those from India and Pakistan, etc... which there are a lot of at UTSW like the numbers suggest.

 

[Techmed07]

If you're curious to know the ethnicity breakdown for the entering class 2010:

7% African American
40% Asian/Pacific Islander
12% Hispanic
7% Other/Unreported
34% White

This is why I am laughing. If anything UTSW numbers are skewed upwards.

 

[sol4reclipse]

Asians also includes those from India and Pakistan, etc... which there are a lot of at UTSW like the numbers suggest.

I know. I'm paki :/

 

[doctor freak]

I know. I'm paki :/

And Pakis rock 😉

 

[madamebovary]

i know the description says to list the experiences, but do we also describe the experiences?

 

[therunner12]

i know the description says to list the experiences, but do we also describe the experiences?

There has been two schools of thought on that. I did, but many other posters didn't. I don't think it's a big deal.

 

[Iwillhealyou]

Did most of you guys get primary application confirmation from UTSW???? I received an email confirming my secondary app had been received but never got one for my primary. Anyone else in the same boat?

 

[BMEN]

Did most of you guys get primary application confirmation from UTSW???? I received an email confirming my secondary app had been received but never got one for my primary. Anyone else in the same boat?

YEa i got mine about 5 days after it was transmitted

 

[Iwillhealyou]

YEa i got mine about 5 days after it was transmitted

weird cuz I sent them like 2 days apart from each other. meh, me no like loose ends.

 

[MilkIsGood]

i got my primary notification a few days after my secondary was submitted

 

[BlackNOrange]

Did most of you guys get primary application confirmation from UTSW???? I received an email confirming my secondary app had been received but never got one for my primary. Anyone else in the same boat?

For some reason, there was a 25-day gap in transmitting my primary and receiving confirmation. I got confirmation on my secondary like a week before confirmation on primary.

 

[PHD To MD]

Just got my email saying my primary was received. Primary transmitted 7-7-11. I submitted my secondary on 6-29-11 and got my email the same day.

 

[BMEN]

Just got my email saying my primary was received. Primary transmitted 7-7-11. I submitted my secondary on 6-29-11 and got my email the same day.

Wow quick turn around. Good luck

 

[PHD To MD]

Wow quick turn around. Good luck

Thanks, I will need it. I am a poor applicant but I thought I would apply since I am from Dallas and have a lot of research experience. It's really my top choice but I have next to no chance to get in there.

Good luck to you too

 

[InVivo]

I've got a couple questions about Southwestern's secondary application when you fill in your classes.

1) If you have credit for a prerequisite due to IB credit, what do you put for the grade?

2) For my physics class, it was a combined phys lab and lecture. Should I do the same thing that I did on my AMCAS app and write "Phys II + lab" if it just says "Phys II" on my transcript?

Thanks

 

[BMEN]

I've got a couple questions about Southwestern's secondary application when you fill in your classes.

1) If you have credit for a prerequisite due to IB credit, what do you put for the grade?

2) For my physics class, it was a combined phys lab and lecture. Should I do the same thing that I did on my AMCAS app and write "Phys II + lab" if it just says "Phys II" on my transcript?

Thanks

1).Read the directions one the application. Itll tell you what to do for CLEP,AP and IB

2) If you put four credits, lab is assumed.

 

[InVivo]

1).Read the directions one the application. Itll tell you what to do for CLEP,AP and IB

2) If you put four credits, lab is assumed.

It actually didn't mention IB specifically in the secondary. Per the instructions: "For course credit obtained through advanced placement use AP for the grade designation; for CLEP credit use CL. For AP and CLEP credit indicate the school that transcripted the credit and your first term/year at that school as the semester/year." I'll just assume they can figure it out.

 

[BMEN]

It actually didn't mention IB specifically in the secondary. Per the instructions: "For course credit obtained through advanced placement use AP for the grade designation; for CLEP credit use CL. For AP and CLEP credit indicate the school that transcripted the credit and your first term/year at that school as the semester/year." I'll just assume they can figure it out.

Should be the same. I'd assume a good school like SW could figure it out

 

[Bbll76er]

Hi everyone, I'm hoping that someone can give me some advice on how to fill the interests related to medicine section out and answer the questions I have.

First, if you have checked multiple boxes for multiple interests, how do you indicate which group of bullet points support which interest? The way I've been doing is by listing and giving a prefacing title before I start listing bullet points for each interest (i.e. "1. Interest in Research...(then bullet points underneath that)"

Second, do the sentences in bullet point format need to be complete sentences? Or can they be written in note format? Also, do I need to type in the "bullet point" for each point (like a dash or something) or is a paragraph sufficient enough to signify different bullet points.

Third, should we explain how the experiences themselves helped you cultivate the interest? Or is it just enough to list out the experiences and let them speak for themselves?

Would greatly appreciate if someone could help me out! Thanks and hope everyone is doing well with their applications.

 

[BMEN]

Hi everyone, I'm hoping that someone can give me some advice on how to fill the interests related to medicine section out and answer the questions I have.

First, if you have checked multiple boxes for multiple interests, how do you indicate which group of bullet points support which interest? The way I've been doing is by listing and giving a prefacing title before I start listing bullet points for each interest (i.e. "1. Interest in Research...(then bullet points underneath that)"

Second, do the sentences in bullet point format need to be complete sentences? Or can they be written in note format? Also, do I need to type in the "bullet point" for each point (like a dash or something) or is a paragraph sufficient enough to signify different bullet points.

Third, should we explain how the experiences themselves helped you cultivate the interest? Or is it just enough to list out the experiences and let them speak for themselves?

Would greatly appreciate if someone could help me out! Thanks and hope everyone is doing well with their applications.

If this isnt answered later tomorrow morning, Ill give full details. But the short nitty gritty is read through the thread. This has been asked. Happy listing 👍

 

[TheGreyWarden]

So guys, any interview calls yet?

I'm OOS from CA and really want an interview. Really hoping that high stats can make that happen lol

 

[KTD]

Southwestern doesn't usually start interviewing til mid September and probably won't start sending out invites more than a month in advance so, unless they've really changed up the schedule a lot, you'll have to sit tight for a few more weeks. Good luck though! Let me know if y'all have any questions about the school. I'm about to start my 2nd year and love it very much.

 

[Bbll76er]

BMEN, I read through the thread again but still couldn't find answers that specifically addressed my concerns, namely whether or not I need to only list experiences or both list and explain experiences that helped me arrive at a particular interest. I would greatly appreciate any advice you might have. Thank you for your help.

 

[BMEN]

BMEN, I read through the thread again but still couldn't find answers that specifically addressed my concerns, namely whether or not I need to only list experiences or both list and explain experiences that helped me arrive at a particular interest. I would greatly appreciate any advice you might have. Thank you for your help.

You can either list or do paragraphs. I dont think it affects your application too much

 

[ALMD]

I submitted my secondary the same time as TMDSAS. Since TMDSAS took a few weeks to process my app, UTSW received my secondary first and notified me via mail that they logged the secondary under my TMDSAS ID. Later, they also already received my primary TMDSAS app.

I am worried if it hurts me in anyway because they received my secondary before the primary? Does anyone know? It is possible that they throw away my app because of that?

Thank you in advance.

 

[therunner12]

I submitted my secondary the same time as TMDSAS. Since TMDSAS took a few weeks to process my app, UTSW received my secondary first and notified me via mail that they logged the secondary under my TMDSAS ID. Later, they also already received my primary TMDSAS app.

I am worried if it hurts me in anyway because they received my secondary before the primary? Does anyone know? It is possible that they throw away my app because of that?

Thank you in advance.

Haha. No, it's not a big deal.

 

[PHD To MD]

I sent mine in before my primary was verified. I think that TMDSAS encourages this on their website. If anything it's possible that it speeds up the process because they have a file on you ( sounds logical, but I have no idea ). I got a COMPLETE email on 7-11, I was transmitted 7-7 and I submitted my secondary 6-29

 

[Corbin25]

"Interview invitations are sent by e-mail to applicants beginning in mid July. Normally, invitations for interviews are sent at least three weeks prior to the assigned interview date."

I guess no one has heard anything yet?

 

[BMEN]

"Interview invitations are sent by e-mail to applicants beginning in mid July. Normally, invitations for interviews are sent at least three weeks prior to the assigned interview date."

I guess no one has heard anything yet?

We wont hear prob till late jult early august. Last year they sent them in early august i think

 

[Corbin25]

We wont hear prob till late jult early august. Last year they sent them in early august i think

Well, it's somewhat late July! Good luck everyone

 

[phuddl]

Have y'all sent any updates yet?

I know its still VERY early in the game, but I did about 40 more hours of shadowing (20 of which were with a rural family medicine guy) which would certainly add to my original 40 hours when I submitted. 😀 I sent an email to the UTSW office, but I know how crazy it must be at the moment.

What do y'all think?

 

[doctor freak]

Have y'all sent any updates yet?

I know its still VERY early in the game, but I did about 40 more hours of shadowing (20 of which were with a rural family medicine guy) which would certainly add to my original 40 hours when I submitted. 😀 I sent an email to the UTSW office, but I know how crazy it must be at the moment.

What do y'all think?

Try sending it to Dr. Wagner or Dr. Mihalic, they're usually pretty good at responding 🙂 Also, if you're planning on doing even more shadowing, I would wait until September/October (if you haven't received an interview) or after your interview to send an update. Updates are really instrumental after your interview, in my experience, when you're trying to make a case for admission because a new letter forces them to re-look at your application when otherwise it would not have been. Dr. Wagner told us that a 32 MCAT and 3.7 GPA pretty much guarantees you an interview, so if you have those or close to those stats I would hold off on an update letter until after your interview 🙂 Hope that helps!!

 

[phuddl]

Try sending it to Dr. Wagner or Dr. Mihalic, they're usually pretty good at responding 🙂 Also, if you're planning on doing even more shadowing, I would wait until September/October (if you haven't received an interview) or after your interview to send an update. Updates are really instrumental after your interview, in my experience, when you're trying to make a case for admission because a new letter forces them to re-look at your application when otherwise it would not have been. Dr. Wagner told us that a 32 MCAT and 3.7 GPA pretty much guarantees you an interview, so if you have those or close to those stats I would hold off on an update letter until after your interview 🙂 Hope that helps!!

Awesome. I have a 3.6/31R so I may need to pull the trigger on my updates. I do have good extracurriculars and leadership (RA, multiple club leadership), an interesting story and have done research at UTSW for about 2 years. Decisions decisions....


Thanks for the info!

 

[BMEN]

Try sending it to Dr. Wagner or Dr. Mihalic, they're usually pretty good at responding 🙂 Also, if you're planning on doing even more shadowing, I would wait until September/October (if you haven't received an interview) or after your interview to send an update. Updates are really instrumental after your interview, in my experience, when you're trying to make a case for admission because a new letter forces them to re-look at your application when otherwise it would not have been. Dr. Wagner told us that a 32 MCAT and 3.7 GPA pretty much guarantees you an interview, so if you have those or close to those stats I would hold off on an update letter until after your interview 🙂 Hope that helps!!

Do you think a publication is a good reason for update

 

[PHD To MD]

Is it acceptable to ask for a personal tour of the school. Just wondering, I will be in town and would like to see the facilities. Too arrogant?

 

[doctor freak]

Awesome. I have a 3.6/31R so I may need to pull the trigger on my updates. I do have good extracurriculars and leadership (RA, multiple club leadership), an interesting story and have done research at UTSW for about 2 years. Decisions decisions....

Thanks for the info!

That's actually a pretty good score for an interview, I would sit tight for a while and see how the interview invitations play out if I were you bc I know MANY people who interviewed with me on the first day with 31s and it seems like you have good ECs. Of course it's your choice 🙂

Do you think a publication is a good reason for update

Publications look really great especially since UTSW focuses so much on research, but at this time I think it's way too early to be sending in updates period, unless you think your app is REALLY weak since they're probably reviewing hundreds of apps now and it'll be hard for anyone to really stand out at this point.

 

[phuddl]

That's actually a pretty good score for an interview, I would sit tight for a while and see how the interview invitations play out if I were you bc I know MANY people who interviewed with me on the first day with 31s and it seems like you have good ECs. Of course it's your choice 🙂

You took a load off my mind Doc. Gracias 👍

 

[BMEN]

That's actually a pretty good score for an interview, I would sit tight for a while and see how the interview invitations play out if I were you bc I know MANY people who interviewed with me on the first day with 31s and it seems like you have good ECs. Of course it's your choice 🙂



Publications look really great especially since UTSW focuses so much on research, but at this time I think it's way too early to be sending in updates period, unless you think your app is REALLY weak since they're probably reviewing hundreds of apps now and it'll be hard for anyone to really stand out at this point.

Hmm thanks. I didn't include of any of my past publications on TMDSAS and this current one just got accepted. So i guess i should wait till later to update the pub info.

 

[ALMD]

30N MCAT and 4.0 GPA

Do I have any shot at UTSW?

I live in the area and really love to go here. Almost all of my health care related activities are done at UTSW. Shadowing, visiting patients in clinics and on rounds, dissecting fresh cadavers in the gross anatomy lab, a surgeon also trained and allowed me to scrub in with him for 2 summers.

Did research there for a summer. 1 publication. Hired for 2nd summer as research coordinator between 2 departments on a collaborative study.

I really love the school but worry that my low MCAT not going to help me get there.

 

[mrfuumanchu206]

Hmm thanks. I didn't include of any of my past publications on TMDSAS and this current one just got accepted. So i guess i should wait till later to update the pub info.

Yo you should DEFINITELY include publications. A research institution like UTSW looks upon research experience very favorably. If you didn't include it in the first place I would not hesitate to send an update letter or be sure to mention it during your interviews.

 

[BMEN]

Yo you should DEFINITELY include publications. A research institution like UTSW looks upon research experience very favorably. If you didn't include it in the first place I would not hesitate to send an update letter or be sure to mention it during your interviews.

Thanks. I think I will. My TMDAS app had what i did and learned from the research. I just put down awards I won at conference, but didnt include the abstract, all conferences attended/presented, and publications.

 

[AWK87DOC]

any one heard back yet? UTSW is my top choice especially since i'm a grad student here, here's to hoping i get to stay on campus for med school 😎

 

[Laplace]

30N MCAT and 4.0 GPA

Do I have any shot at UTSW?

I live in the area and really love to go here. Almost all of my health care related activities are done at UTSW. Shadowing, visiting patients in clinics and on rounds, dissecting fresh cadavers in the gross anatomy lab, a surgeon also trained and allowed me to scrub in with him for 2 summers.

Did research there for a summer. 1 publication. Hired for 2nd summer as research coordinator between 2 departments on a collaborative study.

I really love the school but worry that my low MCAT not going to help me get there.

With all that prior contact with UTSW and a 4.0 GPA, I'd say you still have a pretty good chance. No point in stressing over something you can't change, just make sure your application is well-polished.