2012-2013 Texas Tech - El Paso Application Thread

[shortguy4lyfe]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Got II yesterday, for 09/27🙂....Wondering about the cheap flights (I am from houston)....Any help?

Thanks in advance!!

What are your stats and when did you transmit? Still anxiously waiting!

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Got II yesterday, for 09/27🙂....Wondering about the cheap flights (I am from houston)....Any help?

Thanks in advance!!

Got tickets from Houston on Southwest for $258 round trip. I thought that was pretty good! Also, the last direct flight out if late enough to make after the interview (I called Foster to double check), so I only had to book one night. I used Foster's list of hotels and got a good rate for that.

 

[redoitall]

What are your stats and when did you transmit? Still anxiously waiting!

Not even waiting anymore. Let alone anxiously...

Sent via my crappy phone.

 

[DocGraham]

Looking forward to seeing the other 9/27 people there! Can't wait to check out the school, seems like a neat/innovative curriculum.

Also, shortguy my stats are ~3.7 and 33M. And I transmitted 7/24.

 

[Hopebedoc]

What are your stats and when did you transmit? Still anxiously waiting!

cGPA/sGPA 4.0
29O
My app was transmitted on 5/29 and I got a "received" mail from El paso on 06/01. Hope this helps.

But my guess is that there are still plenty of dates available for interview as they are still in the september session (far behind than UTMB, which I have been waiting for🙁).....Good luck!!🙂

 

[Hopebedoc]

Got tickets from Houston on Southwest for $258 round trip. I thought that was pretty good! Also, the last direct flight out if late enough to make after the interview (I called Foster to double check), so I only had to book one night. I used Foster's list of hotels and got a good rate for that.

Thank you very much for the information and fast response!!! I will check it out...

How many days in advance did you book your flight?

 

[TheTruckGuy]

Amtrack does go from Houston to El Paso. Not sure how much money you'd save, but it will be a very long journey.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Thank you very much for the information and fast response!!! I will check it out...

How many days in advance did you book your flight?

Right about 3 weeks. I had been looking for about a week, and that was the cheapest I saw them, so I jumped on it. (I just rechecked the flight now, and it's only $10 more - still great!)

Must be some kind of magical time frame because I just got Lubbock tickets last night for $287...just over 3 weeks before I head there. I was previously debating driving because those were no less than $350 in the couple of weeks I've been looking at them.

Was going to try Priceline, but for the best rates, you can't choose your flights. Once you start getting choosy, they're not much cheaper than Southwest (here anyway). SW has the added benefit of no change fees (and no baggage fees!), so I figure I will probably just stick with them all season. That way, if I'm lucky enough to group interviews, I can change days without a loss.

 

[TXKnight]

Do you guys think --current student feedback very appreciated---- that a doctor LOR would help any? if so, I have a DO LOR so far and an MD is in the process of writing one...should I send both, wait for MD, send DO now? dunno, maybe DO is not taken much into consideration since this is an MD school.

BTW, if you ask me, a physician is a physician regardless of letters, but you never know with ADCOMS.

Input appreciated!

 

[TheTruckGuy]

Do you guys think --current student feedback very appreciated---- that a doctor LOR would help any? if so, I have a DO LOR so far and an MD is in the process of writing one...should I send both, wait for MD, send DO now? dunno, maybe DO is not taken much into consideration since this is an MD school.

BTW, if you ask me, a physician is a physician regardless of letters, but you never know with ADCOMS.

Input appreciated!

I don't think DO vs MD matters in terms of LORs. I'd recommend sending them in sooner than later though. Some schools have been known to extend invites prior to receiving the letters, but I'm sure it would help.

 

[TXKnight]

I don't think DO vs MD matters in terms of LORs. I'd recommend sending them in sooner than later though. Some schools have been known to extend invites prior to receiving the letters, but I'm sure it would help.

Thank you. I think I will go ahead and do that.

 

[duyvtr]

Southwest flies from Houston to El Paso for $135 "wanna get away" prices. Southwest only publishes fares on their site not on any of the travel search engines. Considering Dallas is SW home airport they should have cheap flights to El Paso...

What is the "wanna get away" prices? I was looking at that but didn't really understand what that means.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

What is the "wanna get away" prices? I was looking at that but didn't really understand what that means.

If I remember correctly, it's online only and has a certain advance time (2 weeks? 3?). Since there are no change fees, I jump on those cheap prices when I see them drop that low!

 

[DirkFor3]

Anyone going to be there this Thursday (the 6th)?

 

[duyvtr]

Is there anyone that will be interviewing on September 20th?

 

[BabyClutch]

Anyone going to be there this Thursday (the 6th)?

I'm here! See you tomorrow at the interview!

Edit: Oops wrong thread. I was in Lubbock.

 

[peanutbutt]

Does anyone know what kind of laptop they give to MS1's?

 

[Cdiff]

Just got an II. Transmitted 5/22, but second MCAT score came in 9/5. In-state, 3.9c, 3.9s, 29 MCAT.

 

[ssrap]

Just got an invite today too! Yay someone wants me!

I transmitted 8/9 (late due to LOR packet submission).

Stats: 3.45, 33N

See ya'll in El Paso October 11th!

 

[00011]

I submitted 7/10 and haven't even gotten a confirmation email that they received my app. Is anyone else in the same boat?
Here are my stats:
28O
3.94

 

[rubisco88]

I submitted my primary late August and got the confirmation email a wk later.

 

[BoricuaMD]

Just got an II. Transmitted 5/22, but second MCAT score came in 9/5. In-state, 3.9c, 3.9s, 29 MCAT.

I'm in a similar boat...hoping for an interview invite soon.

Primary transmitted 6/20, MCAT received by TMDSAS on 8/29 (30M), HPE packet received 9/4.

Got confirmation email like 2 months ago but haven't heard anything since.

Stories like these make me panic just a little...

 

[def1]

Does anyone have an interview on 10/4?

Im from El Paso so luckily I don't have to travel, and Im also hoping that being from here helps me a stronger applicant.

For those wondering about the city, I can give a brief description. El Paso is a relatively big town but theres not much attractions here. We have the mountains which are very nice if you are into hiking or are an outdoors person. The downtown/Westside area is really nice and has a college atmosphere, where all the students from UTEP go to party at the bars in the area. People here are generally nice and friendly. The majority of people here are hispanic but since we have Ft. Bliss here there is a lot of diversity. Its a fun town, but don't expect it to be anything like the other big cities in Texas like Dallas, Houston, Austin, etc.

 

[ts173]

I'm in a similar boat...hoping for an interview invite soon.

Primary transmitted 6/20, MCAT received by TMDSAS on 8/29 (30M), HPE packet received 9/4.

Got confirmation email like 2 months ago but haven't heard anything since.

Stories like these make me panic just a little...

Don't worry I was transmitted 5/23 with MCAT received 5/12 and HPE 5/25 and I still haven't heard anything. So you are not alone.

 

[BoricuaMD]

Don't worry I was transmitted 5/23 with MCAT received 5/12 and HPE 5/25 and I still haven't heard anything. So you are not alone.

Damn dude, that sounds excruciating. Thanks for the moral support though I appreciate it. If you don't mind me asking what are your stats? (Im sittin' at a 3.6/30, meh)

 

[ts173]

Damn dude, that sounds excruciating. Thanks for the moral support though I appreciate it. If you don't mind me asking what are your stats? (Im sittin' at a 3.6/30, meh)

Hah it kind of stinks being pretty much everyone I know has interviewed here already and I am in the same position at uthscsa as well. But good luck to the both of us I am 3.75+/35+

 

[ts173]

I'm guessing certain schools just look for different things in ECs and involvement (which seems like it would be clear) but all we can do is be patient and wait to see what happens!

 

[BoricuaMD]

Hah it kind of stinks being pretty much everyone I know has interviewed here already and I am in the same position at uthscsa as well. But good luck to the both of us I am 3.75+/35+

You are in awesome shape. Congratulations, go ahead and buy yourself a Littman and some scrubs...You are starting med school next fall.

Seriously, unless your ECs are lacking, I dont think you have any reason to worry, yeah its a little unsettling since you submitted so long ago and other people are getting interviews before you, but keep faith, and I am almost sure you'll be fine.

Best of luck to ya.

 

[ts173]

You are in awesome shape. Congratulations, go ahead and buy yourself a Littman and some scrubs...You are starting med school next fall.

Seriously, unless your ECs are lacking, I dont think you have any reason to worry, yeah its a little unsettling since you submitted so long ago and other people are getting interviews before you, but keep faith, and I am almost sure you'll be fine.

Best of luck to ya.

Thanks for the positive words, I am sure you will do great as well 👍 and hopefully we can both get some good emails soon!

 

[Guero]

I'm in the waiting boat, too: Verified mid-august, second MCAT received 9/6, OOS, stats on my MDApps. I really want to interview here! :-(

 

[tn4596]

I'm guessing certain schools just look for different things in ECs and involvement (which seems like it would be clear) but all we can do is be patient and wait to see what happens!

Yea man, that is true. Because everybody apply to every schools in tmdsas so the mid-level med schools can only give out a certain number of invites for people with high numbers, who are most likely be attracted to utsw or Baylor. Unless there are something in ur app that show strong level of interests in the school, it is a crapshoot because they think they are just your safeties.

 

[riseagainsthoya]

Transmitted to Foster on 5/18. Still nothing from Foster, I have had interviews at other Texas schools. I applied combined MD/MPH. I am starting to lose hope for getting an interview from this school. 🙁

 

[redoitall]

Yea man, that is true. Because everybody apply to every schools in tmdsas so the mid-level med schools can only give out a certain number of invites for people with high numbers, who are most likely be attracted to utsw or Baylor. Unless there are something in ur app that show strong level of interests in the school, it is a crapshoot because they think they are just your safeties.

so you are saying that high numbers are detrimental? This school didn't have a secondary. So how is it possible to expires any sort of interest? I have good numbers and haven't been invited to this school and others. I interviewed to 3 schools, aok invited me in the first batch (utmb, ttl, utsw). So I have a hard time understanding how you can be very competitive for some school and not at all for others. I think it is a Good thing because it gives a shot to many more applicants. But it truly puzzles me...

Sent via my crappy phone.

 

[tn4596]

so you are saying that high numbers are detrimental? This school didn't have a secondary. So how is it possible to expires any sort of interest? I have good numbers and haven't been invited to this school and others. I interviewed to 3 schools, aok invited me in the first batch (utmb, ttl, utsw). So I have a hard time understanding how you can be very competitive for some school and not at all for others. I think it is a Good thing because it gives a shot to many more applicants. But it truly puzzles me...

Sent via my crappy phone.

Just my theory, but considering that tmdsas operates differently then the amcas, as in everyone usually apply to most of the schools, every tmdsas school receive a similar applicants pool. Therefore, schools can't just interview the people with the best applications they received because interview spots are limited. If they all did that, then only the people with good numbers and ECs will get interviews, and since each
person can only attend one school, they won't be able to fill their classes. I think if you have good number, they are looking for something in everyone app to determine how likely this person will attend our school. Whether it be demographic, race, or past experiences. Ie: a person from low income family may place great emphasis on cost of attendance when selecting schools. Since tuitions are relatively similar, the cost of living in a particular area might become a factor. School with strong research program might be interested in you having research. El paso will def give applicant from west Texas and Spanish speaking applicant an advantage, a person growing up in Houston might have more chance to be interview at Uth, or sometimes it is just random tbh... All in all, with good numbers, I should have enough ii to guarantee an acceptance somewhere. If I can't get an acceptance despite my good app, then there is something wrong with me and the other schools, that didn't gave me ii, probably wouldn't want me anyway.
Good numbers aren't detrimental because you are interviewing at Utsw, which is less likely to interview less-than-stellar applicants. I remember from one of your post stating that you're a faculty there; so aren't you pretty much guaranteed an acceptance there? 🙂

 

[redoitall]

Just my theory, but considering that tmdsas operates differently then the amcas, as in everyone usually apply to most of the schools, every tmdsas school receive a similar applicants pool. Therefore, schools can't just interview the people with the best applications they received because interview spots are limited. If they all did that, then only the people with good numbers and ECs will get interviews, and since each
person can only attend one school, they won't be able to fill their classes. I think if you have good number, they are looking for something in everyone app to determine how likely this person will attend our school. Whether it be demographic, race, or past experiences. Ie: a person from low income family may place great emphasis on cost of attendance when selecting schools. Since tuitions are relatively similar, the cost of living in a particular area might become a factor. School with strong research program might be interested in you having research. El paso will def give applicant from west Texas and Spanish speaking applicant an advantage, a person growing up in Houston might have more chance to be interview at Uth, or sometimes it is just random tbh... All in all, with good numbers, I should have enough ii to guarantee an acceptance somewhere. If I can't get an acceptance despite my good app, then there is something wrong with me and the other schools, that didn't gave me ii, probably wouldn't want me anyway.
Good numbers aren't detrimental because you are interviewing at Utsw, which is less likely at interview less-than-stellar applicants. I remember from one of your post stating that you're a faculty there; so aren't you pretty much guaranteed an acceptance there? 🙂

There is sense in your theory. I agree with everything you say, although I would have liked a committee member of a school confirming this line of thought.
To answer your question, yes I was a faculty member at UTSW for a few years (5 or so), but I still have to retake pre-requisites. So being a faculty member didn't help me from that point of view. I also doubt it will help with respect to being accepted based on my discussions with admission folks. I am really on the same footing than everyone else (that's why I had to retake the pre-requisite). Of course I have research experience and that helps, but being at UTSW didn't really matter. In fact I didn't know my interviewers and they didn't seem to know me, although one hinted that he knew my former PI who by the way wrote an excellent letter, because it was mentioned by my interviewers in almost all of my interviews in which the interviewer had access. One interviewer at UTMB told me: "he [the PI] wrote an excellent letter, you should thank him!"
So I don't know what to make of all this process, if your theory holds any truth or not. There are schools I wished I had interviewed at, on the other hand, interviewing at all is, at least for me, not the best use of my time and resources. I just want enough to "guarantee" one spot somewhere at the very least.

Well we'll keep waiting then and see what comes up.

Best of luck to you all.

 

[Emmett BR0WN]

The drive to El Paso from Dallas is quick and easy, use to live and Dallas and would drive back and forth all the time, going 90 you can make it no more than 9hrs, Ive even done 8 hrs1/2 ranging from 90-100mph I drive a V6 would use a tank and half to get there and another tank half back a total of 4 fill ups the whole trip, good save in money if flights are above 200

 

[LittleDandelion]

I've pretty much given up hope on getting an II here at this point. Received II from every other tx school (except for tcom since I didn't apply) already and still heard nothing from this one...

 

[redoitall]

I've pretty much given up hope on getting an II here at this point. Received II from every other tx school (except for tcom since I didn't apply) already and still heard nothing from this one...

Well you will likely match somewhere. so this shouldn't bother you, unless it is your first choice... Your case speaks to my understanding of how the processe should work. You are competitive for all schools, or not. But hey congrats littledandelion.


Sent via my crappy phone.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Yea man, that is true. Because everybody apply to every schools in tmdsas so the mid-level med schools can only give out a certain number of invites for people with high numbers, who are most likely be attracted to utsw or Baylor. Unless there are something in ur app that show strong level of interests in the school, it is a crapshoot because they think they are just your safeties.

This isn't true IMO....

 

[commander1]

II here, but I don't know if I should withdraw or accept. I am
non-trad and, as a teacher, it is difficult to take time off (I have other interviews around the same time). This school doesn't seem super appealing so I am hesitant to take the risk. I know the curriculum is different here, but what else about this school
sets it apart?

 

[redoitall]

II here, but I don't know if I should withdraw or accept. I am
non-trad and, as a teacher, it is difficult to take time off (I have other interviews around the same time). This school doesn't seem super appealing so I am hesitant to take the risk. I know the curriculum is different here, but what else about this school
sets it apart?

Why take a chance? What if you end up matching only at t that school? Even if it isn't a top choice, it is worth going, for the mere fact that out is a shot at becoming a physician IMO.

Sent via my crappy phone.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

II here, but I don't know if I should withdraw or accept. I am
non-trad and, as a teacher, it is difficult to take time off (I have other interviews around the same time). This school doesn't seem super appealing so I am hesitant to take the risk. I know the curriculum is different here, but what else about this school
sets it apart?

I agree with redoitall, but I also wanted to add that I was REALLY impressed with the school. The curriculum is indeed unique, and the faculty's involvement with the students is amazing. Depending on your personality, small class size can be a plus. The young school aspect also means if there's something you're interested in that isn't up and running yet, you can get a group of people together and start it up yourself.

I would definitely encourage you to give it a chance!

 

[cest la vie]

I disagree with crafty and redoitall. If commander isn't into the school and doesn't feel it's worth his/her time to interview then please withdraw your spot so the adcoms can give the spot to someone who's enthusiastic about the prospect of attending.

 

[TheTruckGuy]

II here, but I don't know if I should withdraw or accept. I am
non-trad and, as a teacher, it is difficult to take time off (I have other interviews around the same time). This school doesn't seem super appealing so I am hesitant to take the risk. I know the curriculum is different here, but what else about this school
sets it apart?

Unless you're absolutely sure you're going to get in elsewhere, I wouldn't turn down the interview. Perhaps you can reschedule it for after Nov 15th (or whenever schools start sending pre-matches), and if you have pre-matches, just turn it down. If you don't, then go.

That being said, I would like an II here, so I'm not going to complain if you turn it down 😉

 

[tn4596]

II here, but I don't know if I should withdraw or accept. I am
non-trad and, as a teacher, it is difficult to take time off (I have other interviews around the same time). This school doesn't seem super appealing so I am hesitant to take the risk. I know the curriculum is different here, but what else about this school
sets it apart?

they give a lot of scholarships so there are a good chance that you might get one. There is required Spanish medicine in the curriculum (which is largely pbl) from what I've seen. Small class size/faculties dedicated to teaching and not research. There isn't a lot to do in el paso so you know you are gonna study all the time...from what I've heard, because they curriculum is new, they are changing it a little bit year after year to make it better based on student feedback, which is rly receptive of the school. Although, this kinda throw me off a little since this mean the curriculum hadn't been tested and is not "optimal" yet.

 

[commander1]

Thanks, everyone. I didn't know about some of those features. I had considered the "what if" scenario and the guilt that I feel for taking the spot, but I think rescheduling is the best option. If I pre-match, I'll give it back to y'all. 🙂

 

[commander1]

they give a lot of scholarships so there are a good chance that you might get one. There is required Spanish medicine in the curriculum (which is largely pbl) from what I've seen. Small class size/faculties dedicated to teaching and not research. There isn't a lot to do in el paso so you know you are gonna study all the time...from what I've heard, because they curriculum is new, they are changing it a little bit year after year to make it better based on student feedback, which is rly receptive of the school. Although, this kinda throw me off a little since this mean the curriculum hadn't been tested and is not "optimal" yet.

How do you find out about scholarship data? Is this reported in MSAR? I know % and average amount are, but I haven't closely looked into what scholarships are available in Texas and for which ones I am eligible...

 

[stolen_biscuit]

How do you find out about scholarship data? Is this reported in MSAR? I know % and average amount are, but I haven't closely looked into what scholarships are available in Texas and for which ones I am eligible...

They told us at the interview that there are a certain number they give out, most pre-match, leaving several for match (if I remember correctly).

I was in the same situation as you and went in completely blind regarding El Paso and much about the school. Now I'm completely sold on it and would be very happy there! For this reason, I was arguing giving it (and any place that offers you an interview) a chance, regardless of initial ideas of the school. You may find that one you didn't expect becomes a top choice.

 

[Jah UT13]

What number are you guys using to call the admissions office? If its (915.783.1250) what extension should I dial? Haven't received confirmation email either, transmitted 8/24.

 

[riseagainsthoya]

II for El Paso, 10/25, really excited!!!!!!

I had a huge drought from early July until now. In early July I got II from A&M and UTMB but haven't heard a peep from the other texas schools until now!!!!