2012-2013 University of Texas - Houston Application Thread

[Guero]

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. . .
My trend
AAMC 3 6P 7V 3B
AAMC 4 6P 8V 7B
AAMC 5 8P 8V 8B
AAMC 7 8P 9V 9B
AAMC 8 10P 8V 9B
AAMC 9 13P 9V 12B
AAMC 10 13P 10V 13B
AAMC 11 TBD

. . .

I take my test July 6, so hopefully I'll be seeing you guys come the interview cycles

Holy crap, those are impressive improvements! Congrats! I'm sure you'll do great. I just copied your post and saved it for later. I just bought all the 1001 exam krackers and have been using the 2009 Kaplan set to study. I re-take mine August 4th. I hope this works!

 

[bhandal]

What's GSBS?
Why would it matter if the doctor know programming/bioinformatics, unless for research? If just treating patients, does that matter? I'm interested in what you mean.
Oh cool, yeah Johns Hopkins also offer an online master's in bioinformatics that bio bachelor holders can apply to. Or you can apply to the online computer science program and study the specialty of bioinformatics too.

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Houston. Sorry I wasn't clear, pathology is moving to a more comprehensive approach to diagnostic medicine and the data outputted by new machines coming out is tremendous. One human genome is ~32 GB. Where do we store it? What does it all mean? Structuring this information in to a digestible format takes a firm understanding in programming/ bioinformatics. The doctors don't need to know; however, what I've encountered in the medical field is a big disconnect from what is needed to answer in the questions above. Since bioninformaicians usually have no role in the politics of a hospital or view patients it's difficult for them to ask effective questions to ultimately have a worthwhile solution. My mentor is a MD/PhD and he taught himself programming and taught me. Because of his overlapping understanding we have made great strides and have developed software to make patient reports that's is understandable. We all have mutations and you don't want to be freaked out when you see all the mutations because a lot of them don't mean anything, silent. So the biggest challenge now is discovering the implication of each mutation. Sorry for the lengthy explanation haha, I'm obviously obssessed 🙂

We should probably keep the thread about UT Houston Medical School and MCAT. If any more questions or help needed feel free to PM.

 

[Houston713]

Hey Guys,

I haven't been on SDN in a long time, but I'm currently in my clinical years at UT Houston. I have had a pretty good experience at this school until recently. I have resorted to an all out internet blast on UTH until something gets done. It's the best way for things to go down because its anonymous (yes, politics are a huge deal in med school) and because it disseminates very quickly.

Some big whigs at UTH have been pushing a new online registration/finance/scheduling system called MyUTH. They pushed it so hard that it was put to market well before it was ready. Because of this haphazard launch of MyUTH, all of the MS3's and MS4's who were expecting financial aid disbursements at the beginning of July are getting the run around from the Financial Aid office, the Bursar's office, and Student affairs. It's a huge cluster f-ck to put it frankly. Each department is blaming each other and a faulty MyUTH system for not being able to get the financial aid in order. Worst part about it is that there are no paper forms to work around a broken electronic system. It's become such an issue that dozens of students are complaining to each department, and the people who work in these departments are obviously showing signs of frustration with the students.

Most students at UTH rely solely on the financial aid for living expenses as well as tuition, of course. Now without a financial aid disbursement, me and my roommate will be selling our tv, some furniture and some sports memorabilia on craigslist just to pay rent this month because UTH can't get their act together.

This isn't a common occurrence at UTH, but one would expect that a well established professional school would be better managed than this.

Best of luck on your application processes,

H713

 

[LRAccord624]

The vast majority of people got their money yesterday. And when I told my apartments the situation, they were very willing to work with me. I agree, the whole myUTH system hasn't been working too well, but this often happens when a university tries to implement a new system (same thing at my undergrad).

 

[LRAccord624]

Not to mention that our parent's organization offers emergency $1500 loans that each of you could have obtained and easily paid your bills for the month until loans came in.

 

[armybound]

I understand the frustration with the new system, but what does this ranting to applicants accomplish? Is the desired effect that these students not apply to our school, or should they really think twice about attending because we're having growing pains with a new system?

I don't expect this problem to persist, so what impact will this really have on these applicants?

 

[Got Em]

Is this the official 2012-13 UTH thread? I just see people giving MCAT advice and others complaining about some UTH financial aid system. Where is everybody on the application front? I guess it's because they don't send out invites till mid August.

 

[addo]

the myUTH system is the same thing my undegrad used and it worked pretty well. the transition might just be a little rocky, but by the time the current applicants get to use it it'll be all sorted out.

 

[zheng]

Is this the official 2012-13 UTH thread? I just see people giving MCAT advice and others complaining about some UTH financial aid system. Where is everybody on the application front? I guess it's because they don't send out invites till mid August.

There's also no secondary 🙂

 

[riseagainsthoya]

They start reviewing applications towards the end of July and start sending out interview invites in early August, and their first interview date is Sept 7th or something.

I would be really happy if I got a chance to attend this school. I have done research with faculty from UT-H before and I really like this school, but it is a very competitive school to get into.....

 

[FutureDoc3616]

They start reviewing applications towards the end of July and start sending out interview invites in early August, and their first interview date is Sept 7th or something.

I would be really happy if I got a chance to attend this school. I have done research with faculty from UT-H before and I really like this school, but it is a very competitive school to get into.....

Thanks for that information. I can definitely sleep a little easier for the next week or so. I haven't gotten an email from them saying that they received my application but i have received an email from a couple other schools. have you guys heard anything?

 

[therunner12]

Thanks for that information. I can definitely sleep a little easier for the next week or so. I haven't gotten an email from them saying that they received my application but i have received an email from a couple other schools. have you guys heard anything?

We got confirmation emails in early August last year. It was the first year they even sent confirmation emails.

 

[DrV1984]

I'm applying!!!🙂
But unfortunately with a pretty late MCAT (taking it Aug 23 unless a miracle happens and I feel prepared earlier AND there are openings close by!!)
I've gotten emails from a couple other school's saying they have received my application and will be reviewing complete applications soon, and in the mean time please fill out secondaries etc. I'm glad UT doesn't have secondaries...one less thing on my very long list of things to do😉!!
Good luck to everyone applying this cycle!

 

[ts173]

Just received an email stating that my application has become "under review"

 

[riseagainsthoya]

Same here, confirmation email recieved

 

[redoitall]

Confirmation just received. This is "Just a confirmation and not an interview invite". Well a confirmation is better than nothing (of course an interview is better and an acceptance is even better and a scholarship is even better...)

 

[polymathg]

Just received an email stating that my application has become "under review"

Me too 🙂

 

[coyotelime]

Lots of red in the email lol.

OOS love would be nice!

 

[hes0062]

Just received confirmation email. Transmitted 6/8.

 

[OccamsRazor]

Ditto on the confirmation.

 

[MelonMan]

i'm here for the confirmation gang bang

 

[ts173]

Hey guys, just got the confirmation email from my top choice. 🙂

However, I have not sent in my MCAT scores yet to TMDSAS since I don't get my score back until July 24th. However, the email says my application is under review. Is anyone else on the same boat? Do you guys think I should email them to check?

I wouldn't worry about it, I'm sure this is primarily just a, Hey we saw you submitted a tmdsas just wanted to let you know. They obviously won't send you an interview invite until after they see the mcat but that doesn't mean they won't look at other aspects of your application. When you submitted tmdsas you marked that your mcat scores were in the future so they will know that. Besides the email sounds like they don't like to be bugged lol

 

[Remedies]

Lots of red in the email lol.

OOS love would be nice!

Yup, I got it and I'm OOS. 😀

 

[COTA2Phys]

Well a confirmation is better than nothing (of course an interview is better and an acceptance is even better and a scholarship is even better...)

+1 Got my confirmation email also.

 

[OccamsRazor]

I wouldn't worry about it, I'm sure this is primarily just a, Hey we saw you submitted a tmdsas just wanted to let you know. They obviously won't send you an interview invite until after they see the mcat but that doesn't mean they won't look at other aspects of your application. When you submitted tmdsas you marked that your mcat scores were in the future so they will know that. Besides the email sounds like they don't like to be bugged lol

Do you really think they'd look at an application without MCAT scores? This would surprise me...as adcoms are very busy and looking at an applicant who possibly bombed the mcat would be a waste of their time. I'm starting to wonder if my application is truly "under review" at the moment or just in line to be reviewed. *shrugs*

 

[UrshumMurshum]

That would be amazing. The surprising thing to me is that only 45.5% of TMDSAS applicants with above a 35 were accepted last year (111/244). Compare that to 47.5% of applicants with a 34-35 (156/328). Unless I'm reading this wrong:

http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/Final Statistics Report-EY11-Medical.pdf

I guess there's some truth to the claim I have seen on here that GPR is a more decisive factor than MCAT performance.

Those statistics don't include Baylor.

Baylor sucks in a lot of the 30+ students.

 

[ts173]

This is probably true, I just meant to make the point that I am sure they are aware your MCAT is not there and that it will be showing up soon. The email was most likely just to let you know your application made it that far.

 

[SushiBoat]

Got my confirmation July 13, transmitted by tmdsas July 5, good luck guys!

 

[Fivr]

I was wondering how important is the written section for the MCAT for the UT-Houston admissions committee? I have an 11 in verbal and good LORs/essays but for whatever reason my written came out to be an L. The last two time I took the MCAT, my written was N and O respectively, but I think this time I was just forgot to save the first essay before it kicked me to the second one. I have a 32 over all with a 11P 11V and 10B..I also have a lot of experience with research presentation and have won presentation contests (which I included in the application). I am worried that this L may hold me back considerably.

I appreciate the help! Thank you!

 

[premed8991]

Does anyone have an idea about when we should start hearing about interview invites?

 

[emystar]

Does anyone have an idea about when we should start hearing about interview invites?

I think it was mid August last year

 

[TheTruckGuy]

I was wondering how important is the written section for the MCAT for the UT-Houston admissions committee? I have an 11 in verbal and good LORs/essays but for whatever reason my written came out to be an L. The last two time I took the MCAT, my written was N and O respectively, but I think this time I was just forgot to save the first essay before it kicked me to the second one. I have a 32 over all with a 11P 11V and 10B..I also have a lot of experience with research presentation and have won presentation contests (which I included in the application). I am worried that this L may hold me back considerably.

I appreciate the help! Thank you!

Does it really matter at this point? My guess is that it won't be a huge deal, since I don't think many med schools really take that into account, but who knows. If they invite you to an interview and you can show effective communication skills then I don't think it'll matter at all. Unless you're planning on retaking the MCAT, don't over think things at this point.

 

[Fivr]

Does it really matter at this point? My guess is that it won't be a huge deal, since I don't think many med schools really take that into account, but who knows. If they invite you to an interview and you can show effective communication skills then I don't think it'll matter at all. Unless you're planning on retaking the MCAT, don't over think things at this point.

Thanks! Yeah, I'm not planning to take the MCAT again but I just wanted to see if maybe I could get an idea for how it might affect my chances of getting an interview call. Appreciate the help though!

 

[armybound]

Thanks! Yeah, I'm not planning to take the MCAT again but I just wanted to see if maybe I could get an idea for how it might affect my chances of getting an interview call. Appreciate the help though!

I really doubt it matters

 

[riseagainsthoya]

What exactly is this school looking for once you get to the interview stage? Out of the 3167 applicants from Texas that UT-Houston gets, 949 are interviewed, but only 412 are accepted.

Where did the 537 kids who interviewed but were not accepted go wrong? I am sure that it is more than "basic communication skills" because I don't believe that there are that many people without "basic communication skills". This is of course assuming that everyone who gets to the interview stage is qualified to attend.

Those that go to UT-Houston, please give some feedback, because I really want to go to this medical school.

 

[armybound]

What exactly is this school looking for once you get to the interview stage? Out of the 3167 applicants from Texas that UT-Houston gets, 949 are interviewed, but only 412 are accepted.

Where did the 537 kids who interviewed but were not accepted go wrong? I am sure that it is more than "basic communication skills" because I don't believe that there are that many people without "basic communication skills". This is of course assuming that everyone who gets to the interview stage is qualified to attend.

Those that go to UT-Houston, please give some feedback, because I really want to go to this medical school.

Well obviously not everybody could be accepted, so the school can be very picky about the people they want.

The interview is to get a feel for who you are and what you're about. They want to know more about how you got to where you are, what you like to do, what you're like to talk to and be around, etc.

There's no real magic to it. They want people who are going to do well, represent medicine well, and be a good person to work with.

 

[JABWS]

What exactly is this school looking for once you get to the interview stage? Out of the 3167 applicants from Texas that UT-Houston gets, 949 are interviewed, but only 412 are accepted.

Where did the 537 kids who interviewed but were not accepted go wrong? I am sure that it is more than "basic communication skills" because I don't believe that there are that many people without "basic communication skills". This is of course assuming that everyone who gets to the interview stage is qualified to attend.

Those that go to UT-Houston, please give some feedback, because I really want to go to this medical school.

You'll notice similar numbers at other schools as well. Some interview more, some less, but regardless there is always a large pool of applicants that interview who aren't subsequently offered a spot. This has nothing to do with UT Houston, it's just a reflection of the competitiveness of the application process in general.

BTW, with those numbers, if you get an interview, you're really not in bad shape. I'd much prefer a school that weeds out students pre-interview, rather than one that gets your hopes up with little intent to accept you.

One last thing, from my experience, UT Houston is a little slow when it comes to offering interviews, comparatively speaking. I interviewed at UTSW and BCM before visiting UT Houston. Of course, this could have had something to do with my app, but who knows.

 

[riseagainsthoya]

The interview is to get a feel for who you are and what you're about. They want to know more about how you got to where you are, what you like to do, what you're like to talk to and be around, etc.

There's no real magic to it. They want people who are going to do well, represent medicine well, and be a good person to work with.

Is there a particular type of person that UT-Houston likes? I know some schools like service oriented students, others like research oriented students, what kind of students does UT-H want?

The mission statement of UT-H seems like they want it all in a student, lol:

The mission of The University of Texas Medical School at Houston is to provide the highest quality of education and training of future physicians for the state of Texas, in harmony with the state's diverse population; to conduct the highest caliber of research in the biomedical and health sciences; and to provide exemplary clinical services in relationship to our educational and discovery activities.

I hope my research mentors at UT-H can give me a decent LOR specifically for this school, but I would have to get an interview first, because the admissions office does not take any LORs prior to interviewing.

Top Choice in Texas. Lets hope it works out come next year.

 

[zerog]

You'll notice similar numbers at other schools as well. Some interview more, some less, but regardless there is always a large pool of applicants that interview who aren't subsequently offered a spot. This has nothing to do with UT Houston, it's just a reflection of the competitiveness of the application process in general.

BTW, with those numbers, if you get an interview, you're really not in bad shape. I'd much prefer a school that weeds out students pre-interview, rather than one that gets your hopes up with little intent to accept you.

One last thing, from my experience, UT Houston is a little slow when it comes to offering interviews, comparatively speaking. I interviewed at UTSW and BCM before visiting UT Houston. Of course, this could have had something to do with my app, but who knows.

It was most likely something to do with your app.

 

[armybound]

Is there a particular type of person that UT-Houston likes? I know some schools like service oriented students, others like research oriented students, what kind of students does UT-H want?

The mission statement of UT-H seems like they want it all in a student, lol:
I hope my research mentors at UT-H can give me a decent LOR specifically for this school, but I would have to get an interview first, because the admissions office does not take any LORs prior to interviewing.

Top Choice in Texas. Lets hope it works out come next year.

Each interviewer is going to have something they're looking for, so it's hard to say exactly what they want. But it's usually about diversity, so maybe they're looking for the hardcore researcher or maybe they need a jock or maybe they want a nontrad or maybe they want something else. You never know, it kind of depends on what they like and what kind of people have come through.

The best thing to do is always be yourself and try to think of and mention the ways that you'll add to the class. Sell your skills/personality/unique qualities.

 

[JABWS]

It was most likely something to do with your app.

Leave me alone dude, seriously. I matched at UT Houston, so I think my app was just fine.

 

[DoItToIt]

Leave me alone dude, seriously. I matched at UT Houston, so I think my app was just fine.

Nearly all of his posts are negative or condescending- just ignore them.

Best of luck, riseagainsthoya. I thought for sure I wasn't getting into UTH after one of my interviews ended very oddly and awkwardly, and it all worked out. Interviews really seemed to differ by who you were interviewed by. Some asked lots of application questions, some spent the majority of time on healthcare questions, and some just talked casually for the thirty minutes. Just be friendly and confident. Like armybound said, sell yourself while remaining polite and humble. Good luck!

 

[riseagainsthoya]

Thanks for the help jabws, armybound, and dolttolt

Just got one more question, I might be getting published in a mid ranked journal tha has an impact factor of 7, if this publication occurs before I get an interview at ut Houston, how do I update the school about this? They made it explicit in their confirmation email that they wont take updates unless an interview had been given, but would a short update email be okay? This publication may tip the odds i my favor for getting an interview....

 

[bhandal]

Leave me alone dude, seriously. I matched at UT Houston, so I think my app was just fine.

You sound like a little bitch. You come on this forum, any forum at that, to display personal input and information and when someone criticizes don't say "leave me alone dude..." as if the guy/girl did something wrong.

 

[armybound]

Thanks for the help jabws, armybound, and dolttolt

Just got one more question, I might be getting published in a mid ranked journal tha has an impact factor of 7, if this publication occurs before I get an interview at ut Houston, how do I update the school about this? They made it explicit in their confirmation email that they wont take updates unless an interview had been given, but would a short update email be okay? This publication may tip the odds i my favor for getting an interview....

You could email them but I'm not sure if it would be put in your file or make a difference in their interview decision. Did you list the research on your application?

 

[JABWS]

You sound like a little bitch. You come on this forum, any forum at that, to display personal input and information and when someone criticizes don't say "leave me alone dude..." as if the guy/girl did something wrong.

He's been following each and every one of my posts with some negative comment that serves to derail the discussion. My response had nothing to do with his criticism. I've flagged his posts and reported it to the mods, hence the leave me alone statement. This has been going on for some time now, so why don't you get the whole story straight before you go around calling me a little bitch.

 

[zerog]

He's been following each and every one of my posts with some negative comment that serves to derail the discussion. My response had nothing to do with his criticism. I've flagged his posts and reported it to the mods, hence the leave me alone statement. This has been going on for some time now, so why don't you get the whole story straight before you go around calling me a little bitch.

Are you still whining about this? Go to the UTSW thread, mr. Big shot.

 

[JABWS]

Are you still whining about this? Go to the UTSW thread, mr. Big shot.

Are you still following each and every one of my posts with a negative comment? Get a f******* life bro. You are beyond pathetic.

 

[zerog]

Are you still following each and every one of my posts with a negative comment? Get a f******* life bro. You are beyond pathetic.

Quite the extensive vocabulary you have there, champ.

 

[JABWS]

I'm not dragging the thread down with this garbage anymore. Good luck to all of you who are applying this cycle. UT Houston is a great school, and anyone who ends up matriculating there should consider themselves very fortunate.