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so much hate on the ivies Justin 😉
2012-2013 University of Texas Southwestern Application Thread
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You're from the East Coast? Have you walked the halls of Harvard and gotten to know the students there? Is my assessment wrong? If so, tell me how it is.
I personally have not been to any of the Ivy Leagues.
The closest I have been to an Ivy League school is Southern Methodist University, and I don't mean to be a hater, but the people who go there do not seem to be the most "modest" people you'll ever meet. And I don't think they intend to be immodest, but by growing up in a very affluent environment I don't think they realize there are others who live a different lifestyle and come from a different background.
You know who I want to be around when I am in medical school? All of the scrappers. They guys and gals who had to check out old ratty books from their public library. The guys and gals who worked their butt off to get to where they are today, but never forgot where they came from.
I kind of get the impression of UTSW as a "scrapper" school. They might not be the best, but they are darn well going to try and be as good as they can be. I like that.
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You go to any southern private school and you will see the same things as SMU. Just don't make the mistake of generalizing the entire SMU population by the few rude kids you meet there. While most students come from an upper middle-class to affluent environment, it does not follow that these students are not accepting of those with less. Say what you will and give more examples if you wish, but by actually being at SMU for 3+ years I can firmly strike down all those notions.
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Thanks for your reply.
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1+ on that. I attend a Southern private school and am not upper class. There are plenty like us. Get to know the people first, and I'm sure you will enjoy it. Plus there are people like that everywhere.
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I appreciate your comments. It seems that I am one of the few on this forum who by necessity attended a community college because even a state school was prohibitively expensive. So I'll shut up and keep out of the conversation.
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May you be right my friend!
Yeah, my dad was the boy of a farmer. Never even went to school, no reading/writing. So talk about my spot among the elite
Right there man!. Financially speaking, with kids and other responsibilities, I should be planning the college education of my kids rather than paying for my own!. You can not beat TX tuition I think. The best your money can buy. 👍
Keeping
and I wish you the best of luck. We may meet someday.
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I think you ought to avoid making sweeping generalizations. I've attended SMU for the past 3 years because it was the only school that gave me a merit scholarship that could make it possible to go to college at all after graduating in rural Colorado. I know many others in similar situations at SMU. For the most part, the pre-meds work extremely hard and are dedicated to all of our endeavors (the same goes for many of the students; not all, but your generalization is inaccurate). I'm certain many, if not most, pre-meds at Ivy leagues or just other private schools are the same way. My best friends who go to state schools (several on ROTC programs) are also among the most dedicated students I know. I also know of a student from Africa who attended community college in Dallas and then transferred to SMU, later matriculating to UT Southwestern and being inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha. The difficulties in life are vastly different for each person, and I guarantee you that no medical school is filled with only "immodest" people, even if you can't identify them as scrappers from the start.
Anyway, Southwestern is a fantastic school. I've done a handful of volunteer activities there and the students and faculty, as well as facilities, are top notch. But I've spoken to several students whose parents purchased for them townhomes in Highland Park (~15 minutes from the campus) for their living situation. So just don't go in with the misguided conception that you'll be surrounded by people to whom you can easily relate right off the bat. That said, all the students I have met are clearly motivated and caring people.
Okay, wall of text over.
Good luck to everyone! Crossing my fingers myself.
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This might be the funniest thing I have ever read on here. Hopefully this username isn't your real name or you might have issues when the med schools read the forums.
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Does anyone know of any places I could get good interview stats for UTSW? I love this school but I know its pretty out of my reach....unfortunately my MCAT didn't go as planned (28Q, GPA 4.0/4.0 in Biomedical Sciences Major at Texas a&m). Should I keep my hopes up for UTSW? does anyone know of someone who has gotten in with my stats?
Thanks! and good luck!
Thanks! and good luck!
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As soon as you get below 30, the number of matriculants decrease substantially at UTSW. Now there might be something really unique about you, in which case everything is possible. I certainly wouldn't want to discourage anyone. But based on my discussion with UTSW staff, it is a competitive school and a good MCAT is close to necessary. If UTSW is your first choice, have you considered retaking?
Anyway, good luck to you.
Anyway, good luck to you.
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I love the school but it's definitely not my only first choice, especially since I know I have pretty slim chances because of my MCAT score. This was the second time I took the MCAT, I only improved a couple of points from the first time I took it. Usually I don't have much trouble with tests once I study, but of course the MCAT was my weakness. I'm still keeping up hope though that maybe they will find something interesting in my application. Thank you for the advise! and good luck!
Futuredoc, I go to A&M and am BIMS as well. Our program sends a LOT of people to all the schools. Go to our OPSA website and there is a breakdown of where all the aggies went and what their MCAT/GPA was. It will give you a good idea.
Looks like last year they started giving invitations on 8/12 for mid September interviews.
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I feel so uncomfortable with the first essay topic cause it says to use bullets to describe experiences related to our interests, but I know mine won't come anywhere near 3500 characters. I feel like bullets mean to keep it short and simple, but I feel compelled to fill up the entire character space.
Yea it was weird, my secondary felt like a botched high school outline...we will see what they do with it
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Yep, first interview invites was sent out in mid-August, with the first interviews being held around the beginning / middle of September.
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I want to say in one of my essays that I want to specifically attend Southwestern because they have a large amount of research in a specific disease that has recently affected one of my family members. Should I include this in the bullet essay or the future work environment essay?
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I think that you should be honest about your goals. If that's what you want to do, then so be it. You will always be more passionate about what you care rather than some fake strategy. The only flip side is that you have to be prepared on the topic, so read about it. At least you will display a basic knowledge demonstrating your interest. My 2 cents.
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Nevermind, I did not realize that the first "essay" was supposed to be in bullet form. I had a nice big essay typed up for that one haha. I'm glad I didn't submit it looking like that.
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How short is your first essay? I really doubt mine is going to be over 1000 characters. I hate how they ask for bullets and listing activities, and I don't know whether to make short blurbs about each activity and how they would relate to my interests. I did it anyway, but like I said before, I feel inclined to make it short because of the "use bullets" thing...
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Does anyone have some instructions I could follow on how to make "bullets" in their textbox? When I try to copy paste from word I get all kinds of nastiness.
Is it alright to just use "-"
Is it alright to just use "-"
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Good luck to you all. After visiting all of the Texas schools during the previous cycle, I couldn't be happier with my decision to attend UTSW. It really does have a lot to offer.
If you have any additional questions pertaining to the application process or interview day(s), I'd be more than happy to try and answer them.
If you have any additional questions pertaining to the application process or interview day(s), I'd be more than happy to try and answer them.
Jabws thanks for all your comments, they are really helpful
i just got verified through TMDSAS and submitted my secondary today, cause I took a late MCAT. I have strong stats with a 3.80GPA (biomed engineering) and 41P MCAT and pretty good EC's, but I am OOS and have absolutely zero ties to Texas, haha. Should I be worried that Im an OOSer with no ties and submitted fairly late, or will my stats make up for that?
Zero ties and submitting late aren't helping you. Applying OOS is a crapshoot, numbers won't immunize you from that.
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i was/am an OOSer with no TX ties, was complete in late august last year, received an II a few days later, and was ultimately accepted on the first day. i don't think you are late at all.
that's reassuring. i guess there's no point worrying cause there's nothing I can change at this point, i applied to a wide range of places so I'll try not to lose too much sleep
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Does UTSW send out complete emails?
You aren't late. The first interviews don't even come out until August. I bet you'll get an interview at the very least, and while you're there, make sure you emphasize why you want to go to UTSW and live in Texas.
I got one a while back after I turned in my secondary
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You're fine. I don't think UTSW looks at your secondary before they hand out interview invites (I got an interview invite before I even looked at the secondary...lol). Of course, being finished with your secondary just means there's one less thing for you to worry about.
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Are you referring to the email that verifies that your secondary was submitted, or is there actually a "complete" email? I only received the former.
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I received two emails. One immediately after I submitted the secondary. The other was about my primary application being under review and was sent about two weeks after my TMDSAS was transmitted.
could someone clarify the second prompt on the secondary?
In the text box provided below, describe the setting in which you envision conducting your medical career. Also include how and why you think this setting would help fulfill your interests related to the practice of medicine.
Is this referring to the setting I am picturing when I become a real doctor and like where you want to be working for life?
or is medical career referring to medical school, i.e. UTSW?
or is it both where you picture youself in medical school and as a future doctor?
🙄🙄🙄
Thanks.
In the text box provided below, describe the setting in which you envision conducting your medical career. Also include how and why you think this setting would help fulfill your interests related to the practice of medicine.
Is this referring to the setting I am picturing when I become a real doctor and like where you want to be working for life?
or is medical career referring to medical school, i.e. UTSW?
or is it both where you picture youself in medical school and as a future doctor?
🙄🙄🙄
Thanks.
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I think this question is referring more to the setting you envision conducting your medical career as a practicing physician, such as urban vs rural, underserved, etc. However, I would try to answer it in a way that corresponds and aligns with the mission and setting of UTSW. In other words, give an honest answer, but try to frame it in a way that will allow the reader to connect the dots and see clearly how an education from UTSW fits into your long term plans.
Also, leave some room for flexibility. They want to know that you've thought about your future as a physician and the difference you'd like to make in that capacity, but they understand that you don't have near the exposure to medicine to have everything figured out just yet. My answer to the question attempted to make both of these facts evident, namely 1) I'm curious/engaged/interested and have thought in depth about my future as a physician but 2) I don't have all the answers and am anxious to learn more upon entering medical school.
This is only my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. It worked out pretty well for me, though 🙂
Thanks for the response. Will work on this prompt today.
about how long did you write (character amount)?
about how long did you write (character amount)?
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I didn't save it, so I can't tell you exactly. It was 2-3 full paragraphs. Good luck!
Edit: Although I didn't, you may also want to discuss academic vs. private practice, and in the case of the former, how research/teaching/etc. will help you fulfill your interests related to practicing medicine.
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@zaq
it may take a while. Last year my AMCAS was submitted with all letters in by late June/early July and I didn't receive an acknowledgement until late in August. Give it some time, especially now with new MS1s getting ready to start next week, things are a bit hectic at the moment. The good thing is that there is no secondary or anything besides your AMCAS and letters (which AMCAS will collect and forward). So just sit tight for now. IIRC, first interview will probably be late october/early november and invitations may start rolling out end of sept.
Of course this is all MSTP-only. If you applied to straight MD also, things may be a little different.
it may take a while. Last year my AMCAS was submitted with all letters in by late June/early July and I didn't receive an acknowledgement until late in August. Give it some time, especially now with new MS1s getting ready to start next week, things are a bit hectic at the moment. The good thing is that there is no secondary or anything besides your AMCAS and letters (which AMCAS will collect and forward). So just sit tight for now. IIRC, first interview will probably be late october/early november and invitations may start rolling out end of sept.
Of course this is all MSTP-only. If you applied to straight MD also, things may be a little different.
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Any invites yet?
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