2013-2014 Texas A&M Application Thread

[miss chievous]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I don't know… I wrote an update letter as well as a letter of intent Nov/Dec before match and I sent it directly to Filo. I felt like I made a good connection with him via email so I really felt like this was a positive thing and have said so before on SDN. Now, I'm not sure. The more I'm involved in the process and the more I see, things like letters aren't supposed to impact committee decisions.. there's too much subjectiveness as it is. However, in saying that, if I was doing it again, I would do the same thing..It made me feel like I was doing something, even if there was a one a zillion chance that I might be seen in a new light I wanted to take it…….

Thanks for the info bro! He said he has some forms to fill out...not sure what forms they would give him...

 

[QuantumJ]

Campus designation emails are out. I generally have a strong preference for one designation. Any thoughts if I should explain each of my 6 rankings or just a short overview?

Also, I hadn't heard of the AIM program for 3rd years at CS/B but it looks interesting. From the weekly schedule provided, it looks like clerkships are all simultaneous with each day of the week dedicated to a specialty. It actually looks very intriguing http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/aim/index.html

 

[Htownmedstudent]

Campus designation emails are out. I generally have a strong preference for one designation. Any thoughts if I should explain each of my 6 rankings or just a short overview?

Also, I hadn't heard of the AIM program for 3rd years at CS/B but it looks interesting. From the weekly schedule provided, it looks like clerkships are all simultaneous with each day of the week dedicated to a specialty. It actually looks very intriguing http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/aim/index.html

I would love to hear your reasoning for each of your six rankings!

I'm also wondering which one will allow me to come back to Houston?

 

[yippiekiyay]

1) You don't have to justify all 6 but the first 2/3 would be a good idea. Location/support/finance/clinical exposures etc
There's no specific Houston track but if you stay in C/S you can't do a rotation because of AIM but Temple/RR/Dallas would let you have the option of 2 rotations in Houston as of right now..For third year anyway. Fourth year you can do anything.. from anywhere. I'm really not sure what the future holds for more Houston clerkships because we keep expanding so


2) AIM is the longitudinal program which allows you to do all the core discipline for the whole year. It was spearheaded by Harvard and A&M has done a lot of research on it before committing C/S fully. Who knows if the other campuses will follow suit but the feedback has been so good it wouldn't surprise me.
Mainly, having the continuity allows for a better faculty relationship (i.e. better letter of recommendation) because they get to know you better...know your strengths and because you're seeing all aspects of the clerkships they can progress you further (i.e. allow you to do more- say if you were doing surgery as your first placement in a traditional setting, the attending knows you're new and don't know anything- still trying sutures- so won't be so keen to involve you but in AIM they've seen you from suture virgin to pro so they trust you to do more).
Also, because you take Step 2 right after you have everything fresh in your head and if you did the traditional route it might have been months between seeing some info and taking the board.

 

[Command]

.

 

[sambal]

Up until today I was leaning towards Dallas for MS3 & 4 but the AIM program in BCS is a game changer. Continuity of care is the future of medicine, so might as well get on board early!

 

[ohsnap123]

I have a TON of questions but feel silly sending them all to the admissions office. Are there any current students willing to answer some stuff? 🙂

 

[SCX1]

I am also very intrigued by this AIM program. It is only offered on the B/CS campus?

 

[yippiekiyay]

I have a TON of questions but feel silly sending them all to the admissions office. Are there any current students willing to answer some stuff? 🙂

PM me anytime.

AIM is especially good for letters from attendings but you'll get good letters from basic science profs no matter where you do your first two years (C/S or Temple). I'm also not saying you won't get good letters from the traditional route either, just that in the AIM the attending will get longer with you so would be able to give a more in-depth account of you and your skills vs. if you only saw them for 6 weeks.

Personally, family trumps school

 

[yippiekiyay]

I am also very intrigued by this AIM program. It is only offered on the B/CS campus?

For now it's just B/CS but it's been so well received by students and faculty it wouldn't surprise me if it went to the other campuses...

 

[miss chievous]

Would you guys agree with my friend (she just finished her 3rd year at Temple)? I'm asking strictly for the first 2 years.

Temple: lots of married couples, less exciting, conservative, more likely do perform better on exams and stay focused
B/CS: college life, more fun, more single people, less likely to stay focused/on top of your game

 

[yippiekiyay]

hmmm.. I'm not sure about the focused/on top of your game part….there are dedicated students on both sides..The guy getting the best grades in our year is in B/CS..

But yeah the rest is a pretty good summary for the 1st 2 years…Obviously, they'll be people who do like to socialize in Temple and married couples in B/CS.. so it's not absolutes either 🙂

@R1MD What do you think?

 

[miss chievous]

hmmm.. I'm not sure about the focused/on top of your game part….there are dedicated students on both sides..The guy getting the best grades in our year is in B/CS..

But yeah the rest is a pretty good summary for the 1st 2 years…Obviously, they'll be people who do like to socialize in Temple and married couples in B/CS.. so it's not absolutes either 🙂

@R1MD What do you think?

Oh sorry, didn't mean to make it sound like B/CS med students are slackers. Just saying it's EASIER to stay focused at temple since there aren't many distractions

 

[Htownmedstudent]

Does anyone know about the rules for the statistics course prerequisite?

I have received AP credit for statistics and have taken calc II and III in college.

I'm out of school now and working full time, so I would really prefer not to set aside money and time for a course I've already taken, but if I have to take it again I will.

I'm also curious if it can be taken at a community college?

 

[sambal]

Does anyone know about the rules for the statistics course prerequisite?

Had this issue when applying. I submitted a course not on the list and got it approved no prob. See the TMDSAS website :

The Statistics course should be taught in a Math or Statistics Department. Individual medical schools may consider statistics courses taught in other departments on an individual basis with appropriate documentation from faculty.

Refer to the Approved Statistics Courses List for a complete list. To seek approval for any course not on the list, submit a course syllabus, course listing and course description to TMDSAS for review.

 

[texas123456]

Can anyone shed some light on the Round Rock option? After living in Austin for so long, it would be nice to come back to this area - but I am unsure about doing clinicals in Round Rock. From what I can tell, it seems like the Round Rock students jump around between many different medical facilities versus being based at one main medical center or hospital (as in the other three options). Am I correct on this? If so, would that be a positive or negative thing?

 

[Htownmedstudent]

Had this issue when applying. I submitted a course not on the list and got it approved no prob. See the TMDSAS website :

The Statistics course should be taught in a Math or Statistics Department. Individual medical schools may consider statistics courses taught in other departments on an individual basis with appropriate documentation from faculty.

Refer to the Approved Statistics Courses List for a complete list. To seek approval for any course not on the list, submit a course syllabus, course listing and course description to TMDSAS for review.

Thanks for the response!

Did you actually take the course in college or did you receive credit based on your AP score?

I found the statistics course I received AP credit for on the list you linked, but I'm still not clear on A&M's policy regarding AP credit for prerequisites. The MSAR says they don't take it, TMDSAS website implies they do accept it, and they don't seem to directly address it anywhere on the admissions website...... This is frustrating

 

[QuantumJ]

I would love to hear your reasoning for each of your six rankings!

I'm also wondering which one will allow me to come back to Houston?

I'm hoping for Temple-4 the most. After that it would be CS2/Temple2, Temple2/RR2, CS4. My reasoning comes from my desire to train at S&W. They have a residency in a field I'm interested in, research should be readily available, I'll be able to poke my pretty little face into the department so they can get to know me. As for the town itself, I'm married and my wife already might be able to transfer her job to one in Killeen, we'd like to live in a house (which seems like it'd be easier to find in the area), and my family lives in Austin and hers in Ft. Worth so it's closer.

 

[sambal]

Thanks for the response!

Did you actually take the course in college or did you receive credit based on your AP score?

I found the statistics course I received AP credit for on the list you linked, but I'm still not clear on A&M's policy regarding AP credit for prerequisites. The MSAR says they don't take it, TMDSAS website implies they do accept it, and they don't seem to directly address it anywhere on the admissions website...... This is frustrating

They accepted courses I took at university, so I can't speak to AP credits. I was in contact with Ms. Smithey at A&M to get my biochemistry prerequisit approved, so she can probably answer your question.

 

[SCX1]

If we sign and turn in the Acceptance Acknowledge form, we can still have the option of accepting a higher ranked school if we do come off their waitlist correct?

 

[QuantumJ]

If we sign and turn in the Acceptance Acknowledge form, we can still have the option of accepting a higher ranked school if we do come off their waitlist correct?

Yes

 

[miss chievous]

My M3 friend sent me this (part of a longer email): "As for the last two years, you CANNOT stay at CS. Thats the worst campus to do your clinical rotations"

Thoughts?

 

[BlueLabel]

My M3 friend sent me this (part of a longer email): "As for the last two years, you CANNOT stay at CS. Thats the worst campus to do your clinical rotations"

Thoughts?

Can you post the entire email? I understand if not but I just thought there might be some more insight.

 

[miss chievous]

Can you post the entire email? I understand if not but I just thought there might be some more insight.

Yeah sure, though it's not very long

"As for the last two years, you CANNOT stay at CS. Thats the worst campus to do your clinical rotations at. I personally dont think its bad to change campuses. You have more opportunity to expand your contacts and meet new people."

The majority of the email talked about CS vs. Temple for the first two years (that's the bigger issue in my personal opinion). I know 5 people at A&M Med so i'll ask around and keep you guys updated. Have you guys joined the FB group?

 

[QuantumJ]

Yeah sure, though it's not very long

"As for the last two years, you CANNOT stay at CS. Thats the worst campus to do your clinical rotations at. I personally dont think its bad to change campuses. You have more opportunity to expand your contacts and meet new people."

The majority of the email talked about CS vs. Temple for the first two years (that's the bigger issue in my personal opinion). I know 5 people at A&M Med so i'll ask around and keep you guys updated. Have you guys joined the FB group?

Yes. Let me know if you want to add me on fb

 

[BlueLabel]

Yeah sure, though it's not very long

"As for the last two years, you CANNOT stay at CS. Thats the worst campus to do your clinical rotations at. I personally dont think its bad to change campuses. You have more opportunity to expand your contacts and meet new people."

The majority of the email talked about CS vs. Temple for the first two years (that's the bigger issue in my personal opinion). I know 5 people at A&M Med so i'll ask around and keep you guys updated. Have you guys joined the FB group?

Lol yes, I am a member.

 

[texas123456]

Is CS still the worst even now that they're doing this AIM thing? That sounded pretty awesome to me.

 

[miss chievous]

Is CS still the worst even now that they're doing this AIM thing? That sounded pretty awesome to me.

I think the AIM thing is new, but she also believes CS does not have a good/well known hospital system. i emailed 4 other people so i'll keep you guys updated (most of them are M1s and M2s)

 

[miss chievous]

hey guys, here's some feedback from a 3rd year:

"It all depends on what you want, more fun or better grades. If you want to have fun go to college station for the first two. Temple has less distractions. The kids I know from temple have good study habits now whereas most of us college station kids don't. Then for your last two once again if you want fun go to round rock otherwise go to temple. Work hard in temple and you're set."

 

[miss chievous]

so i made a word document where i copied and pasted all the response emails i've gotten from my friends (m3, m3, m3, m2, m2, m2, m1). PM and i'll message it to you

 

[crenshaw21]

If we sign and turn in the Acceptance Acknowledge form, we can still have the option of accepting a higher ranked school if we do come off their waitlist correct?

Yes June 1st in the time by which a final school choice must be made with the UT system

 

[sambal]

I heard back from Vanessa Smithey today concerning the AIM program: AIM is only available to students in the 4yrs BCS track.

 

[SCX1]

.

 

[R1MD]

Sorry to just get back to y'all. M1s had a neuro exam Friday.

First, if you haven't joined the FB group yet, I'd recommend that you do so. The M1s/M2s post lots of advice there, and I know most people don't check SDN often in med school. There is a much more robust campus selection discussion there.

Re: the social options in Temple, there is definitely less to do if you're looking to duplicate the undergrad experience. For me thats not an issue being a little older. There are some restaurants and bars, but it's certainly not North Gate.

I think the biggest distinction between CS and Temple is the "busy-ness" of a university dominated area versus the clinical opportunities at a big academic hospital. People want different things. If you're in CS and want to find clinical opportunities, you can find them; and, if you're in Temple, you can find social options. It really depends on your primary focus. Go where you feel comfortable and where you'll be most productive. Med school is A LOT of work and you have very little free time. I would choose a campus where you'll feel supported and able to get through it.

Also, re: the AIM program, I think it's very interesting (and looks like it's well advanced at Harvard-Cambridge), but it's new to A&M and only available in CS. I don't know enough about it to assure everyone that all the kinks are worked out. I would just be careful to try to find people who know the program first-hand and have participated (I don't know who these people are though) to ask about it before basing a decision solely on that one program. @yippeekiyay?

 

[QuantumJ]

👍 the students at A&M have been awesome in answering questions

 

[yippiekiyay]

Yeah I figured you'd been a little preoccupied R1MD.. neuro is just so much fun! Bet you enjoyed your weekend off!

The third years in CS have had more than a few Q&A sessions and from our buddies etc: they really are singing it's praises but you're right, just basing your decision on one program is probably not a good idea. It is all about where you'll get the most support and feel the most able to get through the slog that is first year.. Anything goes for third and forth year but for first, support is key...

 

[texas123456]

How do lectures work with the CS/Temple campuses? I thought I remembered someone saying that the CS kids get most of their first year lectures in person and second year lectures streamed - and vice versa for Temple. Is this correct or did I get mixed up with this info?

 

[R1MD]

For the first year, a little more than half of the lecturers lecture from College Station, and the rest are based in Temple. The lectures are videoconferenced live between campuses and you are able to ask questions from either campus. The second year the ratio of lectures is roughly reversed. Almost all of the lectures are recorded and posted online. Each campus has its own faculty that are physically present in the gross anatomy, histo, and neuro labs. Faculty are available in person and are usually very responsive by email regardless of which campus you're on.

 

[Command]

.

 

[FaithSaves]

Can anyone comment on the student community, bonding, supportiveness, and closeness? While I like the idea of multiple campuses to learn, does the class seem fragmented or not be as tight knit since you most likely will only see the your full class twice ever, once at the White Coat ceremony and second at graduation?

Not that it's a deal breaker, it just kind of bothers me you may never get to know half of your class...

 

[R1MD]

You don't need to worry about breaks. With few exceptions we will get a 5-10 minute break between lectures, every hour or so.

 

[eggman2013]

Vanessa just sent me a "Withdrawal survey". Not sure if that means I was accepted, but due to ranking i withdrew...but either way, it's nice to see that the program is looking for ways to improve itself.

 

[yippiekiyay]

Can anyone comment on the student community, bonding, supportiveness, and closeness? While I like the idea of multiple campuses to learn, does the class seem fragmented or not be as tight knit since you most likely will only see the your full class twice ever, once at the White Coat ceremony and second at graduation?

Not that it's a deal breaker, it just kind of bothers me you may never get to know half of your class...

Ok so I won't say it's perfect and everyone loves each other because we're all grown ups and that's not how the world works. In saying that, A&M really tries to foster a unity within classes, between campuses and even between years.

To start with, we have a M1/M2 retreat in which we mix with both campuses and do lots of small group stuff before classes start.. that way on our first day we don't just walk into the room and not know anyone to go up and say hi. We have small groups throughout the year for almost every subject, so you get to know your classmates really well…like I know everyone in my class, not just their name but stuff about them.

We also have a FB group where we post notes/helpful you tube videos or links and try to help each other out- we blow that page up with stuff. The year above us is on it too (though they don't interfere with us so much as post stuff they found helpful too.. or give advice etc). Both campuses are on the site so if we didn't meet some people at retreat we get to know them through FB.. and seriously, the amount we're on there, we get to know people pretty well lol. There are some people in the class who go back and forth btw campuses (they're dating/siblings/ social butterflies) for parties/tailgating/interest group stuff and that just depends on you… Some people are just more social than others.

Lastly, the year above you stays in contact with you after the retreat via FB or on campus was our schedules allow and by the buddy program. This is where 2 2nd years are placed with 2/3 1st years as surrogate "parents" so you have a buddy family of support. They try to pair you up with people of similar backgrounds/interests and you meet up for coffee/dinner and always have a contact to ask questions or get advice from.. they are awesome!

Again, there are the odd person who isn't receptive to unity but thankfully, this is limited and BY FAR the majority really want support each each other..I am so very grateful to be at A&M for all the above reasons and more 😎

 

[FaithSaves]

Ok so I won't say it's perfect and everyone loves each other because we're all grown ups and that's not how the world works. In saying that, A&M really tries to foster a unity within classes, between campuses and even between years.

To start with, we have a M1/M2 retreat in which we mix with both campuses and do lots of small group stuff before classes start.. that way on our first day we don't just walk into the room and not know anyone to go up and say hi. We have small groups throughout the year for almost every subject, so you get to know your classmates really well…like I know everyone in my class, not just their name but stuff about them.

We also have a FB group where we post notes/helpful you tube videos or links and try to help each other out- we blow that page up with stuff. The year above us is on it too (though they don't interfere with us so much as post stuff they found helpful too.. or give advice etc). Both campuses are on the site so if we didn't meet some people at retreat we get to know them through FB.. and seriously, the amount we're on there, we get to know people pretty well lol. There are some people in the class who go back and forth btw campuses (they're dating/siblings/ social butterflies) for parties/tailgating/interest group stuff and that just depends on you… Some people are just more social than others.

Lastly, the year above you stays in contact with you after the retreat via FB or on campus was our schedules allow and by the buddy program. This is where 2 2nd years are placed with 2/3 1st years as surrogate "parents" so you have a buddy family of support. They try to pair you up with people of similar backgrounds/interests and you meet up for coffee/dinner and always have a contact to ask questions or get advice from.. they are awesome!

Again, there are the odd person who isn't receptive to unity but thankfully, this is limited and BY FAR the majority really want support each each other..I am so very grateful to be at A&M for all the above reasons and more 😎

Thanks yippiekiyay. I am not in the FB group but I'll make one and join it eventually once things get less busy. Your passion and interest is pretty evident in what you post. I appreciate your insight.

 

[FaithSaves]

I'm not in the FB group so maybe this question has been answered there. For campus preferences, I'm interested in the B/CS-Dallas track. However, I really like the Temple campus setting.

1) Would it ever be possible to do Temple 2 years - Dallas 2 years? (any possible special circumstances?)
2) How are the clerkship evaluations for 3rd year at Dallas vs Temple? Are we competing with other med students from a different school (UTSW) at Dallas rotations or is it just A&M? Are grades harder to come by at Temple, etc?

 

[QuantumJ]

I'm not in the FB group so maybe this question has been answered there. For campus preferences, I'm interested in the B/CS-Dallas track. However, I really like the Temple campus setting.

1) Would it ever be possible to do Temple 2 years - Dallas 2 years? (any possible special circumstances?)
2) How are the clerkship evaluations for 3rd year at Dallas vs Temple? Are we competing with other med students from a different school (UTSW) at Dallas rotations or is it just A&M? Are grades harder to come by at Temple, etc?

Someone on the FB page said they were going to ask about temple+dallas and get back but they haven't said anything yet.

A&M and UTSW would not be competing much (if at all) during 3rd and 4th years in Dallas. It looks like A&M students do rotations at the Baylor system and a one psych location. I don't know where UTSW students do their rotations at besides Parkland but I guess I wouldn't be surprised if they go to do some at Baylor as it's a very large medical center.

I don't remember how evaluations during clinical years works for us. I'm guessing shelfs+evals but I don't know the breakdown or if we do indeed take shelfs. I don't know what you mean by grades being harder to come by at Temple so I can't answer that.

I would encourage you to join the FB page. Even if you don't have an account you could simply make one with your sdn name that way you have access to everything that will hopefully be shared.

 

[FaithSaves]

Someone on the FB page said they were going to ask about temple+dallas and get back but they haven't said anything yet.

A&M and UTSW would not be competing much (if at all) during 3rd and 4th years in Dallas. It looks like A&M students do rotations at the Baylor system and a one psych location. I don't know where UTSW students do their rotations at besides Parkland but I guess I wouldn't be surprised if they go to do some at Baylor as it's a very large medical center.

I don't remember how evaluations during clinical years works for us. I'm guessing shelfs+evals but I don't know the breakdown or if we do indeed take shelfs. I don't know what you mean by grades being harder to come by at Temple so I can't answer that.

I would encourage you to join the FB page. Even if you don't have an account you could simply make one with your sdn name that way you have access to everything that will hopefully be shared.

Thanks for the helpful info!

I just quickly made a FB account from scratch with my SDN name for now. When I get the chance, I'll make a real one and upload my details/pics all the info they want, later. Just requested access (FYI, so you know it's me)

 

[QuantumJ]

For anyone wondering:

Syllabi/power points. There is no centralized syllabi as each class is taught by different profs at different times. For every lecture there is an outline of the main points. For some professors this is entirely sufficient to learn from. For others, it is too general and textbooks/supplemental stuff comes into play. The lecture/pp slides are given out a week early so it's possible to start a bit early if desired (or have an idea of what to expect).

 

[bhlisibs]

A quick question, has anyone received the packet Ms. Smithey mentioned in her last Tuesday email? Almost a week since then. Thanks, and have a relaxed holiday!

 

[QuantumJ]

I haven't received anything except for the original mail that had the acceptance form we needed to return.