2013-2014 Texas Tech - El Paso Application Thread

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Got an interview invite this morning. I'll be as thorough as I can.

cGPA, sGPA, and non-science GPA: 3.69 (not sure how these all turned out the same)
MCAT: Took it twice. First one: 24. Second one: 32
Non-trad applicant (graduated May 2011). 23 years old
Submitted 6/9, transmitted 6/20, foster's secondary submitted 6/21.
Non-URM. Above average ECs, but nothing unique (same as most applicants, but just more hours)
In-state applicant.
 
Congrats on the IIs.

Nothin' for me; I'm assuming it's because my MCAT scores didn't get to them until the 3rd at the earliest. Or maybe I'm just not their type. 😛
 
Good job, girl! Congrats. Did you turn in your application after you got your new mcat score?
 
Congrats on the invites!

Man, I got to finish this secondary...
 
This may sound neurotic, but do you think an 08/08 vs. an 08/15 interview date matters? I want to do the 08/15 one just to be more prepared...
 
Your call. Hard to make that judgment from the outside. If you decide on the latter, it would be advantageous to seek feedback from the first crew. Their insight could be quite helpful in your preparation.
 
Anyone have a recommendation for a hotel? I looked at the list from the website but would love to get insight from someone that has been there.

Thanks in advance...
 
FootballMD said:
Anyone have a recommendation for a hotel? I looked at the list from the website but would love to get insight from someone that has been there.

Thanks in advance...
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Students can volunteer to host interviewees. The opportunity to sign up for a student host should come closer to your interview date, but you could check with the Admissions office just to make sure.

As for hotels: http://www.ttuhsc.edu/fostersom/admissions/documents/hotel_2012.pdf
I believe the top one includes a free shuttle from the hotel to school, and from school to airport. This is the one I stayed at for my interview, and most of the interviewees stay at.
 
FootballMD said:
Anyone have a recommendation for a hotel? I looked at the list from the website but would love to get insight from someone that has been there.

Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...

I'm staying at the Super 8 for the shuttle haha. It seems close enough to the school and airport and won't drain my bank account (anymore than it already is lol).
 
Hadoken said:
Your call. Hard to make that judgment from the outside. If you decide on the latter, it would be advantageous to seek feedback from the first crew. Their insight could be quite helpful in your preparation.
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Hmm...good point. But it looks like someone said that 08/01 is the earliest interview date. So if i interview on the 8th, i could get feeback from the 1st.

Damn it I can't decide! I don't think one week could make a HUGE difference, right? So glad they give us 7 days to decide a date 😀
 
miss chievous said:
Hmm...good point. But it looks like someone said that 08/01 is the earliest interview date. So if i interview on the 8th, i could get feeback from the 1st.

Damn it I can't decide! I don't think one week could make a HUGE difference, right? So glad they give us 7 days to decide a date 😀
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Go with 8/8. Done and done.
 
GandalfTheWhite said:
Go with 8/8. Done and done.
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tumblr_m1l3f7STdd1ro8g4uo1_500.jpg
 
GandalfTheWhite said:
two people interview you... average interview time is 30 minutes per interview..

C'mon
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Haha, maybe I should have been more clear. The SDN interview feedback page implies 2 people interview you at the same time, which is why I was confused.

But thanks 🙂
 
miss chievous said:
Haha, maybe I should have been more clear. The SDN interview feedback page implies 2 people interview you at the same time, which is why I was confused.

But thanks 🙂
Click to expand...

Where is this interview feedback page?
 
miss chievous said:
Haha, maybe I should have been more clear. The SDN interview feedback page implies 2 people interview you at the same time, which is why I was confused.

But thanks 🙂
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Nah, that would be pointless.

You get 2 interviews to give a more rounded opinion when those interviewers write their report about you.

This is done to be comprehensive and give you a second chance if you blow your first interview.
It also prevents bias that an interviewer might have for you.
 
GandalfTheWhite said:
Nah, that would be pointless.

You get 2 interviews to give a more rounded opinion when those interviewers write their report about you.

This is done to be comprehensive and give you a second chance if you blow your first interview.
It also prevents bias that an interviewer might have for you.
Click to expand...

I didn't realize these interviews were 1 on 1. Must be hella annoying/boring for the interviewers haha.

Thanks for the info man 👍
 
To everyone that's applied so far, good job/I hate you. Question, though, as I fill out this secondary: what the hell are they asking with their first question?

“The mission of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-Paul L. Foster School of Medicine is to provide an outstanding education and development opportunities for a diverse group of students, residents, faculty, and staff; advance knowledge through innovation and research; and serve the needs of our socially and culturally diverse communities and regions.” Recognizing the components of this mission and that PLFSOM is located on the US/Mexico border, please describe why you are interested in applying to our school. (300 words or less)"

What. The. Hell. Does. This. Mean.
 
caereax said:
To everyone that's applied so far, good job/I hate you. Question, though, as I fill out this secondary: what the hell are they asking with their first question?

“The mission of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-Paul L. Foster School of Medicine is to provide an outstanding education and development opportunities for a diverse group of students, residents, faculty, and staff; advance knowledge through innovation and research; and serve the needs of our socially and culturally diverse communities and regions.” Recognizing the components of this mission and that PLFSOM is located on the US/Mexico border, please describe why you are interested in applying to our school. (300 words or less)"

What. The. Hell. Does. This. Mean.
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It's pretty much asking "Why us?" What advantages are there to being on the US/Mexico border? etc.
 
Thank you for the clarification. I was thinking that but... sigh, what a stupid question. Advantages? I've always wanted to see drug war beheadings in real life! :/
 
caereax said:
Thank you for the clarification. I was thinking that but... sigh, what a stupid question. Advantages? I've always wanted to see drug war beheadings in real life! :/
Click to expand...

Haha, you've been watching too much Breaking bad :laugh:
 
miss chievous said:
I didn't realize these interviews were 1 on 1. Must be hella annoying/boring for the interviewers haha.

Thanks for the info man 👍
Click to expand...

Yup, almost all of the Texas schools use one-on-one interviews. Some schools will use student interviewers, some don't. When I interviewed at El Paso last year, I had two professors. One of them I really clicked with over his research, and it was fun and conversational. The other one, not so much. He was grilling me about the ACA and playing devil's advocate - I think he wanted to see if I would change my answers under pressure, which I didn't.
 
xiwang said:
Yup, almost all of the Texas schools use one-on-one interviews. Some schools will use student interviewers, some don't. When I interviewed at El Paso last year, I had two professors. One of them I really clicked with over his research, and it was fun and conversational. The other one, not so much. He was grilling me about the ACA and playing devil's advocate - I think he wanted to see if I would change my answers under pressure, which I didn't.
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Damn that sounds brutal. 🙁
 
Hey guys this may seem like a silly question but where exactly did you guys look/should I look to get the best flight deals (maybe hotel combo with it)? This is my first time having to fly somewhere with me doing everything. Last time I was on a plane I was very young so this all new to me haha. Any help would be highly appreciated, thanks!
 
hookem29 said:
Hey guys this may seem like a silly question but where exactly did you guys look/should I look to get the best flight deals (maybe hotel combo with it)? This is my first time having to fly somewhere with me doing everything. Last time I was on a plane I was very young so this all new to me haha. Any help would be highly appreciated, thanks!
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I personally use southwest because it is the most convenient to me, and if you are in state, then I think there are a bunch of southwest flights throughout Texas. I've also used Expedia for getting flights from different airlines. The Super 8 in El Paso is really inexpensive and they have a shuttle that takes you to the med school for the interviews. However the school also gives a list of hotels so you may be more interested in a different one. But with the shuttle that means you don't have to worry about paying for taxis or getting a rental car.
 
Why haven't El Paso give me some love yet?? 😡
 
It'll come🙂

Does anyone know if taking a 5pm flight out of el paso cutting it too close considering the interview will be done at 3 pm? Is a rental car necessary?
 
Catherine81 said:
It'll come🙂

Does anyone know if taking a 5pm flight out of el paso cutting it too close considering the interview will be done at 3 pm? Is a rental car necessary?
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My flight is around that time. Like 6. I think you'll be fine.
 
Catherine81 said:
It'll come🙂

Does anyone know if taking a 5pm flight out of el paso cutting it too close considering the interview will be done at 3 pm? Is a rental car necessary?
Click to expand...

I decided not to try and do this, so I'll actually be leaving the morning after the interview day (hotel isn't super expensive). It's probably doable, but I hate cutting things close and I don't want to be worried about that during my interview.
 
Vans42 said:
I decided not to try and do this, so I'll actually be leaving the morning after the interview day (hotel isn't super expensive). It's probably doable, but I hate cutting things close and I don't want to be worried about that during my interview.
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Well I don't think it's cutting it close, really. The hotels, airport, and SOM are all pretty close to each other. As soon as the day is over, I'm going back to the hotel, picking up my stuff, and heading to the airport. I should get there by 3 30 latest. I would have picked a 5 00 flight if they had one
 
miss chievous said:
Well I don't think it's cutting it close, really. The hotels, airport, and SOM are all pretty close to each other. As soon as the day is over, I'm going back to the hotel, picking up my stuff, and heading to the airport. I should get there by 3 30 latest. I would have picked a 5 00 flight if they had one
Click to expand...

I definitely think it's doable. I just personally hate worrying about making something on time (lol, I'm never punctual, I'm always 30 minutes early to things). So if you aren't going to worry about making something on time, I'd say it is very doable, however if you are going to be worrying about it then it couldn't hurt to just book a flight early the next morning.
 
Thanks for the input, guys. How about transportation back to the airport?
 
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