2014-2015 Texas A&M Health Science Center Application Thread

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I had the same problem. I forget where it says this, but somewhere it says that 004948 should be used prior to the summer of 2014, and 003632 (the undergraduate code) should be used after summer 2014.

Basically the medical school "merged" with the undergrad university. Those applying to nursing school use 003632 as well.

It is very strange though. I spent 30 minutes trying to make sure I had the right school code.

 

[RedRaider11]

I had the same problem. I forget where it says this, but somewhere it says that 004948 should be used prior to the summer of 2014, and 003632 (the undergraduate code) should be used after summer 2014.

Basically the medical school "merged" with the undergrad university. Those applying to nursing school use 003632 as well.

It is very strange though. I spent 30 minutes trying to make sure I had the right school code.

When do we need to start filling out/submitting our FAFSA?

 

[howdysang]

2 questions:

1. Is lecture attendance mandatory?
2. Are lectures recorded (just audio or visual as well?)

 

[vikingsking82]

2 questions:

1. Is lecture attendance mandatory?
2. Are lectures recorded (just audio or visual as well?)

Via @RedRaider11
---->

Here’s what I was told from a current student:

“generally speaking: Labs, clinical correlation lectures, and the weekly "Intro to Clinical Skills" and "Becoming a Physician" classes are mandatory. This week I have 4 "mandatory" classes for a total of around 10 hours.” The nonmandatory classes (which constitutes most classes) are all video/audio recorded.

Though our schedule may be slightly different, as an example, here is a sample schedule of the current M1’s schedule for both core principles of medicine in yr 1 and cardio block in yr 2:

Here’s a sample schedule for 2015-2016 that our class will use:

So basically even IF you go to every class (mandatory and not), you’ll be done by noon 3/5 days, and done by 4 M/W since you’ll still have lab those days.

 

[shorthairbrit]

Here’s what I was told from a current student:

“generally speaking: Labs, clinical correlation lectures, and the weekly "Intro to Clinical Skills" and "Becoming a Physician" classes are mandatory. Tthis week I have 4 "mandatory" classes for a total of around 10 hours.” The nonmandatory classes (which constitutes most classes) are all video/audio recorded.

Though our schedule may be slightly different, as an example, here is a sample schedule of the current M1’s schedule for both core principles of medicine in yr 1 and cardio block in yr 2:

Here’s a sample schedule for 2015-2016 that our class will use:

So basically even IF you go to every class (mandatory and not), you’ll be done by noon 3/5 days, and done by 4 M/W since you’ll still have lab those days.

Are some lectures held in Temple?

 

[Command]

I had the same problem. I forget where it says this, but somewhere it says that 004948 should be used prior to the summer of 2014, and 003632 (the undergraduate code) should be used after summer 2014.

Basically the medical school "merged" with the undergrad university. Those applying to nursing school use 003632 as well.

It is very strange though. I spent 30 minutes trying to make sure I had the right school code.

Can confirm, we used 003632 to our FAFSA

When do we need to start filling out/submitting our FAFSA?

I filled it out the week it opened.

2 questions:

1. Is lecture attendance mandatory?
2. Are lectures recorded (just audio or visual as well?)

1. Some are, the core lecture classes aren't but the clinical skills and becoming a physician classes are.
2. Yes they are recorded, they upload both both video and audio

Are some lectures held in Temple?

Not sure if next year will have temple lectures, or if they are going to drive here. But this year there were lectures held in temple albeit not as many as lectures in bryan

 

[shorthairbrit]

Does anyone have a schedule for a 1 year pre-clinical + 3 year clerkship track? Are all pre-clinical courses crammed into one year?

 

[mr11]

I asked this in another thread but if any current students could chime in that be great: is it difficult to stay involved with student organizations and clubs here since everybody gets split up after 1 year in our case? Do the satellite campuses have their own organizations?

 

[shorthairbrit]

I asked this in another thread but if any current students could chime in that be great: is it difficult to stay involved with student organizations and clubs here since everybody gets split up after 1 year in our case? Do the satellite campuses have their own organizations?

The last post on this thread explains that the first half of year 2 is taught away: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/oos-texas-a-m-vs-utmb-galveston.1110594/

Can anyone confirm? How are exams administered?

 

[TCU1990]

The last post on this thread explains that the first half of year 2 is taught away: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/oos-texas-a-m-vs-utmb-galveston.1110594/

Can anyone confirm? How are exams administered?

The following post is correct, I had previously called the school to confirm how classes were/where they are for the first part of year 2 (last part of pre-clinical curriculum) and they told me the same:

Correct, structured classes for half a year at rotation city before beginning clinicals there. Since it's block style curriculum, all that would be remaining to complete the last 1/2 yr of pre-clinical curriculum is 4 blocks of different body systems, in addition to preceptorship/clinical skills type stuff interacting with patients, simulations, etc. Outside of the main campus in College Station, each city has classroom buildings and SIM centers for A&M students to complete the last of the preclinical part, so that isn't much of a concern really, or just watch the recorded lectures online since most classes aren't mandatory. However, I do agree and think it's unfortunate of the possibility to "detract from having a strong network of peers." I think its something like 50 M2's go to Dallas, 30 in Houston, 50 in Round Rock, 40 in Temple, and 30 remain in College Station. I guess that would mean there would be plenty (~120-150) of M2-M4s from A&M at all the campuses, but our specific class of 2019 is definitely split up to some degree, since we could only remain with about 30-50 of our specific class wherever we end up.

Does anyone have a schedule for a 1 year pre-clinical + 3 year clerkship track? Are all pre-clinical courses crammed into one year?

Are you asking about A&M's specific schedule? If you are, they use a 1.5 year pre-clinical/2.5 year clinical curriculum so all the pre-clinical courses are throughout the first year and a half, not just one year. The same thread you posted mentioned the following regarding the new curriculum, in case you or anybody else had any concerns:

"I actually had the same concern regarding the potential for a more intense preclinical course load. I was told the way they shorten the curriculum without changing much of the daily schedule/exam schedule was that summer break after first year will be switched from 2.5 months to 1 month, but now after year 2 we will have a longer break to do research, take USMLE step1 if we haven't already, clerkships, break, etc... so it doesn't sound like they expect it to be any more intense since they're just moving the periods of time off around"

 

[Command]

I asked this in another thread but if any current students could chime in that be great: is it difficult to stay involved with student organizations and clubs here since everybody gets split up after 1 year in our case? Do the satellite campuses have their own organizations?

Organization meetings are teleconferenced in from Temple/Round rock/Dallas. The majority of interest groups are geared towards 1st and 2nd years so there are very few 3rd year students teleconferencing in/there because they are so busy. The clubs here have leadership positions for each campus and the officers collaborate to host joint events. Some of the major things like the free health clinic, disaster day, health hullabaloo are held in Bryan/College station though.

 

[typoncho]

Are they done with interviews? I'm sure I'm out, but I haven't heard anything at all.

I was there Jan 15. I'm sorry to tell you, they told us we were the last interview group. Hope you had plenty of interviews elsewhere.

 

[CaElFl2014]

Does anyone know if the match really comes out at 8:00 AM on February 2nd or if they post it early? I thought it came out at midnight.

 

[Hadoken]

8am. Anything early was just a slip on that particular school's part

 

[charcat]

Do you hear back about the match via email or on TMDSAS or both?

 

[Command]

Do you hear back about the match via email or on TMDSAS or both?

I looked through my email and on Match day last year, I received an email from A&M at around 10am. TMDSAS also tells you where you match as well. Oh and the BAMF portal too.

 

[deleted632431]

Okay so I completely forgot to turn in my Fall 2014 grades to TMDSAS until now. Do you guys think this is a big deal, or am I just freaking out?

 

[Dr Granger]

Okay so I completely forgot to turn in my Fall 2014 grades to TMDSAS until now. Do you guys think this is a big deal, or am I just freaking out?

I don't think it'll matter! They'll send you an email when they really need them! I forgot to do my summer school grades for an elective class and they send me a strongly worded email

 

[Hadoken]

Okay so I completely forgot to turn in my Fall 2014 grades to TMDSAS until now. Do you guys think this is a big deal, or am I just freaking out?

No biggie. You shouldn't sweat that.

 

[funtertaining15]

Y'all, match day is a week from now...eeek!

 

[clairephillips]

Y'all, match day is a week from now...eeek!

Yup, 6 days, 4 hours, 25 minutes!

 

[funtertaining15]

Yup, 6 days, 4 hours, 25 minutes!

Lol but who's counting?

 

[clairephillips]

Not that this is even a factor in any decision I make, but I was trying to remember whether A&M has any kind of gym access available to students. Does anyone happen to know?

 

[Dr Granger]

Not that this is even a factor in any decision I make, but I was trying to remember whether A&M has any kind of gym access available to students. Does anyone happen to know?

In bryan college station, you get full access to the tamu rec center!

 

[Nogo]

When applying for financial aid, we use the same code as the undergraduate A&M right? Code 003632?

 

[Command]

MATCH DAY IS TOMORROW (FEB 2)

1. Congrats to those that match!
2. If A&M is your first choice, then start looking for housing. A lot of people live in Legacy apartments (closest), Presidio apartments,find houses, or live in College station which is a bit further away from the Med school campus, but I mean, B/CS is only so big. Houses usually cost about $4-500+utilities per bedroom, Apartments around $5-600+utilities for a 2bed/2bath.
3. If you didn't match - the waitlist moves with the majority coming in late april, may, june so you still have chances to get in!

4. Prestudying - not worth it. The reason why is because the professors consult multiple textbooks and make their own condensed versions of the notes in their lectures so if you are studying from a textbook, you will learn a lot of stuff that will be extraneous. Also, med school goes at such a fast pace that you will forget stuff you "prestudied." MY advice is to go enjoy the rest of your "accepted premed" life. Have fun, travel, get fit, learn how to cook, etc.

To give you a taste of 1st semester anatomy, you will be memorizing a muscle chart like this:
http://anatomy.uams.edu/muscles_alpha.html
A&M will have a less busy chart but essentially you will memorize the name, origin, insertion, action, blood supply, nerve innervation, and location on a cadaver, for all the muscles in the body (in manageable chunks!).

 

[funtertaining15]

When applying for financial aid, we use the same code as the undergraduate A&M right? Code 003632?

Yes, from what I've been told. 🙂

 

[funtertaining15]

MATCH DAY IS TOMORROW (FEB 2)

1. Congrats to those that match!
2. If A&M is your first choice, then start looking for housing. A lot of people live in Legacy apartments (closest), Presidio apartments,find houses, or live in College station which is a bit further away from the Med school campus, but I mean, B/CS is only so big.
3. If you didn't match - the waitlist moves with the majority coming in late april, may, june so you still have chances to get in!

4. Prestudying - not worth it. The reason why is because the professors consult multiple textbooks and make their own condensed versions of the notes in their lectures so if you are studying form a textbook, you will learn a lot of stuff that will be extraneous. Also, med school goes at such a fast pace that you will forget stuff you "prestudied." MY advice is to go enjoy the rest of your "accepted premed" life. Have fun, travel, get fit, learn how to cook, etc.

To give you a taste of 1st semester anatomy, you will be memorizing a muscle chart like this:
http://anatomy.uams.edu/muscles_alpha.html
A&M will have a less busy chart but essentially you will memorize the name, origin, insertion, action, blood supply, nerve innervation, and location on a cadaver, for all the muscles in the body (in manageable chunks!).

Oh man...I'm really nervous. I had my interview back in September, which seems like such a long time ago...I didn't prematch, but it's b/w here and TT. Here's hoping for good news tomorrow. Luckily It'll be an hour before my class, so I can gather my composure for whatever happens.

 

[Dare2Dream]

To give you a taste of 1st semester anatomy, you will be memorizing a muscle chart like this:
http://anatomy.uams.edu/muscles_alpha.html
A&M will have a less busy chart but essentially you will memorize the name, origin, insertion, action, blood supply, nerve innervation, and location on a cadaver, for all the muscles in the body (in manageable chunks!).

That's pretty crazy! I got the impression that A&M really made you do a lot of work for the anatomy class and it made me wonder whether it was at the expense of other material and if it went way beyond what was needed for the step 1.

 

[Command]

That's pretty crazy! I got the impression that A&M really made you do a lot of work for the anatomy class and it made me wonder whether it was at the expense of other material and if it went way beyond what was needed for the step 1.

It's pretty standard stuff to learn this at all med schools. You have to know how muscles/organs/nerves&vessels work & their location before you learn about clinical conditions regarding what is damaged and what that damage causes.

Also, the philosophy of med school is that it is not a step 1 prep course - they teach you how to be a doctor. You'll learn the high and low-yield material no matter where you go.

 

[deleted632431]

Ah who else is nervous about Match Day tomorrow?!!?

 

[Dr Granger]

Ah who else is nervous about Match Day tomorrow?!!?

Me

 

[funtertaining15]

Ah who else is nervous about Match Day tomorrow?!!?

Being nervous for Match day and trying to study for exams is a bad combo. I'm probably going to take a nap soon so that time will go by faster and I'll be ready to go to bed by the time I've finished all my work.

 

[typoncho]

I commend you. If I took a nap today there's no way I would be able to sleep tonight.

 

[Nogo]

I'm super nervous 🙁

 

[funtertaining15]

I commend you. If I took a nap today there's no way I would be able to sleep tonight.

True, but I've dozed off about twice while trying to read, so I figure I'm due for a nap. But yeah, I will probably fall asleep to YouTube videos or reading a book, anything to distract me from my constant worry over tomorrow.

 

[Dare2Dream]

It's pretty standard stuff to learn this at all med schools. You have to know how muscles/organs/nerves&vessels work & their location before you learn about clinical conditions regarding what is damaged and what that damage causes.

Also, the philosophy of med school is that it is not a step 1 prep course - they teach you how to be a doctor. You'll learn the high and low-yield material no matter where you go.

I realize that but it's also true that some schools have curriculums that better prepare one for the step 1 which carries significant weight when applying for residency.

 

[Dr Granger]

I realize that but it's also true that some schools have curriculums that better prepare one for the step 1 which carries significant weight when applying for residency.

Just curious, in your opinion which schools teach more to the step 1 exam?

 

[Dare2Dream]

Just curious, in your opinion which schools teach more to the step 1 exam?

I haven't looked into it in enough depth to make such a determination. Do you believe otherwise?

 

[Dr Granger]

I haven't looked into it in enough depth to make such a determination. Do you believe otherwise?

I honestly don't know enough the specific curriculums about the schools and what the step 1 has/doesn't have! I was just seeing if you had done some research into it 🙂

 

[Dare2Dream]

I honestly don't know enough the specific curriculums about the schools and what the step 1 has/doesn't have! I was just seeing if you had done some research into it 🙂

I believe if one were to spend the time, it would be possible to find a set of schools with some consistently having better step 1 scores with comparable stats for incoming students. In those cases, one could perhaps argue that the curriculum was a major factor.

 

[funtertaining15]

Haha I take it back. I don't have time to nap...guess I'll be going to sleep early...or as they say in spanish, voy a dormir temprano.

 

[Command]

I believe if one were to spend the time, it would be possible to find a set of schools with some consistently having better step 1 scores with comparable stats for incoming students. In those cases, one could perhaps argue that the curriculum was a major factor.

Totes. The faculty here do track your incoming stats vs NMBE scores vs STEP scores so they've probably done that. Probably why they are changing the curriculum next year.

 

[CaElFl2014]

MATCHEDDDDD!!!!!

 

[funtertaining15]

I MATCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHaeclkarsma; fsbg,sv nskg,aqv

 

[Dr Granger]

MATCHEDDDD!!!

 

[TexasPro]

any one got any news about the matching today???

 

[funtertaining15]

any one got any news about the matching today???

Results are out now!

 

[typoncho]

I'm gonna be an Aggie Doc! WHOOP!

 

[tenacious007]

Matched!!!