2016-2017 Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (Foster) Application Thread

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JD_Patriots said:
Very good question. For starters, we have a program called Scholars in Primary Care (or something to that effect) for those interested in Primary Care. I didn't apply for it, but from what I understand it is a prestigious, four year long mentorship program where you work directly alongside a PCP to get experience, make connections, and experience what it's like to be a primary care doc. Other than that, we have several clinics open for students to serve at, including a medical student run clinic (yes, it is run by medical students, which is really cool), and there is also several interest groups for PC. We do several preceptorships per semester, and this first semester is primary care (and maybe next as well? Not sure). I believe my doc personally is a FM doc in town. Regarding research, each student is required per our curriculum to participate in a research project. It can virtually be whatever you want, so long as you get approval for it; therefore, you could gear it towards PC if you so desire.

I hope that helps give an idea. Let me know if you have other questions.
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Hey, I have my interview here next week and have a couple questions regarding the curriculum. You say that everyone is required to participate in some kind of research project, but I'm not really finding much information about that on their website. In fact I'm not really finding much information regarding med student participation in research at all. I thought I saw a page where they kind of blocked out the curriculum with classes, clinic rotations, etc. but am not seeming able to find that either. I've participated in undergraduate research at my current undergraduate university and research is something I would love to continue with through my medical school education so this sounds pretty exciting! You also said that you're surrounded by mountains, would these be the kind of mountains that are able to be skied on??

Thank you!
 
I know there's still plenty of time left, and I'm trying not to panic, but anyone else whose primary was submitted June or earlier still waiting? My secondary was submitted end of July/beginning of August.
 
GinnyWeasley said:
I know there's still plenty of time left, and I'm trying not to panic, but anyone else whose primary was submitted June or earlier still waiting? My secondary was submitted end of July/beginning of August.
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I submitted my secondary July 11 and haven't heard back yet, but I got interviews at all other Texas schools (except Dell). Their student portal also seems to be broken now, so idk.
 
I can't find information about their curriculum online, does anyone know where I can find it? Can anyone speak to the class schedule for MSI and II, half day or full day?
 
For the interview, do they ask you a lot about why you are Interested in their school with reference to being on the border?
 
yellowbottlesippin said:
Any idea what attire is required for the meet and greet?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
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It was pretty informal for us. Guys basically wore khaki/dark pants with a nice shirt and girls wore a dress or nice blouse. It's at a local restaurant, so nothing fancy. You're just meeting with the current students, and they make it very clear that you are not evaluated on anything during the meet and greet. It's an opportunity for you to ask questions comfortably, so you don't need to get too dressed up.
 
southtexas_hopeful said:
It was pretty informal for us. Guys basically wore khaki/dark pants with a nice shirt and girls wore a dress or nice blouse. It's at a local restaurant, so nothing fancy. You're just meeting with the current students, and they make it very clear that you are not evaluated on anything during the meet and greet. It's an opportunity for you to ask questions comfortably, so you don't need to get too dressed up.
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Alright, thanks for the great info!
 
I completed my primary early July, submitted my secondary 08/31, and received an II 09/16.

Interview is on 10/05, which is awful because I have to miss 3 days of thesis research as well as some volunteer events I organized 🙁.

Hope to see ya'll there!
 
Wow I just had my interview here and am very surprised! The day didn't blow me away or inspire me like some of the other schools, but I may still rank this first, though I feel a bit torn. I love the curriculum, location, the opportunity to learn Spanish, and the more hands on experience med students will get. But I got mixed impression from some students who said there is no time for a life outside of school. Maybe because they were MS 1 and just getting used to med school, but at my other interviews the students said the opposite, that they had a lot of free time. Also I didn't meet any moms here, like I did at the other schools. I'm wondering how family friendly this school is. Also there doesn't seem to be a lot of time off between year 2 and 3. Any comments on this? Thanks!
 
wildabeastkoala said:
Wow I just had my interview here and am very surprised! The day didn't blow me away or inspire me like some of the other schools, but I may still rank this first, though I feel a bit torn. I love the curriculum, location, the opportunity to learn Spanish, and the more hands on experience med students will get. But I got mixed impression from some students who said there is no time for a life outside of school. Maybe because they were MS 1 and just getting used to med school, but at my other interviews the students said the opposite, that they had a lot of free time. Also I didn't meet any moms here, like I did at the other schools. I'm wondering how family friendly this school is. Also there doesn't seem to be a lot of time off between year 2 and 3. Any comments on this? Thanks!
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I got they complete opposite answers as far as free time goes. With this curriculum and their schedules, it seems like they had a lot more free time than students I talked to at other schools.
 
Interesting! Maybe it's different with different people. I think a few people I talked to are just really stressed right now.
 
Timmy248 said:
I got they complete opposite answers as far as free time goes. With this curriculum and their schedules, it seems like they had a lot more free time than students I talked to at other schools.
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wildabeastkoala said:
Wow I just had my interview here and am very surprised! The day didn't blow me away or inspire me like some of the other schools, but I may still rank this first, though I feel a bit torn. I love the curriculum, location, the opportunity to learn Spanish, and the more hands on experience med students will get. But I got mixed impression from some students who said there is no time for a life outside of school. Maybe because they were MS 1 and just getting used to med school, but at my other interviews the students said the opposite, that they had a lot of free time. Also I didn't meet any moms here, like I did at the other schools. I'm wondering how family friendly this school is. Also there doesn't seem to be a lot of time off between year 2 and 3. Any comments on this? Thanks!
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@wildabeastkoala I think it depends on people. I also got different answers on this. Some people mentioned that they got a lot of free time, while others mentioned that they stay in their room and study all the time. I think it has to do a lot with introvert vs extrovert. I also met a few students who said they are able to go out every weekend after studying hard during the week.
 
Been looking at student ranking of Texas schools and this one is usually lowest, why do yall think that is? Just because it's El Paso?
 
wildabeastkoala said:
Been looking at student ranking of Texas schools and this one is usually lowest, why do yall think that is? Just because it's El Paso?
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Honestly don't pay much attention to those. El Paso consistently is one of the top in board scores and places students in very competitive residencies. I mean, UTSW is one of the top ranked, but the atmosphere there is not something that I think I would work well in, so I care more about board scores and fit personally.
 
GinnyWeasley said:
Honestly don't pay much attention to those. El Paso consistently is one of the top in board scores and places students in very competitive residencies. I mean, UTSW is one of the top ranked, but the atmosphere there is not something that I think I would work well in, so I care more about board scores and fit personally.
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Ya I was thinking that it was because it isn't as prestigious as the other schools. So I am having to be more introspective because I felt like this is a really good school for me, but I am letting the reputation of the school talk me away. Where are you seeing their board scores? I can only find their average MCAT scores for entering class and its pretty low, 503.
 
wildabeastkoala said:
Ya I was thinking that it was because it isn't as prestigious as the other schools. So I am having to be more introspective because I felt like this is a really good school for me, but I am letting the reputation of the school talk me away. Where are you seeing their board scores? I can only find their average MCAT scores for entering class and its pretty low, 503.
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Someone posted it on last years thread I believe haha. I can look for it later if you want. And that goes to show how impressive TTEP is imo, as they can take a class with an MCAT average of like a 26/27 and churn out great board scores. I know in 2012, the average in the class was a 230, so I imagine it went up! (That came from the 2013-2014 thread).
My MCAT is a lot higher than their average, so I'm kinda sad I haven't gotten a II yet. Do you know when the stop interviewing and if they still have a lot more IIs to give out?
 
wildabeastkoala said:
Ya I was thinking that it was because it isn't as prestigious as the other schools. So I am having to be more introspective because I felt like this is a really good school for me, but I am letting the reputation of the school talk me away. Where are you seeing their board scores? I can only find their average MCAT scores for entering class and its pretty low, 503.
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Try not to think about rankings too much! Try to see how you would fit into the school's student body and mission and whether you think they can help you achieve their goals. I was very impressed at Foster when I interviewed and they do seem to match a lot of their students into competitive residencies. I understand that it is hard to look away from prestige and rankings though. My favorite interview day so far has been TCOM, though I have interviewed at a lot of other "higher ranking" schools. I think whats most important is to go where you think you will be happy, given the rigors of medical school, and attend a school that can help you achieve your professional goals.
 
GinnyWeasley said:
Someone posted it on last years thread I believe haha. I can look for it later if you want. And that goes to show how impressive TTEP is imo, as they can take a class with an MCAT average of like a 26/27 and churn out great board scores. I know in 2012, the average in the class was a 230, so I imagine it went up! (That came from the 2013-2014 thread).
My MCAT is a lot higher than their average, so I'm kinda sad I haven't gotten a II yet. Do you know when the stop interviewing and if they still have a lot more IIs to give out?
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That's a great point you make! I believe I saw in last years thread they interview well into January, there was even a poster who got a late interview after writing a letter of intent and then was accepted!
 
Naokuvi said:
Try not to think about rankings too much! Try to see how you would fit into the school's student body and mission and whether you think they can help you achieve their goals. I was very impressed at Foster when I interviewed and they do seem to match a lot of their students into competitive residencies. I understand that it is hard to look away from prestige and rankings though. My favorite interview day so far has been TCOM, though I have interviewed at a lot of other "higher ranking" schools. I think whats most important is to go where you think you will be happy, given the rigors of medical school, and attend a school that can help you achieve your professional goals.
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Great advice! I do really like this school and hope I can get past my pride! And I hope they accept me! Lol I actually did not think I did as well in this interview bc I thought this would be the last school I'd want to attend, and turned out I really liked it! Goes to show you never know what will happen and need to keep an open mind!
 
wildabeastkoala said:
That's a great point you make! I believe I saw in last years thread they interview well into January, there was even a poster who got a late interview after writing a letter of intent and then was accepted!
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With the LOI, do you write it saying that this is the school you want to go to? It's hard to make that decision without even seeing the campus, so could the letter be like " I am very interested" but without stating an intent to go to the school 100%?
 
GinnyWeasley said:
With the LOI, do you write it saying that this is the school you want to go to? It's hard to make that decision without even seeing the campus, so could the letter be like " I am very interested" but without stating an intent to go to the school 100%?
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That's what I put in my thank you letters, a "strong interest." I wrote the associate dean a thank you and he replied immediately, so it can't hurt to try if you don't get an II, but it's still early to write LOI I think
 
I don't think I did the best in my interview at this school, looking back I see that I did some rambling : / if I have a good overall application, do you think this will affect an acceptance?
 
wildabeastkoala said:
I don't think I did the best in my interview at this school, looking back I see that I did some rambling : / if I have a good overall application, do you think this will affect an acceptance?
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obviously no one can be sure, but it's possible. This school, from what I've seen in the past, doesn't really rely on you're overall application after your interview and uses your interview heavily to determine acceptances at that point. I've had multiple friends tell me about this, but really though, you probably didn't do as bad as you think. We always (I do anyways) put heavier emphasis on things that we think matter more after the fact, but in reality, they might have seen your interview as spectacular. Plenty of factors play into it, no need to stress about it if you've done all you can do.
 
For those of you that have had interviews, what were your overall impressions of this school? What did you like/not like. If you are going to rank it high, why? If you are going to rank it low, why?
 
wildabeastkoala said:
For those of you that have had interviews, what were your overall impressions of this school? What did you like/not like. If you are going to rank it high, why? If you are going to rank it low, why?
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The school is absolutely fantastic. I fell in love with this school come interview day. Best interview day I have had. Everyone is very friendly, students match very well, high STEP scores, and the curriculum is fantastic. Everyone there just seems happy and the faculty really seems to care about its students. I think I am going to rank it pretty high. The only thing that keeps me from ranking it number one overall is the fact that I don't exactly want to be 10 hours away from my family. El Paso seems like a nice city, but I want to try and be closer to my hometown.
 
wildabeastkoala said:
For those of you that have had interviews, what were your overall impressions of this school? What did you like/not like. If you are going to rank it high, why? If you are going to rank it low, why?
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Oh, and also the Mexican food they fed us for lunch was fantastic! :happy:
 
Does anyone know how many acceptances this school sends out to matriculate ~100 students?
 
LeafyStreet said:
Does anyone know how many acceptances this school sends out to matriculate ~100 students?
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They accept 100 students but I would imagine that they would send quite a few more acceptances. I would say at least 400 or so
 
Timmy248 said:
They accept 100 students but I would imagine that they would send quite a few more acceptances. I would say at least 400 or so
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That's a huge acceptance/matriculant ratio. Normally it's double the seats!
 
They interview ~500, so ~400 acceptances means that ~80% of interviewees got accepted? That sounds really high
 
GinnyWeasley said:
I want a II here so bad, and I feel like I fit their mission statement, and my stats are above their average. It's so frustrating.
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Ditto! I am slightly above their average for acceptance. I have been studying Spanish for months and loving it. I use it for my volunteering. Spanish is so useful for Texas. I would love to be near the border.
 
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CastleG8 said:
Ditto! I am slightly abive their average. I have been studying Spanish and loving it. I use it for my volunteering. Spanish is so useful for Texas.
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I used to think that it was normal to get a lot of IIs, but from what I've seen this cycle (not on SDN but in real life lol), is that most people only get around 3ish, and there's no rhyme or reason as to why schools that they are at or above the average won't give them IIs. It must come down to little things in the application that separates Candidate A from Candidate B, when they are both equally qualified. I've heard quite a few stories on people with even only one II and they still get an acceptance. I'm flying in from NY though, so every time I get an interview my parents are like "Can't you have them in one week so we stop paying a crapton for airfare" haha.
 
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