2016-2017 University of Texas at Austin (Dell) Application Thread

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What are the stats to screen for secondaries? I heard Dell is very competitive, so I was wondering if their screen was along the lines of Southwestern? Congrats to those who have secondaries and interviews🙂
Also: I heard that Dell isn't emphasizing MCAT as much anymore. I have unique ECs and everything, but I'm pretty MCAT heavy based on my LizzyM. My gpa is probably average but I'm worried that my MCAT will not be emphasized as much as my GPA.
 
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GinnyWeasley said:
What are the stats to screen for secondaries? I heard Dell is very competitive, so I was wondering if their screen was along the lines of Southwestern? Congrats to those who have secondaries and interviews🙂
Also: I heard that Dell isn't emphasizing MCAT as much anymore. I have unique ECs and everything, but I'm pretty MCAT heavy based on my LizzyM. My gpa is probably average but I'm worried that my MCAT will not be emphasized as much as my GPA.
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Southwestern doesn't screen. If you're asking if they screen for stats that are as high as Southwestern's average accepted stats, I really doubt that. I don't think Dell is that focused on LizzyM... They seem to do a pretty holistic, mission-based screen.
 
Skittsie13 said:
Southwestern doesn't screen. If you're asking if they screen for stats that are as high as Southwestern's average accepted stats, I really doubt that. I don't think Dell is that focused on LizzyM... They seem to do a pretty holistic, mission-based screen.
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Haha sorry about my wording- I did mean if they screen for stats similar to Southwestern does when UTSW sends IIs. That's good to know though- I read the mission on their website, and it was very broad and open to interpretation, so I'm hoping I get a secondary here🙂
BTW: have you heard from Hogwarts yet?? 😉
 
GinnyWeasley said:
What are the stats to screen for secondaries? I heard Dell is very competitive, so I was wondering if their screen was along the lines of Southwestern? Congrats to those who have secondaries and interviews🙂
Also: I heard that Dell isn't emphasizing MCAT as much anymore. I have unique ECs and everything, but I'm pretty MCAT heavy based on my LizzyM. My gpa is probably average but I'm worried that my MCAT will not be emphasized as much as my GPA.
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My gpa is barely mediocre, but my MCAT is 95+ percentile and I received an interview invite. But also have unique ECs, so who knows. I think the MCAT is always going to be a pretty big factor regardless of any of the other areas they consider.
 
UNMedGa said:
At my interview they told us they really aren't that concerned with stats. They care that we are academically up to snuff and outside that they're looking more for a fit with the mission of the school.
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Can you explain the mission? I looked on their website and it was broad, and I wasn't sure if it emphasized a lot of research? Could you elaborate?
 
smr said:
My gpa is barely mediocre, but my MCAT is 95+ percentile and I received an interview invite. But also have unique ECs, so who knows. I think the MCAT is always going to be a pretty big factor regardless of any of the other areas they consider.
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I remember a post that said you have a 3.6+ gpa, so I wouldn't call the mediocre haha. My GPA is higher, but my MCAT is a bit lower so who knows?
 
GinnyWeasley said:
Can you explain the mission? I looked on their website and it was broad, and I wasn't sure if it emphasized a lot of research? Could you elaborate?
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For the mission, really read into the 4 questions in the secondary. On your interview day, make sure to emphasize the attributes that they look for in the secondary. Worked for me last year 🙂

Also, shameless plug for UTSW since people seem to think stats matter a lot more here than at Dell: once you're invited to interview at UTSW, your stats don't matter anymore. I think that's true at most med schools. Check out LizzyM's staircase analogy (at least I think it's hers, but I haven't seen it in a year so not 100% sure).

Edit: and for research at Dell, my impression of it last year was that they want students with a research mindset. I have never done formal lab research, but I did do 2 independent library research projects on personal interests of mine in undergrad, and that seemed to suffice. A big interest of Dell is to have inquisitive students who will strive to come up with new innovative ways to deliver care.
 
I know a decent bit about the Affordable Care Act and HMO/PPO--more than the average person for sure but maybe not intricate details. Do you guys think that's enough?
I'm not sure how well formed my opinions have to be on ACA beyond "I like it because blah blah blah." I also don't really know how often in depth questions about this come up in interviews, esp at Dell
 
ImageUploadedBySDN1471794462.399842.jpg


If you have time to read it.


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prettyNURSEtoMD said:
View attachment 208185

If you have time to read it.


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Thank you for showing me this! I don't have time before my Dell interview unfortunately but do have time before my next interview. I may check it out!
My healthcare system knowledge should be pretty solid for interviews I think but idk if Dell would ask about that based on what they said their interviews would be about
 
prettyNURSEtoMD said:
What are their interviews about? Where was that mentioned


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prettyNURSEtoMD said:
Oh and good luck!


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It's mentioned in their application booklet thing or whatever it is on their website. Also I think they also sent it in their second II interview. It's two long interviews (personal attributes and life experiences), MMI's and also a group exercise. So IDK where in there we would talk about HMO/PPO etc but I'll prepare nonetheless

Thank you!! It's this week!
 
idontknowwhatnametopick said:
For the mission, really read into the 4 questions in the secondary. On your interview day, make sure to emphasize the attributes that they look for in the secondary. Worked for me last year 🙂

Also, shameless plug for UTSW since people seem to think stats matter a lot more here than at Dell: once you're invited to interview at UTSW, your stats don't matter anymore. I think that's true at most med schools. Check out LizzyM's staircase analogy (at least I think it's hers, but I haven't seen it in a year so not 100% sure).

Edit: and for research at Dell, my impression of it last year was that they want students with a research mindset. I have never done formal lab research, but I did do 2 independent library research projects on personal interests of mine in undergrad, and that seemed to suffice. A big interest of Dell is to have inquisitive students who will strive to come up with new innovative ways to deliver care.
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Thank you!
But LizzyM's staircase analogy made stats matter alot! Basically you are put on your stair based off of GPA + MCAT+ other stats, and the interview normally keeps you in your spot. So if you come in with a lower gpa/mcat that most other people that are interviewing, even if you do well on your interview, the chances of getting a spot are still very slim.
Also: I never liked research haha, which probably means I have a very small chance of getting a secondary.
 
Well let me say, that I prewrote mine, and they were all close to the max character amount. I know others mentioned that they did like 2000 or something.


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What does the first year look like as far as daily schedule? Weekly in class time and weekly study time?
 
wildabeastkoala said:
Did those with secondaries hit the 4000 character count?
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Mine didn't. They were a range..some were only 2000 characters and others were 3000 something but I found that 4000 was more than I needed. As long as you get the main point across and it's well fleshed out, I don't think you should worry about character count. It doesn't seem to be a determining factor
 
idontknowwhatnametopick said:
For the mission, really read into the 4 questions in the secondary. On your interview day, make sure to emphasize the attributes that they look for in the secondary. Worked for me last year 🙂

Also, shameless plug for UTSW since people seem to think stats matter a lot more here than at Dell: once you're invited to interview at UTSW, your stats don't matter anymore. I think that's true at most med schools. Check out LizzyM's staircase analogy (at least I think it's hers, but I haven't seen it in a year so not 100% sure).

Edit: and for research at Dell, my impression of it last year was that they want students with a research mindset. I have never done formal lab research, but I did do 2 independent library research projects on personal interests of mine in undergrad, and that seemed to suffice. A big interest of Dell is to have inquisitive students who will strive to come up with new innovative ways to deliver care.
Click to expand...

Hi! I'm an MSI at Dell. While it is true that some people here have heavy research experience, many students have some or no reserach as well. There is no real formula that all the students here have filled in. The school is full of diverse people from all different walks of life and different passions (centralized around medicine). The admissions is more interested in seeing what the applicants are passionate about and how that fits into the school's mission.
 
wildabeastkoala said:
What does the first year look like as far as daily schedule? Weekly in class time and weekly study time?
Click to expand...
It depends on the block we're in. Less than 20 hours a week, typically. Our first block was just 8 - 12 MWF & 2 hours of clinical skills one afternoon a week. The block we're in now added 4 hours of anatomy lab per week + three hours of interprofessional education once every three weeks. Still extremely manageable, lots of time outside of class for independent study and life!
 
Anyone want to guess when more secondaries will go out? I've been complete for a month, seem like an average amount of time?
 
For those who have interviewed, are the two traditional interviews very different from each other? Or did you find yourself repeating your answers to some extent?
 
My two interviews were different not drastically so but we covered similar things in different ways.
Semi closed--they don't have our grades or coursework
 
pikachu18 said:
I'm not sure... I haven't found the answer on their website, II email, or stalking last year's thread.
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jgear645 said:
My two interviews were different not drastically so but we covered similar things in different ways.
Semi closed--they don't have our grades or coursework
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Spoke too soon, thank you for answering! So that would mean they have our TMDSAS app minus grades/coursework plus our essays?
 
pikachu18 said:
Spoke too soon, thank you for answering! So that would mean they have our TMDSAS app minus grades/coursework plus our essays?
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yep! I believe so, that's what it seemed like. They won't ask anything about grades/coursework--they say that in their email too!
 
jgear645 said:
yep! I believe so, that's what it seemed like. They won't ask anything about grades/coursework--they say that in their email too!
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Is this the email that is supposed to come 3-5 days before interview day? Thanks again for your help!
 
pikachu18 said:
Is this the email that is supposed to come 3-5 days before interview day? Thanks again for your help!
Click to expand...

Yeah I think so! Dell also has information in this online booklet somewhere on their website that also says similar things!
And no problem, good luck!
 
jgear645 said:
Yeah I think so! Dell also has information in this online booklet somewhere on their website that also says similar things!
And no problem, good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the good wishes. I'm so nervous but also super excited for the interview! 😀😀
 
Anyone still waiting on a secondary.................?

At this point considering it's the only school I've applied to I didn't get a secondary from, I'm considering whether I should call and BEG them for one.
 
avenlea said:
Anyone still waiting on a secondary.................?

At this point considering it's the only school I've applied to I didn't get a secondary from, I'm considering whether I should call and BEG them for one.
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Applied in June and haven't received one. At this point I've pretty much marked the school off my list. Doesn't bother me too much, though. It's only one school.


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avenlea said:
Anyone still waiting on a secondary.................?

At this point considering it's the only school I've applied to I didn't get a secondary from, I'm considering whether I should call and BEG them for one.
Click to expand...

It took me 2 months to get the secondary, then another month to get an interview invite. I wouldn't count yourself out until they stop sending secondaries! But you could call to try to learn more about the status of your app specifically, though I'm not sure how much they would tell you.
 
avenlea said:
Anyone still waiting on a secondary.................?

At this point considering it's the only school I've applied to I didn't get a secondary from, I'm considering whether I should call and BEG them for one.
Click to expand...
I'm waiting as well, they screen heavily so it'll be nice to get one and know we made the first cut.
 
I mean I knew that, I just assumed they meant something else by heavily screened. Thanks!


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