2016-2017 University of Texas - Southwestern Application Thread

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Is MSO Weekend only for students who prematch or can anyone who gets in off of the waitlist also participate? I'm not sure when it is.

Feb 10th - Feb 11th so I would think people who pre-match and match. When I was waitlisted, I don't recall hearing about movement until like March.
 
Has anyone heard any details or experiences about the minority orientation the Thursday before MS0 (2/9)? Cause I can't find anything about it online, but it's part of the rsvp. I planned on emailing but just in case..
 
Has anyone heard any details or experiences about the minority orientation the Thursday before MS0 (2/9)? Cause I can't find anything about it online, but it's part of the rsvp. I planned on emailing but just in case..
Do you want me to put you in touch with some minority students who attended it last year?
Is MSO Weekend only for students who prematch or can anyone who gets in off of the waitlist also participate? I'm not sure when it is.
Sadly it is only for people who get in by February 10th. It's a very early second look weekend. I was really bummed I couldn't attend it last year because I hadn't gotten in yet 🙁.
 
Has anyone heard any details or experiences about the minority orientation the Thursday before MS0 (2/9)? Cause I can't find anything about it online, but it's part of the rsvp. I planned on emailing but just in case..
+1
 
Can anyone comment on the lives of the students here outside of classwork?

The student who gave me a tour during my interview told me that her stress levels were "always very high" and that she didn't do much outside of school. She also said that she couldn't imagine any of the students having enough free time to take care of a pet, outside of cats. I didn't get a good chance to ask the same questions of another student, so that definitely could have just been her experience, but I was left feeling pretty worried about work/life balance if I go to this school.
 
Can anyone comment on the lives of the students here outside of classwork?

The student who gave me a tour during my interview told me that her stress levels were "always very high" and that she didn't do much outside of school. She also said that she couldn't imagine any of the students having enough free time to take care of a pet, outside of cats. I didn't get a good chance to ask the same questions of another student, so that definitely could have just been her experience, but I was left feeling pretty worried about work/life balance if I go to this school.

My coworker is a fellow that went to UTSW pre pass/fail (clearly). But she has repeatedly told me that she had so much time and a dog and a part-time job. But she stressed that it depends on the person completely and that you'll immediately know what type you are.

I also have some 3rd year friends. One just got married and takes time for herself but it is apparent that she is stressed. The other is always enjoying herself around Dallas with friends and is seemingly carefree.




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My coworker is a fellow that went to UTSW pre pass/fail (clearly). But she has repeatedly told me that she had so much time and a dog and a part-time job. But she stressed that it depends on the person completely and that you'll immediately know what type you are.

I also have some 3rd year friends. One just got married and takes time for herself but it is apparent that she is stressed. The other is always enjoying herself around Dallas with friends and is seemingly carefree.




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Good to hear varying stories. Thank you for the input!
 
SW or Austin? SW has the prestige and the name, but I dont see myself fitting well with the school and the city. While Austin is new and i think it would be a much better fit for me.
 
SW or Austin? SW has the prestige and the name, but I dont see myself fitting well with the school and the city. While Austin is new and i think it would be a much better fit for me.

It may be worth it to make a separate visit to each (second look or on your own) to see how true these perceptions are without the stress of the interview.
 
congrats to everyone who prematched yesterday!! 😀 It was quite a surprise to me at least that they did send more out.

Ok did anyone else who didn't prematch have a stellar interview? Both of my interviewers said things that suggested I was a slam-dunk at this school and I didn't get a pre-match offer. Not trying to throw a pity-party here, just want to clarify if it's a false hope.
 
congrats to everyone who prematched yesterday!! 😀 It was quite a surprise to me at least that they did send more out.

Ok did anyone else who didn't prematch have a stellar interview? Both of my interviewers said things that suggested I was a slam-dunk at this school and I didn't get a pre-match offer. Not trying to throw a pity-party here, just want to clarify if it's a false hope.
I am in the same situation, but there are a million and more factors to being accepted (this is kind of a "pre-acceptance" period anyway if you want to think of it that way😉). If you felt that you rocked your interview then chances are you are in a good position--even if you didn't prematch. (Also, some schools don't give out prematch offers to some applicants because they feel that the school is a safety school--so they wait to extend acceptance offers. The possibilities are almost endless lol.)

Anyway, sorry for the long message ==; don't get your hopes down yet~everything will work out in time😀. You got this!
 
Just prematched! I can't decide between here and Austin where I prematched too. How will I make the choice? I feel like I'm not smart enough to fit in well at utsw and I'm more relaxed. What should I do?
 
Can anyone comment on the lives of the students here outside of classwork?

The student who gave me a tour during my interview told me that her stress levels were "always very high" and that she didn't do much outside of school. She also said that she couldn't imagine any of the students having enough free time to take care of a pet, outside of cats. I didn't get a good chance to ask the same questions of another student, so that definitely could have just been her experience, but I was left feeling pretty worried about work/life balance if I go to this school.

The first semester is definitely an adjustment, but manageable, and it gets better from there. I know students that have pets and don't have a problem. First semester may be a challenge for a dog just because we have quite a few afternoon labs, so if you have someone that can check on it, or its well trained it could work.

For me personally I haven't felt any more or less stressed than undergrad (other than the first two weeks, but I was able to adjust), I try to treat it like a job, work hard during the day, take the evenings off. Some weeks there's a little more than others, but by no means is this significantly different than my friends at other schools.

Im very happy here, I am able to have a life beyond school, and continue to do things I enjoy. Theres also plenty to do here in Dallas, and our class is very social so its really a great place to be!
 
Does anyone know if the offer of admission is uploaded into our portal to accept? I've been checking and haven't seen anything.
 
Does anyone know if the offer of admission is uploaded into our portal to accept? I've been checking and haven't seen anything.

You accept it via hard copy sheet that you sign. It comes in the mail. Unless you're far / OOS and they said they'd do it online (not sure).


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SW or Austin? SW has the prestige and the name, but I dont see myself fitting well with the school and the city. While Austin is new and i think it would be a much better fit for me.
Go with your gut! I loved both schools too but I had a feeling I'd be happier here. You're the only one who can answer the question for yourself.
 
Just prematched! I can't decide between here and Austin where I prematched too. How will I make the choice? I feel like I'm not smart enough to fit in well at utsw and I'm more relaxed. What should I do?
If you got in you are definitely smart enough to fit in. UTSW is a bit odd in that we are extremely relaxed people around each other, super low-key and hanging out, but then the curriculum is hard and we do get stressed out around exams. However it's going to get a lot better now that our first semester is over.
Every med school is going to be stressful though... I don't think anyone's brain can handle this much information without the occasional freakout.
 
congrats to everyone who prematched yesterday!! 😀 It was quite a surprise to me at least that they did send more out.

Ok did anyone else who didn't prematch have a stellar interview? Both of my interviewers said things that suggested I was a slam-dunk at this school and I didn't get a pre-match offer. Not trying to throw a pity-party here, just want to clarify if it's a false hope.
I am in the same boat.
 
I am in the same boat.
I am both at the table of sadness and in this boat. However, I think the "conversations" are designed to leave you with that impression, so this might just reflect more on the interview atmosphere fostered by UTSW instead of our individual applications. Some schools really hold you at arms length during the interview, but UTSW is not one of those.
 
I am both at the table of sadness and in this boat. However, I think the "conversations" are designed to leave you with that impression, so this might just reflect more on the interview atmosphere fostered by UTSW instead of our individual applications. Some schools really hold you at arms length during the interview, but UTSW is not one of those.
I agree. Hopefully they will change the trend this year and give out a few matches in Feb, so we can turn our sadness table into a celebration table in the party boat.
 
I am both at the table of sadness and in this boat. However, I think the "conversations" are designed to leave you with that impression, so this might just reflect more on the interview atmosphere fostered by UTSW instead of our individual applications. Some schools really hold you at arms length during the interview, but UTSW is not one of those.
That's so dark. I left that place feeling on top of the world...now I'm seated at the table of sadness in the boat of good scores. Time to play the long game. I'm wondering if it was a huge mistake to mention in my interview that UTSW was my absolute top choice. Man, I wish we knew how admissions committees think!
 
That's so dark. I left that place feeling on top of the world...now I'm seated at the table of sadness in the boat of higher scores. Time to play the long game. I'm wondering if it was a huge mistake to mention in my interview that UTSW was my absolute top choice. Man, I wish we knew how admissions committees think!

*higher scores meaning that mine made me feel pretty comfortable going in to applications and interviews. I didn't mean to say that I am entitled to admissions based solely off my scores.
 
That's so dark. I left that place feeling on top of the world...now I'm seated at the table of sadness in the boat of good scores. Time to play the long game. I'm wondering if it was a huge mistake to mention in my interview that UTSW was my absolute top choice. Man, I wish we knew how admissions committees think!
I also mentioned that UTSW was my absolute top choice and wondered - what if they make the "sure shot" candidates suffer till the end. But, I don't think that matters, because based on our application itself they can tell whether or not we are sure shot candidates (meaning, if they are offering we are going there for sure).
 
*higher scores meaning that mine made me feel pretty comfortable going in to applications and interviews. I didn't mean to say that I am entitled to admissions based solely off my scores.
Same here 🙂
 
I wonder if any of our current student friends (who have been helpful on this thread) have caught a whiff from the admissions office about the match. Will they be matching more this year? I heard that some of the other schools are going that route this year.
 
I wonder if any of our current student friends (who have been helpful on this thread) have caught a whiff from the admissions office about the match. Will they be matching more this year? I heard that some of the other schools are going that route this year.
I haven't heard anything like that sorry. Will let you know if I do!
 
For all those that say you have to have high scores to get in here I am living proof you don't! I prematched and had a science gpa of 3.5 so don't give up hope!
 
Just prematched! I can't decide between here and Austin where I prematched too. How will I make the choice? I feel like I'm not smart enough to fit in well at utsw and I'm more relaxed. What should I do?

Hiya. Just wanted to add in I was in the same situation as well between Dell and UTSW while eventually gravitating towards the latter. Glad I did-I feel like the horizons for the experience I'll be able to have in my 20's as a medical student are so much broader vis-à-vis residency matching (we match so freaking well for peds- totally key if you want to enter a good specialty at a prestigious program), global health (I'll be traveling for a year), and away rotations (I've got a lot of extra time to do away rotations and to check out medicine in the rest of the country thanks to the curriculum). It's an incredible feeling to have.

Don't worry about being smart enough or whatever, we're a diverse class in terms of strengths and talents, and we do a crazy good job of supporting one another in pretty awesome ways which will let you grow as a student. That was my experience at least! Plus, as current MS1's, we are -coststantly- trying to think up ways to improve y'alls experience as well🙂

Hope that helped!
 
Can anyone comment on the lives of the students here outside of classwork?

The student who gave me a tour during my interview told me that her stress levels were "always very high" and that she didn't do much outside of school. She also said that she couldn't imagine any of the students having enough free time to take care of a pet, outside of cats. I didn't get a good chance to ask the same questions of another student, so that definitely could have just been her experience, but I was left feeling pretty worried about work/life balance if I go to this school.


I feel like so many of my classmates have pets actually! I would say that if you are a student prone to stress, you will be stressed. If you are a relaxed person, you will continue to approach the experience in that same demeanor. The curriculum is challenging certainly, but pass/fail makes it manageable.

I would describe life in Dallas as progressively lively. You'll coststantly be involved in school and surrounded by your peers in the initial months which helps a lot with building friendships, and as it eases up between courses and semesters, you'll branch out to see more and more of the city (you have time to do things every weekend if you plan well and don't procrastinate horribly). For our experience, we had really great student leaders and social chairs that made the trips downtown and poolside bbq's pretty awesome/inclusive. This will naturally be the same for you guys- fostered either by your own initiatives or by ours if we jump the gun!
 
Everyone, I need your help. I interviewed both here and McGovern, and was equally impressed by both. I felt the clinicals of the TMC and Parkland were both incredible. The pre-clinical years were comparably great, with great match lists and Step scores for both schools. I am curious as to what separates Southwestern from UT-Houston? I know that it is constantly said that Baylor and Southwestern are the top of Texas, with UT Houston as a number 3. I've prematched to McGovern but not Southwestern and trying to decide which to rank as 1 and why. Thank you!!!


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Everyone, I need your help. I interviewed both here and McGovern, and was equally impressed by both. I felt the clinicals of the TMC and Parkland were both incredible. The pre-clinical years were comparably great, with great match lists and Step scores for both schools. I am curious as to what separates Southwestern from UT-Houston? I know that it is constantly said that Baylor and Southwestern are the top of Texas, with UT Houston as a number 3. I've prematched to McGovern but not Southwestern and trying to decide which to rank as 1 and why. Thank you!!!


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Not quite directly answering your question, but if you want to post pone your decision making, UTSW doesn't really match any kids (they wait list instead) so you could essentially rank UTSW 1st/get on the wait list, keep your McGovern pre match, and then decide in April/May when UTSW releases more offers. I understand this is quite the life pivoting time for you guys so hopefully that offers some relief on timing.
 
Not quite directly answering your question, but if you want to post pone your decision making, UTSW doesn't really match any kids (they wait list instead) so you could essentially rank UTSW 1st/get on the wait list, keep your McGovern pre match, and then decide in April/May when UTSW releases more offers. I understand this is quite the life pivoting time for you guys so hopefully that offers some relief on timing.
That is not true. I pre-matched to both UTSW and Mcgovern, and if you put UTSW as #1 and then you get into UTSW, you cannot keep your Mcgovern pre-match offer, you are dropped from all schools ranking lower than UTSW. You have to make your choice by Jan 20th
 
That is not true. I pre-matched to both UTSW and Mcgovern, and if you put UTSW as #1 and then you get into UTSW, you cannot keep your Mcgovern pre-match offer, you are dropped from all schools ranking lower than UTSW. You have to make your choice by Jan 20th

I think the person this response was pertaining to had prematched to McGovern but not to UTSW. So the advice could apply as long as the person doesn't match to UTSW Feb 1st.
 
I think the person this response was pertaining to had prematched to McGovern but not to UTSW. So the advice could apply as long as the person doesn't match to UTSW Feb 1st.
I just meant that you can't change your mind after you submit your rank list on jan 20th
 
I just meant that you can't change your mind after you submit your rank list on jan 20th
If you pre-match to McGovern, and then don't match to UTSW but you ranked it higher than McGovern, you keep your McGovern acceptance and you get on UTSW's waitlist. If you get into UTSW off the waitlist, you can then choose between accepting UTSW's offer or keeping your initial McGovern acceptance, despite having ranked UTSW higher.
However if you happen to match at UTSW then your McGovern acceptance gets dropped, but UTSW matches very few people so it is unlikely that would be the case (still possible though so think carefully about your preference).

@Mangomelee you are in a different situation since you pre-matched to both schools.
 
Thanks everyone. Ultimately I'm grateful just to be in this position since I recognize many people have no prematch offers or no interviews! This insight helped a lot for my decision. I'll let y'all know what happens!



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Thanks everyone. Ultimately I'm grateful just to be in this position since I recognize many people have no prematch offers or no interviews! This insight helped a lot for my decision. I'll let y'all know what happens!



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I hope you'll be happy with whatever decision you end up making 🙂
 
If you pre-match to McGovern, and then don't match to UTSW but you ranked it higher than McGovern, you keep your McGovern acceptance and you get on UTSW's waitlist. If you get into UTSW off the waitlist, you can then choose between accepting UTSW's offer or keeping your initial McGovern acceptance, despite having ranked UTSW higher.
However if you happen to match at UTSW then your McGovern acceptance gets dropped, but UTSW matches very few people so it is unlikely that would be the case (still possible though so think carefully about your preference).

@Mangomelee you are in a different situation since you pre-matched to both schools.
sorry, I am not trying to be augmentative, I just don't think you are giving out accurate information. I am aware I am in a different boat, but I still not want someone to get screwed over because he/she read something on a forum and believed it was gospel. They really need to think hard about which one they rank first, because while it may be hard to match to southwestern, if they are not 100% but put them first with the hope that while they may get in, they are not sure yet which school they would rather go to. Then if they get off the waitlist, they are going to southwestern whether they want to go to southwestern or not. if they think about it and decide they would rather go to southwestern out of the 2 schools, then by all means put southwestern first, even if you think it is unlikely for a match, if it is your top school, there is no harm in marking them first and hoping for the best, schools do not see your rank preferences, and even if they don't hear back, they still have the knowledge that they will go to a great school. But if they are not sure which on they would rather go to, but put southwestern because they didn't think they would get in, but after more thought (and say they receive a scholarship for mcgovern) they would rather go to mcgovern, if they get into southwestern, their previous acceptance at McGovern will be dropped and they will be going to southwestern regardless of their preference. I am not saying don't put southwestern first, but just to think hard about which school they would actually rather go to and not put anything down as a placeholder, because the only time you can hold more that one acceptance is during the pre-match period. after jan 20, your ranking alone decides which school is the one acceptance you hold
 
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