2019-2020 UT Medical Branch

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
NicOd said:
I think he means for medical schools overall lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Lol yeah I meant for medical schools overall. But I have a couple for friends that go to UTMB now who all say it’s chill, which was part of my reasoning for choosing it over other schools.
 
yeah a lot of schools have that "me against you" mentality. that would suck. There will be gunners at any school but just stay away from them and you'll have a relaxed and joyous time 🙂 congrats on UTMB. chillest school in texas imo. I chose UTMB over higher ranked schools to avoid that environment
 
jarednogeek said:
yeah a lot of schools have that "me against you" mentality. that would suck. There will be gunners at any school but just stay away from them and you'll have a relaxed and joyous time 🙂 congrats on UTMB. chillest school in texas imo. I chose UTMB over higher ranked schools to avoid that environment
Click to expand...
UTMB really does seem to have that chill vibe. I'm really looking forward to attending, and I'm glad I got in versus other TMDSAS schools...they shall not be named, of course...
 
I changed a class that I am taking that is different than what I put for my future classwork on the TMDSAS application. Do you think I have to notify the admission's committee about it? I'm already accepted so idk if it'll make a difference though
 
gray_under said:
I changed a class that I am taking that is different than what I put for my future classwork on the TMDSAS application. Do you think I have to notify the admission's committee about it? I'm already accepted so idk if it'll make a difference though
Click to expand...
Send an internal message to TMDSAS they will make the change on your course schedule.
 
gray_under said:
I changed a class that I am taking that is different than what I put for my future classwork on the TMDSAS application. Do you think I have to notify the admission's committee about it? I'm already accepted so idk if it'll make a difference though
Click to expand...
I dont think it matters. But you can send it in to be safe as above poster said.
 
Hey guys! I got accepted here in December and it's my first choice school. Like everyone was saying, this school just had great vibes and I didn't feel the competition I felt at a lot of other schools. I'm looking forward to starting in July! It feels like it's so far from now but I'm sure it'll be here before we know it! Can't wait to put on that white coat!
 
ancel_poster said:
Hey guys! I got accepted here in December and it's my first choice school. Like everyone was saying, this school just had great vibes and I didn't feel the competition I felt at a lot of other schools. I'm looking forward to starting in July! It feels like it's so far from now but I'm sure it'll be here before we know it! Can't wait to put on that white coat!
Click to expand...

I’m in my gap year and time is going so slow. I want it to be July already.
 
spookymulder26 said:
I’m in my gap year and time is going so slow. I want it to be July already.
Click to expand...
Haha be careful what you ask for. We take the equivalent of 27 credits a semester. Years fly by like weeks. Try to enjoy yourself, play video games, travel. You'll have free time here, just a lot less.

ancel_poster said:
Hey guys! I got accepted here in December and it's my first choice school. Like everyone was saying, this school just had great vibes and I didn't feel the competition I felt at a lot of other schools. I'm looking forward to starting in July! It feels like it's so far from now but I'm sure it'll be here before we know it! Can't wait to put on that white coat!
Click to expand...
I do think for the most part the students here are the chillest in Texas. Some of the faculty though are pretty uptight but our class is advocating for changes so that that changes. Every school has + and -, and I wouldn't change my choice to go here at all.
 
As some of you are for sure going to UTMB I thought I'd write a few tips before you start.

1. Try to live close to campus if possible (within a mile or so), this will save you for our 8AM required group sessions. I know people who live like 30 mins away and it always seems like they're cutting it close getting here. Also you don't really need to look for housing until May/June.

2. Don't pre-study. I didn't take any of these classes before in undergrad or pre-study during 2 gap years and I'm doing just fine 🙂 You'll have plenty to study once you get here, enjoy the time off now.

3. We're one of the only med schools with frats, which you can live in for about $350 a month with free dinner every day, but the rooms are outdated and you'll be living very closely with a lot of your classmates, check out the options but don't feel obligated, you'll still receive tons of help from classmates even without living in a frat. I personally wanted to have more space, I found a few people on our FB page and live in a house. Also they invite everyone to most of their events for free (which is pretty fun!).

4. Don't stress, don't prepare academically, but prepare mentally. They will preach mental health, but the medical school environment is not conducive to mental wellbeing. You will need to come in here strong and ready. If you're facing issues see a psychiatrist beforehand and have a treatment network/plan/net in place. I've seen a few of my classmates dropout from deciding that this is not for them or being too burned out. You have to build up that inner strength before coming here.

5. Don't worry about planning how to study just yet. You will have META and if it's the same for us it's going to introduce you to POM (probably the most useless class we have.) META is a huge time sink that you will likely get nothing out of; however, it gives you time to meet your classmates, socialize, get adjusted to campus/Galveston, and build a study strategy for GAR, which upper years will help you with. For those reasons I enjoyed META. One of the most awesome things about UTMB is that our upper years help us every step of the way, class by class, teaching us how to prepare and study, and we will do the same for you.

6. Lastly, I beg you all not to take the next four years too seriously. I see some people in my class that are absolutely miserable because they study 24/7, with little sleep or "me time". That's not necessary in med school, just make a plan, stick to it, put your hours in and make sure to at least take an hour or 2 to yourself everyday. Med school is different in the sense that there is always more to study, you will never know everything about the field of medicine. Just study the Step one relevant material and call it a day. Don't end up one of those burned out docs wishing they never went into medicine.

Here's a short list of UTMB pros and cons for those still deciding schools

Pros:
NBME exams. Our exams are retired NBME Step 1 questions and this is more helpful than you will ever know. You start preparing for step day 1 of GAR. My friends at other schools where the PHD's write the exams are unhappy for the most part. At UTMB you use Step 1 prep material to study for exams and it is amazing not worrying about a professor putting some obscure fact on a powerpoint slide on the exam (because they can't).

Chill Island vibe - for the most part UTMB is very chill, and Galveston in general is. Galvy gets a lot of hate but I loved it and I chose to live over Houston or Dallas because i wanted a laid back vibe in med school.

You'll be able to find people in your class that are more relaxed, easy going, and fun to be around than I believe any other school in Texas.

First 2 years are TRUE P/F. This is probably the best thing, besides NBME exams, at UTMB. Not the fake low pass (C), pass (B), honors (A). But true p/f and that takes a lot of pressure off your back because getting A's in medical school is not easy, even for the brightest in the room (and there's a lot of us lol). No matter how hard a class is what's important is that you studied for Step and got that P. Whether it's a 70 or a 99 it doesn't matter. This may be a con for some people, but for me it's amazing. Most of us here got 4.0's in undergrad, so having that pressure off is amazing.

Cons:

Parking - not enough spaces, need to get here early or park far out, or bike!

Weather - It can get crazy but I really don't think it's any crazier than texas in general

Required classes - It's true we don't have any required "classes," but there are a lot of required labs/small groups/sessions. We're usually out by 12 or before so that's nice.

POM/META - POM will end up being a term of disdain for you lol, It's only an hour or 2 a week but you'll largely feel like your time is wasted. Good thing is you can usually low key study during it.

Some of the professors/faculty are uptight, sucks but it's medicine and it is what it is. Arrogance is everywhere in our world, but I think it's a little more popular in the field of medicine.
 
Last edited:
jarednogeek said:
As some of you are for sure going to UTMB I thought I'd write a few tips before you start.

1. Try to live close to campus if possible (within a mile or so), this will save you for our 8AM required group sessions. I know people who live like 30 mins away and it always seems like they're cutting it close getting here. Also you don't really need to look for housing until May/June.

2. Don't pre-study. I didn't take any of these classes before in undergrad or pre-study during 2 gap years and I'm don't just fine 🙂 You'll have plenty to study once you get here, enjoy the time off now.

3. We're one of the only med schools with frats, which you can live in for about $350 a month with free dinner every day, but the rooms are outdated and you'll be living very closely with a lot of your classmates, check out the options but don't feel obligated, you'll still receive tons of help from classmates even without living in a frat. I personally wanted to have more space, I found a few people on our FB page and live in a house. Also they invite everyone to most of their events for free (which is pretty fun!).

4. Don't stress, don't prepare academically, but prepare mentally. They will preach mental health, but the medical school environment is not conducive to mental wellbeing. You will need to come in here strong and ready. If you're facing issues see a psychiatrist beforehand and have a treatment network/plan/net in place. I've seen a few of my classmates dropout from deciding that this is not for them or being too burned out. You have to build up that inner strength before coming here.

5. Don't worry about planning how to study just yet. You will have META and if it's the same for us it's going to introduce you to POM (probably the most useless class we have.) META is a huge time sink that you will likely get nothing out of; however, it gives you time to meet your classmates, socialize, get adjusted to campus/Galveston, and build a study strategy for GAR, which upper years will help you with. For those reasons I enjoyed META. One of the most awesome things about UTMB is that our upper years help us every step of the way, class by class, teaching us how to prepare and study, and we will do the same for you.

6. Lastly, I beg you all not to take the next four years too seriously. I see some people in my class that are absolutely miserable because they study 24/7, with little sleep or "me time". That's not necessary in med school, just make a plan, stick to it, put your hours in and make sure to at least take an hour or 2 to yourself everyday. Med school is different in the sense that there is always more to study, you will never know everything about the field of medicine. Just study the Step one relevant material and call it a day. Don't end up one of those burned out docs wishing they never went into medicine.

Here's a short list of UTMB pros and cons for those still deciding schools

Pros:
NBME exams. Our exams are retired NBME Step 1 questions and this is more helpful than you will ever know. You start preparing for step day 1 of GAR. My friends at other schools where the PHD's write the exams are unhappy for the most part. At UTMB you use Step 1 prep material to study for exams and it is amazing not worrying about a professor putting some obscure fact on a powerpoint slide on the exam (because they can't).

Chill Island vibe - for the most part UTMB is very chill, and Galveston in general is. Galvy gets a lot of hate but I loved it and I chose to live over Houston or Dallas because i wanted a laid back vibe in med school.

You'll be able to find people in your class that are more relaxed, easy going, and fun to be around than I believe any other school in Texas.

First 2 years are TRUE P/F. This is probably the best thing, besides NBME exams, at UTMB. Not the fake low pass (C), pass (B), honors (A). But true p/f and that takes a lot of pressure off your back because getting A's in medical school is not easy, even for the brightest in the room (and there's a lot of us lol). No matter how hard a class is what's important is that you studied for Step and got that P. Whether it's a 70 or a 99 it doesn't matter. This may be a con for some people, but for me it's amazing. Most of us here got 4.0's in undergrad, so having that pressure off is amazing.

Cons:

Parking - not enough spaces, need to get here early or park far out, or bike!

Weather - It can get crazy but I really don't think it's any crazier than texas in general

Required classes - It's true we don't have any required "classes," but there are a lot of required labs/small groups/sessions. We're usually out by 12 or before so that's nice.

POM/META - POM will end up being a term of disdain for you lol, It's only an hour or 2 a week but you'll largely feel like your time is wasted. Good thing is you can usually low key study during it.

Some of the professors/faculty are uptight, sucks but it's medicine and it is what it is. Arrogance is everywhere in our world, but I think it's a little more popular in the field of medicine.
Click to expand...
This is awesome tips, man. Appreciate you passing the knowledge along.
 
Could @jarednogeek or anyone comment on what Feb 3rd might be like? I looked at last year's forum and it seemed like some found out at 1 AM but on TMDSAS it states that results would be posted at 8 AM. Was is that UTMB sent an e-mail at 1 AM before TMDSAS had posted the results or am I totally wrong? Thanks in advance for the information and good luck to everyone!
 
SazonMPH15 said:
Could @jarednogeek or anyone comment on what Feb 3rd might be like? I looked at last year's forum and it seemed like some found out at 1 AM but on TMDSAS it states that results would be posted at 8 AM. Was is that UTMB sent an e-mail at 1 AM before TMDSAS had posted the results or am I totally wrong? Thanks in advance for the information and good luck to everyone!
Click to expand...
You can find your results on the TMDSAS portal after 8 am, and yes last year UTMB broke the good news early at 1 am.
For those of you who don’t match, or those who don’t match to their top choice, many schools will send out WL emails that day or within a couple of days.
If you do get a WL email, read it very carefully because some schools want a reply from you to stay on a WL.
Good luck everyone!
 
SazonMPH15 said:
Could @jarednogeek or anyone comment on what Feb 3rd might be like? I looked at last year's forum and it seemed like some found out at 1 AM but on TMDSAS it states that results would be posted at 8 AM. Was is that UTMB sent an e-mail at 1 AM before TMDSAS had posted the results or am I totally wrong? Thanks in advance for the information and good luck to everyone!
Click to expand...
I found out at midnight.
 
RatWitDaToolie said:
How does that work if match results don't come out until 8am and schools don't see your rank list? Also did everyone who matched at UTMB hear back at 1am last year or just some of you?
Click to expand...
Unsure but historically (I think) people find out at midnight here. I believe most people who pre-matched found out at midnight but I didn't ask a ton of people. A large chunk of the class got in later or off the waitlist so don't depend on pre-match solely.
 
RatWitDaToolie said:
How does that work if match results don't come out until 8am and schools don't see your rank list? Also did everyone who matched at UTMB hear back at 1am last year or just some of you?
Click to expand...

Adcoms meet way before to submit their own rank list. I know for sure UTRGV met the Thursday before our rank submission date. Their own list has probably been submitted for some time now so even though TMDSAS website will wait to announce at 8AM, UTMB is probably free to tell us earlier than that.
 
did anyone who prematched get a match email?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

wysdoc
2024-2025 UT Tyler
3 4 5 6 7
Replies
327
Views
59K
wysdoc
wysdoc
wysdoc
2024-2025 UT Southwestern (UTSW)
15 16 17 18 19
Replies
939
Views
200K
deleted1169361
D
wysdoc
2024-2025 UT Rio Grande Valley
5 6 7 8 9
Replies
413
Views
83K
wysdoc
wysdoc
wysdoc
2024-2025 UT San Antonio (Long)
3 4 5 6 7
Replies
315
Views
81K
greenfuzzypeople
greenfuzzypeople
TheDataKing
2020-2021 UT Medical Branch
22 23 24 25 26
Replies
1K
Views
329K
WatashiSauce
W
Top