2021-2022 UT Rio Grande Valley

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wysdoc

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Thank you, @tbfigwalrus for sharing the secondary prompts!

Editorial comment (The instructions for the UTRGV secondary are quite convoluted! Be careful to do them all. On the last one, write about 2 of the 4 choices, and enter N/A for the 2 you didn't choose. You also have to record and upload a video to YouTube (choose "unlisted" and give UTRGV the URL).

2021-2022 UTRGV Secondary Prompts

1. List three adjectives that characterize the community in which you grew up.

2. Briefly describe the community you anticipate practicing medicine in post-residency. (100-word max)

3. In the event you are accepted to two or more medical schools, what factors would be most important in determining which school would be the “best fit” for you. (150-word max)

4. The UTRGV SOM educates future physicians with the following values in mind: Patient Advocacy, Community-Focus, Cultural Awareness, Collaborative Leadership Style, Lifelong Problem Solving.
Choose TWO (2) of these values and explain their importance to you and how they integrate with each other. Please explain how this integration will impact your medical school education. (300-word max)

5. DESCRIBE EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD UNRELATED TO SCIENCE OR MEDICINE.
PART 1: Required
A situation in which you interacted with individuals who were different from you. (150 words)


Below are the instructions for the VIDEO
Mission at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School Of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) is to educate a diverse group of medical students and future biomedical scientists; to develop physicians who will serve across all disciplines of medicine; bring hope to patients and communities by advancing biomedical knowledge through research. Our goal is to provide a forward-thinking medical education experience dedicated to scientific, evidence-based, patient-centered medicine to serve all communities, including those underserved. Submit a 2-minute video that answers one of the questions below. To submit a video of your response, please upload the video to YouTube as either Public or Unlisted. Do not upload it as Private. Enter the URL of the uploaded video into the text box below.
  • Our Mission at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School Of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) is to educate a diverse group of medical students and future biomedical scientists; to develop physicians who will serve across all disciplines of medicine; bring hope to patients and communities by advancing biomedical knowledge through research. Our goal is to provide a forward-thinking medical education experience dedicated to scientific, evidence-based, patient-centered medicine to serve all communities, including those underserved. How does your background and/or experiences align with UTRGV SOM Mission?
  • Becoming a physician is a very hard and a “life-long” learning career. What and when was the instant that you knew this was going to be your chosen career and why?
Now more instructions for the final 2 essays:
PART 2: Select 2 out of the 4. Briefly describe the experience, state the circumstances of the experience (why you participated), what you learned about yourself through that experience (please put N/A in the text box for the 2 questions you chose not to answer before you submit)

  • A community service experience. (150 words)
  • A position of responsibility/authority in which others depended on you for direction. (150 words)
  • A creative endeavor (anything that required you to be creative in your approach, such as fine arts, computer programming, web design, writing, etc. (150 words)
  • We are all experiencing life under a pandemic – COVID-19. As an aspiring physician, please tell us three (3) things you would do to educate and assist your community with relevant COVID-19 information. (150 words)

Good luck to everyone applying!

Interview feedback:

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@wysdoc
Prompts are the same as last year.

UT Rio Grande Valley (2022):

List three adjectives that characterize the community in which you grew up.

Briefly describe the community you anticipate practicing medicine in post-residency. (100-word max)

In the event you are accepted to two or more medical schools, what factors would be most important in determining which school would be the “best fit” for you. (150-word max)

The UTRGV SOM educates future physicians with the following values in mind: Patient Advocacy, Community-Focus, Cultural Awareness, Collaborative Leadership Style, Lifelong Problem Solving. Choose TWO (2) of these values and explain their importance to you and how they integrate with each other. Please explain how this integration will impact your medical school education. (300-word max)

DESCRIBE EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD UNRELATED TO SCIENCE OR MEDICINE.

PART 1: Required

A situation in which you interacted with individuals who were different from you. (150 words)

Mission at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School Of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) is to educate a diverse group of medical students and future biomedical scientists; to develop physicians who will serve across all disciplines of medicine; bring hope to patients and communities by advancing biomedical knowledge through research. Our goal is to provide a forward-thinking medical education experience dedicated to scientific, evidence-based, patient-centered medicine to serve all communities, including those underserved. Submit a 2-minute video that answers one of the questions below. To submit a video of your response, please upload the video to YouTube as either Public or Unlisted. Do not upload it as Private. Enter the URL of the uploaded video into the text box below.


  • Our Mission at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School Of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) is to educate a diverse group of medical students and future biomedical scientists; to develop physicians who will serve across all disciplines of medicine; bring hope to patients and communities by advancing biomedical knowledge through research. Our goal is to provide a forward-thinking medical education experience dedicated to scientific, evidence-based, patient-centered medicine to serve all communities, including those underserved. How does your background and/or experiences align with UTRGV SOM Mission?
  • Becoming a physician is a very hard and a “life-long” learning career. What and when was the instant that you knew this was going to be your chosen career and why?

PART 2: Select 2 out of the 4. Briefly describe the experience, state the circumstances of the experience (why you participated), what you learned about yourself through that experience (please put N/A in the text box for the 2 questions you chose not to answer before you submit)
  • A community service experience. (150 words)
  • A position of responsibility/authority in which others depended on you for direction. (150 words)
  • A creative endeavor (anything that required you to be creative in your approach, such as fine arts, computer programming, web design, writing, etc. (150 words)
  • We are all experiencing life under a pandemic – COVID-19. As an aspiring physician, please tell us three (3) things you would do to educate and assist your community with relevant COVID-19 information. (150 words)
 
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Thank you, @tbfigwalrus for sharing the secondary prompts!

Editorial comment (The instructions for the UTRGV secondary are the most convoluted I have ever seen! Be careful to do them all. On the last one, write about 2 of the 4 choices, and enter N/A for the 2 you didn't choose. You also have to record and upload a video to YouTube (choose "unlisted" and give UTRGV the URL).

2021-2022 UTRGV Secondary Prompts

1. List three adjectives that characterize the community in which you grew up.

2. Briefly describe the community you anticipate practicing medicine in post-residency. (100-word max)

3. In the event you are accepted to two or more medical schools, what factors would be most important in determining which school would be the “best fit” for you. (150-word max)

4. The UTRGV SOM educates future physicians with the following values in mind: Patient Advocacy, Community-Focus, Cultural Awareness, Collaborative Leadership Style, Lifelong Problem Solving.
Choose TWO (2) of these values and explain their importance to you and how they integrate with each other. Please explain how this integration will impact your medical school education. (300-word max)

5. DESCRIBE EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD UNRELATED TO SCIENCE OR MEDICINE.
PART 1: Required
A situation in which you interacted with individuals who were different from you. (150 words)


Below are the instructions for the VIDEO
Mission at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School Of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) is to educate a diverse group of medical students and future biomedical scientists; to develop physicians who will serve across all disciplines of medicine; bring hope to patients and communities by advancing biomedical knowledge through research. Our goal is to provide a forward-thinking medical education experience dedicated to scientific, evidence-based, patient-centered medicine to serve all communities, including those underserved. Submit a 2-minute video that answers one of the questions below. To submit a video of your response, please upload the video to YouTube as either Public or Unlisted. Do not upload it as Private. Enter the URL of the uploaded video into the text box below.
  • Our Mission at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School Of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) is to educate a diverse group of medical students and future biomedical scientists; to develop physicians who will serve across all disciplines of medicine; bring hope to patients and communities by advancing biomedical knowledge through research. Our goal is to provide a forward-thinking medical education experience dedicated to scientific, evidence-based, patient-centered medicine to serve all communities, including those underserved. How does your background and/or experiences align with UTRGV SOM Mission?
  • Becoming a physician is a very hard and a “life-long” learning career. What and when was the instant that you knew this was going to be your chosen career and why?
Now more instructions for the final 2 essays:
PART 2: Select 2 out of the 4. Briefly describe the experience, state the circumstances of the experience (why you participated), what you learned about yourself through that experience (please put N/A in the text box for the 2 questions you chose not to answer before you submit)

  • A community service experience. (150 words)
  • A position of responsibility/authority in which others depended on you for direction. (150 words)
  • A creative endeavor (anything that required you to be creative in your approach, such as fine arts, computer programming, web design, writing, etc. (150 words)
  • We are all experiencing life under a pandemic – COVID-19. As an aspiring physician, please tell us three (3) things you would do to educate and assist your community with relevant COVID-19 information. (150 words)

Good luck to everyone applying!

Interview feedback:
Yes, this secondary is taking me the longest. For the community post-residency prompt, are they asking about demographics and/or location or type of practice?
 
Has anyone submitted their video and had views? I had more than a handful of views including two this morning.
 
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For the learning experiences part of the secondary it says: DESCRIBE EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD UNRELATED TO SCIENCE OR MEDICINE.

But then for 1b it says:
Submit a 2-minute video that answers a question below. To submit a video of your response, please upload the video to YouTube as Unlisted. Do not upload it as Private. Enter the URL of the uploaded video into the text box below.

Q1. Our Mission at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School Of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) is to educate a diverse group of medical students and future biomedical scientists; to develop physicians who will serve across all disciplines of medicine; bring hope to patients and communities by advancing biomedical knowledge through research. Our goal is to provide a forward-thinking medical education experience dedicated to scientific, evidence-based, patient-centered medicine to serve all communities, including those underserved. How does your background and/or experiences align with UTRGV SOM Mission?

Q2. Becoming a physician is a very hard and a “life-long” learning career. What and when was the instant that you knew this was going to be your chosen career and why?


I cannot really answer any of these questions in a 2 minute video without talking about by medicine/research related experiences... How are we suppose to approach these if we cannot talk about science or medicine related experiences?
 
For the learning experiences part of the secondary it says: DESCRIBE EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD UNRELATED TO SCIENCE OR MEDICINE.

But then for 1b it says:
Submit a 2-minute video that answers a question below. To submit a video of your response, please upload the video to YouTube as Unlisted. Do not upload it as Private. Enter the URL of the uploaded video into the text box below.

Q1. Our Mission at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School Of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) is to educate a diverse group of medical students and future biomedical scientists; to develop physicians who will serve across all disciplines of medicine; bring hope to patients and communities by advancing biomedical knowledge through research. Our goal is to provide a forward-thinking medical education experience dedicated to scientific, evidence-based, patient-centered medicine to serve all communities, including those underserved. How does your background and/or experiences align with UTRGV SOM Mission?

Q2. Becoming a physician is a very hard and a “life-long” learning career. What and when was the instant that you knew this was going to be your chosen career and why?


I cannot really answer any of these questions in a 2 minute video without talking about by medicine/research related experiences... How are we suppose to approach these if we cannot talk about science or medicine related experiences?
I agree with you that these instructions are very confusing.
You could answer the one essay question about interacting with someone different than yourself using a non-medical example, and then answer the video question as you wish, because the prompt for the video does mention scientific, evidence-based care.
 
Similar question: For the "select 2 out of 4" question, these answers need to be about experiences outside of medicine, right?
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Does this school only take a majority of their applicants from specific counties in Texas? I was looking through their website and it shows that their entering classes is mostly from the southern tip of TX. They seem to really pride themselves on this, so if I'm not from these areas is there any point to even spend time and money into their secondaries?
 
Does this school only take a majority of their applicants from specific counties in Texas? I was looking through their website and it shows that their entering classes is mostly from the southern tip of TX. They seem to really pride themselves on this, so if I'm not from these areas is there any point to even spend time and money into their secondaries?
The way they list the incoming class profile on their website is a little confusing, as they first state the percentage of students from the Rio Grande Valley, and then go through the counties making up the Rio Grande Valley once again and say how many from each county.
The percentage of incoming students from the region has ranged from 28% to 47%.
Like a lot of less urban medical schools, they have a goal of training more physicians who would like to later live and practice in the area.
But you can still apply and be one of the remaining 53 to 72 percent of the class!
 
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Does this school only take a majority of their applicants from specific counties in Texas? I was looking through their website and it shows that their entering classes is mostly from the southern tip of TX. They seem to really pride themselves on this, so if I'm not from these areas is there any point to even spend time and money into their secondaries?
I hear you. By looking at their incoming classes it seems there's very few spots left for anyone outside of the valley area. I still applied as I am a URM and am fluent in Spanish and have some ties to the valley but sure seems dismal either way for few spots left for anyone not from the area.
 
For the two experiences, im mentioning interacting with veterans through the neuroscience society and a tutoring company i created in which i tutor science subjects. i know it says unrelated to science or medicine, but do these activities necessarily go against that? im talking about interacting with veterans for the "interacted with people diff from you" and how creating a company was challenging and required me to be "creative."
 
So according to @wysdoc post from last years RGV thread, invites were sent as follows:
In 2018/19 first invite was 7/10
In 2019/20 it was 7/26 (that was the 1st year they offered ED)

Last year's thread:
In 2020/21 "ED applicant" invites went out 8/28-early September (ED decisions came out 10/1) and regular applicants started getting II's 10/09

Just thought I'd post this for those of us anxious about hearing something. It will be awhile with this school unless you're an ED applicant.
 
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So according to @wysdoc post from last years RGV thread, invites were sent as follows:
In 2018/19 first invite was 7/10
In 2019/20 it was 7/26 (that was the 1st year they offered ED)

Last year's thread:
In 2020/21 "ED applicant" invites went out 8/28-early September (ED decisions came out 10/1) and regular applicants started getting II's 10/09

Just thought I'd post this for those of us anxious about hearing something. It will be awhile with this school unless you're an ED applicant.
Yes, I expect them to read and interview ED applicants first, then turn to regular decision applicants.
I would still encourage everyone to work on their secondary apps for all the TX schools and get them in promptly.
 
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URTGV class of 2025 started their orientation and in-person meetings last week.

Preliminary press release about this class gives the information:
Class size of 62
24 class members are from the Rio Grande Valley (38%)
Other class profile details such as GPA, MCAT, or other demographics have not been published yet.
 
URTGV class of 2025 started their orientation and in-person meetings last week.

Preliminary press release about this class gives the information:
Class size of 62
24 class members are from the Rio Grande Valley (38%)
Other class profile details such as GPA, MCAT, or other demographics have not been published yet.
Wow- so the class increased from 50-62? That's great. We shouldn't be surprised with the make-up since one of this school's main mission is to train future doctors who will hopefully stay in the regions. The Valley needs it.
 
Wow- so the class increased from 50-62? That's great. We shouldn't be surprised with the make-up since one of this school's main mission is to train future doctors who will hopefully stay in the regions. The Valley needs it.
They generally have admitted between 50 and 55. Last year’s cohort had 27 from the RGV.
 
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Does anyone know how long it might take to receive a secondary invitation from UTRGV if one's TMDSAS was transmitted on 7/9/21 ?
 
Does anyone know how long it might take to receive a secondary invitation from UTRGV if one's TMDSAS was transmitted on 7/9/21 ?
They don't send it automatically. They've started screening for Secondaries like Dell.
 
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They don't send it automatically. They've started screening for Secondaries like Dell.
It’s a pretty easy screen to pass. MCAT 50th percentile or greater, cGPA 3.0 or greater, no subsection lower than 122, sGPA 3.2 or greater
 
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This may not be an entirely fruitful question, but I just want to ask it anyways. I submitted my primary 6/30 and received my secondary shortly after. I have yet to write the secondary for this school.

I do have time to write a secondary for this school, but I am wondering if it would be worth the money. I am ORM (in-state) with no ties to the RGV. Furthermore, I don't speak Spanish as well. I am as far from who they are looking for in terms of demographic as possible. Would it be worth applying here anyways? I know it is August now. I have spent considerable time pushing this secondary back.
 
This may not be an entirely fruitful question, but I just want to ask it anyways. I submitted my primary 6/30 and received my secondary shortly after. I have yet to write the secondary for this school.

I do have time to write a secondary for this school, but I am wondering if it would be worth the money. I am ORM (in-state) with no ties to the RGV. Furthermore, I don't speak Spanish as well. I am as far from who they are looking for in terms of demographic as possible. Would it be worth applying here anyways? I know it is August now. I have spent considerable time pushing this secondary back.
Spanish is not a requirement or expected at all. Also I think only like 15-20% of class is from RGV (could be more or else I forgot the exact #) I’d say apply, according to MSAR, they take many ORMs yearly & you never know which school you might attract when you apply, this whole process is crazy and a bit random. Also, UTRGV does ED so they probably haven’t even started reviewing regular applicants yet so it’s not too late
 
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Spanish is not a requirement or expected at all. Also I think only like 15-20% of class is from RGV (could be more or else I forgot the exact #) I’d say apply, according to MSAR, they take many ORMs yearly & you never know which school you might attract when you apply, this whole process is crazy and a bit random. Also, UTRGV does ED so they probably haven’t even started reviewing regular applicants yet so it’s not too late
Guess I should just go ahead and do it. I don't know how some people apply to 30+ schools. I only applied to schools in Texas and I am already just tired of writing secondaries.

I appreciate your suggestion.
 
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Guess I should just go ahead and do it. I don't know how some people apply to 30+ schools. I only applied to schools in Texas and I am already just tired of writing secondaries.

I appreciate your suggestion.
I didn’t apply Here simply because I was burnt out, and didn’t wanna make a video either lol. But I’m done at every other Texas schools so it’s fine. Whatever at this point
 
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Guess I should just go ahead and do it. I don't know how some people apply to 30+ schools. I only applied to schools in Texas and I am already just tired of writing secondaries.

I appreciate your suggestion.
Same here. I have this school and the two DO schools left and I am really struggling to find the motivation to finish these. To apply to 30+ schools almost seems impossible. That being said, I am really grateful to live in Texas lol
 
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Guess I should just go ahead and do it. I don't know how some people apply to 30+ schools. I only applied to schools in Texas and I am already just tired of writing secondaries.

I appreciate your suggestion.
If it makes you or anyone else feel better, a foreign language requirement is never required unless you are the international applicant. Surprisingly, there is a medical school in Texas that teaches medical Spanish alongside their curriculum. It is not RGV, but rather TTUEP.
 
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Is Rio Grande secondary prescreened or numbers issued limited?
 
URTGV class of 2025 started their orientation and in-person meetings last week.

Preliminary press release about this class gives the information:
Class size of 62
24 class members are from the Rio Grande Valley (38%)
Other class profile details such as GPA, MCAT, or other demographics have not been published yet.
The press release to which you refer is inaccurate. The number of new matriculants is 55. That is the number who received their white coats a few weeks ago. UTRGV White Coat Ceremony launches SOM's Class of 2025
 
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has anyone applied to EDP?
I haven't seen anyone else on SDN talking about EDP this year. But if you hear anything, I'm especially interested to hear:
1) when are they doing EDP interviews?
2) when will they announce their decisions, so that those not chosen may apply elsewhere?
 
I haven't seen anyone else on SDN talking about EDP this year. But if you hear anything, I'm especially interested to hear:
1) when are they doing EDP interviews?
2) when will they announce their decisions, so that those not chosen may apply elsewhere?
I believe decision will be given out on October 1st, results give to TMDSAS no later than oct 15.
On their website, it states that interviews for EDP are done 3rd week of Sept.

I applied EDP, and expected to hear something by now, but I also know that last year EDP applicants heard at the end of august to even September.
 
I believe decision will be given out on October 1st, results give to TMDSAS no later than oct 15.
On their website, it states that interviews for EDP are done 3rd week of Sept.

I applied EDP, and expected to hear something by now, but I also know that last year EDP applicants heard at the end of august to even September.
Thanks for the information!
Last year the official results were given to interviewees October 1. Did some interviewees hear sooner than that?
I know it says Oct 15th on the UTRGV page, but TMDSAS requires them to release those not accepted on October 1 as well.
Good luck @coconutnights :luck:
 
hey everyone!
I just got an interview here and when I went to check for available dates, there was not a single open available time. Is anyone else having the same issue? I have sent an email to UTRGV however they have not responded yet. I am getting nervous because when they first sent me an interview invite there was one spot but I wanted to wait to get home that day to schedule. The next day morning there was not a single spot left. I am very nervous that they might no longer have a spot open for an interview for me anymore because I did not schedule soon enough. Anyone else having the same problem?
 
hey everyone!
I just got an interview here and when I went to check for available dates, there was not a single open available time. Is anyone else having the same issue? I have sent an email to UTRGV however they have not responded yet. I am getting nervous because when they first sent me an interview invite there was one spot but I wanted to wait to get home that day to schedule. The next day morning there was not a single spot left. I am very nervous that they might no longer have a spot open for an interview for me anymore because I did not schedule soon enough. Anyone else having the same problem?
Why don't you try calling the admissions office? Are you Jamp or ED? If so, I am sure they will help you.
 
hey everyone!
I just got an interview here and when I went to check for available dates, there was not a single open available time. Is anyone else having the same issue? I have sent an email to UTRGV however they have not responded yet. I am getting nervous because when they first sent me an interview invite there was one spot but I wanted to wait to get home that day to schedule. The next day morning there was not a single spot left. I am very nervous that they might no longer have a spot open for an interview for me anymore because I did not schedule soon enough. Anyone else having the same problem?
How many days did you wait? Try to respond to stuff the same day if you can!
 
How many days did you wait? Try to respond to stuff the same day if you can!
I waited less than 12 hours to reply!
I am wanting to call them but I am not in America until Sep 9th! I think I might have to wi-fi call them today. I am very nervous and scared that although I received an interview I did not schedule in less than 12 hours and I missed my chance. If that is the case I will be so sad because I am truly passionate about going to this school.
 
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I waited less than 12 hours to reply!
I am wanting to call them but I am not in America until Sep 9th! I think I might have to wi-fi call them today. I am very nervous and scared that although I received an interview I did not schedule in less than 12 hours and I missed my chance. If that is the case I will be so sad because I am truly passionate about going to this school.
It can be temporary issue and they need to open more dates. No one cancels your interview because you didnt sign up same day.
 
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I waited less than 12 hours to reply!
I am wanting to call them but I am not in America until Sep 9th! I think I might have to wi-fi call them today. I am very nervous and scared that although I received an interview I did not schedule in less than 12 hours and I missed my chance. If that is the case I will be so sad because I am truly passionate about going to this school.
No, I don’t think they will cancel you because you didn’t schedule the same day. Call or email to ask for interview date options when you can.
 
No, I don’t think they will cancel you because you didn’t schedule the same day. Call or email to ask for interview date options when you can.
After calling they told me to just keep refreshing until an interview maybe comes up. I will call again Monday if I am not able to get a spot as I am very passionate about this school and very nervous I will not end up with a spot. Hoping for the best. Please let me know if anyone else is having the same problem!
 
After calling they told me to just keep refreshing until an interview maybe comes up. I will call again Monday if I am not able to get a spot as I am very passionate about this school and very nervous I will not end up with a spot. Hoping for the best. Please let me know if anyone else is having the same problem!
Shocking they didnt assign you a date over the phone.
 
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