Any one else applying to Texas A&M c/o 2015

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Do you think they will be waiting until everyone has confirmed their info to start sending interview invites?

It would make sense for them to wait. Because what if someone confirmed late and they were better than someone who already got offered an interview before everyone confirmed? Yolanda was double-checking my GPAs so I'm going to hold off on confirming just yet....
 
It would make sense for them to wait. Because what if someone confirmed late and they were better than someone who already got offered an interview before everyone confirmed? Yolanda was double-checking my GPAs so I'm going to hold off on confirming just yet....

I doubt they are waiting for everyone to confirm because you have until Dec 21st to confirm and interview invites are supposed to be out by Dec 23. I wouldn't think that would give them very much time, especially right before Christmas holidays. I don't know that for sure though.

It seems like my stats are fixed and it now shows that all my recommendations are received 🙂

I'm not sure how I feel about this new MMI interview though
 
I doubt they are waiting for everyone to confirm because you have until Dec 21st to confirm and interview invites are supposed to be out by Dec 23. I wouldn't think that would give them very much time, especially right before Christmas holidays. I don't know that for sure though.
This is what I was thinking, too, but who knows.

I guess I'm the only one whose Science GPA is slightly different on the applicant site from on TMDSAS? I guess I'll have to bug them again.
 
I guess I'm the only one whose Science GPA is slightly different on the applicant site from on TMDSAS? I guess I'll have to bug them again.

Mine matches the one on TMDSAS. But if there are any differences I would call...even if it is a small difference. When I talked to Yolanda today she wanted to make sure that we both agreed on the GPAs, I guess to give us the benefit of the doubt and they didn't make a mistake. If not, she was very good about explaining why it was different.
 
Just a heads up, you may want to focus more on ethical issues and current vet med issues for the TAMU interview, as rumor has it that the interview format is changing to be more heavily focused on that (vs. 'why vet med?' type questions) and it'll be done like...Maryland's interview (I think). Basically you have multiple mini-interviews.

Not sure, but that's what I've heard.
 
Just a heads up, you may want to focus more on ethical issues and current vet med issues

For the ethical issues, technically there aren't wrong or right answers...its a very grey area. I guess they're looking to see if the person being interviewed has an intelligent opinion?

And as far as current vet med issues, I haven't been working in a clinic in over a year, do you recommend any place where I can read up on current issues? I'm hoping its just reading articles maybe off of the AVMA or TVMA website?

Thanks for the heads up!!! 🙂
 
The FullyVetted blog is a good place (used to be Dolittler). Also I believe the AVMA page has an 'issue' tab. Browse DVM 360 a bit too.

I'd imagine there's no 'right' answer, but I'm sure there's some 'wrong' ones. Just have an intelligent opinion and be able to defend it.
 
Since interviews are coming up, I just thought I would let you all know what I've been told about the new MMI format. Each mini-interview is going to be a different scenario that allows you to demonstrate some skill, personality trait, etc. For example, you might have a mini-interview where you are the vet and you need to tell a client that it is time to euthanize their terminally ill pet. How would you communicate this to them?

They want to test different aspects in each interview so they will evaluate things like communication skills, ability to work as a team, ethical beliefs, etc. They won't simply ask about ethical dilemmas. They want to see if you can handle what a vet would go through on a daily basis. However, I'm sure they will figure out some way to make sure you're not a PETA person.

Hope that helps. I didn't get much in the way of details, but I know a lot of medical schools do this format, so you might check out the pre-allo forum.
 
Thanks so much for the info, Vet Engineer! I've been scouring the internet for vet-related example scenarios, and they're pretty much nonexistent due to confidentiality. I was aware that some med schools used the "role playing" scenarios, so it's super helpful to know that A&M may use those, too. Thanks! 🙂

Now if only they would notify us about who got interviews... :xf:
 
Try like 'vet ethical scenarios' or some such. I doubt you're really going to find a cache of real scenarios (for the confidentiality as you said) but they're not really interested in what you read, they're interested in how *you're* going to handle it. So just think up some issues that arise or have arisen for you in the past in the vet scope and how you would handle them if you're in charge.

Off the top of my head I can think of a few:

  • Telling an owner they should consider euthanizing (or outright should euthanize) their pet.
  • Trying to convince a client not to do a convenience euthanasia (providing options is the key here I think) and ultimately realizing that you will not be able to convince everyone to have a change of heart.
  • Dealing with a conflict between two of your employees.
  • Dealing with a conflict between an employee and a client
  • Dealing with a conflict between an employee and yourself or an associate
  • Dealing with a hostile client
  • Dealing with someone who cannot pay
  • Scaling your treatment plan to meet someone's financial needs
  • Dealing with a client who's abandoned their animal at your clinic
  • Dealing with a he-said-she-said between two clients over possession of an animal. Remember: in the animal world possession is 9/10s of the law. The person who currently has that animal in their possession at your clinic is the one who owns it and you cannot contact the 'real' owner, even if you know who it is, without their consent. Same for microchipping. You can scan it, it can match someone in your database, and what not but if the person who currently possesses that dog doesn't consent to you contacting the owner, it's illegal for you to do so.
  • Dealing with a case of obvious animal abuse (what should you do and what not)
  • Dealing with a case of, say, judging an animal fit to compete in a show. E.g. you have a high valued client who wants you to mask their pig's damaged leg with a nerve block/NSAID/whatever for the show, which is illegal. What should you do? The answer is obvious but the adcomms probably have better ways of working the scenario than I.
  • Someone getting bit by someone else's dog (rabies potential).

Uhmm.....pretty much anything along those lines would be fair game I imagine. They had us do an entire night of ethics so I'm sure they have plenty of fodder to throw at applicants.

Other stuff would probably be current issues like:

  • Swine flu (not as current any more but there'll be other related incidentss in the future)
  • Zoonosis
  • The propositions in California and Ohio might be on there (2 and 8 respectively IIRC)
  • Layman equine dentistry hub-bub that's going around right now
  • Horse slaughter ban
  • Changing classification of owners from 'owners' to 'guardians'. Basically treating pets like children (think along the lines of what happens when euthanasia time rolls around...)
  • And of course the ever present differentiation between 'animal rights' and 'animal welfare'.
And I'm sure there's several more. I hate to say it but I've not really been keeping up on current events so much any more since I'm trying to stuff an entire dogs anatomy, histology, and physiological mechanisms into my head instead.

I think the primary thing to remember is that they don't expect you to have the "right" answer, because in several cases there IS no perfect, right answer, just ones that will work, and ones that are obviously wrong. Your ability to compromise, work well with your team, and communicate efficiently would be the things being assessed, I should think, so approach issues from that angle. What's good for you isn't necessarily good for the whole.

They also won't be expecting you to know it all. If you don't know something, ask for them to elaborate or tell them outright "I'm sorry, I don't know much about that but here's what I do know..." and perhaps try to lead them into a discussion of the issue (though that may not be the best tack to take since each session is short).


Finally, I don't know that it does much good for this application cycle but in the future the pre-vet society usually works out some mock-interview set ups, so you might look into that. Also I know the animal science department is doing something tomorrow, actually, along the same lines (mock interviews). This is, of course, assuming you're going to A&M for your undergrad (which a surprising number of our class did not).
 
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Try like 'vet ethical scenarios' or some such. I doubt you're really going to find a cache of real scenarios (for the confidentiality as you said) but they're not really interested in what you read, they're interested in how *you're* going to handle it. So just think up some issues that arise or have arisen for you in the past in the vet scope and how you would handle them if you're in charge.

Off the top of my head I can think of a few:

  • Telling an owner they should consider euthanizing (or outright should euthanize) their pet.
  • Trying to convince a client not to do a convenience euthanasia (providing options is the key here I think) and ultimately realizing that you will not be able to convince everyone to have a change of heart.
  • Dealing with a conflict between two of your employees.
  • Dealing with a conflict between an employee and a client
  • Dealing with a conflict between an employee and yourself or an associate
  • Dealing with a hostile client
  • Dealing with someone who cannot pay
  • Scaling your treatment plan to meet someone's financial needs
  • Dealing with a client who's abandoned their animal at your clinic
  • Dealing with a he-said-she-said between two clients over possession of an animal. Remember: in the animal world possession is 9/10s of the law. The person who currently has that animal in their possession at your clinic is the one who owns it and you cannot contact the 'real' owner, even if you know who it is, without their consent. Same for microchipping. You can scan it, it can match someone in your database, and what not but if the person who currently possesses that dog doesn't consent to you contacting the owner, it's illegal for you to do so.
  • Dealing with a case of obvious animal abuse (what should you do and what not)
  • Dealing with a case of, say, judging an animal fit to compete in a show. E.g. you have a high valued client who wants you to mask their pig's damaged leg with a nerve block/NSAID/whatever for the show, which is illegal. What should you do? The answer is obvious but the adcomms probably have better ways of working the scenario than I.
  • Someone getting bit by someone else's dog (rabies potential).

Uhmm.....pretty much anything along those lines would be fair game I imagine. They had us do an entire night of ethics so I'm sure they have plenty of fodder to throw at applicants.

Other stuff would probably be current issues like:

  • Swine flu (not as current any more but there'll be other related incidentss in the future)
  • Zoonosis
  • The propositions in California and Ohio might be on there (2 and 8 respectively IIRC)
  • Layman equine dentistry hub-bub that's going around right now
  • Horse slaughter ban
  • Changing classification of owners from 'owners' to 'guardians'. Basically treating pets like children (think along the lines of what happens when euthanasia time rolls around...)
  • And of course the ever present differentiation between 'animal rights' and 'animal welfare'.
And I'm sure there's several more. I hate to say it but I've not really been keeping up on current events so much any more since I'm trying to stuff an entire dogs anatomy, histology, and physiological mechanisms into my head instead.

I think the primary thing to remember is that they don't expect you to have the "right" answer, because in several cases there IS no perfect, right answer, just ones that will work, and ones that are obviously wrong. Your ability to compromise, work well with your team, and communicate efficiently would be the things being assessed, I should think, so approach issues from that angle. What's good for you isn't necessarily good for the whole.

They also won't be expecting you to know it all. If you don't know something, ask for them to elaborate or tell them outright "I'm sorry, I don't know much about that but here's what I do know..." and perhaps try to lead them into a discussion of the issue (though that may not be the best tack to take since each session is short).


Finally, I don't know that it does much good for this application cycle but in the future the pre-vet society usually works out some mock-interview set ups, so you might look into that. Also I know the animal science department is doing something tomorrow, actually, along the same lines (mock interviews). This is, of course, assuming you're going to A&M for your undergrad (which a surprising number of our class did not).

Thanks for the information! I know that I have been totally stressed out about this new format. I had an interview last year (hopefully will again this year!:xf:), and it was stressful enough going through a traditional interview! It is comforting that SOMEONE has some tips to offer about an interview format that is new to the school!

I did some googling about the MMI format in general, and there are some books out there that give you some practice for these types of questions/ethical scenerios (they of course aren't vet med specific, though). Any thoughts on the usefulness of these?
 
I did some googling about the MMI format in general, and there are some books out there that give you some practice for these types of questions/ethical scenerios (they of course aren't vet med specific, though). Any thoughts on the usefulness of these?
None. I, thankfully, never had to deal with the MMI format. I'd go and find them on Amazon and read the reviews there, then bite the bullet on whichever sounds best. Also remember that if you have a .edu e-mail address, you get free shipping and Amazon Prime for a year, so that'll help save some money.
 
Wow! I had a good scare today! TAMU sent me a letter in the mail....to tell me what courses I still needed to take. Couldn't they have done that by email? Not only is it more efficient but don't they know we're waiting for a response about interviews about now! Geesh...my heart rate sped up a bit. Ok, now that I've caught my breath....

They're saying that I need to take General Biology w/ lab. I received credit for both semesters from the AP test. Looking at my official transcript I noticed its not on there but it is listed on my unofficial transcript...weird. And you bet I'll be giving the Office of the Registrar a ring in the morning. They also said I need to take Speech but I'll be taking it in this spring so do I just tell them? or send them a transcript in January? Sorry if I sound a little excited - this whole process is stressful!
 
They also said I need to take Speech but I'll be taking it in this spring so do I just tell them?

Nope.

or send them a transcript in January?

Yup. Though I think you send it in May, actually.


Man they are running ridiculously far behind this year. Has anyone gotten an invite yet? Those letters usually go out far earlier which always worried me because I thought they were rejection letters seeing how early they came. I interviewed three times and forgot about them all three times lol.
 
They said they were hoping to have invites out by Dec. 23rd...Merry Christmas or a very Blue Christmas for a lot of students.
 
Anyone know when the best chance to get a hold of Yolanda would be? I left her a message yesterday, but haven't heard back. I know she's probably busy but they still haven't downloaded my last recommendation letter and TMDSAS confirmed that it was in fact uploaded. I haven't confirmed my application yet for this very reason and I'm starting to worry. Blah!!!

the 23rd huh... Great XD
 
Anyone know when the best chance to get a hold of Yolanda would be? I left her a message yesterday, but haven't heard back.

Did you send an email or called and left a message?

I called once and talked to the secretary and left a message but then Yolanda called me right back. But that was last month so I'm sure she's more busy now. Just keep trying!
 
I think they're partly late because of the new interview system. All the interviews are mid-January, and if you look at the invites from previous years, it was typical for mid-January folks to not hear until the end of December (not that I'm stalking threads or anything...). I've also wondered if they're doing more application evaluation before interviews than previously. It seems like the other vet schools that use MMI send out final decisions very shortly after interviews, perhaps because the MMI format lends itself so well to a simple points system. But that may just be wishful thinking!

Thanks for the heads up about the missing coursework letter -- it will save me a heart attack, I bet. 😀

As for Yolanda, I've had the best luck calling early in the morning. I've always gotten voicemail in the afternoons.
 
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Oh, by the way, I found a journal article on the MMI format. Although it mainly talks about how the format was constructed, it does offer some good backround information on the purpose behind the way it is constructed. If you can't get a copy of it, let me know and I can email it.

Assessment of Applicants to the Veterinary Curriculum Using a Multiple Mini-Interview...
Hecker et al. J Vet Med Educ.2009; 36: 166-173



Here's the abstract:

This study describes the development, implementation, and psychometric assessment of the multiple mini-interview
(MMI) for the inaugural class of veterinary medicine applicants at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
(UCVM). The MMI is a series of approximately five to 12 10-minute interviews that consist of situational events. Applicants
are given a scenario and asked to work through an issue or behavioral-type questions that are meant to assess one
attribute (e.g., empathy) at a time. This structure allows for multiple assessments of the applicants by trained interviewers on
the same questions. MMI scenario development was based on a review of the noncognitive attributes currently assessed
by the 31 veterinary schools across Canada and the United States and the goals and objectives of UCVM. The noncognitive
attributes of applicants (N​
[FONT=AdvMT_SY][FONT=AdvMT_SY]¼..110) were assessed at five stations, by two interviewers within each station, on three items
using a standardized rating form on an anchored 1–5 scale. The method was determined to be reliable (G-coefficient
[FONT=AdvMT_SY][FONT=AdvMT_SY]¼..0.88)
and demonstrated evidence of validity. The MMI score did not correlate with grade-point average (r
[FONT=AdvMT_SY][FONT=AdvMT_SY]¼..0.12, p [FONT=AdvMT_SY][FONT=AdvMT_SY]¼..0.22).
While neither the applicants nor interviewers had participated in an MMI format before, both groups reported the process
to be acceptable in a post-interview questionnaire. This analysis provides preliminary evidence of the reliability,
validity, and acceptability of the MMI in assessing the noncognitive attributes of applicants for veterinary medical school

admissions.


 
Haha, I actually paid $10 or whatever to get access to that article, but I was disappointed that there were no example scenarios. Oh well! 😀
 
Wow! I had a good scare today! TAMU sent me a letter in the mail....to tell me what courses I still needed to take. Couldn't they have done that by email? Not only is it more efficient but don't they know we're waiting for a response about interviews about now! Geesh...my heart rate sped up a bit. Ok, now that I've caught my breath....

I had the same scare! The first thing I thought was "This envelope is skinny....that is how rejections are. They only need one sheet of paper to tell me that I'm rejected!! :scared:

As far as your Bio credit goes, I would definitely let Yolanda know, because they made a mistake with my transcript last year. I got a notice TWICE that I was still missing "technical writing", but it was listed on my transcript plain as day that I had taken it. I called both times I got a letter, and it was finally fixed.

Also, if it makes anyone feel better, I was starting to get concerned about interview invites too, since it feels like it is taking SO long. I had an interview last year, so I checked the letter (and yes, I still have it for some reason 🙂) to see the date on it, and it is dated 12/15. So, they didn't even print it until the 15th, which means I probably didn't get it until a few days later. So hang in there everyone! Good news may still be on the way!!! :luck::xf:
 
had the same scare! The first thing I thought was "This envelope is skinny....that is how rejections are. They only need one sheet of paper to tell me that I'm rejected!!
The interview invite letter is pretty skinny too.

(and yes, I still have it for some reason 🙂)
I've kept all my interview, rejection, and acceptance letters. You are not alone lol.
 
The interview invite letter is pretty skinny too.
Is the acceptance letter fatter than the rejection letter? I need to know these things!! :scared:

Now I'm gonna try not to freak out if I don't get the missing coursework letter today.
 
Is the acceptance letter fatter than the rejection letter? I need to know these things!! :scared:.

I'm glad to know I'm not alone feeling so crazy about these things! :laugh:

This morning I called the Registrar who sent me to Admissions who sent me back to the Registrar to find out it was a mistake on the transcript and they're sending the corrected one to TMDSAS right now. Should I still call Yolanda to tell her its taken care of? I'd feel like I would waste her time with that.
 
This morning I called the Registrar who sent me to Admissions who sent me back to the Registrar to find out it was a mistake on the transcript and they're sending the corrected one to TMDSAS right now. Should I still call Yolanda to tell her its taken care of? I'd feel like I would waste her time with that.
I don't think it would be a big deal to call. I'd also ask if there's a way you'll know when they've processed the new transcript, or if you should check back in a couple weeks.

I got the incomplete coursework letter. Did y'alls list courses you're currently enrolled in, too? It made my list look really long. :scared:
 
I don't think it would be a big deal to call. I'd also ask if there's a way you'll know when they've processed the new transcript, or if you should check back in a couple weeks.

I got the incomplete coursework letter. Did y'alls list courses you're currently enrolled in, too? It made my list look really long. :scared:

The letter said to send new transcripts to TMDSAS. So I would assume it would show up on TMDSAS' status page. We have until Jan. 14th so I'm not worried about it just yet.

I've taken all but one pre-req so I just had that listed along with the stupid Biology class that A&M forgot to add to my transcript. But I was thinking if you sent your transcript before the semester started maybe it hadn't shown up on it yet? Anyways, since you have until January 14th, you can send another transcript right after grades are posted.
 
Hi everyone!! I just joined the network and wanted so say "Hello." I am also anxiously awaiting the interview letter from TAMU. I heard that the admissions committee made the final cuts for interviews last Wed. So... letters should be in the mail soon. Good Luck to everyone and I look forward to being a part of the SDN network.
 
Is the acceptance letter fatter than the rejection letter? I need to know these things!! :scared:

If you get accepted, you'll know the moment you open the mailbox.
 
Hi everyone!! I just joined the network and wanted so say "Hello." I am also anxiously awaiting the interview letter from TAMU. I heard that the admissions committee made the final cuts for interviews last Wed. So... letters should be in the mail soon. Good Luck to everyone and I look forward to being a part of the SDN network.

Welcome to the forum! :welcome:

On another note...despite the comment I posted a couple of days ago, I am going insane with impatience!!! :scared: At least they give us a date to go by....we should hear something by Dec. 21. That's more than I can say for other schools! (at least the ones I applied to).

Ugh.....happy waiting everyone....it's getting closer!
 
I got the you-still-need-these-pre-reqs letter today in the mail. Or at least, I got it out of the mailbox today. Even though I had already read on here that these letters had gone out, I was still in the "omg I've been rejected" mind set.

Did anyone else's letter include courses from fall 2010? Mine did and I just wanted to see if they did this for everyone before I called up there to let them know that those classes had been taken. Of course, I guess they'll see that when they get the fall transcript.
 
I got the you-still-need-these-pre-reqs letter today in the mail. Or at least, I got it out of the mailbox today. Even though I had already read on here that these letters had gone out, I was still in the "omg I've been rejected" mind set.

Did anyone else's letter include courses from fall 2010? Mine did and I just wanted to see if they did this for everyone before I called up there to let them know that those classes had been taken. Of course, I guess they'll see that when they get the fall transcript.


I got this letter too...almost died! Looked at my parents before I opened it, and said, "well, looks like I didnt get into Texas," to which I was at least temporarily relieved to see it was only concerning my pre-reqs.

I believe it was only talking about my Spring courses though? Not sure because it is the Chem series, so they could have been referring to needing to take the WHOLE series or only the remainder.

Good luck with the phone call. Hopefully we hear good news soon!
 
My letter listed courses I took this fall, too, so I think that's normal. I'm just going to get my transcript out to them asap. It makes sense that they'd include those sense they won't know if you finished them, if you got a C or better, etc., until they have a transcript.
 
Well, Yolanda never called me back but the letter has been downloaded and I finally was able to confirm my application today hahaha. YAY.

I have an issue though. Mine says that I need to take calculus / statistics??? It also listed all the crap I took this semester that I had to take (general animal sci, physics I + lab) and what I plan to take in the spring (speech, physics II + lab) so I think we're all okay there. 🙂

But... Calc was sophomore year, stats was freshman year. 😵 I got a C+ in Calc and a B in statistics. What gives?

I'm getting sick of having to contact them going uhhh.... Hey... we have an issue!

I really don't want to take a math class next semester again. Fingers crossed this is a mistake.
 
But... Calc was sophomore year, stats was freshman year. 😵 I got a C+ in Calc and a B in statistics. What gives?

Who knows. Maybe they didn't like the number on Statistics, but the Cal class I took my freshman year was accepted so I can't see them rejecting that one. Can't remember, though, if BOTH calc and stat were required or just one or the other.
 
But... Calc was sophomore year, stats was freshman year. 😵 I got a C+ in Calc and a B in statistics. What gives?

I had the same problem last year with one of my classes. After finally getting ahold of Yolanda, she assured me that it was just an oversight, and that she would update my file. 🙂 I'm sure that is all that happened, but I would definitely make sure.

Can't remember, though, if BOTH calc and stat were required or just one or the other.

You have the choice between calc. or stat. Personally, I chose stat. 😀
 
But... Calc was sophomore year, stats was freshman year. 😵 I got a C+ in Calc and a B in statistics. What gives?

Maybe it wasn't an equivalent to what A&M wants?? I think it says your from Colorado? Does A&M list the Texas equivalents? I'm sure you checked it already but I thought I'd throw the suggestion out there 🙂
 
WOOHOO!!! I got an interview! Apparently they're sending out emails in addition to letters.

Good luck everyone! :luck::xf:
 
I didn't make it. Although its heartbreaking, I'm very motivated to make my application stronger for the next cycle. Being a member in the Corps of Cadets in undergrad really screwed my GPA and though I've been making a 3.65 in the master's program, my overall and science GPA is still not as strong. Very frustrating to say the least but I know what I need to do now. This was my first year applying and I've always been told on average it takes 3 years to get in I'm not giving up hope yet!

Congrats ATX00 and to all other lucky ones! Let us know how the interview goes!
 
I got an interview!! 😀 Yay!!!

ATX00 - I saw on the interview thread that yours is on 1/14 also. What time is it going to be?? Congrats!!!!

BQ2009 - I'm sorry you heard some bad news. 🙁 Hang in there, because you are right, it takes a lot of people multiple tries. I am on my second try myself :xf:.

Can't wait to see who else is going to interview. Good luck guys!!! :luck:
 
Congrats to everyone who got an interview invite! I got one too!!

BQ2009 I know how you feel, this is my second application cycle. Keep working on improving your app and you'll get there!
 
So sorry for you, BQ2009. 🙁 Don't give up, and your grades will all be better next year! That points system can be really harsh. 👎

RaiderTXgirl - I'm scheduled for 7:15 AM on the 14th, which has got to be one of the first, if not THE first group of interviews. :scared: What time is yours? They said it would be one hour per interview "track" but to allow 2-3 hours total. Do you think this means 2-3 hours for explaining MMI to each group, then interviewing, then tours?
 
I'm scheduled for 7:15 AM on the 14th, which has got to be one of the first, if not THE first group of interviews. :scared: What time is yours? They said it would be one hour per interview "track" but to allow 2-3 hours total. Do you think this means 2-3 hours for explaining MMI to each group, then interviewing, then tours?

Oh man, that's EARLY! But hey, I bet the interviewers are thinking the same thing! 😉

Mine is at 9:25am, but I am really wondering about this "one hour per interview track" as well. I'm really not sure what they mean by a "track". But I think you are right - I'm sure 2-3 hours includes everything (explanation of the process, actual interview, tours), and then the luncheon is afterwards (?).

My best guess is that a "track" is a full rotation through all the stations (my understanding is that the MMI format is moving from station to station with one interviewer per room). So, I guess a "track" is just basically the entire interview, and it will last an hour?? I am totally speculating, but I'm not sure what else it means!

Any ideas on how you are going to prepare? It's tough, because no one has been through it, so there isn't any old advice from anyone. 😕

Congrats to everyone who got an interview invite! I got one too!!

Congrats, su_grad2007!:clap:
 
Whoo! Glad they finally got around to letting y'all off tenterhooks!

This was my first year applying and I've always been told on average it takes 3 years to get in I'm not giving up hope yet!
Took me three years. Not a lot of fun but I got a lot done and got here eventually. Plus, look at it as you don't have to be a guinea pig for the MMI format and get some feedback from this year when you get an interview next year.
 
So sorry for you, BQ2009. 🙁 Don't give up, and your grades will all be better next year! That points system can be really harsh. 👎

RaiderTXgirl - I'm scheduled for 7:15 AM on the 14th, which has got to be one of the first, if not THE first group of interviews. :scared: What time is yours? They said it would be one hour per interview "track" but to allow 2-3 hours total. Do you think this means 2-3 hours for explaining MMI to each group, then interviewing, then tours?

hey ATX00- do you go to the university of texas?!?! just wondering because i do! i probably know you haha.

my interview is on the 14th at 11:25!!! and i have absolutely no idea how to prepare for this thing.
 
hey ATX00- do you go to the university of texas?!?! just wondering because i do! i probably know you haha.
I don't go to UT but I do live in Austin. 🙂

I wish I knew more about the logistics of this MMI thing. Will there be a place to leave a purse/jacket, do we stand or sit the whole time, etc.? I feel like there's no good way to prepare, so I'd at least feel a little better if I could picture what the whole process is going to look like. :scared:
 
Will there be a place to leave a purse/jacket, do we stand or sit the whole time, etc.?
Well, yes, but I'd personally just leave the purse in your car. The jacket as well unless it's part of your suit, and then you just wear that in with you.

do we stand or sit the whole time

You'll be sitting while in the actual rooms themselves but walking from room to room where each set of interviewers are. The distances will probably be less than 20 feet from each room, at the max.
 
You'll be sitting while in the actual rooms themselves but walking from room to room where each set of interviewers are.

I thought at least one benefit of this new format would be that it is only one on one - you and one interviewer at a time - which I think is definitely less stressful than you on one side of the table across from a panel of interviewers. This sounds like it's going to be like having several "traditional" interviews in a row!:scared:
 
I think that's how this is going to work. I could be wrong. I'm pretty much just as in the dark as y'all are though.

It won't be a series of traditional interviews though, that's definitely different. Ethical questions, scenarios, and state-of-the-profession type questions only is my understanding. No "why do you want to be a vet?" type stuff (though I'd be surprised if there wasn't at least one room that did that type of stuff).

As to how many interviewers per room, I don't know. IIRC I remember someone saying there's only about 20 adcoms, so it may be a smaller amount per room, as even 2 people per room would tie up a lot of those people and, well they do have jobs other than adcomming 😛
 
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