Any Tennesseans?

[kfilter1]

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I got my acceptance letter from memphis in the mail today guys. So make sure you check your mail! It was at my permanent address too.

 

[grw0o]

Congrats!! how long after the interview did it take?

 

[madrigail]

Congratulations!!!!

I still didn't get *anything* in the mail today...I think the P.O. is slow to post things over in middle tn tho. What was the postmark on your envelope?

Congrats again- it was a good week, huh?

~madrigail

 

[madrigail]

OKey, I take it back 🙂 The mail-lady did come...and she brought me a big, fat, envelope!!!!! SOmetimes you just want to give those people a big 'ole hug 😀

Now, the hard part comes...deciding which school to keep and which school to set free

Good luck to everyone who is still waiting for secondaries and interview invites!!!

 

[kfilter1]

My last interview was 10/19

 

[Geronimo]

So, you didn't have to sign for the letter? It was just delivered?

 

[madrigail]

Nope, Geronimo, I didn't have to sign for this one...it was delivered in the regular mail.

How was your second look at ETSU? Did you find out any "must know" secrets about the place that draw you there? My bf and I go out that way pretty frequently to visit friends/family and they have a *sweet* rock climbing gym in JC if that's something you're into 🙂

~madrigail

 

[Geronimo]

they have a *sweet* rock climbing gym in JC if that's something you're into 🙂

I actually heard about that on Fridaysounds awesome

it was delivered in the regular mail.

Thanks, I'll keep on the lookout!

How was your second look at ETSU?

It was well worth the trip. I love that part of the country. Even though Friday was rainy and cloudy, I still loved it. I sat in on a class, toured the anatomy lab right after their exam. The questions were "blow you out of the water" hard given that I haven't had any A & P. One was pointing to a gland just above the kidney. It said something along the lines of "describe the pathway of the blood coming through structure. Be complete and in depth." There were no questions like "What is this?" It was all, what is the function of this? or Describe the cellular blah blah of this? I've got a mountain or two to climb next year.

Did you find out any "must know" secrets about the place that draw you there?

I found out that they are very "loan anti-friendly." Let me qualify that a little bit; it is nearly impossible to get any loans above and beyond their $13K/year living expense budget that they give you. They will not allow MedLoans, etc... unless you have "extreme financial issues" and you must provide receipts/other documents proving your situation. I was a little taken back by that. I will have other mouths to feed besides my own and I can guarantee $13K a year will not cover their expenses. I was told numerous times that dependants and spouses can not be included in your budget. So, you get no money for diapers or baby food or anything other than your own stuff. Scary, huh?

Other secrets, nothing massive. Scholarships are pretty rare to come by. Although Quillen did just leave ETSU $10million in a TRUST to be turned into scholarship in another year or two. I heard (rumor only of course) that it will turn into a tuition discount for all the students to the tune or $3k or $4K per year. That has to help.

RPCT is certainly the way I want to go. I heard things that make it sound to good to pass up, even if you don't want to go into Primary Care or even Rural Medicine. It just happens to give more hands on training and less "lecture hall" training.

There are a few changes in the works with regards to fourth year. I think they are going to free up students a little more to do electives or alter the current schedule.

That is about all that I can think of right now.

 

[Geronimo]

I think the P.O. is slow to post things over in middle tn tho.

Since I didn't receive anything and I doubt the P.O. is this slow even though I am in mid TN, I suppose a decision wasn't made regarding me just yet.

 

[madrigail]

Don't fret- I think that UT is the absolute slowest school in terms of communications. Remember that they had a *boatload* of students to review (3-4 weeks worth of interviews) and I think that their adcom is very thorough 🙂

Sounds like ETSU might be a better fit though for you, huh? I'm torn... I think from what I've seen ETSU is more student friendly, but you can't beat the 3rd and 4th year training at UT with a stick. Sad to hear about the financial situation at ETSU 🙁

I still have a few interviews scheduled and I don't know whether to go ahead and commit to a state school now (thus saving alot of monies) or go ahead and interview.

 

[dvd200e]

hello everyone. i was wondering if anyone here from TN could help me out. i am facing the possibility of attending vanderbilt starting next fall. i was interested in possibly purchasing a house to live in and then selling it once i am done with school (hopefully for a profit) instead of renting an apartment.

does anyone have an idea of the real estate range for small houses within walking distance to the vanderbilt medical campus? do most people live within walking distance to campus or do they drive? thanks!

 

[Geronimo]

does anyone have an idea of the real estate range for small houses within walking distance to the vanderbilt medical campus? do most people live within walking distance to campus or do they drive? thanks!

I live in Nashville right now. My wife just finished at Vandy and we are planning on moving this summer. If you want to live in walking distance of the campus, you had better think about renting if you are like us (poor college kids) b/c there is nothing in your range around there. We live about 20 minutes south of Nashville and we found a nice little neighborhood with homes from 1,000-2,000 sq. ft. ranging from $105K-$150K. We bought our home for $99,900 in 2001 and will list it in March for $114,000. Prices are really going up in certain parts of town. You just need to know where to look. From my experience, buying a place is a wise investment.

 

[dvd200e]

geronimo, thanks alot for your input, what you said really helps alot. it looks like i will have to forgo the idea of buying a house next to vandy. maybe i can find a house that is only a small drive from the campus!

 

[kfilter1]

Im not sure how close you are looking, but check out smyrna. Alot of people commute from there to nashville or murfreesboro. Alot of students live there too, so it cant be that expensive.

 

[OrnotMajestic]

Geronimo, thanks for that insight on ETSU. Being an out-of-stater, tuition will cost me GOBS more. I guess I gotta secure more funding to go there.

So I guess this means, if you end up attending ETSU, we'll be classmates, and probably doing the RCPT together! The only thing keeping me from ETSU is if my state school both a) accepts me and b) impresses the hell outta me.

 

[Geronimo]

OrnotMajestic,
I met a student who was from out-of-state last Friday and we talked a while. He was able to get in-state tuition at ETSU by getting a letter of intent from a hospital in TN. Basically the letter said that the hospital wrote a letter to ETSU explaining that this student would be practicing at their hospital after residency and would they please give him in-state tuition. He claims there is no actual service agreement, it is just a letter of intent. You may contact Ruthie Wheeler in Financial Aid and ask her if there is such an opportunity for you?

dvd200e,
I live in Antioch which is a little closer in that Smyrna but they are about the same. We just found a real-estate agent and had no trouble finding places. Williamson County may be a bit too expensive but it is a "really" nice place to live. Best of luck to you!

 

[Geronimo]

Still nothing from UT-Memphis. Anyone have any idea when they were supposed to meet again?

 

[madrigail]

I think that Nelson said that they try to meet every other Friday up until Christmas and then every friday after that. They might not get to upset if you just called to find out when the adcom is meeting (as opposed to checking on your status).

HTH!

 

[Geronimo]

Thanks, I'll check with him on that.

 

[Geronimo]

Thanks. I did check and he said it had been sent out last Monday and that he wasn't sure why I hadn't received it yet. He is supposed to get back with me later today and let me know what is going to happen now.

 

[madrigail]

Oh good for you!!!

I just *knew* something like that had happened in your case- aren't you glad you called 😉

👍

 

[Geronimo]

Oh good for you!!!

I just *knew* something like that had happened in your case- aren't you glad you called 😉

👍

Sure am! We'll see what he says about it!

 

[VUMD2be]

I know this is tiresome, but what do you guys think of my chances as a Tennessee state resident?
GPA: 3.5, SciGPA:3.4, EMT, Peds ED volunteer, work experience, a little bit of research experience (1 semester + summer).
Vanderbilt University- biology major.

I really want to go to UT-Memphis or ETSU!

I know this is a terrible question to ask, but I really wanted honest feedback from people who have a pretty good perspective on this issue.
Thanks alot.

 

[OrnotMajestic]

Well, I'm out of state and you can click on my signature to see my stats...I was accepted to ETSU.

 

[madrigail]

I know this is tiresome, but what do you guys think of my chances as a Tennessee state resident?
GPA: 3.5, SciGPA:3.4, EMT, Peds ED volunteer, work experience, a little bit of research experience (1 semester + summer).
Vanderbilt University- biology major.

I really want to go to UT-Memphis or ETSU!

I know this is a terrible question to ask, but I really wanted honest feedback from people who have a pretty good perspective on this issue.
Thanks alot.

Depending on the MCAT of course, I think those numbers and experiences would be quite competetive for ETSU or UT. In fact, neither UT or ETSU seemed to really care if I had any research experience or not. Also, one of my good friends from undergrad got into UT with an MCAT 24 and a GPA ~3.6...
HTH

~madrigail

 

[Geronimo]

Depending on the MCAT of course,~madrigail

I totally agree with Madrigail, it probably comes down to the MCAT. As long as you do decently well on the MCAT, you're fine. I think you'll have to be patient, the higher you do, the quicker you'll get in but the worse you do, the longer it will take.

 

[Amywa]

Got the UT-Memphis nod today. Actually suprised b/c I didn't think I had gone before the last committee meeting. Yeah! Only waiting to hear back from two schools before I have to decide. Ughh. Let's revisit the "which TN state school you like better" ideas. I'm still neutral, love things at each if I end up staying instate.

 

[Geronimo]

Got the UT-Memphis nod today. Actually suprised b/c I didn't think I had gone before the last committee meeting. Yeah! Only waiting to hear back from two schools before I have to decide. Ughh. Let's revisit the "which TN state school you like better" ideas. I'm still neutral, love things at each if I end up staying instate.

I guess the biggest two questions would be do you want to practice primary care or go into a specialty and do you like big cities or smaller ones?

Also, an update on UT-Memphis. My neighbor paid me a visit today and said they had received an envelope last week that had my name on it. It was my acceptance letter from UT-Memphis. 😡 A week? 🙁 What angst!?! Oh well, I guess that's life. 🙄 Truth is, I doubt I'll go to UT-Memphis anyway. I love ETSU too much. 😍

 

[ezmoney1]

Any advice from you guys who have already interviewed at ETSU? I have an interview coming up in the next few weeks.

Thanks.

 

[Geronimo]

The best advice I received from anyone was "be honest" even though it is so obvious. Once you are in an interview, it is easy to try and honeycoat yourself and embelish a little. Don't, just be proud of all the hard work you've accomplished but make sure they know you're sincere and how "motivated" you are about ETSU. People like to know that you like the same things they like. If they are at ETSU, chances are, it is because they like it. Enthusiasm (sp?) for the school can carry you a long way!

 

[ezmoney1]

Thanks Geronimo.

 

[freaker]

Just got put on hold at ETSU. 🙁

Hopefully the trend will continue and the acceptance letter will soon follow. I don't know what to think. One of my interviewers was pretty rough. Seeing as how I was an English major with a lot of art history in my background, he decided he'd start quizzing me on protease inhibitors and AIDS research. Oh well... I still like ETSU.

I did speak with the folks at UT-Mempis, and they told me that I would have an interview; they just couldn't tell me when that might be.

I guess that's good news.

 

[Geronimo]

Just got put on hold at ETSU. 🙁

Hopefully the trend will continue and the acceptance letter will soon follow. I don't know what to think. One of my interviewers was pretty rough. Seeing as how I was an English major with a lot of art history in my background, he decided he'd start quizzing me on protease inhibitors and AIDS research. Oh well... I still like ETSU.

I did speak with the folks at UT-Mempis, and they told me that I would have an interview; they just couldn't tell me when that might be.

I guess that's good news.

Sounds like you had Dr. Johnson. He quized me on Preons in Mad Cow Disease(sp?) and AIDS, even Ricketts (Sp? again). I thought I was ruined because my answers were way less than stellar. I was none-the-less accepted. I was waitlisted for about 2 weeks first though. Just be patient. Apparantly they love to waitlist first and then accept later.

 

[grw0o]

Anyone else have an interview on 12-7 for UT-Mem?? I'm scheduled with Dr. Walker and Dr. Smith 😀. I was kinda shocked when I got the packet in the mail because they only gave me about a 10 day notice but I'm ready!

 

[Geronimo]

I really think UTMemphis is a pretty cool school. However, someone told me that they invite some people back for scholarship interviews? Does anyone know any details about this?

 

[braduva]

i have been complete at ut-mem since mid september and still havent heard anything about an interview. i was complete at etsu around the same time and have already interviewed and got accepted there. any chance that my interview invite at ut got lost in the mail or do they really take this long.

 

[Geronimo]

I really think UTMemphis is a pretty cool school. However, someone told me that they invite some people back for scholarship interviews? Does anyone know any details about this?

Nevermind, I got the answer already-
In late January, the Committee on Admissions will consider the top 50-60 students who have been accepted based on MCAT scores, g.p.a. and interview ratings. The Committee will then have to identify the top 15 to invite back to campus for subcommittee interviews in March. Five will be selected from this group for the $20,000/yr awards.

 

[Geronimo]

i have been complete at ut-mem since mid september and still havent heard anything about an interview. i was complete at etsu around the same time and have already interviewed and got accepted there. any chance that my interview invite at ut got lost in the mail or do they really take this long.

Have you contacted Nelson Strother yet? If not, I would call the admissions office and ask him if you are still being considered for an interview.

 

[futrorthodr]

I also have been complete at UT-memphis since mid september and have not heard anything back yet. I was complete at ETSU in late October and I already have an interview there. What the hell is up with UT 😡

 

[Geronimo]

I also have been complete at UT-memphis since mid september and have not heard anything back yet. I was complete at ETSU in late October and I already have an interview there. What the hell is up with UT 😡

Best give 'em a call and harrass them some. They don't take too kindly to "phone calls" but you got to let them know how interested you are. If you don't, they're likely to wait until they get around to you in their pile. It could be later than you would like. Some have already been waitlisted and rejected even after interviews.

 

[futrorthodr]

I called about a week or so ago to ask about my application ,and they said what do you want to know, so I asked whether it was complete or not hoping to get more info without being pushy and all they said was that it is complete. I guess I should call and get straight to the point of wanting to know if I am being considered for an interview 😀 Right?

Sorry for my run on sentence!

 

[futrorthodr]

Well I called UT today and asked about my app and all they had to say was that it is still under review! What the hell does that mean? It has been under review for a couple months now how long does it take to review an application? ETSU had mine completed on oct 29 and i got a interview within three weeks and even a shorter amount of time for wanye state and drexel. Argghh so frustrating b/c UT was my top choice and that is where I thought my best shot was. Oh well sorry for the rant 😕

 

[kfilter1]

chill bud, still plenty of time for you since you have been complete for so long. Just take a deep breath, and the one thing we have learned is that UT is very slow in the process, so just give it time!

 

[grw0o]

Are all of you that were complete back in secondary out of state?? I was complete at UT-Mem by 11-22-04 and was granted the interview 11-23-04, but I'm instate from the memphis area so that probably helps.

 

[futrorthodr]

I am instate and was an undergrad at UT knoxville and was complete back in mid september. My stats I believe are pretty good for UT 3.5 and a 31. Thanks alot grwOo you just added to my frustration and worry 😉 . Boy that is a fast turn around time of a day 👍 What are your stats if you dont mind me asking?

 

[grw0o]

yeah sorry I didn't mean to make it sound like that lol I was in a hurry. What I ment by complete was I just got my letters of recomendation in by 11-22, but my seconday was sent in around 10-30 or so. I'm an EE at purdue, 3.65 gpa and 28 MCAT, so don't worry just hang in there!

 

[Geronimo]

I'm from Middle TN with a 3.91 and comparable MCAT scores to you guys. I was complete in September and interviewed in October, accepted last week. I would have another LOR sent in to just continue to bolster you application if you are REALLY excited about going to UT.

 

[Geronimo]

2005 Entering Class Average MCAT and GPA
Application Status Through 11/23/2004

Incoming Class Average GPA
BCPM 3.70
All Other 3.80
Total 3.75

Incoming Class Average MCAT
Verbal Reasoning 9.8
Physical Sciences 9.7
Biological Sciences 9.9
Writing Sample O




2005 Entering Class Application Status
In-State Out of State Total
Applications Received 445 668 1113
Applications Rejected 176 506 682
Interviews to Date 80 16 96
Acceptances Offered 33 6 39

 

[VUMD2be]

Heres a question...
I am a Tennessee state resident & I know that UT is my top choice.
However, I do not have especially stellar stats- I know they are not "bad," but not a guarantee (3.5, 33 MCAT, Vanderbilt)
Does UT have an EDP and would it necessarily offer me any advantage?
what do you guys think?

thanks in advanced!

 

[Geronimo]

The resounding report I hear is to avoid the EDP. Apparantly, it offers you very little advantage and a lot of disadvantage if you fail to get in at your EDP school.