Are Texas schools friendly to OOS prior military?

[SgtDoc]

Okay, so I have a random question, particularly for all of you Texas folks. I know that the TX schools only accept 10% OOS. For those OOSers accepted, are they just looking for numbers/stats? I mean do they say "you're OOS so if you don't have XX Mcat and X.X GPA you won't be seriously considered?" Or might they say, "look at SgtDoc...he is a CA resident but was in the Marine Corps for 5 years, how very interesting and worth looking at." (Not that the adcoms would end a sentence in a preposition, of course.) Don't get me wrong, I have decent statistics (3.8ish GPA, probably will have MCAT in the low-mid 30s based on practice tests).

There is an impression of Texas as being all bad-a$$ and military friendly, and I was just wondering if that might help an OOSer. Or do they just see it as an EC and it makes no difference? Thanks, and sorry for the long post!

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[zakp]

Hey, first of all, best of luck and thanks for your service.

Having just finished going through the TX cycle, I think the main thing that you need to keep in mind about Texas schools is that they want to create doctors FOR TEXAS. Therefore, being an oos applicant, you need to convince them that you intend to practice in TX. We have a horrible physician shortage (not unlike everybody else) and if you are willing to serve the underserved communities of the state, I think you stand a great chance. You cannot get in without good numbers, but it is definitely not the only consideration they will take with you.

I was raised by a military family, and trust me, there is nowhere you can go in Texas and get completely away from the military influence, so I think you will fit right in.

 

[SgtDoc]

Thanks for the support! I really like the idea of Texas. I haven't been there yet but am planning to check it out sometime soon. I love the attitude that people from there have (lots of military folks from TX). I would have no problem with staying there to practice. How can I get this point across in my applications? Maybe say something about how was impressed with the Texans I met while in the military in my TMDSAS? Obviously I don't want to go overboard...

 

[dd128]

I agree with zakp. I'm an oos applicant, though I lived in texas most of my life and have strong ties to the state. After highschool I moved away and lost my residency. My stats aren't phenomenal (my mdaps is on a link in my profile if you want to see), but I made it clear that it is my intention to move back to the state and ultimately practice there. The schools aren't only concerned with stats, but you as a whole. It is extremely cheap to apply in relation to amcas and that's a plus, though tmdsas is a pain. You don't have much to lose by applying IMO. Good luck to you

 

[Jolie South]

Thanks for the support! I really like the idea of Texas. I haven't been there yet but am planning to check it out sometime soon. I love the attitude that people from there have (lots of military folks from TX). I would have no problem with staying there to practice. How can I get this point across in my applications? Maybe say something about how was impressed with the Texans I met while in the military in my TMDSAS? Obviously I don't want to go overboard...

I wouldn't say that there is any greater presence of military here than anywhere else, but I think being prior service in general will most likely set you apart from applicants at any school that you apply to. it definitely shows that you can deal with "adverse" situations and that you're no complainer.

anyways, if you have good stats, i don't see why you shouldn't apply. although, being that you've never been to texas and don't have any familial ties, i don't know how you'd convince them that you would commit to practicing here after graduation.

 

[SgtDoc]

being that you've never been to texas and don't have any familial ties, i don't know how you'd convince them that you would commit to practicing here after graduation.

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably use the "I've been very impressed by Texans I've served with" route, since I have no ties. I do know that I don't intend on coming back to CA- not worth the traffic, cost of living, and dealing with weirdos....

 

[SgtDoc]

anyone else?

 

[armybound]

you can definitely play up prior military experience when applying to Texas schools.. UTHSC San Antonio is situated very close to some Air Force and Army installations, as is Scott & White (the hospital A&M is affiliated with). Oh yeah, and another school just opened in El Paso, where Ft. Bliss is. you could always say you're interested in finding a place where you could serve fellow veterans, and there are plenty of them here in Texas.

I think that your experience can only help you, and your numbers appear to be good enough to get at least an interview in Texas.

 

[chr123]

most of the schools have some affiliation with a VA hospital

 

[Jolie South]

most of the schools have some affiliation with a VA hospital

i did not know that. interesting.

 

[SgtDoc]

most of the schools have some affiliation with a VA hospital

Wow, good to know. I just looked it up and found this:


Affiliations with Medical Schools by Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN):

Dallas VAMC
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas
San Antonio VAMC
University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio
Temple VAMC
Texas A & M University College of Medicine
Amarillo VAMC
Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine
Big Spring VAMC
Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine
El Paso VAHCC
Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine

I can definitely use that in my PS, since I do truly have a desire to work with vets. I really appreciate all the info I'm getting from everyone. Now I'm all motivated to write my PS!

 

[abesha]

Although you are not a TX resident if you somehow become one (which you can by buying a house or condo during you first yr of med school) then you qualify for the hazelwood act which gives free tution for texas vetrans.

 

[SgtDoc]

Although you are not a TX resident if you somehow become one (which you can by buying a house or condo during you first yr of med school) then you qualify for the hazelwood act which gives free tution for texas vetrans.

That looked too good to be true so I looked it up:

The Hazlewood Act is a tuition exemption that was set up for Veterans who were Texas residents prior to enlisting in the service.

 

[BabyDaddy]

SgtDoc is right. I'm using HA right now in Tx. It's a great deal. Hit me up with Q's in a PM if you need.

_Semper Fidelis 🙂

 

[Goro]

SgtDoc is right. I'm using HA right now in Tx. It's a great deal. Hit me up with Q's in a PM if you need.

_Semper Fidelis 🙂

Babe, OP was last seen in 2016. She's probably an attending now. Op last posted here TEN years ago!

 

[BabyDaddy]

Babe, OP was last seen in 2016. She's probably an attending now. Op last posted here TEN years ago!

Ima go study now.