Info on Univ North Texas (TCOM) Medical Masters

[TheTruckGuy]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am planning on taking my MCAT at the end of January, should I begin preparing the rest of my application now and submit my MCAT score when it comes in?

Also, i was planning on volunteer overseas this summer but it appears that this program begins in late May, is there a way I carry the summer credits over to the school year?

I think you can probably apply now and submit your MCAT later, or when it comes in. Don't think it'll matter too much.

As far as postponing the summer courses, I don't think you'd have time to squeeze it into the fall/spring semester. There are some courses that are only available during the summer. They might let you postpone till the following summer, but you'd have to check with them. If you get into med school, you wouldn't really need to finish those courses, if you don't, then you can finish them with the next batch of students.

 

[KTownGT]

Is this program something to consider with a crappy GPA? I'll have around a 3.2 ugrad when applying.

MCAT is looking like late Jan or early Feb, but two practice MCATs put me around a 32.

Also, will it help at all if I did ~100 hours of shadowing TCOM professors(2 adjunct, and the dean of surgery/physiology)? I have a LOR from the dean of surg/phys, as well.

 

[TheTruckGuy]

Is this program something to consider with a crappy GPA? I'll have around a 3.2 ugrad when applying.

MCAT is looking like late Jan or early Feb, but two practice MCATs put me around a 32.

Also, will it help at all if I did ~100 hours of shadowing TCOM professors(2 adjunct, and the dean of surgery/physiology)? I have a LOR from the dean of surg/phys, as well.

If you've got strong letters, a good MCAT, and most of your worse grades are as an underclassmen and you show your last few semesters are stronger, then I think you could get in without the program. But, this program is specifically designed to help people with poor GPAs and, to a lesser extent, poor MCATs.

If you do good in the program, it will benefit you.

 

[WTEngel]

Does anyone have any idea on how many apply for this program? I know around how many they accept, but I haven't seen any numbers on what the applicant pool size is.

I finished up my app 3 days ago and submitted it. I have everything in except for my Fall grades, which will be sent when they post.

I know they don't start reviewing until January, but I wanted to be in the first batch they review. One of the admissions counselors told me they have over 200 application profiles that have been opened so far.

She also told me that those who apply early enough to be in the first wave of apps reviewed will probably hear something in the third or fourth week of January.

I am pretty enthusiastic about getting into this program. I guess it is just a waiting game now.

 

[BobbyT]

Does anybody know the uGPA range? Are there students who got accepted that have lower than a 3.0 uGPA?

 

[BobbyT]

Thanks Sahren, Do you know approx how many students who got into TX med schools from the previous class? And does the UNTHSC med sci program usually accept ~180 students, will the school increase the amount of students they accept?

 

[TheTruckGuy]

Thanks Sahren, Do you know approx how many students who got into TX med schools from the previous class? And does the UNTHSC med sci program usually accept ~180 students, will the school increase the amount of students they accept?

They've been increasing the class size every year, but I think the capacity of the program is probably around 195. Don't think they can squeeze any more than that.

 

[WTEngel]

I have no idea how many people apply, you could ask the admissions office about last year but if they don't give you the information I don't think anyone else can.

Good job on applying early! You have a better chance of getting in that way, and you'll find out earlier so that means less waiting for you!

I have this built in gap year anyway, because of the way my undergrad classes were scheduled. I wasn't eligible to apply this past cycle, but I will be complete with my UGrad degree at the end of Spring, so the SMP was always in my crosshairs.

I am likely one of the few students applying for this program who has not previously applied for medical school. I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing...my first application cycle will be while I am in this program (if I get in of course.) Hopefully it all works out. I feel like I have made every attempt to plan as carefully as I can.

I am hoping to know something by the end of January so I can get things squared away for the Summer and Fall...don't want to be spinning my wheels.

 

[MurphysLaww]

Our current class had ~197 when we started, but I forget the actual number. We are down to about 180 or so at this time, but I suspect there will be some attrition going into the fall. The losses over the summer were anything from poor performance to people coming off of the wait list in late summer. The grades are averaging around 85% in every class, and the standard dev. is usually between 9-13% on every exam.

For people looking to get in with a GPA under 3.0 it is important to have a strong upward trend in especially in your science courses. Sahren's number that were posted earlier are the same numbers that they showed us about last years class.

The biggest thing I can say is don't start freaking out about acceptances to this program too early, they don't start sending out acceptances until around the last week of march, and continue into may.

 

[UTsksk]

Do you all know where I can find the character count for the essays? I tried looking on the site, but may have missed it. I want to get the essays done with as soon as possible

 

[UTsksk]

I don't know or remember what it was, but I'm pretty sure I just stuck to the character count that's used for personal statements for medical school apps.

So we should go that in depth on all 7 prompts? Some seem like they can be answered in a paragraph or two

 

[WTEngel]

From what I understand, there is no character max on the essays.

Since there is no interview for this program, the essays are critical. The admissions counselor I spoke with really hammered that fact home each time she mentioned it...so I did my best to include everything I thought was relevant without going on for too long. The only section where I really had a long response was the "clinical/research experience" area. The rest were probably 1000-1500.

 

[TheTruckGuy]

For what it's worth, I answered all 7 prompts (or whatever it was) in 3200 characters. My longest answer was the clinical/healthcare experience one, and it was 760 characters. But I had a really good MCAT that I think helped me get in quick and easy.

 

[UTsksk]

My apologies for asking another question. I really appreciate all the feedback that I have received. For my clinical experience prompt I mentioned my volunteer activities at two hospitals. Then for the volunteering prompt I have mentioned all my volunteer activities minus the hospital volunteering since I've already talked about it. I don't want to add in the hospital volunteering since I already dedicated an entire prompt to it already, but technically it is a volunteer experience.

My question is should I include the hospital volunteering into the volunteer prompt as well, or leave it as it is where it's only mentioned in the clinical experience?

 

[WTEngel]

My apologies for asking another question. I really appreciate all the feedback that I have received. For my clinical experience prompt I mentioned my volunteer activities at two hospitals. Then for the volunteering prompt I have mentioned all my volunteer activities minus the hospital volunteering since I've already talked about it. I don't want to add in the hospital volunteering since I already dedicated an entire prompt to it already, but technically it is a volunteer experience.

My question is should I include the hospital volunteering into the volunteer prompt as well, or leave it as it is where it's only mentioned in the clinical experience?

I think laying it out something like "in addition to the clinical volunteer activities I described previously, I also xxxxx" would flow pretty well.

As long as it is clearly written, no one would accuse you of trying to double count your experiences, or anything like that, if that is what you were worried about. I agree with your decision not to rehash that portion of your essay in the later prompts.

Granted, this is just my perspective as a fellow applicant...not someone who has been accepted. Others may have something different to say.

 

[MurphysLaww]

I think you may be over thinking some of this stuff. I just looked at the essays I submitted last year and the total of all sections was ~1200 words (~6000 characters) for the whole essay section. Remember that they are reviewing these applications quickly in a short period of time, they don't want to accept people that will ultimately get into medical school and then have to go back and refill those spots. I'm pretty sure that is why they wait so late to send out the acceptances. I would approach this with the idea of being as concise as you possibly can. I agree with WTEngle, don't repeat your self. In addition here is some advice the admissions people gave us on writing essays in general.

I. Medical School Essays
a. Why?
i. Your chance to speak to the admission com.
ii. It is your voice;
b. What to talk about?
i. A life-changing personal experience with medicine that led to an interest in a career as a doctor
ii. A relationship with a mentor or other inspiring individual
iii. The decision to pursue a medically related career.
iv. An experience that challenged or changed your perspective about medicine.
v. A challenging personal experience and its effects on your life.
vi. An insight into the nature of medical practice or the future of medical technology and how that might affect you.
c. Where do I start?
i. Read other peoples
ii. Brainstorm using Clustering
iii. Free Write
d. Typical Structures
i. My history in school
ii. Life history
iii. A story- which will relate to why you want to be in medicine
e. Road Map to greatness
i. Be personal
ii. Be medically oriented
iii. Be well organized
iv. Be thoughtful
v. Be honest
vi. Be unique-why medicine
f. Who should read my essay?
i. Someone with an admissions background
1. Does my personal statement compliment my application?
2. Is my interest in medicine and medical school evident?
3. Are there any other aspects of my premedical experience that I should address?
ii. Someone who knows you very well personally
1. Have I forgotten to include any important aspects of my background or personality?
2. Does this essay represent me as a person?
3. Do I represent myself well?
iii. Someone with an English or composition background
1. Is my essay well structures?
2. Is there a central theme?
3. Are my ideas expressed well?
4. Did I use proper vocabulary?
g. Do's
i. Do focus on a single theme or thesis which you will elaborate on through details; opinions and experiences
ii. Do outline your theme and main points before you start writing. Aim for an organized; direct statement
iii. Do tell a personal story rather than make generalizations.
iv. Do write about something medically oriented
v. Do start your essay with an attention-grabbing thought.
vi. Do spend some time on your personal statement; it isn't a throw away part of the app
vii. Do end your essay with a strong conclusion.
viii. Do proofread carefully.
ix. Have around three different reviewers.
h. Don't
i. Don't try to list all of your awards and achievements or try to cram everything you've ever done onto a single page.
ii. Don't be overly philosophical or abstract in your writing. It doesn't make you sound smarter.
iii. Don't try too hard to impress the admissions committee; just tell a real story and let the details speak for themselves
iv. Don't lie or exaggerate.
v. Don't use too much detail; aim to succinct and direct.
vi. Don't use clichés or resort to attention-getting gimmicks to stand out. Use real; honest detail to make your personal statement unique.
1. Don't add quotes from famous people
2. Try to tell a joke
vii. Don't be too controversial. Avoid topics that may raise eyebrows.
viii. Don't make negative statements unless you can show how they lead to a positive counter-argument.
ix. Don't use the word "I" too often/ if you state an opinion; the reader will assume it is yours. You don't need to clarify.
II. Adapting your personal statement
a.

 

[MurphysLaww]

Does anybody know the uGPA range? Are there students who got accepted that have lower than a 3.0 uGPA?

Another thing that was emphasized with low GPA was a good upward trend. If your grades have been steadily increasing over the last few years and you retook the classes you did poor in it really helps. Also, you have a better chance at the out of state DO schools because of the grade replacement policy. So, yes there are people with sub 3.0 GPA's and people with sub 19 MCAT's, but I have not heard of anyone who is in both of those categories. Hope that helps.

 

[UTsksk]

Submitted my application, app fee w/ MCAT score, and confirmed that all my transcripts are in the mail. I'll probably give them a call some time next week just to make sure they received everything. Heard they don't start reviewing apps till February so I guess I have a nice wait ahead of me.

 

[UTsksk]

Was able to speak to Jessica and all my stuff is in. She said that they are going to start reviewing the apps at the end of January. FYI she sounded very nice and helpful. Good luck to everyone out there.

 

[WTEngel]

Was able to speak to Jessica and all my stuff is in. She said that they are going to start reviewing the apps at the end of January. FYI she sounded very nice and helpful. Good luck to everyone out there.

Has your EIS "To Do List" updated to reflect that everything is in? I had my transcripts released after Fall '12 grades posted, so I was just wondering what the lag time was on them receiving the transcript and processing it.

 

[UTsksk]

Has your EIS "To Do List" updated to reflect that everything is in? I had my transcripts released after Fall '12 grades posted, so I was just wondering what the lag time was on them receiving the transcript and processing it.

Haven't received an email for my ID yet. Was planning on waiting a week or two more before I give them a call about it.

 

[WTEngel]

Haven't received an email for my ID yet. Was planning on waiting a week or two more before I give them a call about it.

Gotcha. I am sure there is a stack of mail with my transcript in it up there somewhere.

Jessica said they did not have too many completed apps, but the floodgates would open towards the end of January and beginning of February. I'm hoping a decision has been made on my app before all that happens!

 

[UTsksk]

Gotcha. I am sure there is a stack of mail with my transcript in it up there somewhere.

Jessica said they did not have too many completed apps, but the floodgates would open towards the end of January and beginning of February. I'm hoping a decision has been made on my app before all that happens!

Same here.

 

[SavantFtw]

When is the last day to apply for the Fall of 2013?
I do not plan to apply till the last day, of course.

 

[WTEngel]

The program does not admit in the fall, only in the summer.

http://www.unthsc.edu/education/gsbs/Admissions.cfm

 

[WTEngel]

Application showed complete yesterday. Now the waiting game really begins.

 

[UTsksk]

Application showed complete yesterday. Now the waiting game really begins.

You got your ID? I haven't heard anything

 

[WTEngel]

You got your ID? I haven't heard anything

I got my ID before Christmas break (first couple of weeks in December, not sure exactly when) and was able to log in and check the app status and my "to do" list.

I am thinking with the holidays they might be fairly backed up, especially with an influx of apps from students who may have just found out they didn't get in, think they got the "silent rejection", or are waiting on "waitlist" purgatory to swing one way or the other.

 

[UTsksk]

I got my ID before Christmas break (first couple of weeks in December, not sure exactly when) and was able to log in and check the app status and my "to do" list.

I am thinking with the holidays they might be fairly backed up, especially with an influx of apps from students who may have just found out they didn't get in, think they got the "silent rejection", or are waiting on "waitlist" purgatory to swing one way or the other.

Was unofficially complete a week before christmas. I might give them a call.

I called them and my ID was sent when I applied to TCOM but never filled out the secondary. I'm complete.

 

[WTEngel]

Is anybody going to the open house next weekend? We should do a meet up or something afterwards...might be nice to get to know each other and start building a network before we start (hopefully) this adventure together...

 

[BobbyT]

I went to the open house last year (applying for this year's class). They showed us around parts of the campus including the anatomy lab and the library. There is also a Q and A session with one of the admissions people regarding applications and current students in the program. They tend to stress that this program is no walk in the park and you will have to work your ass off in this program but it will prepare for you med school. I was quite surprise that a few students would drop out of the program after taking Biostat.

 

[WTEngel]

I was quite surprise that a few students would drop out of the program after taking Biostat.

I find that surprising also. Biochemistry I could definitely picture weeding out folks, but biostats is not normally seen as a weed out class, or at least that I have ever heard of.

 

[UTsksk]

I find that surprising also. Biochemistry I could definitely picture weeding out folks, but biostats is not normally seen as a weed out class, or at least that I have ever heard of.

I heard the biochem class in the summer was relatively easy compared to the fall. Biostats might unintentionally weed out people since that class is all that some people take during the summer so they might underestimate it.

 

[WTEngel]

That's sounds like a fair assessment.

This is good to know going into the program (hopefully.) I Don't intend to underestimate anything going into this...

 

[Eleventhirteen]

I heard the biochem class in the summer was relatively easy compared to the fall. Biostats might unintentionally weed out people since that class is all that some people take during the summer so they might underestimate it.

I am a student currently in the program, and this is fairly accurate. The class comes off as incredibly easy - especially for the first test - so a lot of people didn't take it as seriously as they should have and had to make the grade up on the later exams. Overall though, biostats is far from a weed out class. I don't know of many people who did that poorly. I think most of the attrition over the summer can be explained by people getting accepted off of waitlists.

Fall is a different animal on the other hand, but even so I don't think there were all that many people who failed out then either.

 

[MurphysLaww]

I agree with you about the biostats course to an extent. The real issue with the biostats course is the horrible calculator that you are forced to use during the exams. They give you the calculator that you used in elementary school and then ask you to do some advanced calculations by hand, so its just easy to make an error. You end up calculating everything on the exam twice to make sure you get the same answer both times. Also beware that the keys tend to stick pretty bad and that can cause you to mess things up if you go to quickly. In the end, it is a multiple choice math test, so the answer is there you just need to find it.

The summer biostats class is a waste of time if you have taken biostats in undergrad, the questions are nothing like what you are going to be taught in the fall. Most Med-Sci students have poor MCAT scores or at least scores that could stand to be improved upon and you are much better off focusing on that instead of eating up you free time with biochem. That being said, if you are not preparing for the MCAT it may be a good idea to take the biostats class just so you stay in the routine of studying. I know there were some people that were just taking biostats and got really lazy over the summer, this of course made it hard to get motivated when fall came around.

 

[BobbyT]

Are there any other programs you guys are applying to along with this program, in case you don't get accepted?

 

[UTsksk]

Are there any other programs you guys are applying to along with this program, in case you don't get accepted?

I thought about the UTD certificate one but if i dont get in then im still applying this next cycle

 

[BobbyT]

I plan on filling out the application this weekend. How many essays do we have to complete? Can someone please give me the topics? Also, did anybody send in more than 2 letters of recommendation? I plan on sending them a committee letter, a physician letter, and a letter from my previous employer.

 

[UTsksk]

I plan on filling out the application this weekend. How many essays do we have to complete? Can someone please give me the topics? Also, did anybody send in more than 2 letters of recommendation? I plan on sending them a committee letter, a physician letter, and a letter from my previous employer.

I forgot how many but there's around 6 i think. It was mostly topics like how the program would help, what are your goals, how do you plan to achieve them, clinical exp, research exp, anything else they should know about you. I sent in my committee packet that had 1 sci, 1 md, 1 do

 

[Eleventhirteen]

Does anyone know if students in this program ever get accepted through the match on February 1st? On the website it says at the end of the fall or spring semesters. I wasn't sure if I should be refreshing TMDSAS at midnight this Friday or go to sleep and wait till May.

 

[MurphysLaww]

Does anyone know if students in this program ever get accepted through the match on February 1st? On the website it says at the end of the fall or spring semesters. I wasn't sure if I should be refreshing TMDSAS at midnight this Friday or go to sleep and wait till May.

From what I was told, if you interviewed at multiple texas schools they include you in the match process. If you only interviewed at TCOM then they can wait until may or even later to extend you an offer. Basically you get put on the extended wait list.

 

[TheTruckGuy]

Guys, I would highly recommend that anyone applying for the program apply to med school while in the program. I know some people don't and think they need a full year of good grades to atone for poor undergrad performance, but I really think it's worth it to apply while you're in the program. Also I'd apply to out of state DO schools as well. If you really want to be a physician then you shouldn't care whether or not you're a DO.

 

[UTsksk]

Guys, I would highly recommend that anyone applying for the program apply to med school while in the program. I know some people don't and think they need a full year of good grades to atone for poor undergrad performance, but I really think it's worth it to apply while you're in the program. Also I'd apply to out of state DO schools as well. If you really want to be a physician then you shouldn't care whether or not you're a DO.

That has been my plan all along. MD or DO is fine by me. Hah, how is it waiting for the match? I'm eager just to know if i got into the masters so the match must be an entirely different beast.

 

[BobbyT]

Guys, I would highly recommend that anyone applying for the program apply to med school while in the program. I know some people don't and think they need a full year of good grades to atone for poor undergrad performance, but I really think it's worth it to apply while you're in the program. Also I'd apply to out of state DO schools as well. If you really want to be a physician then you shouldn't care whether or not you're a DO.

My plan was also to apply to med schools after the full year in this program as well. Isn't that better? because when you apply to med schools you only have grades from undergrad and none from this program.

 

[MurphysLaww]

My plan was also to apply to med schools after the full year in this program as well. Isn't that better? because when you apply to med schools you only have grades from undergrad and none from this program.

No, you should really apply while you are in the program. a) you get a special consideration with UNT-TCOM because they can see all of your grades down to the number while you are in the program and are able to evaluate your application at pretty much any time. b) most schools will let you send them updates from your application. Several of them let me send them a screen shot of my grades to add to my application, but some waited for transcripts. A few of them also let me send a transcript directly to them to by-pass the application service (because it takes them weeks to enter the new grades).

 

[BobbyT]

Do you guys know how many students usually got off the waitlist last year? Is there heavy movement among the wait listers?
Besides a decent GPA and MCAT, what else will help boost the chance of being accepted into this program?

 

[MurphysLaww]

Bobby, I'm assuming you are talking about the med-sci program wait-list and not TCOM right? I know there was some movement on the wait-list last year, but the good news is your application is probably one of the first ones that they have gotten. They will more than likely get slammed with new apps next week when all the Texas school officially reject people. As far as trying to improve your chances there is not a lot that you can really do in such a short period of time. My only real suggestion would be to try and get a meeting with Dr. Patricia A. Gwirtz, she is the director of the program. She is very nice and if you need someone to push your app over the top she is the one you will need to convince. I'm not going to post her email address on here, but I'm positive you can find in on the hsc.unt.edu website.

A few tips if you decide to go that route, one she is a little old school so if you email here it needs to be in letter form with a salutation and valediction, also if she grants you the chance to meet with her make sure you dress professionally (this means coat and tie). I would be prepared to answer typical medical school interview questions and be able to talk about yourself and what makes you unique. Also, I would read over the essays that you wrote and make sure you know whats in them so you dont contradict yourself. She is not the type to grill you so don't worry about that, just keep in mind that everyone you talk to on campus may be taking notes so remember to be polite and respectful to everyone that you encounter.

 

[BobbyT]

Bobby, I'm assuming you are talking about the med-sci program wait-list and not TCOM right? I know there was some movement on the wait-list last year, but the good news is your application is probably one of the first ones that they have gotten. They will more than likely get slammed with new apps next week when all the Texas school officially reject people. As far as trying to improve your chances there is not a lot that you can really do in such a short period of time. My only real suggestion would be to try and get a meeting with Dr. Patricia A. Gwirtz, she is the director of the program. She is very nice and if you need someone to push your app over the top she is the one you will need to convince. I'm not going to post her email address on here, but I'm positive you can find in on the hsc.unt.edu website.

A few tips if you decide to go that route, one she is a little old school so if you email here it needs to be in letter form with a salutation and valediction, also if she grants you the chance to meet with her make sure you dress professionally (this means coat and tie). I would be prepared to answer typical medical school interview questions and be able to talk about yourself and what makes you unique. Also, I would read over the essays that you wrote and make sure you know whats in them so you dont contradict yourself. She is not the type to grill you so don't worry about that, just keep in mind that everyone you talk to on campus may be taking notes so remember to be polite and respectful to everyone that you encounter.

Hey MurphysLaww, Yeah I was talking about the MedSci program. Sadly, my application is not complete yet because I'm waiting for my new MCAT score because my GPA ~3.0 GPA. Is it common for applicants to speak to Dr. Gwirtz? Did you speak with her before being admitted into the program? Do you think it will make a difference in my application, if I was to speak with her?

 

[BobbyT]

Is it really necessary to dress in a suit? Would the interview help even with low academic credentials?