seeking advice about tx schools

[postbac26]

I've read various postings on these boards about tx school's emphasis on numbers...

I am taking the premed classes at utd after completing a m.a. in psychology elsewhere. I am trying to finish these classes before going completely broke...the long and short of it is that I earned two C's in Chem II and Anatomy & Physiology over the summer.

Because of my other coursework, my overall gpa is still above 3.7 and my science gpa will be a 3.55 if i can finish the rest of the courses with A's (so far, so good).

I guess my question is, should I retake these classes, given tx schools' emphasis on numbers? I am concerned how the grades will look to adcoms, since they're the only C's on my transcripts...in science classes...

the downside is that even two a's in these classes would raise my science gpa to a 3.6 tops.

thanks very much for any input you might offer.

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[Sterling]

postbac26:

What TX schools are you looking at? Rather than retaking the course (a C is not bad!), consider concentrating on your MCAT, which can be a GREAT neutralizer for non-stellar grades. Hope this helps.

 

[Warren P. Cheswick]

I have a C in calculus (first semester freshman year) and a C in biochem on my transcript. I have a sci GPR of 3.25 accoridng to Texas.

Yet, I got interviewed at Ut-Houston

I attend Texas A&M, but my home state is Nebraska.

It's a crap shoot with any med school, not just the Texas ones.

 

[SocialistMD]

I think the claim of emphasis on numbers is a bit inflated. You have to have a minimum base in order to get an interview (something like a 21 or so on the MCAT and somwhere around a 3.0 GPA). After that, most of the acceptance determining factor is based on your interview and the rest of your application. With your GPA, I would not worry about it. I have a friend in my class who got a couple of C's in undergrad. When asked about them, he told them that he was hung over for the final in one class and he just didn't even care about the other. As I said, he is in my class. Just do your best and go ahead and apply as you are.

NebraskaAggieDoc2Be: When did you interview at UT-Houston?

 

[Gator]

SocialistMD
Where do you do to school? Just wondering, how did you figure out the "baseline" for interviews in Texas? I have to disagree about the numbers, they are a little to low.

 

[Gator]

Okay, I just read my post. My first question was supposed to be "Where do you go to school?"
Sorry.

 

[praying4MD]

Originally posted by Gator:
•how did you figure out the "baseline" for interviews in Texas? ... they are a little to low.••• That's what I was thinking too. Where did you find those numbers Soc? Not that I have any better info with which to contradict them, but they are kind of interesting & even a little surprising.

BTW, Gator: there is an edit function here so you can edit your posts. click on the picture above your post with a pencil on it and that will take you to where you can edit your previous post.

 

[Warren P. Cheswick]

I interviewed at Ut-Houston in mid-October.

 

[bujji13]

postbac26,

Hi there fellow texan! I think Texas schools are mainly concerned with numbers, but not the way you may think. I dont think they are only looking for 4.0 35+ people for their classes (although I doubt they would hesitate to accept them), but their system is very computerized , and (from what I know) they tend to be concerned with getting people who fit their numbers profile. I disagree howver that Texas is as much a crapshoot as other places. Texas schools are competitive, but they are usually pretty predictable too (at least for instaters). Anyway, I'm rambling now. Main point: your numbers are fine, and plenty good for being competitive for admission at UTSA, UTMB, UTH, Tech, and AtM. Here's a good thread starter: why are texas schools so AWESOME?!?! Laid back, nice people, great hospitals, southern hospitality, dirt cheap, etc, etc, etc,......

 

[praying4MD]

Originally posted by bujji13:
•why are texas schools so AWESOME?!?!••• I'll answer this one. Cowboys in Scrubs-- It doesn't get much better than that!

 

[Hopkins2010]

Hey praying4MD,

I'm just curious, is a TX school your first choice or are you considering going out of state?

 

[praying4MD]

Originally posted by baylor21:
•I'm just curious, is a TX school your first choice or are you considering going out of state?••• I knew I was in demand, but I had no idea how many admirers I really had. They all come out of the woodwork now. Baylor, really, it's been fun, but please, don't give up Wash U for me. I know it's hard, believe me, I know my charismatic personality is irresistable even via internet, but I urge you to follow your dream & go on without me.

Seriously, a TX school is currently my first choice, assuming I'm accepted. Of course, that could change, depending on where else I may get interviews/acceptances. But overall, after a closer look at financial aid packages (i.e loans, loans & more loans,) I'll probably end up staying in TX. No complaints about that. IMHO, they're all awesome schools here.

 

[Hopkins2010]

You are in demand girl, I was honestly just going to drop WashU and follow you wherever you go. Just the sheer privilege of sitting next to you in class would be worth it.

Of course I'll have to clear that with my fiancee first. I'm sure she'd just love that.

 

[praying4MD]

SocialistMD: I know this is delayed, but I'm still curious and would be interested in an answer to this:

"how did you figure out the "baseline" for interviews in Texas? ... they are a little to low."

"That's what I was thinking too. Where did you find those numbers Soc? Not that I have any better info with which to contradict them, but they are kind of interesting & even a little surprising."

Thanks.

 

[tentative at best]

BUMP