Texas Interviews 2007

[Pemberley]

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This makes me laugh..... UT-H and UT-SW are my holdouts - though I know why for UTSW (something about my crappy GPA and no research 😳 ) but when UT-H SENT BACK my "extra" LORS to interfolio - I decided that was the last straw. Clearly I am not destined to be in Houston..... I have accepted my fate.

Me, too. UTSW and UT-H were my holdouts as well, although UTSW came through for me (as for jota) very late in the game. And, as runningmom just said, crappy-GPA-plus-no-research is a pretty clear explanation why they weren't very interested. Don't have any idea why UT-H doesn't want me, but I'd greatly prefer Baylor or UTHSCSA anyway, so it doesn't bother me that much.

I think some other people (Ana maybe?) had two completely different holdouts for a while.

 

[Twitch]

This makes me laugh..... UT-H and UT-SW are my holdouts - though I know why for UTSW (something about my crappy GPA and no research 😳 ) but when UT-H SENT BACK my "extra" LORS to interfolio - I decided that was the last straw. Clearly I am not destined to be in Houston..... I have accepted my fate.

UT-H will not accept LOR directly even if it's coming from a prof within the same school. They require all LOR's to come through TMDSAS. If you haven't gone over your limit on # of LOR's through TMDSAS UT-H should accept.

 

[runningmom]

UT-H will not accept LOR directly even if it's coming from a prof within the same school. They require all LOR's to come through TMDSAS.

Yeah - that's what their note said. I was trying to even the playing field since I don't have a pre-med committee letter and was stuck with the max 3 LORs from TMDSAS. So much for that attempt. 🙄 Like I said, I've accepted my fate.

 

[Pemberley]

Yeah - that's what their note said. I was trying to even the playing field since I don't have a pre-med committee letter and was stuck with the max 3 LORs from TMDSAS. So much for that attempt. 🙄 Like I said, I've accepted my fate.

Runningmom -- Have you inquired into the Hazlewood Act at any of the TMDSAS schools? I tried at Galveston -- one of our student panel was prior service, I asked whether I could get with her afterward -- but then I had to leave to get to my interview on time and didn't manage.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

P.S. Anyone with mulitple offers---Decide RAPIDLY. For the sake of everyone else's mental health. Thanks!

It's not clear to me that this would really make a difference. Only A&M has explicitly said that they will make multiple rounds of pre-match offers, and most schools are still waffling about whether or not they are going to make a significant number of pre-match offers at all.

 

[Twitch]

So is all this waiting just killing you too? Uff, I hate this. I think this process in Texas just plain sucks. I just checked my TCOM status and it still says "Application under review". Good, bad? Who knows. I interviewed 7/27.

Does anyone think there will be offers November 15th?

P.S. Anyone with mulitple offers---Decide RAPIDLY. For the sake of everyone else's mental health. Thanks!

I checked my TCOM status page (for anyone interested it is at http://my.hsc.unt.edu) and it says the same thing - I'm under review. I'll take that over a waitlist.

On the multiple pre-match offer thing, I wouldn't worry about it too much since you can only hold on to one as match day approaches:
"Applicants holding multiple offers on December 31 may retain only one offer. By January 15 they must decline all other offers from the other TMDSAS participating school(s)" http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/Acceptance-MatchInfo.htm

 

[baylormed]

I checked my TCOM status page (for anyone interested it is at http://my.hsc.unt.edu) and it says the same thing - I'm under review. I'll take that over a waitlist.

On the multiple pre-match offer thing, I wouldn't worry about it too much since you can only hold on to one as match day approaches:
"Applicants holding multiple offers on December 31 may retain only one offer. By January 15 they must decline all other offers from the other TMDSAS participating school(s)" http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/Acceptance-MatchInfo.htm

Have you guys interviewed there yet or is this pre-interview? ( I was there last week)

I don't check my status, because when I DO get an acceptance, I will get an e-mail/letter/or phone call. So I'd rather not stress about it by checking my status 10 times a day. Relax, whatever your status is right now, there is nothing you can do about it.

 

[kemper]

It's not clear to me that this would really make a difference. Only A&M has explicitly said that they will make multiple rounds of pre-match offers, and most schools are still waffling about whether or not they are going to make a significant number of pre-match offers at all.

I specifically asked Filo how many early acceptances that A&M was planning to offer, and he replied that they would like to fill their entire class with early acceptances. Then he went on to say that A&M and the other Texas schools were going to meet, probably around now, and determine how and how many. Additionally, he went on to say that TX schools would probably offer a certain amount November 15th, and then some more 2 weeks later and so on. He told us that the new system would definitely make it harder for late applicants, and that most of the TX schools were happy with the old match system. But, Southwestern wanted the rolling admissions, and that Southwestern probably would've pulled out of TMDSAS if they had'nt changed the acceptance process. Furthermore, that schools will be competing for acceptances by actively recruiting students through such things as second looks, weekend functions, and scholarships. So even though I'm not one of them, I think it's great that the "stars" are gonna be rewarded for their success---they deserve it.

 

[Anastasis]

Me, too. UTSW and UT-H were my holdouts as well, although UTSW came through for me (as for jota) very late in the game. And, as runningmom just said, crappy-GPA-plus-no-research is a pretty clear explanation why they weren't very interested. Don't have any idea why UT-H doesn't want me, but I'd greatly prefer Baylor or UTHSCSA anyway, so it doesn't bother me that much.

I think some other people (Ana maybe?) had two completely different holdouts for a while.

My last two offers were A&M and Tech... but I don't know if that maybe had to do with my letters taking forever and a day.

 

[Anastasis]

I specifically asked Filo how many early acceptances that A&M was planning to offer, and he replied that they would like to fill their entire class with early acceptances. Then he went on to say that A&M and the other Texas schools were going to meet, probably around now, and determine how and how many. Additionally, he went on to say that TX schools would probably offer a certain amount November 15th, and then some more 2 weeks later and so on. He told us that the new system would definitely make it harder for late applicants, and that most of the TX schools were happy with the old match system. But, Southwestern wanted the rolling admissions, and that Southwestern probably would've pulled out of TMDSAS if they had'nt changed the acceptance process. Furthermore, that schools will be competing for acceptances by actively recruiting students through such things as second looks, weekend functions, and scholarships. So even though I'm not one of them, I think it's great that the "stars" are gonna be rewarded for their success---they deserve it.

Thanks for passing that on. I was really wondering how that was going to work this year. I have to say (though I may be flamed for this) that I've really liked several of the schools I've been to so far and I think it the end it may really just come down to money for me (unless they show me something at the second look that just totally wins me over).

So do you think that if they're meeting together it will be less likely for them to offer multiple acceptances to one person? Sound like they're organizing so maybe they're splitting up the applicants as well.

 

[somemaybedoc]

Have you guys interviewed there yet or is this pre-interview? ( I was there last week)

I don't check my status, because when I DO get an acceptance, I will get an e-mail/letter/or phone call. So I'd rather not stress about it by checking my status 10 times a day. Relax, whatever your status is right now, there is nothing you can do about it.

I think we've all interviewed there. I guess I'm to compulsive not to check. I'm happy with the waitlist because under the match system, the schools probably had to create a ranked list of accepted applicants to run through the match. As such, I think any waitlist that has been made now is that ranked list, while another unranked categorical waitlist will be made post match. Maybe, if I am high enough up on the list I might get a prematch rolling offer. The fact that the waitlist showed up in status is probably a glitch on the IT department's part, having blocked status for rejected and accepted with "under review". The number that could be accepted at this point has to be the size of the entering class or smaller.

 

[kemper]

Thanks for passing that on. I was really wondering how that was going to work this year. I have to say (though I may be flamed for this) that I've really liked several of the schools I've been to so far and I think it the end it may really just come down to money for me (unless they show me something at the second look that just totally wins me over).

So do you think that if they're meeting together it will be less likely for them to offer multiple acceptances to one person? Sound like they're organizing so maybe they're splitting up the applicants as well.

No, I don't think so. I think their just gonna agree on how to do it. Probably a lot of the same people are gonna get most of the early offers, but that just my opinion.

 

[davidc4498]

So do you think that if they're meeting together it will be less likely for them to offer multiple acceptances to one person? Sound like they're organizing so maybe they're splitting up the applicants as well.

That would seem to make this new system pointless though. What if I really want to go to UTSA but they all get together and let UTMB give me an acceptance? It would almost be like a less formal version of the match. Kinda sucks that we are the guinea pigs.

 

[Pkboi24]

That would seem to make this new system pointless though. What if I really want to go to UTSA but they all get together and let UTMB give me an acceptance? It would almost be like a less formal version of the match. Kinda sucks that we are the guinea pigs.

This experimental year can also work to our advantage. There might be some glitch or slip in the system and someone like me could get into Baylor. Wow, that would be awesome...

 

[Anastasis]

This experimental year can also work to our advantage. There might be some glitch or slip in the system and someone like me could get into Baylor. Wow, that would be awesome...

👍

 

[cewlgrrl]

quick question:
does A+M and Southwestern email you when you are complete?
They are the only schools i havent heard anything of and I was wondering if they might not have recieved it all

 

[jillibean]

I checked my TCOM status page (for anyone interested it is at http://my.hsc.unt.edu) and it says the same thing - I'm under review. I'll take that over a waitlist.

On the multiple pre-match offer thing, I wouldn't worry about it too much since you can only hold on to one as match day approaches:
"Applicants holding multiple offers on December 31 may retain only one offer. By January 15 they must decline all other offers from the other TMDSAS participating school(s)" http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/Acceptance-MatchInfo.htm

Has anyone seen anything other than under review? Don't you think that they won't reveil anything until they are allowed to?

Also, I logged onto my TMDSAS application and it said my file was last updated 09/18/2006, eventhough I have been done with my TX interviews for few weeks and haven't heard anything else from the other schools.... I cant imagine why they would update my file.

 

[baylormed]

Has anyone seen anything other than under review? Don't you think that they won't reveil anything until they are allowed to?

Mine just says Application: Complete. Nothing about waitlist, or under review or anything else. To tell you the truth, I doubt they make decisions about wailists, etc, until closer to November 15th (It's still more than a month to go people!!!!). It's probably a glitch in the system.

You guys make me paranoid, it makes me want to quit SDN!!! 😡

I hope there was a glitch in the system at Harvard and they invited me for an interview. O well, I'm allowed to dream.

 

[jillibean]

Mine just says Application: Complete. Nothing about waitlist, or under review or anything else. To tell you the truth, I doubt they make decisions about wailists, etc, until closer to November 15th (It's still more than a month to go people!!!!). It's probably a glitch in the system.

You guys make me paranoid, it makes me want to quit SDN!!! 😡

I hope there was a glitch in the system at Harvard and they invited me for an interview. O well, I'm allowed to dream.

Sorry, I am super paranoid and I am sure I will be until I get accepted somewhere 🙂

 

[Falco2525]

This experimental year can also work to our advantage. There might be some glitch or slip in the system and someone like me could get into Baylor. Wow, that would be awesome...

Since Baylor is part of the system (sarcasm).....rightttttt

 

[Pkboi24]

Since Baylor is part of the system (sarcasm).....rightttttt

My bad.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Thanks for passing that on. I was really wondering how that was going to work this year. I have to say (though I may be flamed for this) that I've really liked several of the schools I've been to so far and I think it the end it may really just come down to money for me (unless they show me something at the second look that just totally wins me over).

So do you think that if they're meeting together it will be less likely for them to offer multiple acceptances to one person? Sound like they're organizing so maybe they're splitting up the applicants as well.

That's not how I took kemper's post. There is exactly ZERO chance that schools will share rankings (qualitative or quantitative) of students. I think what he was saying was that they were going to talk about how the whole pre-match offer period would work. BUT, I think you guys are putting too much emphasis on that part of things because each medical school is going to do its own thing regardless of what happens at any such meeting. Already, every TMDSAS school has stated a different policy regarding pre-match offers, and that is likely to stay the same.

By money, do you mean cost of living or scholarships? No flame necessary, because even if you are awarded scholarships, all that happens AFTER the match. If you mean cost of living, I'm with you on that one. That, however, makes things interesting, since TAMU, TTU, and UTHSC-SA easily beat UTSW, TCOM, Baylor, UT-H, and UTMB by at least 30, and as much as 40% in terms of cost of living.

(Note, I ordered the low cost of living places from lowest to highest, and the high cost of living places from highest to lowest.)

 

[Anastasis]

That's not how I took kemper's post. There is exactly ZERO chance that schools will share rankings (qualitative or quantitative) of students. I think what he was saying was that they were going to talk about how the whole pre-match offer period would work. BUT, I think you guys are putting too much emphasis on that part of things because each medical school is going to do its own thing regardless of what happens at any such meeting. Already, every TMDSAS school has stated a different policy regarding pre-match offers, and that is likely to stay the same.

By money, do you mean cost of living or scholarships? No flame necessary, because even if you are awarded scholarships, all that happens AFTER the match. If you mean cost of living, I'm with you on that one. That, however, makes things interesting, since TAMU, TTU, and UTHSC-SA easily beat UTSW, TCOM, Baylor, UT-H, and UTMB by at least 30, and as much as 40% in terms of cost of living.

Why do you think scholarship offers will happen after the match? I'm pretty sure there will be some scholarship offers pre-match too. That's one of the main ways to win over students to your school. (I seem to remember an implication of that at UTMB, but I could be wrong). But mostly I'm talking about cost of living because I know the odds of any scholarship are pretty slim. The more I think about it the more I think SA will win me over if it comes down to it or UT-H. (this is always assuming that it will come down to a choice; entirely possible that I'll only get one acceptance and I'm A-OK with that.)

 

[runningmom]

Why do you think scholarship offers will happen after the match? I'm pretty sure there will be some scholarship offers pre-match too. That's one of the main ways to win over students to your school. (I seem to remember an implication of that at UTMB, but I could be wrong).

That was specifically stated at the Tech interview.... scholarship monies would be used to lure higher ranked students. Of course, I'm not sure all schools will have the same policy - nor do all schools have the same amount of scholarship money available to parse out.

 

[Twitch]

That was specifically stated at the Tech interview.... scholarship monies would be used to lure higher ranked students. Of course, I'm not sure all schools will have the same policy - nor do all schools have the same amount of scholarship money available to parse out.

^^^ This is what I've heard too.

 

[as06]

Did you also notice that A&M offers acceptances to 50% of its interviewees?

yep! i'm just hoping i didn't say anything too stupid during my interviews...

 

[snowkhat]

I believe the acceptance rate is much higher than you think. I believe A&M told us they offer 2-3 acceptances per seat. In the end the will have a full class and the others obviously go elsewhere.

 

[somemaybedoc]

How many people does A&M interview?

 

[jillibean]

At my Tech interview they said they interview ~800 and in past years have accepted about 400 people on the ranked list before they filled the class of 140 (that might be about the same at tamu).

 

[AggieJohn]

Did anyone else get 2 emails from UTMB today saying thanks for coming?

 

[tinyT]

yea whats with the UTMB emails?

I got a thanks for coming email...
then a wait I didn't mean to send that email...
then another thanks for coming email...


umm your welcome?

 

[AggieJohn]

yea whats with the UTMB emails?

I got a thanks for coming email...
then a wait I didn't mean to send that email...
then another thanks for coming email...


umm your welcome?

exactly 🙂

 

[somemaybedoc]

Did anyone else get 2 emails from UTMB today saying thanks for coming?

I got thanks, then thanks again, then wait I didn't mean to thank you the second time.

 

[somemaybedoc]

Someone who has been to the UTSA interview, could you let us know what they said about how they select applicants for interview. While browsing the interview feedback I noticed they told you guys.

 

[kemper]

Someone who has been to the UTSA interview, could you let us know what they said about how they select applicants for interview. While browsing the interview feedback I noticed they told you guys.

I don't recall Dr. Jones saying how he selected interviewees, only that he personally reviews each application. And, that once you are invited for an interview, everyone is considered equally qualified.

 

[cookiesncream07]

Someone who has been to the UTSA interview, could you let us know what they said about how they select applicants for interview. While browsing the interview feedback I noticed they told you guys.

at my utsa interview, they said --

they select their interviewees not based primarily on mcat/gpa numbers... people with 19s have gotten interviewed and accepted (there's a 19 currently enrolled?)... people with 35s have gotten denied... they go for those who would truly add to the diversity of the student body.... they said they take into consideration your high school rank / accomplishments / sat stuff / etc. they look at trends in your record (if you had a crappy gpa freshman year but worked your way up to 4.0 semester gpa by the end, even though you would have averaged like a 2.9 overall they woudl see the trend of improving semester gpa's and interpret that as "hard-worker" --oooh let's interview him rather than "let's not, it's a 2.9"). they said.... if you have exceptional circumstances, then those explanations are not regarded as excuses for poor behavior or anything negative on your application but as diverse experiences/outlooks you could bring to student body.... they said they take into consideration the life experiences and what makes each applicant unique, that they are really interested in creating a student body that continues to enrich each other through such diversity....

they said a lot of stuff.... i dotn remember much more though. hope the above info helps.

 

[somemaybedoc]

Looks like I'm not going to SA, I didn't even do the diversity essay in TMDSAS. I can't stand writing those things. Oh well, SA we could have been great together...

I'm thinking about withdrawing my app and rejecting them first.

 

[TX515]

Hello applicants. Good luck to you. I went through the process so I know how it goes. I just wanted to give you a heads up about class schedules. I have a friend at Southwestern, I'm at UTMB. She is having to take biochem, gross anatomy, and some other stuff I'm pretty sure at the same time. Here at UTMB, classes are broken down by systems, where only related subjects are studied. Now we are taking gross anatomy and radiology. It is pretty cool being able to go to radiology lectures and learn about CTs and MRIs and the relevance to our anatomy education. No biochem, pharmacology, etc to distract us. The next module, MCT, is molecules, cells, and tissues and it starts in about a month. Here you focus on cell biology, pharmacology, and biochemistry. I'm really glad I came to UTMB because I love the curriculum and how similar subjects are grouped together, and your concentrations don't bounce all over the place. This is just a heads up for you when you interview and something to consider when making decisions.

 

[J-MUNCH]

Looks like I'm not going to SA, I didn't even do the diversity essay in TMDSAS. I can't stand writing those things. Oh well, SA we could have been great together...

I'm thinking about withdrawing my app and rejecting them first.

I like the way u think sir. 😀 😀

btw, that stuff about lowish gpa to very high gpa in regards to SA is nonsense....b/c u just described me............👎 👎

 

[J-MUNCH]

Hello applicants. Good luck to you. I went through the process so I know how it goes. I just wanted to give you a heads up about class schedules. I have a friend at Southwestern, I'm at UTMB. She is having to take biochem, gross anatomy, and some other stuff I'm pretty sure at the same time. Here at UTMB, classes are broken down by systems, where only related subjects are studied. Now we are taking gross anatomy and radiology. It is pretty cool being able to go to radiology lectures and learn about CTs and MRIs and the relevance to our anatomy education. No biochem, pharmacology, etc to distract us. The next module, MCT, is molecules, cells, and tissues and it starts in about a month. Here you focus on cell biology, pharmacology, and biochemistry. I'm really glad I came to UTMB because I love the curriculum and how similar subjects are grouped together, and your concentrations don't bounce all over the place. This is just a heads up for you when you interview and something to consider when making decisions.

Wait a minute..............Do u work in the recruitment department at UTMB.

 

[snowkhat]

Wow, that's really cool about the UTMB curriculum. I think that is quite a benefit to you.👍 The systems approach certainly emphasizes clinical deduction rather than rote memorization. Unfortunately, some of the "bigger" schools get so entrenched in tradition and can, at times, stagnate.👎

 

[spursss]

Wow, that's really cool about the UTMB curriculum. I think that is quite a benefit to you.👍 The systems approach certainly emphasizes clinical deduction rather than rote memorization. Unfortunately, some of the "bigger" schools get so entrenched in tradition and can, at times, stagnate.👎

Not necessarily, problem with system based is that you do not learn to look at the big picture. You learn in groups and chunks. System based is a good method but it has its downfalls. The traditional way is also good, but it also has its downfalls. I think it depends on the individual. I do not think the traditional way goes only w/ route memory. I would argue that system based goes more w/ route memory because you are taking a test every week or two. This causes you to just put the information in short term memory just to forget it later.

 

[somemaybedoc]

Not necessarily, problem with system based is that you do not learn to look at the big picture. You learn in groups and chunks. System based is a good method but it has its downfalls. The traditional way is also good, but it also has its downfalls. I think it depends on the individual. I do not think the traditional way goes only w/ route memory. I would argue that system based goes more w/ route memory because you are taking a test every week or two. This causes you to just put the information in short term memory just to forget it later.

I would think that if they only had it in short term memory their USMLE scores would be lower. A lot of people remember stuff better if there is a context for the information.

 

[txfisher]

utmb has a test every 4 weeks

 

[BlackBantie]

I FINALLY heard from Tech but I have lousy dates to choose from so it doesn't really matter. They say that the dates are subject to change if I don't choose right away...does anyone know if they change often? I thinking of waiting a bit within the 10 day limit to see what becomes available.

 

[somemaybedoc]

I FINALLY heard from Tech but I have lousy dates to choose from so it doesn't really matter. They say that the dates are subject to change if I don't choose right away...does anyone know if they change often? I thinking of waiting a bit within the 10 day limit to see what becomes available.

Their dates suck. Hopefully by subject to change they don't mean you had two dates and now you have one.

 

[Pkboi24]

I'm a little worried. I haven't received any interview invites for almost 2 weeks. No word from any OOS schools at all except an invite from tufts and a hold at chicago. I know they say Texas has lower numbers and all but I didn't think I'd be doing this poorly amongst OOS applicants.

Com'on, show me some LOVE!

 

[twofish]

Hi, could anyone who interviewed at Texas A&M give some info about the following:
What questions are asked durin the interview?
Was it stressful or laid-back?
Do you like the school?
Did you fly in or drive for the interview? if fly in, where did you stay?

I would greatly appreciate any info!

 

[Twitch]

Hi, could anyone who interviewed at Texas A&M give some info about the following:
What questions are asked durin the interview?
Was it stressful or laid-back?
Do you like the school?
Did you fly in or drive for the interview? if fly in, where did you stay?

I would greatly appreciate any info!

It depends on who you get. My first interviewer asked the typical questions (why medicine, why TAMU, etc..). The second one was the coolest I've had. She said she wouldn't ask me the typical questions and we had a great time talking about things. What impressed me was her honesty and insightful look at medicine. I would love to learn medicine from her.

I flew in to college station and stayed @ the hampton.

I did my undergrad at Texas A&M so I may be biased 😀

Very laid back interviews. The most thought provoking one I've had was with Mayo's phone screen. Most of the others were all laid back. Though one guy @ UTMB seemed to have grilled me a little too much for some odd reason. At the end he said something along the lines - ok you persistent lil devil 😛

 

[somemaybedoc]

Hi, could anyone who interviewed at Texas A&M give some info about the following:
What questions are asked durin the interview?
Was it stressful or laid-back?
Do you like the school?
Did you fly in or drive for the interview? if fly in, where did you stay?

I would greatly appreciate any info!

The usual stuff why med, why TAMU, have any questions. Check out interview feedback for more.

Laidback, no real stress.

Seems all right though I kind of want to stay in one place and I'm not sure I want to be the first in the new 4 years in temple program. I'm also not sure about the diversity of the patient population in temple. I also don't know if I want anyone to be able to call me an Aggie, no offense, it's an Austin thing.

I drove in and drove to part 2 in temple. They charge you for parking in college station to which I say bah.