Texas Interviews 2007

[BlinkyCat]

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Just curious, for those of you who interviewed at UTSW, what are your thoughts? Anything bad, good, weird? I hope you guys like it. It's a great school. If you have any questions, feel free to ask 🙂

 

[DrSwede]

Got an invite today from Texas A&M. Now I have to go back through this thread and read all of the tips and info lol.

Any cliffs notes would be great 😀

 

[windsen]

I'm in the same boat at you Bedpan Commando. I noticed that you're from Houston. What school are you at? Are you going there on the 19th? Anyways congrats!!!

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

I too am in the same boat.

Anyone know when UTSW stops interviewing?

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

What's the best way to get to A&M and Texas Tech when flying in from out of state?

 

[DrSwede]

I'm in the same boat at you Bedpan Commando. I noticed that you're from Houston. What school are you at? Are you going there on the 19th? Anyways congrats!!!

Thanks bud and congrats to you too! I will be there on the 19th 🙂

I'm a non-traditional student who went to Univ. of Houston for some post-bacc work. Although I was born and raised here in Texas I attended school at the University of Oregon. I consider Houston my hometown since I've lived here most of my life and I'm still hoping for some more love from Texas schools!

 

[Richspiders07]

What's the best way to get to A&M and Texas Tech when flying in from out of state?

A&M - horse and buggy...
Tech - Camel...

I flew in from out of state. For Tech it was cheapest to fly to Houston Hobby, then catch a cheap Southwest flight... saved me like $150! For A&M I rented a car and drove there... it was a long couple of days

 

[Richspiders07]

Texas schools are making me mad... it's been like 7 weeks since my last interview invite. I'm starting to think I should accept the fact that I'm not getting any others... I'm sure there are lots of people like me out there!

 

[somemaybedoc]

Why oh why november 15th? 🙁

 

[potato51]

I too am in the same boat.

Anyone know when UTSW stops interviewing?

January 6 is their final interview date.

Also, guys, I don't know if you're aware of this, but current UTSW students can write student recommendations for applicants who have interviewed at the school. They have to know you beforehand, of course, and have a good idea of who you are personally and academically.

I don't know how much it contributes to your file, but it's something. See if you can finagle a letter from a current student you know. Good luck.

now off to celebrate the end of biochem, wahooooo....

 

[Twitch]

January 6 is their final interview date.

Also, guys, I don't know if you're aware of this, but current UTSW students can write student recommendations for applicants who have interviewed at the school. They have to know you beforehand, of course, and have a good idea of who you are personally and academically.

I don't know how much it contributes to your file, but it's something. See if you can finagle a letter from a current student you know. Good luck.

now off to celebrate the end of biochem, wahooooo....

What about for someone who has yet to get an interview does the letter do anything? I can't even get a straight answer from admissions whether my file has been reviewed and passed over or not. I live in Dallas - cmon UTSW 😍

 

[potato51]

What about for someone who has yet to get an interview does the letter do anything? I can't even get a straight answer from admissions whether my file has been reviewed and passed over or not. I live in Dallas - cmon UTSW 😍

From what I understand it's for interviewees only, sorry. Hang in there, the process can be quite unpredictable.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Speaking of UTSW -- I noticed that they didn't mention ANYTHING about the match (just rolling admissions and then the alternate list,) in their morning presentation. Is it safe to assume that they will be trying to fill their class through Rolling Admissions Offers? This would make sense, as others have said that UTSW was the school that was primarily pusing for the institution of the new Rolling Admissions Policy.

 

[AggieJohn]

January 6 is their final interview date.

Also, guys, I don't know if you're aware of this, but current UTSW students can write student recommendations for applicants who have interviewed at the school. They have to know you beforehand, of course, and have a good idea of who you are personally and academically.

I don't know how much it contributes to your file, but it's something. See if you can finagle a letter from a current student you know. Good luck.

now off to celebrate the end of biochem, wahooooo....

Are you serious? I know a first year pretty well... but I'm not sure how much sway a first year's letter would have.

 

[potato51]

Are you serious? I know a first year pretty well... but I'm not sure how much sway a first year's letter would have.

My guess is it'll give the 'borderline' interviewees a slight boost.

 

[Beadle]

Are you serious? I know a first year pretty well... but I'm not sure how much sway a first year's letter would have.

John,

I wonder if the schools have already made their choices about us since we're almost 8 weeks out. I'm thinking probably so....wow, that's kind of scary.

 

[chaeymaey]

I think the match will be most important for the August MCATers, like yours truly. Let's face it, if u're complete 10/15 and it takes 4 weeks to review your file, u're looking at an interview invite on 11/15 - the first date of the rolling admissions. It's a pretty straightforward blow for the August MCATers.

 

[somemaybedoc]

I think the match will be most important for the August MCATers, like yours truly. Let's face it, if u're complete 10/15 and it takes 4 weeks to review your file, u're looking at an invite on 11/15 - the first date of the rolling admissions. It's a pretty straightforward blow for the August MCATers.

As I've theorized before, I think a lot of people who get multiple offers at the beggining of rolling will keep them till the last minute, keeping a good number of slots tied up till match.

Does anyone else think that Baylor's admissions starting Oct 15 will have a pretty big effect on the success of UTSW's first round of offers since they compete for similar texas applicants?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

As I've theorized before, I think a lot of people who get multiple offers at the beggining of rolling will keep them till the last minute, keeping a good number of slots tied up till match.

Does anyone else think that Baylor's admissions starting Oct 15 will have a pretty big effect on the success of UTSW's first round of offers since they compete for similar texas applicants?

Not really. If anything, I think the effect will be opposite (Early UTSW offers may affect the success of Baylor's first round of offers.) This is the first year that UTSW can offer people acceptances before Feb. 1. People who had months to get attached to their Oct. 15 Baylor offer may now receive an offer from UTSW as early as Nov. 15, which will give them something to think about.

 

[mychelle774]

Does anyone else think that Baylor's admissions starting Oct 15 will have a pretty big effect on the success of UTSW's first round of offers since they compete for similar texas applicants?

Not really. I think people already know where they want to go. And there would be nothing wrong with holding onto an acceptance from either hoping to hear back from the other.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

1000!!!!!

 

[interstellar]

haha congrats. and you chose Texas Interviews 2007 as your thread!

its the only one i pay attention to anyway 😀

 

[Falco2525]

Just curious, for those of you who interviewed at UTSW, what are your thoughts? Anything bad, good, weird? I hope you guys like it. It's a great school. If you have any questions, feel free to ask 🙂

I interviewed at UTSW about 3 weeks ago...I was very impressed actually more than I expected to be...the students were all very friendly and down to earth...I did not see the competitive stigma that is discussed by those outside of UTSW...although I am sure it is there to some extent...my only concerns are the large class size of 240 and the grading scale...both really unimportant factors in my overall decision though...it is by far near the top of my list...especially because of cost

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

What about for someone who has yet to get an interview does the letter do anything? I can't even get a straight answer from admissions whether my file has been reviewed and passed over or not. I live in Dallas - cmon UTSW 😍

Me too! I'm from Dallas! And SW has been giving me the cold shoulder!!!

 

[Mortal_Lessons]

Hi, my first interview of the season was Sept. 30 at UTSW and I had a great time. The deans who were responsible for the morning presentation were very kind and professional. My interviewers were very friendly and made sitting on the interviewee side of the desk relaxing, and dare I say, pleasing? During the campus tour, which included a walk through Parkland Hospital, Children's Hospital, and the student facilities, I got the sense that Southwestern really does have the resources to provide their students with a great education in medicine, both theoretically and clinically. In addition, I found the first year medical students, albeit a bit stressed because of an upcoming Biochem test, in good spirits and not overly competitive. All in all, Southwestern is a great school and I would love to end up attending medical school at home.

 

[AggieJohn]

John,

I wonder if the schools have already made their choices about us since we're almost 8 weeks out. I'm thinking probably so....wow, that's kind of scary.

Yeah, the way I see it, my future is already decided and now I'm just waiting to hear what it is 😀

 

[Pkboi24]

Is anyone else sweating bullets in anticipation of Sunday/Monday?

 

[runningmom]

What's the best way to get to A&M and Texas Tech when flying in from out of state?

I flew to IAH for A&M and did the Tech interview in El Paso so I could actually get a flight that didn't have 3 connections and a transfer. Good luck.

 

[Anastasis]

I flew to IAH for A&M and did the Tech interview in El Paso so I could actually get a flight that didn't have 3 connections and a transfer. Good luck.

The drive from IAH to College Station isn't that bad but CS does have an airport (Easterwood) so you can try that too.

 

[runningmom]

The drive from IAH to College Station isn't that bad but CS does have an airport (Easterwood) so you can try that too.

True - but in general you are going to be connecting in Houston or DFW anyway since he is flying in from out-of-state and for the A&M interview you MUST have a car for that trip to Temple, so the cost of the car doesn't make up for the approx $200+ difference in fares (at least that was the difference where I was coming from)....of course traffice from IAH was a nightmare. So I suppose there are trade-offs.

 

[Impatient]

Ok...So i got TCOM, TAMU, and UT-Houston. But they were all pretty much back to back in late august, early september. Its been almost a month now and I am wondering where TTech, UTMB, and San Antonio are.

I know people that have had interviews to those schools who are out of state. So does this mean that these schools dont like me? I figured cuz I got TAMU and UTHouston, I would get atleast these three. I am not even concerned about UTSW yet, I just want TT, UTMB, and UTSA. Anybody know if these schools just take longer or what?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Is anyone else sweating bullets in anticipation of Sunday/Monday?

No. if you are sweating it over Baylor, chill out. From past years' threads, they hand out VERY FEW acceptances in the very first batch, so psyching yourself up now will only make things worse.

 

[somemaybedoc]

True - but in general you are going to be connecting in Houston or DFW anyway since he is flying in from out-of-state and for the A&M interview you MUST have a car for that trip to Temple, so the cost of the car doesn't make up for the approx $200+ difference in fares (at least that was the difference where I was coming from)....of course traffice from IAH was a nightmare. So I suppose there are trade-offs.

If your going to do a round trip car rental and flight (same airport). Why not go with Austin, you can get direct SW flights there and although going to CS will take a bit longer, coming back from temple will be shorter.

 

[WestTexasRambler]

Ok...So i got TCOM, TAMU, and UT-Houston. But they were all pretty much back to back in late august, early september. Its been almost a month now and I am wondering where TTech, UTMB, and San Antonio are.

I know people that have had interviews to those schools who are out of state. So does this mean that these schools dont like me? I figured cuz I got TAMU and UTHouston, I would get atleast these three. I am not even concerned about UTSW yet, I just want TT, UTMB, and UTSA. Anybody know if these schools just take longer or what?

In your same boat, TTU/UT-H but nothing from A&M, UTSA, UTMB. I keep hearing that it is still early but I figure they would have looked at me by now if they really had any intention to. Oh yeah, when the August MCAT folks hit the street in a couple of weeks I will pretty much give up hope of any additional interviews.

Good luck.

 

[Pkboi24]

No. if you are sweating it over Baylor, chill out. From past years' threads, they hand out VERY FEW acceptances in the very first batch, so psyching yourself up now will only make things worse.

I know, I know, but the sheer possibility of getting notified is enough to put me at the edge of my very uncomfortable seat. I've decided that once I get into medical school, I'm quitting my job and catching the first plane out of the US.

 

[spygal]

Hey guys, I'm new to this thread. I was wondering if you have any advice for an OOS who is considering applying to Baylor. I didn't apply initially due to lack of funds, and now I'm regretting the decision. Is it too late in the cycle to still be competitive at Baylor for an out-of-stater?? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[AggieJohn]

Hey guys, I'm new to this thread. I was wondering if you have any advice for an OOS who is considering applying to Baylor. I didn't apply initially due to lack of funds, and now I'm regretting the decision. Is it too late in the cycle to still be competitive at Baylor for an out-of-stater?? Any advice is appreciated!

I don't really know what kind of advice you are looking for. You are apparently in the midst of the application process so... my advice is, "If you want to apply to Baylor, do so." It has been stated that they interview as late as February.

 

[playmaker_90]

Hey I think UTSA said they will proly be interviewing only people they think of as ones (set by whole host of criteria including grades) from here on out so well good luck

 

[somemaybedoc]

Hey I think UTSA said they will proly be interviewing only people they think of as ones (set by whole host of criteria including grades) from here on out so well good luck

What's a "one", high priority/best?

 

[WestTexasRambler]

What's a "one", high priority/best?

playmaker_90,

Where did you hear this?

Maybe it is wishful thinking but it sure seems like it would be hard for UT-SA to come up with some 400 "ones" considering they are likely only 1/2 way through their interviews and a significant portion of those already interviewed are likely "ones". Does anyone know what portion of their interview dates they are through, thus far?

TIA,

'Rambler

 

[nadica31]

My first interview in Texas this year, UTMB? whohooo!!!im so excited..i submitted tmdsas aug 25th and was done three weeks after i guess, something like sept 15th? well anywyas, I am very excited, and if anyone has interview there, any advices? which hotels did you guys stayed in and hows the interviewing process?
thx
nadia

 

[shblay]

Texas schools are making me mad... it's been like 7 weeks since my last interview invite. I'm starting to think I should accept the fact that I'm not getting any others... I'm sure there are lots of people like me out there!

I'm in the same boat as you. I had 3 interviews early in the season (TCOM, UTSA, then A&M) and have not heard anything since. I'm getting antsy, I want to increase my over all chances by interviewing at other schools. That and the wait till Nov. 15 for potential offers is KILLER! My first interview was back on 7/28! Ok, done whining. I am grateful for the interviews I did get so I'll just be happy with what I've had so far.

 

[AFSmiley]

Yup, I had three interviews way back when (TCOM, UTMB and A&M) and have yet to hear from UTSA, UT-H or Tech. I'm going to stay hopeful to the very end though.

 

[runningmom]

My first interview in Texas this year, UTMB? whohooo!!!im so excited..i submitted tmdsas aug 25th and was done three weeks after i guess, something like sept 15th? well anywyas, I am very excited, and if anyone has interview there, any advices? which hotels did you guys stayed in and hows the interviewing process?
thx
nadia

Well, since no one else is chiming in (come one guys - I know I'm not the only one who's interviewed there!!!)

I stayed with family - so I can't answer the lodging question. I did drive in from the west side of Houston with no issues and it was easy easy easy to find the school.

As for advice - comfy shoes are a must. There is alot of walking on the tour.

The student panel is great - be prepared to ask those nagging questions you've been waiting to ask!!

Pay attention during the opening power point presentation to win some "door prizes".

The simulation center rocks. The woman who ran it was *SO* excited about her job she almost bounced off the walls. She was a huge motivater. And don't be scared to give the simulator CPR.... it is kinda cool to see the response.

The interviewers in some "secured" buildings require that you call them so they can bring you into the building, so get there a little early (though in all honestly, both of my interviewers just said to follow the next guy in - which made me laugh - hope that doesn't get anyone in trouble!)

The interviews were friendly and conversational. Check out the interview feedback forum for specific questions.

It was humid the day I interviewed, though maybe not as bad now that it is closer to fall. Do bring an umbrella if there is any chance of rain. It rained as I was leaving the day I interviewed and the forecast was only something like 10% chance.....

Hope that helps... you guys chime in with anything I've missed!

 

[Dr.Carter]

Intervies went great and I look forward to staying in my home state!

 

[somemaybedoc]

My first interview in Texas this year, UTMB? whohooo!!!im so excited..i submitted tmdsas aug 25th and was done three weeks after i guess, something like sept 15th? well anywyas, I am very excited, and if anyone has interview there, any advices? which hotels did you guys stayed in and hows the interviewing process?
thx
nadia

I stayed at the Wyndham Hotel galvez, pretty expensive for the island, but excellent accomodations.

The tour is pretty long and interviewers are scattered around the campus so you might have to walk a long way. When I went it was hot as hell.

The first talk of the day is pretty sedate.

Pay attention if you want to win a tshirt or hat at the end of the day quiz contest thingie.

Interviewers have your app minus MCAT and GPA, I always find these interviews harder since those are the strongest parts of my app, but your mileage may vary. My PhD was real laid back, we talked about our hobbies and places we lived. My MD was pretty aggressive, asking lots of probing questions and debating answers, but I kind of enjoy that kind of thing. I got the impression that it was a bit of a semi stress interview, but by the end his facade was breaking down and he was smiling a little.

EDIT: Their anatomy lab is beyond cool.

 

[runningmom]

EDIT: Their anatomy lab is beyond cool.

I have to concur - it is EXACTLY what an anatomy lab should look like - IMHO. Like something straight out of "Gross Anatomy" (yeah - I know - some of you were 4 when it came out.....)

 

[Pemberley]

EDIT: Their anatomy lab is beyond cool.

Yes, that rocked. And so does an 8-12 class schedule, at least for those of us who aren't lecture learners. On the other hand, they don't have a pre-published syllibus like San Antonio does.

I stayed in the Econo Lodge. The telephone, remote control, and wireless internet were all broken, but it was half as expensive as everything else on that overpriced island! 😡

 

[potato51]

I interviewed at UTSW about 3 weeks ago...I was very impressed actually more than I expected to be...the students were all very friendly and down to earth...I did not see the competitive stigma that is discussed by those outside of UTSW...although I am sure it is there to some extent...my only concerns are the large class size of 240 and the grading scale...both really unimportant factors in my overall decision though...it is by far near the top of my list...especially because of cost

I'm glad to hear these comments. I hear ya on the large class size though - maybe you don't feel as special at first, but what I appreciate is that if there's a group of students you want to avoid, you can always hang out with a different crowd. And personally, I like that I don't know everybody right from the start. It keeps the class kind of interesting that there's always another student I can meet and learn something from on any given day.

Hi, my first interview of the season was Sept. 30 at UTSW and I had a great time. The deans who were responsible for the morning presentation were very kind and professional. My interviewers were very friendly and made sitting on the interviewee side of the desk relaxing, and dare I say, pleasing? During the campus tour, which included a walk through Parkland Hospital, Children's Hospital, and the student facilities, I got the sense that Southwestern really does have the resources to provide their students with a great education in medicine, both theoretically and clinically. In addition, I found the first year medical students, albeit a bit stressed because of an upcoming Biochem test, in good spirits and not overly competitive. All in all, Southwestern is a great school and I would love to end up attending medical school at home.

is there an emoticon for applause...? ahh found it -

Glad you liked UTSW. The curriculum is demanding yes, but anyone here can do it. This is coming from someone who hasn't even been through 2 months of school (feels like it's been a year, quite frankly), but I feel more validated everyday that I chose SW. And no I'm not being paid to say this ;-)

 

[mychelle774]

My first interview in Texas this year, UTMB? whohooo!!!im so excited..i submitted tmdsas aug 25th and was done three weeks after i guess, something like sept 15th? well anywyas, I am very excited, and if anyone has interview there, any advices? which hotels did you guys stayed in and hows the interviewing process?
thx
nadia

Stay with a student! It's cheap and really good for getting an insider perspective and tips about their school. Interview day is fun, and the interviews were conversational. Just make sure you give yoursefl enough time to find your interview place. It's a big campus. Have fun!