TEXAS Med Schools Entering Class 2004 Applicant Thread

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Congrats everyone that got a Baylor interview invite.

TheresaW... how did the TCOM interview go?

I see you will post on interview feedback and all. However, I wanted to ask a question to all of those going on the first round of interviews... How many people are also interviewing at the same time with you guys? I know some schools are like 15 and others are like 40+. I don't think interview feedback has something for that question, but I just wanted to know. I also wanted to know what people were wearing.

Thanks!!!
 
Congrats Gleevec! Having to go to the #10 interview first just means more practice for the big game!

.02- I believe there were 13 of us at the TCOM interview. The admissions staff and interviewers were very friendly. Great lunch. The other interviewees were a pretty great bunch too. Nobody was throwing around scores or listing resumes. 😉

TCOM has fantastic facilities, esp. the gross anatomy lab. Ft. Worth has a lot to recommend it too, if you can deal with the 107 degree heat in a suit!😱 Ladies, make sure you wear a nice top under your suit jacket so you can remove said jacket during the tour.

T
 
Texas residents,

Are you traveling by plane or car for interviews in other cities? e.g. from Houston to Lubbock, or from Dallas to SA

I live in Dallas, and I'm debating whether to fly to Houston or drive there. I'm a slow driver, and it takes me about 5 to 6 hours to get there (some people can get there in 3 hours!). Since interview day is going to be in the middle of the semester, I don't know if it's a good idea to drive. Do you have any suggestions?
 
Traveling will be hell for me since I go to school in VA. I have to fly back here everytime! So far I have already had to fly in and out of TX 3 times in a matter of like 2 weeks. It should be fun...wish I could drive...
 
Driving in TX, I also live in Dallas (Plano). You should make Houston in 4.5 hours with little or no speeding. Don't make stops on the way, of course traffic can be a bear at the wrong time of day in both cities.
 
Hey guys.

Just got back from Temple. The interviews were awesome! I totally was wrong about you aggies, unfortunately. The faculty and staff were amazing and so friendly!!! Wow. I love College Station, it's home away from home (D/FW).

I may post more later,

gtg

😛 :clap: 😍
 
Originally posted by Giving My .02
I'm driving (More affordable)
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SWA has $34 one way right now in TX. I'm flying for sure. $80 for round trip flight plus one day rental car is better than driving (and cheaper).
 
Ok guys, I'm extremely excited but also very very jittery and nervous...I just got an INTERVIEW CALL FOR UT HOUSTON!!!!! :-D but i'm worried too, I don't know exactly what to bring? how to prep up for it? any suggestions? i mean prepping shouldn't be too bad, but I mean the actual logistics of the interview, what to bring, when do i write a thank you note? what are cheap flights? are staying with students near by the center a good idea? i won't have any transportation et al, are there any good tips on the actual logistics of the interview itself? Thanks a ton and best of luck to those who've received interviews
 
Originally posted by echostation
Ok guys, I'm extremely excited but also very very jittery and nervous...I just got an INTERVIEW CALL FOR UT HOUSTON!!!!! :-D but i'm worried too, I don't know exactly what to bring? how to prep up for it? any suggestions? i mean prepping shouldn't be too bad, but I mean the actual logistics of the interview, what to bring, when do i write a thank you note? what are cheap flights? are staying with students near by the center a good idea? i won't have any transportation et al, are there any good tips on the actual logistics of the interview itself? Thanks a ton and best of luck to those who've received interviews
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Congrats on UTH, its a great school. Use SDN interview feedback to look at what others have been asked at the school. Write the thank you note to the interviewer after your interview =)

Cheap flights = Southwest and Continental (the latter's hub is in Houston). Southwest flies to Hobby and Continental flies to GB Intercontinental. Just take a shuttle from the airport to the school.

I think student hosting is a brilliant idea, and Id definitely take advantage of it.

Congrats and good luck! Ill be there 8/21 so maybe Ill seeya there.
 
I just got snail mail from UTSA!!!

mon 8/25! man that's the same day school starts.....oh my..

🙄
 
congrats echo! when's ur interview? good luck!
 
Okay... I understand flying is easier and more affordable for some of you, but not for me. I don't live anywhere near a nice airport, and the flights out of the airport closest are starting at $200. So yes, Thackl driving is more affordable. & if I did fly, I would have at least a three hour drive to the nearest nice airport.

That is what you get when our state is so big.
 
vikvas, thanks 🙂 my interview is september 12th...i'm nervous in a way cuz i have to fly on September 11th 🙁

but anyways, yeah any tips on the logistics of the interviews? does anyone know the best way to carry a suit? how light should i pack? did any of you guys bring back packs? or did you use strict briefcase/soft brief cases and formal bags?

btw, any good links on reading about the us healthcare system, particularly just the structures of HMOs etc, i've got some materials and i'm on the look out for more but i know i need better ones... that's what i think they will slaughter me on, healthcare issues cuz i haven't had that much exposure, research is no problem and my app is no problem either, that i just have to know in and out...
 
does anyone know if any of the texas med schools review an applicants file without having received the committee letter? my undergrad is whack and they only send out our letters in mid-august. just getting worried because it looks like ut-houston has already sent out invites for 1/4 of their interview dates.
 
the best piece of advice I have left to give you guys is:

CALM DOWN!!!! 🙂 (I could have used this advice last year myself 😀)

No they won't review your file, in fact, Houston determines interview invites by computer. You just have to meet a minimum GPA and MCAT requirement to get an interview. Your file will get the most attention post interview when it goes to committee. Most schools will rate your app in some way before your interview (like UTSA gives you a 1, 2, or 3 of what they consider your academic ability) and all schools have to rank you post interview to submit a ranking for the match.

Remember, the match is still months and months away!!!! If you have to reschedule and go later it isn't that big of deal. You'll still get a certain score and placed on the list the same place you would have whether you go in August or December. The only thing that would really sway things one way or the other is if you have a bad day. You're done with grades, the MCAT, and essays already. Houston has interviews through the beginning of January so I know they haven't given a quarter of their invites away already. And rememeber, they herd like 90 people through each Friday. Thats a lot of people still left to be invited. I haven't seen anyone with an interview yet for the last Friday in September. Learn to wait patiently, since you have a long time till February. You'll see others in and you'll still be sitting waititng for the match. I was kind of glad I actually rescheduled interviews for November and December because those who finished up in August and September had a much longer time to wait and I got to spread everything out much better.
 
Originally posted by spumoni620
Texas interviews:

UTMB 8/15 (snail mail)
UTSA 8/18 (e-mail)
TAMU 8/21 (e-mail/snail-mail)
UT-H 8/28 (snail and e-mail)
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Hey Spumoni, I've got ut-h on 8/28 too! see you there i guess 😀
 
Originally posted by spumoni620
JayZee, I'm at UT-H on the 28th as well...and I'm at UTSA on the 18th. See you at Houston! Are you making it for the mixer the nite before?

Second lakeaustin's question--why did you withdraw from UTMB?
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Hey Spumoni, so dumb I just saaw this previous post, nah I don't think i'll go to the mixer....are you? :laugh:
 
I'm married and have a few TX interviews later this month. My spouse has been interested in tagging along.

However, I'm a little nervous about that. I'm afraid that I won't open up as much to other applicants/students if I'm hanging out with my wife. What do you guys think? The schools all say they welcome spouses, but do people actually do that on the interview day?
 
Have her come to the socials/dinners. The tours will probably bore her out of her mind. If she goes to the dinners, she gets the best part of the interview and feels a part of the process. Drop her off somewhere entertaining in each city (Galleria in Houston, Riverwalk in San Antonio, etc) and just know when to meet for the arranged social. And you get to focus on your interviews. Just my .02. Good luck to ya!

Originally posted by hillofbeans
I'm married and have a few TX interviews later this month. My spouse has been interested in tagging along.

However, I'm a little nervous about that. I'm afraid that I won't open up as much to other applicants/students if I'm hanging out with my wife. What do you guys think? The schools all say they welcome spouses, but do people actually do that on the interview day?
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I invited my wife to come, but made it clear the kiddos must stay home (in Austin). She didn't like that idea and I didn't like the idea of the kids keeping me up all night in a strange place before interviews................. so, I'm on my own 😱
 
Originally posted by JayZee
Hey Spumoni, so dumb I just saaw this previous post, nah I don't think i'll go to the mixer....are you? :laugh:
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No worries. this thread's been pretty active since there's a bunch of smart sdn'ers getting interviews...😀
guess i won't be going to the mixer after all, as it looks like i'm gonna be driving to houston the night before. are you staying w/a student?
Cool then--see you on the 28th...
 
Hey anybody going to UTSA on the 25th?? If so where do you think the best place to stay is? I have to fly in and wont have a car so I will have to taxi cab it all over. Thanks! Good luck to everyone with interviews comnig up!
 
If you're coming to interview in San Antonio, take advantage of staying with a student. People here are really nice and it's good to spend the night before the interview asking us questions about the school, the interview experience, the local bars (heh), etc. Plus most of us live really close to the medical center and will probably give you a ride in the morning. It's a little hard to find your way around if you've never been here. Jherr, if you're a chick, you're welcome to stay with me and my roommate.
 
Interviewed at TCOM. It was really impressive. Everyone was really friendly & they have great facilities. Posted info on interview feedback if anyone has questions.

I was also impressed with everyone else interviewing. As you might know, I am a lady, and all the guys that interviewed with me always got the door and held it open for us as we toured. They also let the ladies stand in front (at least the shorter ones). I was impressed. Have been around pre-meds who let the doors slam in my face and have pushed me aside to get in front. Great job you Texans!!! We have some world class guys out there!
 
Congrats to everyone with interviews! That's so exciting. I'm still waiting for all my stuff to go through, and it's making me crazy.
 
Jherr (& Pickle Salt!), I will also be at UTSA on the 25th! i haven't figured out where I'm staying yet, either. Are you going to the mixer the night before? I plan to. After interviewing at TCOM I realized that the students and other premeds are a great resource and generally really nice people! Like .02 said earlier, everyone was so polite and friendly. Guess I had expected something different. 🙄
T
 
Originally posted by Jherr
Hey anybody going to UTSA on the 25th?? If so where do you think the best place to stay is? I have to fly in and wont have a car so I will have to taxi cab it all over. Thanks! Good luck to everyone with interviews comnig up!
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Whoa! Jherr, I should be at UTSA on the 25th, even though it is the first day of my school again...oh well, I'll miss gettin the syllabus.. 😳 I don't think you need to stay anywhere, i'm not at least. they say they provide shuttles from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the school, so maybe we could hitch those shuttles! :laugh: maybe...if not, i'm taking a cab. see you there
 
Quick, really lil, kinda obsessing now, question for those who have interviewed at TCOM: during the tours/presentations do they give you loads of paperwork and forms?

I'm trying to decide between my nice, small, more stylish handbag or my bigger, less favorite one

Yeah, these are the things going through my mind less than 24 hrs before my interview, but hey, gotta keep the nerves down somehow...right?
 
At TCOM, they gave us two folders with information. Everyone just carried them around. One was a folder with school & interview info & the other was information filled with financial info. Take the bag you feel comfortable with. Everything was really easy going, so good luck!
 
Thanks for all the info on san antonio, I was thinking of going to the mixer the night before, I will be flying from VA and I get in at like 10:30 in the morning so its not like I dont have time to kill! Pickle thanks for the info, Im a guy so sorry ha...

Jay Zee- Im missin school for my tech interview, i siad screw the 2nd day of class, these interviews could determine the course of the next 4yrs of my life, so Im going!

I havent decided about a hotel or student yet, I need to stay 2 nights so I will probably be doing the hotel deal. Thanks everyone!

Jared
 
anyone get any invites lately?
 
Originally posted by vikvaz
anyone get any invites lately?
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Nope. I'm still running out to my mailbox daily to see if UTSW sent me anything.
 
i've only got one invite from UT-Houston, my app got procesed and sent out on 7/30...should i be phoning these schools to see what's up? or find out if they have fully received my complete secondary application materials? cuz it's been over two weeks and i still haven't heard from anyone?? 🙁
 
Hello Echostation,
I just wanted to know when you got your ut-houston invite. My app was processed and sent to schools on the 6th of August. I know it's quite early, but I just wanted to get a feel for when I can start expecting to hear from schools.
Thanks,
Keith
 
Originally posted by Giving My .02
JayZee...

Glad your interview went good!
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Tanks! I hope the rest goes just as well...hope you get great interviews too!

GOOD LUCK AUGUST MCATers!

:clap:
 
Originally posted by dustin04ag
TMDSAS trans: 6/25
Secondaries: 6/18 ish (6/30 for UTSW)

Interviews:

UT-Houston- 7/14 (for 8/21)
TCOM - 7/16 (for 8/8)
TAMU - 7/21 (for 8/7)
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How'd TCOM go?
 
Originally posted by Jherr
Hey guys and gals-

got an invite from TT today anyone going on the 29th? Thanks!

Still waiting from UTSA, hoping something soon will come.
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What's up with TT? I mean I got something from UTSA. When we were at A&M an MS3 there said that he got an interview from UTSW but nothin from UTSA or TT. Can anybody shed some light on this issue?

Thanks! 🙁
 
Hey guys,

Just wanted to say that my TCOM interview was AWESOME! I went away more impressed with the school than I thought I would be.

I'll try and post my experience later today on Interview Feedback.

Thanks to everyone else that helped answer my questions before my interview!

Up next, UT-Houston on the 21st, and UTMB on the 22nd. Any of you guys going to the Houston mixer?
 
Originally posted by JayZee
What's up with TT?
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They're being very selective with the first rounders (27th & 29th)which seems kind of strange for TT considering most applicants aren't interested in Lubbock...... they did not do this other years and usually have averages around 3.65/29 for matriculants. I was told they were trying to raise the bar a little this year.

I hope I don't end up in a Gunner class 😱
 
Just got back from Galveston. Really enjoyed everything. Great school. Good luck to everyone applying & interviewing.
 
Originally posted by Giving My .02
Just got back from Galveston. Really enjoyed everything. Great school. Good luck to everyone applying & interviewing.
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Yup, I was there too. Thought the students were very nice there...and saw palm trees in Texas!! 😱 Interviews = very laid back, no problems. They were all very nice. I'm posting all this on interview feedback but if anyone has any specific q's feel free to pm/post 'em!
 
Originally posted by spumoni620
if anyone has any specific q's feel free to pm/post 'em!
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Great to hear that you enjoyed UTMB. Good luck.

Did you learn anything about the PBL perspective and the less than stellar board pass rates? I read somewhere that the program is recovering from the PBL changes. Up till then, I have heard only good things about UTMB. The climate is great too.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
This might not be directed to me, but I will answer.

Their pass rate from last year is 97%. I think it is climbing because of their interest in the students. The second year begins early so they have 6 weeks at the end of the year to only study for the boards. I think this has really helped the students to recover from lower numbers. Their curriculum is mostly self-directed. So basically the students are hardly in class, but if you study better in the morning, evening, or nighttime, this is a school that gives you flexibility. I hope that helped a little.
 
Giving,

Thanks for the update. I'm glad the numbers have improved drastically. I'm not sure whether I could handle 50% or so self directed learning.
 
WOW... so i have been super busy and havent had a chance to post in a while, but i will let you guys know how TAMU and TCOM went.

TAMU: I have worked here for 2 years and am an undergrad here and was still super impressed by how nice everyone is. The students were great and so was the faculty. The only thing that didnt impress me was the drive to temple ( I stopped at a gas station on the way and a dude in front of me got 2 40s of Naty Lite, a Big Mamma pickeled sausage, and 2 quick picks... ghetto) and then the anatomy lab really sucked. But over all A&M went way up on my list. I thought I had the best interviews or my life..... but they were hard. Word of warning... If you interview with Vijay Meyta... he drills you and contradicts everything you say. He really made me think on my feet. One question he asked was for me and him to debate the death penalty (weird question, right?) I heard he asked one girl what kind of CELL she would be. He also asked me to talk about 3 current events not to include Koby Bryant or terrorism in middle east. What is the problem with american society today?... and yada yada. I really like the pressure interviews better so it went great.

TCOM: Went to the absolute bottom of my list. They have awesome facilities and a great location. The anatomy lab is so cool and even the class rooms are great. Where i found a problem was in the students and faculty. It seemed like no one could answer any of my questions. My interviewer couldnt even tell me the strengths and weaknesses of the school. No one knew the international perspective on osteopathic medicine... and so on. The financial aid was even more painful than usual. I counted the presenter say "UM", "Like", and "You know" over 150 times. Really scared me that this guy was going to be in charge of getting me $$ for med school. So overall, I just wasnt impressed with the quality of the students and faculty. But their facilities and location is probably one of the best places to study medicine.


Did anybody go to the UTMB social?? Is it worth it?
 
Went to the social the night before at UTMB. Very laid back. I didn't know if it was because it was the first interview session for the school. Basically sat around and chatted with other applicants and students. Had pizza and soda. We didn't go on a tour, even though it said we would. That was it basically.
 
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