TEXAS Med Schools Entering Class 2004 Applicant Thread

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Originally posted by OrthoFixation
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.

Yes, Giving is absolutely right. the pass rates have improved dramatically to 97%...also they passed out a list of matches and while the majority matched to family practice/internal, there were a few good matches (i.e. Barnes-Jewish pediatrics, derm, etc.). Overall, the students seemed very friendly and the interviews were super laid back...they even said if you were unhappy w/the interview experience, you could ask to have another interview!

but that said, utmb pretty much moved to the bottom of my list. i just don't feel the 50% pbl thing...i need a little more structure...and the main problem imo is the city itself. besides the beach (and the humidity!), there's hardly any of the typical distractions--the 1st starbucks is being built this year 😱 . now this may work well for many people, but i've always grown up in big cities, so for me this is too much to adjust to. a lot of the students also seemed to say that their only complaint about utmb was the location. ah well...the professors were super nice though. it really depends on the person...

so that's my 0.02, i suppose. dustin, thanks for the tips on a&m--i'm going there this week, so will have to keep up my current events reading! 🙂

good luck to everyone ~
 
I'm a 2nd year at UTMB so we had a class meeting about boards. Earlier I had posted that the 3rd years had an average of 230 with most scores in, but the final average is 225. One thing everybody loves is the block scheduling, so you only really have to deal with one class at a time although each class is an integrated class. Right now we are in a 10 week Cardiovascular and Pulmonary where we are studying physiology, path, pharm, micro of these organ systems. What PBL does for you is introduce you to USMLE style vignettes and covering a disease in PBL in depth with the pharm, pathophys etc since the beginning of first year really cements these in your head. Overall the UTMB curriculum has a lot of flexibility in it, you have more than enough time to study and participate in organizations or volunteering at the clinic. I have enough time now to study for courses and to begin early USMLE review. Another pro for me is that you can do 3rd year in Austin and a lot of people take Austin rotations even if they don't do the whole year there. It counts as a UTMB campus so you could probably do some away rotations in addition to leave Galveston. The self-direction of the curriculum is mostly in the PBL, because for exams we have assigned readings for every lecture of every course. You always go into your study sessions knowing what chapters to read and what scribe notes to read which I really don't see as self-directed.
 
I just took my MCAT yesterday, so I wont be expecting interviews until November. However, I'm going to be working in Mexico for the school year.

I was wondering which schools let you choose interview dates, and how many aren't as flexible. I just want to be better prepared for these international travel arrangements with 1.5 weeks notice. thanks
 
From the interview letters that I have received from Houston, Galveston, and San Antonio.... they pretty much READ AS BE GREATFUL THAT WE GAVE YOU INTERVIEW DATE. Medical school is real competitve. I won't recommend messing with an interview date unless it ABSOLUTE must since you are "late" applicant.

just 0.2 cent
 
Originally posted by tuesday
I just took my MCAT yesterday, so I wont be expecting interviews until November. However, I'm going to be working in Mexico for the school year.

I was wondering which schools let you choose interview dates, and how many aren't as flexible. I just want to be better prepared for these international travel arrangements with 1.5 weeks notice. thanks

Call the med school, they are more than flexible. The UTH letter I got sounded real "firm" in the date assigned and that if I didnt go that date, I couldnt go at all. But then I called and explained my situation and they were much more hospitable. So definitely give them a call and explain your situation, Im sure they understand. And if they dont, its THEIR loss.
 
Hi guys,

I am a bit concerned with the number of interviews i've gotten. I have the competitive numbers, but have only gotten interviews from uth and tcom. I processed my application on 7/23, and one of my friends already got galveston for 9/12 and we processed on the same day. Is that a bad sign for me? Do you know if Galveston ranks their applicants for interviews, meaning the best go first?
 
Hey guys and chicks, i'm so glad you people are getting all these interview invites and are doing well in them and getting good feedback. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice I had asked for earlier...

My app got sent out on 7/30 and I'm positive all my secondary app materials have been sent out correctly and in full to all the TX schools. Yet I only have one interview and that is from UT-Houston on Sept 12. Should I be worried and start phoning schools to see if they received my apps?? or what should i do? Em,ail or is there still plenty of time?? any ideas...plase help 🙁
 
TO ECHOSTATION:

Don't worry. Houston and Galveston are the first to send out invitations b/c they do not have secondary applications. Housotn seens a little less discrimiant than Galveston in terms of inivites for interviews. Secondly, most medical schools interview thier "assured" applicants and "local" applicants before interviewing the rest of the state.

I have received invites from Houston, Galveston, and San Antonio my application was transmitted early July.

San Antonio is a little weird. I don't know what to tell you. Some of my friends who have high stats haven't heard anything, while my friends with lower stats have heard from them.

From my knowledge, Texas Tech is currently interviewing ONLY early decision people and won't really start sending invites for most "normal" applicants until another week or two.

Texas A&M is pretty selective.... They interview only about 600 people for about 70 seats.... Personally, I think it is a waste of time to interview at A&M if you have no real intention of going to the school. If you can get an interview at A&M, you can consider yourself a pretty competitive (or disadvantaged applicant).

Dallas is still processing primary and secondary applications.

Finally, if you have applied to TCOM you will get a response pretty quick if they want you.

Don't worry... we still have 4 more months of interview left. Good luck. Just my 2 cents.
 
thanks for that swanky dude. i've been pretty down bout not hearing from schools like UTSA and A/M but your post made me feel better, esp knowing other people hadnt heard from UTSA yet either.
 
Earlier today I read the T A&M www based on rumblings I heard on SDN, so I confirmed that the 3rd & 4th years are spent in Temple. Is this presenting a problem for anyone else. My family conscious needs in a SOM include 4 years in one city.

Since I just MCAT'd, the apps aren't finished. I think that A&M will be a waste of their time and mine. Anyone with similar concerns? Are there any alternatives with A&M MS3/4?
 
Ortho... I wouldn't rule any school out. However, if you are thinking that way Tech is similar in having their students split into three groups: Lubbock, El Paso, & Amarillo.

Taking the August MCAT does hamper you in a way. I wouldn't not apply to any school unless you know that you will get a competitive score that would enable you to be more picky. I would just see if I got an interview there & if you did place it last on your list. However, you are right because the secondary cost more money, so just do what you want because going to a school you don't want to be at, wouldn't make medical school enjoyable.
 
Let's just say I loved the campus until I had my first interview.

I don't know what he tried to do, but he made me cry. When he asked me who was important to me I said one person, and he was like that doesn't count, then I said another person, and he said that didn't count, and finally I just said my parents.

He also said I hadn't experienced any hardships (family illness, cultural, etc) in my life because I was too young to have. When I started explaining that I had, (he said nope you haven't). I was like WTF. Sorry for the language, didn't really say it. It was absolutely horrible. That is not even all of it. For thirty minutes, it was personal issues, not even ethical questions, he contridicted me on.

The second interviewer was great, but the first one had me afterwards in the bathroom crying. (I am a lady). Its sad how one person can make such a good experience so bad.

I just pray no one else gets him.
 
I'm a first year at UTSA. Last year I interviewed at all the Texas schools including Baylor and I had competitive stats. Every year there's always talk about how San Antonio doesn't like to interview people with high stats and I think it's a silly arguement. People say San Antonio doesn't interview applicants with high scores because it lowers the percentage of first and second matches. Why would a school care about a match percentage more than the average GPA/MCAT scores of its matriculants? The latter is important for school ranking and if a school cared about status it would be counter-productive to not interview students who have competitive scores. The high end of our class range is a 4.0 / 38 MCAT. We have students who did their undergrads at Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Wash U, Rice, Berkely...The thing with San Anotnio is that they don't interview as long as everyone else (I think they generally stop a month before the other schools). They also don't interview as many students--I think Houston interviewed something like 1200. So a lot of qualified applicants who apply late don't get interviews at San Antonio. Another difference is that San Antonio looks at more than just MCAT score and GPA when granting interviews when many schools, like Houston and Galveston, only consider MCAT and GPA putting those numbers into some calculation. There is more of a subjective cut-off before the interview at SA when the subjective cut-off tends to come after the interviews at the other schools. At my interview date at SA the Dean talked about one applicant who had a 38 and was not receiving an invite because their personal statement was very arrogant. San Antonio is very big about inviting students who fit the school. They gather this from the personal statement and secondary app. It was also asked in both of my interviews--why San Antonio (the question was pursued heavily both times). I firmly believe you will end up at the medical school you belong at. Believe me--your rankings of the schools will change once you get there and talk with the students and consider the programs and see the atmosphere and the city. I learned that there is more to a school than it's US NEWS ranking. No other school offers a clinical program to the students in the first year like San Antonio's and that's one of the reasons I ranked it highly. That was important to me. All schools have unique aspects--Galveston has a really awsome integrative curriculum. Personally, I hated UH, but many students loved it (I know it's a good school so don't yell at me). It really comes down to where you fit best. San ANtonio, like all the other schools, has a very diverse class. You don't have to have a 35+ MCAT score to get an interview but you definitely won't be excluded if you do have one. I think the most important factor is when you apply. If anyone has any questions about any of the schools or San ANtonio ask away. You guys have all applied early and I'm sure you will get tons of invites and get accepted to a school that you fit best. And it's still really early. SA had it's FIRST round of interviews today so if you haven't heard yet, don't worry. My friends and I got our invites in different orders even though we applied at the same time--so it's not an accurate judgement of your status.

GOOD LUCK!
 
Originally posted by Giving My .02
Let's just say I loved the campus until I had my first interview.

I don't know what he tried to do, but he made me cry. When he asked me who was important to me I said one person, and he was like that doesn't count, then I said another person, and he said that didn't count, and finally I just said my parents.

He also said I hadn't experienced any hardships (family illness, cultural, etc) in my life because I was too young to have. When I started explaining that I had, (he said nope you haven't). I was like WTF. Sorry for the language, didn't really say it. It was absolutely horrible. That is not even all of it. For thirty minutes, it was personal issues, not even ethical questions, he contridicted me on.

The second interviewer was great, but the first one had me afterwards in the bathroom crying. (I am a lady). Its sad how one person can make such a good experience so bad.

I just pray no one else gets him.

You should have definitely talked to Dr. Jones about this. The cookies and punch session in the afternoon is intended for you to talk about you interviews and it sounds to me that you should have sought another interview after the first one--if the interviewer talked about personal issues that bordered on unethical. AT every school someone will have a bad interviewer--mine was a very arrogant MS III at Baylor who thought no one was as qualified as him to do anything but fart. That really sucks you had a bad time. I would email Dr. Jones and talk to him about it. I think at every school I interviewed at somone cried--I think it's the pressure mixed with some of the jerks who interview you.
 
Catch 23,

I am not saying anything bad about UTSA. I think it is a great school and I look forward to learning more about the school and the interview. I made the comment that UTSA is a "little weird" b/c unlike other schools they look BEYONG MCAT and GPA and really try to holistically judge and understand the "person" before granting interviews. Granted many student who have high MCAT (my is just average/competitive) have a superiority chip on their shoulders and I agree with what you said that it will show up in the personal statement. I have read many personal statements from my friends and noticed a difference between the higher stat applicant and average stat applicant. The higher stat applicant from my experience tend to read very colorful and imaginative BUT had no real substance (when you really think deeply about it -- sort of like talking to a politician) and in some cases sounded almost fake. The average stat applicant personal essay tend to have more substance and life experience, which to me translate into a more honest essay. Maybe it takes an average person to understand another average person, and that why I think many higher stat applicant are not granted (or later) invites to UTSA.

My 2 cent. 😛
 
I bet you decided which essays were "fake" or "real" after you knew their stats. It would be extremely difficult to put someone in a stat-group based solely on their personal statement, and I think the view that those with high stats or low stats are a certain personality type is reading too much into numbers. They're just numbers and med school admissions are so much more than that, and this holds true for personalities as well. The implication that ppl with high stats have no personality or ppl with low stats have less intelligence is ridiculous, and it cuts both ways. These kinds of negative generalizations really annoy me.

Originally posted by swankydude
Catch 23,

I am not saying anything bad about UTSA. I think it is a great school and I look forward to learning more about the school and the interview. I made the comment that UTSA is a "little weird" b/c unlike other schools they look BEYONG MCAT and GPA and really try to holistically judge and understand the "person" before granting interviews. Granted many student who have high MCAT (my is just average/competitive) have a superiority chip on their shoulders and I agree with what you said that it will show up in the personal statement. I have read many personal statements from my friends and noticed a difference between the higher stat applicant and average stat applicant. The higher stat applicant from my experience tend to read very colorful and imaginative BUT had no real substance (when you really think deeply about it -- sort of like talking to a politician) and in some cases sounded almost fake. The average stat applicant personal essay tend to have more substance and life experience, which to me translate into a more honest essay. Maybe it takes an average person to understand another average person, and that why I think many higher stat applicant are not granted (or later) invites to UTSA.

My 2 cent. 😛
 
I don't think it was the pressure that got to me, because I have already had two interviews elsewhere, and one was difficult. However, it wasn't one that attacked me personally. If he would have asked me questions about healthcare and told me some of my answers were "stupid", I wouldn't have blinked an eye. UTSA is a good school though and overall I was impressed.
 
Anybody getting any news from Tech besides EDP applicants? Wonder if they have sent out their second round yet.
 
I'm sorry you had such a bad time, though. I still don't think it would hurt to email Dr. Jones. They would take your experience into consideration when discussing your app in the adcom--and if you got awsome scores on the other interview that would offset anything bad from the other interview.

Originally posted by Giving My .02
I don't think it was the pressure that got to me, because I have already had two interviews elsewhere, and one was difficult. However, it wasn't one that attacked me personally. If he would have asked me questions about healthcare and told me some of my answers were "stupid", I wouldn't have blinked an eye. UTSA is a good school though and overall I was impressed.
 
My brother went to UTSA. 3.8/36 and applied late (August MCAT). He thought it was a good school (really liked Dr. Jones too), but it was the only school he applied to since he and family lived in SA. He did state, after visiting other schools for residency, that he saw other TX schools he liked better (including the one he is at now). No regrets though.
 
Originally posted by Giving My .02
Let's just say I loved the campus until I had my first interview.

I don't know what he tried to do, but he made me cry. When he asked me who was important to me I said one person, and he was like that doesn't count, then I said another person, and he said that didn't count, and finally I just said my parents.

He also said I hadn't experienced any hardships (family illness, cultural, etc) in my life because I was too young to have. When I started explaining that I had, (he said nope you haven't). I was like WTF. Sorry for the language, didn't really say it. It was absolutely horrible. That is not even all of it. For thirty minutes, it was personal issues, not even ethical questions, he contridicted me on.

The second interviewer was great, but the first one had me afterwards in the bathroom crying. (I am a lady). Its sad how one person can make such a good experience so bad.

I just pray no one else gets him.

Hey .02

My interview at TAMU went a little something like that. He contradicted me on everything I said no matter what. He even asked me why I disobeyed my father about going on a medical mission trip to Central America and told me that it was the most disrespectful thing he has ever heard. I like these tough interviews.... you just have to expect it and know how to deal. I knew my guy was trying to frazzle me and get my feathers all ruffled..... but when he saw that I could handle everything that he had, he still kept at it but he had a **** eating grin on his face because he knew that I could handle it. So when you get an interview like that, just try to hold it together and show some real mental fortitude. If you do that... one of your toughest interviews could just be your best.
 
Got an invite from TT!! YAY! 6/7! Oh c'mon UTSW c'mon!

TCOM 8/21
UTSA 8/25
UTH 8/28
TT 10/10

Woo HOO!



QUOTE]Originally posted by JayZee
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! 🙁
[/QUOTE] :clap:
 
I just got my invite through email.


Originally posted by Giving My .02
Anybody getting any news from Tech besides EDP applicants? Wonder if they have sent out their second round yet.
 
Oh...forgot to mention I'm interviewing at El Paso for TT on 10/10...anybody interview there b4?

😕
 
Hello my fellow texas pre-meds,

I just wanted to know if anyone has gotten any interview invites in the past week? I'm really interested in UTH,UTMB,TCOM and UTSA which are the only schools I applied to 🙂
Thanks,
Keith
 
I got an invite to A&M for Sept. 4th, hopefully more will come this week.
 
What makes (or distinguishes) UT-Houston medical special/unique (from other medical schools in Texas)? I have an interview this Thursday and can?t really seem to find anything on their website or school catalog that really distinguishes them from the rest. In addition, the school catalog seems brag on the great facilities (being in the ?world-renowned? Texas Medical Center), but I doesn?t mention regarding the prowess of it academic program.
 
Originally posted by swankydude
What makes (or distinguishes) UT-Houston medical special/unique (from other medical schools in Texas)? I have an interview this Thursday and can?t really seem to find anything on their website or school catalog that really distinguishes them from the rest. In addition, the school catalog seems brag on the great facilities (being in the ?world-renowned? Texas Medical Center), but I doesn?t mention regarding the prowess of it academic program.

I interviewed at UT-Houston today, its a fantastic school. Its one of the two universities in TMC, and it is allied with MD Anderson and Memorial Hermann. Its academic program is traditional first year, more PBL second year. Its really laid back and the students/faculty are really cool. I think you will enjoy your interview day greatly, I sure did. If anyone has questions or concerns regarding UTH, feel free to PM me. good luck to yall.
 
Originally posted by Gleevec
I interviewed at UT-Houston today, its a fantastic school.
Originally posted by Gleevec
I go to Duke for ugrad
ha! I almost asked you if you were on SDN because I knew you would be there and I was pretty sure you had gone to Duke. my research proved my memory correct. I was the girl who talked to you after lunch in the light blue Tulane shirt. that wake forest girl was cool.

hope you had a good day!
 
Just got an invitation from UTSW for 10/4! Yippie!
Start stalking your mail boxes guys!
 
Hey everyone...just got back from an exhausting round of interviews. galveston, san antonio, a&m, and then next week is houston/texas tech.

giving, i'm so sorry to hear about utsa. i guess i have been too fortunate in getting v. laid back interviews....even while preparing for the worst. i completely agree w/dustin--these are all stress interviews designed to make you crack. you probably did much better than you think. my 2nd interview at utsa was somewhat stressful...the professor kept interrupting me before i'd finished and seemed very skeptical of my answers. it wasn't great, but oh well. still, i don't think this affects your chances--it's expected.
i'm wondering who you are? i'm sure i ran into you several times in the past week 🙂

my impressions so far:
galveston--great faculty, nice students. as i said before, the location is the prob w/me. interviews = not v. stressful

utsa--GREAT school. i LOVE the students--they are the friendliest i've come across among all the schools so far. dr. jones is so friendly and charismatic, and the students genuinely love their school. they've moved near the top of my list. interviews = not stressful to moderately stressful.

a&m--again, nice students. but temple for 2 years...? i guess it's not so bad (the students' mantra was 'austin is only 45 min away'...). scott&white is nice and new--seems like a really amazing place to get clinical training. they have one of the best structured programs for their interviewees--complete w/tours and lots of food (great cookies, mmmm...) and v. nice admissions coordinators. a great financial aid presentation. interviews = semi-to moderately stressful.

the only prob is today i was SOOO exhausted after a week of back-to-back interviews. it gets v. difficult to keep the enthusiasm & sincerity going, so make sure to get as much rest as you can. keep candy & snacks for those sleepy periods 🙂

i'm posting everything on interview feedback, but feel free to ask me any questions! good luck to everyone!
 
oh, and CONGRATS texas1111--i'll be anxiously checking my mail in the next few days...
 
Originally posted by Texas1111
Just got an invitation from UTSW for 10/4! Yippie!
Start stalking your mail boxes guys!

Hey, me too. See you there! :clap:
 
Congrats to all yall UTSW interview invites. Im really jealous as its one of my top choices =)

I was wondering why they sent out the 10/4 interview mails before the september ones? Or is this just me misinterpreting a random sample of emails? Has anyone received an invite for a non-10/4 date? Thanks again and congrats =)
 
Originally posted by seaworthc
ha! I almost asked you if you were on SDN because I knew you would be there and I was pretty sure you had gone to Duke. my research proved my memory correct. I was the girl who talked to you after lunch in the light blue Tulane shirt. that wake forest girl was cool.

hope you had a good day!

Haha cool! Wow its a small world. Didnt know I was talking to the famous seaworthc =) Everything about UTH was great, I really enjoyed it. Good luck with the rest of your first week of class, I hope you find those online lab videos you were talking about. Looks like its about to rain in Houston, and I gotta get up in about 6 hours to drive to Duke. But it was nice meeting you in person seaworthc. Hope to seeya around! 😀
 
congrats to all with invites! to the UTSWers, PM if y'all have questions about interviewing or the school. I'm a first year so i still remember the process fairly well. Best of luck to all!
 
Originally posted by Gleevec
Haha cool! Wow its a small world. Didnt know I was talking to the famous seaworthc =) Everything about UTH was great, I really enjoyed it. Good luck with the rest of your first week of class, I hope you find those online lab videos you were talking about. Looks like its about to rain in Houston, and I gotta get up in about 6 hours to drive to Duke. But it was nice meeting you in person seaworthc. Hope to seeya around! 😀
yeah, I didn't mention it because I didn't want you to be too intimidated and nervous around my greatness. and now you know the true extent of my 'dorkness' 😛

good luck at your other Houston interview 🙄 😉 (you'll love it 😀, I would have actually died to go there last fall, but funny how things change)
 
Crap, most of the people at TT's interviews next week are going to be seasoned veterans. I'm an interview virgin🙁
 
I haven't seen that many with the 8/27 interview date. How do you know that there are going to be more people than just EDP?
 
interview at TT on 8/27 includes more than just EDP. i know this because they offered me that date and i am not EDP.
 
Hey guys!

Got back from my TCOM interview yesterday...it was ok. Since I applied for DO/PhD program I had 3 interviews. The first one was good compared to the next 2. I dunna, I loved the campus tour and the students, but the interviews were more stressful than I had expected from a DO school, oh well. 🙁 Got UTSA and UTH next week hope they go well, I still really like A&M. Cross my fingers to hear from UTSW soon.
😱
 
Originally posted by JayZee
the interviews were more stressful than I had expected from a DO school

I've heard this and read this a few times about the DO schools. My guess would be that since they generally take lower scores, COM's want to make damn sure you know you **** and want to be a Dr.
 
Got a letter from UTSW for a September interview. I bet it will start showing up for those who live farther from Dallas. The mail date was the 19th. So I guess they are handing out pre-October interviews.
 
Where is Southwestern in Interview Feedback? I looked for it and didn't see it anywhere. I don't know if it is because I have been moving into university housing and my contacts keep sliding or if it is because I am a big dork who can't see something right in front of me.
 
Doh! No UTSW invite yet. sadness.

Went to UTMB yesterday. Loved 'em. Think it's important to look past Galveston being a smaller town to see what the school has to offer. Besides, Houston's a short drive away if you need your shopping/nightlife/traffic hell fix! :laugh:

posted on Feedback. Got UTSA and UTH Mon/Tues.

T
 
nothing from UTSW...sadness 🙁
 
Originally posted by JayZee
nothing from UTSW...sadness 🙁

I too was sad, but I got the snailmail a day or two late. Im sure its US Postal and not UTSW. Good luck!
 
Originally posted by Gleevec
I too was sad, but I got the snailmail a day or two late. Im sure its US Postal and not UTSW. Good luck!

Yay for Gleevec! See, I told you you'd get one! :clap: And it's way before mine, so you get to tell me about it, like Michigan. 😀
 
Does anyone have an answer about my previous post about interview feedback?
 
Originally posted by soonerpillow
Yay for Gleevec! See, I told you you'd get one! :clap: And it's way before mine, so you get to tell me about it, like Michigan. 😀

Haha thanks. This thing about southwest not being able to fly into Dallas Love is absolute bullcrap, but oh well. The Sheraton guys were total jerks to me on the phone so Im not staying there anymore. The Hilton-affiliated suites place looks nice.
 
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