TEXAS Med Schools Entering Class *2005* Applicant Thread part 01

[medcluv]

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Yay!!!! I got another interview... I just got the mail today, and I had an interview from UTMB in it! I'm interviewing 10/1/04... Anyone else have an interview in Galveston that day? I hope this good news is followed by some more... But at least I'm glad to have 2 interviews!

Emily

Hi Emily,

Would you kindly inform me about UTMB and Galveston's environment in general? Thank you in advance!

 

[neoncandle]

Whoever wrote that traffic is fine around the medical center in Houston is smoking something illegal. It is aweful. However, many of the students we talked to live around campus and take shuttles or the "wham-bam-tram" or buses to school. In fact a bus stops right under the medical school. And I am from Dallas where the traffic is 100 times better. Seriously. It took us 2 hours just to get past the north side of Houston on Friday.

 

[AsianDoc816]

Whoever wrote that traffic is fine around the medical center in Houston is smoking something illegal. It is aweful. However, many of the students we talked to live around campus and take shuttles or the "wham-bam-tram" or buses to school. In fact a bus stops right under the medical school. And I am from Dallas where the traffic is 100 times better. Seriously. It took us 2 hours just to get past the north side of Houston on Friday.

Yep, this is what I was trying to explain earlier. Okay, I know that you can take the buses and other types of public transportation to get to CLASS, but if you want to eat somewhere or visit friends outside of the medical center, wouldn't the traffic be a PAIN? Granted, you won't have much time to "get out" in med school, but for the few times that you do (come on, being a hermit 24/7 is bad for your health), would the traffic be worth the frustration?

 

[Longhornanth]

that's b/c arkansas lost 10 out of 11 offensive starters from last year's team, so everyone is expecting them to suck this year. but they did win their opener pretty handily (63-14 or something)........even if it was only new mexico state, so maybe they are not as bad as everyone thinks (kind of like last year 👎 ). but we have the revenge factor working for us, since they whooped our ass the past TWO times they played us. it was nice to see mack brown run up the score..........maybe he is finally developing some of that stoops killer instinct 🙄 . i hope he runs it up this weekend too, and every weekend til ou for that matter, so maybe they'll play with a little swagger against ou. i know i am stupid for thinking this, but i really think we will beat ou this year. that defense looked pretty good (i know, it was only north texas) and cb is in midseason form. but even if the "unthinkable" happens, and we lose, i'm sure spurier can beat them next year with these players . yeah right guys, tx will make mack fire grag davis before they give him the 'ol heave ho.......you really think tx is going to buy out brown's near $2 mil/yr contract for the next 4 yrs just to beat ou.......i wish, but not gonna happen. anyway, i have faith. this year is our year.

I will have to disagree with you on the fact that Mack ran the score up..When we have our third stringers, and WALK ONs still scoring, its not Mack running up the score..Its UNT giving up..HOWEVER..I agree with you that this is our year. I haven't felt this good after a home opener in the 15+ years I can recall of Texas Football..I like the attitude!! HOOKEM..

 

[arierty]

for some reason I thought I heard UTHSCSA starts at the end of June. But, now I can't figure out how I heard that. Is this true? Are there any other schools that start exorbitantly early?

Thx

 

[Ghost]

for some reason I thought I heard UTHSCSA starts at the end of June. But, now I can't figure out how I heard that. Is this true? Are there any other schools that start exorbitantly early?

Thx

UTHSCSA USED to start at the end of june. that is no more. next year's MSI's will start in august.

 

[Munchkin6245]

Yep, this is what I was trying to explain earlier. Okay, I know that you can take the buses and other types of public transportation to get to CLASS, but if you want to eat somewhere or visit friends outside of the medical center, wouldn't the traffic be a PAIN? Granted, you won't have much time to "get out" in med school, but for the few times that you do (come on, being a hermit 24/7 is bad for your health), would the traffic be worth the frustration?

You guys make it seem like you can't go anywhere in Houston. Traffic is not that bad once you learn to get around it and what areas to avoid at what times. If you are going to work/go to school in the med center why would you live out in Katy or Spring? I live about a mile from the med center, and take the train to work. It's easy, plus a little walking has never hurt anybody. Parking is a pain but why would you want to pay $10/day to park to go to class? To get around Houston yes you need a car b/c public transportation will not get you where you want to go when you want to be there. Just avoid certain areas, like I10 after 3:30pm and 59downtown between Kirby and 288 b/c of construction. 610 West Loop is under construction from I10 to 59, it's bad during rush hour but you get used to it during other times. there is a lot of road rage but you just ignore it and if you can change lanes smoothly I'm sure you won't have a problem. Just remember not to PANIC, then you won't piss someone off. You get the hang of it. I'm a girl from real redneck country and if I can drive a 4X4 pickup through traffic lanes during 5pm rush hour on 610 to get to the Galleria 😀 then you can drive in Houston 😛

 

[lane]

to everyone complaining about traffic:

UTHSCSA is in the 'burbs of SA. no traffic. none.

😀

 

[SFAJess]

That's right Lane! I absolutely love SA..especially the mexican food and the Spurs!! 🙂

 

[MadameLULU]

Whoever wrote that traffic is fine around the medical center in Houston is smoking something illegal. It is aweful. However, many of the students we talked to live around campus and take shuttles or the "wham-bam-tram" or buses to school. In fact a bus stops right under the medical school. And I am from Dallas where the traffic is 100 times better. Seriously. It took us 2 hours just to get past the north side of Houston on Friday.

Hi. I think you are referring to me, but I never said the traffic in the med center was fine. I said that I would worry more about parking in the med center than traffic. To be honest, traffic in the med center is better than other parts of Houston. Also, a bus doesn't stop "right under" UT-Houston med school. Where did you get this idea??

 

[MadameLULU]

Yep, this is what I was trying to explain earlier. Okay, I know that you can take the buses and other types of public transportation to get to CLASS, but if you want to eat somewhere or visit friends outside of the medical center, wouldn't the traffic be a PAIN? Granted, you won't have much time to "get out" in med school, but for the few times that you do (come on, being a hermit 24/7 is bad for your health), would the traffic be worth the frustration?

If you want to get out of the med center for a bite to eat, go to Rice Village, it's not even 2 miles away. Plus, there are variety of restaurants with different cuisines. Outside of the busy times (M-F: 7:30-9:30 and 4:30-7), traffic around the medical center really isn't that bad. I have lived in the med center for more than 5 years and things really aren't that bad. Don't worry about it...there is much more to Houston to worry about than traffic around the med center like how much you will sweat when you walk from The Lanesborough or Greenbriar to UT-Houston or Baylor during the late spring - early fall. Anyhow, Houston is an AWESOME place to be simply due to the numerous research and clinical opportunities. =)

 

[GutsyGal]

for some reason I thought I heard UTHSCSA starts at the end of June. But, now I can't figure out how I heard that. Is this true? Are there any other schools that start exorbitantly early?

Thx

They used to devote the month of July to teaching students how to take histories and do physicals. Starting next year, they're going to integrate that into the year. So classes will start early August...I think (correct me if I'm wrong).

Speaking of food, are there any places to get some good AUTHENTIC ethnic food around San Antonio (none of that sweet and sour stuff)...especially Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, or Thai (my favorites...yum!)?

 

[Swack]

Whoever wrote that traffic is fine around the medical center in Houston is smoking something illegal. It is aweful. However, many of the students we talked to live around campus and take shuttles or the "wham-bam-tram" or buses to school. In fact a bus stops right under the medical school. And I am from Dallas where the traffic is 100 times better. Seriously. It took us 2 hours just to get past the north side of Houston on Friday.

I think you were referring to me, I didn't say traffic isn't bad around the medical center (actually it's not that bad from my experience), I said the road rage is not too bad. 59 and Beltway 8 during rush hour is much worse, plus there are much more reckless drivers.

 

[TiggidyTooth]

Bad traffic? BAD TRAFFIC??? In Houston? Dear friends, LA, NYC, the California Bay Area (SF and surrounding communities) have bad traffic. Houston is, if I'm not mistaken, the fourth biggest city in the U.S. The medical employs over 100,000 people, enough to make up a small city in itself. You can't expect to be in that environment and see the kind of traffic you would see in Lubbock, where four cars in a row is the definition of bad traffic. Come on people, lets think about this. Considering its size, Houston's traffic is not bad at all. Additionally, if the traffic situation is a prime criterion you're using to pick which school in Texas you're going to, maybe you should rethink your selection factors. For instance, I'm basing my decision on the quality of cafeteria entrees, that being based on the large hope that I actually get admitted somewhere. Good luck

AJ

 

[AsianDoc816]

Bad traffic? BAD TRAFFIC??? In Houston? Dear friends, LA, NYC, the California Bay Area (SF and surrounding communities) have bad traffic. Houston is, if I'm not mistaken, the fourth biggest city in the U.S. The medical employs over 100,000 people, enough to make up a small city in itself. You can't expect to be in that environment and see the kind of traffic you would see in Lubbock, where four cars in a row is the definition of bad traffic. Come on people, lets think about this. Considering its size, Houston's traffic is not bad at all. Additionally, if the traffic situation is a prime criterion you're using to pick which school in Texas you're going to, maybe you should rethink your selection factors. For instance, I'm basing my decision on the quality of cafeteria entrees, that being based on the large hope that I actually get admitted somewhere. Good luck

AJ

I wasn't implying (and I don't think neoncandle was either) that I was basing my decision on the traffic itself. It's just a factor that plays into the decision....one of many. I agree that bigger cities like LA have traffic that is probably much worse than Houston's. If you had been in a major car accident like me, you might think about driving circumstances a little more....sorry, this is sort of a sensitive topic....

 

[IndyZX]

traffic in houston is a problem. its a problem not relative to other cities, but because of less than stellar urban planning.

 

[SFAJess]

They used to devote the month of July to teaching students how to take histories and do physicals. Starting next year, they're going to integrate that into the year. So classes will start early August...I think (correct me if I'm wrong).

Speaking of food, are there any places to get some good AUTHENTIC ethnic food around San Antonio (none of that sweet and sour stuff)...especially Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, or Thai (my favorites...yum!)?

Thai Kitchen is REALLY good. It's a little expensive in the evenings but if you can make it there during the week for the lunch special buffet, it is great for the price. They have my favorite -- pad thai (sp?) and some kind of great tapioca in warm coconut milk dessert. YUM!! Can y'all tell I think with my tummy? Look it up on the internet for directions...it's somewhere around San Pedro....I lived in San Antonio all of my life until I went to college, but I'm really bad with directions and I don't want to get you lost if you decide you want to try it. LOL! 🙂

 

[SFAJess]

...For instance, I'm basing my decision on the quality of cafeteria entrees...

Now that's what I'm talking about!

 

[Swack]

For instance, I'm basing my decision on the quality of cafeteria entrees, that being based on the large hope that I actually get admitted somewhere. Good luck

AJ

Good call 👍
Houston has great food, this is why we are so fat .

 

[::Seabass::]

Also, a bus doesn't stop "right under" UT-Houston med school. Where did you get this idea??

Yes in fact two bus routes stop right underneath UT Houston. (There are multiple other stops on one of the side streets surrounding Baylor and UTH.) I ride one of those, the FREE Blue shuttle everyday and walk about 50 ft to take the elevator up to class. The other stopping underneath is 87 (or 78) wherever that goes. I live in an apartment complex right next to one of the Blue's stops.

Driving in the TMC is bad if you come in 9ish and leave at 5ish, and these are not normal med school hours. I drive in and out all the time during test week and yes I have to stop at lights but I never miss a light because traffic is backed up. Takes me less than 10 minutes. Of course you'll need to add in the extra 5 minutes it takes to get to the top of the parking garage behind a little old lady. 😉

I honestly don't know anyone who parks IN the TMC on a daily basis. Many families live in Sugarland/Pearland (you'd be crazy to live in Katy/Woodlands, even without traffic you are 30+ minutes away which is VERY far to live away from any school no matter the traffic. you'll be giving up precious time every day for commuting that you're gonna want for other stuff.) Most single, newly married couples live in Condoland, the Museum district, and some down in the galleria/bellaire area. Many ride their bikes, walk, or jump on the light rail or free shuttles. Like it was said before, most big apartment complexes have a shuttle for residents. Those who drive in park in one of the outer lots (I think it is $3/day) and then ride one of the shuttles or lightrail in. If you're a UTH student you can park for free on a street and ride the free UTH shuttle in, which MANY people do. When you are on rotations they give you reduced parking, like $70/month in the TMC. I have no idea if Baylor has a similar set up/shuttle.

As for going around Houston, I never find the need to get on the highway unless I go back to SA, go to the airport (can make it to IAH in 35 minutes, even at 5pm), to the Galleria (you have rice village for many clothes stores right there), or go play on my soccer league. I can say in over a year I've only really sat in bad traffic maybe 5 times and then I was on the highway at 5pm.

In fact, the last time I was sitting in some really nasty traffic was when I was on my way out to the medical center at UTSA in early August. 😉

 

[txguy]

Thanks lilstina for your insight 👍 . I just found out this mornign that I have an interview with Tx Tech, I picked the one on the 15th 😀 . As for the rumors regarding the med school in ELP it is more than a rummor it is a fact. They (TxTech) already broke ground on the new construction of the building during the summer. It should be up and running in about a year or two that is if everything goes smoothly and knowing my beloved hometown of ELP it will not (sad but true).

I'll be at Tech on 9/15 too! 🙂

-tx

 

[AsianDoc816]

I'll be at Tech on 9/15 too! 🙂

-tx

I'll be at Tech this week on 9/8....I'll update you guys when I get back 😳

 

[Bright Star]

I think it was today. Hope you are enjoying your day and got the presents that you wanted

~Bright Star

 

[SFAJess]

I think it was today. Hope you are enjoying your day and got the presents that you wanted

~Bright Star

Thanks!! It is today! 😀

 

[Bright Star]

Needless to say I met SFAJess and drbevo (who by the way is really good at guessing who people are on SDN from the info they tell him) at UTH. I sat down next to him at the social and 5 minutes later he guessed that I was mdapplicant cause he had seen my profile. I'm going to post my comments on interview feedback. And i'll see you in galveston drbevo.

 

[SFAJess]

Needless to say I met SFAJess and drbevo (who by the way is really good at guessing who people are on SDN from the info they tell him) at UTH. I sat down next to him at the social and 5 minutes later he guessed that I was mdapplicant cause he had seen my profile. I'm going to post my comments on interview feedback. And i'll see you in galveston drbevo.

DrBevo is so good at that!! Good memory, too if you can remember stuff from mdapplicants. 🙂

 

[drbevo]

Haha...yes, it's true. I spend way too much time on mdapplicants and sdn, memorizing screennames, stats, and undergrad schools. Happy birthday sfajess.

 

[Munchkin6245]

Happy Birthday SFAJess!!!!

 

[txguy]

Happy birthday day!!

-tx

 

[FosterChild]

Yah, the only thing that I don't like about the Texas Med Center is the TRAFFIC. I am a horrible driver (quite literally) and I am scared that I would seriouslydamage my car in that traffic....something I must consider for UT-Houston and Baylor.

[sarcasm on] ;-)
From someone who attends school in the Med Center...
There are enough horrible drivers here already! Go somewhere else if you are going to turn left from the middle lane into oncoming traffic across the METRORail tracks with a train on them through the pedestrians. We have GORKed out patients, self-important physicians, non-English speaking visitors, and coke-nosed drug reps to do that for us!
[sarcasm off]

But seriously, if you are so worried about an accident, wouldn't going to school somewhere you DIDN'T have to drive on a daily basis (like Houston, Boston, LA, Chicago) appeal to you? I went to undergrad in Boston and never even needed a car until spring of my senior year, and that was just to get out of town. Living in Houston, my wife and I now have two cars, but we really only drive one on any sort of a regular basis and that is just to my kid's daycare/grocery store/etc. We really do take the train or walk most places. If my MS4 year wasn't coming up (with all the travel involved) we'd seriously consider going down to one car (saving insurance, lowering maintenance costs, and reducing Halliburton and Cheney's ill-gotten gains....).

 

[runner1979]

Seriously, the Houston traffic isn't *that* bad. I live inside the loop (610) and everything you need (and frankly, want) is there. Only on certain occassions will you have to venture to the 'burbs and once you learn some of the back roads, you can manage just fine. I was just reading an article on msnbc or something and apparently Dallas actually has more lost time in traffic than Houston. Not sure if I believe that, but had to take the stab at Big-D.

 

[Sparkles]

Hey people. 😀 Well, I, uh, haven't heard a word back from these schools. I applied to UTHouston, UTSA, TAMU, Galveston, and Tech. Should I call? No? Email? Nothing? Write a letter? I'm kind of getting nervous because this is my second application cycle and I haven't heard anything. 🙁

 

[EvoDevo]

Hey people. 😀 Well, I, uh, haven't heard a word back from these schools. I applied to UTHouston, UTSA, TAMU, Galveston, and Tech. Should I call? No? Email? Nothing? Write a letter? I'm kind of getting nervous because this is my second application cycle and I haven't heard anything. 🙁

Hiya Sparkles:

It depends upon when your application was processed. Schools like Houston are going pretty fast while others like Tech appear to be a bit slower.

Houston and Galveston are pretty unhelpful, while SA, TCOM, and TAMU were really good over the phone.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[txguy]

Hey people. 😀 Well, I, uh, haven't heard a word back from these schools. I applied to UTHouston, UTSA, TAMU, Galveston, and Tech. Should I call? No? Email? Nothing? Write a letter? I'm kind of getting nervous because this is my second application cycle and I haven't heard anything. 🙁

Definitely call the schools! All of your materials might not have made it there (LORs, secondary fee, your actual secondary, etc.), thus holding up the process! 😱 And if everything is in order, you may be able to find out about an invite earlier than usual ove the phone (I found out about my UTMB interview a week before it came via snail mail).

For the method of contact, goto the first page of this thread (Evodevo's original post).

By the way, when were you processed by TMDSAS? And have you completed your secondaries and sent all the appropriate fees?

Good luck 👍

-tx

 

[Swack]

Man...I got a letter from Texas Tech today, I was so excited considering what I've read about their turnaround times. I opened the letter and I was staring at my OWN signature page and money order 😱

Apparently, I forgot to sign the money order 🙁

The funny thing is, I didn't sign the TMDSAS money order or the TAMU money order. TMDSAS processed, but I really hope TAMU doesn't send my money order back 🙁

I'm feeling very smart right now 😎

 

[Swack]

Btw, Happy Birthday Jess!!

 

[SFAJess]

Thanks for the birthday greetings, guys!! I've had a great day so far and now I have to study Spanish! Yippee.

🙂

 

[kilppy]

Sparkles, My 2nd application cycle too and I haven't heard a word either. Last year I had 3 interviews and this yr so far nothing. I did nothing different to my app MCAT and GPA wise, but I changed my PS to include a paragraph on reapplying and became involved in big brothers and bis sisters as well as volunteering as a forensic tech. at the Travis Co. Medical Examiners office. I just don't get it ..On a side note my time spent at the TCME office has solidified the fact that I could do autopsies for a living..

 

[LetMeIn2004]

Hey people. 😀 Well, I, uh, haven't heard a word back from these schools. I applied to UTHouston, UTSA, TAMU, Galveston, and Tech. Should I call? No? Email? Nothing? Write a letter? I'm kind of getting nervous because this is my second application cycle and I haven't heard anything. 🙁

I know that UT-Houston doesn't look at reapplicants right away. To them, reapplicants are last on the pecking order since they interview so many people. I called the Dean of Admissions and asked this past summer. Sucks because I would love to study in the Med Center.

 

[latinfridley]

well i think my interviews are basically over cept for baylor on the 24th.
havent heard from UTHSCSA or UTSW , kinda given up on 'em. any folks heard from either of these two school in the last week or so. anyone still waiting to hear from em?

 

[GutsyGal]

well i think my interviews are basically over cept for baylor on the 24th.
havent heard from UTHSCSA or UTSW , kinda given up on 'em. any folks heard from either of these two school in the last week or so. anyone still waiting to hear from em?

Still waiting to hear from UTSW... 🙁 Anybody heard from 'em within the last week or so?

 

[SFAJess]

Still waiting to hear from UTSW... 🙁 Anybody heard from 'em within the last week or so?

Did you meet their initial number requirements (31, 3.6 or 3.5)? I think they are still just doing that for now.

 

[EvoDevo]

Did you meet their initial number requirements (31, 3.6 or 3.5)? I think they are still just doing that for now.

Hiya Jess! I just found out that it was your Bday the other day. Congrats!!

Didya party it up?

 

[Swack]

Still waiting to hear from UTSW... 🙁 Anybody heard from 'em within the last week or so?

They begin interviews in September, kinda late compared to the other schools, and they only have 10 total interview dates, each about 2 weeks apart. They also interview all the way to January. I think we just need to be patient, the invites will come.

Oh yea, I was looking at their numbers, and I guesstimate only about 400 people make the 31/3.5 cutoff. If there are 400 people divide this by 60-65 (the max amount of people per interview day) and you get ~6.

If interviews are offered 2 weeks apart, then 6 X 2 weeks = 12 weeks

This boils down to about 3 months for them to schedule ONLY the interviewees who made the cutoff. If they begin in September.....

I know, I'm a dork 😎

 

[UT_OC]

😡 Wow, I just got processed by TMDSAS. Now I send in the secondaries.. I've lost all hope. 👎 🙁

 

[drbevo]

I guesstimate only about 400 people make the 31/3.5 cutoff.

ifailedmcat,

You're not a dork. Those were some pretty good deductions. Just curious.. How did you guesstimate this number(400)?

 

[lane]

😡 Wow, I just got processed by TMDSAS. Now I send in the secondaries.. I've lost all hope. 👎 🙁

you do realize that there are people who will be applying in october. these same people will get interviews and (gasp!) some of them will even get in. just because you've been processed at the end of the first week of september doesn't mean you should lose all hope.

get a grasp on reality, people. i swear people on this site are so neurotic...ugh.

 

[Swack]

ifailedmcat,

Just curious.. How did you guesstimate this number?

Oh, I just took a 31 MCAT as roughly 80th percentile (according to AAMC stats).
According to the MSAR, 2231 people applied in-state in 2003. The 80th percentile comes out to about 446 people. Of course you have to take into account that the 80th percentile is based on the average test taker, not the average applicant, which is about 2 points higher. However, the 3.5 GPA cutoff should offset this. This is why I think 400-450 people make the cutoff.

Btw, average applicant GPA is a 3.47.

 

[Longhornanth]

I know that UT-Houston doesn't look at reapplicants right away. To them, reapplicants are last on the pecking order since they interview so many people. I called the Dean of Admissions and asked this past summer. Sucks because I would love to study in the Med Center.

WRONG..
I am a reapplicant, and Interviewed there 8/27. VERY early in the "pecking order." Must be some mixed up info

 

[GutsyGal]

They begin interviews in September, kinda late compared to the other schools, and they only have 10 total interview dates, each about 2 weeks apart. They also interview all the way to January. I think we just need to be patient, the invites will come.

Oh yea, I was looking at their numbers, and I guesstimate only about 400 people make the 31/3.5 cutoff. If there are 400 people divide this by 60-65 (the max amount of people per interview day) and you get ~6.

If interviews are offered 2 weeks apart, then 6 X 2 weeks = 12 weeks

This boils down to about 3 months for them to schedule ONLY the interviewees who made the cutoff. If they begin in September.....

I know, I'm a dork 😎

Yes...you are a dork. 😛 Drbevo is right...those are interesting deductions. But I know of people who have already gotten invites to UTSW with below 31 on their MCAT. What's making the difference in their applications?