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

[EvoDevo]

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The main reason why I didn't apply to out of state schools is because of the out of state acceptance. I know that they usually only accept 5-10% of out of staters, so in order to be in competition for that, I need a stellar application, which I don't have. That's the main reason why I didn't apply out of state. As far as taking more classes, I'm in Houston right now, should I apply to UH and just take some extra science courses there, or maybe through a community college so I can save some money? Thanks for your help.

Hey, I'm in Houston as well. 👍

Listen, most out of state DO schools are private, and as such don't have a bias regarding out of staters. So if you're interested you could still give it a shot.

Glad to have you aboard! 🙂

 

[Ranger47]

Ah, I'm not so sure about the community college bias for pre-reqs. A friend of mine took ALL of her pre-reqs at a CC, got a 4.0, and was accepted to UTSW straight up.

Just my two cents about that.

What was her mcat? I think a 4.0 from a comm coll with a low mcat would discredit the high GPA.

 

[EvoDevo]

What was her mcat? I think a 4.0 from a comm coll with a low mcat would discredit the high GPA.

Oh, right. It was a 31 IIRC.

 

[Hermes02]

Ah, I'm not so sure about the community college bias for pre-reqs. A friend of mine took ALL of her pre-reqs at a CC, got a 4.0, and was accepted to UTSW straight up.

Just my two cents about that.

So would it be better to take more science classes or retake my pre-reqs and try to get A's in all of them?

 

[SFAJess]

It wouldn't matter if you re-took the classes because the medical school looks at all attempts and the grades you made. I think they were saying to take other science courses and make A's in those to boost your science GPA.

Jessica

 

[AsianDoc816]

Oh, right. It was a 31 IIRC.

Wow, I can't believe that UTSW accepted someone who took their pre-med requirements at a community college! Was she financially disadvantaged? I thought taking a few English and Government classes at a CC would kill my application. This actually makes me feel better!

 

[EvoDevo]

No. No disadvantages whatsover.

Look, word to the wise (everyone): Adcoms care about good grades and how they came about. If you went to say, UT Austin and never took your pre-reqs at the school, well then it *might* look fishy.

If, OTOH, you already have your Bachelor's, then getting them done @ a CC won't matter.

😉

 

[Giving My .02]

I think your MCAT is around average for all but two of the Texas schools. I wouldn't have applied to Baylor, they condsider numbers the most of all the Texas schools. Your GPA is extremely low, and it will keep you out, more than your MCAT. I would invest time into taking upper-levels (Biochem., Anatomy, Histology) etc. Try to take maybe two to three classes per semester and up that GPA. Try to get it to a 3.2 at least if you don't get in this year. I also saw you made an L & N on your MCAT. I know this really doesn't account for the quality of your primary, but have a lot of people you trust proof your PS and secondarys. I had three friends & one English graduate student proof my PS, and probably rewrote it 10 time before I was happy. This means a lot and the time you put in helps a lot. For example, you shouldn't say I work well with others in a sentence. But, express this in an example, and from your CV, it looks like you have some great experiences. Good luck to you on this application cycle.

 

[cluelesspremed]

Hey fellow August MCATers...I was wondering if any of you have done the Baylor secondary...what'd you put for that question with the august MCAT and does anyone know their policy on if you want them to look at your application before the August MCAT, will they still look at it again?

Anyone not listing their SAT score either (cus it sucked like mine)? Do you guys know if they try to read between the lines and figure it out if you don't list it or if they only expect the people with high scores to post it in the first place.

Sorry for all of my questions, and I thanks in advance for any/all help!

see ya guys!

😱 <-- me, right about now. 🙁

 

[SFAJess]

I have a quick question...On the A&M Secondary App, I have a question about the 2nd essay:

?One of the essential qualities of the clinician is interest in humanity, for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient." Discuss briefly how you would fulfill this commitment as a physician.

I basically wrote about caring for the patient and how I would fulfill this commitment in my personal statement. Now, I feel like I would repeating what I wrote about...is this bad? I really can't come up with anything else, b/c my experiences I wrote about in my PS were genuine and honest.

Does anybody know if they will look down on my secondary if I repeat some of the same experiences I wrote about my PS? My experiences are those shadowing doctors who I thought emulated that quote, with certain examples from which I learned.

Thanks a bunch for anyone who can help!

Jessica

 

[Ylime]

So I just went to the TMDSAS page to check the status of my application, like I do every day (I'm obsessed I know), and I noticed a change... It says on the login page that it is now taking 4 weeks to process applications, as opposed to the 3-4 it said before... This waiting is killing me... And I probably have at least 2-3 weeks more of it... Agh

Emily

 

[GutsyGal]

Hey fellow August MCATers...I was wondering if any of you have done the Baylor secondary...what'd you put for that question with the august MCAT and does anyone know their policy on if you want them to look at your application before the August MCAT, will they still look at it again?

Basically, Baylor will only look at your application once, unlike most of the other tx schools. If you don't check that little box, they'll look at your app with just the previous scores. If you do, they won't look at your application until mid-Oct when they get your scores. Good luck on the MCAT!

 

[txguy]

I have a quick question...On the A&M Secondary App, I have a question about the 2nd essay:

?One of the essential qualities of the clinician is interest in humanity, for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient." Discuss briefly how you would fulfill this commitment as a physician.

I basically wrote about caring for the patient and how I would fulfill this commitment in my personal statement. Now, I feel like I would repeating what I wrote about...is this bad? I really can't come up with anything else, b/c my experiences I wrote about in my PS were genuine and honest.

Does anybody know if they will look down on my secondary if I repeat some of the same experiences I wrote about my PS? My experiences are those shadowing doctors who I thought emulated that quote, with certain examples from which I learned.

Thanks a bunch for anyone who can help!

Jessica

Perhaps you could focus more on the future, on what kind of physician you envision yourself being. Your personal statement was probably just about your clinical experience as it relates to your decision to pursue medicine. I dunno if that helps....

-tx

 

[Ylime]

On the Status of Documents received page of my Application it says under section J that they still need (N) my Summer 1 Coursework. But the thing is, I didn't really take a summer 1 session... I took a Maymester course... But it didn't have any choices for anything like a mini semester, so I just checked that I was taking summer 1 classes... I sent in a transcript that already included the grade from the Maymester course, so there are no more grades to be sent to them... Should I have them change my application to say that I didn't take a summer course?

Any help is appreciated!
Emily

 

[ACbubble]

Hi,
My app. was processed 7/14 and I have two interviews lined up with Houston on 8/27 and TCOM 8/17 but I have not heard from UTMB, San Antonio or A&M. Does anyone know what could be taking them so long? I know they have a whole pile of apps to go through but I'm hearing about people who were processed AFTER me (7/21,7/28, etc.) getting interviews for those schools.
Any ideas???

 

[txguy]

Hi,
My app. was processed 7/14 and I have two interviews lined up with Houston on 8/27 and TCOM 8/17 but I have not heard from UTMB, San Antonio or A&M. Does anyone know what could be taking them so long? I know they have a whole pile of apps to go through but I'm hearing about people who were processed AFTER me (7/21,7/28, etc.) getting interviews for those schools.
Any ideas???

I'm in the same boat.

I was processed on 7/21 and I have 2 interviews:

TCOM: 8/10
UTH: 8/27

I havne't heard from the other guys either. I know Tech and UTSW are late on processing apps (they said call them back in 2 weeks). I guess as time goes by (further into the process we get) the more applications they have to sift through and the tougher it gets to be invited to an interview.

Anybody else?

-tx

 

[AggieGal]

I am not sure. I was processed on 7/21 and I have heard back from Galveston, Houston and A&M, but not TCOM. (not that I especially wanted to go there, just wondering why they haven't called). However, I am not sure we should worry yet...it's still the first week of August 🙂 I'll see both of you at Houston on the 27th!

 

[ImmunoRocks]

Hi all, I just got my Baylor secondary (yay!!) today. On the website where you make your login, it asks if you want them to consider you before or after the Aug MCAT. I don't know what to do. Would I still have a chance to get in if I ask them to review my file after my mcat scores get back or should I give it a try right now? I currently have a 27P from April and a 3.2 GPA. It probably doesn't help that I'm a CA resident either, eh? Any suggestions?

Thanks, ImmunoRocks

 

[runner1979]

Hi all, I just got my Baylor secondary (yay!!) today. On the website where you make your login, it asks if you want them to consider you before or after the Aug MCAT. I don't know what to do. Would I still have a chance to get in if I ask them to review my file after my mcat scores get back or should I give it a try right now? I currently have a 27P from April and a 3.2 GPA. It probably doesn't help that I'm a CA resident either, eh? Any suggestions?

Thanks, ImmunoRocks

With those stats, I'd say wait until they get your August MCAT scores. Both MCAT and GPA are below their average. And since Baylor is somewhat supported by the Texas Legislature, they have the luxury of being highly selective with regards to out of state applicants. I'd take a wild guess and say most of their out of staters are above the average stats they publish.

 

[AsianDoc816]

Hi all, I just got my Baylor secondary (yay!!) today. On the website where you make your login, it asks if you want them to consider you before or after the Aug MCAT. I don't know what to do. Would I still have a chance to get in if I ask them to review my file after my mcat scores get back or should I give it a try right now? I currently have a 27P from April and a 3.2 GPA. It probably doesn't help that I'm a CA resident either, eh? Any suggestions?

Thanks, ImmunoRocks

Definitely try to make a 30+ on this next MCAT. Baylor is my dream school, so I have their stats memorized: 3.8/34 avg GPA/MCAT. 75-80% of their spots go to Texas residents.

 

[aidan73]

Don't really know what to do about my situation.

I applied under Fresh Start - had some grades from 1991 that I wanted to drop from consideration. The CC I envoked the fresh start at gave me a really hard time about writing a letter confirming that I did envoke fresh start. It took a week and a lot of phone calls to the registrar and I even spoke with the Academic dean (who was way more polite about my request than anyone in the registrar's office). The lady from TMDSAS that e-mailed me asking that I get this letter even spoke with the registrar and was getting nowhere.

Anyway, it was finally agreed that a letter would be written and the Academic dean e-mailed me and told me it was mailed out last Wed., July 28 - he even included the Word doc attachment.

Of course TMDSAS can't do anything with that, they need the signed and sealed letter. I spoke with the lady yesterday and she says my app still is not processed because she doesn't have the letter. It should not take a week or more to get one scrawny little letter from Houston to Austin.

So now, I don't know what I'll do. I really, really do not want to talk to anyone in the registrar's office again. I did e-mail the dean this morning telling him about it, but no response yet.

I know y'all will tell me to suck it up and call them, and I will, I just HATE this whole process. We have to rely on other people to do their jobs and do them correctly and in a timely fashion and well, it just blows, because sometimes they don't! I have ALL my other stuff in already and have since the end of June. I hear all of you with interview dates and while I'm really happy for y'all, really I am, I just want one (okay seven) too!!

 

[Swack]

Definitely try to make a 30+ on this next MCAT. Baylor is my dream school, so I have their stats memorized: 3.8/34 avg GPA/MCAT. 75-80% of their spots go to Texas residents.

Yea Baylor is my dream school as well. How come Baylor is not bound to the 90% Texas residents rule?

 

[SFAJess]

Hi,
My app. was processed 7/14 and I have two interviews lined up with Houston on 8/27 and TCOM 8/17 but I have not heard from UTMB, San Antonio or A&M. Does anyone know what could be taking them so long? I know they have a whole pile of apps to go through but I'm hearing about people who were processed AFTER me (7/21,7/28, etc.) getting interviews for those schools.
Any ideas???

I was processed 7/21 and have only heard from Houston as well. No luck yet from SA or UTMB....I didn't apply to TCOM and I haven't submitted my secondary for A&M....although I'm a little worried too.

Are we supposed to hear from SA and UTMB by snail mail? I hope they come soon.

Good luck to you!
Jessica

 

[AsianDoc816]

I am not sure. I was processed on 7/21 and I have heard back from Galveston, Houston and A&M, but not TCOM. (not that I especially wanted to go there, just wondering why they haven't called). However, I am not sure we should worry yet...it's still the first week of August 🙂 I'll see both of you at Houston on the 27th!

I was processed on 7/16 and had my TCOM interview on 8/3 and have heard from UT Houston, UTMB, and A&M; however, no word from UTSA. I called UTSA and they (for some unknown reason) did not receive my LORs until last week. So, you guys that are worried about interviews might want to call each school individually and make sure that they have received all of your stuff. For example, I called UTSA on Monday and they told me that they were reviewing my application. Besides that, all you can do is worry....even if you know you have competitive stats.... 😕

 

[txguy]

I was processed 7/21 and have only heard from Houston as well. No luck yet from SA or UTMB....I didn't apply to TCOM and I haven't submitted my secondary for A&M....although I'm a little worried too.

Are we supposed to hear from SA and UTMB by snail mail? I hope they come soon.

Good luck to you!
Jessica

Same boat as you 🙁

-tx

 

[txguy]

I was processed on 7/16 and had my TCOM interview on 8/3 and have heard from UT Houston, UTMB, and A&M; however, no word from UTSA. I called UTSA and they (for some unknown reason) did not receive my LORs until last week. So, you guys that are worried about interviews might want to call each school individually and make sure that they have received all of your stuff. For example, I called UTSA on Monday and they told me that they were reviewing my application. Besides that, all you can do is worry....even if you know you have competitive stats.... 😕

If they received our TMDSAS doesn't that automatically mean they received our LORs? 😕 😕

I didn't specifically ask about LORs, I just asked about the TMDSAS transmission and secondaries.

-tx

 

[AggieGal]

I was processed 7/21 and have only heard from Houston as well. No luck yet from SA or UTMB....I didn't apply to TCOM and I haven't submitted my secondary for A&M....although I'm a little worried too.

Are we supposed to hear from SA and UTMB by snail mail? I hope they come soon.

Good luck to you!
Jessica

My UTMB was snail mail.

 

[AggieGal]

If they received our TMDSAS doesn't that automatically mean they received our LORs? 😕 😕

I didn't specifically ask about LORs, I just asked about the TMDSAS transmission and secondaries.

-tx

I thought it all went together as well...I know the status on TMDSAS shows they have everything and sent it all as well. I called SA and they said my app was being reviewed. The TCOM website says they have everything. So I dunno what they deal is...

 

[Ylime]

Hey IfailedMCAT,
Baylor is a private university, so that's why they don't have to go by the 10% rule...

Emily

 

[txguy]

I thought it all went together as well...I know the status on TMDSAS shows they have everything and sent it all as well. I called SA and they said my app was being reviewed. The TCOM website says they have everything. So I dunno what they deal is...

I think this is worse than waiting for my MCAT score was.....b/c we have to keep track of which schools have our complete file, missing interview invites in junk e-mail, lost snail mail (maybe!), etc.

🙁 🙁

I guess its still early and even though others maybe have heard back from these schools it doesn't necessarily mean we should panic--much easier said than done lol

-tx

 

[AsianDoc816]

If they received our TMDSAS doesn't that automatically mean they received our LORs? 😕 😕

I didn't specifically ask about LORs, I just asked about the TMDSAS transmission and secondaries.

-tx

From what I gather, all of the schools do things differently. For example, UT-Houston told me that they were able to view everything online once the TMDSAS application was received. Tech and San Antonio told me that it took them time to "open all of the mail" that they received. Obviously, there are differences here. What I asked when I called each school was "I wanted to check to see if my application profile was complete." I assumed that this was asking whether they had received EVERYTHING. If not, anything that was missing would have popped up on their computer. Chances are, if you called the schools at all, they would tell you whether you were missing something.

 

[runner1979]

I think this is worse than waiting for my MCAT score was.....b/c we have to keep track of which schools have our complete file, missing interview invites in junk e-mail, lost snail mail (maybe!), etc.

🙁 🙁

I guess its still early and even though others maybe have heard back from these schools it doesn't necessarily mean we should panic--much easier said than done lol

-tx

I think we may have gotten some unrealistic expectations from the quick interview invites from UTH and others. Considering most of the Texas Schools interview through the fall and the invites are still only for August dates, I'm sure we are just over reacting. That being said, I check my email habitually for interview invites and my performance at work (non-trad) has suffered greatly. Once I get that first acceptance, I'm outta here!

 

[txguy]

I think we may have gotten some unrealistic expectations from the quick interview invites from UTH and others. Considering most of the Texas Schools interview through the fall and the invites are still only for August dates, I'm sure we are just over reacting. That being said, I check my email habitually for interview invites and my performance at work (non-trad) has suffered greatly. Once I get that first acceptance, I'm outta here!

lol That last sentence just made me laugh.

I agree with your previous comments. Thanks for the support! I too check everything habitually, even compulsively.

-tx

 

[AggieGal]

I'll tell you what's the worst though...watching all the people already interviewing walk by our office today. I know I'll be one of them in a few weeks, but it just makes me feel behind for some reason. I have to tell my OCD self to chill.

 

[JDAD]

Does anyone have any idea what UTSW's numbers are for non-residents?

I have lived in Texas for finve years, but becasue I am an international student (canada) I have to apply as a non-resident. I have heard that a 3.8/ 35 is whats needed to get in as a non-resident. Is this true? Also, will be living in TX help at all?

 

[diver]

On the Status of Documents received page of my Application it says under section J that they still need (N) my Summer 1 Coursework. But the thing is, I didn't really take a summer 1 session... I took a Maymester course... But it didn't have any choices for anything like a mini semester, so I just checked that I was taking summer 1 classes... I sent in a transcript that already included the grade from the Maymester course, so there are no more grades to be sent to them... Should I have them change my application to say that I didn't take a summer course?

Any help is appreciated!
Emily

You should just call them. I've only had to call them once, but they were very helpful. It sounds like you have something they will need to fix in their system.

Good luck!

 

[tgerwuds]

I have a quick question...On the A&M Secondary App, I have a question about the 2nd essay:

?One of the essential qualities of the clinician is interest in humanity, for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient." Discuss briefly how you would fulfill this commitment as a physician.

I basically wrote about caring for the patient and how I would fulfill this commitment in my personal statement. Now, I feel like I would repeating what I wrote about...is this bad? I really can't come up with anything else, b/c my experiences I wrote about in my PS were genuine and honest.

Does anybody know if they will look down on my secondary if I repeat some of the same experiences I wrote about my PS? My experiences are those shadowing doctors who I thought emulated that quote, with certain examples from which I learned.

Thanks a bunch for anyone who can help!

Jessica

It is generally bad taste to repeat from your personal statement. If you can, I would avoid it. But if you can't, try to introduce the info in a different way than you did in your personal statement.

I hope this helps.

Strength and honor.

 

[tgerwuds]

Ok, still antsy. TMDSAS submitted on 7/28. Still no e-mail or snail mail interview invites yet.

Question: Do you think the new SPAM filter at UT will filter out med school e-mails?? If they do, I am hella screwed.

 

[SFAJess]

It is generally bad taste to repeat from your personal statement. If you can, I would avoid it. But if you can't, try to introduce the info in a different way than you did in your personal statement.

I hope this helps.

Strength and honor.

Thanks a bunch! I'm still working on it...trying to get it submitted today!

And don't worry about the interview...I'd give it until next Mon or so. The email I recieved came just this Mon and I was processed on 7/28....the email also said that they would mail out a hard copy, but I haven't recieved it yet.

Don't know much about the UT filter, but you should get a hard copy in addition.

Jessica

 

[PHD]

Advice please - how do you format your answers to the research activities/work and volunteer experiences questions on TMDSAS? (#'s 34-38) Is there a certain way we're supposed to submit our answers like #43 and #44 (activities since high school where they actually tell you how to submit your info)?

 

[txguy]

Advice please - how do you format your answers to the research activities/work and volunteer experiences questions on TMDSAS? (#'s 34-38) Is there a certain way we're supposed to submit our answers like #43 and #44 (activities since high school where they actually tell you how to submit your info)?

I formatted mine similar to the "choronology of events" section--they have a sample to look at. I think it keeps things consistent and allows you to copy and paste from that other section if you're lazy like me lol

-tx

 

[AggieGal]

Just got a call from TCOM for 8/12. Gosh this month got really busy really fast!

 

[Ranger47]

It doesn't sound like anyone has heard from San Antonio or Dallas, correct? I am an out-a-stater so it will probably be a while.

 

[Munchkin6245]

hey aggiegal- where on the TCOM website did you check your status?

 

[txguy]

hey aggiegal- where on the TCOM website did you check your status?

Just pretend you're logging in to fill out your secondary and you'll get to your status page.

-tx

 

[txguy]

Just got a call from TCOM for 8/12. Gosh this month got really busy really fast!

Congrats!

I sitll haven't heard back from A&M or UTMB 🙁

-tx

 

[Taj]

Hey guys, i really like this forum!!

its a really good idea of nervous wrecks like me to blow off some steam!!
So I need to know what my chances of getting in are!!
I have a 24 MCAT and a 3.15 GPA,(biochem/and CS)
I took the mcat again and dropped significantly because i overloaded myself for that semester!! (yikes)
However i have significant experience as a medical assistant and a glowing extracirricular..and I've maintain an upward trend in my (otherwise ****ty) grades!!
ppl are telling everything from change ur profession to u'll get it somewhere..just wanted to know what you thought!
-taj
PS> processed 8/2 ...

 

[diver]

It doesn't sound like anyone has heard from San Antonio or Dallas, correct? I am an out-a-stater so it will probably be a while.

I have a San Antonio interview scheduled for 8/16 and I think I have seen a couple of other posts for the same day for San Antonio interviews. I don't think Southwestern has sent invites out yet.

 

[Twitch]

Yea Baylor is my dream school as well. How come Baylor is not bound to the 90% Texas residents rule?

Other medical schools in Texas are supported primarily through the state hence the 90% seat reservation, however Baylor is only partially supported by the state. I believe the proportion is more like 2/3rd of the seats being reserved which is proportional to the funding the Baylor gets from the state. That doesn't mean that Baylor can't have 70-75% Texas residents. All it says is that they need to have atleast 66% (approx) seats for Texas residents.

Another interesting point to note is that if you see a higher percentage of Texas Residents get into Baylor than the seats reserved, that means there were more (highly qualified?) Texas Residents even when compared to out of state applicants since once you go above the reserved seats Texas residents are competing at the same level as everyone else nationwide.

 

[Ranger47]

I have a San Antonio interview scheduled for 8/16 and I think I have seen a couple of other posts for the same day for San Antonio interviews. I don't think Southwestern has sent invites out yet.

I assume you're in-state?