Texas recommendations

[simitree]

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I am applying to all Texas schools for Fall 2002, including Baylor and the osteopathic school. I am wondering if any of the TEXAS schools REQUIRE that you have a NONSCIENCE letter from a prof.
I am going to use the premed evaluation committee, and I have no problem getting science profs. However, I don't feel as comfortable getting letters from someone who doesn't know me as well. Please advise.
Also, any other advice or guidance about Texas schools appreciated. Any application glitches? What should I watch out for?
Thanks.

 

[FourthTime]

I think it's more of a requirement by your pre-med committee than the TX schools. However, it would be nice to offer recommendations from various fields (you'll get more "well-rounded" bonus points). I suggest you do get recs from outside the science dept. I got some from coworkers and job supervisors. Worked for me (I'm going to UTMB in the fall).

As far as other stuff. There are several essay opportunities on the TX application (not so much on AMCAS). Really focus on painting a picture of yourself that expresses your ideas of medicine and what things you've done in support of your motivation and goals to study medicine. I think TX's application gives you more of an opportunity to do this than AMCAS and the secondaries req'd by non-TX schools. This is a good thing. I would suggest having someone who knows you read your essays. There may be great qualities about yourself that you take for granite and neglect putting in your essays (I did!). I got rapid response when I submitted my application, but I took my time to complete it (2 months). Good luck!!

 

[Medigirl]

I agree with Fourth Time. We did not have a pre-med committee at my school, so I used recs from two science profs that knew me well and one from my research advisor. The advice I have is get your application in EARLY! I got mine in pretty early and was already getting interview letters in august. The personal statement is really important, too. Some interviewers will look at only your statement, so have several people read over it before you submit. Also, when you start interviewing, it helps to coordinate some interviews for the same weekend (e.g., UT-Houston and Baylor or Houston and Galveston). Good luck!

 

[Starflyr]

Originally posted by Medigirl:
I agree with Fourth Time. We did not have a pre-med committee at my school, so I used recs from two science profs that knew me well and one from my research advisor.

Thats' what I did too - if they decide to make that explicit - one nonscience, it'll be on the website.

The advice I have is get your application in EARLY! I got mine in pretty early and was already getting interview letters in august. The personal statement is really important, too. Some interviewers will look at only your statement, so have several people read over it before you submit.

I couldnt agree more - get everything in early! The primary should be in by mid-June at the latest and the secondaries should have less than a week turnaround (if possible!). i did this and I also got August/early September interviews.

Also, when you start interviewing, it helps to coordinate some interviews for the same weekend (e.g., UT-Houston and Baylor or Houston and Galveston). Good luck!

How did they let you coordinate yours, medigirl?? Houston wouldnt let me (unless I wanted to interview Jan 5th), and neither would UTMB. TCOM did - but thats just b/c they let you choose the date and I already had my UTMB invite.
Just curious! I wish I could've scheduled mine together - its expensive flying down from NY!

smiles,
Star

 

[baylor21]

Just curious Starflyr,

I noticed you said you had to fly down from New York. I take it you were a non-Texas resident when you applied to med school?

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"There is nothing more powerful on this Earth as a man who has nothing to lose. It does not take ten such men to change the world--one will do." Elijah Mohammed

 

[cjw0918]

Just wanted to wish you luck and drop a couple of hints for the Texas apps. The above posters are totally correct in encouraging you to apply early. As you know, the Texas app season is earlier than the AMCAS app season so you'll need to get transcripts and recs ahead of your AMCAS timeline, if you are also applying to out-of-state schools. Also, and this probably goes without saying, if at all possible take the April MCAT.
On a different note, I think Texas schools, esp Tech and TCOM, are really good at looking beyond the numbers, so don't feel discouraged if your record is not perfect. I think Texas is the best state in the nation for applying to medical schools- you've got 8 to choose from, some urban some rural, some research-oriented some primary care focused, and some full of gunners and some full of fun, really laid back people. It's all up to you to choose what you want. Good luck.

 

[Starflyr]

Originally posted by baylor21:
Just curious Starflyr,

I noticed you said you had to fly down from New York. I take it you were a non-Texas resident when you applied to med school?

Hi Baylor21...

Actually, no, I am a texas resident (even my profile says Fort Worth), I just go to school in upstate NY - and since I had to be back in mid-august for RA training, I had to fly down for all my interviews. Thats all

smiles,
Star