The Republic of Texas XIV: Find me a find, Catch me a catch!

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So, what happens to anyone who doesn't rank their choices? Do you not match? Do you fail?

I'm not going to be in this boat, just curious if anyone knows anyone who was lame enough to fall into this trap in the past.🙄
 
Some things in this thread got me wondering.

Academically, save for the MCAT on 01/26, I'm solid. Volunteer-wise outside of hospitals, I'm more or less solid. I hope to be solid with LoRs as well over the next few months.

Research, not so much. But research seems like it's more take-or-leave than clinical exposure is, which is my question.

As far as that goes, all I've really done is shadowed a couple full days / overnight at a local ED, which coupled with some pretty in-depth Q&A with the docs, made for a good experience for me. But I have not done the usual hospital volunteering bit.

As regards Texas med schools, am I seriously shooting myself in the foot on this?
 
exi said:
Some things in this thread got me wondering.

Academically, save for the MCAT on 01/26, I'm solid. Volunteer-wise outside of hospitals, I'm more or less solid. I hope to be solid with LoRs as well over the next few months.

Research, not so much. But research seems like it's more take-or-leave than clinical exposure is, which is my question.

As far as that goes, all I've really done is shadowed a couple full days / overnight at a local ED, which coupled with some pretty in-depth Q&A with the docs, made for a good experience for me. But I have not done the usual hospital volunteering bit.

As regards Texas med schools, am I seriously shooting myself in the foot on this?
Click to expand...

Texas schools aren't any different than the rest of the country. You need to have clinical experience, to make sure you don't drop out when you begin your third year rotations and find you hate being around sick people. It probably wouldn't hurt to log some hours in a hospital between now and when you start applying next year. Really only you can decide if you've been sufficiently exposed to medicine and are capable of making other believe you about this. As for the research, it's not bad to have it as it can only help to make your application more well rounded, but the clinical stuff is definitely needed more than research.
 
exi said:
Some things in this thread got me wondering.

Academically, save for the MCAT on 01/26, I'm solid. Volunteer-wise outside of hospitals, I'm more or less solid. I hope to be solid with LoRs as well over the next few months.

Research, not so much. But research seems like it's more take-or-leave than clinical exposure is, which is my question.

As far as that goes, all I've really done is shadowed a couple full days / overnight at a local ED, which coupled with some pretty in-depth Q&A with the docs, made for a good experience for me. But I have not done the usual hospital volunteering bit.

As regards Texas med schools, am I seriously shooting myself in the foot on this?
Click to expand...

Tell me, what makes you different from pre-med #95405? What non-med school stuff do you do in your free time? That topic came up in a few of my interviews.

One other thing, and you've probably heard me saying this to other people, but without an MCAT score, hope for the best but assume the worst. What this means is that for the month after that stupid test but before you get your score, you need to continue studying as if you hadn't taken it yet. Yes, I know that is frightingly painful (do take a day off or two), but remember that you'll be loosing a month if you DO have to take it again and time is your enemy!

Other than that, I see no reason why you can't get in somewhere. Good luck!
 
dd128 said:
Texas schools aren't any different than the rest of the country. You need to have clinical experience, to make sure you don't drop out when you begin your third year rotations and find you hate being around sick people. It probably wouldn't hurt to log some hours in a hospital between now and when you start applying next year. Really only you can decide if you've been sufficiently exposed to medicine and are capable of making other believe you about this. As for the research, it's not bad to have it as it can only help to make your application more well rounded, but the clinical stuff is definitely needed more than research.
Click to expand...

What I'm hoping for is that it's acceptable to the adcoms that any hours I've logged around medical faculty is in the form of shadowing / discussing / etc. rather than your typical volunteer work. From my point of view, I'm hoping that the PS I write and the opinions that I have as far as my suitability for med school are sufficient to convince my interviewers that yeah, I'm not half-baked on this.

At least not any less than another otherwise solid premed.

TheRealMD said:
Tell me, what makes you different from pre-med #95405? What non-med school stuff do you do in your free time? That topic came up in a few of my interviews.

One other thing, and you've probably heard me saying this to other people, but without an MCAT score, hope for the best but assume the worst. What this means is that for the month after that stupid test but before you get your score, you need to continue studying as if you hadn't taken it yet. Yes, I know that is frightingly painful (do take a day off or two), but remember that you'll be loosing a month if you DO have to take it again and time is your enemy!

Other than that, I see no reason why you can't get in somewhere. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Hey TRMD,

The "unique" volunteerism to which I refer in my MDApps is going to be precisely that, I hope, and includes outreach volunteering with my family in the form of hospital visits and elementary schools alike going back to the late 1990s.

I guess we all like to think we're a little different from the next guy, but... well, for instance, I'm an avid skydiving fan. Done it twice, can't look at the sky without wanting to fall through it at 120 mph, would love to go through AFF and get licensed to do it solo.

I'm also a pianist of 11 years and a former USCF member. And getting into the territory of potentially risky things during interviews that may very well ne'er be mentioned, I'm very pro-gun / pro-carry.

I'd like to think that the same blend of polar opposites in personality will come across in a favorable way come interview season, if that makes sense.

I don't think that SDN is necessarily a representative sample of premedical students, and I know that I've met some premeds at my university that have no personality whatsoever, so here's to hoping that I'll be academically set and come across as a, "yeah, he's a good kid, he'd make a good student here" at interviews.
 
aggiesarah2007 said:
we get paired with 2nd year buddies, to help us out. Not everyone got a great 2nd year (they get busy, maybe they didn't have a great 2nd year, I dunno), but my 2nd year made me cookies, rice krispie treats, and pumpkin bread. And she leaves little notes to encourage me. She's great. One of my friends got several gifts each day of the first week. We were super jealous 🙂

Edit: And we 1st years do give back. I have some relax and energy lotion to some of the 2nd years I know before their round of exams. I tell you, if you want it, you can definitely feel like you have a family here. :-D
Click to expand...

That is awesome! Now I hate UTH more for not interviewing me. Oh well, I guess if I get accepted somewhere, then i'll try and start a similar program. 😉
 
cyclingmo said:
That is awesome! Now I hate UTH more for not interviewing me. Oh well, I guess if I get accepted somewhere, then i'll try and start a similar program. 😉
Click to expand...

UTMB has a similar program -- Big Sig/Little Sib. Its optional but they are known to hand over books, study guides, etc.
Good luck on the match! Not too much longer...
 
cpa2md said:
So, what happens to anyone who doesn't rank their choices? Do you not match? Do you fail?

I'm not going to be in this boat, just curious if anyone knows anyone who was lame enough to fall into this trap in the past.🙄
Click to expand...

Yeah I've wondered about this. It's like, what if I forgot??? That's the kinda thing I would do. Thank god they sent that email thingy.
 
exi said:
What I'm hoping for is that it's acceptable to the adcoms that any hours I've logged around medical faculty is in the form of shadowing / discussing / etc. rather than your typical volunteer work. From my point of view, I'm hoping that the PS I write and the opinions that I have as far as my suitability for med school are sufficient to convince my interviewers that yeah, I'm not half-baked on this.

At least not any less than another otherwise solid premed.



Hey TRMD,

The "unique" volunteerism to which I refer in my MDApps is going to be precisely that, I hope, and includes outreach volunteering with my family in the form of hospital visits and elementary schools alike going back to the late 1990s.

I guess we all like to think we're a little different from the next guy, but... well, for instance, I'm an avid skydiving fan. Done it twice, can't look at the sky without wanting to fall through it at 120 mph, would love to go through AFF and get licensed to do it solo.

I'm also a pianist of 11 years and a former USCF member. And getting into the territory of potentially risky things during interviews that may very well ne'er be mentioned, I'm very pro-gun / pro-carry.

I'd like to think that the same blend of polar opposites in personality will come across in a favorable way come interview season, if that makes sense.

I don't think that SDN is necessarily a representative sample of premedical students, and I know that I've met some premeds at my university that have no personality whatsoever, so here's to hoping that I'll be academically set and come across as a, "yeah, he's a good kid, he'd make a good student here" at interviews.
Click to expand...

Probably the most important advice from me you'll hear is "Remember who you are". Funny thing is that when you're writing your personal statement, interviewing, talking to other interviewees, everything will think they are pretty much the same. So just keep that in mind.

And that skydiving bit is awesome. Excellent topic for interview conversation. I mean, seriously, why do it? Then weave in the medicine part (just a bit, not a lot), and you've turned a hobby into yet another reason to get into med school! 😀
 
It snowed!!! Less than an inch, but the ground is white, and what's more - I don't have to go anywhere today!

Yes, I've seen snow before in my lifetime - lots of times, but it has definitely been a while!
 
Monarch Kong said:
Which email?
Click to expand...

Cat,

This is a reminder that your match preferences must be submitted to TMDSAS by 11:59 pm (Central time) on Tuesday, January 15. Please follow the instructions below:

1. Click the "Enter Match Preference" link located on the applicant homepage.
2. Enter your TMDSAS PIN and password then click the "status" button.
3. Click the 3rd bullet - "Enter School Match Preferences".
4. You must rank all schools where you have interviewed.
5. Click "Save".

W. Budge Mabry
Director, Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service

For those who have prematched at several schools, the e-mail might be different of course!


 
cpa2md said:
It snowed!!! Less than an inch, but the ground is white, and what's more - I don't have to go anywhere today!

Yes, I've seen snow before in my lifetime - lots of times, but it has definitely been a while!
Click to expand...

Still in Ohio?
 
CalicoCat said:
Still in Ohio?
Click to expand...

Yep. Getting some clinical experience. If helping your mother-in-law get out of the shower following aortic valve replacement surgery doesn't count as clinical, what does?

It's lightly snowing right now. Quite pretty.
 
exi said:
Some things in this thread got me wondering.

Academically, save for the MCAT on 01/26, I'm solid. Volunteer-wise outside of hospitals, I'm more or less solid. I hope to be solid with LoRs as well over the next few months.

Research, not so much. But research seems like it's more take-or-leave than clinical exposure is, which is my question.

As far as that goes, all I've really done is shadowed a couple full days / overnight at a local ED, which coupled with some pretty in-depth Q&A with the docs, made for a good experience for me. But I have not done the usual hospital volunteering bit.

As regards Texas med schools, am I seriously shooting myself in the foot on this?
Click to expand...


I still cannot believe how little the whole in-hospital volunteering business came up in my interviews. Only A&M asked me about it and it was a quick question with no follow ups. I almost feel that they will look at it, think "ok, have the volunteering" and then pass on. The only way I think this will help or hurt you at all is your ability to integrate the work into your personal statement. Other than that, i really don't think it puts you at any advantage or disadvantage. good luck on that little test.

by the way, stop studying subject matter and just take practice exams.
 
cpa2md said:
It snowed!!! Less than an inch, but the ground is white, and what's more - I don't have to go anywhere today!

Yes, I've seen snow before in my lifetime - lots of times, but it has definitely been a while!
Click to expand...

Ah man, been a while since I last saw snow ......... I miss snow. 🙂

CalicoCat said:
Cat,

This is a reminder that your match preferences must be submitted to TMDSAS by 11:59 pm (Central time) on Tuesday, January 15. Please follow the instructions below:

1. Click the "Enter Match Preference" link located on the applicant homepage.
2. Enter your TMDSAS PIN and password then click the "status" button.
3. Click the 3rd bullet - "Enter School Match Preferences".
4. You must rank all schools where you have interviewed.
5. Click "Save".

W. Budge Mabry
Director, Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service

For those who have prematched at several schools, the e-mail might be different of course!
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for that, I didn't get any such email either. Strange .... 😕

zakp said:
I still cannot believe how little the whole in-hospital volunteering business came up in my interviews. Only A&M asked me about it and it was a quick question with no follow ups. I almost feel that they will look at it, think "ok, have the volunteering" and then pass on. The only way I think this will help or hurt you at all is your ability to integrate the work into your personal statement. Other than that, i really don't think it puts you at any advantage or disadvantage. good luck on that little test.

by the way, stop studying subject matter and just take practice exams.
Click to expand...

Yeah, other than the one medically related experience that I had mentioned in my PS, we didn't talk about any other medical experiences.

As for the MCAT, I agree with Zak, if you already have the sciences down, then just do practice tests, that is if you think you'll have to retake it of course. But maybe even if you think you did well it's not worth the risk to sit around and do nothing, just in case. 😉
 
For those of you still waiting...these lyrics are for you.

I would die for you
I would die for you
I've been dying just to feel you by my side
To know that you're mine

I will pray for you
I will pray for you
I will sell my soul for something pure and true
Someone like you

See your face every place that I walk in
Hear your voice every time that I'm talking
You will believe in me
And I will never be ignored

I will lie for you
Beg and steal for you
I will crawl on hands and knees until you see
You're just like me
 
Ok, so I e-mailed TMDSAS and asked them about my validation date ( I don't have one) I asked if I was delinquent on a form or transcripts or does this date indicate something else? I also asked if the medical schools have to request a validation. The reply was "we will need your transcript from ..." and that was it...poo! :boom:That response was about as clear as mud... Are they just vague by nature or is this some skill the staff is trained in before they are allowed to answer phones or respond to e-mail?
 
lilmuck03 said:
Ok, so I e-mailed TMDSAS and asked them about my validation date ( I don't have one) I asked if I was delinquent on a form or transcripts or does this date indicate something else? I also asked if the medical schools have to request a validation. The reply was "we will need your transcript from ..." and that was it...poo! :boom:That response was about as clear as mud... Are they just vague by nature or is this some skill the staff is trained in before they are allowed to answer phones or respond to e-mail?
Click to expand...

It's probably due to the fact that they are annoyed by us emailing them on a regular basis for the last 7 months. (I'm as guilty as anyone else of this fact 😛)
 
lilmuck03 said:
Ok, so I e-mailed TMDSAS and asked them about my validation date ( I don't have one) I asked if I was delinquent on a form or transcripts or does this date indicate something else? I also asked if the medical schools have to request a validation. The reply was "we will need your transcript from ..." and that was it...poo! :boom:That response was about as clear as mud... Are they just vague by nature or is this some skill the staff is trained in before they are allowed to answer phones or respond to e-mail?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be surprised if the training is part of the same TMDSAS Caller ID package discussed earlier.
 
if you've rejected a schools pre-match, do you still have to rank them in the matching? Just at the very bottom?
 
cyclingmo said:
Oh, so "Bunch of Garbage" is a band or something? I'm socially challenged at times. 😳
Click to expand...

Garbage is the band. #1 Crush is the song....ie, you guys are desperate to get in😛

How many int's did you end up with? Two or three right?
 
What is LMU and validation stuff ya'll write about?

sunkid
 
sunkid23 said:
What is LMU and validation stuff ya'll write about?

sunkid
Click to expand...

It's a secret language developed by neurotic Texas applicants.😛








LMU is the las master update. It and the validation are found in your TMDSAS applicant profile page. Their purpose is found on that website or in these threads. Their relevance is hotly debated and questionable. Basically, any time TMDSAS touches your file, you have an LMU change. Once you have all your stuff in and they have verified all your grades, you will have a validation date. This date probably won't change unless and until you send them additional transcripts, etc.
 
myKuduSlewaZulu said:
Garbage is the band. #1 Crush is the song....ie, you guys are desperate to get in😛

How many int's did you end up with? Two or three right?
Click to expand...

Aaah, now it all makes so much more sense. 😀

Yeah, I ended up with 3, which when I consider that Diana didn't get a match with 4 Int's last year, runs a cold chill down my spine. I also have St. Louis coming up on Feb. 4th. I'm hoping I can get some good news come Feb 1st and call and tell St. Louis to give the spot to someone else.

TheLesPaul said:
Not to pick on sunkid, but I've always wondered why people feel the need to sign their screen name to a post. Is that really necessary?
Click to expand...

Maybe it's to reassure our fake identity.

-Cyclingmo :meanie:
 
Jolie South said:
no, and neither is adding a closing of "cheers" before signing.
Click to expand...

hehe...so true. I'm waiting for "Sincerely" or even a business heading.

cyclingmo said:
Yeah, I ended up with 3, which when I consider that Diana didn't get a match with 4 Int's last year, runs a cold chill down my spine. I also have St. Louis coming up on Feb. 4th. I'm hoping I can get some good news come Feb 1st and call and tell St. Louis to give the spot to someone else.
Click to expand...

Haha, Lacrosse is from Mo, and she hasn't gotten any love from SLU. I had two friends that each had 4 int's and neither matched...though both got off the waitlist. Their MCAT's weren't great though.
 
Anyone else depressed about the Cowboys?

🙁 :cry: 👎 :barf: :boom:

Hopefully my barf will extinguish the explosion.

Although, nothing beats the nonsense of TO's crying in his defense of Tony Romo.
 
AggieSean said:
Anyone else depressed about the Cowboys?

🙁 :cry: 👎 :barf: :boom:

Hopefully my barf will extinguish the explosion.

Although, nothing beats the nonsense of TO's crying in his defense of Tony Romo.
Click to expand...

TO's speech had Golden Globe written all over it. I do feel sorry for Tony and the rest of the gang though. I think there were a lot of expectations shattered on Sunday.

Cheers,
PT2MD
 
PT2MD said:
TO's speech had Golden Globe written all over it. I do feel sorry for Tony and the rest of the gang though. I think there were a lot of expectations shattered on Sunday.

Cheers,
PT2MD
Click to expand...

The same thing happened last time. Everytime Romo brings a girlfriend, a string of bad news happens. It is funny that the Cowboys get more headlines on news off the field than on the field. Next year Romo needs to stop bring the girlfriend to any games.
 
Anyone with any first hand knowledge of oos applicants and if many usually get in after the match?
 
So, anyone else pretty excited about the match? These next two weeks are really gonna drag...

Sincerely,
AdamMD
 
Any Apple fans excited about tomorrow? It's like Christmas times 1 billion. 😛
 
Thank you for the clarification over LMU and validation date. However, so does a LMU change mean anything? I guess the question is, does it indicate anything towards the match? My LMU was 01/09/2008
 
AggieSean said:
Anyone else depressed about the Cowboys?

Hopefully my barf will extinguish the explosion.

Although, nothing beats the nonsense of TO's crying in his defense of Tony Romo.
Click to expand...

I want to blame it on the lack of playing a decent team (and trying to win the game) for over a month. I mean seriously - you can't just pick up and win after such a loooong break. It is very sad though.

And I thought it was great TO backed up his buddy.

TheRealMD said:
Any Apple fans excited about tomorrow? It's like Christmas times 1 billion. 😛
Click to expand...

YES!@!@ I'm on the cusp of buying a macbook pro myself, so I'm excited to see what pleasant surprises are in store.
 
sunkid23 said:
Thank you for the clarification over LMU and validation date. However, so does a LMU change mean anything? I guess the question is, does it indicate anything towards the match? My LMU was 01/09/2008
Click to expand...

No.
 
Is anyone planning on getting a roommate in med school? I want to. I can't live alone. I think I'd go nuts. I wonder if they have apartments just for med students.
 
What ever happened to the last batch of acceptances to A&M? Didn't someone say that the acceptance committee has decided to save these spots for the match. Is this true? I will try and call tomorrow and confirm this.
 
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