The Republic of Texas XXXII: Everything is better in the Lonestar State

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Hey y'all, I posted this in the MCAT discussion but I'd really appreciate your input as well! I'm kind of facing a dilemma on when to take my MCAT. My plan was to take it April of 2014, and I would be taking ochem II and biochem during this time (but no other difficult classes). But I was just told that I should probably wait until June 2014 to take it so that I have some time after the semester's over to dedicate full-time to studying. But since the Texas med school apps open earlier than other schools (I think around May 1st?), would pushing the MCAT back be detrimental in any way, since I won't be able to submit my app until later? I also plan on starting to study during winter break, as soon as this semester's exams are over (so that gives me about 4ish months if I plan on April)

Good luck to everyone still waiting for interviews!

I took mine in the end of May (so pretty close to June) so a month later, your score comes out around the same time that you're verified so from that end it doesn't delay you for AMCAS and pushes you back a month for TMDSAS since they open in May but that is by no means late. It is a little risky in that the score you get is the score you're stuck with for that cycle but I'd say it depends on your application. If you're strong and just need a viable score then there's less pressure on it to do well and you can deal with a not so impressive score. If your application needs work and a good MCAT to shine then you may want to take it earlier to leave room for a retake if necessary.

Just my thoughts

 

[bunionberry]

So by the end of October, I'll have done three interviews in Texas (OOS schools don't like me). If I don't get a pre-match offer during November/December, is there still a good chance I'll get into one of those three schools (assuming I don't interview anywhere else) during the match in January? And does how you rank the schools affect your chances of getting in? Or do schools just give you an offer regardless of rank and you automatically take your highest match?

 

[QuantumJ]

So by the end of October, I'll have done three interviews in Texas (OOS schools don't like me). If I don't get a pre-match offer during November/December, is there still a good chance I'll get into one of those three schools (assuming I don't interview anywhere else) during the match in January? And does how you rank the schools affect your chances of getting in? Or do schools just give you an offer regardless of rank and you automatically take your highest match?

There's certainly a fair chance of matching; it's highly dependent on which schools you've been to. A&M does a lot of prematching whereas UTH does most of theirs through the match.

Ranking the schools has no effect on the chances you get an offer. You might get an acceptance from each school you ranked but you only keep the highest ranked acceptance.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

In my opinion, taking your MCAT the June before you apply is pretty late. You'll get your scores a month later in July, which doesn't push you back too much. But - if you don't do well enough during the first time then you've basically guaranteed you're going to have to put off med school for another year because it will be too late to study and retake. I was scheduled to take mine in March and ended up pushing it back to May 30. While it ended up working out for the best, the pressure of knowing that it was my only shot for this application cycle was a lot to handle. On the other hand, don't take it in April if you aren't ready for it. But since that is 6 months from now, you have quite a bit of time to start preparing 🙂 That is just my opinion though. Other people may feel differently!

Hey y'all, I posted this in the MCAT discussion but I'd really appreciate your input as well! I'm kind of facing a dilemma on when to take my MCAT. My plan was to take it April of 2014, and I would be taking ochem II and biochem during this time (but no other difficult classes). But I was just told that I should probably wait until June 2014 to take it so that I have some time after the semester's over to dedicate full-time to studying. But since the Texas med school apps open earlier than other schools (I think around May 1st?), would pushing the MCAT back be detrimental in any way, since I won't be able to submit my app until later? I also plan on starting to study during winter break, as soon as this semester's exams are over (so that gives me about 4ish months if I plan on April)

Good luck to everyone still waiting for interviews!

I took my MCAT on 4/26/13. I dont think taking it a month or two later in June would hurt for a few reasons.

1. AMCAS verification takes a long time.
2. Secondaries have to be completed too
3. Schools dont start reviewing your apps this early.
4. A low early score is not better than a good later score.

 

[QuantumJ]

Just realized Oct 15 is next week. Good luck to all the oos'ers. Should be seeing some more activity in the school threads soon 👍

 

[BlueLabel]

Just realized Oct 15 is next week. Good luck to all the oos'ers. Should be seeing some more activity in the school threads soon 👍

Yeah good luck to OOS applicants! It's gonna be tough sitting and watching for another month though, I already know.

 

[Amygdarya]

Yeah good luck to OOS applicants! It's gonna be tough sitting and watching for another month though, I already know.

It's a good thing UTSW releases the first batch of OOS and IS acceptances together in mid-November 🙂

 

[miss chievous]

I just read that pre-match offers are given from November 15-December 31. I always assumed that they were all given the night of the 14th at midnight like dental schools at midnight of November 30...

 

[QuantumJ]

I just read that pre-match offers are given from November 15-December 31. I always assumed that they were all given the night of the 14th at midnight like dental schools at midnight of November 30...

I think it's school dependent. I think unt and maybe utmb do send at midnight.

 

[Starry]

I just read that pre-match offers are given from November 15-December 31. I always assumed that they were all given the night of the 14th at midnight like dental schools at midnight of November 30...

Nope, from previous threads it starts at like 9-10am on the 15th.

THE WAIT IS SO LONG. 🙁

Edit: nvm I've only read about TCOM.

 

[BlueLabel]

I think it's school dependent. I think unt and maybe utmb do send at midnight.

Agreed. Don't have the info available but I believe some schools actually send out on the 16th.

 

[QuantumJ]

Agreed. Don't have the info available but I believe some schools actually send out on the 16th.

I remember seeing the same. To the op who asked: you can look at last years class threads and get an idea of when schools send the emails.

 

[EsTxDr]

I think it's school dependent. I think unt and maybe utmb do send at midnight.

Its been a while but I dont remember UTMB sending out at midnight. In fact none of mine sent out at midnight. Could be different now though.

 

[lovemango]

They can start sending out pre-match offers at 12:00am on November 15 but not all offers will be sent out that day, so don't be discouraged if you don't prematch that day. Last year I got prematch offers around 8-9am on November 15 from UTHSCSA & Texas A&M. I got prematch offers from TCOM, TTUHSC, and El Paso later in December.

UTMB did send out at midnight last year. I remember because it was my top choice and I was crushed not to get a prematch. Obviously I still ended up at UTMB though so things worked out 🙂

 

[EsTxDr]

UTMB did send out at midnight last year. I remember because it was my top choice and I was crushed not to get a prematch. Obviously I still ended up at UTMB though so things worked out 🙂

Nice, well congrats fellow UTMBer. 🙂

 

[JoshBoss]

Wops posted wrong section...

*jedi hand wave* this never happened

 

[Back12]

Good luck to all OOSs!

 

[Dbate]

Just withdrew my application to 3 NYC schools. After living in New York for a few months, I know I would never want to live here again.


I scheduled my AMCAS interviews for after Nov. 15th with the hope that I will be admitted somewhere in Texas. I'll be taking out all loans with no parent support for med school, so you can't beat Texas prices 😀

I don't know if this counts as putting all your eggs in one basket, but after my UTSW interview, I think I will be done interviewing for the cycle.



Also, I am tired of the process and my wallet has been taking a massive hit with all the flying.

Here's hoping for luck 30 days from now

 

[solitarius]

Just withdrew my application to 3 NYC schools. After living in New York for a few months, I know I would never want to live here again.

What do you dislike most about it?

I myself dropped quite a few NYC schools. My sister lives there, and she says it's basically become a playground for the rich (i.e., super-expensive to even subsist).

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Just withdrew my application to 3 NYC schools. After living in New York for a few months, I know I would never want to live here again.


I scheduled my AMCAS interviews for after Nov. 15th with the hope that I will be admitted somewhere in Texas. I'll be taking out all loans with no parent support for med school, so you can't beat Texas prices 😀

I don't know if this counts as putting all your eggs in one basket, but after my UTSW interview, I think I will be done interviewing for the cycle.



Also, I am tired of the process and my wallet has been taking a massive hit with all the flying.

Here's hoping for luck 30 days from now

I pulled my apps from most of my OOS, but I left Columbia and UVA still pending.

 

[Dbate]

What do you dislike most about it?

I myself dropped quite a few NYC schools. My sister lives there, and she says it's basically become a playground for the rich (i.e., super-expensive to even subsist).

It is just so crowded. Every time you go somewhere you are surrounded by people. I am from suburban Houston, so I am used to alot of space.

Also, I love driving. The thought of not driving a car for four years sounds terrible. And unfortunately, I have also encountered alot of racism in new york. Being from Houston--where in my 20 years of living there I can't recall a single real instance of racism--this was shocking to me. In fact I have been everywhere around Texas and through most of the south (even in Birmingham, AL), and I never encountered racism like that in NYC. It just goes to show that not all stereotypes about places are legitimate. Most of the negative stereotypes about Texas (and the south) seem to exist in the minds of people who have never been there.

And, yeah, it is ridiculously expensive to live in NYC. I honestly don't know how people do it.

 

[Dbate]

Does everyone have a: Pre-Match Offer Withdrawal section on TMDSAS?

I was checking TMDSAS to see if I had to tell med schools about a traffic ticket I received and I saw this there.

Does it mean I got a pre-match somewhere or is that just what it shows for everyone?

 

[Chillbo Baggins]

Does everyone have a: Pre-Match Offer Withdrawal section on TMDSAS?

I was checking TMDSAS to see if I had to tell med schools about a traffic ticket I received and I saw this there.

Does it mean I got a pre-match somewhere or is that just what it shows for everyone?

I've got it, too. It probably shows up for everyone.

 

[Dbate]

I've got it, too. It probably shows up for everyone.

Oh well. It's only a month to wait 😳

 

[deleted393595]

I pulled my apps from most of my OOS, but I left Columbia and UVA still pending.

What are your stats if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Amygdarya]

I've got it, too. It probably shows up for everyone.

I think they made that link available to all TMDSAS applicants because OOS decisions started being announced on October 15th. It's just easier to open it for everyone rather than OOS selectively.

 

[Dbate]

Hey guys,

Has anyone started thinking about their rank list of schools yet?

I had a question about the process. Will we be able to know the financial aid packages potentially available at the schools where we interview or does TMDSAS expect us to rank them without that knowledge?

 

[Status Sciaticus]

What are your stats if you don't mind me asking?

3.5/35
gGPA 3.9

Hey guys,

Has anyone started thinking about their rank list of schools yet?

I had a question about the process. Will we be able to know the financial aid packages potentially available at the schools where we interview or does TMDSAS expect us to rank them without that knowledge?

Yes. And I'm stumped on that same question.
We submit the FAFSA earliest possible Jan 1, but we dont hear back about aid packages until much later.

However, some schools will extend you scholarship offers with your pre-match acceptance.

 

[Dbate]

Yes. And I'm stumped on that same question.
We submit the FAFSA earliest possible Jan 1, but we dont hear back about aid packages until much later.

That's annoying. Does TMDSAS just assume that all the schools offer comparable financial aid?

However, some schools will extend you scholarship offers with your pre-match acceptance.

Hmmmm, now I have to do some sleuthing in past years' threads to see which Texas schools offer scholarships.

The only TMDSAS school I knew of that did was UT Southwestern, but I'm not going to get one of those. I'd be luck to just get an acceptance.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

That's annoying. Does TMDSAS just assume that all the schools offer comparable financial aid?



Hmmmm, now I have to do some sleuthing in past years' threads to see which Texas schools offer scholarships.

The only TMDSAS school I knew of that did was UT Southwestern, but I'm not going to get one of those. I'd be luck to just get an acceptance.

1. TMDSAS doesnt have anything to do with the financial aid packages. You send them directly to the schools thru the FAFSA website/ office by designating the schools with a pin number.

2. The only scholarships I have seen are from UTSW. BCM offers a few but I dont think you or I have the GPA for those merit based scholarships.
I recall a few 3.5s/33+ getting a 5-10k scholarships. Not bad, all things considered.

Let me know if you find about the other schools.

 

[Sassafrass23]

That's annoying. Does TMDSAS just assume that all the schools offer comparable financial aid?



Hmmmm, now I have to do some sleuthing in past years' threads to see which Texas schools offer scholarships.

The only TMDSAS school I knew of that did was UT Southwestern, but I'm not going to get one of those. I'd be luck to just get an acceptance.

Lubbock offered me a scholarship when I was accepted last week. They haven't sent any more info on it yet but I asked around and think it comes with the MD/MBA program. Someone told me that they will pay for 1/2 of your first two years, which will just about cover the MBA and maybe a little bit more.
I'll report back when I learn more 🙂

 

[FootballMD]

I am an OOS applicant, and was told during a interview presentation that UTHSCSA gives all OOS students a $1000 scholarship so that they can get in state tuition. Is this done at all Texas schools? Does anyone know which other ones do this?

Thanks in advance......

 

[Dallasmavs]

I am an OOS applicant, and was told during a interview presentation that UTHSCSA gives all OOS students a $1000 scholarship so that they can get in state tuition. Is this done at all Texas schools? Does anyone know which other ones do this?

Thanks in advance......

I believe in El Paso they said IF an OOS student gets a scholarship then they can get in state tuition. Not 100% sure how it works though

 

[Amygdarya]

I am an OOS applicant, and was told during a interview presentation that UTHSCSA gives all OOS students a $1000 scholarship so that they can get in state tuition. Is this done at all Texas schools? Does anyone know which other ones do this?

At UTSW financial talk we were told that all OOS UTSW students got the $1K scholarship, so that everybody ended up paying IS tuition.

 

[Dbate]

1. TMDSAS doesnt have anything to do with the financial aid packages. You send them directly to the schools thru the FAFSA website/ office by designating the schools with a pin number.

2. The only scholarships I have seen are from UTSW. BCM offers a few but I dont think you or I have the GPA for those merit based scholarships.
I recall a few 3.5s/33+ getting a 5-10k scholarships. Not bad, all things considered.

Let me know if you find about the other schools.

From what i've seen, UTSW, Lubbock (for dual degree), and UT Houston offer scholarships. Baylor also does (33k over 4 years) because two of my friends got them, but like you said, those are hard to get.

Texas A&M and UTSA seem to offer nothing for instaters.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

From what i've seen, UTSW, Lubbock (for dual degree), and UT Houston offer scholarships. Baylor also does (33k over 4 years) because two of my friends got them, but like you said, those are hard to get.

Texas A&M and UTSA seem to offer nothing for instaters.

Just a side note, the Lubbock dual degree scholarship is just enough to cover the additional cost of the MBA courses... So technically it doesn't really count as a scholarship.

 

[bonitaMD2017]

Just to add to the scholarship discussion, I got a scholarship from UTMB, but did not find out about it until a month or so before class started. UTMB says they try to make sure everyone in the class gets at least one scholarship during their 4 years, if they show financial need. Even if it's only 5k, every little bit helps.

 

[miss chievous]

When do texas schools generally stop sending out interview invites (excluding baylor)? i.e. if you don't get an interview by XXXX, assume you've been rejected from that school

 

[Status Sciaticus]

When do texas schools generally stop sending out interview invites (excluding baylor)? i.e. if you don't get an interview by XXXX, assume you've been rejected from that school

Usually around Christmas.

 

[miss chievous]

Usually around Christmas.

Oh good, I heard (from a totally non-reliable source) that if you get an interview invite from a school by mid november, assume you've been rejected.

Thanks for the clarification 🙂

 

[Dbate]

So the pre-match is still a while away, but I had a question about procedure.

If you don't get a pre-match, can you send a letter of interest (or whatever it is called) to the school?

And what are your chances of getting into a school if you interview before Nov. 15th, but you don't here from them during the pre-match? I assume it means that you aren't likely to be admitted (especially from the pre-match heavy schools, right?)

 

[Status Sciaticus]

So the pre-match is still a while away, but I had a question about procedure.

If you don't get a pre-match, can you send a letter of interest (or whatever it is called) to the school?

And what are your chances of getting into a school if you interview before Nov. 15th, but you don't here from them during the pre-match? I assume it means that you aren't likely to be admitted (especially from the pre-match heavy schools, right?)

1. Yes you can. If you plan on sending a LOI to your top school, I would make it a point to mention that they are your top choice and that you've ranked them accordingly.. Keep in mind that there is also a letter of intent route that you can take if you are sure of which school you want to attend.

2. Contrary to popular belief, not a lot of of acceptances go out on Nov 15th (unless its a pre-match heavy school). Since Texas schools are based on rolling admissions, they will move down the list and send out acceptances in discrete amounts based on a variety of factors. I've read from the past two years that people still receive pre-match offers until christmas.

Theoretically, you can receive them almost up until the match process, but I could be wrong on the timeframe in this regard.

 

[Dbate]

1. Yes you can. If you plan on sending a LOI to your top school, I would make it a point to mention that they are your top choice and that you've ranked them accordingly.. Keep in mind that there is also a letter of intent route that you can take if you are sure of which school you want to attend.

2. Contrary to popular belief, not a lot of of acceptances go out on Nov 15th (unless its a pre-match heavy school). Since Texas schools are based on rolling admissions, they will move down the list and send out acceptances in discrete amounts based on a variety of factors. I've read from the past two years that people still receive pre-match offers until christmas.

Theoretically, you can receive them almost up until the match process, but I could be wrong on the timeframe in this regard.

Thanks for the all info!

What is the letter of intent route that you mentioned? Is that through TMDSAS too?

 

[BlueLabel]

Thanks for the all info!

What is the letter of intent route that you mentioned? Is that through TMDSAS too?

You send them to the schools directly. You can call up and ask who would be best to address it to if you aren't sure. For example I called TAMHSC asking what would be best and they gave me a name and email address. My understanding is most schools are receptive and willing to consider letters after you have interviewed.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

You send them to the schools directly. You can call up and ask who would be best to address it to if you aren't sure. For example I called TAMHSC asking what would be best and they gave me a name and email address. My understanding is most schools are receptive and willing to consider letters after you have interviewed.

Actually, LOIs carry little weight, but every bit will help provided you word it well.

Thanks for the all info!

What is the letter of intent route that you mentioned? Is that through TMDSAS too?

Search the forums. there is a detailed thread on LOIs.

But to sum it up, an Letter of intent is basically saying you WILL go to that school if accepted. While it is not a binding contract, it is extremely unethical to go elsewhere if you do get in. letters of intent hold more weight than letters of interest. But they are both almost insignificant unless you are already competitive at their school (statswise and a positive interview evaluation)

 

[BlueLabel]

Actually, LOIs carry little weight, but every bit will help provided you word it well.



Search the forums. there is a detailed thread on LOIs.

But to sum it up, an Letter of intent is basically saying you WILL go to that school if accepted. While it is not a binding contract, it is extremely unethical to go elsewhere if you do get in. letters of intent hold more weight than letters of interest. But they are both almost insignificant unless you are already competitive at their school (statswise and a positive interview evaluation)

Oh I agree that it probably won't give you a huge bump in most cases. I was just saying the schools are willing to actually look at the letter, especially if you have some updates to sprinkle in, post-interview. Contrast that with the pre-interview situation, where schools seem to discourage letters and updates. That's all I was trying to say.

 

[BlueLabel]

Also, I believe I saw goro and LizzyM say they see interest/intent as pretty much the same, since the intent letter is in no way binding, and you could conceivably send an intent letter to every school you interviewed at. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Also, I believe I saw goro and LizzyM say they see interest/intent as pretty much the same, since the intent letter is in no way binding, and you could conceivably send an intent letter to every school you interviewed at. Correct me if I'm wrong.

You could, but like I said, its extremely unethical.

Keep in mind those two represent two out of the 200 schools. Many users have posted getting interview invitations after sending pre-interview LOIs, so I am sure they are not harmful, unless otherwise stated by a school ( like UTH / Albert Einstein)

 

[texas123456]

Does anyone know what schools are pre-match heavy? I know that UTH doesn't extend many pre-match offers but I haven't heard much about anyone else.

 

[Amygdarya]

Apparently, UTSW prematches heavily.