The Republic of Texas XXXVIII : The Cowboy Code

[Kracin]

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Does anyone know if Texas schools yield protect? I'm out of the ranges of a few and wondering if that's good or if it's going to count against me.

Some schools may yield protect, but everyone I know with a LM 75+ still prematched at several schools

 

[captainduckworth]

How far do y'all think Texas medical schools are into the interview invites? Are we about halfway through?

 

[wysdoc]

Cowboys around a campfire image by Richard Wear

Gather round, cowboys and let's talk!
First off, it's been pretty quiet on the message boards this year, maybe due to y'all being back in classes now and too busy, or maybe due to people being too reticent to share personal info with strangers. Here on the Texas threads I think we're a pretty welcoming bunch, so don't be shy. Share whatever information you want, and ignore the busybody questions that ain't nobody's business!

Second, a reminder that we have a deadline coming up soon for completion of your TMDSAS application. That means primary app, secondary essays, CASPer test taken, MCATs sent, letters turned in. The Deadline is October 1st at 5 pm.

Third, interviews have already begun at all the Texas schools except our newest DO school, Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Conroe TX. If you want to throw one more hat in the ring and apply to that one, they use the TMDSAS system. Class size will be 75 the first year (eventually increasing to 150 according to their plans) and they have only recently started sending out secondaries to applicants. Their deadline for TMDSAS primary is Oct 1, supporting docs Oct 15, and secondary essays Nov 15.
Interviews at TCU/UNTHSC only started up this week, so lots of time to still be invited there.

Fourth, don't lose hope about interviews if you are still waiting. I feel that a lot of "middle of the herd" applicants get stashed in a "maybe" stack, and when all of this year's applications are in, the committees can do another round of picking and choosing applicants for interviews. Some of those "maybes" will now get interviews. The schools don't use up all their interview slots until they can look at the big picture, and so the first interview dates might have gone to the clearly high stat or great mission fit students, and now the rest of you good folks will have your chance.

Last of all, this year's timeline changed a little bit, so that the TMDSAS deadline is still October 1st, but the first pre-match offers can go out as early as October 15th. This is going to make a lot of y'all feel bad because some will get offers, but some haven't even been to interviews yet.
Pre-match offers can be made all the way through Dec 31st. Pre-match offers are a way to take the pressure off, because you can rest assured you have at least one acceptance and you will be going to med school this year!
Remember that you can get accepted without any prematch offers at all, and that when you are feelin' envious of someone who has 5 pre-matches, they can only attend one of them and the other 4 spots will go to somebody, maybe you!

That's it, hit the trail running tomorrow and join in with any questions you have. I'll answer what I can, but I can't predict the future!
*edited to correct details on SHSU*
Wysdoc

 

[wysdoc]

How far do y'all think Texas medical schools are into the interview invites? Are we about halfway through?

Probably about 1/3 through the interviews

 

[DracoDormiens]

Hoping we see a lot of IIs this week!

 

[spookymulder26]

Just now discovering this group! Nice to have a place for all general Texas talk in one place vs trying to jump between forums.

A couple of questions: Do prematch offers come in waves? I know the first day will have one huge wave but after that is it on a case by case basis or do they come out in waves even after the first prematch wave?

If you interview at a school after October 15 during the prematch trial period, how long do schools usually take to offer a prematch offer right after interviewing since they don’t have to wait to reach out anymore?

 

[wysdoc]

Just now discovering this group! Nice to have a place for all general Texas talk in one place vs trying to jump between forums.

A couple of questions: Do prematch offers come in waves? I know the first day will have one huge wave but after that is it on a case by case basis or do they come out in waves even after the first prematch wave?

If you interview at a school after October 15 during the prematch trial period, how long do schools usually take to offer a prematch offer right after interviewing since they don’t have to wait to reach out anymore?

The offers do tend to come out in waves, depending on the school’s scheduled meetings of the whole admissions committee to discuss recent interviewees.

 

[spookymulder26]

The offers do tend to come out in waves, depending on the school’s scheduled meetings of the whole admissions committee to discuss recent interviewees.

Gotcha thank you!

 

[iliketurtlez]

Would anyone know or estimate what the latest interview date would be that could receive a prematch?

 

[spookymulder26]

Would anyone know or estimate what the latest interview date would be that could receive a prematch?

I think I heard Dec 31 is the last day to receive an prematch and they’d have to review your app to see if they want to extend that to you so id say December 15 at the latest??? Somebody correct me if I’m wrong I’m only speculating

 

[wysdoc]

Would anyone know or estimate what the latest interview date would be that could receive a prematch?

Prematch window goes through December 31. If you had a late December interview and the committee didn’t meet again before Dec 31 you might not get a prematch offer, but you can possibly match at any school where you have interviewed.

 

[TwoHighways]

I need to heed my own advice and stop neurotically patrolling student doctor network and checking my emails twenty times a day.

 

[spookymulder26]

I really wish TMDSAS offered fee aid. I’ve been starring at Sam Houston’s secondary because I’m financially tapped out.

 

[wysdoc]

I really wish TMDSAS offered fee aid. I’ve been starring at Sam Houston’s secondary because I’m financially tapped out.

Relevant to SHSU (but not to your money woes, sorry !) I asked TMDSAS admin. today whether there would be any deadline extension for this school since they opened their application late.
The answer: deadline for all schools is October 1.

 

[spookymulder26]

Relevant to SHSU (but not to your money woes, sorry !) I asked TMDSAS admin. today whether there would be any deadline extension for this school since they opened their application late.
The answer: deadline for all schools is October 1.

That’s strange, on the secondary portal it says “supplemental application deadline - Friday, November 15 2019 5:00 PM CST”

 

[wysdoc]

That’s strange, on the secondary portal it says “supplemental application deadline - Friday, November 15 2019 5:00 PM CST”

Thanks for that info- I don’t have the ability to see that portal since I am not an applicant.
The deadline for the primary is October 1.
Deadlines for secondaries vary slightly school to school. All supporting documents, such as transcripts and letters, are due on October 15th.

 

[DungeonsAndDoctors]

I need to heed my own advice and stop neurotically patrolling student doctor network and checking my emails twenty times a day.

twenty is a gross understatement at this point

 

[glitterysuccs]

Does anyone know anything about UH’s new medical school? Is it set to open to TMDSAS this year or no? I heard something about it opening in February but I’m not sure if that’s actually the case

 

[wysdoc]

Does anyone know anything about UH’s new medical school? Is it set to open to TMDSAS this year or no? I heard something about it opening in February but I’m not sure if that’s actually the case

The next meeting at which LCME will report on their site visit and evaluation of University of Houston and its readiness to start will be in October 2019.
If approved, U of H will have preliminary accreditation and will be able to take applications, and will be using the TMDSAS system.
This will be a similar timeline to the 2 newer Texas schools (Dell and UTRGV) which started taking applications in mid-October of 2015, the year they were approved.

Look for tweets or updates from @TMDSAS or @TMDSASupport - they will usually announce the news when it's available.

 

[polydactylpterodactyl]

I already regret writing this post, but I’ve been complete since mid to late July for most Texas schools, and I have no II yet. I’m an average stat TX resident. Do I have a right to start freaking out? I didn’t expect it to take this long with no II. Anyone else in the same boat? Someone please comfort me I’m scared.

 

[wysdoc]

I already regret writing this post, but I’ve been complete since mid to late July for most Texas schools, and I have no II yet. I’m an average stat TX resident. Do I have a right to start freaking out? I didn’t expect it to take this long with no II. Anyone else in the same boat? Someone please comfort me I’m scared.

Hang in there, @polydactylpterodactyl . Look at my Campfire post a few posts above. My son, a current MS4, had his first interview October 30 and ended up with 5 interviews total

 

[spookymulder26]

Hang in there, @polydactylpterodactyl . Look at my Campfire post a few posts above. My son, a current MS4, had his first interview October 30 and ended up with 5 interviews total

Wow all Texas schools??

 

[wysdoc]

Wow all Texas schools??

Yep

 

[malfoypottergrl]

View attachment 281006
Cowboys around a campfire image by Richard Wear

Gather round, cowboys and let's talk!
First off, it's been pretty quiet on the message boards this year, maybe due to y'all being back in classes now and too busy, or maybe due to people being too reticent to share personal info with strangers. Here on the Texas threads I think we're a pretty welcoming bunch, so don't be shy. Share whatever information you want, and ignore the busybody questions that ain't nobody's business!

Second, a reminder that we have a deadline coming up soon for completion of your TMDSAS application. That means primary app, secondary essays, CASPer test taken, MCATs sent, letters turned in. The Deadline is October 1st at 5 pm.

Third, interviews have already begun at all the Texas schools except our newest DO school, Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Conroe TX. If you want to throw one more hat in the ring and apply to that one, they use the TMDSAS system. Class size will be 150 and they have only recently started sending out secondaries to applicants. Their deadline will probably be extended past Oct 1st for applications, but check with them to be sure! Interviews at TCU/UNTHSC only started up this week, so lots of time to still be invited there.

Fourth, don't lose hope about interviews if you are still waiting. I feel that a lot of "middle of the herd" applicants get stashed in a "maybe" stack, and when all of this year's applications are in, the committees can do another round of picking and choosing applicants for interviews. Some of those "maybes" will now get interviews. The schools don't use up all their interview slots until they can look at the big picture, and so the first interview dates might have gone to the clearly high stat or great mission fit students, and now the rest of you good folks will have your chance.

Last of all, this year's timeline changed a little bit, so that the TMDSAS deadline is still October 1st, but the first pre-match offers can go out as early as October 15th. This is going to make a lot of y'all feel bad because some will get offers, but some haven't even been to interviews yet.
Pre-match offers can be made all the way through Dec 31st. Pre-match offers are a way to take the pressure off, because you can rest assured you have at least one acceptance and you will be going to med school this year!
Remember that you can get accepted without any prematch offers at all, and that when you are feelin' envious of someone who has 5 pre-matches, they can only attend one of them and the other 4 spots will go to somebody, maybe you!

That's it, hit the trail running tomorrow and join in with any questions you have. I'll answer what I can, but I can't predict the future!
Wysdoc

Related to your third point with SHSU, I'm wondering where you got the class size number of 150. I've seen on multiple sources that the class size will be 75 people so I'm just wondering where the number 150 came from.

 

[DungeonsAndDoctors]

I already regret writing this post, but I’ve been complete since mid to late July for most Texas schools, and I have no II yet. I’m an average stat TX resident. Do I have a right to start freaking out? I didn’t expect it to take this long with no II. Anyone else in the same boat? Someone please comfort me I’m scared.

It also looks like you applied quite a bit OOS and those come in a little later than texas. As long as you applied broadly, I'm sure you'll get interviews!

 

[wysdoc]

Related to your third point with SHSU, I'm wondering where you got the class size number of 150. I've seen on multiple sources that the class size will be 75 people so I'm just wondering where the number 150 came from.

You are correct about the size of the inaugural class being 75. If all goes to plan they will admit 100 year 2 and 150 year 3.
Sam Houston State ready to recruit new osteopathic medicine students

 

[wysdoc]

One more reminder for you foot-draggers and procrastinators:

Deadline for completion of TMDSAS application is October 1!
Deadline for secondary essays varies by school.
All supporting docs (test scores, transcripts and letters) Due by October 15

 

[captainduckworth]

Man, Texas seems to be super quiet these past two weeks; II's are slowly trickling or maybe fewer applicants are reporting on the threads.

Hope we see more activity in the coming months! Best of luck, y'all!

 

[spookymulder26]

Man, Texas seems to be super quiet these past two weeks; II's are slowly trickling or maybe fewer applicants are reporting on the threads.

Hope we see more activity in the coming months! Best of luck, y'all!

Seriously! It’s making me so anxious

 

[spookymulder26]

Have there been any ii at Texas Schools where people were complete by early June? Still waiting to hear from McGovern, A&M, Long, TCOM & UTRGV

 

[iliketurtlez]

Have there been any ii at Texas Schools where people were complete by early June? Still waiting to hear from McGovern, A&M, Long, TCOM & UTRGV

I saw II from people completed in early june in the Long and A&M threads. I’m still waiting to hear back from a lot of schools as well!

 

[spookymulder26]

I saw II from people completed in early june in the Long and A&M threads. I’m still waiting to hear back from a lot of schools as well!

I was on the thread from last year for those schools. I keep telling myself Dec 15 is probably the last time they’ll be send ii but on SDN some of the ii stopped around end of October or mid November

 

[captainduckworth]

I was on the thread from last year for those schools. I keep telling myself Dec 15 is probably the last time they’ll be send ii but on SDN some of the ii stopped around end of October or mid November

I do recall reading a few iis being sent out in December for some schools in the past SSTs, but I'm sure the majority, if not all, of the iis were already sent by then.

I have a feeling applications aren't reviewed in chronological order. From what I've read regarding AMCAS schools, apps are stratified and then reviewed (for the most part). So far, I have seen a few invites go out to applicants complete in August/early Sept and some to those complete in June/July. It's all a crapshoot tbh (at least that's what I like to tell myself as I sit in silence from all TMDSAS schools 🙄 ).

 

[whatsthepoint]

I already regret writing this post, but I’ve been complete since mid to late July for most Texas schools, and I have no II yet. I’m an average stat TX resident. Do I have a right to start freaking out? I didn’t expect it to take this long with no II. Anyone else in the same boat? Someone please comfort me I’m scared.

right there with ya, cowboy. TX resident, middle of the road stats, complete early-late July in Texas, complete silence thus far. So many ppl have told me they got their first TX II's in October, so hoping that reigns true for us. I legit feel nervous simply due to the fact that the month of October is quickly approaching

 

[whatsthepoint]

@wysdoc and anyone else who can offer insight: About a month ago I started a new full-time job that I don't have on my primary app (submitted in June). Does this warrant an update letter at this time? This is my primary gap year activity.

 

[wysdoc]

@wysdoc and anyone else who can offer insight: About a month ago I started a new full-time job that I don't have on my primary app (submitted in June). Does this warrant an update letter at this time? This is my primary gap year activity.

Make sure to bring it up at your interviews when they ask you if there’s anything else you would like to tell them. A new activity is not usually basis for an update letter.

 

[funkyturtle]

It's been relatively quiet for Texas schools this year! I'm wondering if there are fewer SDN posters this cycle or if schools are possibly taking a different approach due to the pre-match date being moved up a month?

 

[captainduckworth]

It's been relatively quiet for Texas schools this year! I'm wondering if there are fewer SDN posters this cycle or if schools are possibly taking a different approach due to the pre-match date being moved up a month?

Probably a combination of both (relatively) less reporting and schools working to meet the primary (Oct. 1) and pre-match (Oct. 15) deadlines.

I've been in complete silence from all Texas schools so that feelsbadman. Here's to more movement in the coming months!

 

[Who_Knows]

It's been relatively quiet for Texas schools this year! I'm wondering if there are fewer SDN posters this cycle or if schools are possibly taking a different approach due to the pre-match date being moved up a month?

Can anyone shed light on how the application and II process would change due to the pre-match date being moved up?

 

[captainduckworth]

Can anyone shed light on how the application and II process would change due to the pre-match date being moved up?

I’m speculating, but I would assume that the schools start reviewing applicants that have already interviewed much sooner which may or may not delay interview invites. As a result, we may see more iis sent out later. Again, just speculating.

 

[wysdoc]

Hey everyone,

Two of our regular SDN posters commented on another thread that during an interview, their interviewer said, "I see you've interviewed at school A, B, and C" "How do you know that?" "It's right here in your file".
or
"I hope you choose our school over school A and B" followed up by, "That's right, I can see where you have interviewed".

To get more information, I contacted an admin at TMDSAS and asked :
"Can interviewers see which TX schools have offered us interviews?"

the reply: "they CAN see where applicants have interviewed, but only for applicants who have applied to their school".

You are now reacting with words like, what? no fair! that's not right! and other such outrage. Take a moment. I'll wait.

Okay, got it out of your system now?

Good, so let's continue on calmly.

Now that you are aware that they might be able to see where you have interviewed, at least up to that point, will it change how you act at your interviews? Should it? Probably not, as long as you are being honest in your dealings with schools, as you should be.

1. Really, almost every Texas applicant applies to all the Texas schools. Or maybe just leaves off a couple, because of reasons.
2. Since the moment you decided to to turn in your med school apps, your life has been an open book. This is just one more thing they now know about you.
3. Some worry that it may lead to fewer interview invitations. I can't know what the Adcoms are thinking, but they know that it is wise to apply to numerous schools.
4. This is another reminder to be honest when asked questions. Most interviewers don't ask how many schools you've interviewed at (though some can't apparently resist) but if they ask, answer factually. If you lie and say "this is my only one" but they can see that it is #6, you are so busted.
5. You are not expected, however, to compare their school to other schools or state a preference right there. You may say that you want to get a good look at all your opportunities and take time to think them over. Or that it's too early to decide but each one has its merits.
6. In fact, I don't recommend talking about another school at the present school's interview. You are there to find out about THIS school. Somehow steer the conversation back on topic and ask questions about THIS school.
7. Some schools have "closed file" interviews in which the interviewer isn't sitting there skimming over your app in front of you. In these cases the issue probably won't come up.
8. Even though they can see where you have interviewed, they can't see any notations the other school made about you.
9. Last of all, if this issue comes up, it means you have gotten more than one interview! Heck yeah!

That's all I can think of for right now. I don't know if this info has always been available. It's the first time Texas SDNers have asked about it in the last few years that I can recall.

Carry on, and follow the Cowboy Code.

 

[spookymulder26]

Omg thank you for this @wysdoc! Keeping this in mind!!

 

[iliketurtlez]

I did have an interviewer ask me if I’ve had interviews at other schools and I remember thinking it was weird. Is it common to be asked this?

 

[clumzi00]

I did have an interviewer ask me if I’ve had interviews at other schools and I remember thinking it was weird. Is it common to be asked this?

idk if its normal but i was asked this too. he then asked me how the interview day at the school compared to other interview days and if there was anything the school could improve on.

 

[TwoHighways]

I’m a fan of the transparency personally. I think applicants and the adcoms they are sitting in front of should have all their cards on the table.

 

[funkyturtle]

I’m a fan of the transparency personally. I think applicants and the adcoms they are sitting in front of should have all their cards on the table.

This is information that can only hurt a candidate that's beyond their control. At best, nothing good comes out of it for applicants. Not sure why you would be a fan of that.

 

[captainduckworth]

I’m a fan of the transparency personally. I think applicants and the adcoms they are sitting in front of should have all their cards on the table.

It seems like transparency is completely one-sided, imo.

 

[TwoHighways]

The way I see it is if you have multiple invites and a school really likes you, they need to sell you on their brand so to speak. If you only have one invite, you can answer honestly that they are the only school you’ve interviewed at and the school and applicant can rest assured that if it feels like a good fit, the student is likely to matriculate to their program.

Interviews are supposed to be a two way street. You aren’t supposed to be trying to get an offer from every school you can. You should be looking to find the right school for you.

 

[Holmeslizzle]

When I interviewed at Long, my interviewer told me she actually used to work at McGovern. I told her I interviewed there and we had a very good honest chat about the differences and similarities between each school - she used it as an opportunity to sell me on Long and I used it as an opportunity to gain more information that would help me decide between the two if accepted to both.

Just food for thought. I think it's possible to make that transparency a good thing.

 

[captainduckworth]

When I interviewed at Long, my interviewer told me she actually used to work at McGovern. I told her I interviewed there and we had a very good honest chat about the differences and similarities between each school - she used it as an opportunity to sell me on Long and I used it as an opportunity to gain more information that would help me decide between the two if accepted to both.

Just food for thought. I think it's possible to make that transparency a good thing.

Not saying it's a good or bad thing, but frankly, the transparency is more from the applicant than the schools. TMDSAS applicants are left in silence until they either receive an ii, pre-match, or are accepted/rejected. If rejected, applicants won't know that until February rolls around.