University of North Texas (UNTHSC/TCOM) Discussion Thread 2012 - 2013

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From the stats they shared yesterday its closer to 50% of interviewees get offersm (880ish/440ish)

Was the open house like a community type event for area students? And did they let people view the anatomy lab? Thanks.
 
I got a 22 on my MCAT, but I have a science GPA of 3.93 and an overall gpa of 3.895, and worked as a medical assist for a retinal/glaucoma surgeon and a PT tech for Baylor Medical Center. Do I even stand a chance at getting in with such a low MCAT score?
 
I got a 22 on my MCAT, but I have a science GPA of 3.93 and an overall gpa of 3.895, and worked as a medical assist for a retinal/glaucoma surgeon and a PT tech for Baylor Medical Center. Do I even stand a chance at getting in with such a low MCAT score?

Ya they did accept someone with a 19 last year. I imagine the odds are against you, I don't think the risk is too great if you don't get in then you'll just reapply next year.

Really you should plan on retaking.
 
Was the open house like a community type event for area students? And did they let people view the anatomy lab? Thanks.
Its was for anybody. I know that it was publicly available to register on their website and they also sent out email invites to come. The anatomy lab was being retrofitted (not sure with what, thats where they left it) over the weekend, so it was unavailable. We did go through the demo clinic which was really impressive. I found the entire experience and facilities to be head and shoulders ahead above my visits to UTH and UTMB
 
Hello, I attended a tour when I was a college freshman and we got a quick glimpse of the lab. It was not being used by students, but they had other things going on at a distance. I think if there are students working, they won't let visitors come in or approach. We were told TCOM had one of the best anatomy labs in the U.S. They had a special software that they developed using examples they collected over their many years dissecting. I think the lab is supposed to be on the interview schedule. TCOM is on my list and I hope to see that lab again. I agree TCOM is a great school. I love the great location, not downtown but close to it, and all those incredible museums right across the street! -R
 
Can someone please post the secondary essay prompts? I've looked, searched, and can't find them on the thread. Did I miss them? I've been going through so many to prewrite...
 
Can someone please post the secondary essay prompts? I've looked, searched, and can't find them on the thread. Did I miss them? I've been going through so many to prewrite...

1) In your own words, explain the concept of osteopathic medicine as you understand it. (1000 Characters or less)

2) What experiences and/or relationships have motivated you toward a career in osteopathic medicine? (1000 Characters or less)
 
Sweet irony. Here waiting for an invite from TCOM. Just received a generic email from the president of aacom saying I should consider osteopathic med. no kidding...

Sent with SDN mobile. Excuse brevity and misspellings.
 
How did it go today for the first group of interviewees at TCOM? Would anyone care to comment about their experience, and the types of questions that were asked?

Every year is probably different, and I imagine the membership of the admissions committee changes from year to year.

Thanks for sharing, as always.
 
Interviews were great! Awesome group.

I'm about to hit the road but I'll update in a few.
 
The entire experience was great. The staff was awesome and helpful. My faculty interviewers (one DO, one MD, both PCP's) were very relaxed with their interviews; they seemed to want to just talk to me rather than test me. The group was diverse and fun... a few OOS and a few non-traditionals. Good luck to those that are interviewing soon.
 
The entire experience was great. The staff was awesome and helpful. My faculty interviewers (one DO, one MD, both PCP's) were very relaxed with their interviews; they seemed to want to just talk to me rather than test me. The group was diverse and fun... a few OOS and a few non-traditionals. Good luck to those that are interviewing soon.

That sounds great! That make me a lot more relaxed about interviewing next week.
 
^^ agreed. I had one DO (clinician) and an MD/PhD (researcher) interview me, but both were very low-stress and conversational. The tour guides and the students we saw walking around all seemed very happy to be there.

Don't stress out, they really just want to get to know you.
 
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The tour guides and the students we saw walking around all seemed very happy to be there.

I didn't interview there, but I've met a lot of their students, and they all love it. The only complaint I've ever heard is that they are too strict on attendance for OMM class.
 
Holy crap I didn't realize they were interviewing you guys so early until you showed up in the building our classes are in today. Yikes! Good luck.
 
I didn't interview there, but I've met a lot of their students, and they all love it. The only complaint I've ever heard is that they are too strict on attendance for OMM class.

I'm not sure how you're supposed to learn/become proficient with OMM techniques if you aren't present in lab to do them with your assigned partner. Uhh...Seems like a no brainer.

Go to labs. Go to class. Learn. There's a reason TCOM is one of the best DO schools in the country and averages higher on the USMLE than some Texas MD schools.
 
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I'm happy to answer questions about a first year's experiences. I'm taking a break from studying for our first exam in cellular science.
 
I'm not sure how you're supposed to learn/become proficient with OMM techniques if you aren't present in lab to do them with your assigned partner. Uhh...Seems like a no brainer.

Go to labs. Go to class. Learn. There's a reason TCOM is one of the best DO schools in the country and averages higher on the USMLE than some Texas MD schools.
Well, most of those students also have no plan on using OMM in their practices, so they see it as a waste of time.
 
I'm happy to answer questions about a first year's experiences. I'm taking a break from studying for our first exam in cellular science.

ugh, cell sci. the little beast unleashed on unwitting 1st years to let them know they're in med school. keep at it and you'll pass.
actually we're in the same boat with 2nd yr renal. but we get to sleep in lol.
 
Well, most of those students also have no plan on using OMM in their practices, so they see it as a waste of time.

i don't foresee myself billing anyone for omm either. and omm is a skill set that can get rusty without use.
in general there is quite a bit of material in med school you won't see again unless you're going into that specialty.
 
and all those incredible museums right across the street! -R

fact: tcom used to require 1st yrs to cross the street and examine portraits in those museums and report on their possible medical problems!!
 
Sweet irony. Here waiting for an invite from TCOM. Just received a generic email from the president of aacom saying I should consider osteopathic med. no kidding....

Same thing happened a while back for me with LECOM. Just got a random email out of the blue. Looked them up, saw that they were somewhere in the range of 2X the cost of Texas schools and that you had to wear a suit to class, and moved on with life.

Regarding the interviews, they were outstanding. The interviewers (2 DOs and 1MD, I had an extra because I applied to their rural program) were really laid back and conversational. I have been to campus and interacted with TCOM faculty/staff twice now and I can honestly say that they are head and shoulders better than those that I have interact with in the other schools I have visited (UTMB and UTH). Additionally, the facilities are in a totally other league than what I have seen elsewhere. The atmosphere there is amazing, and I can honestly say that TCOM has jumped to the top of my list.
 
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Same thing happened a while back for me with LECOM. Just got a random email out of the blue. Looked them up, saw that they were somewhere in the range of 2X the cost of Texas schools and that you had to wear a suit to class, and moved on with life.

Regarding the interviews, they were outstanding. The interviewers (2 DOs and 1MD, I had an extra because I applied to their rural program) were really laid back and conversational. I have been to campus and interacted with TCOM faculty/staff twice now and I can honestly say that they are head and shoulders better than those that I have interact with in the other schools I have visited (UTMB and UTH). Additionally, the facilities are in a totally other league than what I have seen elsewhere. The atmosphere there is amazing, and I can honestly say that TCOM has jumped to the top of my list.

How was the ROME interview? Did you interview with Dr.Bowling? I was thinking about it but im not sure. thanks
 
Well, most of those students also have no plan on using OMM in their practices, so they see it as a waste of time.

Regardless, OMM is a part every osteopathic medical school's curriculum...no whining about having to do it if you choose to attend one. It's a part of the school's title and a part of your professional title when you graduate.
 
How was the ROME interview? Did you interview with Dr.Bowling? I was thinking about it but im not sure. thanks
I did and from what I understand everybody who checks the ROME box does. If the rest of the day was laid back, I dont know that I have the vocabulary to describe Dr Bowling. Really cool guy, Its clear that the program is his baby and he is really proud of what they are doing. I'd say its at least worth checking the box and going to interview with him, he does a really good job laying everything out for you. I'm not 100% sure (assuming I get in) that I'll go into ROME because of all the time away from wife/baby, but that would be the only reason I wouldnt do it. Other than the away time, it sounds like an awesome program.
 
I GOT AN INTERVIEW INVITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!! My first interview invite!!!!! I'm so freaking excited!!!! ANNNDDD I'm out of state!!!!!!!!!

:soexcited:
 
I GOT AN INTERVIEW INVITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!! My first interview invite!!!!! I'm so freaking excited!!!! ANNNDDD I'm out of state!!!!!!!!!

:soexcited:

Congrats that's awesome!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using SDN Mobile
 
I GOT AN INTERVIEW INVITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!! My first interview invite!!!!! I'm so freaking excited!!!! ANNNDDD I'm out of state!!!!!!!!!
:soexcited:
I just love reading this type of posts. Congratulations. Enjoy the ride...
 
To save money I'm thinking leaving Austin at 5 am same day for my TCOM interview. Any advice for or against? 5 am should be enough time, right?
 
To save money I'm thinking leaving Austin at 5 am same day for my TCOM interview. Any advice for or against? 5 am should be enough time, right?

IMO don't do this. At least try to find a cheap hotel for one night. Have you tried staying with a med student?
 
No, I have not. From friends interviewing at other schools, it's a hit or miss thing depending on med students signed up to host. But I'll call TCOM Monday to check availability. Thanks!!! I want my interview to succeed...
 
I didn't stay with one either. It'll work out for you. Best of luck!
 
IMO don't do this. At least try to find a cheap hotel for one night. Have you tried staying with a med student?

I second this. Too many variables to take into account by driving in the morning of, and you don't want to be sleepy or stressed out before interview day. Anything over 1 1/2 hour drive, and I'd recommend hotel.
 
To save money I'm thinking leaving Austin at 5 am same day for my TCOM interview. Any advice for or against? 5 am should be enough time, right?

I know a guy from east Texas who tried that. BIG mistake. There was a major wreck, and he got stuck in traffic. He did make it in time, but he said his dream of being a doctor almost ended that day. (He will graduate next year).
 
I got a hotel for the night before but I'm flying in from Maryland.

I'm excited! I am ready to be a Texan. I already drive a Chevy truck! 😛 Full size Silverado, V8 beast! Rawwwwrrrrr!
 
Congrats, best of luck, and welcome to Ford country! 😀
 
Haha oh noooo! Not good for my poor old Chevy! 😛

Well, there are plenty of Chevys in Texas. And Toyotas. Heck, all Toyota pickups are now made in Texas.
 
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Haha well I guess it could be worse. Thank goodness I'm not a Redskins fan!
 
Unless youre local, its a bad idea to drive in. My interview check in time was 7a, so driving would have been dumb
 
Wow, that's pretty early. I think it was 8:30 when I interviewed.

There is a variety of hotels within 15 minutes of campus. They're all listed in the AAA book and on various websites.
 
@FI787: It's only 2-1/2 hours from my house when there is no traffic, but no, I wouldn't risk it.
 
I meant to post this earlier. Somebody in our club watched their white coat ceremony last month and had this count:

Schools with 3 or more students in TCOM Class of 2016:
UT Austin 35
Baylor 26
Texas A&M 23
Brigham Young 10
U of Houston 9
UT Dallas 8
UT Arlington 8
UT San Antonio 7
Trinity U 7
TCU 7
Texas Tech 6
UNT 6
Abilene Christian U 5
UT Pan American 5
Rice 3
U of St Thomas 3
St Edward's U 3
from 68 schools across the U.S.

Of course, this may differ from their official roster. But it does look like it's the same top three every year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edit: I'm adding info from this year's white coat ceremony.

Undergrad schools - TCOM Class of 2017:
UT Austin 42
Texas A&M 25
UT Dallas 17
Baylor U 16
UNT 11
Brigham Young U 10
U of Oklahoma 5
Austin College 5
UT Arlington 5
UT San Antonio 5
Texas Tech U 5
Cornell U 4
U of Dallas 4
U of St Thomas 4
UT Tyler 4
Rice U 3
SMU 3
Tulane U 3
TCU 3
Abilene Christian U 3
Midwestern State U 3
St Edward's U 2
St. Mary's U 2
U of Houston 2
U of Pittsburgh 2
UT Pan American 1
Trinity U 1

+ 1's from numerous other schools - notably MIT, USAF Academy, U of Waterloo (Canada)
 
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