UNTHSC/TCOM Discussion Thread 2011-2012

[HealDreamer]

Application status information is temporarily disabled. This service will resume after the Feb. 1st Match.

C'mon, really?

Just what I thought. Less than 2 weeks and we'll know...

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[somekindof]

There's no point to check the status on the UNT site right now anyways. At this point, you will have to wait for the Match. It's not like you're status can change before that. Just relax for now. Match-day is stressful enough as it is, no reason to be neurotic before then.

 

[Sonyfan08]

soo.. I haven't heard from TCOM (no interviews).. I'm assuming I've been rejected.. I was wondering would it be a good idea to seen an open records request now?

 

[Nado11]

I did one last year, I read somewhere on their website the deadline to request it was April or May. I found out about it after and they still did one for me in June. It's a word document that outlines strengths and weaknesses of your app.

 

[tkhaja]

Good Luck with Match Day on Wed., everybody! =)

 

[Got Em]

Can somebody please post the secondary essay prompts for this year? I tried to search all over the place and couldn't come up with it. Also, does anybody know if this has been the same for the past few years? Thanks!

 

[somekindof]

Can somebody please post the secondary essay prompts for this year? I tried to search all over the place and couldn't come up with it. Also, does anybody know if this has been the same for the past few years? Thanks!

I applied for 2009 and 2010 cycles, and both times they were the same. They were:

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?

And I wish everyone the best of luck this week! I hope everyone matches, but if you don't, it's important you don't lose hope. I didn't match anywhere but I was finally accepted from the waitlist a few months later. If that is what happens to you, just keep trying and expressing interest in the schools you want to attend. Match is stressful and it sucks, but it's just something we all have to deal with! Persistence is key.

 

[tkhaja]

I don't know if this true... has the TMDSAS match results ever been posted up the night before the actual release date?? I have read somewhere that they are posted up close to mid-night. Please let me know and thank you! =)

 

[somekindof]

I don't know if this true... has the TMDSAS match results ever been posted up the night before the actual release date?? I have read somewhere that they are posted up close to mid-night. Please let me know and thank you! =)

The best answer I can give you is a maybe. Last year the match results page was live at midnight (which was unexpected), however, it was not functioning correctly. Many people were told they did not match, and then a few hours later or by that morning, it changed. It almost seemed like it went live on accident. I highly recommend NOT checking the results until morning to avoid unnecessary stress.

 

[mjjdm1985]

I called TMDSAS yesterday and was told that all of the Texas schools should put out there matches tomorrow, but they can do it any time tomorrow. I hope that is at midnight, but apparently they can do it throughout the whole day so if nothing happens at midnight don't freak out

 

[TexasDocGibby]

Goodluck to everyone tomorrow!!!!

 

[slammer922]

Happy match day! Make sure you join the facebook tcom 2016 page. The best place for all your tcom needs

 

[futuredoc2016]

MAAAAAAATCHED! Happy happy joy joy I am ecstatic!

Best of luck to everyone else waiting!

 

[WannaBeDerm]

"sorry you did not match to any school"
wow this really shocks me. I thought I'd at least get waitlisted into TCOM. I thought my interview went so well. Guess I was wrong.
Good luck to everyone else.

 

[Gcurlee]

I was told if you didnt match then you would automatically be waitlisted and they'll release the waitlist in a week or two so you can see where you place on the list. So theres still hope!

 

[WannaBeDerm]

I was told if you didnt match then you would automatically be waitlisted and they'll release the waitlist in a week or two so you can see where you place on the list. So theres still hope!

okay, didn't know that! I really didn't know how the website would work. I thought it'd say if you got waitlisted. This process really does confuse me!

 

[futuredoc2016]

Does each school release your place on their respective waitlist on the TMDSAS website?

 

[HealDreamer]

Congratulations to those who matched - I know I'll see you for sure.
To those who did not match, remember that there's going to be a lot of spaces to fill in still. Maybe up to 30% of the class!
Never lose hope, never stop dreaming!

 

[WannaBeDerm]

Congratulations to those who matched - I know I'll see you for sure.
To those who did not match, remember that there's going to be a lot of spaces to fill in still. Maybe up to 30% of the class!
Never lose hope, never stop dreaming!

Everyone on here is making me feel a lot better! So there's a chance to be on the waitlist even if mine specifically said I did not match?
the words "did not" are so negative and seem so concrete!
I wish it would say waitlist or not on the site.
Waiting is going to be a real killer

 

[Fox800]

I interviewed at TCOM after the match preference list closed. How will I know if I've been waitlisted or accepted?

 

[mnkyman]

Woohoo! Matched! Anyone know what the process is from now? Should I be expecting an email and/or postal mail from TCOM?


For everyone asking about wait list...I'm not an expert, but from what I've heard, each respective school holds their own wait list. If you come off waitlist and are accepted, that school will email you directly (ie: it's out of TMDSAS's hands now). As far as releasing the waitlist, I didn't know they do that...first I'd heard of that is from the post a few posts above mine.

 

[PhoenixForever]

Matched!! Such a good feeling...its been a long road to get here. Best of luck to everyone else. Keep the dream alive and never give up.

 

[I L0ve Lamp]

Well this is the first time I have posted on SDN, and I'm sure glad its to say I have been matched!!! Whew what a blessing!

Can't wait to meet my future TCOM classmates!

To everyone who is wait-listed, best of luck to you and I hope to see in the Fall as well!

 

[maniacmed]

Matched! Congrats to all! So excited ahhacsijsacousqbuobcqsoub!!!!!!

 

[slammer922]

Woohoo! Matched! Anyone know what the process is from now? Should I be expecting an email and/or postal mail .

So if you prematched then you will get nothing and here nothing. Don't worry that's normal since you have turned in ur paper work. If you didn't prematch then you will get a form asking you to turn it in to reserve your spot. After that u will prob here nothing till the summer. Now its transcripts time, immunizations and random stuff, like tcom day. You have plenty of time to turn it in. Litteraly if tcom is your school, just sit back and relax and enjoy telling ppl that your going to medical school until July.

 

[I L0ve Lamp]

So if you prematched then you will get nothing and here nothing. Don't worry that's normal since you have turned in ur paper work. If you didn't prematch then you will get a form asking you to turn it in to reserve your spot. After that u will prob here nothing till the summer. Now its transcripts time, immunizations and random stuff, like tcom day. You have plenty of time to turn it in. Litteraly if tcom is your school, just sit back and relax and enjoy telling ppl that your going to medical school until July.

That's what I like to hear ha. Thanks for clearing that up for some of us!

 

[mjjdm1985]

TCOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! Matched!

 

[pixiefh]

I interviewed at TCOM after the match preference list closed. How will I know if I've been waitlisted or accepted?

Same for me. I interviewed on the 12th. They had told me that they wouldn't make the match date but then they gave no indication as to when we would hear anything. It's driving me bonkers! I checked the TCOM admissions website and it still says it will be down until after the match.

 

[WannaBeDerm]

Same for me. I interviewed on the 12th. They had told me that they wouldn't make the match date but then they gave no indication as to when we would hear anything. It's driving me bonkers! I checked the TCOM admissions website and it still says it will be down until after the match.

what does that mean 'until after the match'? how much time do you think we need to wait?

 

[pixiefh]

"Application status information is temporarily disabled. This service will resume after the Feb. 1st Match."

That is what it says when I login to look at admissions. But as far as I know, only me and Fox800 interviewed after the match date so we are just going to have to wait until the school contacts us. TMDSAS is out of the loop for us.

 

[slammer922]

No schools will tell you were I are on the wait list. For those of you interviewed after the rank list deadline. You are probably just being reviewed so give it time. Nothing will happen for around a month. The ppl who match will get there stff in the mail and have two weeks or so to turn it in. It's not until then that movements happen. If you have no acceptances from any of the Texas schools you can be admitted off the waitlist as late as orientation.

 

[kashford]

Yay - M a t c h e d!!!
(finally - ahhh - phew - dang!)
k
\m/

 

[Fox800]

Got the phone call from Patrick...accepted!

 

[costales]

Congrats!!! TCOM is a great place to be.

Now you can go do something fun before med school starts...

 

[Texas Ex]

I matched here, congrats to all my future classmates!

I have a question for any current TCOM students: does the second year course load lighten up a little or are you all still in class ~8-5? I heard that there is no anatomy lab in 2nd year so I'm curious if that time is available to do some research/self-study for Step 1. Or is the time freed up by not having anatomy lab spent on more in-class lectures?

Also, how much time is allotted for studying for Step 1 USMLE/COMLEX? Is it true that if "I'm studying for one, I'm studying for the other"? I'm really worried about having to study for two licensing exams- that seems like a pretty daunting task...

Thanks.

 

[manubrium]

I have a question for any current TCOM students: does the second year course load lighten up a little or are you all still in class ~8-5? I heard that there is no anatomy lab in 2nd year so I'm curious if that time is available to do some research/self-study for Step 1. Or is the time freed up by not having anatomy lab spent on more in-class lectures?

Also, how much time is allotted for studying for Step 1 USMLE/COMLEX? Is it true that if "I'm studying for one, I'm studying for the other"? I'm really worried about having to study for two licensing exams- that seems like a pretty daunting task....

yes, anatomy lab is only for 1st yrs. it's mostly in the 1st semester: musculoskeletal, head+neck, neuro, cardiopulmo. there's not much left in the cadaver to dissect in 2nd semester.
class time for 2nd yrs is a lot less, they show up a couple hours maybe. i'm not sure how many weeks they get for boards. maybe 6 weeks (?)
yes it's true that the knowledge required for usmle and comlex is identical except for omm... in practical terms the only diff between usmle and comlex study time is a couple extra days to review the omm book... so most people just aim for the usmle, and then hit the omm book, and then take the comlex. all done within the same week. comlex pass rate has been 99% at tcom so if you study you should be able to pass.

 

[mnkyman]

For others who did not pre-match, but matched yesterday, did y'all get an email or phone call yet? I haven't received either.

 

[Texas Ex]

Thanks, manubrium. That really helps allay some of my biggest fears.

Can't wait to get started!

For others who did not pre-match, but matched yesterday, did y'all get an email or phone call yet? I haven't received either.

Same here. Only notice I've received is through TMDSAS and the MyUNT website says to expect something soon in the mail.

 

[slammer922]

I matched here, congrats to all my future classmates!

I have a question for any current TCOM students: does the second year course load lighten up a little or are you all still in class ~8-5? I heard that there is no anatomy lab in 2nd year so I'm curious if that time is available to do some research/self-study for Step 1. Or is the time freed up by not having anatomy lab spent on more in-class lectures?

I already feel like the time commitment has gone way down since first semester. The 8-5 mainly is with the first few blocks. Also classes are highly recommended and you should go but most are not mandatory. Also audio is recorded for the lectures to listen at your own pace. You are so far away from step that it shouldn't even be a concern but since it is let me reassure you that you are not the first to take both exams and most who take both exams do just fine. The proof is in the numbers.

Also, how much time is allotted for studying for Step 1 USMLE/COMLEX? Is it true that if "I'm studying for one, I'm studying for the other"? I'm really worried about having to study for two licensing exams- that seems like a pretty daunting task...

Thanks.

Also remember that it's not mandatory for u to take both exams. So if u feel like u can't handle it then don't take both. That being said. You will have plenty of prep time and plenty of prep help at your disposal. Don't fret. You will have time to study and you have the chance to be very involved in anything you are intrested in, including research. I'm not saying its going to be easy or that there will be ample time to do everything. But the oppritunities are there.

If you matched odds are u won't get a call but expect something in the mail within a week or two.

 

[futuredoc2016]

If you matched odds are u won't get a call but expect something in the mail within a week or two.

Just got a nice, thick envelope in the mail with my acceptance form

 

[slammer922]

Just got a nice, thick envelope in the mail with my acceptance form

If sdn had a like button, it would have been clicked.

 

[tkhaja]

I am waitlisted for TCOM. Is there anything I should aside from writing them a letter of intent?? Please let me know. Thank you! =)

 

[somekindof]

I am waitlisted for TCOM. Is there anything I should aside from writing them a letter of intent?? Please let me know. Thank you! =)

I was waitlisted last year and all I did was write that letter. I wasn't accepted until May, I believe, so don't expect a letter to magically work. Hell, the letter may have done nothing to help me, but I'll never know. And I sent a letter of interest, not of intent (intent is more of a promise that you will attend, interest just shows dedication). I don't really think you can do much else besides that.

And I CCd everyone I could think of, including my interviewers and the dean.

 

[WannaBeDerm]

I was waitlisted last year and all I did was write that letter. I wasn't accepted until May, I believe, so don't expect a letter to magically work. Hell, the letter may have done nothing to help me, but I'll never know. And I sent a letter of interest, not of intent (intent is more of a promise that you will attend, interest just shows dedication). I don't really think you can do much else besides that.

And I CCd everyone I could think of, including my interviewers and the dean.

What do you mean by CC'd? Like in an email form? I do not know if I should mail my LOI or email it.

 

[MongrelDr]

From previous posts:

This info was provided thanks to "whoanellie":

Waitlists
This section covers ways to get in off waitlists. Many applicants these days are waitlisted rather than outright accepted or denied. In an era where applicants apply to over twenty schools, neither the applicants nor the medical schools knows who wants to go where. The solution for the medical schools is the waitlist. Waitlisted applicants are expected to be extremely aggressive if they really want to go to that school. If an applicant does nothing, then it is assumed that he or she has been accepted at another school and doesn't care if he or she gets in or not. So, if you have been waitlisted, don't despair! Usually at least one-half of the class comes in from the waitlist! Just follow the recommendations below, and continue expressing your interest in the school.

Contact Your Interviewers
The first thing to do when you are told you have been waitlisted is to contact your interviewers, especially if your interview went well, and if he or she is a voting member of the admissions committee. At most schools, the interviewer acts as your advocate. This means that he or she is trying to sell you to the rest of the committee, telling them of your strong points and why you would make a good member of that particular school. It is in your best interests to write or e-mail your interviewer to tell him or her that you are genuinely interested in that school, and that you still consider it one of your top choices. Also, you might want to ask what other steps you can take. Some interviewers will ask you to write a letter to the admissions committee, others will ask that you write the dean, and some will tell you not to write at all. The interviewer will know the pulse of the committee best, so use him and ask! Continue contacting your interviewer every two or three weeks, increasing frequency as it gets later in the season.

Write the Dean
At some schools (Columbia), the Dean has total control over who gets in off the waiting list. At others (UCSF), it is completely done by formula, and the Dean doesn't really do much. But, you will really never know who has the real power, so just go straight to the top. This means, write the Dean! Often, the Dean will admit people whenever he or she feels like it. If you write, telling him or her that you are very interested in the school, then you will get more consideration. The Dean will see that his or her school was not simply another school, but one of your favorites. Once again, write and call more as the year progresses. Usually there is no movement off waiting lists until after May 15, the AAMC deadline for final class selection by medical schools. But after that date, get more aggressive and call every one or two weeks. By mid-june and july, some people call or write every day! This may be too much, but it shows that people are really showing their interest.

Get Extra Letters of Recommendation
Another avenue of attack you might try is getting extra letters of recommendation. You should always run things by your interviewer or call anonymously to the admissions office (stating that you are "A waitlisted student") before doing anything, but this has been recommended to me before. These extra rec letters should not be for things you did before applying. Those should have been sent with your secondaries. These rec letters should only be about things you have been doing in the time after turning in your AMCAS application in June. For instance, if you started volunteering in a hospice or working in a lab this year, you probably didn't get an opportunity to get a rec because you started after you handed in the AMCAS Primary. Well, now is your chance to get a rec in.

Ask for Another Interview
I have also heard of applicants requesting another interview. This is more irregular than the usual write/call method, but you might want to try it. I have heard it works especially well at Columbia. Schools will be impressed that you are ready to fly or drive back to the school to get reevaulated.

Use the Phone
May 15 is a universal deadline for the AAMC. By that date, each medical school should have accepted a number of students at least as large as the class. And, that is the day you must renounce all acceptances save one. After May 15, you may only hold one spot at a time, although you may remain waitlisted at as many as you wish. After this deadline, you should step up your attack and begin calling as well as writing. Call your interviewer, and start calling the Dean. Don't call the admissions office because they're just a bunch of administrators with no real power. As mid-June rolls around, start calling more often. Perhaps once every week or every three days, to see if there has been movement off the waiting list. And if you still haven't heard by mid-July, you can even start calling every day. There is the story of a student from San Diego who was on a three day drive to Chicago to start medical school, and every day of the trip, she called UCSD to see if there was a spot for her. On the second day of the trip, she was accepted! She turned around and drove home. One more day, and she would have been a student at the University of Chicago! So keep calling. People do get in!

Write a Letter of Intent
The ultimate expression of desire to attend a medical school is the "Letter of Intent." This letter essentially goes something like this.
Dear Dean Bigguy,
I would like to reaffirm that your medical school is my unequivocal number one choice. If accepted for entrance this fall, I guarantee that I will attend. I can think of no place I would rather spend the next four years of my life than at your medical school.

Sincerely,

Wana Gedin

There are many variations of this letter, but if you state you will go, and you get in, you must go! It is bad form not to mention immoral to lie about something like this. If a medical school finds out you wrote a letter such as the one above to more than one school, you may lose all of your acceptances! So DON'T LIE! You can change the letter to state "your medical school is one of my top choices" or something similar. This leaves you some recourse. But, if you say "I will attend if accepted," then you must go. If you don't, then don't ever think about going there for residency or a job in the future. Your credibility was shot when you lied to the Dean.
You can also get your premed advisor or another person to write a letter of intent for you. This is essentially the same, but it attaches a more important name (and larger credibility) to your desire. Same rules apply regarding lying. But, now the stakes are higher. If you destroy the credibility of your premed advisor, that is a serious problem. Be sure of your desires before you write a strong letter of intent.

 

[slammer922]

^ sounds a little to obsessive and excessive but okay.

 

[MongrelDr]

^ sounds a little to obsessive and excessive but okay.

I'm not sure... Like I said I got it from a search but if it were me and I really wanted another school/ get in at all, I'd do everything I could... what's the harm at this point?

 

[tkhaja]

Thanks MongrelDr! =)

 

[slammer922]

I'm not sure... Like I said I got it from a search but if it were me and I really wanted another school/ get in at all, I'd do everything I could... what's the harm at this point?

I guess your right.

 

[somekindof]

What do you mean by CC'd? Like in an email form? I do not know if I should mail my LOI or email it.

I did this all by e-mail as I thought it would be a faster method of communication. You could certainly also send a paper letter if you wish. I'm not sure if a school would prefer one or the other.