"How often are tests? Are there multiple tests in a designated test week OR is it all one big test every 3 weeks OR is there a test every week?"
During the 1st 2 years, you'll have blocks of tests every 4-8 weeks. At the end of each block, you'll have ~ 1 week of tests, one test/day, for each subject. During 2nd year, the blocks are 8 weeks long.
"Are there ever quizzes?"
Only occasionally for a short epidemiology block. That's all I can remember.
"How are students graded in the first and second years?"
Honors, high pass, pass, marginal performance (this is just below pass, you'd have to remediate), and fail (you'd have to retake the course). What's important, though, is that the grade cut-offs are set *before* you start the class. So basically, if the cut-off for an honors is 90, and everybody makes a 90, then everybody can get an honors. It generally doesn't work out this way (there's more of a bell distribution in reality), but, it doesn't hurt you to help your friends do well. This has a *huge* impact on the culture-- people are constantly sending out study aids to the class, studying in groups, helping each other out. Look for this when you interview at other schools.
"And in first year and second year, how often did you go to class? Is going to class mandatory? How many people actually go to class?"
I actually liked going to class! I went to most of them. Class is not mandatory (except for PBL and some integrative sessions and standardized patient exercises), and all the lectures are videotaped. That means you can watch them at double speed from home, which many people did. Honestly, I don't know how many people currently go to class- maybe half?
"And do first and second year students get a syllabus with all the material? And if you use a syllabus, does that forgo the need to buy/ use text books?"
Yes- we get a syllabus for every class. This is helpful- you won't have to be sifting through powerpoint slides or relying on some note-taking service. You will only need books for reference, though some study guides are helpful.
"is there a SCRIBE service? and if so, is it reliable?"
Nope- all the lectures (for the current year *and* previous year) and available online. And there's the printed syllabus.
"Are powerpoints posted online?"
Sometimes, yes. Honestly I didn't go back and look for powerpoints after the lecture, but many professors did post their slides.
"How did you study for USMLE Step 1? Any books that you might suggest?"
Oh don't worry about this yet, silly! UT-Houston bought a subscription of Kaplan Qbank for everybody in the class. I did that, and did the What You Need To Know class, and used First Aid and a few other study guides. Basically...if you study hard the 1st 2 years, you've done most of your prep.
Does it feel like a stereotypical big city (cold, uninviting)? I am originally from El Paso but I'm currently doing research in a big city (St. Louis) and hate it here; mostly due to the people here who very unfriendly and not endearingly humble like I'm used to. Is that just the reality of living in a big city or because it's in Texas (amongst the best in hospitality IMO) it's different?
