I understand your hesitation, but never turn down an offer from DO or MD schools. If you do, then next year the adcoms will see that as a desire for more prestige or something or other. I just remember this tidbit from by advisor.Hello all! New to SDN so please forgive me for any silly mistakes!
So I had the wonderful opportunity to interview at UTH this past November and I think it officially ruined me-I can NOT see myself going anywhere else! I really really enjoyed the whole experience and felt good about being there-was wondering if I could get some input from any and everybody out there on my situation.
My first interviewer at UTH was unusual to say the least. After answering the questions I asked him he ended with "well I really like you and I think you would really like it here and you be a great fit but have you thought about what you do if you didn't get into medical school this year?" And I told him I would definitely reapply and that I am committed to going and would do anything to make my app stronger, etc. He then asked me where else I interviewed-I told him only TCOM-and he said "well thats a good school and if you get an offer you should take it because if you don't and reapply that shows a lack of dedication on your part." He then kept on repeating that "he really liked me but he was only one person on the admissions committee." He then looked at my app and said I had a good MCAT (30) and a good GPA (3.7) but that if I didn't get in I should go back and do a formal shadow experience for 4 hours a week for a couple of weeks.
I pretty much kept on saying ok and smiling while my brain felt like it was actually melting.
I got the pre-match offer from TCOM and it gave me a lot of mixed feelings. I was excited b/c it's great that I got in, but don't know if the DO, Ft. Worth, etc. thing is really for me. And then the interviewers words sort of kept on coming back to me about reapplying.
What do y'all think? Should I just try and reapply or go for it with the DO school? UTH is very mysterious cause I know -I think I know- that they don't hand out many pre-matches so I really will know what's going on Feb. 1st. Any input on this obnoxiously long post would be GREATLY appreciated
Creepy. I don't host them, but I have been there a few times and told the story when the topic comes up. I feel like it's a good morality tale with regard to patience and whatnot. Plus I'm a huge narcissist.
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?Granted, I've only ever been to one medical school so I can't compare, but I was fine with the 4 tests/week every 6-8 weeks. That way, you can actually have some down time at the beginning of the block. I'd rather have it this way than to constantly be in test mode-- at some places, you're taking a test every 2-3 weeks.
Many students do research at MD Anderson in that summer (and lots of us MD/PhDs do our grad work there). You do your 3rd year rotations at Hermann, MD Anderson, LBJ (a county hospital where you do alot), St.Luke's, St.Joseph's, the jail...I think I scrubbed in on a couple of surgeries at Methodist. You definitely get out there in the TMC.
Yeah sorry can't help you with this one-- lived here my whole life! And like it
I liked the atmosphere. I liked that grade cut-offs were set and the friendly culture that brings. There's good research here in neuroscience and a really supportive, well-structured MD/PhD program.
As said above, most of the classes try to correlate the systems with each other at the same time. They do a pretty good job of keeping together. I can't speak of other programs, but I think do try to make it sensible for students. As far as the testing situation, with the exception of this year and the problems associated with the hurricane, the block tests are rough for that week, but it is not that horrible and you get used to the pace quickly. The finals are worse as you typically take block tests the week before the final exams, so it can definately be hard for a few weeks. The finals are about split between shelf exams and school finals for first year, and mostly shelfs second year. Sounds worse than it is, sorta, but years of students have survived before you so it is possible. There are free tutors, usually from the year above for every class, and the course directors are very approachable and try to help out whenever they can. Just buckle down for the time of exams and have a good break when your done. I think they are really trying to help with Step as this year they are buying Q-bank, practice exams from NBME during second year, and giving all students a First Aid.
MD Anderson has a summer research program that you can participate in, or as always you can approach any faculty you are interested in working with and try to get in their lab. The school also has an official summer research program and hosts a mini research fair for you to find a preceptor if you don't have one in mind. Only a second year, so can't speak to the clinical scenario too much.
It is a big city, but the medical school has a lot of social stuff should you be so inclined to participate. I have found people to be friendly. The area is pretty nice and the medical community is huge as this is the largest medical center in the world. My personal opinion is the city is what you make it.3.People from smaller cities, how was the change moving to a huge city like Houston? When I interviewed there all remember about the city was that there were too many cars, the freeway was always hectic and seeing lots of concrete.
The atmosphere is pretty great. Students from upper classes are very nice and there is a very friendly aura. People try to help each other out and reviews and other study aids are rampantly spread out to help others. There is also a learning resource center (LRC) open 24/7 pretty much with computers, some books, etc for you to use. The clinical experience is great due to the patient load and diversity. Memorial Hermann is one of two level 1 trauma centers in the area and the only one with an aeromedical program in LifeFlight (Ben Taub (Baylor) next door is the other Level 1), LBJ is a county hospital, and harris county psychiatric center is a good resource for psych rotations. Extremely happy with the experience so far, but I guess I am biased! Happy Holiday! PM with any specific questions if you want!
Yes- just about every year, an MS1 will be admitted to the MD/PhD program. They do look at your med school grades, but your research experience is probably most important. Generally people have done 2+ years of research before applying, but there's no hard and fast rule.
when do we start applying for them?
Ha I've got a couple of guns and am the same way. Luckily my parents live in houston so I can keep them their.
Just so you know, there's only a few 2-bedroom units in the entire complex and I think there's a waiting list for them. I'm not sure when the new waiting list starts (maybe some time in January?), so you would want to get yourself on that list as soon as it opens.
Army,
That's a good rate. I'll have to look around for that, thanks. Mind sharing the name of the place she lives?Army,
I am a Mom of a UT Houston MS2. She rents a 2 bedroom Condo that is on the UTH shuttle line and pays Just under $800 a month. Lots of the students rent condos. Check with a realtor.
Congratulations on your acceptance. We have been rooting for you!!
Yes. One of my classmates pays $600/month for a 1 bedroom apartment in the museum district. It's on the rail: http://www.ridemetro.org/SchedulesMaps/Pdfs/700-redline.pdf
Sounds about right- ~$12,000 for tuition/fees and ~$25,000 for living expenses. Pretty standard.
I'm not a student at UTH but I work in TMC and live in Montrose which is a fun, hip little area. There are a lot of quaint old houses here converted into apartments. My apartment is $665 a month and I'm sure you could find cheaper. I take the bus to TMC but you could totally bike. Check out har.com or craigslist for apartments. I found my place just driving around and calling the realtors on the for lease signs.
Class is 8-12 or 9-12, then gross lab is MWF 1-5pm (or whenever you finish). Back in my day (yep, I've been around a while), we actually had to dissect every lab. But now, I think y'all split into 2 groups and dissect every other time. For the ones that you don't do, the other team will go through it with you. I kind of wish we had it this way.
Oh yeah, there are quite a few food places. There's a little cafe in the first floor of the medical school, the cafeteria in Hermann Hospital (connected to the medical school), an awesome sandwich and pastry cafe across the street from the school, another sandwich shop across the street, and a large eating area near Baylor and UTH with a lot of food options. There's also a really nice cafeteria in Methodist Hospital and lots of eateries along Fannin St. including Starbucks.
Army,
Oh yeah, there are quite a few food places. There's a little cafe in the first floor of the medical school, the cafeteria in Hermann Hospital (connected to the medical school), an awesome sandwich and pastry cafe across the street from the school, another sandwich shop across the street, and a large eating area near Baylor and UTH with a lot of food options. There's also a really nice cafeteria in Methodist Hospital and lots of eateries along Fannin St. including Starbucks.
Of course it's A LOT cheaper to brown bag it but when you're feeling really lazy or want to treat yourself, you have lots of options.
Yep, they sell those shirts.
thanks for all of the great info, everyone. I'll check out those apartments, DoctorMom22.Oh yeah, there are quite a few food places. There's a little cafe in the first floor of the medical school, the cafeteria in Hermann Hospital (connected to the medical school), an awesome sandwich and pastry cafe across the street from the school, another sandwich shop across the street, and a large eating area near Baylor and UTH with a lot of food options. There's also a really nice cafeteria in Methodist Hospital and lots of eateries along Fannin St. including Starbucks.
Of course it's A LOT cheaper to brown bag it but when you're feeling really lazy or want to treat yourself, you have lots of options.
Yep, they sell those shirts.
