UT Southwestern Class of 2013!

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TheElement said:
It sure feels like we all just got accepted again doesn't it? 😀
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Heh. I was certainly as excited to read the e-mail as I was to get accepted into UTSW. And out of nowhere, too! I mean, there was an earlier post in this thread that said the grading system was being reconsidered. I thought it was going to get worse, but hey! I'm not complaining 🙂
 
Hi guys. First off, congrats on getting in! anywho, I am a current medical student at UTSW and I was wondering if any females are looking for a place to stay for the months of June and July or throughout the school year. The apartment is ~$550/month including utilities and it is at Inwood on the Park right across north campus. I have a roommate, who is really nice and cool. If you want to extend the least for the rest of the school year, that would be fine as I am planning on moving out to get a place of my own. If you like, I can leave my heavy furniture there if you just want to stay for June and July. Just PM me if you're interested!
 
Let's hope the curriculum stays the same, which means Anatomy and Biochemistry would be Pass/Fail 🙂

UTSW!!! Here I come!

I hope the sorting hat puts me in Slytherin 😛
 
YAY P/F! I am so jealous of you guys!!!!!!!
 
.
 
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I have 2 questions for you guys.

1) I remember at the BCM interview they gave us a schedule of what a typical MS1 day was like, with the hours you are in school and everything, and the same for MS2. Do any of you know what that is at UTSW? I am out of the country right now so I can´t look through my interview packet to see if it was in there...

2) How do you withdraw your acceptances from other schools and get your deposit back? Email or phone? Thanks!
 
There really is no typical day, especially since when you are in school depends upon whether you attend lectures or not. Very few people skip labs (anatomy, cell bio,) however.

You can take a look at the curriculum calendars at:

http://medschool.swmed.edu/calendars.htm

Even though it says "calendar from today," you can go and look at previous months to see the schedule. Also, keep in mind that there are electives listed on there too, so don't be overwhelmed with all the stuff on there!
 
Sol Rosenberg said:
There really is no typical day, especially since when you are in school depends upon whether you attend lectures or not. Very few people skip labs (anatomy, cell bio,) however.

You can take a look at the curriculum calendars at:

http://medschool.swmed.edu/calendars.htm

Even though it says "calendar from today," you can go and look at previous months to see the schedule. Also, keep in mind that there are electives listed on there too, so don't be overwhelmed with all the stuff on there!
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School started in June?
 
I forgot to ask this at the interview, but how mac friendly is UTSW?

Cuz ya know, once you go mac, you don't go back:laugh:
 
TheElement said:
School started in June?
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No, it starts in August. I think the stuff over the summer is part of the Summer Enrichment Program (notice the courses don't have little icons next to them.) Also, anatomy is also taught over the summer for PA students, but it is more-or-less the same course (because if you, for some reason, fail anatomy you may be able to take it again over the summer with the PA students.)
 
funkydrmonkey said:
I forgot to ask this at the interview, but how mac friendly is UTSW?

Cuz ya know, once you go mac, you don't go back:laugh:
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fastrandstrongr said:
interested in this as well.

at least there's always boot camp, right? (gag)
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I use PCs, so I can't comment on the "friendliness," but MANY (I'd estimate ~40%, maybe more) of my classmates use Macs.
 
There's really no issue with using a mac, except in 2nd year where the a/v stream requires internet explorer. Boot camp/parallels/vmware will be fine for that though. Otherwise, no issues.
 
Has anyone received any correspondence from UTSW yet? Other than that email from Wes regarding the new grading policy, I've not heard from them since Nov.
I just want to make sure I've not missed anything.
 
I don't remember the gym at UTSW very well. Is it pretty well-equipped? Do most have time to even use it?
 
Yes, and yes. This is a big reason why I chose UTSW over some other schools...2 basketball courts, a dance/multipurpose room, track, well-stocked weight room, racquetball courts, and any number of exercise classes going on at the time...I would pretty much die if I had to be at school all day with no athletic release, and I go pretty much every day. Pickup bball on MWF, and lots of IMs.
 
Congrats to those who matched, and best of luck to all who are still waiting. To any current students who happen to be reading or anyone else who may know: are there any stats on how many students are typically accepted from the alternate list?
 
sinsia said:
Congrats to those who matched, and best of luck to all who are still waiting. To any current students who happen to be reading or anyone else who may know: are there any stats on how many students are typically accepted from the alternate list?
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I don't know of any stats (I seriously doubt that they publish anything like that,) but I can tell you that I know of someone, firsthand, that was accepted off the waitlist less than a month before school started. So, don't give up hope until the bitter end if you are on the waitlist! Best of luck to any in that situation.
 
Can anyone suggest what office supplies one should purchase before starting in the Fall? Binder/folder for each class? Pens, pencils, notepads, etc.
 
AmiJack1983 said:
Can anyone suggest what office supplies one should purchase before starting in the Fall? Binder/folder for each class? Pens, pencils, notepads, etc.
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I second this! Also, this has probably been covered before, but I figured I'd ask again, in more detail:
1) There's a scribe service, yes? Like, where someone takes notes each class and sends it out to all the people who pay for it? If so, do you get paid to be the scribe for the day/week/etc, or is it volunteer-based? How much does it cost for the service?
2) So, what's on MP3? What's on video? What's on powerpoint slides? What's on powerpoint slides with accompanying MP3? Anything else along these lines would be awesome.
3) Are the exams based on (seemingly) arbitrary details and an assessment of how much **** you can fit into your head, or more conceptual and based on things that actually matter? If the answer is "it depends on the class," which classes are which?
4) Do most people take on-paper notes, take notes on computer, record the lectures via mic, or what? Are the lectures too fast-paced for paper notes?
5) Study groups - common?

Thanks, everyone!!
 
lainapox said:
2) So, what's on MP3? What's on video? What's on powerpoint slides? What's on powerpoint slides with accompanying MP3? Anything else along these lines would be awesome.
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I was just at utsw this past weekend and they said that first year lectures are on audio and tossed on the web, while the 2nd year lectures also include video.

EDIT: sorry for the redundant info, since this is posted on the first page of the thread.
 
lainapox said:
I second this! Also, this has probably been covered before, but I figured I'd ask again, in more detail:
1) There's a scribe service, yes? Like, where someone takes notes each class and sends it out to all the people who pay for it? If so, do you get paid to be the scribe for the day/week/etc, or is it volunteer-based? How much does it cost for the service?
2) So, what's on MP3? What's on video? What's on powerpoint slides? What's on powerpoint slides with accompanying MP3? Anything else along these lines would be awesome.
3) Are the exams based on (seemingly) arbitrary details and an assessment of how much **** you can fit into your head, or more conceptual and based on things that actually matter? If the answer is "it depends on the class," which classes are which?
4) Do most people take on-paper notes, take notes on computer, record the lectures via mic, or what? Are the lectures too fast-paced for paper notes?
5) Study groups - common?

Thanks, everyone!!
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So... you get this syllabus with notes for each class from the bookstore for $12-22. Towards the beginning of the year most people get it spiral bound for $5 at the student center, but as the year goes on people just stick it in a binder since it's pre hole punched. Besides a 1-1.5" binder for the syllabus, I buy fat highlighters (the skinny ones run out in a week) and pretty colored pens to take notes with (but that's just me).

Most of us take notes on the syllabus itself since we don't get the copies of the powerpoints before lecture and taking notes in a notebook or on notebookpaper would be really hard with the very large amount of information presented. I know one or two people in our class take notes on notebook paper, but I really don't get it. 😕 Most of the content of lectures is already in the syllabus so note-taking strategy is basically to add any comments in lecture that aren't in the syllabus or to add especially good explanations. The syllabus is also available online, so instead of buying a paper copy, some download it and take notes on a tablet. In my class this isn't very popular, either.

There is no scribe service, since, like I said, 90% is already in the syllabus. After lecture the powerpoints and mp3 recording of lecture are are posted online. Most people who don't go to class listen to the mp3 while they click through the powerpoints, although some only study the syllabus and forget class altogether.

I think a MS1 can better go through the strategies for each course. The courses are really different in terms of what is emphasized so definitely ask someone a year ahead what is emphasized! I always did SO much better on the second test because the second time around I knew what kind of things were important to know.

Study groups are really common. A lot of people go to the group study rooms in the library and a lot of people "parallel study" in the carrels (no talking, just company). A lot of people like the library and coffee shops. I prefer home because I can study in pajamas and take fun breaks and have access to food 😉

You'll figure out what works for you soon into the year, and lucky you, you have a FULL semester to mess around and see what works!!!!
 
lainapox said:
3) Are the exams based on (seemingly) arbitrary details and an assessment of how much **** you can fit into your head, or more conceptual and based on things that actually matter? If the answer is "it depends on the class," which classes are which?
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The exams tend to be a mix of concept-based questions, questions where you may know the answer to the question, but you have to parse through the answer choices to find the best one, where none of them are totally right or totally wrong (MCAT verbal all over again,) and questions testing little details.

If you want to pass (i.e. C,) you need not waste your time memorizing the speed at which action potentials propagate, for example. However, if you want to get As, it IS a matter of how much you can cram in and remember on the day of the exam. The difference between an A and a B+ might be whether you remembered that hexokinase functions as a tetramer. Actually, you can probably do much better than Cs if you just get the concepts down really well. It's actually hard to argue that even the detailed questions aren't clinically relevant in some way (the administration gave us the chance to this year.)

The wisdom has been that every student wants an A, but they can't give everyone As, so the courses are set up to stratify the students. Some, like Biochemistry are (were) blatant about it and said that final grades will be curved. Most other classes set the cutoffs and design the tests so that it is theoretically possible for everybody to get As, but it just doesn't happen in practice. Supposedly the "old school" wisdom that there needs to be a certain grade distribution is going away with the new grading system, but I'll believe it when I see it.
 
Thanks you guys. All of this is making me really excited to be at UTSW!
 
Right now I am 99% sure I will be at UTSW next year😀

I was wondering whether I needed to bring my car when I move to Dallas this August?
 
funkydrmonkey said:
Right now I am 99% sure I will be at UTSW next year😀

I was wondering whether I needed to bring my car when I move to Dallas this August?
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Maybe some of the people who live closer to campus will correct me, but I think it would be really difficult and/or inconvenient to get around without a car. I believe that there is shuttle service from Medpark to/from campus, and there is limited (but effective, if you are going somewhere the train actually goes) train service that stops at UTSW/Parkland. But, that is about it (I think.) So, you'd probably have to bum rides with others, etc. If that sort of thing doesn't really bother you, you probably COULD get away with no car, but, I don't think I would recommend it. Put another way: I don't know anybody that doesn't have their own car.
 
Sol Rosenberg said:
Maybe some of the people who live closer to campus will correct me, but I think it would be really difficult and/or inconvenient to get around without a car. I believe that there is shuttle service from Medpark to/from campus, and there is limited (but effective, if you are going somewhere the train actually goes) train service that stops at UTSW/Parkland. But, that is about it (I think.) So, you'd probably have to bum rides with others, etc. If that sort of thing doesn't really bother you, you probably COULD get away with no car, but, I don't think I would recommend it. Put another way: I don't know anybody that doesn't have their own car.
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Thanks... I guess I will bring my car... it is just I have gotten used to walking everywhere, but then again, Dallas is not a college town...
 
funkydrmonkey said:
Thanks... I guess I will bring my car... it is just I have gotten used to walking everywhere, but then again, Dallas is not a college town...
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I can't speak for the immediate vicinity of the school, but having grown up in Dallas I can say that people don't walk places in general. Bring a car for sure.
 
I have another question...😳

How runner friendly is the surrounding area of UTSW... Is it safe to go running in the neighborhood? I am not a big fan of treadmills or ellipticals, and if i remember correctly, you need to do like 100 laps around the track in the gym to run a mile😛
 
sprinkibrio said:
There is no scribe service, since, like I said, 90% is already in the syllabus. After lecture the powerpoints and mp3 recording of lecture are are posted online. Most people who don't go to class listen to the mp3 while they click through the powerpoints, although some only study the syllabus and forget class altogether.
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Aww darn, we only get the power points after the lecture? I love to type notes under each slide as we're going through it in class.
 
TheElement said:
Aww darn, we only get the power points after the lecture? I love to type notes under each slide as we're going through it in class.
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Well, you'll have the syllabus which has everything you need to know anyway. The material goes so fast that you won't really have time to type up notes the way people do in college, and having it all in front of you anyway makes it a moot point.
 
The MS0 day is confirmed to be March 27-28

And here is the attachment as well!

Apparently it works only for me...
 
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You're fast monkey... very fast.
 
am i the only one who cant view the attachment? any helpz :/

and to ask the million dollar question.... what's MS0 day?
 
fastrandstrongr said:
am i the only one who cant view the attachment? any helpz :/

and to ask the million dollar question.... what's MS0 day?
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That link appears to go to a google doc in his email account. I can't see it either, not sure why he posted it. You probably can't see it unless you've gotten the email.

You should've gotten the email if you're accepted. It's for MS0 day. This is kind of a welcome weekend, or a "second look" weekend so accepted applicants can come back to campus and check things out and ask questions.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able the afford the plane ticket to texas again. I'll have to see you all when school starts. Have fun!
 
emucansado said:
That link appears to go to a google doc in his email account. I can't see it either, not sure why he posted it. You probably can't see it unless you've gotten the email.

You should've gotten the email if you're accepted. It's for MS0 day. This is kind of a welcome weekend, or a "second look" weekend so accepted applicants can come back to campus and check things out and ask questions.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able the afford the plane ticket to texas again. I'll have to see you all when school starts. Have fun!
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gotcha. so its 2nd look for med school students only? i went to 2nd look for the mstp so maybe thats why i havent received the email.
 
I was wondering whether I needed to bring my car when I move to Dallas this August?

How runner friendly is the surrounding area of UTSW... Is it safe to go running in the neighborhood? I am not a big fan of treadmills or ellipticals, and if i remember correctly, you need to do like 100 laps around the track in the gym to run a mile

soooo... current med students: where should we live eh?
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I know a guy without a car. The other day in class he was joking about how he can't get a date because of it... *hi! i know you read sdn sometimes! that was a super funny convo 😉*

I've been running around the area... with a guy. I would not ever recommend running alone as a girl, as a guy it could be possible but never at night. Last year there was a shooting at the gas station across the street from the school... so. There are also a lot of abandoned looking streets. And now that I think of it last year some guy was driving around pointing a gun at girls from his car telling them to get in his car and then raping them so maybe I change my mind and say no.

A lot of people (half) like to live around the school, but I feel like I have a better lifestyle living away. I wasn't worried about making friends (having it be easier with living them so close). Actually most of my friends live ended up around me in Uptown. Living around students and convenience were poor reasons for me to live around the school. There are a ton more places where you get more bang for your buck (The Village--which has the prettiest running park in the city) or pay a little more but *are* able to run in the neighboorhood and even walk to bars and food (Uptown).

I think you should really visit the area (drive around on MS0 weekend). Sadly, this is no college town, but there are some really cool areas.
 
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