******UTH or UTMB...HERE IS IMPORTANT INFO and QUESTIONS!******

[Handle]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Right, so I think this thread could use a little clarification. I can't help on the UTH vs UTMB; I can help on some of the UTH questions.

Classes from 9-5 (this one is the one that hits me hard)
...
Exam weeks

Do classes really run from 8-5 at UTH?

yea not only that, but they only have one exam at a time where as houston's block scheduling makes you take 4 exams a week like every month or something.... it sucks that a school would stress their students out that much.

Schedule: Definitely not 8-5.

MS1, first semester: lecture 8-12, sometimes 9-12.
-MWF afternoons: gross lab from 1-whenever you finish, usually around 3:30-4:30, though it varies. Starting this year each cadaver has two teams assigned to it. Each team dissects every other session; on your off-days, you might have to spend a few minutes in the lab to explain your last dissection to the other team.
-TTH afternoons: histo lab from 1-whenever. I think this has changed slightly this year as well; last year, it was fairly optional and definitely not as much time as gross. I expect it is not much different this year.
MS1, second semester:same lecture schedule. Afternoons: Monday neuro lab from 1-5ish. Rest of the afternoons are free (unless something has changed). Random intro to clinical medicine standardized patient practice sessions in the afternoon sprinkled throughout first year, as well as some other random classes, but nothing major.

Second year, briefly:
-MWF: lecture 8-10; PBL 10-12.
-TTH: lecture 8-12
-W: pathology lab 1-2/2:30 usually, and optional (ie videotaped, more of a lecture than a lab).

A note on the lecture schedules: all lectures are videotaped, so you can stream them whenever you want. I personally prefer rolling up to school in the afternoon and streaming them double speed with pauses to take notes. Some prefer to go to class every day. Up to personal preference.

Most first-year classes are semester-long (4 first semester, 4 second semester). Intro to clinical medicine is year long but not much lecture time. Most second year classes are year-long, with a few short classes mixed in.


Test blocks

I cannot tell you how much I love test blocks. Although I haven't had the tests-one-at-a-time experience, I can't say I'd ever want to switch from the way we have it. There is nothing like getting all the hard work out of the way at once and having a week or three to relax before starting back up again - without having to worry about another test lurking around the corner. Yeah, those couple weeks are stressful, but it makes for fairly smooth sailing in the intervening period, and I'd much rather get my stress out of the way at once and know I can relax for a bit after.

Here's how it works: first year, first semester has three 6-week blocks. So five weeks of class, then a week of exams - monday, tuesday, (no exam weds), thurs, fri. The majority of people take it kinda like this: first couple weeks: go out, relax, have some fun, take it easy. Next couple weeks: get back into it, catch up in lectures, start getting back into the groove. Last couple weeks: hit it hard through the end of the text week. Repeat the next block.

Second semester, second year has four shorter blocks: less material covered each block, but more tests. The sheer number of tests did get a bit excessive, but I'm still glad they were blocked.

The blocked exams do get rough first year for finals, because you go directly from the last block exams into a week and a half of finals. Can be a little rough.

Second year: big ol' 8 week blocks. Probably a bit longer than the ideal, but it makes for a very customizable learning schedule. Personally, I take the first 3-4 weeks pretty light (mainly PBL six hours a week), then catch up in video, then hit the last three weeks and the exam week hard. Some like to do more each day and spread it out, etc. And no finals first semester.



PBL: I personally like the way we do our PBL. We have the basic physiology, etc from first year as background and the cases parallel the path and pharm we're currently learning, so it works. Not too intense but also enough that we start shifting towards clinical thinking and integrate 1st and 2nd year (second year builds heavily on first year as it is).


Overall thoughts on the curriculum: it ain't a walk in the park but its not going to leave you perpetually traumatized, either (at least no more than your average med experience, from what I've heard from friends elsewhere). I have plenty of free time to go out, have fun, and pursue things outside school that I'm interested in. The block schedule makes planning extra-curricular stuff easy, because I know exactly when I'm going to have to lock myself in the library. The locked-in treatment does happen, but only a couple weeks here and there a semester with nice relatively low-stress periods in between. Overall, very happy with the workload and education I'm receiving.


Above and beyond all the above and all the USMLE talk and other miscellaneous criteria I've seen thrown around: go to the place you liked the best, felt the most comfortable, and could see yourself at the most. If you're happy, you're going to do a lot better than if you aren't happy, regardless of curriculum, board scores, etc. I will say that I do love my class - much more laid back than many places I interviewed at, and definitely my style. The character of each class is a bit different so your milage may vary. Quick USMLE thoughts: how you do is more up to you than up to your school's curriculum, particularly when we're talking fairly comparable schools (such as UTMB v UTH). You'll get a good education at either institution: go to whichever you feel is the better fit for you. If you want to do well on the step then hit it hard, stay dedicated, and you'll do fine coming out of either school.

 

[Texas Doc]

Your assertions about the effects of the proportion of private-paying patients on an academic medical center are overly simplistic. ]http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/reporter/june04/uninsured.htm[/url]

http://www.utmb.edu/utmbreports/indcare/lbb2005.pdf


(Emory illustrates this well. It's affiliated with two main hospitals, University Hospital and Grady, a public hospital. University Hospital is not known to be a student friendly place--a sort of look-but-don't-touch type training. Grady is known to be an excellent place to train, and students try to do many of their rotations there. Grady provides the training; University Hospital provides the funding.)

Aside from all this, it seems the UTMB faculty is in somewhat of a turmoil, which I'm not so shocked to learn. Alot of it seems to be based on faculty salaries. http://txfacassn.typepad.com/utmb_galveston_chapter_te/

Edit: 100th post! 😉

Thanks for references to some published articles. I think these have been quoted on this forum before as I don't see anything I haven't read before.

The AAMC article indicates that teaching hospitals across the county are all having problems and have to take corrective measures.

The article on faculty salaries states "the UT system intends to spread plans similar to the UTMB faculty compensation plan system wide." This looks a problem coming to all UT schools.

Your comments about Emory appear to be the direction being taken by UTMB except they will own their own public and private pay hospitals.

We can debate the private pay mix forever and not reach an agreement. I would think the mix of private pay patients would be more critical at a private school vs a state supported school. However, no one has an unlimited supply of money and even publicly supported indigent hospital must operate under some financial restraints.

We're both reading the same information and coming to different conclusions. I see UTMB having some of the same problems facing most teaching hospitals and addressing these problems in a positive way. I still see no evidence that the future of UTMB is bleak. However, a lot depends on future actions by the state that can not be determined at this time. My view is that state legislature will continue to support its rather sizeable investment in UTMB.

Thanks for a good debate.

 

[Teejay]

Double Post!!

 

[afterthought]

I can help on some of the UTH questions.

Thanks! I was wondering about the schedule as well.

Can you also comment on the nature of your work during rotations? Do alot of students do alot of rotations at LBJ? How good is your patient access at Hermann, given that it's public/private? I would assume that it's mostly hands-off at MD Anderson and St. Lukes... is that right?

 

[lotsOhotair]

I'm sorry, but that post was too biased for me to take seriously. As undecided as I am between UTH and UTMB, hearing someone bash UTMB and alleging that they manipulate their Step 1 scores did not help me make a choice. Perhaps I'd be a little more convinced if the poster included some flaws of UTH as well as the bunch that he threw out regarding UTMB.

i'm not so sure what was so biased. perhaps if i took out the word 'insane' and 'freakin' that would make it not biased??? you tell me. everything else is straight up fact.

if you don't believe the fact that UTMB's bottom forty are dropped then you should call their student affairs office. you can also look up how many people they reported. most texas schools have a little over 200 people in each class. you'll find they report a substantially smaller number.

if you don't believe that UTMB is struggling...you can read this article.

http://www.uh.edu/ednews/2006/hc/200610/20061017utmb.html

as far as negatives about UTH. parking is crap but there is a shuttle bus from student housing to the med center. there's also the metrorail. the humidity sucks. but 5.4 million patients, the second largest theater district, one of the most comprehensive museum districts, the best restaurants, and mild winters make it not so bad.

we are a young medical shool that is far ahead of where most are at this age. we are growing exponentially and it is a very exciting time to be a part of it.

maybe i am biased??? but the facts seem to back me up???

PS: if you want perfect board scores, you should look into attending med school in the carribean. all of their schools have a 100 percent pass rate.

 

[lotsOhotair]

Yea but we all know the flaws I guess,

1.) Not as much PBL for the PBL lovers
2.) Board scores aren't as high as elsewhere, regardless of what lotsofhair said
3.) It's been stated that even tho TMC is great with MD Anderson and THI, how much of that do you actually get exposed to as a med student?
4.) Classes from 9-5 (this one is the one that hits me hard)
5.) Exam weeks

1. 6 hours a week of PBL is PLENTY. we prefer to get into the clinic our second year where you actually learn what being a doctor is all about. you'll spend at least one day a week your second year in clinic.

2. 95% of our students pass their boards the first time. this compares to 94% nationally. not too shabby for a school who is a lot more focused on the person and their ability to be a great physician than on braniacs who can memorize thousands of useless facts for a standardized exams that really has no relevance to your ability to be a great doctor.

3. we rotate through MD anderson on both our surgery and neurology rotations our third year. some students who choose to do so, could spend 3 months there third year. you can elect to spend as much time as you want in either THI or MD anderson your fourth year.

4. there is an opportunity to be in class from 9-5 3 days out of the week your first semester. people who enjoy lecture and benefit from it attend. those who don't, do not. it's about 50/50. second semester you are out by noon on most days with a few sprinkled labs that are not mandatory. second year, you are out by 12 everyday. PBL is sprinkled throughout.

5. exam weeks are rough, but it sure is nice having 4-6 weeks of freedom!

 

[lotsOhotair]

Do classes really run from 8-5 at UTH? Holy mother. Isn't this just for the first semester? HELP...what is a realistic lecture and lab schedule. Please break it down:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
If UTMB kids only have class till noon...that gives 5 extra hours per day to study. Surely, this is negated somehow...prepping for the PBL takes more time? What are your opinions people. I am apprehensive about picking a school with a much tougher schedule that doesn't prep me as well!

monday: 9-12 lecture, gross lab 1-3
tuesday: 9-12 lecture
wednesday: 9-12 lecture, gross lab 1-3
thursday: 9-12 lecture
friday: 9-12 lecture, gross lab 1-3

and that's ONLY first semester! and why do you say the schedule doesn't prep you as well? our students blow the step 2 out of the water because of our tremendous clinical experience.

 

[lotsOhotair]

yea not only that, but they only have one exam at a time where as houston's block scheduling makes you take 4 exams a week like every month or something.... it sucks that a school would stress their students out that much.

4-6 weeks of freedom is totally worth it.

 

[lotsOhotair]

Hey guys, just thought you should know, that at the Texas Tech alumni thing in Dallas, I spoke to the dean of admissions about Texas Tech's low board scores and he said that 1). they are working to improve them with their new curric. and 2). some schools (he mentioned no one in particular) do prevent students from taking step 1.

As with everything else on an internet forum, take what you hear with a grain of salt and come to your own conclusions.

i couldn't have said it better myself dancer. your gut feeling is the most important! afterall, it's 4 years of your life. but make sure you're going to get a good education too!

 

[lotsOhotair]

directly from utmb's website:
" Earlier this summer, with 90 percent of the scores in, the Class of 2008 learned that they achieved a 99 percent passing rate on the USMLE Step 1 Test, surpassing the national average of 92 percent. In addition, our students’ average score was 226, well above the national average of 217."

not completely contradicting your statment but it did say 90% of the scores, not the preposed 80%

if UTH reported 90% their pass rate would still be 100%.

 

[lotsOhotair]

Thanks! I was wondering about the schedule as well.

Can you also comment on the nature of your work during rotations? Do alot of students do alot of rotations at LBJ? How good is your patient access at Hermann, given that it's public/private? I would assume that it's mostly hands-off at MD Anderson and St. Lukes... is that right?

third year is very demanding at UTH. most school's have switched so that med students do not have to take call at night. our school has not. the philosophy is that it will better prepare us for residency. i very much agree. being an intern already sucks. i can't imagine being suddenly thrown into that environment as a resident. as a student here, we see how things work throughout an entire shift and i believe it is a positive thing. although very tiring. we tend to have a ton of fun with the residents, interns, and attending late at night though!

as far as the clinical sites...LBJ, hermann, and MD anderson are your primary sites of rotations your third year. the time spent at each is about equal. LBJ is an absolutely wonderful resource where students really get to do alot! hermann is great too because of it's world-renowned stroke center, the only level 1 trauma center remaining in houston, lifeflight program (the only hospital to receive lifeflights in houston), hermann children's, and the brand new cardiovascular surgery wing of the hospital. hermann too is just now completeing the building of a 31 story high rise right across the street which will have some day surgery ORs and tons of clinic space. you can see anything you want at hermann, but since it's private, you don't get to do quite as much as at LBJ. although, that is very attending dependant.

MD anderson is comparable to hermann on your ability to get in there and get dirty. overall, i enjoy being at LBJ just because of how much i get to do out there. it's great to see every aspect of the medical world though.

hope that helped!

 

[Teejay]

i'm not so sure what was so biased. perhaps if i took out the word 'insane' and 'freakin' that would make it not biased??? you tell me. everything else is straight up fact.

if you don't believe the fact that UTMB's bottom forty are dropped then you should call their student affairs office. you can also look up how many people they reported. most texas schools have a little over 200 people in each class. you'll find they report a substantially smaller number.

if you don't believe that UTMB is struggling...you can read this article.

http://www.uh.edu/ednews/2006/hc/200610/20061017utmb.html

as far as negatives about UTH. parking is crap but there is a shuttle bus from student housing to the med center. there's also the metrorail. the humidity sucks. but 5.4 million patients, the second largest theater district, one of the most comprehensive museum districts, the best restaurants, and mild winters make it not so bad.

we are a young medical shool that is far ahead of where most are at this age. we are growing exponentially and it is a very exciting time to be a part of it.

maybe i am biased??? but the facts seem to back me up???

PS: if you want perfect board scores, you should look into attending med school in the carribean. all of their schools have a 100 percent pass rate.

You're a big ass for trying to bash UTMB. Just make your choice and go to med-school. If you are that smart and picky, you won't be here trying to judge between UTMB and UTH but Harvard and Hopkins. So shut your trap, make a decision and stop vicillating. You''ll still become a good doctor in either school if you wish to. But don't degrade any school because of your lack of conviction and poor state of mind.
We all know the history of both schools, so don't try to convince any one by being negative. People like you will end up being depressed no matter where you find yourself because of your insatiable desire and attitude. SO, Make up your mind and stop posting nonsense!!!!

 

[Anastasis]

Right, so I think this thread could use a little clarification. I can't help on the UTH vs UTMB; I can help on some of the UTH questions.....

Thanks for that post; you really helped me make my decision!


(Between UTSA and UTH though... not UTMB)

 

[future_dr_house]

true to his name he is full of lots of hot air.

 

[Stitch626]

I'm a second year at UTH -- if anybody has any questions, I'd be glad to answer them.

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

You're a big ass for trying to bash UTMB. Just make your choice and go to med-school. If you are that smart and picky, you won't be here trying to judge between UTMB and UTH but Harvard and Hopkins. So shut your trap, make a decision and stop vicillating. You''ll still become a good doctor in either school if you wish to. But don't degrade any school because of your lack of conviction and poor state of mind.
We all know the history of both schools, so don't try to convince any one by being negative. People like you will end up being depressed no matter where you find yourself because of your insatiable desire and attitude. SO, Make up your mind and stop posting nonsense!!!!

Mrrmmm sounds like he's already a UTH med student...

And actually I don't see any part of the post where he said that "UTMB sucks" or that "UTMB is really inferior to UTH"... in fact he's avoided alot of big generalizations and name calling. True, he's only alledging UTMB's bad aspects, but they are justified, because we need to know what they are. And I was told that classes were 9-5 and rotations in TMC were limited at UTH, yet this guy and another previous poster have pointed out that it is incorrect. What if some of the things I believe about UTMB are actually wrong? I'd like to know as much as I can...

Someone DID quote that the 99% passing rate and board score average were based on 90% of reported scores. As for the financial troubles, there have been elucidations on both sides on what exactly the intentions of UTMB's current actions are (ie building new clinic elsewhere, Austin relocation, etc). Quite frankly that article scares me a little, and if there's a possibility these things are true, its rather disconcerting.

It's easy to get defensive about one's school. Please let's just keep it constructive, for the sake of us confused MS0s who just want a little info. Personal attacks, will get us no where.

I'm a second year at UTH -- if anybody has any questions, I'd be glad to answer them.

Yeah I'd like to know how much of what lotsofhair said about UTH you agree with.

 

[Teejay]

Mrrmmm sounds like he's already a UTH med student...

And actually I don't see any part of the post where he said that "UTMB sucks" or that "UTMB is really inferior to UTH"... in fact he's avoided alot of big generalizations and name calling. True, he's only alledging UTMB's bad aspects, but they are justified, because we need to know what they are. And I was told that classes were 9-5 and rotations in TMC were limited at UTH, yet this guy and another previous poster have pointed out that it is incorrect. What if some of the things I believe about UTMB are actually wrong? I'd like to know as much as I can...

Someone DID quote that the 99% passing rate and board score average were based on 90% of reported scores. As for the financial troubles, there have been elucidations on both sides on what exactly the intentions of UTMB's current actions are (ie building new clinic elsewhere, Austin relocation, etc). Quite frankly that article scares me a little, and if there's a possibility these things are true, its rather disconcerting.

It's easy to get defensive about one's school. Please let's just keep it constructive, for the sake of us confused MS0s who just want a little info. Personal attacks, will get us no where.


Yeah I'd like to know how much of what lotsofhair said about UTH you agree with.

The question is- What are his intentions for digging up dirt only on UTMB and not UTH. If he did both, i'll undersrtand his sincerity in trying to help MSO'S. I'm not in UTMB for the record. I happen to know a lot about them. Both schools are good. Its what you make out if it. The buildings and expansions of UTMB are meant to bring more money and employment since they're spending a lot treating patients that don't pay. Those don't affect your medical education by no means. Infact, it gives you more options, flexibility and opportunity to do rotations where you like. If these problems affected students, why are thier board scores still soaring since thier problems started more than 4years ago.. After 100% of their board scores came back, they still had between 226-228. Not so much difference and still way higher than houston which is below 220 as depicted. You can find this score in their website. Lets make criticisms that are not biased.

 

[lotsOhotair]

You're a big ass for trying to bash UTMB. Just make your choice and go to med-school. If you are that smart and picky, you won't be here trying to judge between UTMB and UTH but Harvard and Hopkins. So shut your trap, make a decision and stop vicillating. You''ll still become a good doctor in either school if you wish to. But don't degrade any school because of your lack of conviction and poor state of mind.
We all know the history of both schools, so don't try to convince any one by being negative. People like you will end up being depressed no matter where you find yourself because of your insatiable desire and attitude. SO, Make up your mind and stop posting nonsense!!!!

hahahah! wow. who knew someone could get so worked up in a venue such as this! hope you have now calmed down a bit and that you're weekend wasn't ruined.

i don't feel as though there was any bashing involved in any of my post. i just stated the facts and i apologize if those offended you.

i do agree that no matter where in texas you go you will get a good education. however, i feel like the experiences are quite different at some places.

again, anyone deciding should go with their gut feeling!

 

[lotsOhotair]

The question is- What are his intentions for digging up dirt only on UTMB and not UTH. If he did both, i'll undersrtand his sincerity in trying to help MSO'S. I'm not in UTMB for the record. I happen to know a lot about them. Both schools are good. Its what you make out if it. The buildings and expansions of UTMB are meant to bring more money and employment since they're spending a lot treating patients that don't pay. Those don't affect your medical education by no means. Infact, it gives you more options, flexibility and opportunity to do rotations where you like. If these problems affected students, why are thier board scores still soaring since thier problems started more than 4years ago.. After 100% of their board scores came back, they still had between 226-228. Not so much difference and still way higher than houston which is below 220 as depicted. You can find this score in their website. Lets make criticisms that are not biased.

my intention is to get the facts out there for pre-meds to make a decison. of course, i'd rather applicants choose our school because i'm here and i know how great it is and where we're going. i'm not going to go slash peoples' tires that don't decide to come to UTH though.

please note on UTMB's website they do not tell you how many people took the exam. if you can point out where it does, i would appreciate it.

 

[djfir0]

basically... if you want to know anything about a school, pick up the phone and ask the damn school.... if you are trying to make an important such as what school you want to get a medical education at, ****ing GO TO THAT SCHOOL and to all the schools in question to figure it out... why the hell would you come to sdn and listen to what a fanboy has to say about uth? thats ******ed if you ask me...

 

[NCF145]

The problem with today's world is that people get offended way too easily.

 

[Stitch626]

Mrrmmm sounds like he's already a UTH med student...

Yeah I'd like to know how much of what lotsofhair said about UTH you agree with.

In terms of the UTMB board scores issue, I don't know too much about this. I have heard that in the past 2 or 3 years their USMLE scores have dramatically risen (>5 pts as a class average - which is considerable). and it was because a lot of the students are taking this board review class taught by some young doctor living in Galveston. This service (it's comparable to a Princeton review MCAT class) is also available to UT-H students - but I probably won't do it. I'm a study on my own kind of person. I also heard from several people that UTMB does not have a pharmacology course and that people have to self-teach in that area. Again, this is stuff I've heard - I don't really know for sure and I'm not saying these things to put down UTMB. That's just one of the reasons I ranked UTH over UTMB. Best bet would be to check with a 1st or 2nd year there.

Everything about UTH sounds right. Either school is fine. Both produce a fair number of students that match to competitive specialties. I would base your decision on the city (Houston v. Galveston) and whether or not you could tolerate 2 years of PBL. If ya'll are interested in UTMB, I would definitely find out more about their PBL program before you accept there. This is just going on the fact that many people hate PBL curriculae (search on the allo board for an example of an anti-PBL thread).

 

[lotsOhotair]

The problem with today's world is that people get offended way too easily.

i agree 100%. too much insecurity out there.

'those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often.' -mae west

 

[djfir0]

no one here is upset. im simply saying if anyone was smart enough they would do the research themselves no matter what school they end up thinking is better.

 

[TX515]

I also heard from several people that UTMB does not have a pharmacology course and that people have to self-teach in that area. Again, this is stuff I've heard - I don't really know for sure and I'm not saying these things to put down UTMB. That's just one of the reasons I ranked UTH over UTMB. Best bet would be to check with a 1st or 2nd year there.

Pharmacology lectures are this week.

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

basically... if you want to know anything about a school, pick up the phone and ask the damn school.... if you are trying to make an important such as what school you want to get a medical education at, ****ing GO TO THAT SCHOOL and to all the schools in question to figure it out... why the hell would you come to sdn and listen to what a fanboy has to say about uth? thats ******ed if you ask me...

These are UTH and UTMB students we are talking to. It's not like I'm going up to a friend of mine and asking, "hey can you go check on these schools for me, I need to know what the differences are." I myself am asking the questions, k chief? There are plenty of knowledgeable people on this forum, who are being very helpful at the moment with our questions.

The only people who are being disruptive and unhelpful are those like you that keep yelling "zomg go to the school and look at it dont talk to people about SDN" when 1.) this forum is for sharing of information about medical schools and 2.) not everyone has the money nor the time to take off from work to go for second visits.

He's not a "fanboy" nor a bandwagon jumper by any means. If you think he is, you really haven't been on forums that much. If you don't like people asking other people for help on a website with a sole purpose of INFORMATION SHARING, then I suggest you make use of the tiny box in the upper right hand corner of the screen. You can't miss it, it's got an x inscribed inside, just scroll your mouse over it and then left click and it will solve all your problems kkthxbai.

 

[Anastasis]

basically... if you want to know anything about a school, pick up the phone and ask the damn school.... if you are trying to make an important such as what school you want to get a medical education at, ****ing GO TO THAT SCHOOL and to all the schools in question to figure it out... why the hell would you come to sdn and listen to what a fanboy has to say about uth? thats ******ed if you ask me...

no one here is upset. im simply saying if anyone was smart enough they would do the research themselves no matter what school they end up thinking is better.

Not upset? Really? You sure sound like it.

Hmmm... you're pissed about what he has to say about UT-H... okay. Good thing you're not going there then.

You realize that some of the posters are current students right? I trust that information more than the information from the admissions office. Students have no agenda; the admissions office does.

 

[djfir0]

These are UTH and UTMB students we are talking to. It's not like I'm going up to a friend of mine and asking, "hey can you go check on these schools for me, I need to know what the differences are." I myself am asking the questions, k chief? There are plenty of knowledgeable people on this forum, who are being very helpful at the moment with our questions.

The only people who are being disruptive and unhelpful are those like you that keep yelling "zomg go to the school and look at it dont talk to people about SDN" when 1.) this forum is for sharing of information about medical schools and 2.) not everyone has the money nor the time to take off from work to go for second visits.

He's not a "fanboy" nor a bandwagon jumper by any means. If you think he is, you really haven't been on forums that much. If you don't like people asking other people for help on a website with a sole purpose of INFORMATION SHARING, then I suggest you make use of the tiny box in the upper right hand corner of the screen. You can't miss it, it's got an x inscribed inside, just scroll your mouse over it and then left click and it will solve all your problems kkthxbai.

you are asking a uth student about utmb... you are a real genius!

 

[djfir0]

Not upset? Really? You sure sound like it.

Hmmm... you're pissed about what he has to say about UT-H... okay. Good thing you're not going there then.

You realize that some of the posters are current students right? I trust that information more than the information from the admissions office. Students have no agenda; the admissions office does.

what are you talking about? why are you getting into this.. lotsofair is throwing accusations about utmb juicing their board scores and such by selecting who gets to take it and who doesn't etc... and im just saying its retarted to listen to information like that on a board where you haven't even met or know the first name of the person saying it... and as a result people apparently think im pissed or something.... i didn't know it was so easy to convey emotions simply through text.

 

[NCF145]

what are you talking about? why are you getting into this.. lotsofair is throwing accusations about utmb juicing their board scores and such by selecting who gets to take it and who doesn't etc... and im just saying its retarted to listen to information like that on a board where you haven't even met or know the first name of the person saying it... and as a result people apparently think im pissed or something.... i didn't know it was so easy to convey emotions simply through text.

Word choice is a way for people to express themselves. Some of your comments i.e. you are asking a uth student about utmb... you are a real genius! do not exactly give me the impression that you are happy about what is being said.

 

[djfir0]

Word choice is a way for people to express themselves. Some of your comments i.e. you are asking a uth student about utmb... you are a real genius! do not exactly give me the impression that you are happy about what is being said.

people who are sarcastic are upset? and why are you so concerned with my emotions?

 

[FearX]

I think it is quite possible that the financial situation for healthcare in general will improve in Texas and nationally now that the Democrats have taken control. In Austin, 5 Republicans lost in the state house of representatives, and there is widespread discontent with the current ultra-rightwing Speaker from Midland, Tom Craddick. Since only 7 Republican votes are needed to defeat legislation, a coup against Craddick is possible (and being whispered about, but not ever quoted or published). If Craddick himself is gone, that will go along way toward sane financing in this state, especially considering his insistence on deregulating tuition and cutting the Children's Health Insurance Program by 150,000 kids or so.

That said, I think public education and indigent health care might get more dollars now so a lot of the UTMB financing hoo-haa may not be as bad as you think.

 

[nykka3]

I am currently an MS3. I am in the class that has b/ a 227-228 avg Step 1 score. It is true, and it is not made up and all 100% of our class has taken the test. Our past rate was approx. a 99%. Yes, our dean and academic counselors do SUGGEST to some students who based on their year 1-2 performance and practice NMBE step 1 exams, to postpone taking their step exams in hopes of improving their score. They do not FORCE anyone to not take the test. Our academic counselors are very proactive in getting us ready for the boards. They offer a free prep course, and two UTMB graduates offer two different board prep courses if you wanna pay for it. Like many other schools, UTMB students work very hard and it shows... so don't hate.
I also think UTMB tries hard to select students for admission based on a variety of reasons, including whether they can perform in our non-traditional curriculum. Most of our courses are organ-system based or interdisciplinary. Each block includes PBL. During the first 2 years you only go to classes, which are not mandatory, half day giving you more time to study or do whatever with your time 👍 . Only PBL,labs and of course tests are mandatory for the most part. Which is a smart thing to do.
I picked UTMB b/c of it's curriculum and definitely not b/c of location....otherwise Houston or Dallas would be ideal places. I like the curriculum and UTMB so much that I have been the curriculum rep. for my class for the past 3 years. Bottom line, pick a school based on it's curriculum,the support of the faculty and staff, the students, etc. Believe me the four years go by fast! 🙂

 

[sebsvenmdc]

I am currently an MS3. I am in the class that has b/ a 227-228 avg Step 1 score. It is true, and it is not made up and all 100% of our class has taken the test. Our past rate was approx. a 99%. Yes, our dean and academic counselors do SUGGEST to some students who based on their year 1-2 performance and practice NMBE step 1 exams, to postpone taking their step exams in hopes of improving their score. They do not FORCE anyone to not take the test. Our academic counselors are very proactive in getting us ready for the boards. They offer a free prep course, and two UTMB graduates offer two different board prep courses if you wanna pay for it. Like many other schools, UTMB students work very hard and it shows... so don't hate.
I also think UTMB tries hard to select students for admission based on a variety of reasons, including whether they can perform in our non-traditional curriculum. Most of our courses are organ-system based or interdisciplinary. Each block includes PBL. During the first 2 years you only go to classes, which are not mandatory, half day giving you more time to study or do whatever with your time 👍 . Only PBL,labs and of course tests are mandatory for the most part. Which is a smart thing to do.
I picked UTMB b/c of it's curriculum and definitely not b/c of location....otherwise Houston or Dallas would be ideal places. I like the curriculum and UTMB so much that I have been the curriculum rep. for my class for the past 3 years. Bottom line, pick a school based on it's curriculum,the support of the faculty and staff, the students, etc. Believe me the four years go by fast! 🙂

I just sent you a PM. I hope that's ok! Does UTMB give you a syllabus to study from just like at other medical schools? From what I understand, this is really the major resource students use to study!

Thanks for the comments!