UTHSC San Antonio class of 2013!

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ZYME said:
Has anyone gone to look for housing yet? I'm going this Monday and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of good places or the ones to stay away from.
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I went a couple weeks agoto scout out housing options, and I ended up finding a nice, newer 1bd/1bath (no serious tlc needed 🙂). The amount of apartments in the area is pretty overwhelming, but the flip side of that is that there were a lot of options- I found 1bed/1bath apartments anywhere from the $400s to over $1000.

Here's some hints for those who will be searching for housing soon:

-If I could do it again, I would go through an apartment finder service. I ended up wasting a lot of time visiting apartments that didn't fit what I was looking for.

-Very few complexes include washers and dryers in the units. You either get appliance hook-ups in the unit and have to rent them or buy your own or you get community laundry areas.

-Many of the apartments were running specials that made the actual monthly rate lower than what I'd seen posted online or in the free apartment guides. For example, the place I leased was $40 less per month than advertised and I saw another that was over $100 less.

-The general consensus among the properties was that they will always be running a special, but they change frequently (some said weekly!), and that the specials get less competetive towards the summertime.


Congrats to everyone who matched tonight!! :soexcited: See y'all in July!!!
 
Matched! Whoop Whoop!

It was funny, I came soooo close to not going to the interview. I got into literally the last interview day they offered, didn't think I would have a good shot, plus after my other interviews was running out of money. I had to beg, borrow, steal the money, to go but I guess in the end it was worth it.🙂

Congrats to th rest of you who matched and I look forward to meeting the rest of you guys in April baby!
 
Congrats to everyone who matched!! I look forward to meeting everyone in April for welcome weekend.
 
Congrats to everyone! Definitely can't wait to get up there next Fall and meet everyone!

And to add on to kalanchoe612's notes about housing: I looked around before Christmas break and found a place where rent was around 480 or so, and you could prelease to lock in at that rate. Long story short, I didn't do it then, but drove down to SA yesterday to go ahead and put down the cash. When we were in the office we talked to one of the women there again, and I wasn't really getting a good vibe about the place. So we were leaving, and this guy who had overheard me in the office meets me at my truck and recommends that I not move in there because there had been a lot of break-ins, and his patio door has been shot through the night before.

So we said adios and I ended up choosing one of the apartments actually in the campus. It is a little higher, but the unit actually has w/d machines in the apartment (the other place didn't even have a laundry facility), it's gated, bus route, $49 that I paid down will cover that half of July that I'll be there, and then $250 off August's rent.

My advice is to look around and think about the housing a little bit before signing anything. I'm usually all about saving a buck, but this is one bit of extra debt that I feel good about. After the fact, I checked out reviews online for this complex and they all mirrored what the guy said. I'd be happy to tell anyone which complex it was, just PM me.

Phew, anyway, congrats everybody!
 
Congrats to everybody! I'm getting so excited!

Does anyone have specific info on the Welcome Weekend in April? I really want to be there but I go to school in NJ so I need to start planning and book a flight soon!
 
Audra2013 said:
Congrats to everybody! I'm getting so excited!

Does anyone have specific info on the Welcome Weekend in April? I really want to be there but I go to school in NJ so I need to start planning and book a flight soon!
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I believe they sent out an email today.
 
Yea... I just got it. They read my mind. Can't wait to meet everybody!
 
:xf: I have a beautiful condo for sale if Match Day works out for me! :xf:
Please message me for details. Here are some highlights:

at the corner of Fredricksburg/Callaghan
3 bed (large rooms), 2 full bath
1680 sq ft
👍 <2 miles from school (I took a scooter)
👍 <7 minute commute to school, <1 minute (a few blocks) from I10 and 410
<10 minutes from downtown, riverwalk, la cantera, the quarry

2nd floor of condo, end unit (only 2 floors per building)
really safe, gated, very well maintained, and QUIET neighborhood (most are retired)
pet friendly (although we don't have any), non-smokers
heated pool right down the street (less than 50 yards away)

$$$$This condo doubled as an "income property" because I rented out one of the large non-master bedrooms to other students (law students, interns, etc) which covered my mortage! and I still had a room for my study!
😍Also great for couples or anyone with family/friends visiting all the time.

If you will be in town and want to check it out, contact me and I will try to accommodate! Thanks! TK
 
So what undergrads are you guys coming from, or are any of you nontrads?
 
I'm from Stevens Institute of Technology (a tiny little engineering school in Hoboken, NJ). Go Ducks! :laugh:
 
hey guys,

I unfortunatly did not get picked up in the match. I am wondering when UTHSCSA sends out waitlist information and, if anyone on here is a current student, how many people actually get off the waitlist?
 
😱 I had to scroll down pretty far on the 2nd page to find this thread, anyway does any current med student (or anyone else for that matter know if the health insurance the school offers is a good deal or it better to get on your own? The only thing I could find was here and all it does it talk about the cost not the deductible and whatnot. Much obliged!
 
MrBlonde said:
😱 I had to scroll down pretty far on the 2nd page to find this thread, anyway does any current med student (or anyone else for that matter know if the health insurance the school offers is a good deal or it better to get on your own? The only thing I could find was here and all it does it talk about the cost not the deductible and whatnot. Much obliged!
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I had the same insurance for my undergrad at UT, and it was pretty good. Anything done at the university health services was free, 100% free. I had to have ankle surgery while on the insurance, and it covered everything but a few thousand. I didn't ever really have any problems with it. The prescription coverage was awesome.
 
Does anyone know what the parking is like for students?
 
MrBlonde said:
😱 I had to scroll down pretty far on the 2nd page to find this thread, anyway does any current med student (or anyone else for that matter know if the health insurance the school offers is a good deal or it better to get on your own? The only thing I could find was here and all it does it talk about the cost not the deductible and whatnot. Much obliged!
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There is a $300 deductible (per policy year) so all services rendered is not covered until you've paid up to $300 and then the insurance company will start paying after that.

Prescriptions are reimbursed up to $1000.

Using the Student Health Center is NOT free. Here's a link that describes a little more of what you'll be expected to pay in a general sense: http://studentservices.uthscsa.edu/HC_Expenses.aspx
 
ZYME said:
Does anyone know what the parking is like for students?
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Parking:
Zone 5: Most students start off with this because everything else is already taken. This is an off campus open lot parking site with a shuttle.

Zone 4: Also another common parking for MS1. This one is on campus open lot but still a bit of walking to get to lecture.

Zone 3: Closer on campus parking with a slighter shorter walk than Zone 4. This is an open lot.

Zone 2: Closer on campus parking. Open lots.

Zone 1: Garage parking (if you get a reserve parking spot in the garage, it's a spot within the garage as opposed to the unreserved garage which is roof parking)

If you get only zone 5 or 4 parking due to lack of availability in the other zones which will be the case, you can pick ONE wait list for any other zones. Getting a zone 3 or 2 parking will likely take anywhere from 6 mo - over a 1 year (over a 1 at least for zone 2). Garage parking will take probably at least a yr as well. They will let you know when something opens up and you'll have 3 days to purchase the upgrade parking. It goes without saying, the higher the zone, the more expensive the parking.

Also, for each zone you can get a reserve spot (costs more) that is a guaranteed spot in that zone that's towards the front end of that parking zone.

Here's a link to a map with the parking/zones on it with the exception of Zone 5 since it's off campus: http://www.uthscsa.edu/opa/issues/mapcampus.html (Disregard the pricing on the page....it's very old)

Get parking as early as you can in the summer to get the better parking zones before all the student population beats you to it. Not sure when the earliest is though.

During the first 2-3 months of the start of school, parking can get a little crowded and crazy as all the schools at the HSC is starting (dental, medical, graduate, nursing, etc). But it eventually dies down a little as people figure out their when they'll be coming to campus, etc.

There is open parking anywhere on campus after 5 pm.
 
Do professors make their powerpoints available BEFORE lectures so that students can download them prior to lecture and take notes on a laptop?
 
JT2009 said:
Do professors make their powerpoints available BEFORE lectures so that students can download them prior to lecture and take notes on a laptop?
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Sometimes the profs will post powerpoints before lecture and sometimes not. It's a bit hit and miss.
 
Roshario said:
Sometimes the profs will post powerpoints before lecture and sometimes not. It's a bit hit and miss.
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That's too bad that there is no set standard for posting powerpoints before lectures. This might affect my class attendance. I'd rather have my laptop and the powerpoint while listening to the lecture.

Any disadvantages that you have experienced or know others have by not going to lecture?
 
JT2009 said:
That's too bad that there is no set standard for posting powerpoints before lectures. This might affect my class attendance. I'd rather have my laptop and the powerpoint while listening to the lecture.

Any disadvantages that you have experienced or know others have by not going to lecture?
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Well I go to all the lectures. Remember that all the lectures are recorded and you could always listen to them when they do post the ppt. The only disadvantage I could see is for lectures that are very visually oriented like anatomy and anatomy lectures as usually the classes with the most voluntary student attendance.
 
Thanks for the parking info, Roshario! 🙂

I was wondering if UTHSCSA has everyone get the same computer or if it's BYOC? Do many students use macs?
 
kalanchoe612 said:
Thanks for the parking info, Roshario! 🙂

I was wondering if UTHSCSA has everyone get the same computer or if it's BYOC? Do many students use macs?
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A computer/laptop is not required. The students can use the library computer lab if they want for their tech needs. There are several students that use and love their Macs! (Just not me 😉)
 
Wow, bottom of the second page. Figured this thread needed a bump.

So, anyone going to the welcome weekend in April?
 
STXGregor said:
Wow, bottom of the second page. Figured this thread needed a bump.

So, anyone going to the welcome weekend in April?
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I'll be there!! Does anyone know if spouses are allowed to attend the events with us? I know the RSVP asked if you would be bringing anyone.
 
I assumed so, I'm bringing my fiancee along.

How about dress? I get the impression this is really casual, so are some khaki shorts and a polo ok? It's about to start getting hot again, lol
 
STXGregor said:
I assumed so, I'm bringing my fiancee along.

How about dress? I get the impression this is really casual, so are some khaki shorts and a polo ok? It's about to start getting hot again, lol
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It says the dress is casual so khaki shorts and a polo are fine. I was planning on some light cargo pants and a t-shirt, maybe too casual.
 
STXGregor said:
Wow, bottom of the second page. Figured this thread needed a bump.

So, anyone going to the welcome weekend in April?
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I'm coming! I'll have my fiance there too. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone....I'll be the zombie trying to stay awake the whole time, because I currently work nights! 😴 Maybe I can squeeze a nap in during the parade of homes or something...
 
kalanchoe612 said:
I'm coming! I'll have my fiance there too. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone....I'll be the zombie trying to stay awake the whole time, because I currently work nights! 😴 Maybe I can squeeze a nap in during the parade of homes or something...
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We're planning on heading out to look around on our own during that whole thing. I got the impression it would last at least an hour or two. Then we're heading back for the BBQ.
 
First off, congratulations to all of you who matched at UTHSCSA!

Secondly, I ended up getting wait listed here so I was wondering for those of you who matched in Feb what date did they give ya'll to definitely accept? I heard it was earlier than the normal May 15th since UTHSCSA starts before most other medical schools in Texas, and I was just trying find out when some wait list movement might start up. Thanks!
 
Congrats to all you incoming 1st years!
I am selling my house that is 2 miles from the School for $105K to another med student- will be listing for 112K.
Address: 5706 Gabor- 78240
3 Bedroom, 1 bath.
Central Heat and Air
Fireplace and playroom
Gas range
Fridge with ice maker
Huge back yard with patio
Security System
~120 ft of raised bed organic garden planted in back.

Nice starter house for budding family- My wife and I moved in as a couple and are moving out with a toddler and an infant.
I rarely check my inbox at SDN so call me.
Call us when you get into town or if you want photos- 512-947-2079
Matt
 
So, any musicians in the group?

I play guitar and bass and played in a few bands in high school. I (regrettably) never found anyone to jam with in undergrad and focused more time on school/work. I wish I had kept it up now, though. Hoping I'll get a chance to jam again next year. I'm alright on guitar, but feel a lot more comfortable on the bass when playing in a group. So anyway, if there's anyone else bringing their equipment up there next year and want to jam out sometime I'm definitely down (though I warn I'm probably pretty rusty by now).
 
Anyone else surprised by the amount of UNsubsidized loans? 75% of my loans from this first year will be accruing interest while I'm still in school!! :wtf:
 
ZYME said:
Anyone else surprised by the amount of UNsubsidized loans? 75% of my loans from this first year will be accruing interest while I'm still in school!! :wtf:
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Unfortunately, the amounts/limits are set by the federal government.
Unsubsidized max: $8,500
Subsidized max: $32,000

You could lobby on behave of all medical student for them to change it!!!
 
On a different note, is anyone moving to SA this summer, or living there now? I'm moving in early June... and will know next to nobody there. Woooo
 
Roshario said:
Unfortunately, the amounts/limits are set by the federal government.
Unsubsidized max: $8,500
Subsidized max: $32,000

You could lobby on behave of all medical student for them to change it!!!
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Mine is opposite of that. Unsub max of $32k and sub max of $8500.
 
PokeyPenguin said:
On a different note, is anyone moving to SA this summer, or living there now? I'm moving in early June... and will know next to nobody there. Woooo
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I'm moving in June as well. Are you doing the pre-mat program? Where are you going to be living?
 
I just got a call from the apartment complex I pre-leased with a couple of months back and they gave me my new room #. I'll be moving my stuff up there July 11th, but won't be staying until orientation.

I was also pleasantly surprised with my fin. aid packet on Monday when I saw I managed to be awarded a grant. I'm trying to figure out how much I'll need to live on for the next year, because there's no way I can spend 40k in one year, and I definitely don't want 30k work of loans accruing interest. Ouch!
 
Got another question about something.

Ok, so let's say hypothetically that I accepted 8000 subsidized, and 32000 unsubsidized. So now I have 40000 in loans, 8000 interest free, 32000 accruing interest. Now, in my first month let's say I spend 1000 total. From where is this 1000 considered to have come? Do I now have 7000 interest free and still 32000 building interest? Like, do I have to basically use up an amount that equals what I took out in subsidized before it starts considering money that I spend as having come from my unsubsidized? Or, if I spend that 1000, do I now have 7500 subsidized, and 31500 unsubsidized remaining? Or am I completely off with either situation?
 
STXGregor said:
Got another question about something.

Ok, so let's say hypothetically that I accepted 8000 subsidized, and 32000 unsubsidized. So now I have 40000 in loans, 8000 interest free, 32000 accruing interest. Now, in my first month let's say I spend 1000 total. From where is this 1000 considered to have come? Do I now have 7000 interest free and still 32000 building interest? Like, do I have to basically use up an amount that equals what I took out in subsidized before it starts considering money that I spend as having come from my unsubsidized? Or, if I spend that 1000, do I now have 7500 subsidized, and 31500 unsubsidized remaining? Or am I completely off with either situation?
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With my undgergrad loans, if you accept all of the award (not reduce or decline it) then you are responsible for the total amount of both loans once the funds are released. So even if you haven't spent any of the money, interest will start once it hits your bank account.
 
STXGregor said:
Got another question about something.

Ok, so let's say hypothetically that I accepted 8000 subsidized, and 32000 unsubsidized. So now I have 40000 in loans, 8000 interest free, 32000 accruing interest. Now, in my first month let's say I spend 1000 total. From where is this 1000 considered to have come? Do I now have 7000 interest free and still 32000 building interest? Like, do I have to basically use up an amount that equals what I took out in subsidized before it starts considering money that I spend as having come from my unsubsidized? Or, if I spend that 1000, do I now have 7500 subsidized, and 31500 unsubsidized remaining? Or am I completely off with either situation?
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Only take out what you currently need of the unsub money. Take all of the sub money and just some of the unsub enough to cover tuition and immediate expenses. You accrue interest on the unsub as soon as it is disbursed which is usually at the start and middle of the academic year. When you run out of $$ - just tell the FA office you need some more and as long as you have direct deposit setup (and haven't used up your entire unsub award) it shouldn't take more than a week or so to show up in your bank.
 
.
 
Last edited:
Twitch said:
Only take out what you currently need of the unsub money. Take all of the sub money and just some of the unsub enough to cover tuition and immediate expenses. You accrue interest on the unsub as soon as it is disbursed which is usually at the start and middle of the academic year. When you run out of $$ - just tell the FA office you need some more and as long as you have direct deposit setup (and haven't used up your entire unsub award) it shouldn't take more than a week or so to show up in your bank.
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lol, I had a long reply posted asking another question because it still wasn't clicking then I realized that I'm an idiot. It doesn't matter whether you spend all your 32k unsub in one day or keep it in your account for a year, you're still builing interest off 32k worth of loans because that is what the bank has out in your name. Sorry, that's what a very long week of cell phys/biochem has done to me, made me somewhat unacquainted with basic math.

And thanks, you answered another question of mine about whether we can take out more than we do in the beginning. So when we are accepting/rejecting, do we accept only that amount we will need immediately? Or do we accept the whole award and then have an option to only receive a partial sum at the current time with the ability to take more out later?
 
I had some questions about the loans too. Having to do all this grown-up stuff is new to me!

Twitch, are you saying we can just take our entire subsidized loan offer and then only take out like 6 thousand or whatever we immediately need of our unsub loan and then just fill out paperwork to get more when we need it (up to our max unsub offer) so we accrue less interest? Is there any kind of fee for doing this or a maximum number of times we can ask for more? For example, can I just keep taking out my unsub loan 5,000 at a time?

Also, did anyone see a deadline for when I have to adjust/accept my loan offer?

This might be wishful thinking but is there any way to get a loan with a lower interest rate? Like are private loans even a possibility? 6.8% interest rate just seems kinda high. Sigh... I think I was just in denial about the amount of debt I'm gonna be in when I graduate.

On a more exciting note, is anyone going to be living in Carlyle Place? I'll be moving in there in mid-July!
 
Has anyone gotten their UTHSC email account yet? I read online that they will be mailing us the information to set up our accounts. Anyone received that info?
 
First off, CONGRATULATIONS! As a 4th year med student at UTHSCSA, I'm finding that although I am excited to begin my residency, I am very sad to leave UTHSCSA and all of the friends I've made. You will love it here, I'm sure of it!

Second, I don't know how many of you have begun making housing arrangments. For those of you that don't have a place to live yet, I own a house near the med center and I'd like to rent out the rooms at an extremely reasonable price - likely much less than you'll pay for an apartment. If you are interested, please reply to this message, and I'll provide more details.

Congrats again! And good luck!
DCN 🙂
 
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