2023-2024 Houston (Fertitta)

[wysdoc]

U of H Fertitta 2023-2024 Secondary Essay Prompts:

Section 1a
-I have prior experience in primary care setting (general internal medicine physician, a general pediatrician, or a family medicine physician).
Yes/No
-I have prior experience in a medical practice or social service for an underserved area:
Yes/No
-I have prior experience in community or public health:
Yes/No

Section 1b
-Describe the setting (urban/inner city; suburban; rural); your role and responsibilities; and approximate date range for any of the experiences you indicated in the previous section. If you answered (N) to the category, enter “N/A” or leave the box blank for that category.

-Primary Care: (300 character limit)

-Medical or Social service for underserved area: (300 character limit)

-Community or Public Health: (300 character limit)

Section 2
-Describe any employment, family or other obligations that impacted your education that are NOT already indicated in your TMDSAS application. (750 characters) (optional)

-Describe up to 3 of your activities/life experiences that align with our mission. Explain how they might demonstrate a commitment to underserved communities. The examples you select must be included in TMDSAS primary application. (1500 character limit)

Good luck to everyone applying!

Interview Feedback:

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[texasvandy]

This is the year they bump up big time to 120?

 

[wysdoc]

This is the year they bump up big time to 120?

MSAR still lists 60 as a class size, but they started out with 30 the first couple of years

 

[texasvandy]

MSAR still lists 60 as a class size, but they started out with 30 the first couple of years

This is what the UH website says.

Admissions

Admissions

www.uh.edu

What is the planned class size for Fertitta Family College of Medicine each year?​

• Year 1 – 2020 – 30
• Year 2 – 2021 – 30
• Year 3 – 2022 – 60
• Year 4 – 2023 – 60
• Year 5 – 2024 – 120

 

[wysdoc]

Michelle Turpin from the admissions office at Fertitta Family School of Medicine confirmed today that the school will remain at a class size of 60 for the next several cycles.

Added explanation:
To be clear, usually a school in the process of building up their qualifications for full accreditation will be showing LCME (accrediting agency) that they are serving their current class size well. This college reached Provisional Accreditation at the normal time, and could reach Full Accreditation when their first cohort graduates in 2024.
At the time Full Accreditation status is achieved, the LCME will also let the school know whether the class size should remain the same, or whether they feel the school is prepared to serve more students.

 

[texasvandy]

Michelle Turpin from the admissions office at Fertitta Family School of Medicine confirmed today that the school will remain at a class size of 60 for the next several cycles.

Will they update their website?

 

[futuredoc456]

Michelle Turpin from the admissions office at Fertitta Family School of Medicine confirmed today that the school will remain at a class size of 60 for the next several cycles.

Added explanation:
To be clear, usually a school in the process of building up their qualifications for full accreditation will be showing LCME (accrediting agency) that they are serving their current class size well. This college reached Provisional Accreditation at the normal time, and could reach Full Accreditation when their first cohort graduates in 2024.
At the time Full Accreditation status is achieved, the LCME will also let the school know whether the class size should remain the same, or whether they feel the school is prepared to serve more students.

Cowabummer

 

[texasvandy]

Someone did contact me and ask me about this and said they will get it updated. True to their word here are the new numbers at the same link I gave above.

• Year 1 – 2020 – 30
• Year 2 – 2021 – 30
• Year 3 – 2022 – 60
• Year 4 – 2023 – 60
• Year 5 – 2024 – 60
• Year 6 – 2025 – 60
• Year 7 – 2026 – 90
• Year 8 – 2027 – 120
• Year 9 – 2028 – 120

 

[texasvandy]

Does UH send secondary's to all the primary apps, or they review for mission fit

Yes

Application Process

Application Process

www.uh.edu

1. Secondary Application
   Qualified applicants will receive an email invitation to submit a secondary application. The email will contain a link to the submission portal along with instructions and additional information. The cost of the secondary application is $60. Fee waivers are available for qualified applicants and instructions will be provided in the invitation.
   Applications will be reviewed for alignment with the College of Medicine mission.
   Applicant Attributes:
   Our admissions team seeks applicants whose activities and reflections demonstrate: a commitment to service and to community engagement; a history of performing effectively in diverse teams; cultural and academic humility; capacity for academic excellence and innovative problem solving; and evidence of maturity, conscientiousness, and resiliency. Because there are many more qualified applicants than available seats, applicants who successfully demonstrate an inclination to pursue careers in primary care will be prioritized.
   Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine Mission
   The College of Medicine will be accountable for improving the overall health and health care of the population of greater Houston and urban and rural areas across Texas that face significant doctor shortages by:
   • 
     
     Educating a diverse group of physicians who will provide compassionate, high-value (high quality at reasonable cost) care to patients, families and communities, with a focus on primary care and other needed physician specialties, such as psychiatry and general surgery.
   • 
     
     Providing integrated, evidence-based, high-value care delivered to patients by inter-professional teams.
   • 
     
     Conducting interdisciplinary research to find innovative solutions to problems in health and health care.
   • 
     
     Engaging, collaborating with, and empowering patient populations and community partners to improve their health and health care.

 

[nursemed123]

Rumors going around that the faculty at the school is not receptive/is uncompromising to student feedback and is kind of stuck in that "old school" mindset of medicine that they ironically try to preach against. Things like mandatory attendance, lecture styles, research opportunities, lack of faculty communication/combative communication apparently haven't really improved or changed. Thought I would give a heads up bc we ought to know the good and bad of each school when we apply

 

[SWR1913]

I just reviewed about the MSAR because I have seen anything about secondary's. Turns out they don't begin reviewing applications until June 15.

 

[TxMed55]

How does this school screen for secondaries ? I just received the email they received my app and it sounded like they screen for secondaries

 

[SWR1913]

How does this school screen for secondaries ? I just received the email they received my app and it sounded like they screen for secondaries

Congratulations. I'm unsure how they screen, but you made it. Great job

 

[crazyfish123]

I received this email too. It is not an invite to complete the secondary, but rather just a receipt that they received the primary from TMDSAS and that qualified applicants will receive a secondary later on.

 

[purkinjekitty]

I believe they screen for community service /primary care from previous threads as well as MCAT score from their email.

 

[SWR1913]

@wysdoc is there anyway to tell the lowest MCAT score that a school has taken from the previous cycle?

 

[wysdoc]

@wysdoc is there anyway to tell the lowest MCAT score that a school has taken from the previous cycle?

not exactly, you can see a range down to lowest 10% on the MSAR

 

[SWR1913]

not exactly, you can see a range down to lowest 10% on the MSAR

thank you

 

[Sanecharlie]

@wysdoc Received secondary invite via email a few hours ago! Here are the prompts:

Section 1a
I have prior experience in primary care setting (general internal medicine physician, a general pediatrician, or a family medicine physician).
Yes/No

I have prior experience in a medical practice or social service for an underserved area:
Yes/No

I have prior experience in community or public health:
Yes/No

Section 1b
Describe the setting (urban/inner city; suburban; rural); your role and responsibilities; and approximate date range for any of the experiences you indicated in the previous section. If you answered (N) to the category, enter “N/A” or leave the box blank for that category.
Primary Care: (300 character limit)

Medical or Social service for underserved area: (300 character limit)

Community or Public Health: (300 character limit)

Section 2

Describe any employment, family or other obligations that impacted your education that are NOT already indicated in your TMDSAS application. (750 characters, optional)

Describe up to 3 of your activities/life experiences that align with our mission. Explain how they might demonstrate a commitment to underserved communities. The examples you select must be included in TMDSAS primary application. (1500 character limit)

 

[wysdoc]

@wysdoc Received secondary invite via email a few hours ago! Here are the prompts:

Section 1a
I have prior experience in primary care setting (general internal medicine physician, a general pediatrician, or a family medicine physician).
Yes/No

I have prior experience in a medical practice or social service for an underserved area:
Yes/No

I have prior experience in community or public health:
Yes/No

Section 1b
Describe the setting (urban/inner city; suburban; rural); your role and responsibilities; and approximate date range for any of the experiences you indicated in the previous section. If you answered (N) to the category, enter “N/A” or leave the box blank for that category.
Primary Care: (300 character limit)

Medical or Social service for underserved area: (300 character limit)

Community or Public Health: (300 character limit)

Section 2

Describe any employment, family or other obligations that impacted your education that are NOT already indicated in your TMDSAS application. (750 characters, optional)

Describe up to 3 of your activities/life experiences that align with our mission. Explain how they might demonstrate a commitment to underserved communities. The examples you select must be included in TMDSAS primary application. (1500 character limit)

Thanks for sharing, @Sanecharlie

 

[purkinjekitty]

Received secondary today. Transmitted 6/5.

 

[roundgarlic]

Just received a secondary, my application was transmitted 6/1.

When they say "I have prior experience in primary care setting (general internal medicine physician, a general pediatrician, or a family medicine physician)." would it be too much of a stretch to talk about OB/GYN shadowing as well? I feel like some of the visits were definitely primary care concerns and I consider OB/GYN care to be a part of primary care. But I'm not sure if it's worth it to deviate from their list.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know approximately how many primary applications they receive versus secondaries they request? I'm just curious how strict their screening process is, and it doesn't seem like they give exact numbers in the way Dell does.

 

[hornzup]

Those who attend U of H can only do residencies in primary care - is my understanding correct?

 

[SWR1913]

Received secondary yesterday

 

[texasvandy]

Just received a secondary, my application was transmitted 6/1.

When they say "I have prior experience in primary care setting (general internal medicine physician, a general pediatrician, or a family medicine physician)." would it be too much of a stretch to talk about OB/GYN shadowing as well? I feel like some of the visits were definitely primary care concerns and I consider OB/GYN care to be a part of primary care. But I'm not sure if it's worth it to deviate from their list.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know approximately how many primary applications they receive versus secondaries they request? I'm just curious how strict their screening process is, and it doesn't seem like they give exact numbers in the way Dell does.

Have you shadowed any of the type of doctors they listed or only an OB/Gyn?

It is best to answer to the question unless you have not followed any of the specified type but still want to answer. The space given is usually very small and so talking about multiple types would be counter productive.

 

[texasvandy]

Those who attend U of H can only do residencies in primary care - is my understanding correct?

When you apply, they are trying to follow their mission of trying to create primary care doctors to serve in the underserved areas of Houston.

No one can force you to do a residency in a specific area. You apply to the residency you choose as long as you accomplish the grades/scores/research needed for that residency. However, if are applying to UH, you need to show interest and be open minded about primary care in your supplement as well as during interviews or else you will not get admitted.

 

[md24IJN]

I have only shadowed a pediatrician that was specialized. Should I answer no?

 

[texasvandy]

I have only shadowed a pediatrician that was specialized. Should I answer no?

If you shadowed a pediatrician, you can discuss that unless they didnt treat any children (pediatric specialists still treat children? )

The primary reason they have these essays is to make sure the applicant was infact interested in primary care and have done something about it.

Same applies to the next question about underserved areas. These are part of UH mission statements and it would be hard for them to interview people who have shown no interest in the specific mission and want to become orthopedic surgeons instead.

 

[md24IJN]

Thank you!

If you shadowed a pediatrician, you can discuss that unless they didnt treat any children (pediatric specialists still treat children? )

The primary reason they have these essays is to make sure the applicant was infact interested in primary care and have done something about it.

Same applies to the next question about underserved areas. These are part of UH mission statements and it would be hard for them to interview people who have shown no interest in the specific mission and want to become orthopedic surgeons instead.

 

[premed998]

Anyone who has received a secondary, are your letters of evaluation missing? Mine says not received, but I have 4 in TMDSAS system.

 

[purkinjekitty]

Anyone who has received a secondary, are your letters of evaluation missing? Mine says not received, but I have 4 in TMDSAS system.

I had a committee letter submission but mine says complete

 

[Rite1234]

Describe any employment, family or other obligations that impacted your education that are NOT already indicated in your TMDSAS application. (750 characters, optional)

I am slightly confused about this prompt. I did not have any major events or obligations that have impacted me or my education, so I am considering leaving it blank. However, I am wondering if this would be an appropriate place to talk about the impact of COVID on my education. Is it truly optional? Just some thoughts.

 

[wysdoc]

I am slightly confused about this prompt. I did not have any major events or obligations that have impacted me or my education, so I am considering leaving it blank. However, I am wondering if this would be an appropriate place to talk about the impact of COVID on my education. Is it truly optional? Just some thoughts.

This is primarily getting at whether you had to work while in college to help pay the bills for school or living. The school could possibly be more understanding of a less than perfect GPA. It is truly optional. If you haven't already discussed COVID's effect on your education & you have something major to say, you could do it in this space. There is a tiny chance they will think you didn't answer the question that was asked.

 

[texasvandy]

I am slightly confused about this prompt. I did not have any major events or obligations that have impacted me or my education, so I am considering leaving it blank. However, I am wondering if this would be an appropriate place to talk about the impact of COVID on my education. Is it truly optional? Just some thoughts.

Seems like Covid is no longer a topic. This is specifically wanting information that is more personal to you and not common to everyone on earth.

The premise is that you had to work extra hours to make money while you were studying to make ends meet, support family or whatever reason; you have younger siblings, elder family members you were responsible for that took a lot of your time or some other obligations. They are asking you to give more info on yourself in terms of why you might have not done as well as you were capable of - because you spent a lot of time elsewhere.

 

[texasvandy]

This is primarily getting at whether you had to work while in college to help pay the bills for school or living. The school could possibly be more understanding of a less than perfect GPA. It is truly optional. If you haven't already discussed COVID's effect on your education & you have something major to say, you could do it in this space. There is a tiny chance they will think you didn't answer the question that was asked.

I know students who had family members hospitalized during covid for months which was quite stressful and they had to do a lot of other work. Something like can be a cause for additional obligations.

 

[xtrahotcheeto]

Anyone who has received a secondary, are your letters of evaluation missing? Mine says not received, but I have 4 in TMDSAS system.

same issue here, they said it would update a day or two after you submit

 

[hulove]

Those who attend U of H can only do residencies in primary care - is my understanding correct?

That is also my impression. If then, what's difference from DO schools? I am applying both, but just wonder.

 

[purkinjekitty]

That is also my impression. If then, what's difference from DO schools? I am applying both, but just wonder.

You don't have to go into primary care, but that is their mission. DO students also do not have to go into primary care!

 

[hulove]

You don't have to go into primary care, but that is their mission. DO students also do not have to go into primary care!

That is true, not binding at all. But impressed they seem to limit our exploration to other residencies other than primary care.

 

[texasvandy]

UH residencies cover Family medicine, Internal medicine, OB/Gyn, and Surgery. One can start in any of them and continue onto specialty fellowship fields in each of those areas that no longer make them primary care doctors.

When you apply, you need to show interest in the mission statement and have activities to backup your interest. No one can stop you from applying to any field you want when you complete medicine. What does stop you is how well you do in school and whether you are able to get in any rotations in the non primary care field you are interested in other locations.

 

[firstfundamentalform]

Does anyone know when IIs get sent out for OOS students?

 

[txpremed1234]

is there a thread yet for Dell this year?

 

[wysdoc]

is there a thread yet for Dell this year?

Yes 2023-2024 Dell

 

[emin1234]

Can i put volunteering at a church event for the homeless as part of a social service for an undeserved area?

 

[texasvandy]

Can i put volunteering at a church event for the homeless as part of a social service for an undeserved area?

Is it in a city?

 

[emin1234]

Is it in a city?

yea... its not rural

 

[texasvandy]

yea... its not rural

There are designated areas in cities that are underserved but homeless communities are always underserved.

Since the question allows for you to address a social service (not a must health service) in underserved area and you are addressing the homeless, it should count.

 

[emin1234]

got it thanks... cause it was a church event, but it wasnt in a rural area so i wasnt sure whether it would count.

 

[texasvandy]

got it thanks... cause it was a church event, but it wasnt in a rural area so i wasnt sure whether it would count.

Do you have a different story for community or public health?

 

[barney15]

Can I talk about shadowing a geriatrician for the primary care prompt?