Thanks for the info. but sounds kinda scary, "the ones who DID match" lol were there a lot who didn't match? I know at UTHSCSA like 12 people didn't match. One is a guy with a 3.6 gpa and a 237 on the USMLE. He didn't match into a general surgery spot (at UTH, UTSW, and UTHSCSA). He ended up going into the scramble and got a preliminary spot at Baylor. Kinda scary....Isn't a 237 a high scorefor the USMLE?
I'll try to clear up some stuff about all that since I'm a second year and have been trying to piece all that stuff together myself. First off, I'm biased but I think UTMB is the best medical school in the nation. We have great academics and people. Your first two years will be geared for you to do well on the step1, and our board score averages show it. Not only are there lectures, there is pbl to integrate principles seen in lecture and on step1 in clinical cases. Even more, pom gives you clinical education. There may be a school that does things as well as UTMB, but I don't believe there is another school that is better than UTMB.
For residency, the single most important thing is a board score. A competitive score in a particular field can get you a foot in the door. At the same time a low score in a particular field will get you screened out. Take a look at Charting Outcomes in the Match. It will give you an idea of what scores are compatible with what fields. Yeah it sucks that a single score on one test can decide what residency you can go into. But that is the way it is and to be honest you may not get the field you want to get. The good side is you will be going to UTMB and will be prepared to take the test.
For the above guy, I don't know him or his stats, but he does have a good board score for general surgery. While that is most important, there are other factors such as is he a likeable person, can he/she speak english, AOA, research experience, did he/she apply broadly? While his board score is competitive to land him a spot somewhere, as it did, maybe he limited himself by only three choices, I don't know. Residency is competitive.
GPA does not carry the same weight in residency matching as it did for medical school acceptance. Grading systems for the first two years vary across programs. In UTMB, ranking is done for AOA. As far as grades go, AOA is what you want, along with solid year 3 clerkship grades. Do well in third year, get some letters of recommendation.
It is also important to have a background in research. I don't think undergraduate is enough, but that is just my thinking. I think it will be of benefit for all UTMB students to do the summer research program in the summer before second year. That's just my advice and take it how you want.
So all in all, step1, AOA, year3 grades, good letters of recommendation, and research experience.
Focus on those things, not matching. It's not my intention to talk down to you, I hope you don't feel I am. I'm just trying to tell you the things I've heard and come to learn about UTMB.
You're going to be coming to an awesome school. Feel good about it. I'm sure you will enjoy yourself and I wish you and all your fellow classmates success! And also a nice weekend.
