UTMB Spring 2013

manduhh54 · Oct 11, 2012

Thank you for the information!

doreendoyin · Oct 11, 2012

Great advice!

sumokitty · Oct 11, 2012

Thanks a million. Now I have to figure out the logistics of traveling from Richmond, TX to Galveston.

Are you thinking of COMMUTING?

asalazar86 · Oct 11, 2012

Just a tip for those of u thinking about relocating: Clearlake is 30 min from Galveston, 20 min from kemah, and 25 min from downtown. If your like me and not completely comfortable moving all the way into Galveston, the surrounding areas have pretty decent commute times, low prices, and plenty of apartments to choose from

manduhh54 · Oct 11, 2012

I was actually thinking about getting an apartment in the clear lake/kemah/league city area if anyone is interested in rooming with me!

sumokitty · Oct 11, 2012

Just a tip for those of u thinking about relocating: Clearlake is 30 min from Galveston, 20 min from kemah, and 25 min from downtown. If your like me and not completely comfortable moving all the way into Galveston, the surrounding areas have pretty decent commute times, low prices, and plenty of apartments to choose from

Hey, I am in your pathophysiology class! I sit in the row in front of you on the right side.

lizziedarden · Oct 11, 2012

@manduhh54 Have you already been accepted or are you still waiting?!?! I'm still waiting to hear anything... I'm going crazy!!

manduhh54 · Oct 11, 2012

I have not been accepted yet but from what I hear no news is good news & it's always better to be prepared!

nikkijean09 · Oct 12, 2012

As Sarah said, If anything calling up there is going to slow down the process! The only thing you can do is make sure you have all your paperwork in (via mystar NOT by calling the school!!) And sit back and wait! I was in your shoes literally 7 months ago and now here I am half way through my first semester of nursing school...and I DID NOT CALL UTMB ONE SINGLE TIME. I had to wait 5 months before I heard anything!! And one of my classmates (who is now one of my very good friends) was accepted THE DAY BEFORE classes started and she is doing just as well as I am! SO CALM DOWN. You will have plenty of time! If classes start January 17 and you get accepted January 16- consider yourself lucky and blessed because there are LITERALLY hundreds of students who would take your place in a heart beat. I always remember that as hard as it gets and as frustrating it can all be- THERE WERE LITERALLY 800 OTHER PEOPLE WHO WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO BE WHERE I AM TODAY. As I know Sarah has told y'all multiple time, CALM DOWN, RELAX, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, AND BE FLEXIBLE. You only think it's hard now. You have to carry flexibility with you throughout your nursing school experience and throughout your career as a nurse so do yourselves a favor and get used to it now;)! I know the waiting is hard, but "this too shall pass." So just take a deep breath and do all you can do- WAIT! :)!

CR9012 · Oct 12, 2012

Yes I want to be a R.N. but I'm sorry calling someone & telling them report to school in 24 hours is just downright unprofessional. The amount of work required to move and begin classes cannot be expected to be taken care of in that time.

The fact that we were all emailed and told a time frame that was not accurate was unprofessional & created the office havoc they have on their hands. I truly believe had they sent out in that letter stating "please contact us if you have not heard from us by November" instead of a matter of weeks they would be receiving far fewer phone calls. When you contact the office, they tell you please call back, so once again creating their own office havoc.

In reference to the note about their inability to read applications until September and are doing so in their spare time, that is by administrative choice. The administration sets the deadline--most other schools are in the fall probably for that reason and the administration decides who will read the applications and serve on the committee for interviews etc. I consider it poor planning by the administration choosing members to serve as the admissions committee that are unable to dedicate proper amounts of time, and/or a deadline that does not coincide with their schedules.

I don't appreciate being told to be flexible on account of poor planning, if there were circumstances beyond their control (such as a hurricane) impacting their performance I would have much more understanding. As it stands I feel as if they have direct control and have not taken responsibility for their choices. I'm sorry if this offends anyone but I felt strongly this needed to be said.

nikkijean09 · Oct 12, 2012

Showing up for class with only 24 hours notice can be done. No, it's not ideal. However, there are a ton of students who would be more than happy to do so. Sometimes the "if you want it bad enough you can make it happen" attitude is all it takes. It's not a matter of being professional- attending UTMB is an opportunity offered to you when you are accepted. Most see it as a blessing (including myself) and there is no one telling you you HAVE to attend, nor are you entitled to the right to attend. If it is too short of notice for you, you simply decline and they move onto the next hopeful student. As long as you do not wait until the last minute (as Sarah said) to do your CPR etc. all you will need is books and scrubs- completely doable.

There is a system for applying and mystar to monitor your application- so really, they do have a system in place. Overly anxious students calling constantly was not asked for by the people manning the phones at UTMB. You are able to monitor your application status on your mystar. I understand being anxious and wanting to hear something but, (as Sarah has already said) calling UTMB is not going to get you accepted any more quickly.

As to not being able to read applications until September- Have you looked at tuition costs for UTMB? I would rather have to wait a few months to hear back from them as to whether or not I was accepted into the program rather than pay an additional several thousand dollars a semester so that they can have a larger application review comitee.

As to flexibility- as Sarah has said over and over (I know because she told me this personally many times while I applied and after I was accepted) it is the key to nursing school. You have to have it for the entire program. Things are constantly changing because UTMB cares enough that they are constantly working on improving things for us. So yes, things change, they don't go how you want, how you planned, in the time you want, etc. and you have to be flexible and I would not trade it for the world. I know I am one of the lucky ones who recieved the acceptance letter.

And just an FYI- Sarah is a senior student who is in the middle of taking mid-terms (for some classes), finals (for other classes), clinicals, and ATI exams; and she also has a family to care for and a personal life to uphold. She is helping y'all and passing information on you y'all out of the goodness of her heart. She is VOLUNTEERING her time and energy (and as you will find out when you start nursing school) both of those are in short supply at the end of the day in the nursing program. She is helping y'all out! She is guiding y'all and for that she deserves the upmost respect and thanks. You do not have to agree with her (everyone is entilted to their own opinion) but you should respect her. I know I do. I wouldn't still be sane if it wasn't for her help. So keep this in mind while posting on this page and communicating with her.

I understand this process is frustrating and full of anxiety and stress. No amount of phone calls, rudeness, or emails is going to change that. Respect Sarah, respect UTMB, and respect eachother. We are all adults here.

CR9012 · Oct 12, 2012

I definitely appreciate Sarah and all her helpful information & Sarah--I am sorry if I offended you but I think the administration has left you in a horrible position.

My main point is that they chose the process--they deal with these issues every semester--if they choose not to address them that is their choice. Other schools have longer wait periods--but they are upfront & not requesting individuals to contact them halfway through it. I do not believe asking for proper information and consideration of my time is asking too much. I definitely believe this is a two way street.