2016 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
VegasPreMed said:
I do have the ability to work there, but I'm more concerned about how good of a job I will do. Each hospital has it's own way of charting things (consults, re-eval notes, medications, etc.) and I am utterly clueless as to how the others do things. My charts will be terrible and I will likely end up having to stay over after each shift trying to "clean up" while the physician is pissed because they can't sign their charts right away.

Blah. Maybe I'll go be a stripper.

img-thing
Click to expand...

If it were me, I'd really sit down with my wife and try to budget it out and see if there is any way make it work without the job (without banking on loans and/or favors). That company sounds atrocious. I'd really try to make it work so I could tell them to pound sand.
Members don't see this ad.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
If it were me, I'd really sit down with my wife and try to budget it out and see if there is any way make it work without the job (without banking on loans and/or favors). That company sounds atrocious. I'd really try to make it work so I could tell them to pound sand.
Click to expand...

Definitely. We went over some budgeting tonight briefly, but we will really hash it all out this weekend.

Oh, in addition to what I mentioned about the company...

No vacation, PTO, or sick days. Health insurance that (for anyone with a spouse or child) costs over $500 a month or another option that is cheaper but covers zero hospitalizations or surgeries. No dental or vision offered.

Sorry for the rant.

images
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
VegasPreMed said:
Definitely. We went over some budgeting tonight briefly, but we will really hash it all out this weekend.

Oh, in addition to what I mentioned about the company...

No vacation, PTO, or sick days. Health insurance that (for anyone with a spouse or child) costs over $500 a month or another option that is cheaper but covers zero hospitalizations or surgeries. No dental or vision offered.

Sorry for the rant.

images
Click to expand...

Oh, hell no. **** them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
Members don't see this ad :)
That's pretty atrocious considering you've been there for THREE YEARS

It's not like you are some fresh college grad who has been working for a few weeks, and it is a legitimate reason. (I am very sorry for your loss)

Can you get a temporary position with a hospital in Reno? I'm sure there are clinics in that area who would love to get someone with your experience. I even bet there are some urgent care centers that could really use the help. Or even Tahoe!
 
tetley said:
That's pretty atrocious considering you've been there for THREE YEARS

It's not like you are some fresh college grad who has been working for a few weeks, and it is a legitimate reason. (I am very sorry for your loss)

Can you get a temporary position with a hospital in Reno? I'm sure there are clinics in that area who would love to get someone with your experience. I even bet there are some urgent care centers that could really use the help. Or even Tahoe!
Click to expand...

That's not a bad idea. I'm not sure if the company I work for is in Reno, though. They made us sign a noncompete agreement, which would be hard for them follow up on with me but I've heard they've done it. Thanks!
 
noncompetes are almost impossible to enforce.
Courts will only consider the case if you're taking trade secrets with you or if you leaving to go work with someone else would be a significant financial loss for the company. Don't let them bully you!

VegasPreMed said:
That's not a bad idea. I'm not sure if the company I work for is in Reno, though. They made us sign a noncompete agreement, which would be hard for them follow up on with me but I've heard they've done it. Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
^ that's a ****ty situation - I know how it feels to be a place of work that doesn't treat you well - it's not fun.

Just keep in mind it's temporary, I'd have someone take a look at the non-compete, my guess is it isn't enforceable, but get someone with legal knowledge to confirm, and move on from what sounds like a house of horrors
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Program director said I should just bail on this cycle and reapply.

:depressed:
 
@VegasPreMed - I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. What I have found in my life, is that if one can make less money and work for better people, better companies and have an overall more stable life, it is worth it.

My life is lived like above. It was worth giving up extras to make my life less full of unnecessary b.s.
 
tetley said:
Program director said I should just bail on this cycle and reapply.

:depressed:
Click to expand...

To program director:

61742089.jpg



Ad2b said:
@VegasPreMed - I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. What I have found in my life, is that if one can make less money and work for better people, better companies and have an overall more stable life, it is worth it.

My life is lived like above. It was worth giving up extras to make my life less full of unnecessary b.s.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the thoughts. I likely will leave early. I already decided to just shell out as many of the shifts as possible to coworkers; we'll lose some money, but I'll get more time with the fam. My wife said we can just have weekly garage sales to make up the difference. :p

Thanks for the advice!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
VegasPreMed said:
Long rant coming. I'm losing my shiznit.

My close friend passed away unexpectedly on Thursday last week (he was 33). I called my work (three days in advance) to let them know I would be calling out for today due to his memorial. I was told that any call outs result in a write up and I would be forced to call each of my coworkers individually to find coverage. After trying this and coming up empty handed, I called back and explained the situation. I officially now have a write up and "disciplinary notice" in my file for calling out. They then proceeded to send a mass text to everyone about "how important it was to find coverage for my shift so I can pay respects to my friend" minutes after writing me up for requesting that EXACT action from them.

Fast forward to today. Our March schedule (which was only published today) has moved me all over multiple facilities (we are credentialed at four). I have worked the same shift at the same hospital for approaching three years.

My wife and I have enough savings to pay for arriving in Reno two months in advance in order to get my daughter accustomed to the move and new city. I can afford to quit now, but we would come up short for both the move and even leaving early. I have been selling all of my stuff (old books, brewing equipment, etc) on Ebay to try and stem the financial pain, but quitting this early would basically squander it and leave us begging any family members for money.

I'm at a loss. Should I just eat it and keep working? I really have no idea what to do. I'm so tired of this company.
Click to expand...
This has to be Scribe America, right?

Also, so incredibly sorry for your loss. It never comes at an easy time and I'm sorry if this is going to put financial stress on you.
 
tetley said:
Program director said I should just bail on this cycle and reapply.

:depressed:
Click to expand...

While you very likely need to be preparing to reapply, there's no point in "bailing". You paid for the application and all those secondaries; you have the right to let them stay under consideration to the end.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Members don't see this ad :)
New_Slang said:
This has to be Scribe America, right?

Also, so incredibly sorry for your loss. It never comes at an easy time and I'm sorry if this is going to put financial stress on you.
Click to expand...

I appreciate it.

I worked for a smaller-ish, physician owned ED company that was recently bought out by Team Health/PhysAssist. Not happy to say the least.
 
Shoutout to you supportive doctors-to-be
if they had the hand raised emoji, I would give you guys some
instead, ill give you one of these
:astronaut:


at least my astronaut application still hasn't been rejected
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
tetley said:
Shoutout to you supportive doctors-to-be
if they had the hand raised emoji, I would give you guys some
instead, ill give you one of these
:astronaut:


at least my astronaut application still hasn't been rejected
Click to expand...

highfive.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
also, just realized I'm going to have to become internet friends with the 2017 non-trads
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
tetley said:
also, just realized I'm going to have to become internet friends with the 2017 non-trads
Click to expand...
Same thing happened to me first time, chin up. On the bright side, you'll also get to join the "Re-Applicant" forums.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Anyone else have to do NeedAccess for their school(s)? Good grief, this thing is intense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Eccesignum said:
Anyone else have to do NeedAccess for their school(s)? Good grief, this thing is intense.
Click to expand...

I do, but only for some of my schools. It's frustrating because my wife and I filed our taxes already, but some of the schools I got into want parent info and of course that has not been filed yet. I've been telling my mom nonstop to please get on that, but she still hasn't filed and it's out of my control. She is used to filing in April.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
occams_razor said:
I do, but only for some of my schools. It's frustrating because my wife and I filed our taxes already, but some of the schools I got into want parent info and of course that has not been filed yet. I've been telling my mom nonstop to please get on that, but she still hasn't filed and it's out of my control. She is used to filing in April.
Click to expand...

Wow, definitely didn't realize you need parent info if you're filing with your wife and basically have nothing to do with your parents' financially.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
Wow, definitely didn't realize you need parent info if you're filing with your wife and basically have nothing to do with your parents' financially.
Click to expand...

yep, it's pretty ridiculous. I have been financially independent for a long time. My wife will be working and supporting us while I'm in med school, so they are taking into account her income (which is completely understandable) but also my parents income, even though they will not be contributing anything financially.
 
occams_razor said:
yep, it's pretty ridiculous. I have been financially independent for a long time. My wife will be working and supporting us while I'm in med school, so they are taking into account her income (which is completely understandable) but also my parents income, even though they will not be contributing anything financially.
Click to expand...

That's absolutely absurd. I haven't filled out a FAFSA in a while (thank God for TA), but I could have sworn that if you're independent, that you don't have to list your parents' info.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
That's absolutely absurd. I haven't filled out a FAFSA in a while (thank God for TA), but I could have sworn that if you're independent, that you don't have to list your parents' info.
Click to expand...

that is correct, the FAFSA does not require that I submit parent info. However for many of the schools I got into, they give need based institutional aid and require parent info for that, so I have to add parent info into the FAFSA if I want to be eligible for any institutional aid.
 
occams_razor said:
that is correct, the FAFSA does not require that I submit parent info. However for many of the schools I got into, they give need based institutional aid and require parent info for that, so I have to add parent info into the FAFSA if I want to be eligible for any institutional aid.
Click to expand...

Ah, I understand. I didn't realize the schools that gave institutional aid required it. That seems a bit behind the times and not very considerate of non-trads.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
occams_razor said:
I do, but only for some of my schools. It's frustrating because my wife and I filed our taxes already, but some of the schools I got into want parent info and of course that has not been filed yet. I've been telling my mom nonstop to please get on that, but she still hasn't filed and it's out of my control. She is used to filing in April.
Click to expand...

What's even more fun is that at one of my school, I'm considered independent by the registrar for the purpose of in-state tuition, but not by financial aid for purpose of need-based aid. The registrar at the same school even seemed baffled that anyone would consider someone in their 30s not financially independent.

This is about to get funky, I can feel it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Those moments when AMCAS keeps reminding you that you haven't yet sent letters of evaluation to this list of schools. I STILL DIDNT GET SECONDARIES THERE, OKAY?!
 
Last edited:
For those of us who need to submit the Need Access application

I called to ask about parent tax information if they a) haven't filed yet, and b) don't file federal income tax (they live in PR). They said that I should note in the "Special circumstances" section that the tax information I'm adding is for a PR income tax return, and that it is 2015's information since it will match exactly their 2015 return.

They also suggested to note anything and everything common for non-traditionals in this section, as schools will definitely read it. This is, of course, in addition to the student contacting schools' financial aid offices and telling them about these particular circumstances directly.

This doesn't make the process any easier, but at least it helps me submit it earlier and its not considered fraudulent.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
entresuspiros said:
For those of us who need to submit the Need Access application

I called to ask about parent tax information if they a) haven't filed yet, and b) don't file federal income tax (they live in PR). They said that I should note in the "Special circumstances" section that the tax information I'm adding is for a PR income tax return, and that it is 2015's information since it will match exactly their 2015 return.

They also suggested to note anything and everything common for non-traditionals in this section, as schools will definitely read it. This is, of course, in addition to the student contacting schools' financial aid offices and telling them about these particular circumstances directly.

This doesn't make the process any easier, but at least it helps me submit it earlier and its not considered fraudulent.
Click to expand...

Where is the Special Circumstances section? I don't think I've seen it yet, but I'm far from done with it.
 
Eccesignum said:
Where is the Special Circumstances section? I don't think I've seen it yet, but I'm far from done with it.
Click to expand...

Its at the very end of the student form. Unfortunately, you will have to click through the entire form to get to that section :/
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
You know, I really don't understand why NeedAccess asks for my parents' retirement account values. Ridiculous.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Good lord, the Need Access form is even more painful that I could have imagined. How are y'all estimating your income / income tax for this year?
 
Accepted to Brown!!! Received the email a few minutes ago.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 7 users
thatwouldbeanarchy said:
Good lord, the Need Access form is even more painful that I could have imagined. How are y'all estimating your income / income tax for this year?
Click to expand...

Estimating the income wasn't too bad, just calculated my gross pay from January until May. Are they asking for us to estimate our federal/state tax for 2016? I don't remember seeing that question.

FYI, if you search for "need access ref x" you will find a document they put out that provides a few extra details about how to fill out each line. It only helped me with one question, though, so it might be best to call them.

Also, Im probably going to call them during my lunch hour about whether refusing to add some of the more perplexing parent information (retirement savings, debt, etc) will place us at a disadvantage when schools review our information. My parents do not appreciate that they're asking all this and frankly, neither do I.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
entresuspiros said:
Also, Im probably going to call them during my lunch hour about whether refusing to add some of the more perplexing parent information (retirement savings, debt, etc) will place us at a disadvantage when schools review our information. My parents do not appreciate that they're asking all this and frankly, neither do I.
Click to expand...

Same here. The information I provided on the FAFSA was intrusive on its own; some of the questions they want me to ask my father for NeedAccess just make me cringe. I need to have a bit of a talk with my schools too.
 
I feel like I'm missing something. What is Need Access? Does everybody need to fill it out in addition to fafsa?
 
entresuspiros said:
Are they asking for us to estimate our federal/state tax for 2016? I don't remember seeing that question.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I believe the question asks for "estimated income tax paid - 2016." Estimating my income wasn't too bad but I'm completely ignorant about tax information. Haha.

I'd love to hear what they say when you call. So much of what I'm entering on this form is completely made up! Not sure how much of a factor it'll play.

idontknowwhatnametopick said:
I feel like I'm missing something. What is Need Access? Does everybody need to fill it out in addition to fafsa?
Click to expand...
No, it depends on the school. Some schools use Need Access for institutional aid - but not all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
thatwouldbeanarchy said:
Yeah, I believe the question asks for "estimated income tax paid - 2016." Estimating my income wasn't too bad but I'm completely ignorant about tax information. Haha.

I'd love to hear what they say when you call. So much of what I'm entering on this form is completely made up! Not sure how much of a factor it'll play.


No, it depends on the school. Some schools use Need Access for institutional aid - but not all.
Click to expand...
OK so schools that do use or will let me know if I need to fill it out?
 
List of Med Schools selectable in NeedAccess (If you're doing financial aid for one of these be sure and check if you have to do NeedAccess! some don't require it if you're over a certain age but some do). Hopefully I didn't miss any.

Alpert (Brown)
Boston University
Case Western Reserve
Columbia
Creighton (M3 and M4)
CUNY
David Geffen
Duke
Dartmouth
Harvard
Hofstra
Icahn (Mount Sinai)
Northwestern
NYU
Perelman
Pritzker
Quinnipiac
Stanford
University of Cincinnati
University of Pittsburgh
Rochester
VCU
Wake Forest
Weill Cornell
Western Michigan
Yale
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
Yeah! Are we thinking downtown or the 'burbs? Downtown is easier for me. And Wednesday works best.

I know @charlie517 and @Family practice PA are in the Seattleish area, but not so sure how easy it is for them to meet in Seattle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
@Eccesignum do you know what's better?

staying in the hostel above the shop and waking up to the smell of pie wafting in to your room.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
You must log in or register to reply here.
Next unread thread

Similar threads

N
NonTrad advice needed
Replies
1
Views
598
wysdoc
wysdoc
N
Nontrad - finance to medicine... looking for advice
Replies
7
Views
525
seltzerfan95
S
T
School List - Nontrad Veteran 3.2 cGPA, 3.4 sGPA, MCAT 5/10
Replies
4
Views
676
chssoccer7
C
H
Progress Check
Replies
0
Views
305
HopefulDave
H
H
Nontrad trans URM, not enrolled in pre-med yet, interested in plastics
Replies
26
Views
1K
AW125
A
Top