Definitely more informative than during Interview day. I guess on interview day it was all about me impressing them than the other way around. Plus if they reveal all info, then there wouldn't be anything left to say on 2nd Visit Day now, would there?
🙂
So after registration, we were welcome by Director of Admissions.
Then Student Affairs dean talked about the support system provided for students. She emphasized that each students will have 5 advisors (can't remember all the titles) including a student advisor (upperclassman), academic advisor, specialty advisor,... Another emphasis was that all students are in this together and work together to succeed (tight knit community).
Here's the link to the dept.
http://www.upstate.edu/currentstudents/support/dean/
Here's the link to counseling services:
http://www.upstate.edu/currentstudents/support/scc/
Then Dr Stearns (she'll be teaching summer anatomy) talked about Community Outreach and Global Health. There're plenty of free clinics and outreach programs that will provide students opportunities to interact with real patients. There're also trips/activities that has global focus (currently Haiti). Here's the link to the flyer:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-tXk6nOVaRTUVJRLTYyeFpTZnVqN1p0My1OR3JiZw
Here's the link to the school department:
http://upstate.edu/currentstudents/academic/outreach/
She also mentioned that you can even organize your own trip for global health.
Then Director of Campus Activities (CAB) talked about their department. Basically there's life outside school. The CAB tries to organize events, entertainments, trips (monthly) for students. For example, the once a month Spring Coffeehouse series (free coffees, dessert, music performance), Upstate Comedy ($5 charge) during happy hour (wings, nachos, pizza, beer/wine avail. for purchase). He also mentioned some trips to Disneyland and white-water rafting trip (got me excited there
😀). There're also many student organizations. A gym (swimming pool, sauna, weight room, treadmill, elliptical, squash & racquetball court, ...). The school is pretty close to Marshall street, which has quite a few restaurants, shops, bars, and whatnot.
Here's a list of student organizations:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-tXk6nOVaRTTUZ1OWpaX2tUVE93NWlnUFJlbnJYUQ
Map and legend of Marshall street:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-tXk6nOVaRTY1FEQk9xc3VSSmVrSkp1MDY2OTE1Zw
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-tXk6nOVaRTdEdDMDExTjZRZnVwb0NGdWFnaGlXQQ
Flyer for CAB:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-tXk6nOVaRTYTdzYnhsbEdUNFNrLXBTeFJLX2J6Zw
CAB website and gym facilities:
http://www.upstate.edu/currentstudents/campuslife/activities/cab_facilities.php
Facebook group for CAB to get latest updates on events:
http://www.facebook.com/upstatecagb?__adt=12
Then we got a tour of the anatomy lab, and clinical skills lab (with more in-depth explanation about standardized patient)
Then we had a student panel. Mostly talked about study habits (all lectures are recorded and online; lecture attendance is not required except for MLC; find what works for you). Talked about housing options (clark/geneva furnished and have everything but more expensive; jefferson/madison not furnished and cheaper but long wait to apply; or rent house/apartment a few miles off campus). Talked about grades (pass/high pass/honor; some class pick say top 15% for honor, some class pick if you're above certain percentage you get honor, so it depends on the class; 70% is consider passed except for MCL requires 75%). I believe they also said notes are provided so you don't need to buy text books.
Then we went over the curriculum. Here's the link to the DRAFT curriculum
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-tXk6nOVaRTbDZRT1o2WXNRa1NSMXB6Wnh0aVF4UQ
(the first row is month-year, second row is unit number, third row is the number of weeks)
Then Interim dean talked about the LCME probation. He talked about the history of LCME giving out probations and/or warnings in the past 8 years. He promised that this issue definitely be resolved. They now hire a person whose job is just making sure they're LCME compliant. Positive changes are happening to achieve better governance. I did ask him about the future of tuition increase and he said that it's not their decision to increase tuition. It's up to the SUNY system to decide on tuition. So, with the economy recovering
🙂xf
🙂, hopefully it won't go up. Here's the breakdown on tuition and expenses:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-tXk6nOVaRTQUJOZ0ozdnFUei1JczdwNjhaVTdOZw
Then we had lunch
👍 (pretty good food) and walked around exhibitor tables to learn more about the clinical campus, financial aid, outreach, various departments, ...
Then the students took a tour to the Golisano Children's hospital and a tour of Geneva Tower (I didn't go so I can't elaborate).
The end.
p.s. Don't forget to join our 2016 facebook group! If you're looking for roommates, it's a good place to start.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/161373027297306/
) Although I did find a few cons, overall it's a positive review from me. 
