2012-2013 University of Wisconsin Application Thread

[Akeelah Bee]

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Do you guys think this is a good find? I want something dog-friendly and within walking distance to the med school. $920 seems like a lot, but heating/electric is included.

http://madison.craigslist.org/apa/3658839006.html

Take it from me (UW grad and still living here)... that is a good find. That is really close to school, and for that square footage and heat included you can't beat it, at least for Madison prices. Even though this isn't really a "big" city, the pricing market around here is crazy because of the campus atmosphere. I live in a one bedroom with almost half that square footage for 900 a month downtown. Just my opinion, but I think it's a good deal. Hope that helps! 🙂

 

[madison1]

When I was apartment hunting, I toured 2 units that were dog friendly and near the hospital. The manager was super nice and the tenants who lived there seemed to like him. He said it was mostly grad/med/vet students with pets that have lived there. It has a small yard. Might want to check it out.

Not the best website, but shows the 2 units are still available:
http://deluxeproperties4u.com/Deluxe_Properties/Apartment_information/Apartment_information.html

Good luck!

Thanks so much! This place looks great!

Do you guys think this is a good find? I want something dog-friendly and within walking distance to the med school. $920 seems like a lot, but heating/electric is included.

http://madison.craigslist.org/apa/3658839006.html

This is the same place haha. Looks good though.

 

[GreyEarl]

This is the same place haha. Looks good though.

You're right- I only clicked on Apt #1 before. 😛

 

[LadyPengCat]

Well, one week after getting the post-interview rejection in the mail, I think I have sufficiently recovered to post about it on here. Watching OSU beat Wisconsin yesterday for the Big Ten championship might have helped some (not that OSU even offered me an interview, but whatevs).

OOS and I applied super late, so I was lucky to get the interview. But I absolutely fell in love with Madison -- friendliest group of people I met, from the guy who sat next to me on the plane, to the driver and passengers of my shared cab that gave me an impromptu tour of Madison through a snowstorm, to my fellow interviewees and the admissions staff. And I think the school is amazing. It will be a lucky bunch that will be attending!

 

[Ellie Arroway]

I keep getting calls from UW folks encouraging me to attend and asking if I have any questions. I am starting to feel like a jerk for sounding non-committal! I wish my other schools would tell me what's up but I probably won't know where I'm going until May.

Does anyone know if scholarships are all decided, or if that is an ongoing process?

 

[Akeelah Bee]

I keep getting calls from UW folks encouraging me to attend and asking if I have any questions. I am starting to feel like a jerk for sounding non-committal! I wish my other schools would tell me what's up but I probably won't know where I'm going until May.

Does anyone know if scholarships are all decided, or if that is an ongoing process?

It's an ongoing process for sure. I just got a call today about a scholarship offer and I was told that they meet regularly and send out offers throughout the spring and summer.

 

[1289]

I keep getting calls from UW folks encouraging me to attend and asking if I have any questions. I am starting to feel like a jerk for sounding non-committal! I wish my other schools would tell me what's up but I probably won't know where I'm going until May.

Does anyone know if scholarships are all decided, or if that is an ongoing process?

Got a call from a student today as well! (Assuming this is what happened with you) and yeah all this encouragement on their end makes me feel bad that I am probably turning it down haha

It seems sorta crazy to me how much recruitment they do, specifically for in state students, I doubt they have too much trouble finding students who want to come here.

 

[oncosankenobi]

Got a call from a student today as well! (Assuming this is what happened with you) and yeah all this encouragement on their end makes me feel bad that I am probably turning it down haha

It seems sorta crazy to me how much recruitment they do, specifically for in state students, I doubt they have too much trouble finding students who want to come here.

I wonder how UW knows who they need to be actively recruiting. I haven't received any personal calls or solicitations. It's like the office just knows whether we're on the fence or locked into coming. That's super awesome, but a bit scary to realize we're being tracked. Hey 1289, are you just itching for a new experience outside of Madison or is there something about UW that bothers you? Though I've pretty much decided on coming, it's been hard for me to decide against staying on the East Coast. No program is perfect and I would love to hear honest opinions about the program. I know the admin folks read SDN, so maybe what we address here might stimulate policy changes for the future class. People seem to be disinterested in the away rotations. I'm scared myself, but I hope exposure to a different environment might be beneficial to us as physicians. Madison is a bit of a cultural, social, and political bubble.

 

[1289]

I wonder how UW knows who they need to be actively recruiting. I haven't received any personal calls or solicitations. It's like the office just knows whether we're on the fence or locked into coming. That's super awesome, but a bit scary to realize we're being tracked. Hey 1289, are you just itching for a new experience outside of Madison or is there something about UW that bothers you? Though I've pretty much decided on coming, it's been hard for me to decide against staying on the East Coast. No program is perfect and I would love to hear honest opinions about the program. I know the admin folks read SDN, so maybe what we address here might stimulate policy changes for the future class. People seem to be disinterested in the away rotations. I'm scared myself, but I hope exposure to a different environment might be beneficial to us as physicians. Madison is a bit of a cultural, social, and political bubble.

Agreed! Its very strange how they do seem to be contacting people on the fence. I know that it must not be totally based on acceptances to other schools bc ik someone in state who's also undecided between uw and other schools they've been accepted to and they haven't been reached out to at this point.

As far as why I Dont want to go to uw, I certainly have nothing fundamentally against the school or Madison.. this is actually an agonizing choice for me bc I do love Madison and had a great college experience here. If you've never lived in Madison before you won't be disappointed, there's a little something for everyone here! But I am just soo ready for a change of scenery and am ready to move on. I haven't fully decided tho so I may end up staying

 

[GreyEarl]

I wonder how UW knows who they need to be actively recruiting. I haven't received any personal calls or solicitations. It's like the office just knows whether we're on the fence or locked into coming. That's super awesome, but a bit scary to realize we're being tracked. Hey 1289, are you just itching for a new experience outside of Madison or is there something about UW that bothers you? Though I've pretty much decided on coming, it's been hard for me to decide against staying on the East Coast. No program is perfect and I would love to hear honest opinions about the program. I know the admin folks read SDN, so maybe what we address here might stimulate policy changes for the future class. People seem to be disinterested in the away rotations. I'm scared myself, but I hope exposure to a different environment might be beneficial to us as physicians. Madison is a bit of a cultural, social, and political bubble.

Yay another East Coaster! I feel the same way.. I'm pretty apprehensive about the away rotation thing but UW has given me the most money out of any school and I feel like I'd be a fool to pass it up. I received a phone call from a student last week and from my interviewer the week before. Maybe yours is coming soon. I was accepted all the way back in November.

 

[oncosankenobi]

Do they have rotations in minominee county? That would be an experience I would really get excited over. EarlGrey, we need to grab coffee (or tea in your case.. hehe)! Are you going to second look? I think you hit it on the head. UW is reaching out to people accepted earlier in the cycle. I applied late and was accepted relatively recently.

1289, when I graduated college, all I wanted to do was move as far away as I can. I ended up moving 10,000 miles east (SE Asia) and I stayed there for 2 years. Best decision of my life!! My parents begged to differ. Do what makes you happy, man. Experience is invaluable. It's one of the reasons I'm exited to be moving to Wisco (can I say this?? I know San Franciscans hate "Frisco").

 

[HalfPast6]

Do they have rotations in minominee county? That would be an experience I would really get excited over. EarlGrey, we need to grab coffee (or tea in your case.. hehe)! Are you going to second look? I think you hit it on the head. UW is reaching out to people accepted earlier in the cycle. I applied late and was accepted relatively recently.

1289, when I graduated college, all I wanted to do was move as far away as I can. I ended up moving 10,000 miles east (SE Asia) and I stayed there for 2 years. Best decision of my life!! My parents begged to differ. Do what makes you happy, man. Experience is invaluable. It's one of the reasons I'm exited to be moving to Wisco (can I say this?? I know San Franciscans hate "Frisco").

Cool! Which country did you live in?

 

[oncosankenobi]

I lived mostly in Thailand and Vietnam, but I had some time to travel and did some backpacking through Laos, Cambodia, and Nepal. I would love to go back to Nepal for our 4th year elective. What sold UW for me was actually its global health institute. The Dalai Lama is coming to the institute on May 15th, I may skip 2nd look and visit Madison in May instead (http://ghi.wisc.edu/the-dalai-lama-to-lead-change-your-mind-change-the-world-2013-on-may-15/). Any Madison residents thinking of going to the discussion?

 

[Mister Medical]

I guess they are just calling all around the interview/acceptance spectrum because I've received calls from 2 deans and a doctor urging me to attend... the pressure! And I found out last week that they are offering me a 4 year long, full tuition scholarship! Sooooooo appreciative, yet so confused about what choice to make!

 

[1289]

I guess they are just calling all around the interview/acceptance spectrum because I've received calls from 2 deans and a doctor urging me to attend... the pressure! And I found out last week that they are offering me a 4 year long, full tuition scholarship! Sooooooo appreciative, yet so confused about what choice to make!

ohmygosh congrats! full tuition- that's incredible!!

 

[oncosankenobi]

I guess they are just calling all around the interview/acceptance spectrum because I've received calls from 2 deans and a doctor urging me to attend... the pressure! And I found out last week that they are offering me a 4 year long, full tuition scholarship! Sooooooo appreciative, yet so confused about what choice to make!

Wow, congrats!! What are you choosing between? I had no idea UW had this kind of money.

 

[Mister Medical]

I'm new to this forum, and now after reading the above thoughts on this page possibly being monitored I'm wondering how appropriate it was to put that post up. 😕

ohmygosh congrats! full tuition- that's incredible!!

Wow, congrats!! What are you choosing between? I had no idea UW had this kind of money.

But thanks guys, I feel super fortunate. I'm deciding between UW, SLU and Loyola. The only thing that scares me about UW is the away rotations, I just can't seem to wrap my head around that. I may be thinking too much into it, but I have friends that were in a very similar boat with UW and still turned it down so I'm not sure if going with my gut is plausible with such an amazing offer on the table. A lot to think about.

 

[oncosankenobi]

I wouldn't worry about being tracked. Consider it a compliment. You're mvp. Wow, I had no idea there is so much reluctance to UW! I'm pretty surprised. Did I jump to judgment too quickly? Is everyone just dying to leave Wisconsin? I understand the patient population is pretty homogenous, but the school and med program seemed top notch. I withdrew from a bunch of schools because I couldn't see myself choosing them over UW . Maybe a hasty decision. The away rotations are meant to provide diversity of clinical exposure. Sure, there needs to be stronger protocols in place to control against variability of adverse experiences, but that's remediable. Other than the away rotations, is there anything else people are concerned about? ... I'm curious what I'm missing.

 

[jlescher]

I wouldn't worry about being tracked. Consider it a compliment. You're mvp. Wow, I had no idea there is so much reluctance to UW! I'm pretty surprised. Did I jump to judgment too quickly? Is everyone just dying to leave Wisconsin? I understand the patient population is pretty homogenous, but the school and med program seemed top notch. I withdrew from a bunch of schools because I couldn't see myself choosing them over UW . Maybe a hasty decision. The away rotations are meant to provide diversity of clinical exposure. Sure, there needs to be stronger protocols in place to control against variability of adverse experiences, but that's remediable. Other than the away rotations, is there anything else people are concerned about? ... I'm curious what I'm missing.

I think it simply comes down to people wanting to experience something new. I could be wrong but it seems like all of the people on the fence about leaving Madison have lived in Wisconsin for the majority of their lives, went to UW, and want something fresh. I went to school in Milwaukee and couldn't wait to to experience something new, so I moved to DC to work for two years. It was a fantastic experience, but now that I have done it, I would love to come back to Wisconsin for medical school. Yes, the away rotations can provoke some anxiety, but you can also use them to get more diversity. If you want diversity, go to Milwaukee for a rotation. You will get the diversity and experience of any large city. It's just not that large.

 

[GreyEarl]

I guess they are just calling all around the interview/acceptance spectrum because I've received calls from 2 deans and a doctor urging me to attend... the pressure! And I found out last week that they are offering me a 4 year long, full tuition scholarship! Sooooooo appreciative, yet so confused about what choice to make!

Me too! And they said that we might get more than free tuition if we demonstrate financial need from our FAFSA. The total cost of living is something like 56K for OOSers, so that's the maximum break we could get.

EDIT: Also, I think it'd be ridiculous to turn this opportunity down. No school is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars more to attend.

 

[Akeelah Bee]

I think it simply comes down to people wanting to experience something new. I could be wrong but it seems like all of the people on the fence about leaving Madison have lived in Wisconsin for the majority of their lives, went to UW, and want something fresh. I went to school in Milwaukee and couldn't wait to to experience something new, so I moved to DC to work for two years. It was a fantastic experience, but now that I have done it, I would love to come back to Wisconsin for medical school. Yes, the away rotations can provoke some anxiety, but you can also use them to get more diversity. If you want diversity, go to Milwaukee for a rotation. You will get the diversity and experience of any large city. It's just not that large.

I completely agree with this. I am in the same boat and though the away rotations do make me nervous, another key factor is that I have been here forever. I'm not from Madison, but I have been here since high school, so I've seen and done it all. And being a young adult, it's not like medical school is the end of my young life, so happiness is really important to me. So while it may sound silly, I think that experience and happiness should weigh heavily on the decision, not just money. So don’t worry about your decision/excitement for UW, it's super valid, but us Wisco natives just want a little fresh air.

Me too! And they said that we might get more than free tuition if we demonstrate financial need from our FAFSA. The total cost of living is something like 56K for OOSers, so that's the maximum break we could get.

EDIT: Also, I think it'd be ridiculous to turn this opportunity down. No school is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars more to attend.

And, in conjunction with my post above, I respect your opinion on the situation, but I wouldn't consider it ridiculous to turn it down. I know several people that have and couldn't be happier. I think people assume that you either take this scholarship or you get hundreds of thousands in debt. While it is an amazing offer, and I feel very privileged, there are opportunities throughout the 4 years to get other scholarships and such, not a guarantee, but I think it's worth weighing your happiness and the intangibles against the money. At least that's how I'm approaching it 🙂.

 

[GreyEarl]

I completely agree with this. I am in the same boat and though the away rotations do make me nervous, another key factor is that I have been here forever. I'm not from Madison, but I have been here since high school, so I've seen and done it all. And being a young adult, it's not like medical school is the end of my young life, so happiness is really important to me. So while it may sound silly, I think that experience and happiness should weigh heavily on the decision, not just money. So don't worry about your decision/excitement for UW, it's super valid, but us Wisco natives just want a little fresh air.



And, in conjunction with my post above, I respect your opinion on the situation, but I wouldn't consider it ridiculous to turn it down. I know several people that have and couldn't be happier. I think people assume that you either take this scholarship or you get hundreds of thousands in debt. While it is an amazing offer, and I feel very privileged, there are opportunities throughout the 4 years to get other scholarships and such, not a guarantee, but I think it's worth weighing your happiness and the intangibles against the money. At least that's how I'm approaching it 🙂.

I'm saying that for me, as a person who isn't from the Midwest, and who has gotten into similarly ranked programs on the East Coast, it would be ridiculous to turn down a full tuition scholarship versus 55K a year at another school I was heavily considering. I should have been more clear.

 

[Akeelah Bee]

I'm saying that for me, as a person who isn't from the Midwest, and who has gotten into similarly ranked programs on the East Coast, it would be ridiculous to turn down a full tuition scholarship versus 55K a year at another school I was heavily considering. I should have been more clear.

No worries, sorry if I came off snappy, I def wasn't trying to be! Just throwing my 2 cents 🙂.

But kenobi, I'm curious. You said you easily declined Rush for UW, and that's where my hang up is in the reverse fashion. Do you mind if I ask why? Just curious to get alternate opinions on schools! 🙂

 

[HalfPast6]

Wow, congrats Akelee & MisterMedical on your scholarships!

I'm a little torn about UW's away rotations too but if I had a full scholarship there I'd probably go there in a heartbeat.

@ocosan, thanks for bringing up the global health institute. I'm interested in spending 4th year in Cambodia & Vietnam, so I'll look into that.

 

[jlescher]

Wow, congrats Akelee & MisterMedical on your scholarships!

I'm a little torn about UW's away rotations too (seeing as I have a family) but if I had a full scholarship there I'd probably go there in a heartbeat.

@ocosan, thanks for bringing up the global health institute. I'm interested in spending 4th year in Cambodia & Vietnam, so I'll look into that.

They do give away rotation exceptions for 3rd year. If you have a family you probably don't need to leave Madison or go very far.

 

[Akeelah Bee]

They do give away rotation exceptions for 3rd year. If you have a family you probably don't need to leave Madison or go very far.

Right, but as a single woman with no kids I doubt those exceptions go to me .

 

[1289]

Right, but as a single woman with no kids I doubt those exceptions go to me .

Lol I hear you on this one 🙂 I'd be interested in the triumph program but I can't get a definite answer from anyone on how competitive it is to get in, considering there's only 16(I think..) spots per class. guess that'll be a question for second look

 

[oncosankenobi]

Right, but as a single woman with no kids I doubt those exceptions go to me .

Well, there's 2 years and 6 months left. Those demographic characteristics may very well change! haha. I'm kidding, of course.

But kenobi, I'm curious. You said you easily declined Rush for UW, and that's where my hang up is in the reverse fashion. Do you mind if I ask why? Just curious to get alternate opinions on schools! 🙂

I actually edited my post to remove that part of the post because I was afraid it was going to offend a bunch of Rush folks. RUSH is a great school in a great city with a very diverse student/doctor/patient populations. Rush doesn't have the best reputation in CA (where I grew up) or in NYC (where I live currently). If those aren't areas where you're interested in matching, then it totally doesn't matter what I say. Chicago would definitely be a fun place to live!

1289, thanks for the private message! You're awesome. Best of luck on your decision! I'm going to shut up now because you guys/girls have every right to agonize. I turned down my alma mater too so I can't help but feel a bit hypocritical.

 

[oncosankenobi]

Me too! And they said that we might get more than free tuition if we demonstrate financial need from our FAFSA. The total cost of living is something like 56K for OOSers, so that's the maximum break we could get.

EDIT: Also, I think it'd be ridiculous to turn this opportunity down. No school is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars more to attend.

Earl, you got a full-tuition scholarship?!?! Wow, congrats.

PS. Can a dog count as family and qualify for exemption? If it does, then I've been in a committed, loving relationship for 3 years. 😀😀 haha.

 

[drizzt3117]

I wouldn't worry about being tracked. Consider it a compliment. You're mvp. Wow, I had no idea there is so much reluctance to UW! I'm pretty surprised. Did I jump to judgment too quickly? Is everyone just dying to leave Wisconsin? I understand the patient population is pretty homogenous, but the school and med program seemed top notch. I withdrew from a bunch of schools because I couldn't see myself choosing them over UW . Maybe a hasty decision. The away rotations are meant to provide diversity of clinical exposure. Sure, there needs to be stronger protocols in place to control against variability of adverse experiences, but that's remediable. Other than the away rotations, is there anything else people are concerned about? ... I'm curious what I'm missing.

UW doesn't actually have a very homogeneous patient population. Given that its referral area is the majority of WI and much of the surrounding states, you get patients of every type. Even the community doesn't have a very homogenous patient population. I'm a resident at one of UW's major away teaching hospitals and our patient population is very similar to what you'd find in inner cities from a health perspective (for better or worse).

I completely agree with this. I am in the same boat and though the away rotations do make me nervous, another key factor is that I have been here forever. I'm not from Madison, but I have been here since high school, so I've seen and done it all. And being a young adult, it's not like medical school is the end of my young life, so happiness is really important to me. So while it may sound silly, I think that experience and happiness should weigh heavily on the decision, not just money. So don't worry about your decision/excitement for UW, it's super valid, but us Wisco natives just want a little fresh air.

People need to chill about the away rotations; IMO they're much better than spending the entire time at the mothership hospital. It's nice to be out of the purely academic environment at least for awhile, and getting an experience of what things are like in the community is really useful for those actually pursuing jobs in the community in the future.

And, in conjunction with my post above, I respect your opinion on the situation, but I wouldn't consider it ridiculous to turn it down. I know several people that have and couldn't be happier. I think people assume that you either take this scholarship or you get hundreds of thousands in debt. While it is an amazing offer, and I feel very privileged, there are opportunities throughout the 4 years to get other scholarships and such, not a guarantee, but I think it's worth weighing your happiness and the intangibles against the money. At least that's how I'm approaching it 🙂.

There really aren't opportunities to get significant amounts of scholarships during medical school. UW will give some scholarship money to excellent students in each class but it's like 1-5k at the most, not anywhere near a full tuition/expenses scholarship. Paying to go to medical school when you have a scholarship to a top 25 school is stupid. You'll regret it for all of residency and much of the rest of your adult life unless you're independently wealthy or have parents to pay for it all.

Lol I hear you on this one 🙂 I'd be interested in the triumph program but I can't get a definite answer from anyone on how competitive it is to get in, considering there's only 16(I think..) spots per class. guess that'll be a question for second look

Triumph is easy to get; everyone who applies gets it; they don't usually fill all 16 spots.

 

[1289]

Thanks drizzt

 

[Akeelah Bee]

People need to chill about the away rotations; IMO they're much better than spending the entire time at the mothership hospital. It's nice to be out of the purely academic environment at least for awhile, and getting an experience of what things are like in the community is really useful for those actually pursuing jobs in the community in the future.



There really aren't opportunities to get significant amounts of scholarships during medical school. UW will give some scholarship money to excellent students in each class but it's like 1-5k at the most, not anywhere near a full tuition/expenses scholarship. Paying to go to medical school when you have a scholarship to a top 25 school is stupid. You'll regret it for all of residency and much of the rest of your adult life unless you're independently wealthy or have parents to pay for it all.

No offense, but I'll judge my decision (and I guess therefore my stupidity 🙄) based on where I think I'll be happiest, not simply where someone else had a good experience. Not that you aren't entitled to your opinion, but you shouldn't presume that just because you didn't mind that aspect of the school it's not something that may cause the next person a great deal of anxiety.

 

[oncosankenobi]

No offense, but I'll judge my decision (and I guess therefore my stupidity 🙄) based on where I think I'll be happiest, not simply where someone else had a good experience. Not that you aren't entitled to your opinion, but you shouldn't presume that just because you didn't mind that aspect of the school it's not something that may cause the next person a great deal of anxiety.

👍

 

[drizzt3117]

No offense, but I'll judge my decision (and I guess therefore my stupidity 🙄) based on where I think I'll be happiest, not simply where someone else had a good experience. Not that you aren't entitled to your opinion, but you shouldn't presume that just because you didn't mind that aspect of the school it's not something that may cause the next person a great deal of anxiety.

There are frequent surveys about the curriculum; the vast majority (> 90%) of newly minted M4 students noted away rotations were a strongly positive experience (5 on a 5 point scale). Away sites in general tend to give much richer experiences in terms of actually being able to participate in patient care. There are definitely people that don't like them but they are a very small minority.

I'll stand by my comments on the tuition issue. Now that you enter repayment immediately after graduation (well six months after graduation) it's a even easier economic argument. Going to a private school means your capitalized educational debt post graduation is going to be ~400k unless you're going to Baylor or Mayo. Your payments on that are going to be about 4k a month with standard repayment assuming you start during residency; if not, they'll be more like 4300-4800 a month depending on your field of choice. With 10 year repayment you'll be paying anywhere from 2/3 to 3/4 of a million dollars. There are other alternatives, like national health service, or military medicine, but they have their own caveats.

 

[1289]

post deleted --irrelevant

 

[feathersaurus]

I am out of state waitlisted, interviewed back in December. Wisconsin is my first choice, anyone with information anecdotal or otherwise about whether the waitlist will move at all this year? Someone told me last year everyone out of state who was accepted matriculated and ZERO came off the waitlist. Here's to hoping the winter scared some people away this year 🙂

 

[UW med student]

No offense, but I'll judge my decision (and I guess therefore my stupidity 🙄) based on where I think I'll be happiest, not simply where someone else had a good experience. Not that you aren't entitled to your opinion, but you shouldn't presume that just because you didn't mind that aspect of the school it's not something that may cause the next person a great deal of anxiety.

I think that happiness is the whole point. You're going to get a good education at the vast majority of med schools in this country, and you're going to be really busy so while you certainly will have some free time to have fun it's not like you'll have every weekend to explore the nightlife. The out of Madison rotations are really not at all the big deal everyone seems to be making it and most students enjoy them even if they were anxious before going. But even if you're miserable being out of Madison for 3 months, it's not worth adding 100k or more in debt and going to another school to avoid it. It wouldn't even be worth it for 3k. Most med students will be happier having less debt after graduation so they can actually pay it off, buy a house, and have a life before they die. And since most of us enjoy the educational experience anyway that's why it seems like such a no-brainer.

I had a similar decision to make before I came to UW having IS tuition and a scholarship here (partial not full ride) and other acceptances out of state that would have allowed a change of scenery but would have cost way more. I'm only one person, but I definitely don't regret my decision for what it's worth.

 

[McPoyle]

I agree, as terrible as the experience was out of madison, I would have a hard time justifying incurring that much extra debt to avoid it. Especially when the first and second year were fine, and fourth year is fourth year...

When it comes down to it, I definitely don't buy into the BS they sell us. I'm not a fanboy of UW by any means, but would I pay 100k to avoid those 24 weeks of traveling? Absolutely not. I highly doubt any school is worth that extra debt.

 

[YouCanDoItDoc]

I agree, as terrible as the experience was out of madison, I would have a hard time justifying incurring that much extra debt to avoid it. Especially when the first and second year were fine, and fourth year is fourth year...

When it comes down to it, I definitely don't buy into the BS they sell us. I'm not a fanboy of UW by any means, but would I pay 100k to avoid those 24 weeks of traveling? Absolutely not. I highly doubt any school is worth that extra debt.

I was accepted to UW as an OOS and also been thinking about clinical years when considering schools. From what I can tell, there has been a bunch of bashing on UW for its statewide away years...Not to say that it doesn't factor in my decision, it certainly does, however I don't believe at all that any faculty members during interviews misled us on the idea of being away from Madison. Everywhere you look, on brochures, future planning, etc... they certainly explain those circumstances as a possibility. So I don't think they tried to "SELL" us on some "BS". I believe if you were somehow led to believe that you'll be in paradise while working through your rural clinical "adventures" then maybe you have a point. But if you did not prudently plan for such an adjustment during your medical training, then maybe you had not placed that much thought in choosing your schools.

I'm one to believe that you make your experiences your own. If you were not happy with your situation and did nothing to improve it, then why would you bash on a school's reputation. If you tried, however, and the faculty were not receptive to your concerns, then that is another matter. One thing that I was sold on was the fact that the faculty are very much open-door and wish to have students participate in forming policy and improving the school.

Anyway... If your main concern was to enjoy your medical experience and felt that UW did not please you on that merit, then maybe life as a physician was the wrong choice for you? I'm sorry... but there is certainly more to gripe about in this world than what you have against the school. IMO.

 

[drizzt3117]

All I can say about the away sites is that I'm a resident at one of them and my med students routinely tell me they have a better experience here than at UW. We don't grade them and regularly go to dinner/bars with them so i'm pretty sure they're telling the truth.

I think both away and home sites have their pros/cons. Obv it's nice to sleep in your own bed or w/e but for better or worse, UW is a big academic center with many residents, fellows, etc, and it's easier for med students to be lost in the shuffle, and they don't get as much responsibility. I think teaching is potentially better at UW, but that totally depends on who you have as your team. I certainly spend much more time teaching than any resident I had at UW.

 

[oncosankenobi]

All I can say about the away sites is that I'm a resident at one of them and my med students routinely tell me they have a better experience here than at UW. We don't grade them and regularly go to dinner/bars with them so i'm pretty sure they're telling the truth.

Objection, your Honor! Anecdotal evidence is inadmissible. Motion to dismiss. 🙂 I'm kidding. haha. Do you mind sharing which away site you're a resident of?

I don't think ericL was bashing UW. He was expressing an honest opinion based on his singular personal experience. Granted, it's one person's experience. We can't make any causal assumption based on one datum point. That's just bad science. I hope there's an effort being made to look into ericL's away site. For a program like this to work, there must be continual evaluations and oversight in place to control against adverse variable experiences like ericL's. You can't blame a person for being honest.

 

[drizzt3117]

Objection, your Honor! Anecdotal evidence is inadmissible. Motion to dismiss. 🙂 I'm kidding. haha. Do you mind sharing which away site you're a resident of?

I don't think ericL was bashing UW. He was expressing an honest opinion based on his singular personal experience. Granted, it's one person's experience. We can't make any causal assumption based on one datum point. That's just bad science. I hope there's an effort being made to look into ericL's away site. For a program like this to work, there must be continual evaluations and oversight in place to control against adverse variable experiences like ericL's. You can't blame a person for being honest.

I'm a resident at the la crosse site. I also went to UW and rotated at several other away sites including the ones he was complaining about (mfield, mke). I enjoyed both away sites although I think Mke is better. I'm somewhat biased but think GL is the best of the away sites; that being said, most current/former UW students I've spoken with agree. There's a reason why 8 ppl from the graduating class are coming to lax next year whereas only one is going to any of the other sites (fm at st Luke's)

 

[Akeelah Bee]

Thanks everyone for your honest input! It's really helpful t hear from people that are doing it or have already been through it.

 

[McPoyle]

I was accepted to UW as an OOS and also been thinking about clinical years when considering schools. From what I can tell, there has been a bunch of bashing on UW for its statewide away years...Not to say that it doesn't factor in my decision, it certainly does, however I don't believe at all that any faculty members during interviews misled us on the idea of being away from Madison. Everywhere you look, on brochures, future planning, etc... they certainly explain those circumstances as a possibility. So I don't think they tried to "SELL" us on some "BS". I believe if you were somehow led to believe that you'll be in paradise while working through your rural clinical "adventures" then maybe you have a point. But if you did not prudently plan for such an adjustment during your medical training, then maybe you had not placed that much thought in choosing your schools.

I'm one to believe that you make your experiences your own. If you were not happy with your situation and did nothing to improve it, then why would you bash on a school's reputation. If you tried, however, and the faculty were not receptive to your concerns, then that is another matter. One thing that I was sold on was the fact that the faculty are very much open-door and wish to have students participate in forming policy and improving the school.

Anyway... If your main concern was to enjoy your medical experience and felt that UW did not please you on that merit, then maybe life as a physician was the wrong choice for you? I'm sorry... but there is certainly more to gripe about in this world than what you have against the school. IMO.

That's nice, I'm glad you're sharing your wealth of knowledge. Being young and naive sure was a great place to be...

I agree mostly with others who actually have experience and knowledge to share. One person's experience will not necessarily be another's. my experience in marshfield and lax was terrible, the majority of people that i know who had the same rotations in those sites as me shared my same complaints and concerns. And for me, my experience in madison was the opposite if what drizzit says, I actually found myself having more responsibility and being more hands on than when I was out state. Some people like rural community settings, I learned that I am not one of those at all... Ever...

When it comes down to it though, if you're picking your school based on Internet comments from two strangers, you might want to reevaluate how you're going about this.

 

[Kiliman]

Got the wait list letter in the mail about a month ago and was accepted off that list today! Totally out of the blue but I'll take it! IS Interviewed 1/11/13.

 

[Akeelah Bee]

Got the wait list letter in the mail about a month ago and was accepted off that list today! Totally out of the blue but I'll take it! IS Interviewed 1/11/13.

Congrats! That's awesome!

 

[oncosankenobi]

Congratz, Kiliman! We interviewed on the same day!

 

[jlescher]

Got the wait list letter in the mail about a month ago and was accepted off that list today! Totally out of the blue but I'll take it! IS Interviewed 1/11/13.

Did they call you? And how did you swing being IS for Wisconsin and Minnesota? AMCAS specifically says you can only hold residency in one state for admission purposes.

Edit:
I looked into that. I guess if you can prove it you're fine. Kind of wish I would have known that last summer.

 

[jlescher]

Has anyone received a decision from 2/15 (besides the one OOS acceptance)?

 

[jlescher]

Wait listed. 3 interviews and 3 wait lists.