2012-2013 Virginia Tech Carilion Application Thread

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NCMED101 said:
+1
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+2. If anybody has been accepted and decides not to attend, please please please let the admissions office know sooner rather than later. Not knowing stinks, and wouldn't you like to end someone's misery? 😀
 
gspin13 said:
+2. If anybody has been accepted and decides not to attend, please please please let the admissions office know sooner rather than later. Not knowing stinks, and wouldn't you like to end someone's misery? 😀
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+3

I'm counting this as a rejection. Last year's thread had almost no waitlist movement.
 
SilverCat said:
+3

I'm counting this as a rejection. Last year's thread had almost no waitlist movement.
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A lot of people simply do not post on this forum (hard for many of us to believe, i know). I guarantee you that the wait-list moves quite a bit. Though, its all relative, being such a small class.
 
Hey, I saw that you got accepted into VTC with a sGPA < 3.5. I What were your other credentials, if you don't mind sharing? High MCAT, significant research, hospital experience? I'm sure other wait-listers would be happy to see your answers too! 🙂

Sent from my SCH-I510 using SDN Mobile
 
whitcoatsyndrom said:
The anatomy curriculum is almost entirely cadaver based (in terms of non-lecture based parts). It is taught as a traditional medical school anatomy class with with both wet lab (cadaver) dissections and dry lab (anatomical models and clinical anatomy application/identification) components, both weekly. On top of that, anatomy lectures from the anatomy faculty are worked into our basic science lecture series as they fit into the system we are learning about. For example, during the cardiology block, you will get basic science lectures in cardio, anatomy lectures on thoracic anatomy, dissect the thorax/heart/periphery of that area over the 8 week block, and have a dry lab component where you will be taught not so much how to do clinical exam procedures (that is clinical skills curriculum), but more of why exam techniques are performed and the anatomical structures involved. Dry lab is also a time to solidify difficult anatomic information. Wet labs are usually 2 hrs long, dry lab 1 hour. While half the class is doing their wet lab, the other half will do 1 hr of dry lab and 1 hr of histology lecture. After 2 hrs, the groups switch. This is to avoid overcrowding the wet lab room and to keep groups nice and small. 10 people crowded around a cadaver is useless...we have 4.

We are lucky in regards to our anatomy faculty. The head of the curriculum is a former general surgeon who devoted himself to teaching anatomy to medical students, we have a tremendously experienced trauma surgeon (who is still an attending at Carilion Memorial), a physical therapist with a phd in anatomy (specialization in neuro), and chiropractor that also teaches anatomy at Jefferson College of Health Sciences. There are also regularly visiting surgeons of all sorts that visit the anatomy lab to help. This means that for a 6-cadaver room, there is at least 4 faculty walking around to help answer questions, and sometimes more.

In regards to models: We do have simulators but they are more for physiology than anatomy (program in heart sounds, pathologies, make it have a heart attack, etc.). I also know that they just wheeled in a giant glass table the size of a dining room table. Faculty is still learning it and setting it up but I know its a touch-screen interface that a body is projected on; muscle layers/fascia/nerves etc. will be easily added/removed (I'm sure it does more than that, but that's all i know). However, our anatomy is mainly a traditional wet lab and lecture setup.

I'm not sure what your guides meant about computer programs. My best guess is that they were referring to our library resources. We get access to very large programs such as the full Primal Pictures suite (http://www.primalpictures.com/) that allow us to rotate 3D images of the body while adding/removing minute layers at a time...but resources such as this (and there are others) are just study materials along with textbooks such as Clinically Oriented Anatomy and Netter's Atlas, and certainly not how the faculty teach us anatomy.

That being all being said, most medical students would probably agree that most of your anatomy learning and memorization will come from textbooks. Lab is usually a great way to solidify material, but most people cannot remember the insertion, origin, blood supply, and nerve supply of all the muscles in ones arm just because they dissected it. Just something to keep in mind.

Hope that helps!
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Thank you for the information, that is exactly what I what I wanted to know. Much appreciated.
 
does anyone know if we need to put our parents info in the fafsa for vtc? does vtc have its own financial aid application (like an addendum) in addition to the fafsa? Thanks in advance!
 
goldenbear25 said:
does anyone know if we need to put our parents info in the fafsa for vtc? does vtc have its own financial aid application (like an addendum) in addition to the fafsa? Thanks in advance!
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I'm not sure if VTC has any need-based institutional aid to give out, perhaps some current students could answer that. But if they do, it is most likely necessary to list your parents info or you wont be eligible. Its only to your benefit to try for any school; not providing parent info on FAFSA guarantees that you wont get anything besides stafford and gradPLUS loans at every school I've looked up.

In the acceptance paperwork, VTC tells you to fill out FAFSA as they are eligible for federal loan programs starting this year. I haven't heard anything about a separate institutional form for aid as of yet.
 
goldenbear25 said:
does anyone know if we need to put our parents info in the fafsa for vtc? does vtc have its own financial aid application (like an addendum) in addition to the fafsa? Thanks in advance!
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I believe this depends on whether your parents/anyone else claim you as a dependent on their tax forms. If you are not sure about this, ask them. If you are claimed as a dependent it means that for tax purposes, costs such as school are deducted from the tax-filer's statement. This also means that when you apply for financial aid, they will want to know financial details about your parents. If you are not claimed as a dependent, meaning that when you file your own taxes you say that you are independent, then you can use school costs as a deduction for your own taxes...This sort of comes down to who will save more money in the scheme of things (your parents/guardians, or you) by being able to claim these deductions (sort of a debate for an accountant). If you are independent, then you will have the option of stating financial information about your parents. If you think your parents fit a high income category, the people granting loans will see that; if you think your parents fit a low income category, the people granting loans will see that. So whether you feel you want to give parental financial information as a dependent is entirely up to you, weigh what you see as the upsides and downsides. At the end of the day, it shouldn't matter and will most likely come down to your credit score in terms of how much loan money will be granted to you. As an incoming graduate student, you will most likely (my opinion) be granted the full amount that is designated for our school and estimated living expenses assuming you have a "not-messed-up credit score". If you are claimed as a dependent on parent/guardian tax forms, you might not have the option and you might be required to give parental financial information. If they give you the option you'll have to weigh what you see as the ups and downs of sharing that information.

In the near future i think you will receive a packet of info on loans from VTC. Last year we had private loans so the packet contained information on them: rates, expected amounts, necessary information, etc. I am in the dark in terms of the expected availability of federal loans this coming year so I'm not sure exactly what sort of information you will receive. If you have only been instructed to send in the FAFSA, dont worry about anything else right now...its early.
 
nBeeDee said:
I'm not sure if VTC has any need-based institutional aid to give out, perhaps some current students could answer that. But if they do, it is most likely necessary to list your parents info or you wont be eligible. Its only to your benefit to try for any school; not providing parent info on FAFSA guarantees that you wont get anything besides stafford and gradPLUS loans at every school I've looked up.

In the acceptance paperwork, VTC tells you to fill out FAFSA as they are eligible for federal loan programs starting this year. I haven't heard anything about a separate institutional form for aid as of yet.
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Last year there was no need-based institutional aid and I don't believe there have been any in the past. Everyone has gotten the same scholarship money in the past. Nor have i received any information on need-based institutional aid that current students may apply for next year. I certainly don't have contact with administration on these matters, this is just what has occurred in the past.
 
Thanks for the help whitcoat, but I think you're over-thinking the situation.

As a grad student, you are considered independent as far as FAFSA is concerned. I believe that is regardless of if your parents claim you as a dependent for taxes or not, someone correct me if I'm wrong. However, it really is irrelevant when it comes to federal loans.

If you file the FAFSA for medical school, you will be offered Stafford and GradPLUS loans up to the cost of attendance, regardless of your EFC on your FAFSA. I believe there is also a separate application for the GradPLUS. Unless you have a horrendous credit history, you will qualify for the GradPLUS, and the stafford doesn't factor any credit history.

As an independet, its up to you if you want to put your parents info or not on the FAFSA, as you will be offered those federal loans in either case. However, for any school that gives out need-based institutional aid (scholarships, grants, low interest loans, etc.), they may or may not require that you put your parents info down on your FAFSA in order to be eligible for that aid. They also may have separate forms you need to fill out in addition to the FAFSA. It is all dependent on the individual school's policies.

Edit: @goldenbear25 Just saw that VTC doesn't have any need-based institutional aid, so it isn't necessary to list parent info on FAFSA for VTC, but it may be for any other schools you are considering.
 
whitcoatsyndrom said:
Last year there was no need-based institutional aid and I don't believe there have been any in the past. Everyone has gotten the same scholarship money in the past. Nor have i received any information on need-based institutional aid that current students may apply for next year. I certainly don't have contact with administration on these matters, this is just what has occurred in the past.
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That helps a lot, thank you!
 
nBeeDee said:
Thanks for the help whitcoat, but I think you're over-thinking the situation.

As a grad student, you are considered independent as far as FAFSA is concerned. I believe that is regardless of if your parents claim you as a dependent for taxes or not, someone correct me if I'm wrong. However, it really is irrelevant when it comes to federal loans.

If you file the FAFSA for medical school, you will be offered Stafford and GradPLUS loans up to the cost of attendance, regardless of your EFC on your FAFSA. I believe there is also a separate application for the GradPLUS. Unless you have a horrendous credit history, you will qualify for the GradPLUS, and the stafford doesn't factor any credit history.

As an independet, its up to you if you want to put your parents info or not on the FAFSA, as you will be offered those federal loans in either case. However, for any school that gives out need-based institutional aid (scholarships, grants, low interest loans, etc.), they may or may not require that you put your parents info down on your FAFSA in order to be eligible for that aid. They also may have separate forms you need to fill out in addition to the FAFSA. It is all dependent on the individual school's policies.

Edit: @goldenbear25 Just saw that VTC doesn't have any need-based institutional aid, so it isn't necessary to list parent info on FAFSA for VTC, but it may be for any other schools you are considering.
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Thanks nBeeDee and whitcoatsyndrom! I will go ahead and put only my info on the actual FAFSA if VTC has no need based aid
 
goldenbear25 said:
Thanks nBeeDee and whitcoatsyndrom! I will go ahead and put only my info on the actual FAFSA if VTC has no need based aid
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I was curious about the same issue, so I called the VTC registrar. I was told that they do not use parental financial info for any reason. HOWEVER, most schools, meaning those that give out need based loans, DO REQUIRE all parental information. If you are sending your FAFSA to multiple schools, I would definitely put it on there. If you don't, and need to later, it will resubmit your FAFSA to all schools, which could delay the processing at some of all of the schools.
 
SkierDude said:
I was curious about the same issue, so I called the VTC registrar. I was told that they do not use parental financial info for any reason. HOWEVER, most schools, meaning those that give out need based loans, DO REQUIRE all parental information. If you are sending your FAFSA to multiple schools, I would definitely put it on there. If you don't, and need to later, it will resubmit your FAFSA to all schools, which could delay the processing at some of all of the schools.
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Yea thats what the financial aid officer at VTC told me today. I know that other schools may require your parents info, but the other ones I am considering have their own addendum to the FAFSA where you put your parents info. So i think its fine if i just leave my FAFSA with my info and then put my parents on the additional forms.

Thanks for all of your help! This FAFSA ish is confusing :/
 
For the current students, I have a question I am hoping you might be willing to answer.

Are there any medical school related items, excluding a computer, that you would recommend buying before orientation begins in July? By any items, I mean books, anatomy atlas, or equipment (stethoscopes, etc.), or would you recommend waiting until orientation.

Thanks in advance.
 
SkierDude said:
For the current students, I have a question I am hoping you might be willing to answer.

Are there any medical school related items, excluding a computer, that you would recommend buying before orientation begins in July? By any items, I mean books, anatomy atlas, or equipment (stethoscopes, etc.), or would you recommend waiting until orientation.

Thanks in advance.
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The equipment question is an easy one. Don't worry about buying any of that stuff until classes start. The clinical sciences faculty will tell you what equipment they want you to have at the beginning of each block as that equipment pertains to what you will be learning. A lot of times someone will want to buy you a gift such as stethoscope or BP cuff for you. Most students here use the Littmann Cardio III (opinions vary, and you can use really whatever you want with a bell+diaphragm), and you do not actually need to own a BP cuff as anything you will actually use is wall-mounted. My honest opinion is to hold off on buying any equipment until faculty tells you what they want you to have.

Books are a matter of preference. As you probably know, our required texts are digitally formatted. The library contains multiple hard-copies of each text, although you are not supposed to remove them from the library to take home. There is also a copy of each required text in each team room, but again those are not for taking home. We use multiple different texts for each subject. For example, we might have 5 neuroscience/neuroanatomy textbooks. Which one you use is up to you based on what you find to be the most helpful. I would hold off on buying any books until you are here, decide that you really like XYZ textbook, and really want to have your own copy of it. You might buy a physiology text that is on our book-list only to find out you like another one better...and medical texts aren't cheap. If you are just dying to buy a book now, you certainly cannot go wrong with classics for anatomy such as Clinically Oriented Anatomy (Moore) and Atlas of Human Anatomy (Netter, affectionately known as Netter's). That being said, we have plenty copies of those books and you might find it to be unnecessary. Board review books are often helpful and widely used, such as the BRS or High Yield series. Again, we have multiple copies of each book in each series for those and others (you might find that you like one set of them, and then want to buy the ones that you find you like). That was a wordy way of saying, hold off on buying any books unless you are itching to do so.

As far as other items go: I can't really think of too much. Part of our school culture is that we get dressed up on Fridays (the day of our case patient wrap-ups) This was started by choice by the first class and is something that we continue to do. So if you're a male, few professional-looking shirts and ties, and a jacket until you get the white coat that will replace it. Suits are also fine. If you are a female, professional attire such as skirts that come down to the knees or thereabouts and non-provokative tops. Many of you might already have this stuff, and there is probably no need to add to it.

Hope you're getting excited!
 
To Class of 2017 admitted students....

Although we have been trying to get one to happen, it doesn't appear right now as though there is going to be an official second look day. However, if you end up wanting to come to the Roanoke area again to get a better idea for the area or anything we have a bunch of current students willing to host folks for a night or two. We realize that especially with such a small school you probably want to get an idea of the nut-jobs you might be joining as well as the area you'd be living in 🙂 If you're interested shoot me a personal message and we can try to set something up. Just to be clear, this is nothing official through the school just an offer from some of us current students!

VTCSOM 2016
 
whitcoatsyndrom said:
The equipment question is an easy one. Don't worry about buying any of that stuff until classes start. The clinical sciences faculty will tell you what equipment they want you to have at the beginning of each block as that equipment pertains to what you will be learning. A lot of times someone will want to buy you a gift such as stethoscope or BP cuff for you. Most students here use the Littmann Cardio III (opinions vary, and you can use really whatever you want with a bell+diaphragm), and you do not actually need to own a BP cuff as anything you will actually use is wall-mounted. My honest opinion is to hold off on buying any equipment until faculty tells you what they want you to have.

Books are a matter of preference. As you probably know, our required texts are digitally formatted. The library contains multiple hard-copies of each text, although you are not supposed to remove them from the library to take home. There is also a copy of each required text in each team room, but again those are not for taking home. We use multiple different texts for each subject. For example, we might have 5 neuroscience/neuroanatomy textbooks. Which one you use is up to you based on what you find to be the most helpful. I would hold off on buying any books until you are here, decide that you really like XYZ textbook, and really want to have your own copy of it. You might buy a physiology text that is on our book-list only to find out you like another one better...and medical texts aren't cheap. If you are just dying to buy a book now, you certainly cannot go wrong with classics for anatomy such as Clinically Oriented Anatomy (Moore) and Atlas of Human Anatomy (Netter, affectionately known as Netter's). That being said, we have plenty copies of those books and you might find it to be unnecessary. Board review books are often helpful and widely used, such as the BRS or High Yield series. Again, we have multiple copies of each book in each series for those and others (you might find that you like one set of them, and then want to buy the ones that you find you like). That was a wordy way of saying, hold off on buying any books unless you are itching to do so.

As far as other items go: I can't really think of too much. Part of our school culture is that we get dressed up on Fridays (the day of our case patient wrap-ups) This was started by choice by the first class and is something that we continue to do. So if you're a male, few professional-looking shirts and ties, and a jacket until you get the white coat that will replace it. Suits are also fine. If you are a female, professional attire such as skirts that come down to the knees or thereabouts and non-provokative tops. Many of you might already have this stuff, and there is probably no need to add to it.

Hope you're getting excited!
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Thanks for the advice. For the most part, I was really just wondering if it was a good idea to get a stethoscope, or an anatomy atlas, as I wasn't sure if we would need them from the start. Based on your advice, I will wait till I classes start to buy any of that stuff. Thanks for the reply, it was very helpful.
 
Current students, thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. Also, I have another question I am hoping some of you may be able/willing to weigh in on.

What are some of the best places to live in Roanoke? I know some earlier posts identified the river house, which seems nice, and general places in old-SW Roanoke, but I was wondering if you had any other, or rather more specific recommendations?

Thanks again for any advice.
 
SkierDude said:
Current students, thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. Also, I have another question I am hoping some of you may be able/willing to weigh in on.

What are some of the best places to live in Roanoke? I know some earlier posts identified the river house, which seems nice, and general places in old-SW Roanoke, but I was wondering if you had any other, or rather more specific recommendations?

Thanks again for any advice.
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+1 bump for housing questions.
 
SkierDude said:
Current students, thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. Also, I have another question I am hoping some of you may be able/willing to weigh in on.

What are some of the best places to live in Roanoke? I know some earlier posts identified the river house, which seems nice, and general places in old-SW Roanoke, but I was wondering if you had any other, or rather more specific recommendations?

Thanks again for any advice.
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A lot of the current M1 class lives in the River House which is definitely nice, however there have been a lot of recent complaints about parking since Wasena Taproom and the climbing gym opened. Many students from all 3 classes live in South Roanoke, in the neighborhoods up Jefferson which is a quiet residential area and very close to school, the hospital, the greenway, fork in the alley, and still only about 1.5-2 mi from downtown. There's a variety here who live in apts, townhouses, or share a house. Other students live downtown, though this option is frequently more expensive. Some do live in other areas surrounding...old SW etc. Not surprisingly, if you share a place it's going to be cheaper than living by yourself.

FYI many of us will be looking for new roommates starting this summer...I know we will be!
 
Has anyone heard back about the financial aid package they would be receiving? Aside from the scholarship (yay), the immunization packet, and the forms they want us to fill out I haven't heard anything else from VTCSOM.... I'm getting nervous. I'd like to hear back about the FAFSA loans.

I am having a really difficult time communicating with the offices either through the phone or via e-mail.
 
radderthanyou said:
A lot of the current M1 class lives in the River House which is definitely nice, however there have been a lot of recent complaints about parking since Wasena Taproom and the climbing gym opened. Many students from all 3 classes live in South Roanoke, in the neighborhoods up Jefferson which is a quiet residential area and very close to school, the hospital, the greenway, fork in the alley, and still only about 1.5-2 mi from downtown. There's a variety here who live in apts, townhouses, or share a house. Other students live downtown, though this option is frequently more expensive. Some do live in other areas surrounding...old SW etc. Not surprisingly, if you share a place it's going to be cheaper than living by yourself.

FYI many of us will be looking for new roommates starting this summer...I know we will be!
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Thanks for the info!

Oogieboogie said:
Has anyone heard back about the financial aid package they would be receiving? Aside from the scholarship (yay), the immunization packet, and the forms they want us to fill out I haven't heard anything else from VTCSOM.... I'm getting nervous. I'd like to hear back about the FAFSA loans.

I am having a really difficult time communicating with the offices either through the phone or via e-mail.
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I haven't heard anything yet, although I haven't tried to contact the office specifically about finaid either.
 
radderthanyou said:
A lot of the current M1 class lives in the River House which is definitely nice, however there have been a lot of recent complaints about parking since Wasena Taproom and the climbing gym opened. Many students from all 3 classes live in South Roanoke, in the neighborhoods up Jefferson which is a quiet residential area and very close to school, the hospital, the greenway, fork in the alley, and still only about 1.5-2 mi from downtown. There's a variety here who live in apts, townhouses, or share a house. Other students live downtown, though this option is frequently more expensive. Some do live in other areas surrounding...old SW etc. Not surprisingly, if you share a place it's going to be cheaper than living by yourself.

FYI many of us will be looking for new roommates starting this summer...I know we will be!
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Thank you very much for the advice, we all appreciate it.
 
Oogieboogie said:
Has anyone heard back about the financial aid package they would be receiving? Aside from the scholarship (yay), the immunization packet, and the forms they want us to fill out I haven't heard anything else from VTCSOM.... I'm getting nervous. I'd like to hear back about the FAFSA loans.

I am having a really difficult time communicating with the offices either through the phone or via e-mail.
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I called about a month ago, and was told the plan was to mail out financial aid packets in the middle or end of April, so I don't think we should have necessarily received them yet.

Also, did you try just calling the front desk. They are usually able to put me in contact with someone that can help within a few minutes. The people I have dealt with have also been good at responding quickly to voice messages.
 
I emailed specifically about financial aid last week. Didn't get a response at all, which was weird. They've been really responsive in the past. Maybe they didn't respond because they're planning to send out that email soon?
 
nmj3236 said:
I emailed specifically about financial aid last week. Didn't get a response at all, which was weird. They've been really responsive in the past. Maybe they didn't respond because they're planning to send out that email soon?
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I called again today and was told that they are planning to provide "more information" on financial aid packages in early to mid-May.
 
Any current third years have thoughts about the quality of clinical rotations?
 
Long time lurker here! I'm trying to make a decision before May 15th and was wondering how diverse VTC is in terms of the students and patient populations seen? I didn't see many minorities or any URMs during my interview day... I come from a diverse city and my other options are in cities (DC and Baltimore). I am drawn to VTC's small class size and think its curriculum best fits my learning style, but I am hesitant about the (seemingly) lack of diversity I saw during my visit. Any insight is much appreciated!
 
OneofThoseDays said:
Long time lurker here! I'm trying to make a decision before May 15th and was wondering how diverse VTC is in terms of the students and patient populations seen? I didn't see many minorities or any URMs during my interview day... I come from a diverse city and my other options are in cities (DC and Baltimore). I am drawn to VTC's small class size and think its curriculum best fits my learning style, but I am hesitant about the (seemingly) lack of diversity I saw during my visit. Any insight is much appreciated!
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Frankly, VTC is not very diverse in terms of students at least as far as 'underrepresented minorities in medicine' if that's what you're asking. I believe the administration is trying hard, but I think the new-ness of the school and the class size has been detrimental in that regard.

That said, the patient population you will see is very diverse. The catchment area for Carilion is HUGE. This is the largest hospital in a huge radius, and patients (medical and trauma) regularly get taken to the main hospital from all over the region, including WV. There is also a pretty significant immigrant population in Roanoke considering the size of the city. One very cool thing about the patient population (I think) is the exposure to rural considerations you will get because of the location. Students in our class have LACE preceptors with whom they've made house calls. Literally, you drive 20 mins out of Roanoke and you are legitimately in a rural environment. It makes for an interesting patient population to say the least, and a very different experience than a large city would offer.
 
OneofThoseDays said:
Long time lurker here! I'm trying to make a decision before May 15th and was wondering how diverse VTC is in terms of the students and patient populations seen? I didn't see many minorities or any URMs during my interview day... I come from a diverse city and my other options are in cities (DC and Baltimore). I am drawn to VTC's small class size and think its curriculum best fits my learning style, but I am hesitant about the (seemingly) lack of diversity I saw during my visit. Any insight is much appreciated!
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GW and GU have a good mix of diversity in the student population. you are in the nation's captiol, there's definitely going to be diversity. in terms of patient population, i know each of the 3 (out of 4) big hospitals in DC see kind of their own niche of patients. what you get at one hospital isn't what you get at the other. however, you do rotate through these different hospitals, so you get to see the varieties.

tl;dr: if diversity is important to you, you can't go wrong with DC.
 
Does anyone have an idea as to how many students are accepted off of the wait-list each year? I remember at the interview they said they typically accept about 100 students to fill the 42 spots, but didn't they send out 100 acceptances by the time march was over?
 
I think they said on the interview day that in the past ~1/3 of the class has come from the wait list. Obviously not a guarantee of what this year is going to be like, however. I also remember them saying they were going to take 50ish in Jan and then another 30ish in March so thats around 80 acceptances offered right now.
 
radderthanyou said:
Frankly, VTC is not very diverse in terms of students at least as far as 'underrepresented minorities in medicine' if that's what you're asking. I believe the administration is trying hard, but I think the new-ness of the school and the class size has been detrimental in that regard.

That said, the patient population you will see is very diverse. The catchment area for Carilion is HUGE. This is the largest hospital in a huge radius, and patients (medical and trauma) regularly get taken to the main hospital from all over the region, including WV. There is also a pretty significant immigrant population in Roanoke considering the size of the city. One very cool thing about the patient population (I think) is the exposure to rural considerations you will get because of the location. Students in our class have LACE preceptors with whom they've made house calls. Literally, you drive 20 mins out of Roanoke and you are legitimately in a rural environment. It makes for an interesting patient population to say the least, and a very different experience than a large city would offer.
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Thanks radderthanyou and wooki! I'm familiar with the DC area and know what I'd be getting myself into over there, but I couldn't help but notice the confederate flags at the gas stations en route to Roanoke....I I guess what I'm getting at is how open is Roanoke and the surrounding areas we'd be doing rotations in? I haven't been around Southern VA but my last experience with race/diversity in the rural South was definitely eye-opening...
 
OneofThoseDays said:
Thanks radderthanyou and wooki! I'm familiar with the DC area and know what I'd be getting myself into over there, but I couldn't help but notice the confederate flags at the gas stations en route to Roanoke....I I guess what I'm getting at is how open is Roanoke and the surrounding areas we'd be doing rotations in? I haven't been around Southern VA but my last experience with race/diversity in the rural South was definitely eye-opening...
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I wish I could speak to that and help, but as a caucasian female I definitely have no good perspective unfortunately. I believe Roanoke (where most if not all rotations will be) is more open than the rural areas outside, but that goes with the usual trend of cities being more progressive than rural areas where change takes longer unfortunately. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if racism exists still in the rural areas outside of town and yes you will likely see some of those patients at least on rotations, but I expect it pales in comparison to the deep South. Sorry, this probably isn't much help....
 
OneofThoseDays said:
Thanks radderthanyou and wooki! I'm familiar with the DC area and know what I'd be getting myself into over there, but I couldn't help but notice the confederate flags at the gas stations en route to Roanoke....I I guess what I'm getting at is how open is Roanoke and the surrounding areas we'd be doing rotations in? I haven't been around Southern VA but my last experience with race/diversity in the rural South was definitely eye-opening...
Click to expand...

hehe you should have seen the drive from upstate south carolina...Roanoke seemed rather progressive in comparison
 
Just wondering, did any matriculating students receive their financial aid packet today?
 
why does it make you so happy? share the joy!
 
Just guessing, but I assume they are happy because the scholarship awarded to all students next year was increased to $20,000. It was $15,000, which was pretty great. Now it is much better
 
SkierDude said:
Just guessing, but I assume they are happy because the scholarship awarded to all students next year was increased to $20,000. It was $15,000, which was pretty great. Now it is much better
Click to expand...

oh wow. that's super exciting. congrats!
 
JUST GOT OFF THE WAITLIST!!!!! I'm so excited!!! VTC was my top choice!!!!!
 
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