I wasn't able to tour the facilities at Indianapolis. What do current students think? Is there a decent sim lab, a good medical library, enough private/group study areas, a good anatomy lab, etc.?
Also, what are the chances of getting into Indianapolis's campus? I know not everyone can go there but I'm curious at how many pick Indianapolis as there first choice and end up somewhere else. I would really prefer to be in Indianapolis because of the research opportunities. I also don't want to have to move after my second year of med school and plan on doing most of my rotations in Indianapolis.
Thanks for any insight!
I am a current fourth year medical student at IU. I volunteered to "mingle" with interviewees on a couple occasions. I was very surprised to find out that the students do not get a tour of campus anymore. In my opinion that was a poor choice and I've made my views known to the administration on that. Currently, it is not included in the interview day but you can schedule a tour through the admissions ambassadors at a later date.
The campus is really a strong point. I will address your points directly.
The simulation lab is great and used very frequently. It is located in Fairbanks Hall which is not on campus but is connected with the "People Mover," a free raised tram that connects Methodist, Riley, and University hospitals downtown. The People Mover makes it a snap to go between these hospitals, the library/lecture halls, sim lab, and pathology lab. It is a short 5 minute ride. As students we use the sim lab mostly for practicing exams or simple procedures on mannequins or people. We also have several OSCE's where we interview patient actors and are graded while doctors watch via cameras. It prepares you very well for Step 2 CS. There are also rooms set up to exactly mimic an OR, a trauma bay in the ER, etc. We learned how to practice sterile technique in the sim lab OR's and we were given a lifelike mannequin crashing in the trauma bay and they let us have it. We've practiced central line placement and intubations there too. It is also often used by residents from several specialties.
The library is great! The building was remodeled about 3 years ago. The actual books are on the first floor (does anybody ever use those things?) there are about 20 individual computer stations throughout the first 2 floors, many with dual monitors. In addition there are 4 computer labs with something like 30 computers in each of them which you can usually use unless the MS1 or MS2's are taking a test. There's also a computer lab next to the lecture halls. I've never been looking for a computer and haven't found one immediately. There are study rooms and individual study carrels in the library. Many students do group studies in these rooms. There are also rooms near the med student lounge used for small group discussions that can be used for studying. These are almost always enough except around finals time. Some students prefer the law school or undergrad libraries for whatever reason.
The real meat of any Med School Library is its website and ours is second to none. Through the website we have electronic access to a huge amount of medical textbooks and journals. They just added First Aid to the list. The librarians are great if you need help locating anything.
Anatomy lab is adequate. I don't really know how you could improve one to be honest. Every 1st year student is given a locker where you can keep a change of clothes in the med student lounge. The anatomy lab is just a flight of stairs up. It is a huge room with a cold hard floor and cold hard metal tables. I imagine it's the same just about anywhere. There are big screen tv's throughout the room so that the professor can point out a structure on his dissection and everyone in the room can see. The anatomy lab and sim center are both used by many programs. Residents frequently use both, PT students and dental students share the anatomy lab with you and occasionally paramedics, nursing students are also at the sim center.
I have no idea about campus selection. That stuff changes every year. Many centers are now transitioning to 4 year centers, but that is about the extent of my knowledge on the subject. I did early decision so we got first dibs on campus. I was Indy all 4 years.
