Alabama Schools Thread

[BooMed]

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I lived across the street from the U (in Liberty house lofts) until this last April, when I bought a ranch house in Forest Park. I'm about 4 blocks from Silvertron/V Richard's/La Reunion, just off of Clairmont Ave.

How did you like the Liberty House lofts?

 

[odrade1]

How did you like the Liberty House lofts?

I like living in the city, so the experience was pretty good, overall. We considered buying a loft until we realized we could have a four bedroom house in crestwood for what we would be paying each month in mortgage & association dues with a loft. We also grew tired of not being able to walk our dogs without being harrassed 2-3 times per 15 minutes by homeless people. We had a great loft (lucked into a 3rd floor corner unit), and the rent there is reasonable for a loft (~900 per month). The only drawback we saw was that many renters behave more poorly than people who own property. There were many times that I had to leave mean messages to inconsiderate people who parked in front of the door to the garage, left spilled cat-litter in the elevator, and so on. About 4 months before we moved some guy moved in next to us who threw keggers on the roof deck almost every Friday. We would try to throw a dinner party then retire to the roof for civilized conversation and wine, only to find loud music, beer cans everywhere, and a ton of undergrad college kids on the roof.
This would have been ok if it wasn't EVERY weekend. About a month before we moved, even more college kids moved in, and at that point we thanked our stars that we had closed on the house.
Raising the rent could have kept the kids out, but once you are spending 1400-2000 per month on rent, you might as well buy a house.
Oh well, it was tons of fun while it lasted...

I would consider getting a loft again, or keeping a loft as a second home in another city. However, in our case, it was the right thing to move.

Which building are you in, BooMed?


Now I'm off to be a patient escort for the evening. Ciao

 

[BooMed]

Is that your (volunteer) job? That's neat. Do you wheel people around and stuff?

We live in the Rhodes Carroll Building on 22nd street, and absolutely love it. There are only 11 units and all of the are owned, so there is less of those "I don't care so I'm leaving my trash around" type problems. Plus half of the people seem to be on vacation at any one time, so it is very quiet. One nice thing is that if a neighbor breaks the condo agreement (like not paying dues or being really distruptive) we can sell their place. Overall though the people that live there are really cool and professional. Two are doctors, which is pretty neat.

We had looked into buying a house but got scared because the ones we could afford were a hundred years old and had dirt basements. 😱 I really missing having a lawn, but I don't miss mowing and weeding. I bet your dogs like your new house better. 😛

I haven't really noticed a lot of homeless people, I think that situation is improving. At some point they'll be moving the Jimmy Hall mission, which will help. I feel safe enough to walk around at night if I've got my mace in my pocket, but truthfully I've never even been bothered.

A big reason we moved there is so we could walk places, I walk to work (at UAB) every day and will be walking to school as well. 😍

 

[Doctor&Geek]

JPaikman,

where is your avatar from. It seems vaguely familiar. I am reminded of ghost in the shell, but I don't think that is it...

Yep, it's from "Innocence: Ghost in the Shell 2". You can barely see Togusa in the bottom right hand corner of the avatar.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347246/

 

[odrade1]

Is that your (volunteer) job? That's neat. Do you wheel people around and stuff?

We live in the Rhodes Carroll Building on 22nd street, and absolutely love it. There are only 11 units and all of the are owned, so there is less of those "I don't care so I'm leaving my trash around" type problems. Plus half of the people seem to be on vacation at any one time, so it is very quiet. One nice thing is that if a neighbor breaks the condo agreement (like not paying dues or being really distruptive) we can sell their place. Overall though the people that live there are really cool and professional. Two are doctors, which is pretty neat.

We had looked into buying a house but got scared because the ones we could afford were a hundred years old and had dirt basements. 😱 I really missing having a lawn, but I don't miss mowing and weeding. I bet your dogs like your new house better. 😛

I haven't really noticed a lot of homeless people, I think that situation is improving. At some point they'll be moving the Jimmy Hall mission, which will help. I feel safe enough to walk around at night if I've got my mace in my pocket, but truthfully I've never even been bothered.

A big reason we moved there is so we could walk places, I walk to work (at UAB) every day and will be walking to school as well. 😍

The Liberty house building lies between the homeless campground (you can see it in the treeline between the railroad tracks) & the current location of the Jimmy H. mission. I guess that could be why we had constant problems. There were a couple of times they tried to follow me into the lobby of our building; I felt less than comfortable. The sad thing is that the new location of the mission will be at the edge of the new park that they are trying to build to improve downtown (Sloss furnace will become a huge greenspace, entertainment area, and museum). A greenspace will run through the center of the city to Sloss. Moving the mission will only make the new Sloss center much less desirable for visitors, and waste the city's money used in the refurbishing and conversion of the Sloss space.

I'm glad you like the loft. I liked ours; it just wasn't going to work for us in the longrun.

I do the patient escorting as volunteerism. In my day job I am a bureaucrat for the university, endlessly writing reports, most of which serve little more than to justify my job....which consists mostly of writing reports. When I am not writing reports I get to enjoy my interactions with my employees, who are stimulating when they are not infuriating. My day started out infuriating, went to irritating, then moved to stimulating and satisfying. Volunteering at night is slow, and there wasn't much to do. Thankfully I brought a book.

Actually--as far as jobs go--we have to hire and train my replacement, for when I matriculate this summer. Anyone know someone who is smart, convivial, has intermediate statistical training, is able or willing to learn some programming, and is willing to make only 22-27K? Background in education a plus. I think it is a great job for a post-bac premed who has 1-3 years before matriculating. I work with premed science faculty, the administration, and students. I hope we can find a candidate before March/April, and want to hire for training purposes in late May, early June. Seriously, if there is anyone in Alabama who would like a university job that is reasonably flexible (my boss lets me take classes if i need to, or leave early to volunteer, etc.), or you have someone you know, then PM me.

Is anyone else continuing their volunteering past their interview period? I will leave volunteering in April or May, unless something strange happens in my life. BooMed, you have a job at the hospital. What does it entail?

 

[BooMed]

I do the patient escorting as volunteerism. In my day job I am a bureaucrat for the university, endlessly writing reports, most of which serve little more than to justify my job....which consists mostly of writing reports. When I am not writing reports I get to enjoy my interactions with my employees, who are stimulating when they are not infuriating. My day started out infuriating, went to irritating, then moved to stimulating and satisfying. Volunteering at night is slow, and there wasn't much to do. Thankfully I brought a book.

BooMed, you have a job at the hospital. What does it entail?

If you can believe it, my job is much more pointless than yours.

I was hired as a "Respiratory Care Tech," which was so cool. I followed around the Respiratory Therapists as they worked in the hospital, which was great clinical exposure. I spent time in every intensive care unit in the hospital, hung out in the ER, went on rounds--it was really fun. And then... my boss started me on the busy work...

Now I work for Surgical Pathology in my very own cubicle in an abandoned room with no windows. My first task was to enter social security numbers into two computer programs. After pulling up a patient's records, I would take a screenshot of each one and paste it into a new document, then check off their name on a sheet of paper and on a spreadsheet on the computer. I did this for many months. I looked at the records of 10,000 patients. Although it was explained to me several times, I'm still not sure what the point of this was, but I'm been assured that my task was very important.

My new job is to reformat documents. I take the old version of labs and convert them into new versions. Mainly I change around the spacing and add indentation. It's supposed to be to a certain standard, but all the examples they gave me are totally different so I've made up my own way.

The worst thing about this is that whoever typed the labs originally was pretty creative with their work. Sometimes they put two spaces after a period, sometimes three, sometimes one. Sometimes when they reached the end of a line, they would press return or the space bar a whole bunch to get to the next line instead of just continuing to type. Sometimes they decided to go through and quote the manuals for the machines they use, making the labs 30 pages or more.

Oh my god, even reading about my job is boring. I'm sorry. I just have to keep reminding myself that I am getting paid to do a very easy job, and that it's not forever...

 

[gujuDoc]

Don't worry I know the feeling boo......

my job is as a file clerk. I just file the files away whenever I come in. However, it pays me money and it is easy. Oh and at least, it feels like I'm doing something semi-important, cuz when they are not filed away, they clutter the whole area up.

Now if they went electronic, then this would never be a problem. of course, that won't happen for a while. LOL and by not going electronic, I have a job. So its all good.

 

[BooMed]

My entire job could be eliminated with a $40 computer program. I have even told them that. Only to be stared at blankly. Oh well, I'm sure that in 20 or so years Alabama will enter the age of technology. 🙄

 

[odrade1]

My entire job could be eliminated with a $40 computer program. I have even told them that. Only to be stared at blankly. Oh well, I'm sure that in 20 or so years Alabama will enter the age of technology. 🙄

You should write the program in your free time then sell it to the hospital for 40K, not 40$.
If you wanted to make UAB pay you coming and going, take the employee enrichment classes to learn how to do this (these are usually free), then use 10 hours a week of work to write the program. Then sell it to the university.

 

[QofQuimica]

My entire job could be eliminated with a $40 computer program. I have even told them that. Only to be stared at blankly. Oh well, I'm sure that in 20 or so years Alabama will enter the age of technology. 🙄

Ha ha, when I first moved to AL, they gave us a temporary driver's license with no picture on it. It took about six weeks for the permanent one to come in the mail, but in the meantime, I was walking around with this piece of paper w/ my name and addy on it that masqeraded as my license. I could have been anyone though. And, car insurance was optional. I think they mandate it now though.

 

[BooMed]

Ha ha, when I first moved to AL, they gave us a temporary driver's license with no picture on it. It took about six weeks for the permanent one to come in the mail, but in the meantime, I was walking around with this piece of paper w/ my name and addy on it that masqeraded as my license. I could have been anyone though. And, car insurance was optional. I think they mandate it now though.

I took my temporary driver's license (which at least had a picture) back to Oregon and bar tenders laughed at me. I had to pull out my passport to buy a drink. The DMV doesn't have the machine to print licenses. Which is like, the main thing they are supposed to do!

Unfortunately there is no way I could write a computer program... but that is what my fiance did for a living, so maybe I should set him on the task. 😛

 

[penguinophile]

WOO! Heading to B'ham tomorrow afternoon! Wish me luck 😀

 

[odrade1]

WOO! Heading to B'ham tomorrow afternoon! Wish me luck 😀

Good luck! Is this for the interviews on Thursday? If you will be on or near campus on Wednesday, I would be happy to show you some good lunch places. BooMed also works on campus. Perhaps she would be interested?

 

[QofQuimica]

WOO! Heading to B'ham tomorrow afternoon! Wish me luck 😀

Good luck, penguin!

 

[penguinophile]

Good luck, penguin!

Thanks! and odrade1, I would love it, but they have my schedule BOOKED! thanks again

 

[BooMed]

Good luck Penguin!!!

You're an MSTP canidate, right? What all do they have planned for you?

 

[penguinophile]

Good luck Penguin!!!

You're an MSTP canidate, right? What all do they have planned for you?

Wed:Intro and refreshments at 8 AM, then 2 interviews, then 15 min break, then 2 more interviews, then lunch, then 2 more interviews, another break...that will probably be filled with more interview soon 🙂 and then finally one last interview at 3:30, go back to hotel and change and have dinner with rocking people like JPaikman, go back and crash. Get up at 7 next day, check out of hotel, then I have med school interviews from 7:45-11:45 when I have lunch. Tour, then two last interviews. Its SLAMMED, but I am SOOO excited because all of the interviewers have interesting backgrounds and research. Hopefully I'll get to meet all you guys and gals one day!

 

[Doctor&Geek]

rocking people like JPaikman

😕 😀

(BTW - students have no input into admissions)

EDIT: Not every interview is going to have an impact on admissions. Its more of an opportunity for applicants to find somebody they might be interested in working with for their PhD.

The day isn't going to be bad - it flies by for most applicants, and in many cases faculty and interviewees are so deep in conversation they forget that they have to finish up to get to the next interview!

 

[BooMed]

Wed:Intro and refreshments at 8 AM, then 2 interviews, then 15 min break, then 2 more interviews, then lunch, then 2 more interviews, another break...that will probably be filled with more interview soon 🙂 and then finally one last interview at 3:30, go back to hotel and change and have dinner with rocking people like JPaikman, go back and crash. Get up at 7 next day, check out of hotel, then I have med school interviews from 7:45-11:45 when I have lunch. Tour, then two last interviews. Its SLAMMED, but I am SOOO excited because all of the interviewers have interesting backgrounds and research. Hopefully I'll get to meet all you guys and gals one day!

Oh my god. Wow. Good luck!

 

[MattD]

Wed:Intro and refreshments at 8 AM, then 2 interviews, then 15 min break, then 2 more interviews, then lunch, then 2 more interviews, another break...that will probably be filled with more interview soon 🙂 and then finally one last interview at 3:30, go back to hotel and change and have dinner with rocking people like JPaikman, go back and crash. Get up at 7 next day, check out of hotel, then I have med school interviews from 7:45-11:45 when I have lunch. Tour, then two last interviews. Its SLAMMED, but I am SOOO excited because all of the interviewers have interesting backgrounds and research. Hopefully I'll get to meet all you guys and gals one day!

That's gotta be the Ironman of med school admissions interviews! Good luck and be sure to carbo-load :-D

 

[penguinophile]

😕 😀

(BTW - students have no input into admissions)

EDIT: Not every interview is going to have an impact on admissions. Its more of an opportunity for applicants to find somebody they might be interested in working with for their PhD.

The day isn't going to be bad - it flies by for most applicants, and in many cases faculty and interviewees are so deep in conversation they forget that they have to finish up to get to the next interview!

I can believe it. My only other interview was like that, and we had 45 minutes as opposed to just half an hour. Its going to suck leaving so shortly into a good conversation.

EDIT: Thanks for all the well-wishing. You guys rock...this is easily the best thread on SDN 😀

 

[odrade1]

OK, back to the idea of an alabama SDN pow-wow.
For those who are interested in attending, can I get a list of good times and dates from you? Also mention any transportation issues, dietary restrictions, etc. that need to be considered as we discuss plans.

Me:
I work all day then volunteer till 8pm on Thursdays.
Other weekdays: after 5:30 or 6pm I am free.
Weekends: typically flexible.
I like to be home by 2 or 3am. My partner likes me to be home by 11 or 12. 🙄

 

[BooMed]

OK, back to the idea of an alabama SDN pow-wow.
For those who are interested in attending, can I get a list of good times and dates from you? Also mention any transportation issues, dietary restrictions, etc. that need to be considered as we discuss plans.

Me:
I work all day then volunteer till 8pm on Thursdays.
Other weekdays: after 5:30 or 6pm I am free.
Weekends: typically flexible.
I like to be home by 2 or 3am. My partner likes me to be home by 11 or 12. 🙄

Odrade, that's so cute. 😛 I can only stay up late if I am out, otherwise I am 😴 😴 😴 by 11. It's kind of a curse but at least I'm always well rested. 🙄

Weekends are best for my fiance and I because we have school/work early and he studies a lot at night during the week. I think we should go out to dinner...

 

[odrade1]

Odrade, that's so cute. 😛 I can only stay up late if I am out, otherwise I am 😴 😴 😴 by 11. It's kind of a curse but at least I'm always well rested. 🙄

Weekends are best for my fiance and I because we have school/work early and he studies a lot at night during the week. I think we should go out to dinner...

I'd like that. This weekend is fairly busy, but next weekend looks good. This weekend the only thing we would be able to make it to is a late breakfast Saturday or Sunday. Dimitri's (in homewood) has the best french toast I've had in my life. The rest of the food is good traditionaly southern breakfast food. (Eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, pancakes, etc.) V Richards (Forest Park) is also good for breakfast (plus you can have mimosas or beer on the cheap if one wanted).

 

[BooMed]

Hey Odrade, next weekend would be best for us. We have plans tonight and tomorrow night and then on Saturday and Sunday I'm going wedding dress shopping. 😱

I haven't been to that place in homewood but we have searched for good breakfast food here! It seems to be the only area that B'ham doesn't excell in food-wise. Of course, I want health food so that's probably a long shot. 🙄

 

[Doctor&Geek]

I suggest the Original Pancake House in Five Points and Bogue's on Clairmont - both grade A breakfast goodness.

 

[odrade1]

I suggest the Original Pancake House in Five Points and Bogue's on Clairmont - both grade A breakfast goodness.

... we have searched for good breakfast food here! It seems to be the only area that B'ham doesn't excell in food-wise. Of course, I want health food so that's probably a long shot.

BooMed, I tend to agree that Bham is short on good breakfast food. As for healthy breakfast food.....HA! Actually, this is one of the reasons it is so important to form groups of friends to host brunches together!

I used to live a block from the pancake house in 5 points, and frequented that place fairly often. I will have to say that sometimes the food there is good. All in all, my experiences there have been very inconsistent, and one of the last times I went there they screwed up my food (COMPLETELY), and then the manager insinuated it was my problem, not hers, before throwing some attitude my way and walking off, leaving me with a completely wrong meal (that sucked, btw). I would have a hard time going back there, to be honest; however, it has been >3 years, so maybe things have changed...

Bogues is a breakfast classic; locally famous, the food is good southern breakfast food. I went there once (for those of you who are psychology nerds, it was with Steven Pinker, one of my professors, and a couple of other cog sci students; he is funny & down to earth, and yes...his hair really did look like that), and had a good, but not great experience.

The back alley used to do a fun, affordable, and decent brunch; however, I cannot remember if they still do. Sol y luna also served brunch.

I tried the Winfrey Hotel's brunch a year ago and felt like I had been robbed. Plenty of food...plenty of money...none of it great....mediocre service in an ugly dining room. 🙁

Crepes etc was consistently adequate, though I only had eyes for a few things on their menu.

I guess my favorite places to do breakfast are Chez lu lu, Dimitri's, and V Richards.

For midnight drunken-skeez breakfast, nothing beats the Omelete Shop across from the galleria (if it is still open). Many happy memories from irresponsible-days past.

I went to Rojo for breakfast a few months ago, and would welcome another visit there for breakfast.

I really like the simplicity of the brunch menu at Highland's coffee company. My partner dislikes it (for whatever reason I can't begin to fathom). The food is cheap, yet properly prepared, and I can flip through the paper while sipping coffee and watching the hotties jogging through the park. .....maybe that's why he doesn't like me going there.

 

[QofQuimica]

I really like the simplicity of the brunch menu at Highland's coffee company. My partner dislikes it (for whatever reason I can't begin to fathom). The food is cheap, yet properly prepared, and I can flip through the paper while sipping coffee and watching the hotties jogging through the park. .....maybe that's why he doesn't like me going there.

I can totally picture this. You are a really funny guy, you know that? 👍

 

[odrade1]

I can totally picture this. You are a really funny guy, you know that? 👍

Vielen Danke!

Q,
When are you making it to Birmingham?

 

[QofQuimica]

Vielen Danke!

Q,
When are you making it to Birmingham?

You're welcome. I enjoy reading your posts in general, especially the ones about your partner. They crack me up. BTW, thanks to you I now know that I am a *** hag (in the "I have good gay friends that I hang out with a lot" way, not in the "I fall in love with gay guys and try to convert them" kind of way.) Can't say that I love the terminology, but I do appreciate the slang lesson. 😉

I already went to B'ham last month. So unfortunately, I am going to miss out on y'all's breakfast, but reading this thread sure is making me hungry for some pancakes. Chocolate chip buckwheat for me, no butter, please.

 

[BooMed]

Hmm, I think that we're going to Highlands this Sunday for brunch. Our neighbors have asked us to go to church with them so many times that it's high time we said yes. But... at least we get to have food afterwards.

Why oh why must people spread their religion around? 🙄 😕

 

[1/2asser]

i know b'ham is the #1 pick, but i'm interviewing late in the cycle and have a sneaky feeling that all those spots are nearly gone. does anyone know the pros/cons of the other two? ive never been to tuscaloosa or huntsville and i know even less about the programs there. essentially i'm worried that the lack of exposure will hurt me when its time for the match. thanks for any help.

 

[BooMed]

i know b'ham is the #1 pick, but i'm interviewing late in the cycle and have a sneaky feeling that all those spots are nearly gone. does anyone know the pros/cons of the other two? ive never been to tuscaloosa or huntsville and i know even less about the programs there. essentially i'm worried that the lack of exposure will hurt me when its time for the match. thanks for any help.

I don't know how much truth there is to it, but they told us that no matter when you are accepted you have the same chance of getting your first pick. Dr. Smith basically said that for each 12 people they accept, six go to B'Ham and three each to the others. Does anyone else remember this?

When is your interview?

 

[QofQuimica]

I don't know how much truth there is to it, but they told us that no matter when you are accepted you have the same chance of getting your first pick. Dr. Smith basically said that for each 12 people they accept, six go to B'Ham and three each to the others. Does anyone else remember this?

That sounds about right. You can put B'ham only on your selection form, 1/2asser. If there's no space, then they'll offer you a spot at one of the other two campuses.

 

[odrade1]

Hmm, I think that we're going to Highlands this Sunday for brunch. Our neighbors have asked us to go to church with them so many times that it's high time we said yes. But... at least we get to have food afterwards.

Why oh why must people spread their religion around? 🙄 😕

If you are not a religious person, then I think it entirely fair to agree to accompany them to church one Sunday as long as they accompany you to a football game/flea market/beer festival/whatever on the next Sunday.

I'm so glad our neighbors haven't asked us to church. It has saved me from having to be mean!

 

[odrade1]

i know b'ham is the #1 pick, but i'm interviewing late in the cycle and have a sneaky feeling that all those spots are nearly gone. does anyone know the pros/cons of the other two? ive never been to tuscaloosa or huntsville and i know even less about the programs there. essentially i'm worried that the lack of exposure will hurt me when its time for the match. thanks for any help.

We were strongly cautioned that we should be honest with our requests, and that we should not put "prefer X, but willing to go to Y" unless we actually were willing to go to Y.

The funny thing is that many (maybe most) premeds *would* be willing to go to *any* of the three campuses, if it came down to getting in or not getting in, or going this year versus waiting a year.

If they were telling the truth (and why wouldn't they) about the campus selection not impacting your acceptance, then it really isn't a matter of your getting in or not based on what you put down for a campus, so just indicate where you really are interested in going. Expect no mercy, however, if you put something down then ask to change it later because you weren't really as flexible in your choices as you indicated!

 

[BooMed]

If you are not a religious person, then I think it entirely fair to agree to accompany them to church one Sunday as long as they accompany you to a football game/flea market/beer festival/whatever on the next Sunday.

I'm so glad our neighbors haven't asked us to church. It has saved me from having to be mean!

The funny thing is that we are actually more "spiritual" than them (especially my fiance, he's a quaker), and for them church is a social kind of thing. That's all well and good, I just don't feel like socializing at 9 in the morning on a Sunday.

It bothers me that they assume that we aren't religious because we don't go to church. Nowhere in the bible does it say "go to church and listen to some guy interpret god for you or you'll go to hell." (not that I believe in hell anyway.)

Sorry for the rant, I've just never experienced this kind of church pressure before. 🙄 Some of you southerners are a little nuts.

 

[BooMed]

By the way, when does the adcom meet this month? I'm guessing tomorrow(?)

 

[QofQuimica]

The funny thing is that we are actually more "spiritual" than them (especially my fiance, he's a quaker), and for them church is a social kind of thing. That's all well and good, I just don't feel like socializing at 9 in the morning on a Sunday.

It bothers me that they assume that we aren't religious because we don't go to church. Nowhere in the bible does it say "go to church and listen to some guy interpret god for you or you'll go to hell." (not that I believe in hell anyway.)

Sorry for the rant, I've just never experienced this kind of church pressure before. 🙄 Some of you southerners are a little nuts.

I used to go the Universalist Unitarian Church sometimes when I lived in B'ham. Have you ever gone, BooMed? You might want to try it. I will warn you, however, that it is tremendously socially liberal, which got on my nerves after a while. I'm more of a libertarian myself.

 

[adonis]

I have a quick question if you guys don't mind providing your opinion. I know they tell us that what we pick as our first choice will not affect our chances for admission. If I choose to pick Birmingham as my only option. Do you think this could hurt my chances in any way? I really need to be in Birmingham because we have just purchased a condominium across the street from UAB, so essentially Huntsville is not an option and T-town would really not be very viable either. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have already submitted online and put Bham, Ttown, then Hville, but I am seriously thinking about submitting a change. Thanks a lot.

 

[BooMed]

I have a quick question if you guys don't mind providing your opinion. I know they tell us that what we pick as our first choice will not affect our chances for admission. If I choose to pick Birmingham as my only option. Do you think this could hurt my chances in any way? I really need to be in Birmingham because we have just purchased a condominium across the street from UAB, so essentially Huntsville is not an option and T-town would really not be very viable either. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have already submitted online and put Bham, Ttown, then Hville, but I am seriously thinking about submitting a change. Thanks a lot.

I put only Birmingham for pretty much the same reason. I really don't think it affects whether or not you get in, I don't think they would lie about that. Unless you would be willing to go those other places you need to submit a change, because they are very strict once your choice is made!

If you are let in and your choice is not available, they will offer you an acceptance on the condition that you will go somewhere else.

 

[BooMed]

I used to go the Universalist Unitarian Church sometimes when I lived in B'ham. Have you ever gone, BooMed? You might want to try it. I will warn you, however, that it is tremendously socially liberal, which got on my nerves after a while. I'm more of a libertarian myself.

Hee hee, you should go to Eugene, Oregon sometime. There were protests on my college campus pretty much daily. We would leave class to go march around for awhile playing drums, it was awesome. But I get sick of the super-liberals rants.

Then again, you can recycle in Oregon, and there's no smoking indoors, and the state government isn't corrupt, and the environment is protected, and it's safe to walk/bike outside. Ooh, now I am homesick. 😳

P.S. My fiance is a libertarian. 😍

 

[QofQuimica]

I have a quick question if you guys don't mind providing your opinion. I know they tell us that what we pick as our first choice will not affect our chances for admission. If I choose to pick Birmingham as my only option. Do you think this could hurt my chances in any way? I really need to be in Birmingham because we have just purchased a condominium across the street from UAB, so essentially Huntsville is not an option and T-town would really not be very viable either. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have already submitted online and put Bham, Ttown, then Hville, but I am seriously thinking about submitting a change. Thanks a lot.

I put B'ham only. It is fine to do this. They will even tell you to put B'ham only if you're not willing to go elsewhere. Plus, like BooMed said, if you do put B'ham only but there is only space at one of the other campuses, they will give you the choice of taking the spot at the alternative campus versus not going at all.

 

[C8H10N4O2Addict]

By the way, when does the adcom meet this month? I'm guessing tomorrow(?)

I think they definently met today. I got in!!! (I interviewed last Thursday.) Good luck to you. I wish you the best.

 

[QofQuimica]

I think they definently met today. I got in!!! (I interviewed last Thursday.) Good luck to you. I wish you the best.

Congrats! But BooMed has already been accepted; she's asking for some of the posters who are still waiting to hear. 😉

 

[odrade1]

The funny thing is that we are actually more "spiritual" than them (especially my fiance, he's a quaker), and for them church is a social kind of thing. That's all well and good, I just don't feel like socializing at 9 in the morning on a Sunday.

It bothers me that they assume that we aren't religious because we don't go to church. Nowhere in the bible does it say "go to church and listen to some guy interpret god for you or you'll go to hell." (not that I believe in hell anyway.)

Sorry for the rant, I've just never experienced this kind of church pressure before. 🙄 Some of you southerners are a little nuts.

Yes, we southerners tend to both exemplify and tolerate a good bit of nuttiness. But we aren't the only people who use churches as country clubs. (Actually a country club is a lot like a church, except that you get wasted less often at church, and the wife swapping is more closeted at church). People in churches (and country clubs) are usually similar to one another in political views, hobbies, interests, socioeconomic status, and skin color.

Despite my anti-religious leanings, I have given serious thought to attending church again, should we adopt children. The country-club-esque elements of church membership are one of the reasons for this, and familiarizing one's children with moral theory while socializing them with other kids are the other reasons. The only problem (for me) would be the necessity of deprogramming the children periodically, and preventing them from becoming good friends with people I view as fanatics.

Speaking of country clubs, how many of you plan on taking advantage of the way-cool (for nerds like me) med-school clubhouse facilities upstairs in Volker? Will you study some at Volker, or will you be like my friend Tiffany, and only step foot in the building for mandatory meetings and exams?

 

[MattD]

Yes, we southerners tend to both exemplify and tolerate a good bit of nuttiness. But we aren't the only people who use churches as country clubs. (Actually a country club is a lot like a church, except that you get wasted less often at church, and the wife swapping is more closeted at church). People in churches (and country clubs) are usually similar to one another in political views, hobbies, interests, socioeconomic status, and skin color.

Despite my anti-religious leanings, I have given serious thought to attending church again, should we adopt children. The country-club-esque elements of church membership are one of the reasons for this, and familiarizing one's children with moral theory while socializing them with other kids are the other reasons. The only problem (for me) would be the necessity of deprogramming the children periodically, and preventing them from becoming good friends with people I view as fanatics.

Speaking of country clubs, how many of you plan on taking advantage of the way-cool (for nerds like me) med-school clubhouse facilities upstairs in Volker? Will you study some at Volker, or will you be like my friend Tiffany, and only step foot in the building for mandatory meetings and exams?

Ha, those study lounges looked pretty cozy, I'm sure I'll spend plenty of time there, as my better half will have a day job. I tend to be a class-goer, but even if that doesn't hold up I'm much more likely to actually get some work done if I'm up there. If I'm at home I'll sit around watching Judge Joe Brown and be the first of the class to flunk out 🙂

Speaking of churches, I really need to find one up in B'ham. I've not been attending for, oh, 6 years or so, and it'd be nice to find somewhere to get back into it. I tend not to be a big fan of churches, as I think most of them have forgotten their purpose somehow, but going to service at least gives me opportunity to think about things that I might not otherwise think about, even if I don't agree with the pastor's views... Anybody from the area have suggestions?

 

[QofQuimica]

Ha, those study lounges looked pretty cozy, I'm sure I'll spend plenty of time there, as my better half will have a day job. I tend to be a class-goer, but even if that doesn't hold up I'm much more likely to actually get some work done if I'm up there. If I'm at home I'll sit around watching Judge Joe Brown and be the first of the class to flunk out 🙂

Speaking of churches, I really need to find one up in B'ham. I've not been attending for, oh, 6 years or so, and it'd be nice to find somewhere to get back into it. I tend not to be a big fan of churches, as I think most of them have forgotten their purpose somehow, but going to service at least gives me opportunity to think about things that I might not otherwise think about, even if I don't agree with the pastor's views... Anybody from the area have suggestions?

Go to one of the ones on Highland Ave. I have no idea what they're like on the inside, but they're absolutely gorgeous on the outside. Don't we just care about the appearances of our places of worship anyway???

Actually, I've been inside the Independent Presbyterian Church on Highland. I used to go vote there. It was nice. Then there is one near Caldwell Park (I think it's a Methodist church?) that holds sunrise outdoor services sometimes. I used to see them out there in the mornings when I'd go running. And if we have any orthodox Jews on this thread, the shul is in Mountainbrook. I'd see them walking there on Sat. mornings.

I guess I should say that if there's anyone who'd rather go running than attend church or temple on weekends, you should join the BTC group that meets at the Trak Shak in Homewood. They used to go on weekends and Wed. nights. Ever since I left B'ham, I have not been all that serious about running. It's harder to be motivated now, and plus I'm busier. 🙁

 

[MattD]

Go to one of the ones on Highland Ave. I have no idea what they're like on the inside, but they're absolutely gorgeous on the outside. Don't we just care about the appearances of our places of worship anyway???

Actually, I've been inside the Independent Presbyterian Church on Highland. I used to go vote there. It was nice. Then there is one near Caldwell Park (I think it's a Methodist church?) that holds sunrise outdoor services sometimes. I used to see them out there in the mornings when I'd go running. And if we have any orthodox Jews on this thread, the shul is in Mountainbrook. I'd see them walking there on Sat. mornings.

I guess I should say that if there's anyone who'd rather go running than attend church or temple on weekends, you should join the BTC group that meets at the Trak Shak in Homewood. They used to go on weekends and Wed. nights. Ever since I left B'ham, I have not been all that serious about running. It's harder to be motivated now, and plus I'm busier. 🙁

Pretty buildings are pretty buildings 🙂 I'd rather go to a church with a pastor/congregation that can refrain from silliness and crazy hair-brained theories and just focus on their spirituality and individual relationships with God in a non-judgmental way..... which is why I don't currently attend anywhere LOL But on a practical note, the hunny bunny was raised in a baptist church, so we'll probably have to find something similar to that, methodist churches (where I grew up) and the like confuse her with all the sitting and standing and spinning around........

I'd love to get involved in a running group, the only problem is that darn physical exertion thing.. I'm so freakin out of shape LOL Plus there are some medical issues, which don't restrict me from exercise, but make it kinda psychologically difficult to go. But, I did make the new year's resolution along with everyone else, so who knows, maybe I can stick with it this time!!!!

 

[BooMed]

We would go to a Quaker church if there was one... sometimes we go to a Christian church in Montgomery with the in-laws, it's okay... I like the community, but not the biblical interpretation. 🙄

I agree with Odrade though, I'd like to have a church to go to when we have kids. I think spirituality is important for kids... even if it's the kind I grew up with, hugging trees and praying in fields. 😛 Maybe nature is my church.