Alabama Schools Thread

[adonis]

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I'm definitely going to UAB. I was born and raised in Birmingham, and the only other school I got accepted to was South Alabama. I really don't like Mobile that much so this is a no brainer for me.

 

[Shades McCool]

First year UAB medical student here if anyone has any questions.

 

[Shades McCool]

Helpful bits of information can be found here and you can even post...

UAB Mythbusters

 

[QofQuimica]

Helpful bits of information can be found here and you can even post...

UAB Mythbusters

That so-called message board is hysterical; thanks for posting it. My favorite one is the answer to the gunners question: "You are asking questions on a deeper level than we are used to thinking here at med school." The elevators one is funny too. 👍 And don't get me started on the guy who wants his 10 cents refunded for the joke transcript page.

 

[BooMed]

First year UAB medical student here if anyone has any questions.

Thanks Mr. McCool, so what is your life like? Schedule? How much do you study? Do you do anything fun? Am I going to have to give up my deeply rooted addictions to reality television and cleaning my house when I start med school? 😛

 

[Doctor&Geek]

Unless the quartile system has changed things a lot, this can't be the same people I play table football with in Volker.

 

[Shades McCool]

Thanks Mr. McCool, so what is your life like? Schedule? How much do you study? Do you do anything fun? Am I going to have to give up my deeply rooted addictions to reality television and cleaning my house when I start med school? 😛

Ok this block we have had Physiology and Cell Biology. We have cell at 8 and 9 and phys at 10 and 11. Then some afternoons we have a histology lab that there is no point to go to. Then depending on what day you're assigned, you have physiology small groups to go to.

Personally, I never go to cell biology. I always go to physiology. Then after I eat lunch I knock out the scripts from the day before. Then I usually go workout at around 4 and then do a spinning class at 5:30. Then I go home and get clean. After that I'll review anything I might feel needs some attention or I'll just read my BRS Physiology book for the section we are in. I promise you it isn't bad if you stay caught up. Stay caught up!!!!

 

[ferreed]

Shades,
Thanks for the link. Good stuff there. 👍

I loved the elevator post, too:

Q: Why do the elevators always sound like they are going to explode?

Answered By Rob McDonald Answer Date 3/3/2006 4:59:10 PM
Answer The truth is that the elevators really are about to explode. Any moment now, like a really bad Nephrotic Syndrome, the elevators are going to burst. I'm told from very reliable sources that there are visceral epithelial cells which line the elevator shafts and which extend foot processes out to keep the integrity of the elevators intact. Apparently there is an idiopathic entity which is degrading the foot processes such that they scream for help. (Rumor has it has something to do with Brad Coker talking to himself in the bowels of VH for three nights running before exams, but that's just heresay.) Because they are podocytes, and don't normally communicate at a frequency we humans are used to hearing, they sound like elevator noises.

I'd take the stairs.

 

[Shades McCool]

Shades,
Thanks for the link. Good stuff there. 👍

I loved the elevator post, too:

Q: Why do the elevators always sound like they are going to explode?

Answered By Rob McDonald Answer Date 3/3/2006 4:59:10 PM
Answer The truth is that the elevators really are about to explode. Any moment now, like a really bad Nephrotic Syndrome, the elevators are going to burst. I'm told from very reliable sources that there are visceral epithelial cells which line the elevator shafts and which extend foot processes out to keep the integrity of the elevators intact. Apparently there is an idiopathic entity which is degrading the foot processes such that they scream for help. (Rumor has it has something to do with Brad Coker talking to himself in the bowels of VH for three nights running before exams, but that's just heresay.) Because they are podocytes, and don't normally communicate at a frequency we humans are used to hearing, they sound like elevator noises.

I'd take the stairs.

No problem. I have gads of funny stories I can tell about studying at all hours at Volker High!

 

[doc1984]

does anyone know when UAB's last interview day is?

 

[Shades McCool]

No problem. I have gads of funny stories I can tell about studying at all hours at Volker High!

 

[Shades McCool]

We want you at UASOM.

The Persian is happy!

I don't know why they start dancing while studying so don't ask!

Studyfest 2K5 part Duex Biochem Board

 

[BooMed]

Saturday tests huh, well that sucks.

But you're telling us that we don't have to attend the 8 a.m. class, right? That's excellent.

 

[Shades McCool]

Saturday tests huh, well that sucks.

But you're telling us that we don't have to attend the 8 a.m. class, right? That's excellent.

Unless there is some kind of quiz or sign-in sheet, you don't have to be there. Many people never ever go to class and just study the scripts from the comfort of their own home. I also did not attend but maybe 5-10 of the 81 biochem lectures. I studied the scripts at home and did very well.

On Saturday tests: we haven't had one yet, only second years have had one and they haven't had that many...

They are having one as we speak though hahahaha!

 

[Shades McCool]

For those of you wondering what I mean when I say that people just stay at home and study scripts, I am attaching a link to a sample script. This is just a random script from one of our biochemistry lectures. During that block we would recieve 4 Biochem and three Genetics scripts all similar to these.

Sample Medical School Script

 

[Shades McCool]

Oh and I am sure it has been talked about but the Class of 2011 will more thank likely be learning from an organ based system. LCME people were here last week and while I was meeting with them it was talked about a bit.

 

[Doctor&Geek]

Postpadder! 😀

 

[Shades McCool]

Postpadder! 😀

Haha more like someone trying to keep the thread visible 😉

You're not involved with ICM are you?

 

[Doctor&Geek]

Heck no.

 

[BooMed]

Oh and I am sure it has been talked about but the Class of 2011 will more thank likely be learning from an organ based system. LCME people were here last week and while I was meeting with them it was talked about a bit.

How will that affect the M2s? Will the curriculum change for us or will we stay with the old method? (If you know.)

 

[ferreed]

does anyone know when UAB's last interview day is?

I interviewed on the 9th and they told us our session would be one of the last or possibly the last, but but I don't think they stated definitively which it was. Sorry to be the bearer of possibly bad news, and good luck to you. 😳

 

[BooMed]

Does anyone know when the winter break is next year? I'm trying to plan a trip with my family and I can't find the dates anywhere. Thanks...

 

[Shades McCool]

Does anyone know when the winter break is next year? I'm trying to plan a trip with my family and I can't find the dates anywhere. Thanks...

I think our mini-board biochem final was on December 15th or something like that.

 

[Shades McCool]

How will that affect the M2s? Will the curriculum change for us or will we stay with the old method? (If you know.)

Won't affect you at all. You will have the traditional path.

 

[BooMed]

Won't affect you at all. You will have the traditional path.

Hmm, so that's kind of neat, we'll be able to see how it goes for the class below us.

Has anyone done anything for financial aid yet?

 

[odrade1]

Hmm, so that's kind of neat, we'll be able to see how it goes for the class below us.

Has anyone done anything for financial aid yet?

I will pay my taxes later this week. After that point I can submit my FAFSA.

 

[BooMed]

I will pay my taxes later this week. After that point I can submit my FAFSA.

I finally broke down and bought turbo tax to do mine. Wow. 😍 It was almost fun.

 

[odrade1]

I finally broke down and bought turbo tax to do mine. Wow. 😍 It was almost fun.

I used turbo tax for the first time this year. I used the free online version, and it was super quick. I'll probably do it again next year, even if I have to buy a copy. Which is probably why they put a free version up in the first place...to win converts.

 

[BooMed]

I used turbo tax for the first time this year. I used the free online version, and it was super quick. I'll probably do it again next year, even if I have to buy a copy. Which is probably why they put a free version up in the first place...to win converts.

And then they suck you in with all of these cool extras... which in the end you're like, wait a second, I'm filling out a 1040 EZ, I don't need all of this, but ooh, it's seductive.

Anyway, right after I did my taxes I did my FAFSA, but I totally left out parental information and personal assets... does anyone have any idea if UAB requires these sections?

 

[pnasty]

Does anyone know when the next batch of decisions are going to be made? I interviewed around Feb 23rd, and haven't heard anything yet. I think I remember the dean saying we should know within two to three weeks. I called and asked what my status was, but didn't really get a response.

 

[ferreed]

Hey Boo,
I think they may need the parental info from FAFSA if you want to qualify for Perkins loans (and most folks do want those). You might want to ask that over in the financial aid forum because there are some pretty smart folks over there.

And Turbo Tax definitely rocks if you can benefit from itemizing your deductions. It's helped my wife and I tremendously. 🙂

And then they suck you in with all of these cool extras... which in the end you're like, wait a second, I'm filling out a 1040 EZ, I don't need all of this, but ooh, it's seductive.

Anyway, right after I did my taxes I did my FAFSA, but I totally left out parental information and personal assets... does anyone have any idea if UAB requires these sections?

 

[BooMed]

Hey Boo,
I think they may need the parental info from FAFSA if you want to qualify for Perkins loans (and most folks do want those). You might want to ask that over in the financial aid forum because there are some pretty smart folks over there.
QUOTE]

Man, I am just so lazy with this stuff, I hate getting my mom on the phone to fill out the forms with me. 🙄

By the way, the financial aid guy told me that the packets for next year would be ready in mid march to fill out.

 

[eg77ff1]

Does anyone know when the next batch of decisions are going to be made? I interviewed around Feb 23rd, and haven't heard anything yet. I think I remember the dean saying we should know within two to three weeks. I called and asked what my status was, but didn't really get a response.

I interviewed with UAB on Feb 16th and no word either. Has anyone that interviewed with UAB in February heard anything? Has anyone gotten an interview invite this month from USA. I called a week ago and they said they were still extending invitations until mid April. I think being an August MCATer has killed my chances for an interview with USA!!!

 

[pnasty]

im not from alabama so i didnt apply to USA, but when I was interviewing at UAB some of the other applicants were saying that USA was way behind schedule for some reason

Good Luck!

 

[qwerty]

yea when I interviewed there in feb, they said they were way behind because all the hotels/motels were booked for dec/jan. but they're really fast with their decision. They sent me an acceptance letter 1 week after interviewing. now just waiting for uab.....

 

[eg77ff1]

im not from alabama so i didnt apply to USA, but when I was interviewing at UAB some of the other applicants were saying that USA was way behind schedule for some reason

Good Luck!

PNasty, thanks for the response. From looking at your previous post your in great shape...You will be a DOCTOR!!! Thanks for the GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[eg77ff1]

yea when I interviewed there in feb, they said they were way behind because all the hotels/motels were booked for dec/jan. but they're really fast with their decision. They sent me an acceptance letter 1 week after interviewing. now just waiting for uab.....

Thanks for the response...it gives me more HOPE!!! Also congrats on acceptance to USA...Your going to be a DOCTOR...and I'm sure you'll have a positive response from UAB!!!

 

[pnasty]

I got an acceptance email today from UAB, a day after I realized i never did the campus selection and filled it out. i was surprised since im OOS

Good luck to everyone

 

[Doctor&Geek]

I'm reposting UAB's 2006 match list on this thread.

UAB (~170)
* = MSTP graduate.

Anesthesiology (12)
UAB (8)
NYU
MUSC
Wake Forest
Loma Linda

Dermatology (1)
MCG

Emergency Medicine (13)
UAB (5)
BID
Chicago
UTSW
Virginia
Brody/ECU
Lincoln/Bronx
Louisville
USF

Family Practice (13)
Michigan
Indiana
Hawaii
Brazos Valley/Texas A&M
USF
UASOM/Tuscaloosa x 4
Medcenter East x 2
UASOM/Huntsville x 2

Internal Medicine (29)
UAB (6)
Baptist Health (2)
Carraway Methodist
Duke
Emory
Kentucky
LSU - New Orleans
MGH
Penn (2)
Rhode Island
Stanford
Texas A&M/Scott & White
UTSW
UT Knoxville
UT Chattanooga
U of Washington
Vanderbilt
Virginia
Washington U
Wake Forest
UCSD
Yale *

Medicine/Pediatrics (1)
Indiana

Neurosurgery (3)
Cincinnati
Loyola
UAB

Neurology (1)
UAB

OB/GYN (6)
UAB (4)
Ohio State
Pitt

OMFS (2)
UAB (2)

Ophthalmology (7)
UAB (2)
Emory
Louisville
Mississippi
MUSC
Vanderbilt

Orthopaedic Surgery (7)
UAB (2)
Beaumont - El Paso (Army)
Carolinas Medical Center
Minnesota
Kentucky
Massachusetts

Otolaryngology (4)
Mayo Clinic
Utah
Vanderbilt
Washington U *

Pathology (6)
UAB
Brigham
Duke
MGH *
Penn *
UNC

PMR (4)
UAB (2)
Arkansas
WashU

Pediatrics (17)
UAB (7)
Arkansas
Baylor
Cincinnati (3) *
Emory
Greenville
UF/Sacred Heart (2)
Vanderbilt

Psychiatry (7)
UAB (3)
Emory
St. Luke's - Roosevelt
USC
Virginia

Radiation Oncology (1)
UCSF *

Radiology (9)
UAB
Baptist Health
Duke
Emory
U of Florida - Jacksonville
Tripler - Hawaii (Army)
MIR / Washington U (2)
Vanderbilt

Surgery (9)
UAB
Baptist Health
Carraway Methodist
Mayo Clinic
Memorial HS/Savannah
St. Luke's - Roosevelt
UT Chattanooga
UTHSCSA
Vanderbilt

Urology (2)
George Washington
Mississippi

No PGY-2 (6)

 

[odrade1]

I got an acceptance email today from UAB, a day after I realized i never did the campus selection and filled it out. i was surprised since im OOS

Good luck to everyone

congratulations! Is UAB the school you plan on attending?

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On the subject of financial aid, I am surprised to hear that so many people are needing their parents' info on the FAFSA. I thought that the PLUS loans were for parents.? Stafford and Perkins loans were available for individuals, with or without parental information, or so I thought. I've been financially independent for some time (I will be 30 this June), and did not include my parents info on my FAFSA. Anyone know for sure?

Oh, and I called the financial aid guy two days ago about the missing UAB forms. He said they still haven't materialized yet, but that they should be within this week or first thing next week. I guess they will scan them into pdf as soon as they arrive & post them on the web.

 

[ferreed]

I got an acceptance email today from UAB, a day after I realized i never did the campus selection and filled it out. i was surprised since im OOS

Good luck to everyone

Congratulations, especially beeing OOS. That is a competitive pool. 🙂

 

[QofQuimica]

I got an acceptance email today from UAB, a day after I realized i never did the campus selection and filled it out. i was surprised since im OOS

Good luck to everyone

Congrats, pnasty. 🙂

 

[BooMed]

I got an acceptance email today from UAB, a day after I realized i never did the campus selection and filled it out. i was surprised since im OOS

Good luck to everyone

Congrats!!!!! 🙂

Where are you from?

 

[PapaDosh]

I called UAB today after a huge final and was hoping for some good news....
and was told that I would be notified of their decision in early April.

It would have been nice to look at apartments over spring break.

🙁

 

[pnasty]

Thanks for all the congrats guys. I'm not sure exactly where I am going at all right now....im sure ill be having some tough decisions to make come april.

Oh, I'm from Kansas City, MO

 

[eg77ff1]

Thanks for all the congrats guys. I'm not sure exactly where I am going at all right now....im sure ill be having some tough decisions to make come april.

Oh, I'm from Kansas City, MO

Pnasty, congrats...B'ham is a great place to live so don't rule us out even though I need your MED school spot!!!

 

[BooMed]

Thanks for all the congrats guys. I'm not sure exactly where I am going at all right now....im sure ill be having some tough decisions to make come april.

Oh, I'm from Kansas City, MO

I love Kansas City! I don't know why, I just find it very pleasant. My uncle moved out there a few years ago. Did you apply to the med school there? I can't remember what it's called.

 

[eg77ff1]

I called UAB today after a huge final and was hoping for some good news....
and was told that I would be notified of their decision in early April.

It would have been nice to look at apartments over spring break.

🙁

Okay has anyone heard any responses or are we all on hold until early April...any news!!! PS Let us know if your instate or out-of-state....Thanks!

 

[andi_cvr]

Okay has anyone heard any responses or are we all on hold until early April...any news!!! PS Let us know if your instate or out-of-state....Thanks!

It does seem like only our of state people who interviewed a while back are getting in now. I interviewed on Feb 16th. A couple of things changed on my status page. Too bad that doesn't mean anything. Good luck. Think they would be terribly annoyed if we called them?

 

[ferreed]

I am in-state and interviewed on March 9th. Haven't heard yet, but I know there are folks here who have waited much longer than I have.

I did just check the status page and was surprised to see that in the post-acceptance category the line for my deposit (which I have not sent due to not yet having been accepted) reads "waived." Probably not significant, but definitely weird.

Good luck, y'all.