Anybody here go to UMB?

[LactaidPlease]

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Had a few questions.

 

[y0ssarian87]

Had a few questions.

Yep.

 

[LactaidPlease]

Yep.

Hi! I'm interested in going to UMB but maybe you can answer some of these questions first.

Do you like the school?

How's the surrounding area? Is it dangerous?

Whereabouts do most students live? How are the dorms?

Do people bring their cars to school? Not sure how parking is in the area.

 

[y0ssarian87]

Hi! I'm interested in going to UMB but maybe you can answer some of these questions first.

Do you like the school?

Very much so.

How's the surrounding area? Is it dangerous?

The surrounding area is mixed. There are some nice things in that part of Baltimore, but I'd say the area is fair. Coming from Los Angeles, I don't like Baltimore much. Others in my class love Baltimore.

Dangerous? Well, there are violent crimes that happen in the immediate are, but that used to happen at my undergrad too. Tough for me to compare. I can say that some guy tried to mug me already. The university has begun making extra efforts to beef up security. I don't feel unsafe walking around at night by myself, but I'm a larger male. I don't think most of my female friends feel as comfortable. As with any big city, crime is a potential, and there are ways to reduce risk. Just be smart.

Whereabouts do most students live? How are the dorms?

Most students live in university housing or in off-campus housing near the school. Some individuals also commute. Areas that people live include the area immediately near school, the Inner Harbor, Ridgely's Delight, and Pigtown. The university apartments are nice but expensive, I think.

Do people bring their cars to school? Not sure how parking is in the area.

I'd say that most people have cars, though there is a substantial number of people who don't have cars. It's helpful for rotations (IPPEs and APPEs). There are parking garages at school.

 

[LactaidPlease]

The surrounding area is mixed. There are some nice things in that part of Baltimore, but I'd say the area is fair. Coming from Los Angeles, I don't like Baltimore much. Others in my class love Baltimore

What do you not like about Baltimore?

Dangerous? Well, there are violent crimes that happen in the immediate are, but that used to happen at my undergrad too. Tough for me to compare. I can say that some guy tried to mug me already. The university has begun making extra efforts to beef up security. I don't feel unsafe walking around at night by myself, but I'm a larger male. I don't think most of my female friends feel as comfortable. As with any big city, crime is a potential, and there are ways to reduce risk. Just be smart.

Woah are you okay? How did the mugging situation turn out? And also, curious, but where did you go to undergrad?

Most students live in university housing or in off-campus housing near the school. Some individuals also commute. Areas that people live include the area immediately near school, the Inner Harbor, Ridgely's Delight, and Pigtown. The university apartments are nice but expensive, I think.

Would you suggest living on campus, at least for the first year?

 

[y0ssarian87]

What do you not like about Baltimore?



Woah are you okay? How did the mugging situation turn out? And also, curious, but where did you go to undergrad?



Would you suggest living on campus, at least for the first year?

I'll get back to this after finals. If I don't respond in a couple weeks, bump the post or PM me. Thanks!

 

[LactaidPlease]

I'll get back to this after finals. If I don't respond in a couple weeks, bump the post or PM me. Thanks!

Hey. How were your finals?

 

[y0ssarian87]

Hey. How were your finals?

They were stressful, but I got what I wanted on each exam. Can't complain. Thanks for bumping the thread.

 

[y0ssarian87]

What do you not like about Baltimore?

So, I think I like large cities and/or beautiful areas. I don't think Baltimore is either. I find Baltimore to be fine for education and training, but if we're talking about where I'd ultimately like to end up, I'd rather live in a suburb or a very large city with lots going on. I lived in Los Angeles prior to moving here, so it's definitely a culture shock. Los Angeles and the surrounding areas are much more dynamic and much more beautiful, I think. I'd be okay with living in some Baltimore suburbs, but Baltimore itself is dirty, unsafe, and full of illicit drug use. (You can't walk a quarter mile without finding used syringes and used condoms.) Some people would disagree, but Baltimore doesn't impress me.

This isn't to say it's all bad. The pluses? Cheap bars, cheap rent, all four seasons, eligibility for in-state tuition, and more.

And of course, I truly love the school. 🙂

Woah are you okay? How did the mugging situation turn out? And also, curious, but where did you go to undergrad?

I was (and am) okay -- just a bit more paranoid now. I was kind of dumb, and I refused to hand over my phone when I was asked for it. I said no, and the guy threatened me. I still refused, and they guy punched me in the head. My glasses flew off into the street. I threw back a couple of punches. He tried to punch me a second time, and I luckily blocked it. I threw in a third punch, and he ran away. I ended up with a mild concussion. Admittedly I was dumb on two counts: (1) I was talking on my phone while walking alone at 11:30pm and (2) I refused to hand over the phone. I was fortunate that he didn't have a weapon.

Would you suggest living on campus, at least for the first year?

I think university housing is overpriced, so I don't like that idea. I lived off campus my first year, and I renewed my lease (i.e., I still live in that same place). I know many people who are happy there, but it's not for me.

 

[y0ssarian87]

And also, curious, but where did you go to undergrad?

I went to a PAC12 school.

 

[mfdoom]

Hi! I'm interested in going to UMB but maybe you can answer some of these questions first.

Do you like the school?

How's the surrounding area? Is it dangerous?

Whereabouts do most students live? How are the dorms?

Do people bring their cars to school? Not sure how parking is in the area.

I go to UMB as well, and I like it. I feel like I'm getting a good education, the building is super new and nice, there are a ton of opportunities to get involved if you want to, most of the faculty are very accessible...they're also very open to tweaking things based on student feedback. The school seems very clinically-/residency-oriented to me, but I say this while having no idea what other schools' curriculums are like. But rotation sites are really varied, which is great. You have options that include the FDA, UMMC, Hopkins, managed care stuff, etc.

As I am from CA, on-campus housing at Fayette was the easiest option for me. It's expensive, but all utilities are included, it's furnished, you'll probably meet a ton of other P1s, and it's like a 2 minute walk to school so you can roll out of bed and go. I guess you pay for the convenience, mostly. Also, as a Fayette resident, you get a parking permit (that you pay for per month) at a garage about 3 blocks away and it's cheaper than a commuter's permit. Bad thing is that the walk, and the city in general, can get pretty shady. You'll get the occasional campus alert about assaults and stuff.

Honestly, the school is good but I'm looking forward to moving out of Baltimore -- I grew up in CA and the vibe is just different. But like the other poster said, a lot of people are die-hard Bmore fans. Just depends on the person.

 

[LactaidPlease]

And of course, I truly love the school. 🙂



I was (and am) okay -- just a bit more paranoid now. I was kind of dumb, and I refused to hand over my phone when I was asked for it. I said no, and the guy threatened me. I still refused, and they guy punched me in the head. My glasses flew off into the street. I threw back a couple of punches. He tried to punch me a second time, and I luckily blocked it. I threw in a third punch, and he ran away. I ended up with a mild concussion. Admittedly I was dumb on two counts: (1) I was talking on my phone while walking alone at 11:30pm and (2) I refused to hand over the phone. I was fortunate that he didn't have a weapon.

Thanks for the reply! What things do you like about the school and why did you choose it over other schools? Any regrets?

Also do you have any tips for staying safe or are there any areas to avoid?

 

[LactaidPlease]

I go to UMB as well, and I like it. I feel like I'm getting a good education, the building is super new and nice, there are a ton of opportunities to get involved if you want to, most of the faculty are very accessible...they're also very open to tweaking things based on student feedback. The school seems very clinically-/residency-oriented to me, but I say this while having no idea what other schools' curriculums are like. But rotation sites are really varied, which is great. You have options that include the FDA, UMMC, Hopkins, managed care stuff, etc.

As I am from CA, on-campus housing at Fayette was the easiest option for me. It's expensive, but all utilities are included, it's furnished, you'll probably meet a ton of other P1s, and it's like a 2 minute walk to school so you can roll out of bed and go. I guess you pay for the convenience, mostly. Also, as a Fayette resident, you get a parking permit (that you pay for per month) at a garage about 3 blocks away and it's cheaper than a commuter's permit. Bad thing is that the walk, and the city in general, can get pretty shady. You'll get the occasional campus alert about assaults and stuff.

Honestly, the school is good but I'm looking forward to moving out of Baltimore -- I grew up in CA and the vibe is just different. But like the other poster said, a lot of people are die-hard Bmore fans. Just depends on the person.

Any safety issues while you've been there?

Also I'm from California too and was wondering if you think it's hard to get licensed and find a job in a different state.

 

[mfdoom]

Any safety issues while you've been there?

Also I'm from California too and was wondering if you think it's hard to get licensed and find a job in a different state.

No safety issues personally. It's just disconcerting when you're at the library or something and then you get a crime alert for the immediate surrounding area. However, there are usually a good amount of cops on campus, and there's a police escort you can call if you want a ride somewhere within/close to campus boundaries. I know of people in my class who have gotten mugged, but it's usually because they had their phone out or something. Downtown is just an iffy area; there are way better neighborhoods, but there are also far worse neighborhoods.

lol I'm wondering the same thing about licensing. I'm applying for residencies in CA, so I guess I'll find out soon? Do you think you'll want to come back and practice in CA? Practicing in another state shouldn't be a problem, you just need to transfer your NAPLEX score to that state and then take the law exam. Finding a job is a different issue, especially in a place like CA where it's competitive.

 

[y0ssarian87]

Thanks for the reply! What things do you like about the school and why did you choose it over other schools? Any regrets?

What I like about the school: close ties to Hopkins, in a city with a relatively low cost of living, ability to get in-state tuition after a year, lots of research, part of a university system that promotes interprofessional programming, kind and bright students, plenty of student organization opportunities to meet your interests, engagement with local community

Why I chose it over other schools: I had a low GPA (sub-3.0), but a high PCAT (98th %ile overall). I didn't have many choices of places to apply to. I got into UGA, TTU, UMB, UIW, and I was wait listed at UMN. Ultimately I chose UMB because of the ability to get in-state tuition and the low cost of living. My goal was to reduce my student loan burden. My decision was focused on money, really. It turns out though that UMB was tied for my top choice (with UMN), so it's nice that my favorite school was also the most affordable. I was impressed with the focus on research and dual-degree opportunities.

As a side note, I think part of what I value most here at UMB is the technology available to students. Despite having a sub-3.0 undergraduate GPA, I'm doing extremely well compared to my peers here in pharmacy school (based on class ranking). I mention this only because this was a concern of mine going into school. I was afraid I would not be able to perform well in pharmacy school. I think a large contributor to my success is Mediasite, our software for recording and viewing lectures. I didn't attend classes very regularly (read: at all) in undergrad. Not surprisingly, it's the same deal in pharmacy school. Mediasite allows me to watch recorded lectures at my leisure (and at double speed), and this has helped me greatly.

Also do you have any tips for staying safe or are there any areas to avoid?

Tips for staying safe: walk in groups; don't have your cell phone out; walk in busier, well-lit areas; give up property if you are attacked; call campus security to escort you late at night.

In the immediate area by campus, avoid: west of Parkin, south of Washington, north of Mulberry. Avoid Lexington Market area. Most of the time nothing bad will happen in these areas, but I'd recommend staying away from those areas. Exception: do not stay away from Faidley's in Lexington Market. Great crab cakes.