Anyone going to Finch / Chicago Medical School?

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Doctora Foxy

Doctora Foxy

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Anyone plan on going to CMS? I'd love to hear from ya! :cool:
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Hey Dra Foxy,

I will if I get in there and if I dont get off the waitlist at my number one choice at the moment (Loyola). I loved CMS (the people, the facilities, and the overall atmosphere of the school). It's also only 20 min from my house so it's really convenient! Hope to see ya there next year! :)
 
Hi DoctoraFoxy,

Count me in for Finch!

:)
 
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Great! NUGirl I hope you hear good news soon!

I got my financial aid application today, trying2becomeMD, did you get any housing info or anything yet? When did you get in?

I also have tons of other questions for you, like when are you moving there, where do you plan to live, how will you find a roomate, do you need a car there, etc.......

Is anyone else here thinking of going to CMS?
 
Hey everybody, I would love to go to Finch (if accepted-no post interview respobse yet). I dont know why people have such a neagtive view of the school- I really liked it and most of the people who I met enjoyed it to. Anyhow, I wish to join Dra Foxy and Trying soon.
Good luck to you NUgirl-I hope we get the good news soon.
 
Thanks Doctora Foxy and J2001 for the nice wishes!
J2001 I wish you luck on getting in too! :) Please post when you hear and ill do the same.

I really hope to join you guys next year at Finch. :wink: Unlike what many say, it really is a great place to be.
 
I plan on going to Finch as well. I'm thinking that I will move up there about one week before orientation. I think that a car is very handy there because it is a suburb, etc. One question I have is where to live. I want to live very close to the school, but it's hard to find the apartments close by. I have only found the Woodlands on Green Bay and there's one called Heritage, I think. Let me know what you find. The apartments that I found online (rent.com, etc.) are also kind of expensive.

Where are you from? I'm from California and am slightly weary of the weather in Chicago. It won't keep me from going there, but I will definitely have to adjust to some pretty big weather differences. I know that may seem like a stupid worry, but I grew up in the sun almost 365 days a year.

Any thoughts?
 
I definitely plan to live in the Woodlands, I just need to find a roomate. The rent is good and the apartments are nice (I stayed with a host)....and it took all of 2 minutes to walk to the bldg on my interview day. I don't think I'll get a car for MS1, but hopefully my roomate will have one so I can mooch off of her....hey, anyone here wanna be my roomate? :wink: I'm thinking about leasing a car, but if you can only lease one for 3 yrs, I'll just do that for the last 3, since I'll prolly be living in FL afterwards (hopefully) and won't need it after that.

About the cold, yeah it sucks. I'm from NY, but now I live in FL and go to school in MA....so I have gotten used to the warm FL weather and I can't stand the freezing cold Boston weather...but what can you do? I'm just happy to be accepted, so I'll bring my coat and scarf. :D

Anyways, congrats on the acceptance...I can't wait to go :D I'll prolly move in right b4 school starts b/c I'm hoping to get in elsewhere off a waitlist b4 that.
 
Hi Kadini,

Congrats on the acceptance to Chicago Med! i was wondering, how long did it take for you to hear from them? i have now been waiting for one month and 4 days, to be exact. This waiting thing is so hard!! :wink:
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by NUgirl:
•Hi Kadini,

Congrats on the acceptance to Chicago Med! i was wondering, how long did it take for you to hear from them? i have now been waiting for one month and 4 days, to be exact. This waiting thing is so hard!! :wink: •••••Well, I was just interviewed two weeks ago and I heard back from them this past Saturday. So I really didn't wait long. When was your interview? Maybe they only have a committee meeting once a month and you just missed the previous one. I don't know, but I would imagine that you would hear from them soon. Good luck! :)

Doctora Foxy,
You're right, I know I will adjust and be fine. I don't even have a scarf...yet.
I would look for a roommate, but I'll only need a roommate for six months and I figure that no one will want to find a new roommate right in the middle of the year. So I will just try to find something cheap. I want to live in Woodlands, but they only have 12 month leases, according to the rent.com sites. I'm married and my husband will not be able to join me for six months because he has to finish school. I'm still waiting to hear from another school, too so it's kind of hard to make any plans whatsoever.
 
Hi Kadini,

I interviewed April 4th. So you interviewed after that, I assume, since you said you interviwed two weeks ago? Did you by any chance interview April 25th? I dont understand why I havent heard yet and people who interviwed later did. That is not a very good sign. :(

If I dont hear by may 15th, Im going to call them to find out what's up. i dont think I can take the wait much longer.
 
Did anyone get any financial aid info from CMS?
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by NUgirl:
•Hi Kadini,

I interviewed April 4th. So you interviewed after that, I assume, since you said you interviwed two weeks ago? Did you by any chance interview April 25th? I dont understand why I havent heard yet and people who interviwed later did. That is not a very good sign. :(

If I dont hear by may 15th, Im going to call them to find out what's up. i dont think I can take the wait much longer.•••••I did interview on April 25th. Do you know someone else that did as well? I think you should call the school and ask about the status of your application and just add that you wanted to make sure that they have the correct address for you or something. The mail is not always trustworthy so you could use that as an excuse. I hope it works out. :)

Doctora Foxy,
I have not received any financial aid stuff because I haven't paid my deposit yet.
 
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i got the financial aid info last week
 
Hi Everyone,

I'm also going to Finch, unless I get off the waitlist at NYMC.

Dra. Foxy, I know you got your acceptance on 4/19 (Friday) because I got mine on the same day. Did you send in your deposit right away? because I haven't receive my FA packet yet.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by c33:
•Hi Everyone,

I'm also going to Finch, unless I get off the waitlist at NYMC.

Dra. Foxy, I know you got your acceptance on 4/19 (Friday) because I got mine on the same day. Did you send in your deposit right away? because I haven't receive my FA packet yet.•••••yep, I sent it in a few days later b/c they only give you 2 weeks and I heard horror stories of people waiting too long and it got lost in the mail--&gt; and then people lost their acceptance. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> They already cashed my check....so I bet once they recieve it they'll send out FA info. :)
 
Hi, I am hoping to hear from CMS soon...I interviewed Feb 28th and have not heard anything yet. Is anyone else in this position? Do you know when we will be reviewed again? i know they are interviewing until June and i hope i dont need to wait that long. i sent an extra rec letter and an update letter and still havent heard anything. I would love to go there, or any other school since i am just on waitlists.
just wondering and good luck to everyone!!
 
Amma,

I'm also waiting for Finch. I interviewed in early April. I emailed the admissions directior this week who was also my interviewer to ask why it was taking so long. She said that they are on rolling admissions, and so, they have reviewed all people up to this point and that if you have not heard (acceptance or rejection) yet that means that you are still under consideration and have been put on hold. I guess we will have to wait it out some more. They probably want to see who else interviews before accepting us. It's really annoying, but unfortunately it's part of this whole process. :rolleyes: Good luck! Please post if you hear anything.
 
I believe that they meet on the 15th of every month. so if you're offered admission, you'd hear a few days after the 15th. or if you're desperate/stressed (like i was), you can call on the 16th/17th to find out if you've been accepted off that round. They also said that they'll start meeting twice a month as orientatin time approaches.

hope that helps. good luck to everyone!
 
DoctoraFoxy:

I didn't get any info on housing yet, when I called 3 weeks ago, the guy said that they'll get the info out soon, so hopefully we'll get something in the mail within few weeks!

I had a question regarding the immunization requirements:

I had chicken pox when I was 5, I know that they want us to get titer to prove that we are "immuned" but I think they run about $120 for the titer!!!!! And if for some reason I get "negative" results, I'll need to get 2 shots of chicken pox immunization, right? How are you all getting this requirement done? I have HMO so none of the shots are covered, I wanted to know how others are handling this requirement. Also, since I'm on the waitlist for NYMC, I didn't want to go through this now, but at the same time, I don't want to not have everything completed by the orientation date.

Also, tetanus shots are really in low supply now so I am having some trouble getting that one. Anyone else have problem?

BTW, I am planning on taking my car, I'll have to drive from CA to IL. Should be a long ride......
 
Oh, I haven't really looked at that stuff yet. I'm just finishing up finals and then I'll go into all those forms....

Did you send in your financial aid info yet? I haven't looked at that form either, although I did send in my FAFSA a while ago.
 
Hey trying I am from los angeles too. Maybe we can drive up there this summer together. let me know
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctora Foxy:
•hey, anyone here wanna be my roomate? •••••I'll bite. But you'll have quite a commute from LA, though.
 
for those of you that have received your FA forms, i got a few questions...

in the packet, did you find a "Stafford loan request"? the instructions said to complete the "Stafford loan master promissory note" AND the "stafford loan request", but i didn't find the "stafford loan request"!

also, on the master promissory note, what did you put down as the "lender name" and "lender code" (if known)?

trying, as for immunizations, are you sure they aren't covered under HMO? i guess i better check too then :confused:
 
immunizations are covered under HMO if your doctor deems that it's necessary!
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by c33:
•for those of you that have received your FA forms, i got a few questions...

in the packet, did you find a "Stafford loan request"? the instructions said to complete the "Stafford loan master promissory note" AND the "stafford loan request", but i didn't find the "stafford loan request"!

also, on the master promissory note, what did you put down as the "lender name" and "lender code" (if known)?

•••••I *think* the stafford loan request and promissory note are the same thing. I don't know about the "code", I would just call their FA office. I'll be filling it out ina few days after my final exam, so I'll call the school then.
 
C33 and Zbruin,

I read through my bluecross HMO small print and it says that any physical examinations or immunizations that are required for school clearance will not be covered....

The form to check off immunization is so darn confusing. I tried calling the clinic, but only got the answering machine.

Zbruin, I am also a bruin! I plan on taking my car and my parents will also come with me in their SUV, so if we have room, maybe you can tag along :) I highly doubt we'll have an inch of space though, because I have ton of stuff to take!
 
trying,
you're right, I called blue cross HMO's 1-800 number, and they said that any immunizations for school clearance is not covered. What else can we do except shelling out MORE money out of our own pockets? do you have any way around this? (e.g. i heard you can get some shots from the health dept of your city for free, is that true?)

I'm in the same situation as you: i'm also on the waiting list for NYMC. but i figure NYMC would require similar immunizations as Finch, so any shots we get now wouldn't be wasted if we do end up going to NYMC. am i correct in assuming that?

for anyone else who's interested,
I called Finch's FA office, and they said to not worry about the "stafford loan request", (it wasn't included in the packet), and that we can just leave the "lender name" and "lender code" on the master promissary note blank.
 
C33,

I am going to hold off on immunization till June.
If I need to get shots, it won't be too late (except for chicken pox one that you need 3 months to complete- but my titer should be positive since I had chicken pox). In case I hear from NYMC, I don't want to have to go back to the doctor's office to get the immunization document completed for NYMC. (Not a big deal, but no harm in waiting till June)

I am having a major confusion with the immu. form. I used to work at the doctor's office so I am somewhat familiar with the health clearance, but man, the way they have listed the shots like MMR is just weird.

For example,

MMR #1
MMR #2

Rubeola (measles) vaccine #1
Rubeola (measles) vaccine #2
Mumps
Rubella

I am thinking you just need 2 MMR combination shots, right? (It says so on the sheet that came with the form)

Then why the heck are they listing the individual shots (Rubeola #1, #2, Mumps, Rubella) as if those also need to be completed even if you had MMR #1 and MMR #2 shots?

And what the heck is up with the MANDATORY titers that are needed for Polio, Chicken pox, and Rubeola #1, #2, Mumps and Rubella? Don't they know that these titers are approximately 150 bucks each?????

Please correct me if I am misunderstanding any of these things. From my experience from working at various medical offices, if you bring the form to the office, it's usually the between you and the nurse to navagate through the form to make sure that you are getting the correct type of titer (Did you know that there are 2 types of Chicken pox titer : Igg and Igm. One you need is Igg, Igm is to tell if you are currently infected with chicken pox) But if you don't say which one you want, nurse might check off for both (which is approximately $260 bucks) or check off the wrong one and you'd have to pay for it and come back for another one, or find out you had the wrong one done when you are at the orientation.

CMS is a great school, in the immun. area, the school is making me a little annoyed. Things like Hep B shot and skin test could be given for free... (like other schools)
 
Do you think I could get any of these shots for free at my college's health center? I have the school's health insurance. I'll only be here a few more weeks.
 
trying,

correct me if i'm wrong since i don't have the forms in front of me right now...

the form itself is definitely very confusing, so i decided to follow the instruction sheet exactly, instead of trying to fill out all the blanks on the form itself.

i believe on the instruction sheet, it said EITHER 2 MMR combination shots, or 2 shots of rubeola, mumps, and rubella each. so i think it would be okay if we just get 2 MMR shots, and leave the rest blank.

as for titer, from my understanding, i thought that was only mandatory for Chicken pox and Hep B? ( at least they were the only two types mentioned in the instruction sheet). perhaps the titer box for polio is for those who had the polio shots but couldn't provide documentation for them?

i was rushing to get the immunizations done, cuz I thought they were covered by my insurance, which ends when i quit work (6/15 or so). but now that i know they're not covered, it wouldn't hurt to wait i guess.

dra. foxy, you should definitely check w/ your school health services, it's very likely that they'll be covered. in that case, u can save yourself hundreds of dollars :)
 
C33,

You got my point exactly! I know that the titers are required for chicken pox and hep B. But when I looked at the boxes that needed to be filled (since some boxes are darkened, I thought blank ones needed to be filled out) that's when I got majorly confused.

I am going to start looking around for public health places. Thanks for mentioning it, because I thought that only low income families qualify, but from browing some sites, I don't think that is the case. (something about low-cost fee, gotta be cheaper than private doctor's office, right?)

Foxy, I think that you should DEFINITELY get the shots from your school. I looked at UCLA health services price just to get some idea of how much I need to shell out and it is way cheaper than the regular doctor's office fees.

C33, It's good to communicate with others who face similar situation. (about NYMC waitlist, immunization, quitting work around June, and being broke!) :wink:
 
trying,

one other similarity...i'll also be driving from LA to Chicago... :wink:

if you get into NYMC, will you drive there also? how do you think you'll handle the situation if NYMC accepts you while you're on the road to chicago or if you've settled down already in Chicago? just keep driving to NY?

i'm really worried of that happening, since my family and I will make this drive to chicago a road trip...that means we'll leave in early July, and by then i might still not know about my status at NYMC yet...imagine, just driving toward the general northeast direction, but not knowing where i'll end up settling down eventually :confused:
 
Hi C33,

Good question. I am thinking of waiting till mid june for NYMC. If they don't let me know by then, I'll just matriculate at Finch. I liked NYMC but not so much that I would drop everything in order to go there.

I am not so much concerned about having to interrupt road trip, it's more about loans. After filling out the Finch financial form, I have yet to look over the stafford loan stuff. I am not sure as to how I can apply for a loan when I am still waiting for NYMC. What are you doing about the loan application?

Just to update you on the immunization chaos:

I've called couple of public health places. They offer MMR for $15!!!!! (as oppose to $60+) and polio for $15. Can't get chicken pox titer from them, but will call my MD for that one. Only thing is for me to get HMO coverage (since I'm paying $180 each month, you bet I'm gonna try to get the test for free) I need to tell him a reason why. Would it work if I say I think I have been exposed to chicken pox and want to know if I am infected? I hate to lie, but I am broke!!!!!!!!!And I did have fever and stomach ache (chicken pox symptom) last week...

p.s. good to know that you are from LA too C33 :cool:
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by zbruin:
•Hey trying I am from los angeles too. Maybe we can drive up there this summer together. let me know•••••I'm going to be driving up from Santa Barbara about one week before orientation. I heard that it takes about 40 driving hours, do you have any other info. How are you doing the move?
 
I'm probably going to spend 4 days driving. (LA-IL) My friend managed to drive in 2 days, but that's just crazy for me. I have no idea as of now on what I'm going to take, I heard that woodlands doesn't have furnished apts. Haven't received any info on housing (contacts, etc) so it's hard to plan now.
 
So has anyone gotten housing info or financial aid yet?

p.s. WesternGirl I sent you a private message
 
I received info on financial aid but nothing on housing. For any international applicants, I received my visa forms from CMS.
 
So do they basically give no money?
 
Foxy,

Most of these private schools are not going to offer you financial aid. A lot of the top tier schools have aid available through grants or various scholarships received through donations made by alumni. That is one of the negatives going to medical school on the lower tier, you get zero financial aid. It will be all loans.
 
nray, such a pessimist! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

I remember several SDNers went to interview on scholarship day. If they don't matriculate there, doesn't the money go to us? :D

But I'm not really expecting any money, just wanted to keep this thread going! :)

p.s. nray can you sign on AIM por favor?
 
Foxy,

I am at work right now, so I won't be able to log on until later.

FYI, Chicago Med gives out 15 scholarships to the top students of their entering class. My friend was up for one of these scholarships. Generally these are given to attract higher quality students to help bring up their averages.

Sorry hon, not being an pessimist, just going by the facts. Plus as you know this hasn't been the best of days for me. I will catch you later tonight.
 
Bump

How are my classmates today? :D

Any new Finch news? I sent my final transcript today. :rolleyes: I hope they don't mind that I failed aerobics! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> Little do they know I plan to teach aerobics at Finchy...

I still haven't sent back my FA forms nor have I gotten shots.

Any new housing info? I'm curious about finding roomates and how you would go about doing so.

p.s. There was a thread in the lounge about the best US city and many people say Chicago! I'm all hyped up <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> :D :clap:

and johne, where are you? How did the interview go? (Or is it next Friday?)

Let's get this thread moving! Post people! :)

Foxy
 
hey Foxy... im going to finch also, but for a masters' program... not for meds... yet... maybe... i dont know.

Anyway, about housing, if you call finch, they have a list of area apartments they can send you... they faxed me a list.
ill see if i can scan it in and email you a copy if you want.

ive heard the decent housing goes quick... so its best to get it well in advance... i put a deposit on an apartment about 6 mins away, the complex is called Deer Valley... worked out cheaper than the places right next to the school and i think they are better looking and more comfortable.

Chicago is an amazing city... when i was visiting north chicago, i took about 40 mins into downtown chicago in moderate traffic... about an hour in heavy traffic... not too bad if you ask me... there was lots to do and lots to see... never a dull moment.
 
I called Finch today and they said they sent out orientation packets last Friday with housing info. I stayed in the Woodlands during my interview and I liked it, so I just plan to live there since it's right next door. :) Do you think it will be possible to get my apartment over the phone or will I have to fly there and do it in person?

Also, what happens if I get in off a waitlist and have to break my lease? When are you guys getting housing?
 
I got the orientation packet today---did anyone else get it? It says there are proficiency exams that we can take to receive credit for some of the courses we'll have to take. Is anyone thinking of taking these? I might take Genetics but that means I would have to study over the summer :rolleyes: ....so I doubt I'll do it.

They also sent housing info, so I emailed Student Affairs to be placed on the roomate list. Does anyone else plan on living with a roommate? How do you plan on finding one that's compatible?

They also mentioned that housing will be available during orientation week--hint hint (lots of people get accepted a week before! :wink: )

ok people talk to me!

&lt;3 Foxy
 
I got the packet about orientation, but I didn't get the FA packet. Should I call and ask them about it or wait until they send something? I don't think I will take any proficiency exams, which is a bummer because it would be great to test out of something. I just don't think that I would be able to test out without studying over the summer and I really don't have much time to do that. Oh well.

I'm still trying to figure out where to live considering that I'm still waiting on Temple. I would like to live in Woodlands, but it's just a little too expensive for me. I was surprised when they were encouraging students to stay in hotels and find housing when they got there. I just feel like I would want something already set up before I go, but maybe I will have to wait until I get there. Who knows!

I'm getting very anxious about having my plans in line, which is hard when there is still another school to wait on.
 
Yeah housing at Finch is not tough to find...it just depends on how far away you mind staying. A lot of people I know that were in teh AP program this past year there didnt have housing until they got there and looked around. The Woodlands is the most convenient but certainly not the cheapest. Other places are Heritage Green and Northern Crossings to name a few.
 
Kadini,
you should definitely call the FA office and find out what's going on with your FA packet, though they did tell me that they won't give out the award letter till the second week of school.

Dra. Foxy,
i also got the orientation packet, I don't think I'll take any of the proficienty tests though. i figure I might as well get the full education while i'm there. i'm afraid that even i happen to pass one of the tests by luck, i would have less knowledge about the subject than my fellow classmates who actually took the course. besides, it would also require studying this summer...so..nah...

i'm also concerned about housing. how early is everyone going there to look for housing? since they allot time during orientation week to look for housing, does that mean if we arrive the day right before orientation (7/21), we would still be able to find vacancies during orientation week? will all the spaces be taken?

As for immunizations, I got my MMR shot for free :) at a public health place when i went down to LA to visit my parents. there is a country-wide shortage, however, of tetanus, and i cannot find any place willing to give out tetanus shots. does everyone have the same problem?

trying, did your tactics on getting titers for free work (telling them you're exposed)? i called HMO again, and they said they don't cover titers either unless it's deemed medically necessary.
 
I decided not to take any proficiency tests. If you're good at a subject, better to get an "easier" A and learn it better for the boards IMHO. I'm also lazy and enjoying my summer :cool:

Do you think that since school starts so early, it'll give us more time to cover the material in comparison to other schools? I don't think our summer vacation starts particularly early.... :confused:
 
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