Class of 2005: Where are you going? How do you feel?

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Originally posted by Lis:
•Oceandust--you're right, my original decision was CWRU over Stanford. Turned in all the appropriate forms and everything was hunky-dory. Even started looking for a house here in Cleveland. Then at the end of May I got into UCSF off the waitlist and had to start making pro/con lists again. This time CA won out--the education's better, the city's cooler, and the tuition is A LOT lower. I'm pretty sad about the boyfriend and the house though. Hope UCSF is worth it.•

Hi Lis and other future UCSFers...
I'll see you there in the fall. I'm actually moving up to do research this summer and am currently trying to find a place to live. I know, I know, it's nerdy, but I want to get a research rotation over with (MSTP). The housing situation has gotten better in the past year, but it is still relatively difficult and expensive. Everyone seems to find somewhere to live though, from what I hear.

What do you think about the new curriculum? I'm pretty excited and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Anyway, take it easy this summer (I'm planning some trips to places like Napa, Yosemite, Tahoe, etc, so it won't be all research). 😎
 
michigan. i'll miss new york... except for my apartment and my job.
 
You're going to love Ann Arbor, it is easily one of the coolest college towns in America. I like Chapel Hill because it reminds me of A2. Can I suggest that you take up fly fishing and explore the Huron River on the NW side of town. Once you get the hang of it go to the Au Sable River in northern Michigan. You'll love it. Good Luck! (& Go Blue) 😱 😡 😀
 
As of right now I'm heading to Philly to go to MCP Hahnemann. More than anything I'm relieved just to be in somewhere where I know I'll be happy. However, I don't feel settled yet knowing that two schools where I'm on the waitlist, Loyola and Rush, could call anytime before I start at MCP and I'd be turning right back around to head back to Chicago. I also feel very reflective at this point in my life because I'll be starting medical school finally, and my future wife is off to Minnesota to start working towards a Music Therapy degree. Thus, it's quite the turning point in our lives. Best wishes to all those heading of to new adventures and to those who are still waiting to see where your new adventures will begin.

Tony
 
Got into EVMS unless MCV or Rochester call me up. I am exicted but kind of indifferent right now. Anyways good luck!
 
I also got accepted to Wake Forest and at the moment it seems like I will be making the trek across the country to study medicine unless UCLA or Vanderbilt call very soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though but it's affecting my plans and my options for housing. Either way, I think I'll be very happy no matter which of these 3 schools I end up at, though tuition does make a whole lot of difference.
 
Congrats Lara Croft! Did you just hear about Wake Forest? I'm still waiting to hear from the other NC schools.
 
Originally posted by MR1521:
•Congrats Lara Croft! Did you just hear about Wake Forest? I'm still waiting to hear from the other NC schools.•

Thanks! I actually heard in April about 2 weeks after my interview. I know that there are a lot of people out there that are dropping Wake probably because of the location and environment. It's a great school but I'm sure there are other things to consider. Hang in there. You should be hearing from those schools soon if not in these next couple of weeks. Good luck! And, if you get into Wake, don't forget to send me a message. 🙂
 
Headed to Albert Einstein in August. It has definitely been a very very long and tedious process 😛
 
What is a "pre-matriculation program" that has been mentioned several times? What do you study and for how long? Is it required at some schools? Just curious....
 
Well, Im in prematric at UTMB, and basically what it is is this:

6 weeks of classes that are overviews of your first year. For example, we're taking

1. Gross Anatomy and Radiology (thorax, upper limb, and...(I think abdomen) only)
2. Pathology (1st 3 weeks)
3. Molecules, Cells and Tissues, which is kinda molecular, biochem, embryology etc all rolled into one
4. Microanotomy (aka histology)
5. Medical Spanish (hey, Im in South Texas)
6. Neuroanatomy (this is the 2nd 3 weeks)

(FourthTime, if I missed any, let me know, ok? 😉 )

We have tutorial sessions for every class, PBL for most of them and gross lab. We are also taking speed reading and study skills courses (some people exempted out of these).
It includes graded exams etc, but the grades dont count - they're mostly to let you know how you're doing. We have classes scheduled from 8-5 everyday, but its at least interesting - they're good about clinical correlations.

Its a LOT of info, Im really glad Im doing this, I would've been hit over the head and knocked out COLD in august. Plus, over half of our class is attending the prematric, I would NOT want to be in the half that didnt come! feel free to email me if you want

Star
 
I'm feeling somewhat nervous about the academics, since I haven't been in school for a few years. I wonder how I'll get along with my classmates because I'm a little older than most of the 1st-yr students and I'm married too. BUT I'm excited about meeting new people and learning new things at UCLA. Anyone out there going to UCLA? Love to hear from you!
 
It looks like I will be going to SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, New York (unless NYU comes calling). I am full of mixed emotions right now. I am excited to start school, but I am also nervous because of the work load. I was not a science major in college and I feel I may have to struggle a bit more in the beginning.

Right now, I am just going to enjoy my summer and have fun. A week before classes start, I will probably do some basic review on cell structure, DNA replication and the krebs cycle, just to freshen up and get my brain in motion.

Good Luck to all of you and congrats on getting into med school.
 
Originally posted by ILoveThaiFood:
•BUT I'm excited about meeting new people and learning new things at UCLA. Anyone out there going to UCLA? Love to hear from you!•

I'm not going to UCLA but I'm waitlisted. I was wondering when you heard from UCLA. Were you accepted originally or did you get in off the waitlist? Any information would be great. Thanks.
 
LaRa, I almost gave up on UCLA because I was getting frustrated about how long they were taking to get back to me after my Feb. interview. I was never placed on a waiting list, but I didn't get my acceptance until mid-May. My interviewer told me that they send out acceptance letters in groups instead of on a rolling basis, but not sure what that means for waiting list people.
 
I'm off to Baylor in August. I feel... relieved, blessed, excited, anxious, relaxed?? I'm happy about where I'm going, and between now and Aug 2 I plan to catch up on all the R&R I missed as an undergrad.
 
OUaj2 - congrats on Baylor! I think that's where I will be too. Are you going to try and buy a condo or house before school to get in state tuition? Also, does orientation begin Aug 2? I was under the ipression that it began July 27 for some reason. Thanks -
MR
 
Mayriver-- no, I'm not buying a condo or anything (way too poor for that). Part of my fin aid package was a scholarship that took care of the out of state tuition. I have heard that buying a condo is a pretty good investment. After a year, you're considered a resident, and when you're through you can sell it pretty easily to the entering class. BTW, I'm pretty sure orientation is on Aug. 2.
 
OUaj2, check your profile/private messages. 😉

mayriver, I would give the FAO at Baylor a call next week, assuming the office might be open now (everything was pretty much shut down last week). Buying property is the easiest way to go, but according to other people I've talked to, if you just register your car there, register to vote, get a TX driver's license, etc., you can probably qualify as a resident within a year or two. As opposed to some other states, TX schools don't have a strict residency rule to follow, so they have a little more leniency in deciding who to grant residency status to, and often utilize this to attract out-of-state students.
 
Ditto lilycat about flexible TX residency reqs. The med students I talked to that weren't TX residents by birth were either working on becoming one or had become one by satisfying the requirements. Lily cat, I sent you an email.
 
Glad to see that there's a couple of other people on this board headed down to Baylor! I still haven't found a place to live in Houston yet, so that will be priority numero uno in the next few weeks. From what I recall, we have to be there bright and early on August 2nd for orientation, then there's a retreat that weekend, and then classes start on Monday the 7th. And lilycat -- congratulations on your offer from Baylor!!! After following your posts for the last year, I'd love to get the chance to meet you in August. Hope everyone's enjoying their summers!
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I'm also glad to see other possible future baylor-ites out there. good luck on making your decision Lilycat, and congrats to everyone getting in off wait lists!
 
headed to Cornell anyone else joining me.? I'm psyched about NYC and intrigued about the curriculum. Congrats and good luck to everyone!
 
Originally posted by OUaj2:
•Mayriver-- no, I'm not buying a condo or anything (way too poor for that). Part of my fin aid package was a scholarship that took care of the out of state tuition. I have heard that buying a condo is a pretty good investment. After a year, you're considered a resident, and when you're through you can sell it pretty easily to the entering class. BTW, I'm pretty sure orientation is on Aug. 2.•

Hey OUaj2: Hey are you a minority student? Cuz if you are I think I know what kinda "scholarship" you are referring to.
 
Originally posted by rikkitikki:
•headed to Cornell anyone else joining me.? I'm psyched about NYC and intrigued about the curriculum. Congrats and good luck to everyone!•

Rikkit.. - congrats on Cornell! I'm still hoping to get off their waitlist. I lived right near Cornell last year, right by Sloan Kettering. I love the neighborhood. You'll have a great time! Are you living on campus for the first year? Good luck there and congrats again!
MR
 
Well, I think I finally made my decision 😱

Baylor, class of 2005

It was really tough to decide, and I'm getting sort of freaked about moving to Houston, but in the end, I think it's the right choice.

Thanks soooo much to all of you who wrote encouraging posts and emails. It was so nice and I really appreciated it.

Good luck to all of you guys -- here's to enjoying the remaining weeks of summer! 😀
 
Originally posted by lilycat:
•Well, I think I finally made my decision 😱

Baylor, class of 2005


Woohoo!!! Glad to hear it. 😉 Maybe you can bring some of that nice California weather when you come so it won't be so humid.
 
just dropped case western for yale. RIGHT ON! i'm feeling very good. lots of luck to everyone else still waiting for good news!!
 
Hey fre****y,
Congratulations....did you just get the call this morning? I'm still waiting for the magic telephone call. Best of luck. Any information would be much appreciated.
 
lilycat - congrats on making your final decision. I think Houston is a fine city to live in and there are tons of fun things to do there. I'm going to the free out door symphony tomorrow night at Hermann Park (right near the med center). Anyway, I hope you love it, and I'll see you at Baylor in a few weeks! (I think 😕 🙂 )
 
hi, spacecadet. i got a call early this week and took a few days to wait for a fin aid package before deciding. i know the wait is excruciating--more so when you're sure you'll go if offered a spot. fyi, this offer came over a week later than i had been told to expect it (thus reaffirming the slowness of movement this year). do you have any sense of how close they are to offering you a spot? i hope it works out for you since you feel so sure about it. and there's still time. good luck!
 
Fre****y,
Silverman keeps telling me "just one more week" and "you are on the top of the second tier." He also said he had hoped to make an offer by June 15th....but it's way past that now!!! I'm going to call today and tell him about an award that I just won and see if I can find out anymore info. Did you do anything special to get off the waitlist? Any advice would be much appreciated!!! and again congratulations...let's hope we are classmates!
 
spacecadet, tho you may be tired of hearing it, it sounds like it's just around the corner. i too was told a date and waited and waited (longer than you've been waiting so far). i didn't do anything add'l once i found out abt my tier, except to call when he suggested to get more details, which came out to two more calls. silverman said i could send another letter of rec, that it could only help, but that it wasn't necessary. so i didn't. just think: you could get that call today or anyday next week!!! and once you do, the wait will seem like nothing. hang in there.
 
Did they tell you a date or did you ask??
You're lucky, most schools including the one I'm waitlisted at won't tell you anything about where you are on the list or your chances of getting in.
 
Thanks Socialist and mayriver. 😉 I can't believe school's starting in six weeks!! By the way mayriver, I sent you an email. 😉 Good luck on Cornell if you are still waiting for them.

spacecadet, good luck with Yale -- if you are at the top of the list now, I agree with fre****y that it will probably work out -- there's still a lot of time between now and the start of classes (isn't it the end of August?), and many schools have been saying that they don't expect the bulk of their movement to happen until July. Hang in there.
 
lilycat- check emial, sorry for the delay, I don't check that account very often.

nkg - sent a message back to you - also sorry for the delay
 
Looks like I will be heading to Temple University this Fall. I am still hoping to see if I will be staying in Cali (Wailisted at UCLA), but it is begining to look like Philly.
Any Californians moving to Philly? Do you know where most medical students are living? 🙂
 
Originally posted by Sniper:
•Looks like I will be heading to Temple University this Fall. I am still hoping to see if I will be staying in Cali (Wailisted at UCLA), but it is begining to look like Philly.
Any Californians moving to Philly? Do you know where most medical students are living? 🙂

Mostly Manayank, East Falls, City Line, surrounding neighborhoods (all on the north/northwest side of the city). As far as I know, everyone commutes. Temple is in a tough area. call the temple res life office, they'll point you in the right direction, including possibly finding a housemate - living along is expensive.
 
Originally posted by Jeff05:
•Mostly Manayank, East Falls, City Line, surrounding neighborhoods (all on the north/northwest side of the city). As far as I know, everyone commutes. Temple is in a tough area. call the temple res life office, they'll point you in the right direction, including possibly finding a housemate - living along is expensive.•

IF you're comparing it to UCLA, living in philly is not expensive at all. For a mid range 1-BR in westwood you'll pay around $1300-1500, in philly same place will run you $400-600.
 
Originally posted by lilycat:
•Hmmm, I'm not sure, was that meant facetiously? I will assume it wasn't. Here are the reasons why I like Baylor:

1) 1.5 years of basic sciences. I really like the idea of an extra 10 months to play around with, esp. to take time off for studying for the boards, and also being able to start clinicals earlier.

2) The clinical experience -- I definitely think it's superior to UCSD's, and I was just really, really impressed on the hospital tour. Also, everything I've heard from physicians is that Baylor turns out extremely clinically sound physicians.

3) My boyfriend. 'Nuff said.

4) I'd like a change -- I've lived in CA for the last 15 straight years, and I think it would be good for me to leave the state for a few years, if I got the opportunity.

I'm technically still waiting on Wash U as well, but I know my chances aren't as good there, and I like Houston better than St. Louis. As for tuition, Baylor is still pretty affordable even if I don't get the TX resident break (which I probably won't because I don't intend to buy property).•

Yes, I was being facetious lilycat. Guess it just didnt come across well.

The THECB (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) guidelines doesnt allow any exemptions for medical or graduate students for residency status. However, Baylor (along with UT Southwestern) likes to make their own rules, so who knows? I am aware of the most common route, which is to buy property and live in it for a year, but there may be other ways as well. You might want to call Baylor and find out.
 
Hi all - I got a call from Cornell today! I can't believe I got into both - (baylor and Cornell), I really didn't think that was going to happen. I'm definately leaning towards Cornell, but giving my self a day to think about it. I want to pass on whichever place i don't choose asap.

baylor 21 - I called and talked to the registrar and FAO at Baylor, you can not get in state unless you buy property. And even if you buy you can't be in state until their second year. That's what they told me anyway. Hope this info helps.

If anyone has any insight into which school they think is better, please let me know - Thanks everyone
MR
 
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