Class of 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bobsmith]

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I don't know what's worse -- the possibility that someone would spend their time making up a ridiculous school vs. girlfriend thread to troll SDN or that someone would actually come to a bunch of random strangers for guidance on something like this

 

[metallica81788]

🤣 It must have been really nasty. I thought guys eat almost anything when they're hungry.

The most fail part about it is that it was just 2 regular turkey sandwiches. Maybe it was the lettuce that turned me off, I don't know. 😕 It was definitely a low point in my life.

Okay, real sleepy time now. 😴

 

[Hoody]

Start smoking then. I suggest Parliament Lights.

Newports FTW. gansta.

I'm so hungry. and I cant leave work. This always happens. I always underestimate how much food I'm gonna need. I'm done to ramen and honeycomb.

And its odd that Wal-Marts close. All the ones around here are 24hrs.

 

[oaklandguy]

Tomorrow will suck. Hardcore Microbial Physiology studying day. I should have taken Cell Bio instead, it's almost exactly like Biochem - Microb Phys is only ~20% like Biochem.

Good night!

Hopefully this new week brings good luck to me and Taty for hearing from our dream schools and everybody else waiting to hear from somebody special or anybody at all.​

Good luck to both of you !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bobsmith]

The most fail part about it is that it was just 2 regular turkey sandwiches. Maybe it was the lettuce that turned me off, I don't know. 😕 It was definitely a low point in my life.

Okay, real sleepy time now. 😴

you, sir, have led quite a nice life

 

[oaklandguy]

Newports FTW. gansta.

I'm so hungry. and I cant leave work. This always happens. I always underestimate how much food I'm gonna need. I'm done to ramen and honeycomb.

And its odd that Wal-Marts close. All the ones around here are 24hrs.

Menthols are way too addicting for me and rumor has it they are more unhealthy than regulars.

Hooka > cigarettes.

Wal-marts close, some K-Marts are 24 hrs, Meijers is 24 hrs. McDonalds is 24hrs and I can usually get anything I'd ever need from there.

 

[FloatOn]

Good luck to metallica and Tat on schools! Good luck to Sammich on her exam!

 

[FloatOn]

I don't know what's worse -- the possibility that someone would spend their time making up a ridiculous school vs. girlfriend thread to troll SDN or that someone would actually come to a bunch of random strangers for guidance on something like this

At first I thought you were making fun of me wanting to be in a clinical study, but then I was like, No, that can't be right, I'm the one who makes fun of blobby bob.

 

[Hoody]

I just want a fresh crib, trophy wife, and a fast whip. Oh yeah, I want to help people as well.

Stop being sketchy, Oakland. 🙄

Menthols are way too addicting for me and rumor has it they are more unhealthy than regulars.

something about crystallizing the lungs. idk. Newports just make me think of Tupac. Tupac makes me happy.

Hooka > cigarettes.

pot > tobacco. 😱😀

I can appreciate a hooka as my bff is from Egypt. :thumbsup:

 

[bobsmith]

At first I thought you were making fun of me wanting to be in a clinical study, but then I was like, No, that can't be right, I'm the one who makes fun of blobby bob.

right. exactly. i would never make fun of you. never ever.

 

[oaklandguy]

yeah I have no idea what "something like this" means.

 

[bobsmith]

i was referring to the "Personal Dilemma -- Best School or Girlfriend?" thread

 

[oaklandguy]

Stop being sketchy, Oakland. 🙄

something about crystallizing the lungs. idk. Newports just make me think of Tupac. Tupac makes me happy.

pot > tobacco. 😱😀

I can appreciate a hooka as my bff is from Egypt. :thumbsup:

I'm sorry, I guess I just can't help it, I'm a sketchy guy (I really hope I'm not I actually hate creepers).

It's too bad he's dead. I'm sick of all the idiots thinking he's gonna come back. At least now we see these changes he spoke of in his lyrics.

Pot's aiight. I'm more of a salvia man. Actually I'm not, but pot shows up on drug tests so I'll stick to my hooka while chilling on my boat in my lake. Hopefully my salary as a doctor will help me continue to smoke hooka on a boat in a lake while blasting pac.

 

[FloatOn]

Menthols are way too addicting for me and rumor has it they are more unhealthy than regulars.

Hooka > cigarettes.

Wal-marts close, some K-Marts are 24 hrs, Meijers is 24 hrs. McDonalds is 24hrs and I can usually get anything I'd ever need from there.

Hookah actually contains more tar, nicotine, and CO than cigarettes. Just letting you know what you're sucking into your lungs.

i was referring to the "Personal Dilemma -- Best School or Girlfriend?" thread

😱 Another one!? I thought it was the should I dump my gf one from last week. Too many spin-offs!

 

[bobsmith]

so i'm currently writing a recommendation letter for someone right now and i'm realizing...it's really hard to say really positive things about someone you just feel "meh" about.

i guess it's really not surprising that adcoms can separate the fantastic recs from the "good" ones

 

[oaklandguy]

Hookah actually contains more tar, nicotine, and CO than cigarettes. Just letting you know what you're sucking into your lungs.



😱 Another one!? I thought it was the should I dump my gf one from last week. Too many spin-offs!

I've been doing hooka since I was eight. I was also quite the football and baseball player in high school and I was decent at basketball. I also run often. Therefore, my lungs blossom new alveoli and capillaries every 6 weeks. I know what I get myself into 🙂 That doesn't mean I do hooka everyday, it's like a once a month celebratory type of thing.


I'm happy Felted decided to keep his girlfriend. Raging and slaying isn't as much fun when you're single. Or maybe it is?

 

[JJMrK]

so i'm currently writing a recommendation letter for someone right now and i'm realizing...it's really hard to say really positive things about someone you just feel "meh" about.

i guess it's really not surprising that adcoms can separate the fantastic recs from the "good" ones

You in charge of peeps?

 

[FloatOn]

right. exactly. i would never make fun of you. never ever.

I knew I could count on you.

so i'm currently writing a recommendation letter for someone right now and i'm realizing...it's really hard to say really positive things about someone you just feel "meh" about.

i guess it's really not surprising that adcoms can separate the fantastic recs from the "good" ones

Did the person ask you for a good, strong recommendation or you have to write this one?

 

[oaklandguy]

I knew I could count on you.



Did the person ask you for a good, strong recommendation or you have to write this one?

did you get my pm?

 

[Hoody]

so i'm currently writing a recommendation letter for someone right now and i'm realizing...it's really hard to say really positive things about someone you just feel "meh" about.

i guess it's really not surprising that adcoms can separate the fantastic recs from the "good" ones

Maybe you shouldn't write it 😕....unless you are gonna lie, or unless you don't really care if this person gets what they are seeking.

 

[FloatOn]

Just sent one back to you.

 

[FloatOn]

blobby bob, if you have to write it, just try your best to highlight the person's strongest character traits, no matter how small.

 

[bobsmith]

x

 

[oaklandguy]

Just write some cool story about aliens.

 

[FloatOn]

Going to bed now. 😴

Whatever's going on in your life, good luck with everything everyone!

 

[oaklandguy]

Night, good luck on your life too Float!! lol.

 

[Hoody]

they just asked me for a rec. it's not that competitive of a position, so i doubt the rec matters too much.

The worst is when the rec comes back to smack you in the face. I did give my boss a quick verbal rec on someone once and they ended up being hired. It didn't work out well and in the back of my mind I felt like it reflected badly on me (employee turnover is $$$). I learned really quick that just because you are friends with someone doesn't automatically mean you should recommend them for a job. I totally feel where you are coming from.

 

[Hoody]

The McatQuestionADay was totally bogus today. However, it keeps my correct answer streak alive, so I'll take it.

 

[bobsmith]

The worst is when the rec comes back to smack you in the face. I did give my boss a quick verbal rec on someone once and they ended up being hired. It didn't work out well and in the back of my mind I felt like it reflected badly on me (employee turnover is $$$). I learned really quick that just because you are friends with someone doesn't automatically mean you should recommend them for a job. I totally feel where you are coming from.

ahh, yeah that's unfortunate. i mean, when you write a letter, you are sort of putting your own reputation on the line in saying that you support a person.

fortunately, i'm leaving so i doubt it would actually come back to haunt me. however, i worked with the people who are doing the hiring so i do feel an obligation to let them know which person is the best (that is, assuming they even bother to read the recs).

anyway, i do think both people would be great at the job. it's just that one is just probably better for the job than the other and i can't really tell the less qualified person "sorry, i think you're great and capable, but i can't write you a rec because it won't be the most fantastic rec ever."

 

[DrYoda]

Don't even get me started on that thread.

Pre-meds who haven't been admitted anywhere, let alone been on an adcom, dispensing admissions advice as if it's gospel.

I think the whole WAMC thing is a cool idea, but in the end just ends up adding to premed neuroticism.

Menthols are way too addicting for me and rumor has it they are more unhealthy than regulars.

Wal-marts close, some K-Marts are 24 hrs, Meijers is 24 hrs. McDonalds is 24hrs and I can usually get anything I'd ever need from there.

They cram more nicotine in menthols since the minty taste covers up the bad nicotine taste

 

[oaklandguy]

ahh, yeah that's unfortunate. i mean, when you write a letter, you are sort of putting your own reputation on the line in saying that you support a person.

fortunately, i'm leaving so i doubt it would actually come back to haunt me. however, i worked with the people who are doing the hiring so i do feel an obligation to let them know which person is the best (that is, assuming they even bother to read the recs).

anyway, i do think both people would be great at the job. it's just that one is just probably better for the job than the other and i can't really tell the less qualified person "sorry, i think you're great and capable, but i can't write you a rec because it won't be the most fantastic rec ever."

That reminded me of this:

A woman has a close male friend. This means that he is probably interested in her, which is why he hangs around so much. She sees him strictly as a friend. This always starts out with, you're a great guy, but I don't like you in that way. This is roughly the equivalent for the guy of going to a job interview and the company saying, You have a great resume, you have all the qualifications we are looking for, but we're not going to hire you. We will, however, use your resume as the basis for comparison for all other applicants. But, we're going to hire somebody who is far less qualified and is probably an alcoholic. And if he doesn't work out, we'll hire somebody else, but still not you. In fact, we will never hire you. But we will call you from time to time to complain about the person that we hired.

 

[oaklandguy]

I'll smoke menthols when I'm drunk enough though. I do a lot of stuff when I'm drinking.

 

[DrYoda]

Good morining guys.

 

[oaklandguy]

good morining with 2 i's to you as well.

 

[DrYoda]

Not my best spelling, guess I need more coffee.

 

[oaklandguy]

Not my best spelling, guess I need more coffee.

Haha, it's all good man. Just don't do it when ordering a medication for a pt lol.

We seriously have been pulling all nighters like every night this weekend.

 

[DrYoda]

Haha, it's all good man. Just don't do it when ordering a medication for a pt lol.

We seriously have been pulling all nighters like every night this weekend.

I actually managed to get to bed last night, first non-all nighter night for me in awhile.

 

[JJMrK]

Hey yo.

 

[DrYoda]

Hey yo.

How's it going JJ?

 

[JJMrK]

Not bad, not bad. Playing video games.

 

[DrYoda]

Not bad, not bad. Playing video games.

Cool. You on spring break?

 

[JJMrK]

Nope, one week to go.

 

[Hoody]

my pickle is extra spicy tongith. ahhhh.

 

[oaklandguy]

I'm bouts ta hit the sack. Night y'all, morning to the rest of y'all.

 

[DrYoda]

Nope, one week to go.

Nice. Any big plans for break?

 

[JJMrK]

Just some relaxation. Haven't seen my family in a while so that will be cool. Gotta decide about going to second looks, but probably won't go to any.

 

[DrYoda]

Well, I hope your break is indeed relaxing.

I'm still kind of in break mode. We have our easiest semester now, so the next 9 weeks I can kind of coast (well the med school version of coasting anyways).

 

[JJMrK]

Sweet, and thanks.

Laterz.

 

[caniac]

My salary is most definitely competitive. I would assume that the docs salaries are competitive too....but I've heard mixed opinions. We also all get an annual step increase (without question) and a cost of living adjustment (usually between 2-5%/year). So everyone (janitor to chief of staff) gets an annual raise...even if its only like 3-5K (for me anyway), it seems pretty darn good. Plus you cant beat the 5 weeks vacay and 5 weeks sick leave per year (which you can save up to 6 months worth before you lose it, and can cash it out when you leave/retire).

1) A 10k bonus is nothing to sneeze at, but if you're a surgeon making 200k a year, you're getting a 5% bonus. Percentage-wise, I received a bigger bonus last year for considerably less work with considerably less education.

2) My experience with the federal gov't (being a federal contractor--and i thought i read that you worked for a fed hospital) is that people go native to work with the feds, but end up making less in the long run when compared to the private sector. Raises for raises sake do not top-notch employees make. I greatly favor meritocratic raises, where if you don't have your ish together, you don't get $$$. It stands to reason that if you're screwing around at work you don't deserve to get more for doing less work the next year.

3) And, frankly, I don't believe that y'all potentially get 20% of the year off for leave and sick days. If you're a federal hospital, you'd most likely abide by the OPM (Office of Personnel Management) guidelines. The short version of their policy is this:

Federal employees are entitled to at least 13 days of vacation leave as well as 13 days of sick leave each year. Depending on years of service, employees can earn up to 26 days of vacation leave each year. In addition, Federal employees get 10 days paid holiday each year. This allows employees time to spend with their families and to pursue their own individual interests and avocations.


The long version is that you get 4 hours of vacation accrued per each pay period (24) if you are employed fewer than 3 years with the federal gov't and 1 day of vacation for every pay period if employed more than 15 years (
http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/HTML/factindx.asp)

Now, y'all do get a lot of federal holidays, but not that many. And you have to request vacay using specifically mandated forms (OPM 71) well in advance of your leave date (unless it snows or something, then you can take unscheduled leave). And managers are within their rights to deny you leave. And you only bank 30 days before you lose it.

Compare that to my private, federal contracting company, and I get 3 weeks of vacation, 1 week of sick that can be extended if need be (along with long term illness insurance free of charge so that my company can continue to pay me a competitive salary if I ever got really sick), 12 holidays, all of which are floating (so if i wanted to work Christmas but take off all of August/part of September I could).

Straight up comparing the two, I would take a paycut in the short term to work for the private company in order to have better vacation systems, health insurance, and future salary prospects. Speaking of the company, I gotta go get ready for work. sorry for the essay 🙂. I'm trying to keep my overall post count down 😉

 

[Hoody]

1) A 10k bonus is nothing to sneeze at, but if you're a surgeon making 200k a year, you're getting a 5% bonus. Percentage-wise, I received a bigger bonus last year for considerably less work with considerably less education.

Surgeons may have higher rates, this I am not sure about. I can only speak of FM bonuses.

2) I greatly favor meritocratic raises, where if you don't have your ish together, you don't get $$$. It stands to reason that if you're screwing around at work you don't deserve to get more for doing less work the next year.

Agreed! 👍 Althouth we do have a boarding process in which you can apply for more than one step increase. Basically its a long application in which you dicuss how you meet or exceed these 9 diminsions in specific ways. A boarding comittiee reviews your file and grants extra step increases or denies them. In the case of denial, you dont get any more than the one step.

3) And, frankly, I don't believe that y'all potentially get 20% of the year off for leave and sick days. If you're a federal hospital, you'd most likely abide by the OPM (Office of Personnel Management) guidelines. The short version of their policy is this:

The long version is that you get 4 hours of vacation accrued per each pay period (24) if you are employed fewer than 3 years with the federal gov't and 1 day of vacation for every pay period if employed more than 15 years (
http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/HTML/factindx.asp)

Now, y'all do get a lot of federal holidays, but not that many. And you have to request vacay using specifically mandated forms (OPM 71) well in advance of your leave date (unless it snows or something, then you can take unscheduled leave). And managers are within their rights to deny you leave. And you only bank 30 days before you lose it.

Na. We are under title 38, not title 5 or whatever, so we do in fact get 5 weeks vacay and 5 weeks sick leave per year which starts ouccuring immediatly. And like I said before, you can bank up to 6 months before you start losing it. At least that's what my VISN gets. I cannot speak for all VISNs/fedeal hospitals/federal workplaces.

The scheduleing of vacations depends on where you work. Docs schecdule month to month so they can put in leave virutally any time prior to the next months schedule release. Pretty much same with my unit...and there are no forms other than writing AL (annual leave) in the schedule where you want it. We get 10 federal holidays. Docs get them off (place virtually closes 😛) but nurses obviously treat them like any other day (other than you are paid double if you work). Only in certain documented emergencies can you be denied vacation. And you cannot be denied sick leave if you have it, this falls under labor rules which are heavily policed by the union.

Straight up comparing the two, I would take a paycut in the short term to work for the private company in order to have better vacation systems, health insurance, and future salary prospects.

Better health insurance than federal? I think my health insurance rocks, but I have nothing to compare that to, so I guess I really don't know.

I think federal retirement and job security are also two big things and to those who have switched over from the private sector, not having to worry about insurance, etc is often mentioned.....But most people will agree that the private and public sector each have their pro's and con's. It all depends on what you're willing to compromise about I suppose.