So... I just got back from the information session this weekend! I really enjoyed it. The first day did involve a lot of sitting down, etc., but it wasn't as boring as I had been warned it might be. They have a few 15 min slots that are labelled "Focus on Faculty" on the itinerary. I found these very interesting - basically, we had different faculty present a little blurb on the research/work that they do in the University and how students can get involved. There was a geneticist that was studying identifying the chromosome for variation in horse size, a theriogenologist, and a couple others. The curriculum overview was very valuable - I had found the idea of PBL rather intimidating, but they explain a lot about how they structure their block system, how they balance lab, lecture and PBL simultaneously for different areas of the body in Block 1, and how their foundation and distribution courses work out. If anyone is interested in reading a bit more about this, I found the link to last year's student handbook:
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/students/docs/FINALHandbookCL2014.pdf
The mock tutorial group session was also valuable. I felt very reassured by the entire process and I'm becoming very excited for classes to begin! Afterwards, we had the chance to ask a student panel more about their take on pbl as well as other things about living in Ithaca, etc.
The financial aid presentation seemed a bit intimidating, but they were very friendly in communicating about flexibility for form deadlines. Basically, the deadlines exist so that Cornell will be able to give us our financial aid packets some time in mid- to late- March. The reasoning behind this is that students who are on the fence between Cornell and another school(s) will have more information before they have to make their final decision. However, if you wait till after March 1st to get stuff in, you may miss out on receiving any grants/scholarships that are offered to other people who *did* have their information on time.
Though there was no official tour the first day, they did have "demonstrations" for us, where they walked us to different locations in the small and large animal hospitals. We got to see robo-Jerry, a dog robot that they use to simulate emergency situations so 3rd year students can experience them before going into clinics. We also got to see a video of a horse endoscopy and a teaching cow with a fistula for donating rumen bacteria to other cows. My favorite part of the day was a pathology demonstration where they went through different cases with us and presented the affected organs that had been preserved from the case. We even got to put on gloves and touch them afterwards! I didn't realize how fascinating pathology was, but I may definitely be interested in pursuing it in the future.
The next day there was more extensive touring. We got to go back through the small and large animal hospitals, the labs (which were awesome!!!) and other areas of the school. Be sure to ask your tour guide *lots* of questions - I got a lot of really valuable information.
I think that everyone would really enjoy the session. It was very exiting for me particularly because I've made the decision that I am *definitely* going to Cornell.
Hmm... that was a long post. If anyone has more questions, feel free to put them here and if I can answer them, I will! Otherwise, be looking forward to your session!
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