##--DMU Class Of 2010--## part 01

[misparas]

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Thought I'd get this one started. Anyone else headed to DMU this coming fall?

 

[DOitright]

Welcome..you made a good choice!

Cheers,

J

 

[misparas]

Welcome..you made a good choice!

Cheers,

J

Thanks... See you there next year! How was the biochem/cell bio test? Good luck with the first year!

 

[MsEvolution]

Welcome, welcome! And congratulations! This is a decision you'll be happy with throughout your career--I know I am VERY happy to be here! 🙂

Cell bio was WAY easier than biochem. It wasn't *easy*, just much more manageable.

👍

 

[FS-Pro]

I'll be heading to DMU next fall!!!!!!!!!!! Very stoked.

 

[misparas]

I'll be heading to DMU next fall!!!!!!!!!!! Very stoked.

It'll be rad. I checked out your myspace... good taste in music. Mine is www.myspace.com/misparas.

I'm excited to start at DMU!! What were your deciding factors?

For me...
1. Des Moines is a great city. For my wife and I this was a major deciding factor.
2. Helpful and friendly staff. The students seemed to be close and social. They wanted to help.
3. The school is awesome. Great reputation! Well established as the 2nd D.O. school.
4. I don't see any other schools facilities comeing close!

This is just a start... I could go on for while.

 

[FS-Pro]

It'll be rad. I checked out your myspace... good taste in music. Mine is www.myspace.com/misparas.

I'm excited to start at DMU!! What were your deciding factors?

For me...
1. Des Moines is a great city. For my wife and I this was a major deciding factor.
2. Helpful and friendly staff. The students seemed to be close and social. They wanted to help.
3. The school is awesome. Great reputation! Well established as the 2nd D.O. school.
4. I don't see any other schools facilities comeing close!

This is just a start... I could go on for while.

My deciding factors were:
1.) Faciliteies were soooo nice
2.) Great reputation as a school
3.) Everyone was nice (students, faculty, professors)
4.) Some unexplainable reasons that DMU always just felt right for me, don't really have explanation for that one.

 

[FS-Pro]

Misparas, You commented on my music, what do you listen to?

 

[DO it right]

Guys...welcome to DMU...

I'm a first year too, but I took a leave of absence due to a family emergency. I have about 1-2 months of experience at DMU. Let me know if I could be any help.

~Mo

www.myspace.com/persiangy_ca

 

[FS-Pro]

Guys...welcome to DMU...

I'm a first year too, but I took a leave of absence due to a family emergency. I have about 1-2 months of experience at DMU. Let me know if I could be any help.

~Mo

www.myspace.com/persiangy_ca

Are you gonna be joining us this fall then?

 

[DO it right]

Are you gonna be joining us this fall then?

oh yea...i'm officially class of 2010 😉

 

[misparas]

oh yea...i'm officially class of 2010 😉

Good to have you!!

F.S. - Lot's of the same stuff. Mae, pinback, texas is the reason, juliana theory, braid, promise ring, jets to brazil.... list goes on and on. Lot's of rock, indie, emo, punk...

 

[Old_Mil]

Thought I'd get this one started. Anyone else headed to DMU this coming fall?

Well, here's your first piece of unasked for advice from an 09er. Ignore anyone who tells you to take the summer before medical school off. Instead, buy this book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...bs_b_2_1/103-9627058-3193463?v=glance&s=books

Read as much of it as you can over the summer. It's an excellent self-study guide for Anatomy. The course is divided up as follows:

Test 1: Upper Extremity
Test 2: Head & Neck
Test 3: Thorax & Abdomen
Test 4: Lower Extremity

This advice is even more relevant if you're starting med school as a non-science major with the basic prereqs and no (or few) advanced science courses at an undergraduate level.

Good luck!

 

[MsEvolution]

I second Mil's advice. I wish someone had given me this hint a year ago. Bought that book and it has been SUCH a help--way better than the assigned textbook. Much cleaner, much easier to read and understand.

Matter of fact, I recommended they bring it on as a textbook when I evaluated the course.

Mil, remind me to tell you about a discussion I had w/staff re: this book.

TTYL!

 

[misparas]

Thanks for the advice! Any that you have for us as you get through the first year will be great. I know I'll need all the help I can get.

 

[jbone]

I'm headin to DMU. I'm excited, it just felt right and even though I have to turn down other great schools (MD and DO), DMU gave me that WOW experience. From SLC to DMU. See y'all there.
This class is going to rock!! 😀

 

[Portier]

Well, here's your first piece of unasked for advice from an 09er. Ignore anyone who tells you to take the summer before medical school off. Instead, buy this book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...bs_b_2_1/103-9627058-3193463?v=glance&s=books

Read as much of it as you can over the summer. It's an excellent self-study guide for Anatomy. The course is divided up as follows:

Test 1: Upper Extremity
Test 2: Head & Neck
Test 3: Thorax & Abdomen
Test 4: Lower Extremity

This advice is even more relevant if you're starting med school as a non-science major with the basic prereqs and no (or few) advanced science courses at an undergraduate level.

Good luck!

I disagree. Damned first year advice.

Take it from me: It's better to put off studying until the absolute last second, then have an emotional episode the night before, not sleep and drink caffeinated beverages until the minute before the exam, and have spastic colon syndrome the rest of the following day.

I mean, that's how MEN do it. I'm sure that some of the girls planned ahead, but we're MEN. We do it MAN way.

(This is very sarcastic in case you missed it. Studying anatomy isn't a bad idea if you have the time.)

 

[FS-Pro]

Hey thanks for the advice and keep it coming. I wish it was summer right now so school was about to start. Waiting 9 months is gonna drive me crazy.

 

[DO it right]

Hey thanks for the advice and keep it coming. I wish it was summer right now so school was about to start. Waiting 9 months is gonna drive me crazy.

hehe...enjoy your time now...once school starts, you won't have time for alot of stuff. By the way, I totally agree with studying anatomy ahead of time as well... at DMU, its wroth 7 credits..and its honestly the fastest paced class I've ever seen.

 

[DOitright]

Do what you want the summer before you start...if you want to study, more power to you! You got in to DMU, you'll do fine in Anatomy with the time they give! Yes, it will be tough, and a lot of material, but nothing you guys can't handle!

😉

Cheers,

J

 

[thejanitor99]

Aye fellow DMU Class 2010 here!!!!! Can't wait to start the whole med skool thing next year at Des Moines. The school is AMAZING. See ya'll next year!

👍

 

[Mad Cow]

i'm a first year at DMU also, and yes studying is hard. the classes are more than you are used to. so, what can you do about it? the biggest asset you have, though not a lot of it, is time. you have to be busy all the time and organized. i am looking at med school as my main focus. i have other things to do and i make time accordingly, but for me to stay on top of my studies, sometimes these other things have to take a back seat. this has proven to be effective.

i did not study anatomy over the summer. i looked over a netter's atlas and tried to make sense of it. but what took me hours to look through on my own, we covered, and i understood in class in about an hour.

my only advice in this post is do not underestimate the committment required of you ONCE you start classes. until then, geez enjoy being human for a little while longer.

i do not want to sound overly negative about courseload; this is in fact, not true. i would not want to be doing anything else, and hence my motivation has not waned while facing a bear bigger than myself. good luck.

😡

 

[somnolent]

I am gonna agree with mad cow on this on. yeah, sure it will help to study the summer before, that is, if you study the right material and commit to learning it. Likely neither of those two will happen, so don't waste your time. Enjoy the last free moments before med school, 'cause once you're here they will be few and far between.

Anyways, welcome '10ers. (That doesn't roll off the tongue like '09ers. too bad for you guys). You picked a good school.

 

[Old_Mil]

i do not want to sound overly negative about courseload; this is in fact, not true. i would not want to be doing anything else, and hence my motivation has not waned while facing a bear bigger than myself. good luck.

😡

I don't want to sound overly negative about courseload either. It's definately doable, but really nothing in your academic careers (including the MCAT, or studying for it) prepares you for the volume of material that's waiting. For me, it would have made more sense to start early than take the summer off and tackle it all at once.

 

[misparas]

I don't want to sound overly negative about courseload either. It's definately doable, but really nothing in your academic careers (including the MCAT, or studying for it) prepares you for the volume of material that's waiting. For me, it would have made more sense to start early than take the summer off and tackle it all at once.

I can't wait! It should be fun! On average, how much free time per day do you make for yourselves without getting too far behind? What can I tell my wife to really expect?

 

[MsEvolution]

Misparas, from the time I started in the second week of August, I've only sat down to watch TV three times.

Especially in the first couple of months, while you're still getting a feel for things... and particularly before the tests, you are spending at least 7 hours a day studying... and I mean *studying*... not just flipping through notes.

I do try to spend the extra time I have with my kids, though. Just tonight, we made a bunch of Halloween themed food, had some friends over and watched The Nightmare Before Christmas. Then we sat around shooting the breeze for a bit.

So far, the hardest subjects for me have been biochem and anatomy. I've never had either one before, so I really have to put a LOT of time into them. I'm doing well so far, but it has required a true investment in time, energy, and brain power. I do feel that I could have easily combined some studying with relaxing in the month or two before we started. And that would have done something to lighten the stress when it got down to crunch time.

The work is doable, and you'll love it because you've wanted it so bad. But it is WORK. If you have absolutely nothing to do in the few weeks before school starts, I would pick up that anatomy book and do some review so at least it looks familiar to you. Learn your cranial nerves, what they innervate, whether it's sensory or motor, and try to pick up some arm/neck/head vasculature. That alone would have helped me SO much.

If you're really busy and don't have time to do it... then don't worry about it. You'll do fine either way... it's just nice to be able to spread it out over a longer period of time to really give yourself a chance to savor it and understand it. Instead of having to gulp it all down and take a quick breath before you gulp down more and so on.

Welcome to DMU! We'll be here to help (or continue to scare you) when you get here! 😛

 

[misparas]

MsEvolution - Thanks for the advice! I will be lucky enough to have had anatomy and biochem already... but I know I haven't scratched the surface! I'm excited for the chance to learn. It'll be hard to give up some of my lazier activities, but it'll be worth it.

One other question that I posted about in a different thread, but I'll repeat it... Would paying my deposit this early hurt my chances of getting offered a scholarship? I'm not expecting that to happen, but I've heard of people getting offered around signing day in december. Any opinions?

 

[DO it right]

I can't wait! It should be fun! On average, how much free time per day do you make for yourselves without getting too far behind? What can I tell my wife to really expect?

you shouldn't really worry..having your family with you is a huge plus! alot of people are in your shoes. On average i had 2-3 hour free time each day..that includes lunches, midday naps, making a fool out of myself, working out at DMU's gym..etc.....but then it really depends on your studying style. The biggest mistake that you could make is preparing yourself to study 24/7..

on the scholarship note...it depends if you qualify and if they have the funds (generated by donations/loan fees). there are so many people that want to get into DMU that it would be ridiculous for the school to offer scholorships as a way to get people to come. Go ahead and pay the deposit...you've made a great choice! Congrats!!!!!!!!

 

[Dotsero]

I can't wait! It should be fun! On average, how much free time per day do you make for yourselves without getting too far behind? What can I tell my wife to really expect?

I'm also a 1st year student at DMU so I thought I would throw in my 2 cents concerning the workload here. The volume of material is the thing that will blow you away. But it is managable, you just need to use your time wisely and study in a way that is effective for you. THe great thing about DMU is that all the lectures are placed on MP3 along with the power point presentation. So you can take 3 hours of lectures speed them up and get through them in about 90 minutes thus freeing up time for more intense studying.

It is also important to note that there are many days that you are done with classes by noon (on average 2 days per week). And other days that you are out by 2:30 or 3:00. So what I have been able to do is study in the library while the lecture is in session (if you are not getting anything out of a lecture in the first 10 minutes, get out and study on your own.), download the MP3s, review them and study for an additonal 2 hours (while taking time out for lunch and going to the gym for and hour) all before dinner time. Of course this can change depending on anatomy lab and/or OMM schedules. This frees up the evening for some quality time with my wife. On weekends I usually have 1 day off and on the other I put in 4-5 hours of studying. Now all this changes 3 days before a big test (biochem/anatomy) at which time I will put in 4-5 hours in the evening at the library.

The key thing is balance. I had a number of doctors tell me to make sure I had a life outside of medical school and not to let all the studying eat you alive (and it will if you let it). You need to find what is most effective for you, do your best and not sweat the rest.

 

[misparas]

Thanks for all of the great input! I have another question... where is the best housing within a few blocks of campus? I walked around, but the only place that was open to look at was 3000 grand. That was pretty fancy. Anyone living in a great place for a great price who is willing to share the secret?

 

[monai24]

Just wanted to say i'm EXCITED to be part of dmu class of 2010!!! i got my acceptance last thurs 🙂................!!!

but i also had a quick question: have or did any of u guys just cancel all ur other interviews when u found out u got into dmu? I just know i luved this school a lot and i think it's the right one but should i waste money and go to other interviews?

does anyone have any opinions on lecom after going to the dmu interview?

SPASTASTIC FUTURE DO!!

 

[FS-Pro]

Just wanted to say i'm EXCITED to be part of dmu class of 2010!!! i got my acceptance last thurs 🙂................!!!

but i also had a quick question: have or did any of u guys just cancel all ur other interviews when u found out u got into dmu? I just know i luved this school a lot and i think it's the right one but should i waste money and go to other interviews?

does anyone have any opinions on lecom after going to the dmu interview?

SPASTASTIC FUTURE DO!!

Did you interview on 10/21? Just curious. And congrats, I'll see you in the fall.

 

[misparas]

but i also had a quick question: have or did any of u guys just cancel all ur other interviews when u found out u got into dmu? I just know i luved this school a lot and i think it's the right one but should i waste money and go to other interviews?
SPASTASTIC FUTURE DO!!

If you feel that DMU is the place for you I don't think you need to spend money on other interviews. If you call the admissions office at LECOM and explain, they'll be fine. I only had one other interview at KCOM after DMU. I origionally thought that KCOM would be my first choice. So I went to check it out. It's up to you.

 

[jbone]

I went to like 6 others (MD and DO) after DMU. I shouldn't have wasted my time or money. It only made me appreciate DMU even more.

 

[FS-Pro]

I've cancelled 5 interviews since being accepted to DMU. No school can compare to it, for me that is.

 

[DOitright]

Just wanted to say i'm EXCITED to be part of dmu class of 2010!!! i got my acceptance last thurs 🙂................!!!

but i also had a quick question: have or did any of u guys just cancel all ur other interviews when u found out u got into dmu? I just know i luved this school a lot and i think it's the right one but should i waste money and go to other interviews?

does anyone have any opinions on lecom after going to the dmu interview?

SPASTASTIC FUTURE DO!!

CONGRATS on getting accepted to DMU!!!! It is a great school, and I truely believe it'd be very difficult to find better! However, this is a once in a lifetime chance, so make sure you're sure (that sounded funny!) 😉

I, personally, went to two more interviews after DMU (DMU was my first, I needed something to compare it to), and cancelled all others!

Congrats again...cya next year!

Cheers,

J

 

[Tenacious DO]

I guess I should stop being such a voyeur and actually contribute to the DMU Love…..Basics: Interviewed on 10-20, E-mail Acceptance on 10-27, plan to confirm $oon…..I am Super Psyched and I would like to offer congratz to all future members of the 2010 DMU Crew.

 

[Old_Mil]

Thanks for all of the great input! I have another question... where is the best housing within a few blocks of campus? I walked around, but the only place that was open to look at was 3000 grand. That was pretty fancy. Anyone living in a great place for a great price who is willing to share the secret?

There are a whole bunch of apartments up and down grand. I'm at the Windsor Terrace apartments right across the street from the new building. There are quite a few people in the Imperial next door to me. Then there are people who live in West Des Moines and commute in to school as well.

 

[MsEvolution]

$620 for a 3 bedroom/ 2 bathroom apt. in SE Des Moines. 15 minute commute. Not as nice an area as WD and not as convenient as living next door... but cheap! The apts are being managed by a second year right now and there are 4 of us first years living here w/our families.

 

[djnels01]

Hello fellow 2010'ers! I'm really glad that this thread was started; I feel it's important to be able to get to know each other before we start next August!

One question I had for anyone, current or future student, was this: is anyone applying/on scholarship at DMU? I'm not necessarily thinking school awards, but programs like HPSP or NHSC? I'm really thinking about applying for NHSC and was curious if there are many that attend DMU who are in either type of program. The thought of getting out of Med school debt-free is quite enticing. Plus, I am currently working at a Free Health Clinic and at a homeless shelter here in KC, and I love it. I really feel called to help those most in need-

Also, I'm curious about apartments as well. I've met a fair amount of students living all over Des Moines, and they all seem to like their housing choices. Any areas/complexes to stay away from, due to price, location, or reputation? I have a feeling that the biggest hurdle for me will be convincing the parents that my girlfriend and I will be living together next year...

Thanks all! Glad to be attending DMU with you next year-

P.S. - Tenacious DO, love the name! Where in St. Paul are you? I am originally from Winona, MN, about 100 miles SE on the Mississippi. I have a girlfriend whose originally from up there - she went to Totino-Grace if that sounds familiar...

 

[Old_Mil]

Hello fellow 2010'ers! I'm really glad that this thread was started; I feel it's important to be able to get to know each other before we start next August!

One question I had for anyone, current or future student, was this: is anyone applying/on scholarship at DMU? I'm not necessarily thinking school awards, but programs like HPSP or NHSC? I'm really thinking about applying for NHSC and was curious if there are many that attend DMU who are in either type of program. The thought of getting out of Med school debt-free is quite enticing. Plus, I am currently working at a Free Health Clinic and at a homeless shelter here in KC, and I love it. I really feel called to help those most in need-

Also, I'm curious about apartments as well. I've met a fair amount of students living all over Des Moines, and they all seem to like their housing choices. Any areas/complexes to stay away from, due to price, location, or reputation? I have a feeling that the biggest hurdle for me will be convincing the parents that my girlfriend and I will be living together next year...

Thanks all! Glad to be attending DMU with you next year-

P.S. - Tenacious DO, love the name! Where in St. Paul are you? I am originally from Winona, MN, about 100 miles SE on the Mississippi. I have a girlfriend whose originally from up there - she went to Totino-Grace if that sounds familiar...

There are several HSPSers at DMU - if you're interested in this I'd contact your local recruiter so that he can put you in touch with the officer in charge of medical recruitment in your area. Doing it before you get here means that you have all your ducks in a row before school starts which is always a good thing.

Another option that you may not have considered is the medical officer program through your state national guard. They don't pay for your education upfront (but do pay for a not insignificant portion of it through loan repayments as you complete residency) and the pay you get as an officer in school isn't as high as it would be through the HPSP. However, it does offer geographic stability when you're done and perhaps more importantly the ability to complete a civilian residency in a speciality entirely of your choosing. There is also no requirement to serve as a GMO between the completion of medical school and the beginning of residency.

 

[FS-Pro]

I'm contimplating these programs to pay for school, such as joining the Air Force to pay for school. But, I haven't given it much thought yet, I guess I still have some time to research it and think about it.

 

[misparas]

I was seriously considering the military route and feel that it is a great program. I haven't talked to anyone who is doing it who hasn't liked it. I just got the feeling that it wasn't a fit for me. I would try the other one, but I'm not certain I'm going into primary care. I don't want to limit myself from the start. However, if either are a match for you, I'm sure they are awesome programs.

 

[Munchkin6245]

I want to let you guys know that I HATE where I live...and I can't stress this point enough.

I live at Olde English Village in WDM. I never got to come look at apts before school and just chose one from the list of recommended apartments off the DMU site.

The walls are too thin, my neighbors are rude, and there is no way I can study here. It completely stresses me out to be here.

I hate the commute every morning, even though it's not long, it's a pain. I would highly suggest looking to live somewhere near school. I wish I had such luxury and wish I could afford to move now.

There are some other students who live here but they don't seem to have a problem. But I live on the 2nd floor right, and I can hear everything! The office staff are extremely helpful, dont get me wrong on that.

Just my $.02

 

[misparas]

I want to let you guys know that I HATE where I live...and I can't stress this point enough.

I live at Olde English Village in WDM. I never got to come look at apts before school and just chose one from the list of recommended apartments off the DMU site.

Good to know!! I'll avoid that one. I also heard from someone that the Imperial's walls are thin and that it smells like a nursing home. It is right across the street from the school.

 

[Dotsero]

Good to know!! I'll avoid that one. I also heard from someone that the Imperial's walls are thin and that it smells like a nursing home. It is right across the street from the school.

There are a number of older apartment buildings very close to campus that are nice (but alittle more expensive). Alta Casa on Ingersoll Ave (40th and Ingersoll) is a great place to live. It was built in the 1920's, has many unique features (not a cookie cutter type apartment), great neighbors and tghe landlord is fantastic. You can walk to school in about 10-15 minutes and drive there in under 5 mins. Again, you'll pay a bit more but its worth it to feel comfortable and truly enjoy where you live.

 

[DOitright]

My $0.02 on living arrangements (and that happens to be darn close to my checking account balance!) 😉

I live in Urbandale, and absolutely, 100% LOVE IT! I wouldn't trade it for anything. There are a lot of options if you don't want to live right next to campus! My commute is, on average, about 15 minutes. I'm from San Francisco, so to me, there is NO traffic in Des Moines. Plus, I get to school normally around 630 am everyday (to work out and do things like that), so I usually miss what most people would call traffic. It really isn't bad at all! I like being away from school, because when I go home, I don't feel like I'm still there! I don't look at the window and see DMU...which as as much as I like the place, is nice!

Just like picking a school...it's really going to be up to you! I like being away from school, but some people, understandably, like the convenience of being next door!

Good luck...keep postin' if you have questions!

Cheers,

J

 

[FS-Pro]

I'm curious, where are all you guys/girls from?

 

[misparas]

I'm from Maryland. I'm now going to school at BYU in Utah. My wife's from south Alberta Canada. I've been married for about 2 years. How about you FS? I seem to remember California?

 

[FS-Pro]

I'm from Maryland. I'm now going to school at BYU in Utah. My wife's from south Alberta Canada. I've been married for about 2 years. How about you FS? I seem to remember California?

Ya, I live in the northern part of San Diego ever since I was 5. Did you interview with me on Oct. 21? I remember that there were 3 guys from BYU interviewing that day with me.