exlawgrrl said:
Help, I'm interviewing at DMU this weekend, and I've heard of a question popping up asking about an average day in your first year of school. So, I know you attend class, lab, study a ton and are tested almost weekly. Are there any specifics to DMU life that might be interesting to note?
I'm becoming convinced that DMU is part of some cult because everybody seems ecstatically happy about the school. 🙂
As a third year from/at DMU, I can take time to pause and reflect on 1st year.
It's a slow building process. You start with a few easy classes, then build up slowly to a pace you never thought you could keep up. Tests, practicals, lectures, labs. Your days are filled with all thses. Those that provide a few hours respite from scheduled activities are used either to rest or study...or both.
It's a small style school, and you get to know your class pretty well. You also see the "other class" on campus a lot, too. (1st year it's the second years, and vice versa.)
Interesting parts of DMU life:
1) Plethora (not plethoric) of extracurricular activites and formal social events to attend. Several pictures of these are posted on my website.
2) OMM: a chance to touch up close that boy or girl at your school that you are interesed in without it being socially inappropriate. JK OMM is a big part of your daily life. Giving treatments and receiving treatments. OMM is ingrained into you as a second nature by time you leave.
3) Drinking: Yes, yes, yes. Everyone knows not to go out too much, but socializing after that big test is a huge stress releiver. Plus, stronger bonds are formed with your cohort as you all struggle through unrelenting schedules and tests, b!tch community style about questions, and relish in the fact that every test taken is one less test left to take. Drink make this easier, because DMU has the most beautiful and handsome student population on the planet. (woo hoo)
4) Great Gym, and athletic/fitness department
5) Podiatry, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, MPH, MHA students are also alwasy around. Make friends with Pods because they are in line with you first year for everything, and make a nice change of pace when your tired of hanging out with stressed DO student types. I remember goingto Office Depot during a hail storm, and getting stuck in a "safe area" until the storm passed. It was the first time I'd been around non-medical school people in a long while. I'd advise getting some unstressed non type A friends in Des Moines to hang out with when it all get to be too much (weeks with 3 exams, etc.)
6) SPAL: The class you love to hate. You get to pretend to be a doctor while on camera. You get points to watch yourself and live out your auto-voyeuristic fantasy. Dress nice, and get used to curve balls. As close an experience to real medicine as medical school gives you in the first 2 years, and it's all ran by the Fascists that write in big bold colored letters in emails about once a week. It's actually a great experience, if a bit structured. You'll love it. When you hear yourself say, "I didn't see a freaking bullseye rash!" remember me, and tilt a pint.
7) The best part of 1st year is like the best part of dating someone new. You get this human heroin in your brain, and you're SOOOO in love. It's all new, and exciting. You'll pee yourself like an overexcited dog when you get your black bag. You stay in this love zone for about 6 months, then you get Christmas, and come back in love again after giving OMM to all your aunts, uncles, cousins, and ex's from highschool. A quick jaunt, and it's the summer. Wow, that went fast!
I'd say the best part of DMU are the people. We get good people, the best. I don't know why it works so well, but out admissions team picks winners with great smiles, and awesome personalities.
Set bones, forget pills, STILL STILL STILL STILL!
