drexel

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Hey Everyone,

I'm really glad to see so much excitement about Drexel! 🙂

I am procrastinating studying for my exam on Monday, so I figured I would address a couple of questions that I saw here.

First off, I am in PIL. I *love* it. But if you talk to the lecture based pathway, they love that too. We do *not* have to go to class-- we have to go to group (MWF 3 hours a day) but classes are optional (although most are helpful for me because they are what is mostly on the exam and centered around what our cases are covering) If you guys have any questions about PIL or anything else, let me know via PM.

Regarding living- I would highly suggest living within walking distance from the school (if we have another crappy winter, it makes the commute much easier) but there are a number of students who live in the city and others that are a small drive in (i.e. roxborough or manayunk-- which is very cute) East falls is a pretty decent area-- pretty safe and all, but, like all cities, neighborhoods just a minute away are not so pretty. So be sure to check out the areas before you sign a lease!! Two apartment complexes near school that are pretty nice are Park Heights and Alden Park. You can check them out on www.homestore.com and search for apartments and put in the zipcode or address of the school. Also, check this out: http://webcampus.med.drexel.edu/housing/ for other housing options (i.e. rented out houses) Oh yeah-- I know for sure Park Heights lets you have cats and there's another place a little further away that is called Empirain Luxury which is pretty nice and my friend has a cat there.

Hmm, what else to say-- check out who pays for heat here-- some of the buildings can be shady about that.

Also, please don't bash the student interviewers too much on here. I know it turned out to be a misunderstanding- I happened to be in the admissions office when an SDNer here asked Lisa about it. There are a number of us that play around on here and since I know the majority of our class is really cool and responsible it is disheartening to see people write things about how "easy it is to fill out" and that we should be more responsible. It is only a page long, but you want your interviewer to put some effort into what they right because the comments are taken *very* seriously and can be a different between A/WL or R.

Oh yeah-- the blind review. Some faculty person here takes your file (i think minus the 2 interviewers stuff) and reads through it and writes something up. Drexel's office and committee really takes pride in how much time and effort they put into choosing its students (and it's obvious once you're here!) and I know it's hard to wait, but it'll go by soon!

Let me know if you have any questions guys!
Best,
Mylaina
DrexelMed PIL 2006
 
Hey Mylaina, thanks for the input! I apologize if you felt like we were bashing the student interviewers (I know I had some comments that may be construed as such), that was definitely not the intent! I think I speak for many of us when I say that the frustration level is definitely up there, which I know you can probably remember from your process. But in fact, I really appreciated having the chance to be interviewed by a student! I guess it's just when it seems like poor wonderful people like lola are having unnecessary obstacles in the way to an acceptance, our support for that person may come across as animosity to the school, the interviewer, etc. In reality, I think we all have a great deal of respect for both the student interviewer and the school, and especially the care that Drexel takes in selecting a qualified, cohesive class. 😍

So, sorry if you thought we were bashing. Drexel is a great school, and hopefully many more of us will be joining you next year!
 
Thanks for the comments, mgw519. I totally remember what it was like to be you guys last year. Even now-- stupid exam this, stupid prof/lecture/requirement (usually with more expletives!)

I really wanted to post that because I know that while identities are hidden slightly on this board, people can put one and one together, and it would really suck if people freaked out on this and your interviewer happened to be perusing the same forum before filling out an eval. (although I know you guys all interviewed awhile ago).

But really, 99% of the students here are happy and kind and awesome. The other 1% (which I've noticed people run into) are kind of miserable.... I think it's mostly because they tend to sit and study 24/7 and don't socialize as much as they should be. (unlike most people who know when to work and when to party and kick back)

🙂 good luck with the letters guys! 🙂 I know the committee is meeting today but I don't know what they are going over.
 
mylaina, ttac, my student interviewer, and everyone else at drexel,
i'm really sorry for posting that student interviewer business. i guess i'm just pretty stressed out by this b/c it is one of my only hopes for acceptance that does not first come from a waitlist. as i said before, it was a mistake (a stupid one at that!), and my student interviewer did his part when he was supposed to. i don't think i really criticized my interviewer on this board b/c i enjoyed the interview, and i'm sure none of us actually have any hostility toward any of the students/staff at drexel. those who interviewed with me were just trying to support me b/c they know i haven't had the best luck with acceptances in this process.
 
Thanks for the comments, mgw519. I totally remember what it was like to be you guys last year. Even now-- stupid exam this, stupid prof/lecture/requirement (usually with more expletives!)

I really wanted to post that because I know that while identities are hidden slightly on this board, people can put one and one together, and it would really suck if people freaked out on this and your interviewer happened to be perusing the same forum before filling out an eval. (although I know you guys all interviewed awhile ago).

But really, 99% of the students here are happy and kind and awesome. The other 1% (which I've noticed people run into) are kind of miserable.... I think it's mostly because they tend to sit and study 24/7 and don't socialize as much as they should be. (unlike most people who know when to work and when to party and kick back)

🙂 good luck with the letters guys! 🙂 I know the committee is meeting today but I don't know what they are going over.
 
Lola, I really wasn't upset at anything people wrote-- I just wanted to point out that you never know who might be reading these things.... I was there when ttac question Lisa about your predicament and it was funny- Lisa was like "What?! That would never happen!!" Whenever I host or interview, I always wonder if it's someone from on here- it's like a puzzle to figure things out (orientation is fun like that-- you get to figure out who you know!)

Sorry if I sounded like I was really ticked off! (exam coming up-- stressed!)

Best!
 
Mylaina,
when I was interviewing at Drexel, I was looking throu a couple of the viewbooks or yearbooks (whatever) and I noticed that a ton of this pics showed people drinking and partying. I was wondering if they just happened to have an abundance of pics from a certain party or is there a huge social crowd at Drexel? It seems like there probably would be with over 200 students, but I was wondering how often everyone gets together to go out. When I was there, there was nobody to talk to from PIL becuase supposedly you all had a test the day before and had been out drinking all night.

and Lola, I think everyone pretty much understands your circumstances, you've waited forever and it was an honest mistake on your part. I'd start to wonder about your sanity if you hadn't been a little peaved at that. If anything, this board is a place to rant with those who understand what you're going through and its not like you constantly go around bashing everything. Hopefully you'll hear soon, I'll be hoping for really good news.
 
I'm frustrated for you Lola-I hope good news is soon to come.
Good luck to all!

I interviewed 1.11.03 and got my acceptance letter 3.3.03.
Any suggestions of best apts. in Manayunk?
 
Moskeeto--haha, drinking here. That's a funny thing. People here definitely get out and have fun. There are BBQs and social events and "med school prom" or the formal throughout the year-- where we have food and beer and the typical social situation. Going out outside of school sponsored activities, it is different for either curriculum and for each student. I know for PIL we get together after every exam and go out to a bar that afternoon or do other stuff (this is about every 5 weeks) Plus we get a lot of social time on the weekends.... of course, social does not always mean getting wasted, keep that in mind! I'm not sure what the IFM path is like, but they have more frequent exams, so that might mean more evenings to let go?

But we're definitely not miserable, only study and never enjoy life (except for right before the exam)

:-D
 
Mylaina - I am coming to visit Philly/Drexel, looking at an apartment - think I can call the admissions dept to mee twiht another student ? - I want to talk more about PIL before making the decision. Thanks for your posts, they were helpful.
 
Any news? I am just waiting for my mailwoman to come. : ) Yeah because the weekend is here!
 
ColoradoCCT - It is totally enugh time for it to travel. AARGH!!! I am thinking if you have not gotten yours yet, I may have to wait until Saturday or Monday for it to get to Cali, but I will post something if I get anything earlier. : )
 
i know in the past they have actually not mailed out the letters on monday like they said. isn't that what happened to you, jmwalker?
these usually always take waaay longer than you'd think. like my vermont letter didn't reach me unitl like 3 weeks or so after decisions were made!
 
just got my mail and saw a big yellow envelope and since Im on this waitlist and another Im like oh yeah!!!!! And the letter was from St. Georges....what a bummer. This school wont stop sending me junk.
 
I interviewed 2/7 and just got my acceptance letter today. The letter was dated 4/7, so exactly two months.
 
Hi,

I interviewed 2/7 and was waitlisted. I am taking my name off the waiting list because I like the other school I am in at. Thanks for all the support everyone! Good luck to those who are waiting.
 
Congrats TBruin, and yeah lola --- They didnt send my letter out until wed of the week after my review. And I had read someone had theirs mailed on thursday, so West Coasters --- maybe today will be the day. 😉 😀
 
Colorado - I love roommates, thanks for thinking of me. But - I am going to look at a place this weekend that I think I am going to like, already equipped with a roomate.

Congrats again - I am sure that you are on cloud nine.

Anyone gotten a calender yet - or should we just figure that school will start up about the same time it did last year? Wow - I am so excited for you all, and I hope this week will be the week of good news for Lola, SG and mgw519 (who has the best SDN signature)
 
Ya like my signature, jmwalker? 😀

Oh, nothing in the mail for me this weekend (oh, except a rejection letter from one of those post-secondary schools who simply robbed me of my application fee months ago--duh, didn't see that one coming). Whatever. I hope that Drexel reviewed me last Thursday and that there is a lovely letter headed out to California this week!!
 
Hi Everyone. Congrats to all the future Drexelers.

PIL orientation is July 30th through August 1st.

Whole class (PIL and IFM) orientation is August 4th through the 8th.

Classes begin August 11th.

Hope that is helpful. You guys have a little bit of a wait until they start the action of incoming class-- you'll get a couple of big fun envelopes to play with next month or so.

Oh yeah- PIL has an extra 3 days of orientation because you get to learn about the process through experience. Don't plan on orientation being plenty of time to move in and that-- try to get all your stuff moved out and set up before orientation begins. Some work, 7 hours every day at school, and plenty of social activities will keep you busy!
 
I tried checking the calendar, but I couldn't pull it up. It might say the wrong stuff, or it might be this current year's, as far as I knew (although it's been a week or two since I checked it) they didn't put next year's up for us. I just know the dates because I signed up for PIL orientation....

PS: If anyone wants to sublet, a 2nd year friend of mine is renting out his bedroom in the 2 BR place he has with his roommate. It's a huge room, you'd get your own bathroom and have to deal with some of his stuff in the corner... but I think it would be fairly cheap. The living room is huge. And the roommate has a really huge HDTV. 🙂 Let me know and I will refer you! (I don't know the price yet) Oh yeah, Park Heights is his apartment complex.
 
Mylaina - going to call you tonight, thanks for the PM. I am so excited about Drexel - and that has to be the 100th time that I have posted that. I am planning on moving the last week in April. I have a little cat that I am going to keep.

Thanks for putting up the calendar!
 
Thanks mylaina!!
I'm so excited for this year! I'm planning to go out to philly mid-late june to do some apartment hunting, planning to move sometime in the middle of july. i also have a crazy little kitty, so i was thinking i'd be better off without a roommate (i don't want to subject anyone to her 6am freak-out hour!). but i'm a little worried about living alone freshman year...it would probably be easier if you're living with someone who's going through the same thing. what do you guys think? is everyone planning to live with other med students their first year?
 
Originally posted by pwrpfgrl
is everyone planning to live with other med students their first year?

i'm planning on living alone 🙂. i have lived alone for most of my adult life. even in dorms i had my own single room. right now i am with roommates, and while i enjoy having company, i think i'd be happier by myself. then you can study on your own time, mess around on yhour own time, etc...
 
jmwalker, you're moving pretty early there. Do you have plans for the few months before orientation?

I would want to live alone too. I've never lived alone, whether with my family or with a roommate in a dorm, so I think I would enjoy having a place of my own for once. Plus I can walk around naked if I wanted too. 🙂
 
I will be living alone too. Although I love entertaining, I think I prefer having my own space. I was planning on getting a place around July 15th...hopefully there will still be some places left.
 
Holy crap guys! They have changed their website!! It looks sharp. I am not going out too early to find a place I think - I have to go to officer's school june15-july 25th so my summer is pretty much all tied up, and I would liek to have a place to live before that. Getting ready to leave right now actually. I am not planning on moving in there until August 15th.

SG - you can come walk around naked in my apartment..... 😉 LOL
 
I just called Drexel, and my file is going before the committee today!! (They aren't meeting at their usual Thursday meeting this week.) Hurray, some progress is being made! Seriously, after not hearing anything for so long, I thought both Drexel and Wake Forest forgot about me. 🙁

Updates to come.

lola, news?
 
hey future drexel people....don't forget...i have a 2 BR apartment in School Lane House that will be available starting in june. it's only $870. PM me if you know anyone that's interested! 🙂 i look forward to see you all in august!
 
good luck mgw519!!! i'm pulling for you 🙂 (and myself!)
still don't know what the deal is with my app. haven't contacted them in a while.
 
yeah goodluck MGW, hopefully you don't have to wait too long for their decision!
 
So - not today again mgw? what about wake, gottne that letter. I went and visited and stuff and I dont know why I am posting on this thread and the class of drexel thread both...

I need to sell a horse before med school, which really stinks.
 
Nothing, nothing from anybody. SIGH. Hopefully by tomorrow, likely by Monday. Since Drexel reviewed me this Tuesday, I assume that the letter was prolly sent out yesterday. Maybe?

I have stopped trying to guess. 🙂
 
mgw - I went in to the admissions office and they had a huge golden plaque. And a a troup of performing midgets. And I askled, where are those performing midgets taking that plaque? and they replied that is is going to mgw's doorstep to sing and dance for her and to laud her accomplishments and to beg her to come to drexel med. she will be the blonde bombshell of the entering class.

and they had a cotton candy machine and a monkey with one of those music box thingies :clap:
 
LMAO.... you are too freakin funny...!!! Thanx for making my day. (Are they for sure bringing me the cotton candy toooooo? I love that stuff.)

btw, Drexel already has its resident blonde bombshell--jmwalker!
 
Oh and guys - I have decided I don't want to live right near the school - I want to live in the city... So if anyone else is thinking of living there or has any advice gimme a pm, im whatever.
 
hey jm,

rittenhouse is an absolutely beautiful section of philadelphia. it's also relatively safe. it's pricier than living in many of the other parts of the city, but it's super cute and in my opinion well worth the money.

there is huge apartment complex at 2400 chestnut where lots of the penn med/grad students live. it's a convenient location with tons of amenities, but it may feel like a dorm at times because of all the students that live there.

olde city is my favorite place to party in philly, i'm not sure how much residential property is down there and how much it costs.

if i think of anything else, i will let you know.

good luck!
 
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