Emory 2009 Pros and Cons

[andone]

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Everyone thinking about Emory next year,

I am trying to get a sense of what the class will be like next year. What were your impressions of the atmosphere at Emory? Is it a total grind or will there be some opportunities to relax? Did anyone get a clear picture of the social life from staying with a current student during their visit?

What do you think? Holla back.

 

[16hoursleeper]

Everyone thinking about Emory next year,

I am trying to get a sense of what the class will be like next year. What were your impressions of the atmosphere at Emory? Is it a total grind or will there be some opportunities to relax? Did anyone get a clear picture of the social life from staying with a current student during their visit?

What do you think? Holla back.

Well, I interviewed there but I won't be heading to Atlanta this fall. Here's my thoughts anyways.

It was more in the suburbs of Atlanta than I thought. Still the city nearby is nice and the diversity at Grady is hard to beat.

I know they try to downplay the graded courses and extol the benefits of joint exams, but neither one of them appealed to me. Their enthusiasm about both seemed fake which made me suspicious.

The facilities on campus were amazing, from the computer tower to the student center, they were sweet.

The students seemed friendly but all schools present a friendly group on interview day, so its kind of hard to tell (and I'm not going to second look).

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Johnisit1234]

Everyone thinking about Emory next year,

I am trying to get a sense of what the class will be like next year. What were your impressions of the atmosphere at Emory? Is it a total grind or will there be some opportunities to relax? Did anyone get a clear picture of the social life from staying with a current student during their visit?

What do you think? Holla back.

I'm a current first year, so I can give you some insight on what I think.

Emory is rigorous. I would say that most everyone in my class works very hard and does well. It's crazy to look back on this year and to think about how much I've learned. Your question on if it will be a 'total grind' is hard to answer. You will work very hard. But you will do so at any med school. You will be stressed out. But you will be at any med school. Nevertheless, I think Emory is unique in that people really do know how to balance their studying with their social lives. There is anything and everything here. If you're the type of person that likes to go clubbing or go to bars on weekends, you can do that. You won't feel like you're in the minority. If you would rather stay home and study, again you won't feel bad doing so and you won't feel like you're the only one. The above poster said he found people's attitudes to grades and joints to be fake. I'm sorry he got that idea. For the most part, everyone is happy with the way things work here. I will admit that worrying about grades can be annoying at times, but truthfully, it gives you more motivation to do well. And it feels good when you get a good grade. Joints are the same way. most of my class doesn't like them the few days prior to the joint, but right after, it really is a good feeling to have nothing looming. I actually find it to be a good system. Again, the choice is yours. For some people, this style may not be their 'cup of tea' -- it's a very personal decision.

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to post them on here or to PM me. I try to get on SDN whenever I can -- but it gets tough when works piles up.
Good luck with your choice and congrats on your admission.

 

[muchlove]

So here are my thoughts.

I am packed and ready to head to ATL this July. I recently just came back from spending Wed.-Sat at Emory and I must say, I learned a lot more this time than during my interview. First of all, the students do have time to relax.....but like anywhere, you relax if you choose to. I went out clubbin' with many of the students (MS1-MS3). They were all very laid back and cool. Yeah, there are some things that turn me off like the grading, but I can get over it. So really I think your decision comes down to where you think you can live for the next 4 years and what you're looking for. ATL is a hot place to be though 👍

 

[andone]

So here are my thoughts.

I am packed and ready to head to ATL this July. I recently just came back from spending Wed.-Sat at Emory and I must say, I learned a lot more this time than during my interview. First of all, the students do have time to relax.....but like anywhere, you relax if you choose to. I went out clubbin' with many of the students (MS1-MS3). They were all very laid back and cool. Yeah, there are some things that turn me off like the grading, but I can get over it. So really I think your decision comes down to where you think you can live for the next 4 years and what you're looking for. ATL is a hot place to be though 👍

Where did you go out? Buckhead? Virginia Highlands? and do most of the M1s and M2s live within 10 mins of campus?

 

[Johnisit1234]

and do most of the M1s and M2s live within 10 mins of campus?

Yes, I would say the majority of students live within 10min of campus. Traffic around this area is horrid, and during the first two years, you'll need to go back and forth to campus at odd hours (especially when you take anatomy).

 

[Tigger27]

Yes, I would say the majority of students live within 10min of campus. Traffic around this area is horrid, and during the first two years, you'll need to go back and forth to campus at odd hours (especially when you take anatomy).

Johnisit1234 (or any other current Emory med students),
I am most likely going to be at Emory next year and am very excited. I have a question, though, about anatomy. How is it set up at Emory? I know different schools do it differently in terms of how many students per cadaver, how much each person does, if you rotate bodies, etc. Also, what is the anatomy facility itself like? Many schools took the tours to the anatomy lab, but at Emory it almost felt as if they were trying to hide it and kept focusing on how great the NEW building will be when it comes. Just curious....

 

[Johnisit1234]

Johnisit1234 (or any other current Emory med students),
I am most likely going to be at Emory next year and am very excited. I have a question, though, about anatomy. How is it set up at Emory? I know different schools do it differently in terms of how many students per cadaver, how much each person does, if you rotate bodies, etc. Also, what is the anatomy facility itself like? Many schools took the tours to the anatomy lab, but at Emory it almost felt as if they were trying to hide it and kept focusing on how great the NEW building will be when it comes. Just curious....

Emory anatomy is very different than a lot of school. First about the anatomy lab, the reason why they don't really let you see it is because Emory has a VERY strict policy for the lab. They don't allow anyone who is not affliated with the anatomy course to enter the lab. This is mainly for respect purposes. The people who gave their bodies did so to help us learn, not to be stared at and be shown off during tours. Emory students and faculty are very respectful of the bodies, and this means not allowing people in at any time.
The anatomy lab is not bad. It's pretty well ventilated. I've only seen a couple of other labs (on interviews as well), so I'm not really sure what other info to give you about that.

The course is run in a complicated manner (it's not complicated when you get here, but explaining it here, might be difficult, but I will try). There are 6 people per cadaver table. And amongst the table, you're broken up into groups of 2 (you choose your own partners and groups early in the semester) -- A's, B's, C's (each cadaver table will have 2As, 2Bs, 2Cs) --- NO THESE ARE NOT YOUR GRADES!!! People often seem confused about that...
Anyways, each group (ABC) is assigned particular dissections to do. First week is the As with the back muscles, second week is B with the brachial plexus, etc. So by the end, each group dissects 1/3 of the entire body. Of course, you are responsible for the anatomy of the entire body. Anyways, for each dissection, you are given a set of objectives to discover and find and explain during the course of that dissection. At the end of that particular dissection, you have to give a "demo," which is basically a presentation. A faculty member will grade you on your presentation. Basically, you are to present on the body the 6 objectives with your partner. And you have 10 minutes. You and your partner are also responsible to teach the other members at your table that dissection -- each group of 2 will have 5 dissections throughout the course. While it may seem weird that you're not actually dissecting the entire body, you put in a lot of hours doing the work for your own dissection. Doing that for the entire body would be maddening. This way, you are dissecting about every 1-2 weeks. Trust me, you will know your dissections incredibly well and won't have to study them as much for the exams. Anyways, I know that's very detailed, but I hope it helps. Let me know if you have more questions.

 

[beep]

i thought all the emory anatomy labs, etc were going to be torn down this summer and held in temporary locations next year?

 

[Johnisit1234]

i thought all the emory anatomy labs, etc were going to be torn down this summer and held in temporary locations next year?

You're right. I forgot about that. I'm not totally sure where your anatomy lab will be held.

 

[DrBoo]

You're right. I forgot about that. I'm not totally sure where your anatomy lab will be held.

hmmmm...maybe they won't make us take it!

 

[koma]

Sounds like fun.

 

[Johnisit1234]

Actually, anatomy next year will be held in the basement of the building the current class had anatomy in. Basically they will construct a temporary make-shift lab in the basement. (Just think of this as a bonding experience - kind of like survivor). The regular classes will be held in the main auditorium of the WSHCAB (the building where the interviews were held).

If you're curious about Emory anatomy, check out this website for the class which basically has all the information.

http://www.emory.edu/ANATOMY/Contents.html

That website is a bit out of date. Some of the course objectives and procedures have changed. But for an overview, it is not bad.

 

[Tigger27]

Thanks 🙂