Free laptop for students

My bf is a MSI at AZCOM and he didn't get a free laptop.

 

They wouldn't be FREE. They would be included... sorry, pet peeve.

It's better that they're not included bc you get to pick the laptop then..

 

oops

 

yea, lol, the "free" is completely inappropriate. The title should read " Does AZCOM screw its students by making them buy the laptop the school chooses?"

 

We know DCOM, DMU, and PCSOM screw their students ...

definitely no such thing as a "free" laptop, you are paying for it.

 

Doesn't being provided a laptop just make it easier? If you're on a wireless campus with streamed lectures or MP3 lectures it definitely makes sense to have one. Being provided one (I know the ones DMU provides are good too) just takes one more headache away from making the transition to med school. Also, because everybody has the same thing you will not run into any problems sharing software, documents, notes, etc.

 

No, it just means I have to go through the hassle of ebaying my current laptop just to turn around and pay for the one the school forces me to use.

 

Get rid of all the kiddie porn on your hard drive and I'll be happy to buy your laptop off of you.

 

haha, i'm sorry, I only go for the real stuff

my PC is in excellent condition with the exception that it heats up at times. It is STD free.

 

Which laptop is good for one student will be completely different compared to which will be better for another. There is no perfect laptop for medical students or we would all have it. People use them for different things and in different ways. Forcing all students to use the same laptop is like saying students all have the same study habits, and study styles. I think it would be much better to just put some money in the student budget and let students choose how they will use that for what works best for them.

 

Let's just hope DCOM doesn't find out about you having to, um, "register".

But it has enough of your DNA dried on it to make it a blood relative.

 

Register for what? Classes? Yeah, let's hope so too ...

 

No they don't.

And you don't need one.

And remember that there are no "free" laptops. You are definately going to be paying for it.

 

"Hi, I'm Inviz, one of the MS1's and I am obligated due to Megan's Law to inform you that......"

 

Yes, but that is actually a good thing ...

Not like your crusty PC

 

The only way you can pay for the laptop the school gives you is to ebay your other one? You're already shelling out 30K+, if you're already eyeball deep in debt, 2 more won't break you.

 

Screw Megan's Law ... I have the right to plead the FIF!

 

Paying for it is no problem. However, it would be pointless to have 2 laptops, especially when my current one is in great condition. Hence, I would sell it ... make some bling off it .. ya know ....

 

FIF? Fornicating In the First (grade)?

 

True.

 

Never seen Chappelle's Show huh ... you need to get out more!

"I plead the FIF!!!" ... aka, "I plead the Fifth" ....

 

Thank you Red Balls!

 

Sounds like the first class of DCOM is actually getting "free laptops"...but from then on, it will be "provided".

I'd prefer everyone have the same thing...that way if it's screwed up, they will support it, etc..

I'll keep my personal laptop at home.

 

No, theyre not giving their 1st year students free laptops. They are simply increasing the fees under other other categories. This was made explicit by the Fin. Aid. advisor during the interview session.

 

Whatever you say, Dr. I.

 

Don't be shocked when the final cost is the same. If they were free, it would not be. Obviously.

 

I got the same story you did at the interview.

Then, apparently things changed.

For the first class, that is.

 

That sounds like kind of a waste. We have to buy our own laptop, but our budget for first year is increased by like 3 thousand dollars to pay for it. You don't need to spend that much on it, though. You can pick any one you want as long as it meets the requirements, and you get to pick one with the features that YOU want on it. Our IT department sends out a minimum specifications list that is pretty easy to make. AND, they support your laptop no matter what make and model it is. Any time you have a problem, you just drop it off on the 2nd floor office.

 

They apparently got a grant to provide each student with a new tablet.

 

This is what I was told during my interview at DCOM. The school got a grant for their inaugural students only, where each student gets a tablet laptop for free and thus can use the money otherwise designated for a computer in the Fin Aid for other uses. We would still be charged some kind of fee for an I.T. Dept. for repairs, etc. (i think). All other students after us will have a portion of their Fin Aid designated for a laptop.

 

lol so here's what they're saying

Adcomm: We would like you to come to our school.

Applicant: I really like the school, but I'm not sure bc it's new and has no track reco..

Adcomm: Ah ah ah, look over here.

::Admissions staff person holds up tablet PC::

Applicant: oooooooooo aaaaaaah

Adcomm: So just write us a check for 30k and we'll throw in this shiny tablet PC for free! Would you like a lollipop too?

Applicant: mmm lollipop ::forgets about hundreds of thousands of dollars gambled on a brand new school::

disclaimer: i think dcom will be a great school, so you can call off the hit docmom!

 

any word on the DCOM tablets? Brand/spec's/anything?

 

I think they are still researching which one they want to go with.

 

You can get a good basic laptop (wifi, 14", CD/DVD, 512 RAM, 40G disk) for about $500. Since AZCOM doesn't require laptops, nor do they hand them out, you are free to buy whatever you want, or not, as suits your needs.

Frankly I'd be worried that a laptop would melt in that hot Arizona weather. Maybe best to invest the rest of your $3000 in a portable cooling system.

 

512 RAM is NOT enough when you're buying a brand new computer. The new vista platform is memory-thirsty. I recommend 1 gig for smooth sailing.

I think i'm gonna get a vaio ~1200 dollars a best buy gets you a really nice sony...

 

The next computer I purchase for myself or the wife unit will very likely be all white and say "Mac" on it somewhere.

 

I'm thinking the same thing.....the whole Vista thing is just too much of a PITA to make me choose a Windows based OS again.

 

I think this is the first 'serious' post I've ever seen you make!

or, at least it didn't seem sarcastic.

We just really like the iMac.

 

Point taken, but I do make serious posts from time to time. The sarcasm that normally tinges my posts is just my sense of humor shining through.

 

It's true that they are probably still included, but schools like DMU have laptops for students but still have an overall lower tuition than many other schools. So I would hope that a school with higher tuition than DMU better give me something else for it....and it's not like it's made up in the facilities or educationally bc DMU doesn't lack in that department either. Well, just my $00.02

 

You kinda threw me off there DKM!

Now, where is the real DKM and what have you done with him!

 

lol...this would be true if DMU was increasing it's tuition because of it. But it doesn't, it's the second cheapest private DO school out there. With or without the laptop. Oh and the free customer service and replacement service for all four years=priceless. So they "screw" us how?? Do tell.....

 

I was just going to attribute low tuition at DMU to the low cost of living in DSM...then I remembered that ATSU is in Kirksville, MO and tuition is higher there. So at the risk of hijacking this thread, what accounts for this apparent disparity? How do schools come up with their tuition figures?

 

Basically on the level of sweetness. The sweeter the school, the lower the tuition. Several schools have also managed to be incredibly sweet and still offer a damn good education.

 

Sounds like someone was an undergrad econ major.

 

Haha, nope, just had no idea what the answer to your question was.

 

The tech maintaince for the laptops are worth it in themselves, especially for me. Don't they replace the laptop if it stops functioning at all? The overall low tuition is really the reason why it doesnt bother me at, plus from what I saw, the laptops are top of the line

 

What brand does DMU use? I think it was either Dell or Gateway, but I can't keep it straight from other schools. Just want to check out what 2011 would be getting. Thanks