future Columbia P&S students

[grasshopper]

For those of us thinking we'll end up there: please post here, let us know how sure you are
about Columbia, where else might thwart you, and what you know about the school (why
liked it, reservations you have, etc.). That would help me. I'm waiting on Yale because it's
known to be so much less cutthroat, plus I'm not sure about the area around Columbia.
But I think I'm going to P&S because I think they're probably a better school for specialty training,
and I loved the students the day I was there. Anybody else have any input?

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[Scooby Doo]

Grasshopper,

Why didn't you respond to my PM??

I am just waiting on a couple schools. I don't know if I can afford Columbia. That's my main reservation. Not sure how much in debt I want to go. The whole thing about dorm living turns me off as well. In addition, having to eat out for every single meal isn't what i really wanted to do for medical school.

Pros: Awesome school with great classmates who seem to do lots of things besides medical school.
New york city! Great clinical and hospitals.

 

[choker]

cons: choker will not be there <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

 

[trout]

Don't you dare give up hope now choker....after all the crap we have been through this year

 

[cm7b5]

I want to post on this THREAD!!!!!

 

[grasshopper]

OK, so now we have registered 2 decent chances of matriculants (and a couple we're pretty sure about, just waiting for Dr. Frantz et. al. to realize it): grasshopper and Scooby. Any more? I think Alice?

 

[synite]

so columbia is very high on my list, too.

i guess my reservations are about location, and now that Scooby mentioned it, the food issue. i didnt realize that there are no kitchen facilities in Bard Hall (is that true?!?). i'm not much of a cook but it'd be ridiculous to eat out everyday. about the area....i hear it isnt unusually dangerous...thats not my concern. but man, if only columbia and cornell could switch campuses :wink:

the new P/F system is huge...im glad they are going to start that next year. lots of lecture time though....

basically, my gut tells me its an awesome place and i would be happy there...

 

[choker]

synite, if memory serves me correct, you've also gotten into stanford. wouldn't that be 80k cheaper?

 

[grasshopper]

There's a kitchen on the top floor of Bard. I think some of the rooms have kitchenettes? Anybody know anything about if it's actually possible to get one?

So are we sure about this P/F thing? That woudl be awesome!!!!!

 

[The Fly]

Regarding the kitchen thing...one of my best friends is a first year (and a poor one!) and he never makes meals in the dorm, which would seem to suggest that you DO need to eat out almost always.

Columbia would be a fantastic place if you could afford to live 40+ blocks downtown, which obviously makes the whole thing even more absurdly expensive! But its a wonderful place to do your clinicals, even if the first two years look like hell there...

 

[MorningLight2100]

I'm ~90% sure that I'll attend P&S (as long as they don't rescind my acceptance or anything, which I'm having nightmares about, because this all seems too good to be true!). I'm like you, grasshopper , I'm also waiting to hear from Yale first...but even if I was accepted there (not bloody loikely), I would probably still attend Columbia unless financial aid became a big factor.

To tell you the truth, one of the biggest factors drawing me to the school, aside from the strong curriculum, the clinical experiences, the focus on community involvement, etc., is simply the enthusiasm and supportive attitude of the people whom I've met there. Not students alone, but faculty and doctors working in the Columbia-affliated hospitals. I've contacted several during my time as an undergraduate for various reasons -- research related, to secure an internship, to discuss an ongoing project -- and they have been so patient and helpful, it's been unbelievable...to a silly chick they've never even met! It really is a special place.

To those of you accepted, CONGRATS, and for those of you on the waiting list...I'm wishing for you! I'd be honored to be classmates with all of you!

 

[word]

I am pretty damn sure I will end up at P&S. I thought it was by far the best school I interviewed at because the students were cool and NYC straight up rocks.
My only reservation was financial. I got in to Southwestern and am waiting on Baylor, and am a TX resident. I am still pretty sure I will go to P&S regardless. I am looking forward to the dorm thing b/c u really get to know your classmates,and I don't care about food. Does someone know about the pass fail change for sure? Also is anyone considering doing that research project over the summer (in packet)?

 

[Scooby Doo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Accept_me:
•Scooby, if you go to P&S we'll have to check out a Snapcase concert or some of that other great NY hardcore.•••••Sounds like a plan!

 

[synite]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Accept_me:
•Tomorrow I am going to call my student host and ask him a couple questions (if anyone has anything they'd like to know, post the question):

1. Ethernet?
2. Dining?
3. Athletics facilities?
4. P/F?
5. (your question here)•••••- surrounding area...is it really that bad? do you have to go downtown to have fun?
- happy with the curriculum? feel swamped by too much lecture?

 

[Scooby Doo]

** Is there still a ranking system in place with the P/F system? Such that, even though you pass, you will still be assigned a class rank.

** Is there still a block of finals JUST ONE WEEK before USMLE Step I?? Cuz I think this kinda sucks Most schools get at least one month off to study

** For second year, is there an exam EVERY MONDAY?

** Also then, for first year does it still run such that there is a huge exam block once every six weeks or so? (I like this one )

** How is the library for studying? I can't remember it from the tour...can anyone else maybe fill me in?

Thanks dude!

 

[alice]

COUNT ME IN! I think I've written it elsewhere, but if you're still wondering...YES,I'M GOING.
Why? I have wanted to go to P&S since I was, oh, 10. So much of this is irrational. So sign me up for being one of those enthusiastic Columbia students we hear tell of so much. Here are my reason, substantiated or otherwise. It's by far the best school in NYC. Okay, maybe "by far" is a little unfair, but I sure as heck would go to the hospital if there were anything wrong with me. They have looked into the curriculum and decided that they like it better than PBL. Less guesswork. The lectures aren't bad, and the system does work. The faculty is nuts about the school and thus about helping the students through it. Yeah, washington heights isn't that sweet, but for all you get out in med school, you could be on Mars. That being said, kids at Columbia do seem to make it out an awful lot, both in their surrounding hood and downtown. It's really a negligible commute. The food thing is a bit of a downer, BUT, how much time are you going to want to spend cooking during the next four years? I love to cook, but I really get the impression from people at Columbia that they don't mind eating out a lot and doing the mini-fridge thing. That being said, I may be looking into living with friends on the upper west because I've gotten out of the habit of dorm living. Life in NYC is really expensive, Columbia tuition is expensive. But I plan on making enough $$ to pay off all those loans. I guess that's a more personal decision, because almost all of the schools I applied to would have gotten me a similar debt.

Glad you guys are asking all the relevant questions, so I can just go forward with my blind optimism about the school....

 

[trout]

Hi guys! I am definately going next year! Still in shock I got in but already graduated so I don't think they can take it away!

gg16? What was the verdict? (I think I intervieweed the same day you did...)

The ethernet question...yes I know there is ethernet in the dorms and someone also told me in the tower and the answers to scooby's questions:

Is there still a ranking system in place with the P/F system? Such that, even though you pass, you will still be assigned a class rank.
--don't know but they still have AOA

** Is there still a block of finals JUST ONE WEEK before USMLE Step I?? Cuz I think this kinda sucks Most schools get at least one month off to study
--since the boards are on the computer don't you get to sign up when you want...also clerkships don't start until july and classes are done in may so I think that is a month

** For second year, is there an exam EVERY MONDAY?
--no clue on this one

** Also then, for first year does it still run such that there is a huge exam block once every six weeks or so? (I like this one )
--I think so also, someone told me that the final is cumulative????

** How is the library for studying? I can't remember it from the tour...can anyone else maybe fill me in?
--I remember the library from doing research along time ago..it was small (lots of journals though)but not that great for studying (they use to give the students free photocopies???)...however, the undergraduate campus has an enormous library and like 7 other librarys in the different schools (business, law, architect, asian studies, engineering school (&lt;-crappy one) barnard I can't remember all the others) also I always would study at one of the numerous coffee shops down by the main campus...there is a free shuttle between the two but I don't know how late it runs--also they didn't show us the library on the tour????

looking forward to meeting y'all!!!!

 

[word]

Hey accept me i was wondering about the class rank system too.
Also I was wondering about having a car. Is it really not possible in NYC? I have always lived in Texas, and am not familiar with the parking situation.
Thanks, I can't wait to meet my amazing classmates.

 

[Scooby Doo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by word:
•Hey accept me i was wondering about the class rank system too.
Also I was wondering about having a car. Is it really not possible in NYC? I have always lived in Texas, and am not familiar with the parking situation.
Thanks, I can't wait to meet my amazing classmates.•••••Haha...car? Hmm...if you end up bringing one I'll be your bestest friend in the whole wide world!

But I would consider leaving it at home. This guy was telling me how his friend pays to keep his car in a garage for $180 per MONTH! And the kicker is the garage is 40 blocks from where he lives! It's ridiculous!

 

[alice]

car + nyc = bad idea. i grew up there and it costs $300 for the garage by my house. i think i'm selling the old girl before going up to pns. sad. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

 

[dukeblue01]

Alice,
I figured you would be checking this page. Hopefully the soon to be Columbia MS-1's don't mind the intrusion. I would PM you but you do not allow that option. I had not looked that deeply, but now having read your posts it is all clear. The funny thing is, I read what I am 90% sure is your post on interviewfeedback.com and thought how nice you were. I really like NW and UVA(but I was waitlisted at UVA) and I sincerely hope I am given good news. Thank you so much for your kind words, as I thought that we all did very well that day( you were warm and sincere, and that always is impressive). You really made it easier with your friendly manner and easy smile. SDNers are good peeps. Anyways, I am going down to Atlanta tomorrow for an interview at Emory this Friday. Wish me luck, and know that while I am very happy for you, I am envious that you are now done with this crazy process. I have been accepted to my other state schools, but really want a little more. Can you blame me? PM me any time you like and thanks for everything.

 

[nitemagi]

Still waiting for my letter. Some things I got from my interview:
1. Ethernet? In every room. Like $20 a year
2. Dining? 1st year in Bard hall not really a cookable environment, but you do have a sink in your room, so with a hot plate and a microwave, it's manageable. Local restaurants are ok but not the best in the city. 2nd year and on in the towers you have a full kitchen.
3. Athletics facilities? Basement of bard hall--full gym with machines, an indoor pool, and a racquetball court. Not huge and not well venhilated, but it's convenient.

Hope I can add my name to this thread as a matriculant. Is that a word?

 

[trout]

Does anyone know if there is a re-visit weekend?
I know I am crazy but I am actually thinking about bringing a car....after living there for four years, yeah I realize I am smoking crack....I am actually going to look into either parking it in a lot across the river or a friends driveway in jersey....also the gym thing....I remember graduate students were allowed to use the gym downtown...but I don't know if there is a fee

 

[Scooby Doo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Accept_me:
•4. When you say "P&S club" it sounds like you're saying "I'm in the penis club." TOSS-UP

•••••HAHAHA....Yep, P&S has the best penises around!

Well, only if I go there

 

[SicVic]

Hey guys, I was thinking about an idea which will involve the four main medical schools in NYC
Columbia, Cornell, NYU and Mount Sinai.
To organize a mini Intermurals basketball competition every Spring. Co-Eds and if time allows a men's match up as well (I would say a women's team but that will be sort of adventurous).
It will be a nice way to pull these schools together. Meet fellows and strike up a friendly competition rather than bickering about who goes to a better school.
What are your thoughts on that and how can it work out?
1-3 teams from each school and it is simply team vs. team not med. school vs. med. school.

 

[Scooby Doo]

I think they have some type of olympic events at NYU already. It's between all the grad schools. But it involves a bunch of events.

We need more than just basketball.

How about:

- Beer chugging
- Bench Press
- Flag Football
- Who can get the most phone numbers one night out

Things like that too

 

[SicVic]

•••quote:•••How about:

- Beer chugging
- Bench Press
- Flag Football
- Who can get the most phone numbers one night out ••••Cool list but the point is to involve at most all four of the schools. C'mon guys is the idea feasible? Here will be some rules to accommodate Scooby's list -
-Bench pressing is allowable on courtside next to Keg.
-Long distance Quarterback passes for fast breaks are highly recommended for easy points.
-Beer and all alcoholic beverages are allowed during game time
-And best of all: No foul is called during a crossover number exchange? (hey its going to be co-eds)
Scooby is this something you see yourself signing up for - a bball intermedical school intermurals competition? (&lt;---Question can also apply to everybody)

 

[Scooby Doo]

If there's a keg, then scooby shall be there

haha, I'll be there regardless

I would rather play football or tennis, but if you really want to do basketball..I suppose I could do that too

 

[figure five]

hey

It's come down to columbia and ucsf for me. Both are great programs in great cities. As a california resident, it's pretty tough to turn down the tuition at UC's though...also, dorm living at Bard doesn't sound super appealing. Anybody else making the same decision?

 

[Scooby Doo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by figure five:
•hey

It's come down to columbia and ucsf for me. Both are great programs in great cities. As a california resident, it's pretty tough to turn down the tuition at UC's though...also, dorm living at Bard doesn't sound super appealing. Anybody else making the same decision?•••••Damn, I sure wish I had that decision to make!

 

[synite]

bump...

any word from current students about all the questions/concerns posted above?