Future TUCOM Docs?

[mfred]

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I'd like to know if anybody here has decided on going to TUCOM, or not. Maybe you could tell me what you thought of the school. I am pretty sure I am going to go, but there are some other (cheaper) options that are available.

 

[Doctor Peloncito]

Well, I'm interviewing on Nov 4th and if I get in, I'm going. It is my first choice for geographical reasons (I'm married with two kids and sortof own a house). My next choices are UHS and UNECOM. Awaiting interview invites on both of those and a few others.

Congrats on your acceptance though, If you check out some of the other TUCOM threads you will find some others who are going to go to TUCOM. I know that Brenda (maysqrd) is definately going (she and I are former classmates).

Good luck and hopefully we'll be classmates,

WannabeDO

 

[DrZippy2b]

I'm headed to TUCOM as well.

WannabeDO: What city do you live in? We are sorta in the same boat. We own a house, but it's in Sacramento and we're trying to figure out where to buy when we sell the house this spring...

-Zippy

 

[maysqrd]

Russell is right, I am definitely going to TUCOM! It was my first choice and I went through the early decision program because I wanted to go there so badly.

I personally think the school is great. I have gone to conference at other schools. I was so blown away at how different an environment it was at TUCOM that it immediately became my first choice school. Reasons for wanting to go to the school:

Oakland Athletics (I am a season ticket holder and don't want to give up my team!!)

Oh, wait...... did I really say that during my interview...... phew, thank goodness it was only a dream.

Seriously, I have A LOT of reasons for choicing this school. My second choice was UNECOM (also due to geography, own property near that area too) and my third choice was Kirksville.

I know that Mohody and DrZibby2B (???) are going as well. I am only about an hour away from campus and have lived in the area for 11 years so if anyone has questions about why they should choose the bay area, send me a pm.


Brenda
TUCOM, Class of 2007

 

[Doctor Peloncito]

I live in Santa Rosa (about an hour north of SF bay and TUCOM). Good places to look for a home are: Sonoma, Napa, certain neighborhoods in Vallejo are ok (call a realtor). Public schools in Vallejo suck though. Benicia is good, but kindof expensive. The list goes on and on, the best thing to do would be to talk to a realtor in Vallejo/benicia/sonoma/napa. yahoo is great for checking out home prices.

If I get in, we will probably keep our home while my wife finishes school at Sonoma State University. Our home is a mobile home and my parent's actually own it on paper, but I pay all of the mortgage. I would look for a roommate on the island and go home on the weekends (or perhaps every other weekend).

All this is assuming I get in, so right now my fingers and toes are crossed and I'm nervous as hell (not about the interview, I hear that it is pretty low stress, I'm just nervous about the outcome).

Congrats to these admitted, hopefully I'll be joining you.

Russell

 

[mohody]

I'm going to TUCOM too. I really enjoyed the school during my visit. I applied with Brenda to the early acceptance and got accepted. I'm in the same boat as WannabeDO and DrZippy2b I own a home by Reno and will be having my first baby April 9. I might have to leave the wife in Nevada and visit her and the baby on weekends. Hope not!

Good luck WannabeDO with your interview on the 4th.

 

[Doctor Peloncito]

Congrats on the baby Mohody, my baby is 11 months old and will be almost 2 when I (hopefully) matriculate into a med school. I also have a six year old daughter. Bond a lot with the baby for his/her first 4 months, because you won't be around much after that. I'd suggest if at all possible to have your family move closer. It is going to be hard enough for us if I get in to TUCOM and my wife will only be an hour away. I'd seriously try to find a local home. There are homes for sale in Vallejo for under 300K.

later,

Russell

 

[maysqrd]

Hey Justin, Good to hear from you. For those of you that own property fairly close to campus already, I would avoid selling your home unless you absolutely need to. My house has appreciated over $120K in two years!!! Yippee! Give it another 8 years and I might just be able to pay back those student loans with my equity in my house and get the BIG tax right off!!! Rotations, internship and residency could put us anywhere so giving up our homes isn't the best idea for only two years on campus.

As for the idea of commuting on weekends. I am going to do it and I can only say this about having a child in the house: GUILT!! The main reason that I am taking a room on campus is because you feel horrible when you are stuck in a book for four hours studying and your spouse and child are moving on with life around you as if you were part of the furniture (trying desperately not to disturb you). I feel so guilty with my daughter because she is right there in front of me. It is actually easier on her and on me if I am not at home to study so I am going to stay at school during the week to make sure that I can study without interruption and GUILT.

 

[DrZippy2b]

It's good to know we aren't the only ones struggling to find the right solution. My husband's company has an office in SF and has offered to let him transfer down there (with a small promotion even). We've owned our house in Sac for about a year and half and have made about $75K. The thing is, if he transfers, then it seems to make more sense to go ahead and move down there because even while I'm off on rotations he'd be closer to work. Oh yeah, and then there's the small problem of a HUGE mortgage with only one of us working 😉.

We talked about trying to live on the island, but aren't willing to give up our pets to do it. I know that sounds dumb, but they have been with us for a long time. Any ideas on whether the school would consider changing it's no pet policy? Heck, we'd even pay a couple hundred more a month to be able to keep 'em.


-Nikki

 

[Doctor Peloncito]

Don't worry about the mortgage. The average indebtedness of medical students includes the cost of housing. I say use federal loans to supplement your family income during the time you are in school. You will make money some day and you will not be as in debt as the average graduate (because of your husband's employment). But then again, only you know your situation, so don't second guess yourself on behalf of my suggestions.

As for the pets, I don't think you'd be very lucky in persuading the powers that be at Touro. My experience as a renter has shown me that blanket housing policies aren't very flexible unless you are the only tenant and you are are one-on-one with the landlord.

Take care,

Russell

 

[Avonlea]

Hey tucomers!
Just got in myself Yaaaayy! TUCOM is one of my top choices (b/c of location). But I just came back from CCOM and UNECOM and both had extremely solid programs (especially 3rd, 4th year rotations). I'm worried that at Touro, I'll be traveling so far away from home, just for mediocre rotations. What do you all think?