How to move to a distant medical school

[Messerschmitts]

Hello SDNers, I'm wondering if I could get some helpful advice regarding the logistics of attending a medical school that's very far from your current locaton, in particular, finding a place to live and moving there.

I'm kind of sheltered and have never been too far away from home (viz., my parents). My family lives in Los Angeles. When I attended UC Berkeley, my dad drove his big van with all my stuff all the way up to Norcal and helped me move in. Reverse deal when I moved out. I don't really drive; I have a driver's license, but really it's only "in theory". I only got my license 2 weeks before the beginning of college. Then for 4 years at UC Berkeley I had no car and didn't need one (great public transportation in the Bay Area), so my driving ability is laughable.

Right now it looks very likely that I'm going to have to attend an out-of-state medical school, like so many of my Californian compadres, and at this point, it's looking like it's gonna be the University of Cincinnati. How am I going to move there with all my stuff? Renting a U-Haul and driving 3,000 miles across the wilderness of the American Heartland may be the most direct and brutal way to do it. However, as I mentioned I'm a terrible driver, and I don't think I can put any of my family members through such an ordeal. I don't really think that's an option. I'm probably going to need to learn how to drive better in order to live in Cincinnati. My mom's going to give me her old car, but how am I going to get the car there for that matter, without driving it there? Is it worth it to "ship" the car there, or should I just sell the current car and buy a new car there? While we're on the topic of cars, I've never lived in an area that snows. Do you need snow chains whenever it snows, even if it's on the main streets in the downtown? Are there any special precautions for car maintence in areas that snow that are not obvious?

And what about looking for housing? The plane tickets are so expensive for the Cincinnati-Kentucky airport, do I have to physically be there for like a week in the late spring/early summer for the sole purpose of finding housing? Or can I do this online via telephone/internet? Can housing contracts/leases be signed via fax?

Anyone with advice/experience dealing with "starting up" in a distant, new city for medical school will be much appreciated. Anyone with specific information regarding Cincinnati or UCinn will be doubly appreciated. 😉

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[FictionalGirl]

Ahhh, if you're close to your parents you'd be amazed where they'll drag themselves with you. So, I haven't heard back from AECOM yet, but i'm REALLLLLLY hoping to get an acceptance there. I live in AZ and AECOM is in the Bronx, and if I get to go, my mom and Dad and I are going to rent a u-haul do the drive and then they're going to fly back. I'd do this if I was 18 , 22, 25, or hell, even 30. My parents just like to see where i'm gonna live and that i'm okay. So yours will probably do the same for you. I'd suggest the UHaul, its tough to ship stuff, unless you just don't have a lot of stuff. Also, does your school have housing? Some med schools have dorms, and if that's the case, I'd suggest living in the dorm/apartment the first year. then you'll know the area if you want to move out. I wouldn't be able to afford a plane ticket back for another look-see either 🙂 Good luck! I hear cincinnati is nice

Hello SDNers, I'm wondering if I could get some helpful advice regarding the logistics of attending a medical school that's very far from your current locaton, in particular, finding a place to live and moving there.

I'm kind of sheltered and have never been too far away from home (viz., my parents). My family lives in Los Angeles. When I attended UC Berkeley, my dad drove his big van with all my stuff all the way up to Norcal and helped me move in. Reverse deal when I moved out. I don't really drive; I have a driver's license, but really it's only "in theory". I only got my license 2 weeks before the beginning of college. Then for 4 years at UC Berkeley I had no car and didn't need one (great public transportation in the Bay Area), so my driving ability is laughable.

Right now it looks very likely that I'm going to have to attend an out-of-state medical school, like so many of my Californian compadres, and at this point, it's looking like it's gonna be the University of Cincinnati. How am I going to move there with all my stuff? Renting a U-Haul and driving 3,000 miles across the wilderness of the American Heartland may be the most direct and brutal way to do it. However, as I mentioned I'm a terrible driver, and I don't think I can put any of my family members through such an ordeal. I don't really think that's an option. I'm probably going to need to learn how to drive better in order to live in Cincinnati. My mom's going to give me her old car, but how am I going to get the car there for that matter, without driving it there? Is it worth it to "ship" the car there, or should I just sell the current car and buy a new car there? While we're on the topic of cars, I've never lived in an area that snows. Do you need snow chains whenever it snows, even if it's on the main streets in the downtown? Are there any special precautions for car maintence in areas that snow that are not obvious?

And what about looking for housing? The plane tickets are so expensive for the Cincinnati-Kentucky airport, do I have to physically be there for like a week in the late spring/early summer for the sole purpose of finding housing? Or can I do this online via telephone/internet? Can housing contracts/leases be signed via fax?

Anyone with advice/experience dealing with "starting up" in a distant, new city for medical school will be much appreciated. Anyone with specific information regarding Cincinnati or UCinn will be doubly appreciated. 😉

 

[tkim]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=115251

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=119040&page=1&pp=25

 

[NapeSpikes]

I had some experience moving cross-country. I did my postbac on the east coast after having lived my entire life in SoCal--so to answer your questions:

Yes, you can totally do all the housing stuff online or by telephone, though it's a crapshoot not to see the place. I did it all long-distance style, and it turned out fine. Also, unless you have furniture you're really attached to, I'd recommend to start out fresh. Hit the thrift stores for the smaller stuff, buy a bed and get it delivered, etc. As for shipping the car, it depends on what kind of car it is. It costs about $1000 to ship a car, and my bucket o' bolts was worth $3000 in Kelley bluebook, so I didn't bother shipping it. No, you don't need snow chains on tires (that's what I thought, too!) Those snowy cities have snow plows (like in the movies) and sprinkle salt on the streets to make them as drivable as possible. Since your driving skills are lacking, you may have to learn how to drive again, in a snowy parking lot to get a feel for how it skids, how fast you can turn, etc.

Anyway, it's not as bad as it sounds. It takes a bit of getting used to, but nothing to stress about. You probably will need real winter clothes. Congrats on Cinncinati, and enjoy the ride!

 

[p00psicleSTICK]

Honestly, it kinda scares me that I'll have classmates who have no clue on how to move/live by themselves... but it's ok I understand!

Like FictionalGirl said, I would suggest that you go live in a dorm if they provide you with one during your first year. That way you'll get to feel more comfortable surrounded by fellow med school students and you'll get to meet a lot of people. And then you can move out after 1st year to an apartment and by that time you'd have more info about the area and the job would be easy. I don't see a need to haul everything that you have to your new home especially if you're moving that far. I keep a few things which inlcude - a full size bed, desk, computer, and a TV + some kitchen utensils (and books/paper of course!) and usually ask for my friend's help that has a pickup-truck or a minivan to move them. But of course this is only possible once you move into your dorm and get to meet new people... so yea I suggest you go live in a dorm first because the only things you'll need in your new dorm are kitchen utensils/bathroom stuffs which you can buy there and a computer + TV!

 

[Mutt]

Your are in a tough situation, but you seem to have resolved yourself of the anguish of the family-distance problem so that's a good first step.

If you are crappy driver, you'll be even crappier on ice so either start practicing or get good on a bicycle. I would suggest not driving across the country, from California to Ohio, in your "mom's old car" because that would just suck and the car is going to take a beating/wear-and-tear on the trip.

This may be too much, but consider getting an older Audi with quattro to drive around in the snow with. Read up about it, the traction advantage is much more forgiving with this driver+environment combo situation.

Start asking around on the med school web forum (if they have one) at U of Cinn. for advice on housing (you might find a fellow med student with a room available). Also, I think FictionalGirl's recommendation for dorm housing is a really good one.

 

[Virgil]

Pair of socks + underwear + toothbrush + extra shirt + plane ticket to U of Cinn. = no headaches. No U-Haul necessary.

Edit: Just kidding. Good luck.

 

[Messerschmitts]

Honestly, it kinda scares me that I'll have classmates who have no clue on how to move/live by themselves... but it's ok I understand!

Yes, I admit, I'm so ashamed, I have zero "street smarts" or experience in the "real world". 🙁 Probably why I didn't get in the first time. (lacking 'maturity' 😛) I'm the classic spoiled Asian kid, not in the sense that my parents were rich and bought me lots of stuff (my parents are actually kind of poor), but that my my only responsibility/obligation was to excell academically, and everything else (financially/administratively) was taken care of for me. In college I learned to do a lot of stuff on my own, but still didn't really get to learn to drive, and honestly my roommate took care of paying and setting up the electricity bills, etc.

However, thank you for all the very helpful advice from you all! 👍 I've actually thought of living in the dorm thing before, but I'm pretty sure Cincinnati doesn't offer on-campus housing to med students. At least that's not the norm. It wasn't discussed as an option in the housing packet they sent me last cycle (back when I was stuck on the waitlist and didn't get in). If anyone knows differently please announce it. I'll call and ask them later as it gets closer to the summer. Maybe there are options to live for a semester in the undergrad dorms or something.

This entire ordeal will no doubt be an invaluable experience for me. It's high time I was forced to learn how to be an adult. 😉

And if anyone else has any more advice/opinion on the matter to give, please post!

 

[Messerschmitts]

Pair of socks + underwear + toothbrush + extra shirt + plane ticket to U of Cinn. = no headaches. No U-Haul necessary.

Edit: Just kidding. Good luck.

Ha ha, I like how you think. 😀 If only it were that simple.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Ha ha, I like how you think. 😀 If only it were that simple.

Something you might not have thought of, Messerschmitts. People in Cincinnatti are going to see you as the LA/Berkeley sophisticate. They will be a little bit intimidated by you . So, once you get there, anything you don't know about - just ask - the admissions office, fellow students, whatever. People in the Midwest are generally very warm and friendly - if you ask for help, they'll be charmed and they'll decide that the guy from the Left Coast is okay. If you're fearful and withdrawn, they might get the wrong message.

Start practicing driving ASAP - most cities between the coasts are car dependent. I wouldn't recommend driving a U-Haul if you're an inexperienced driver - find somebody to help! As far as snow - you'll be just fine if you take it slow until you get some experience. And, no matter what anybody tells you, nobody can drive on ice. Don't even try. Good luck!

 

[UCLA2000]

Congrats. I'm a socal guy who went to Philly for med. Here's my advice.

1. Don't get ahead of yourself. Once you decide which school to attend you should fly back there and ask the students which areas are popular for students to live in. (choose a place around other students or you may find yourself lonely). Dorm or dorm equivalent may be a good place to start looking.
2. Find a place you like and secure housing. Do so a month or two prior to actually moving out there so that you aren't competing with every other student looking for housing. ALso, if you search prior to that, then you'll find that people have not yet notified their landlord's that they are moving.
3. There are numerous companies which you should look into that will allow you to rent a large crate. They then store, or ship the crate to a different city depending on your needs.

One company is called "city to city movers" another called "pods" i believe. THere are a few others. YOu can either look them up in the phone book or online.

Good Luck.

 

[JG198]

Learn to drive. You will have to in your life. But, do get help driving a U-Haul.
Driving in Snow is not too bad since places where they get snow regularly will be able to clear the roads fairly quickly.
Housing: try searching apartments online and contacting other students to find out where they live. Try to rely as little on your family so that you learn how to do these things but when you run into something you have no idea how to even start doing get help. Good luck

 

[snobored18]

A suggestion...if you think Cinci is your future destination before you head out book a flight with someone who can "actually" drive or learn to drive before hand you can't live in the midwest/mid-atlantic without this skill. Rent a car and check out potential places...go back compare notes and then try and make a decision when you get home...unlike in the big east and west coast cities apartment living isn't as hard to find as the cost of living allows most people to own their own property... If you've got a lot of junk you might consider finding a moving company...I know some actually do multiple moves (ie they have a semi and divide it up with like 2 or 3 people/families and then haul it from the west towards the east)...this will save you some cash and the stress of driving a u-haul cross country (trust me this sucks...especially if you are new to driving...the wind across the planes whips u-hauls all over the road). Drive your own car out yourself...shipping it is ridiculous...spend your money shipping your stuff not your car...arrive a few days before your stuff and make sure everything is good to go with your apartment and you should be set...if you go the u-haul route a tip make sure you have someone with you...its a real test of endurance going it alone and driving through the midwest is soooooo boring you will want someone to talk to so you don't fall asleep at the wheel...just a suggestion I've moved both ways and I am originally from the midwest...

 

[CerealBox]

when i moved Madison, WI --> Seattle, WA, i took a suitcase and left everything else behind.
in Seattle, I stayed in a hostel for about a week and looked for apts. when i found an apt, i used craiglist & IKEA to furnish it with stuff. To get an idea of how affordable this is, a kitchen table + chairs + computer desk + computer chair + book shelves + stand for tv + bed stand + small couch= $500 from IKEA.

if you want your car... i'd say just pack your true necessities and buy the rest of what you need in Cincinatti. have your best friend or mom drive out with you and then they can fly back.
and i bet there is some office at your school with lots of info on good places to live. ask around.

good luck!

 

[Faust]

Good thread I have also been wondering about all this stuff. Keep the stories coming. 👍

 

[theunderdog]

hey man (THE OP),

i'm a similar situation as in. i grew up in new jersey and am going to college in western PA... about 6 hours away from home... my family has a SUV, so they bring ALL my crap to school...

i will probably be going to med school in the south. like in the deep south... far from nj and far from home. my dad is buying me a car for medical school. something cheap. we are going to cram that little turd of a car a week before orientation week, drive down to the south, and move in... with the car there, i will then also buy everything i need for med school. my parents will then fly back home and the car is all mine for 4 years and possibly more...

i wouldn't recommend renting a Uhaul. especially driving it 3000+ miles. that will cost you the cost of a new used car. trust me. ive calculated the price from nj to the south. it's not worth it.

or what you could do is fly to ucinn, rent a car for a week for about $200 (taxes includes, and unlimited mileage) from the airport, and then buy all your crap for med school....

my cousin goes to ucinn. he is from nj and that's what he did.

 

[tacrum43]

I moved from San Luis Obispo (that's between SF and LA for you non-cali people) to Washington DC last summer.

I flew out there with my parents and brother to find housing in June, but we made it into a sort of vacation too by visiting my aunt whol lives in the area and playing tourist inbetween looking for housing. It was very useful to actually see the apartments, because there was such variability in quality for the price.

I ended up getting a furnished apartment, so that way I only had to bring a few things with me. I did buy a new bed though. I flew back again when I moved there, and rented a car for a few days while I went around picking up various odds and ends. As it turned out, I decided I missed having my car too much, so I got that shipped out a few weeks later. 😳

So if you think you will need your car at all, I would recommend driving it out there. However, maybe just load what you can and buy the rest when you get there, and rent a furnished apartment/house/dorm. Another option would be to buy a used car when you get there and do rent the Uhaul. And yes, I agree with fictionalgirl, your parents will probably want to go with you. They've put a fair bit of investment in you by now, so they want to make sure you're okay. 😉

 

[Pewl]

Yes, I admit, I'm so ashamed, I have zero "street smarts" or experience in the "real world". 🙁 Probably why I didn't get in the first time. (lacking 'maturity' 😛) I'm the classic spoiled Asian kid, not in the sense that my parents were rich and bought me lots of stuff (my parents are actually kind of poor), but that my my only responsibility/obligation was to excell academically, and everything else (financially/administratively) was taken care of for me. In college I learned to do a lot of stuff on my own, but still didn't really get to learn to drive, and honestly my roommate took care of paying and setting up the electricity bills, etc.

However, thank you for all the very helpful advice from you all! 👍 I've actually thought of living in the dorm thing before, but I'm pretty sure Cincinnati doesn't offer on-campus housing to med students. At least that's not the norm. It wasn't discussed as an option in the housing packet they sent me last cycle (back when I was stuck on the waitlist and didn't get in). If anyone knows differently please announce it. I'll call and ask them later as it gets closer to the summer. Maybe there are options to live for a semester in the undergrad dorms or something.

This entire ordeal will no doubt be an invaluable experience for me. It's high time I was forced to learn how to be an adult. 😉

And if anyone else has any more advice/opinion on the matter to give, please post!

Hey, I'm an Asian-American too currently living in Los Angeles. However, I was born and raised in the midwest so I have a lot of experience living in cold weather and living in the heartland in general. I think people are actually friendlier in the Midwest. There are lots of sob's in LA =P

And no, you do not need snow chains. Cities in the midwest and east coast are well prepared for snow with plows and salt.

And the word you're looking for isn't "spoiled," but "sheltered" =)

 

[FictionalGirl]

we should start an SDN roommates threat. For people who know where they're getting accepted and want a roommate they can talk to first - student housing or not. I know that AECOM has dorms, but i wouldn't know who in the world to live with. and after my roommate from hell the last two years (oh sure, she SEEEEMED nice before I discovered that she liked to leave rotting food hidden in weird places) I don't want to play roomie roulette.

Also, I agree about not taking too much stuff with you. However, I must admit that I"m terrible about this. I am in love with my bed and my ginormous desk. They go with me everywhere. I have to reassemble them and get a uhaul, but they are my babies. they're my comfort furniture alone with my zillion photographs of tree frogs (and the 5 stuffed tree frogs) I find comfort in familiar furniture, so i'm into taking my stuff. HOWEVER books are another story. I'm an english major and am very attached to my books. unfortunately, after moving with them, i've learned that when you have more books than other possessions its best to pair down. I'm only allowing myself 3 boxes for med school. no more.

And the idea about IKEA? fantastic! but make sure never to abuse ikea furniture, it implodes. i know. don't ask. and know how to use a screw driver. if you can't drive and you can't assemble, IKEA only compounds your problem :-D

and as far as driving, you can't be any worse a driver than the $(@(*@*@'s that hit me last night and drove off without having license plates attached to their car. take comfort in that.

 

[FictionalGirl]

By the way, Mess.... um, from where does the German Air Force interest spring from? 😛

 

[Messerschmitts]

know how to use a screw driver. if you can't drive and you can't assemble, IKEA only compounds your problem :-D.

Yes, I can use a screwdriver, I'm not that sheltered. 😛 Your idea for the roommate thread is a good one, but it may be a tad early. I believe it's likely I'll end up at UCinn, but I'm still "in the game" for several schools I'd rather go to (namely, OSU or UCSD, but the latter is a really long shot considering that horrendous interview), thus finding potential roommates for specific schools is too early.

By the way, Mess.... um, from where does the German Air Force interest spring from? 😛

I'm impressed, no one has noticed what "Messerschmitts" was referring to before you! I'm a big military history buff, especially interested in German WWII military. I minored in German in college. I watched a lot of History Channel (aka "WWII channel") when I was in high school. Just to pre-empt overzealous people, I am always required to type the following disclaimer: I am NOT a Nazi, Hitler was evil, yes Holocaust happened and was terrible, etc. etc. My Chinese grandparents witnessed and fought against some grotesque Japanese atrocities so I know all about how evil the Axis were. I just admired the technical aspects of the WWII-era German military.

 

[NapeSpikes]

I am always required to type the following disclaimer: I am NOT a Nazi...

 

[samdwi]

Hello SDNers, I'm wondering if I could get some helpful advice regarding the logistics of attending a medical school that's very far from your current locaton, in particular, finding a place to live and moving there.

I'm kind of sheltered and have never been too far away from home (viz., my parents). My family lives in Los Angeles. When I attended UC Berkeley, my dad drove his big van with all my stuff all the way up to Norcal and helped me move in. Reverse deal when I moved out. I don't really drive; I have a driver's license, but really it's only "in theory". I only got my license 2 weeks before the beginning of college. Then for 4 years at UC Berkeley I had no car and didn't need one (great public transportation in the Bay Area), so my driving ability is laughable.

Right now it looks very likely that I'm going to have to attend an out-of-state medical school, like so many of my Californian compadres, and at this point, it's looking like it's gonna be the University of Cincinnati. How am I going to move there with all my stuff? Renting a U-Haul and driving 3,000 miles across the wilderness of the American Heartland may be the most direct and brutal way to do it. However, as I mentioned I'm a terrible driver, and I don't think I can put any of my family members through such an ordeal. I don't really think that's an option. I'm probably going to need to learn how to drive better in order to live in Cincinnati. My mom's going to give me her old car, but how am I going to get the car there for that matter, without driving it there? Is it worth it to "ship" the car there, or should I just sell the current car and buy a new car there? While we're on the topic of cars, I've never lived in an area that snows. Do you need snow chains whenever it snows, even if it's on the main streets in the downtown? Are there any special precautions for car maintence in areas that snow that are not obvious?

And what about looking for housing? The plane tickets are so expensive for the Cincinnati-Kentucky airport, do I have to physically be there for like a week in the late spring/early summer for the sole purpose of finding housing? Or can I do this online via telephone/internet? Can housing contracts/leases be signed via fax?

Anyone with advice/experience dealing with "starting up" in a distant, new city for medical school will be much appreciated. Anyone with specific information regarding Cincinnati or UCinn will be doubly appreciated. 😉

Driving a U-Haul (use Budget Truck or Penske instead) cross-country would actually be a good way to familiarize yourself with driving. You can tow your mom's old car behind the truck too.

I would see this cross-country road trip as a fun experience rather than an ordeal - IMO, take advantage of it.

 

[dmaes]

Hey,

There is on campus housing as well as off campus university affiliated housing available at UC. I've no experience with it but it might not be a bad way to get to know UC and Cincinnati your first year. Check out the link for graduate housing UC housing.

If you are living on campus you won't necessarily need a car. Clifton is right there and is a cool place to hang out. However, Cincinnati's public transportation system isn't very good and having a car would be nice. If you feel uncomfortable driving start driving more now so you are squared away when school starts. Hell, take a drivers ed class if your really worried about it. You have someone next to you who can slam on the brake if you do something less than smart. Cincinnati doesn't get that much snow so I wouldn't worry about it too much. The city sort of shuts down for a while when it does get snow. The city isn't quite as prepared or capable as say Cleveland. If you live close to (or on campus) there's no worries. You don't need chains everytime it snows. We've had one decent storm this winter. The roads were a mess the night of the storm with a lot of people getting stuck on the side of the road when I was driving home from work. The next morning the roads were fine. If you are paranoid the suggestion of an all wheel drive car is a reasonable one. Audi is a nice car if you have the $$$. Subaru's a reasonable alternative. Also Pontiac and Toyota have the Vibe/matrix with available awd which have good reps.

I think that a road trip would be a lot of fun if you approach it with a good attitude. Get Travel's With Charlie by Steinbeck, load up the car and or truck and have a go. If you do opt to rent a moving truck, I too recomend going with someone else besides Uhaul. They most definitely suck. You could check in to PODS or a drive away service if you need/want to bring a lot of stuff with you.

Good luck.

 

[45408]

Yeah, I'd say you sound much more sheltered than spoiled. I'm only 21, but I've driven at least 60,000 miles in the past five years. If you're anywhere in the Midwest other than Chicago, you'll probably want a car.

Anyways, I'm going to comment on the driving in the snow. It's an art, that's for sure, and the biggest thing is that you have to do everything more slowly. Accelerate slowly, brake slowly, and turn slowly. If you're going to be driving much in snow at all, do yourself a favor and take a car into a large parking lot right after it snows and practice. Do a few donuts and stuff (it's fun too). Front wheel drive cars tend to be easier to manage in the snow than RWD, and AWD or 4WD are obviously the best. You'll see why SUVs have caught on so much - the increased ground clearance and 4WD make everything a lot easier when you're in snow. Once you're about two days past a snow storm though, the plows and salt have the streets completely cleared and dry.

Also, I'd like to second the Craigslist option. I picked up a 55" rear-projection TV for only $300 (which meant only $100 each for me and my roommates). Ikea is cool too, but there may not be a store near you.

and no offense, but I have to stick a in here. I've never ever used snow chains, and I can't imagine how bad it would have to be to need them.

Ahhh, if you're close to your parents you'd be amazed where they'll drag themselves with you. So, I haven't heard back from AECOM yet, but i'm REALLLLLLY hoping to get an acceptance there. I live in AZ and AECOM is in the Bronx, and if I get to go, my mom and Dad and I are going to rent a u-haul do the drive and then they're going to fly back. I'd do this if I was 18 , 22, 25, or hell, even 30. My parents just like to see where i'm gonna live and that i'm okay. So yours will probably do the same for you.

I live less than 12 miles from my parents, and my mom didn't even come see the house for three months, and my dad still hasn't seen it (I moved in at the end of August). Sometimes it's kind of a bummer. 😳 my parents were arguing over who "had" to go with me to my freshman orientation (parents were encouraged to come), so I just told them if it was this terrible, that I'll just go alone.

 

[Messerschmitts]

There is on campus housing as well as off campus university affiliated housing available at UC. I've no experience with it but it might not be a bad way to get to know UC and Cincinnati your first year. Check out the link for graduate housing UC housing
Good luck.

Awesome! This may be just what the doctor ordered! 😀 Thank you so much, and also for all your other advice about living in Cincinnati! And yes I'm not surprised Cleveland is more prepared for snow. The first time I saw falling snow in my life was November of this year when I interviewed at Case Western in Cleveland (I was so excited!). Not quite like in the movies.

At this point I don't think I'm going to be driving cross-country. I've discussed this with my father, and he recommends I try to find furnished housing, then pack up all my other miscellaneous belongings in boxes and ship them over via UPS once I get set up there by plane. As for the car issue, we haven't quite figured it out yet...seems like the most cost-effective way is to just sell my mom's car and buy a new one there. However, having no experience in haggling prices to purchase a car, I stand the risk of being gouged. As much as my parents love me, they're not too psyched about driving 3,000+ miles. 😛

Btw, when should I start seriously searching for housing and making lease committments in order to be competitive (timeframe-wise)? Late May/Early June would be my gut instinct. Anyone have different opinions?

 

[p00psicleSTICK]

End of spring semester is always a good time to look for housing (late may - june). People are moving out! You'd probably want to move in about 2-4 weeks before school orientation and get used to the place.

 

[shortyganoush]

Awesome! This may be just what the doctor ordered! 😀 Thank you so much, and also for all your other advice about living in Cincinnati! And yes I'm not surprised Cleveland is more prepared for snow. The first time I saw falling snow in my life was November of this year when I interviewed at Case Western in Cleveland (I was so excited!). Not quite like in the movies.

I'm also from LA , and my interview in Dever for UCHSC was the first time since I've seen and touched snow since I went to Yosemite (age 4). I tried to hide my excitement/awe from the other more local or just snow accustomed applicants. However, I am amaised that you spent so much time in the city of angels without learning to drive. It's not like our city is known for public transportation. Taking my car with me to college was half the reason I chose UCSD over Berkeley.

 

[Saluki]

we should start an SDN roommates threat. For people who know where they're getting accepted and want a roommate they can talk to first - student housing or not. I know that AECOM has dorms, but i wouldn't know who in the world to live with. and after my roommate from hell the last two years (oh sure, she SEEEEMED nice before I discovered that she liked to leave rotting food hidden in weird places) I don't want to play roomie roulette.

Also, I agree about not taking too much stuff with you. However, I must admit that I"m terrible about this. I am in love with my bed and my ginormous desk. They go with me everywhere. I have to reassemble them and get a uhaul, but they are my babies. they're my comfort furniture alone with my zillion photographs of tree frogs (and the 5 stuffed tree frogs) I find comfort in familiar furniture, so i'm into taking my stuff. HOWEVER books are another story. I'm an english major and am very attached to my books. unfortunately, after moving with them, i've learned that when you have more books than other possessions its best to pair down. I'm only allowing myself 3 boxes for med school. no more.

And the idea about IKEA? fantastic! but make sure never to abuse ikea furniture, it implodes. i know. don't ask. and know how to use a screw driver. if you can't drive and you can't assemble, IKEA only compounds your problem :-D

and as far as driving, you can't be any worse a driver than the $(@(*@*@'s that hit me last night and drove off without having license plates attached to their car. take comfort in that.

I wish you were going where I'm going- I'd be your room buddy! 😛

 

[Messerschmitts]

: Taking my car with me to college was half the reason I chose UCSD over Berkeley.

And not having to drive was half the reason I chose Berkeley (over UCLA)! 😀 I didn't get my license until I was 18, and in August at that, 2 weeks before the start of college. After I got to Berkeley there was no car and no place to park it even if I had one. It's parking ticket city up there. 😀 I miss the BART. I think I'm NorCal at heart, despite having grown up in el cuidad de los angeles.