Hello OwenMichael (again). Thanks for answering our questions. I have a few more about the Mayo experience...
(1) What happens in July? If I remember correctly, there was stuff that occured before the "actual" classes start.
(2) The two weeks "off"...I remeber you could do research, shadow, volunteer, etc. If you want to do research, is there really time enough to do this? Or is this more of an exclusive shadowing time (which sounds great, too)? Is the research quarter still part of the curriculum? (I know it existed in the "old" curriculum that is on the website, but just wanted to make sure it was retained.)
(3) I know you can do rotations in AZ, FL, or Rochester...but can you stay in Rochester the whole time, if you desire? Just want to make sure you don't get "shipped out" like some other schools if you do not desire this.
Thanks so much!!😍
1) It is a three week orientation/ leadership block. We spent a couple of hours every day working in small groups with doctors and small lecture discussing teamwork, leadership qualities, communication etc... Sounds corny but it was ALOT of fun and they made it engaging and interactive. Plus our class got to know each other so fast... and alot of us credit us being so close to having a chance to get to know each other in a layed back, interactive environment. They had lots of activities at night too for students.. they took us on a minicruise of hte mississippi where there were two bars, a gourmet dinner prepared by a chef on board.... they took us to dinner at the late "Dr. Plummer's Foundation house".... dance events etc... They spoiled us.
2) This is reserved for alot of things. Most of us have done anything but shadow. The administration and our professors have "pre-arranged" some selectives so that you can just pick one if it interests. Examples include a "surgical specialties selective" where you go in the simulation center and work in a small group with an anatomy professor learning surgical skills. Procedural skills was another option (learning how to cast, give shots, intubate, insert IV's). We also have public health selectives (volunteer at a refugee clinic), health literacy selectives, public health selectives, medical ethic selectives... . They are available and alot of them are works in progrress (since we ar ethe first year(. A guy in our class even shadowed a Chicago Bulls doctors too for a dose of sports medicine. Some of our classmates are going to guatemala to volunteer in underprivileged regions this february.. another group is going to haiti in a few months to establish a long term relationship between underprivileged clinics and mayo, another group is working for an NGO for a month in Bolivia over the summer. The cool thing is ITS ALL PAID FOR!... Most of us never thought med school would be a ticket to travel for free and do cool, meaningfull things abroad. Research is a little harder. I know kids in our class who have worked hardcore in labs over the two weeks and then tailor off during classes (research doesn't necessarily man lab work... but can also encompass writing up case studies for publication for physicians who don't have time too). Some people do shadow.. ... but its not just following a physician. Almost ALL of the docs here let you do as much as your comfortable with (patient history, physical exam, attempt at diagnosis) and will go way out of their way to teach you and answer your questions. A guy in our class even had a chance to shadow the CEO of the clinic to get a dose of what health policy was like.
The reseearch quarter still exists during third year... and its awesome because something like 90% of the kids publish which makes you even more desirable for residency.
3) You can stay in rochester for ALL rotations. Arizona and florida is something they encourage if you want a break during the winter. Plus rotations to Fl or Az are all paid for so that you don't hav eto worry about money at all.
Mayo has made their curriculum so innovative and dynamic that its unbelievable. We really do feel like we are the luckiest medical students in the world... the opportunites are unbelievable, as is the teaching. Most of all, our curriculum is structured so that we are not stressed. I know you probably hear that from ALOT of medical students.... but we REALLY have fun and learn a ton. This institution, the teachers, and the students are truly spectacular.
PM if you have anymore questions.
