MSUCOM Class of 2005

[mcprotein]

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When do we get are finacial aid checks? Will we have them in time to buy equipment during orientation? Also how do we apply for the 3000$ computer loan. Finally do we have to scribe in order to get them or can we just pay the fee and get them. I am a horrible typist and scribing a lecture would take me maybe 7 months 😉 peace my fellow masoquists. MCP. MSUCOM clizzass of 05 beeatches!!!!!!

 

[wren1976]

Hi MCProtein!

Well, I did a search on some previous posts here in SDN because I remember reading about some things that pertain to your questions. Here is what I found:

posted June 07, 2000 11:13 PM by MOXIEJEN DO 2003

You will probably pay close to $750 for your medical equipment, which is for the rest of your med school career. Otoscope, Opthalmoscope, Stethoscope, doctor toys, you get the idea. At MSUCOM, if you join SOMA (Student Osteopathic Medical Association) then you get great discounts on the equipment, and your membership pays for itself. You will also need a pair of scrubs for your clinical skills class. They sell them cheap the day of the equipment sale.

As for books, there is another thread going on that, so you can reference that. You will spend close to $350 for coursepacks for your first three semesters.
We also have a scribe service. If you 'subscribe' to the scribe service, you get the notes for all classes for roughly $275 a semester. However, if you become a scribe, (which I highly recommend) you get paid $40 per lecture (It'll take you 3-4 hrs to do a scribe) and you get all your scribes for free. If you are an auditor, you dont' get paid, as you only proofread, drop it off to be xeroxed, and stuff mailboxes, but you do get your scribes for free.
I've spent close to $500 on texts for my first three semesters, but I got lucky and my big sib loaned me quite a few that I needed.

Yes, Anatomy at MSUCOM is intense, but the instructors are awesome. But, then again, anatomy is supposed to be intense, as it's the initiation ritual into med school. At MSU the cadavers are prosected, thank God, so you can spend your time memorizing muscle after bone after nerve after artery after structure......

.....

Loans are disbursed usually four days after you have bounced five checks. Seriously though, they are disbursed the first week of each semester, so you don't get the money early.

I'm glad you asked about computers! Don't buy one until you get to campus! Last year they alloted us $3,000 in loan money above and beyond what your package is to buy yourself a computer. What happens is, you go buy it, give the receipt to Diane in financial aid, and they adjust your package, and cut you a reimbursement check. I didn't find out about this until after I bought a $1,000 computer with my own money. It does the job, but if I had known I had the use of loan money for it, I could have bought a better one.

Jen

I also read that you can pick and choose which scribe notes you want at the beginning of the year - I guess there are some classes you probably don't need scribe notes for.

The equipment sale is Thursday, the last day of orientation (Aug 23rd). And from what SOMA wrote about it, it's worth buying from their sale because the discount is worth the dues you pay to join. Also you can buy courspacks that day but you can only use cash or check. I am not sure about the equipment sale though, any first years know if you can use a credit card for equipment?

Hope everyone is doing OK! Getting antsy now!

Miriam

 

[Rusty]

Originally posted by sgill:
•I have a quick question for scribers. How much time outside of class does it take to scribe a lecture? How often are you assigned to scribe a lecture? Thanks for your help. 🙂•

Scribes are scheduled for a 1 hour lecture slot per week. The time it takes to scribe the audio tape of this lecture varies from person to person depending on their typing and listening skills. The first couple of times it may take you longer but you should be able to scribe a lecture in under 3 hours.

 

[fat_ra]

Hello everyone,

I'm Jim Ryan and I'll be your class mate this fall, I'm looking forward to meeting ye all and maybe playing some music when there's time (and beer). I'm in Ireland at the moment (where I grew up), but will be back in Michigan (where I live) in plenty of time for the National Folk Festival, Aug 10th or something (be sure to go as it is great fun, and free). http://www.nff.net/
I'm married to a Michiganian and have a nine month old dwarf (whom we are training to perform tricks for money).
Adios

 

[molecular-bio guy]

I wanted to get this on the top of the list, because I am waiting to hear about anyone else on the waitlist, if they are still interested in MSU-COM, or anyone that is going to decline their seat so someone else (ME HOPEFULLY!!!!) can have it!!!!

Anyone out there that hasn't decided yet needs to PLEASE hurry up so the rest of us can find out where to live and actually enjoy the summer.

Thanx
😀

 

[mcprotein]

Can we use some of the computer loan to get a palm pilot?? MCP

 

[sgill]

I have a quick question about the Physical Examination and History Taking book. Do we need the big, hardback (I am assuming unabridged) version of this book or is the pocket version sufficient for the course?

 

[wren1976]

MC Protein:
I called Judi Marx (sp?) in financial aid about the computer allowance because I was curious too about palm pilots. She said tnat palms aren't covered in the $3000 allowance. But printers are. If there is a specific item you are not sure that isn't covered, find out how much it'll be along with the computer you want and check with her before you buy it.

For instance, I will probably get a laptop but I want to get a docking station. She didn't know if that was covered so I have to look up the price and let her know so she can get back with me too.

 

[docflanny]

To address the clinical skills book question:

I'd recommend not buying the book just yet. This last year, our classes did not require its use. I bought the full-size version, but believe the pocket size would be fine.

Personally, having the Bates book will be most useful starting 2nd or 3rd year when you need to look something up. Usually, you'll tend to remember your basic exam skills while your taking clinical skills class (1st and 2nd semesters).

Books that I strongly suggest:

1) Netter ~$75(Anatomy Atlas-a must)alone,and/or(Rowan-maybe-real life Anatomy pictures with labels)
2) Berman (Histology Atlas)$~35
3) OMT Review (Actually a board review book for OMM, but much easier to understand than Greenman and sometimes the OMM profs (don't tell them I told you this though)- inexpensive)(I really like this book!!!)$25

Don't buy any books until you get here though. ACOFP (family practice interest group) raffles off some key books during orientation.

Have a great summer.

 

[docflanny]

Scott and I are amusing ourselves by avising you guys of all the things you should and should not do. How funny! Inevitably, all these recommendations are just that recommendations. You'll find the key to your success at medical school is finding what's right for you (and listening to that "inner-sense").

One more suggestion I will make to those anxious about school and really feel that they need to study something: If you've never had a medical terminology course before, consider learning it on your own this summer. Med term books are workbooks that you learn to roots, suffixes, etc. Knowing a little med term will increase your learning curve for classes (being more familiar with the medical jargon that you'll continue to learn through your careers). This is purely optional though, many of my friends still manage to get by without ever having it.

If you do decide to study med term. It is usually a decent sized workbook that is very easy to work through, does not require much thought. Also you could probably get through a med term text in less than 30 hours.

just my $.02 for the day,

 

[kyoung]

Hi everyone!
Hope you all are having a great summer. Last week a thread was posted about having documentaries done on several Osteo schools. So far 11 of the 19 schools are interested in filming the beginning of our years as med students. I have contacted MSU's film department, and they are interested in the project. The point of the film is to explore what osteopathic medicine is and the reality of med students. Kind of like the PBS special last spring on Harvard med students, but with osteopathic students. If anyone is interested please let me know! I think this would be a great way to support the osteopathic profession and to shed light on it to the public. We's hoping to collaborate with other schools, with a possibility of air time on PBS. If not, it could be used as a recruiting tool for the school. Let me know your thoughts, and check out the documentary film thread to get a better idea.
-Kari

 

[wren1976]

Kari!

I wanted to post something in that forum about participating, but you beat me to the punch! I am still interested, and I think it would be really cool. Now are they trying to get like somebody from like local student film department to help out each school, or will it be an individual/group of students thing?

Miriam

 

[kyoung]

I've contacted MSU's film department, and they are interested. Also Kathie Schafer (admission's director) gave the ok. Now we just need the go ahead from MSU PR person. I emailed her today, so hopefully I will hear something soon. Kathie was interested in getting some of the orientation on tape, so once I hear from the PR lady, then we need to get together with the film department to see if we can start that early. If anyone has suggestions on what they would like in it, let me know - email me:
[email protected]
Hope you all have a good 4th!
- kari 🙂

 

[DOC-2005]

To upperclassmen...do I need a car for the first year of medical school? I have been debating on whether to buy a new car or use the money to pay off other debts. I know most of the first year classes will be in Life Sciences and the labs will be in Fee Hall (approx. 10 mins. apart). Would a bus pass do? Or, do you recommend that I get a car? The few times that I have taken the bus it has been relatively reliable; have you heard otherwise? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Esteban Ramirez

 

[docflanny]

Esteban,

If you'll be living relatively close to campus, a bike will work. Many students bike to class. You do not need a car.

 

[swdave]

Hey Everyone!

I've just decided to accept a late invite from MSU and the dave tribe is gonna land in MI!

I looked at housing when I interviewed months ago but will be coming out in a few days to find something QUICK!

I can hardly concentrate at work since the reality of school starting is moving ever closer.

See you all sooner than we all expect.

Dave

 

[Popoy]

Good luck Dave.... I'd thought you'd post up here as well 😀

 

[D.O.'s rule]

Congrats Dave, I just gave up me seat at MSUCOM this week. You probably got it!! Good luck. MSUCOM has a great program and I really liked the year round curriculum. The winters in Lansing are nasty though. Not the cold so much as the grey skies. Good luck and have fun!!!!

 

[swdave]

Anyone have a couch or something I can crash on Sun. and Mon. nights while I look for a house?

I've got a few people that I can call but I thought I try a post here as well.

Dave

 

[docflanny]

swdave,

congratulations on being accepted! how relieved you must feel now, but also rattled to find housing at this stage of the game. i'm sure you'll be able to secure something decent though, despite the late start.

let me know if you need somewhere to stay for a couple days. my roommate and I are both 2nd years (in a couple weeks) that live 3 miles from campus.

email: [email protected]

 

[DOC-2005]

I'm planning on going this weekend to the SOASM softball game this weekend...anyone else going?

 

[R. Dale Jackson]

Howdy Everyone!

I have not engaged in a whole lot of Internet cruising this summer, so I have been away for a while. I just wanted you guys/gals to know that I will be moving to East Lansing next week. I will most likely be in town by Wednesday, 1 August. I am sharing a house on West Saginaw with a current MS-1 and II. I look forward to meeting you all.

Dale Jackson
🙂

 

[swdave]

Hi Dale,

I'll also be moving in soon to a house on E Grand River. I'm closing on it August 10th.

I have a question about bank accounts. Does anyone have a bank they'd suggest? I have 2 real requirements:

-Online banking and billpaying
-ATM near or on campus

I've also wondered if there is a Credit Union available to MSU students?

Let me know.

PS Docflanny was a VERY gracious host during my house hunting earlier this week. I met MANY of his classmates and it was a great time. I can't wait to meet up with everyone.

Dave

 

[DOC-2005]

Dave,

Consider Michigan National or Michigan State University Credit Union.

 

[wren1976]

Hey guys, was the softball thing this weekend? If it was, how did it go? Gosh, one more week and I am off of work! I can't wait!

 

[swdave]

Thanks Esteban, I'll check those banks out very soon.

I'm always in for a good softball game, but I'm kinda ignorant of what SOASM stands for.

That one u mentioned is probably long gone but I'm sure there will be others I'll get in on.

Dave

 

[DOC-2005]

Hi wren1976-- Yep, the game was this weekend; it was fun. I met a lot of new classmates along with many 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years. There were a total of about 15 incoming first years.

I know what you're feeling, I just quit my job last Friday.

To Dave: Student Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (SOASM). We didn't have to join the organization...it just provided an avenue to have fun and get to know one another. I'm sure you're right about there being other opportunities to play.

 

[wren1976]

Hey guys! August 16th is a-nearing, and I am so looking forward to meeting everyone! So I got this tuition bill and my eyes went POP until I saw the balance due was $0.00. Then I brightened up a little bit (just denial until I graduate with $141,000 or so debt) and saw we still have to send in the $0 balance stubb back into the student accounts office. So how can I save 34 cents? I asked myself. I saw the website where you can "submit your stub" online. So I am posting my findings because I can.

If you have a pilot ID you can just go to the STUINFO page, log in and in the Billing History submit your stub.

But if you don't have a pilot ID yet, you can do this online too! Go to the Pilot Set Up page and you need your PID and PAN you needed before for scheduling (you need it to set up/activate your email account).

have fun, see you in a little over a couple of weeks!

 

[cocobeanz]

hello class of 2005!
i am a classmate of docflanny (2004), by the way hey doc flanny! i cant wait to meet all of you first years. i am the exception in that i thought the past year was a blast. i met so many new friends and although the schoolwork was very hard, i still loved being here at com. now that we have the next three weeks off i plan on doing mindless things like not getting off the couch this weekend. congrats to you all!

 

[swdave]

What's the last thing I do before I pack my computer?

Post to SDN of course!

Anyone that's available Friday at around 3pm I'm going to moving my family in out house at:

1422 E Grand River in Lansing

I won't be able to reply until I get there cause this is IT, I'm on the road in the morning and everything is packed!

See everyone VERY soon,

Dave

 

[cocobeanz]

good luck swdave!
see you soon!!!
ill be there on the 17th to meet you all. coco