Nova Southeastern Univ (NSU-COM) Discussion Thread 2012 - 2013

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
I stayed at the Hampton Inn and it was pretty nice! There's this awesome restaurant/bar called Bokamper's yall should go to if you have time!

Good Luck! Nova is awesome 🙂

Thanks for the tip!

Sent from my Galaxy S2
 
Aw mann 🙁 It would have be awesome to meet up again for some pre- interview day hang out!



Thanks dsoz. Yup, looks like I'm going to have to go back! I think I will def like Fort Lauderdale more. I've also heard some amazing things about the school, but we'll see if it's a good fit for me! 😀

Did you apply to nsu late?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile
 
Can any interviewees ask about the whole iPad thing? Will the next class be getting them?

I'm interviewing on the 27th, I'll ask them then. Did they hint that they were going to implement iPads???

Sent from my Galaxy S2
 
That's the plan right now 🙂 You don't owe me anything, but I'll be happy to have a drink with any of my classmates!

I think it's surreal knowing I may be classmates next year with the infamous MedPR 😛 Will you and your girlfriend be living separately come next year? How will you make it work? Just wondering because I'd have to move far from my girl for a while as well and curious how others are handling this.
 
I'm interviewing on the 27th, I'll ask them then. Did they hint that they were going to implement iPads???

Sent from my Galaxy S2

The idea was floated on the Facebook group by another interviewee. Dr Echols allegedly mentioned an upcoming partnership with apple and the decision was supposed to be made by this past Monday.
 
Did you apply to nsu late?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile

Yeah. I added both NSU and DMU much later on. It was a bad idea, I should have added them from the start 🙁
 
Do you have to go to classes, or can you watch them online?
 
Do you have to go to classes, or can you watch them online?

What we were told during our interview by the students is the rule is 80% attendance or something like that. If you're doing well and drop below that..no one will bother you. But if you're borderline failing and have only made it to 40% of lecture don't expect anyone to have any sympathy for you. I think there are some lectures that are mandatory. Lectures are posted online though.


Of course, someone like Neurolax would know more. I'm just repeating what I heard.
 
Do you have to go to classes, or can you watch them online?

What we were told during our interview by the students is the rule is 80% attendance or something like that. If you're doing well and drop below that..no one will bother you. But if you're borderline failing and have only made it to 40% of lecture don't expect anyone to have any sympathy for you. I think there are some lectures that are mandatory. Lectures are posted online though.


Of course, someone like Neurolax would know more. I'm just repeating what I heard.

Ditto what skittles said. Lectures are recorded, and there is an attendance policy. Go to class. Catching up, especially before exams, is NOT fun.
 
Cool, thanks! I have my interview here next week and I am trying to find out as much as I can beforehand. There isn't much info on the website.
 
Cool, thanks! I have my interview here next week and I am trying to find out as much as I can beforehand. There isn't much info on the website.

I've heard a lot of people say that but I found tons of info: curriculum, rotation sites, a course catalog and lots of other info.
 
I think it's surreal knowing I may be classmates next year with the infamous MedPR 😛 Will you and your girlfriend be living separately come next year? How will you make it work? Just wondering because I'd have to move far from my girl for a while as well and curious how others are handling this.


Well she won't be able to move out to FL until we are MS2s. She will be an MS4 next year and then hopefully be able to find a good residency spot near Nova. Not sure how it will work yet!
 
Well she won't be able to move out to FL until we are MS2s. She will be an MS4 next year and then hopefully be able to find a good residency spot near Nova. Not sure how it will work yet!

Sounds like you guys already have a decent plan worked out so that's great! Luckily yours is already through med school so she knows the drill of how difficult it is. Definitely a plus!
 
Med school is difficult? Wait what???

I've been tricked.

Lol. My last gf couldn't understand why I put so much time studying during undergrad. Some really are clueless/don't get it no matter how many times you explain to them how much time it requires.
 
I am scared of med school in part because of my background. Undergrad work in math was in part memorization in mechanical classes like calc or diff eq or any applied math class really. Upper division courses were more about cleverly using definitions and theorems to ones advantage but one still had to memorize the the defn and the theorems. As I went into graduate school for math the memorization was maybe 10% of the game and the test was just sitting in my office staring at my doodles until I found a way to prove something.

I realize that there are logical bridges to medicine as well but no way can it be 90% of what one learns. I am not in med school yet so perhaps I should reserve judgment but it seems there is a lot more to memorize than "understand," at least initially. I know it will be tough to change the way my brain has been trained over the past 8 years. Anyone have similar concerns or suggestions on how to tackle them?

Sorry if this is off topic but I would wager a few others besides me would like to know perhaps for different reasons. Everyone says to enjoy the time off before med school. I'd like to be clear that I am not asking for what books to read prior to matriculation but that if I do read for pleasure would i be benefitted by reading fast or slow? Are there any habits that are helpful to form prior to med school? I sincerely hope this doesn't come across as gunner training. I really would like to avoid non academic pitfalls if possible.
 
I am scared of med school in part because of my background. Undergrad work in math was in part memorization in mechanical classes like calc or diff eq or any applied math class really. Upper division courses were more about cleverly using definitions and theorems to ones advantage but one still had to memorize the the defn and the theorems. As I went into graduate school for math the memorization was maybe 10% of the game and the test was just sitting in my office staring at my doodles until I found a way to prove something.

I realize that there are logical bridges to medicine as well but no way can it be 90% of what one learns. I am not in med school yet so perhaps I should reserve judgment but it seems there is a lot more to memorize than "understand," at least initially. I know it will be tough to change the way my brain has been trained over the past 8 years. Anyone have similar concerns or suggestions on how to tackle them?

Sorry if this is off topic but I would wager a few others besides me would like to know perhaps for different reasons. Everyone says to enjoy the time off before med school. I'd like to be clear that I am not asking for what books to read prior to matriculation but that if I do read for pleasure would i be benefitted by reading fast or slow? Are there any habits that are helpful to form prior to med school? I sincerely hope this doesn't come across as gunner training. I really would like to avoid non academic pitfalls if possible.


The only habit I'm going to work on before matriculation is regular exercise. Otherwise I'll weigh 500lbs on match day.
 
The only habit I'm going to work on before matriculation is regular exercise. Otherwise I'll weigh 500lbs on match day.

How much do you weigh now med?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile
 
I know I am a little late, but I just got into Nova this Tuesday. I am so excited to go there next year.
 
Hey Everyone,
So correct me if I am wrong but on interview day they said they will "give" us a CD with all of the books we need for the school year already on there and we just have to download the onto our computers, right?

Does anyone know the name of the color of scrubs we need to buy?

Also, during M1 do you take all of the classes at the same time: Biochem, Micro, Histology...meaning you have the same schedule every week for that year? How is it broken down? Do we get any opportunities to shadow in M1? What about the simulation lab, when do we start utilizing it?

I know that's a lot of questions...thanks in advance!
 
Hey Everyone,
So correct me if I am wrong but on interview day they said they will "give" us a CD with all of the books we need for the school year already on there and we just have to download the onto our computers, right?

Does anyone know the name of the color of scrubs we need to buy?

Also, during M1 do you take all of the classes at the same time: Biochem, Micro, Histology...meaning you have the same schedule every week for that year? How is it broken down? Do we get any opportunities to shadow in M1? What about the simulation lab, when do we start utilizing it?

I know that's a lot of questions...thanks in advance!

They will give you the CD during first week. It has all your books on there.

Scrubs need to be Ciel Blue. Pick any color or design you want for anatomy lab.

The schedule is not exactly the same week to week. We take Histo and lab, Physio, Biochem, Anatomy and lab, OPP and lab, and a few others together first semester. Micro is second semester.

There is an entire course spanning pre-clinical years that requires you to shadow local docs 4-5 times per semester. Up to you if you want to do more outside of school and the IGC preceptor course.

We haven't used the sim lab much during first semester. We will get more time in there in the future. You will have plenty of exposure to standardized patients starting first semester for Physical Diagnosis.
 
They will give you the CD during first week. It has all your books on there.

Scrubs need to be Ciel Blue. Pick any color or design you want for anatomy lab.

The schedule is not exactly the same week to week. We take Histo and lab, Physio, Biochem, Anatomy and lab, OPP and lab, and a few others together first semester. Micro is second semester.

There is an entire course spanning pre-clinical years that requires you to shadow local docs 4-5 times per semester. Up to you if you want to do more outside of school and the IGC preceptor course.

We haven't used the sim lab much during first semester. We will get more time in there in the future. You will have plenty of exposure to standardized patients starting first semester for Physical Diagnosis.

Thanks man!!!

Gotta start looking for some scrubs!

Do we get a kit with a stethoscope etc when we get there or do we have to buy our own stuff?

That's really awesome that you get to shadow 4-5 times a semester. I wanna try to do it as much as I can, it keeps me motivated to study hard!

So excited to go to Nova!!!!
 
Thanks man!!!

Gotta start looking for some scrubs!

Do we get a kit with a stethoscope etc when we get there or do we have to buy our own stuff?

That's really awesome that you get to shadow 4-5 times a semester. I wanna try to do it as much as I can, it keeps me motivated to study hard!

So excited to go to Nova!!!!

A representative from Welch-Allyn was there during first week to educate and sell diagnostic equipment. You have to pay for it so make sure to save some money for the first couple of weeks. You'll need money for club week, too. More on that later.
 
A representative from Welch-Allyn was there during first week to educate and sell diagnostic equipment. You have to pay for it so make sure to save some money for the first couple of weeks. You'll need money for club week, too. More on that later.

I heard during the interview that it's in your best interest to get the best BP cuff and steth (Lipman cardio III I think?). How much would those cost and do they expect you to buy any more equipment?
 
I heard during the interview that it's in your best interest to get the best BP cuff and steth (Lipman cardio III I think?). How much would those cost and do they expect you to buy any more equipment?

I got the best stethoscope offered and the cheaper BP cuff. My reasoning was that offices will have cuffs and I wanted to get a good stethoscope that would last a while. I guess you could hold off on getting the ophthalmoscope and otoscope but I just ordered it with everything else from Welch-Allyn to save myself the headache of making another order. Everything (stethoscope, BP cuff, otoscope, and ophthalmoscope, reflex hammer, tuning forks) was about $450-500. Most of that cost was the otoscope and ophthalmoscope diagnostic kit. Don't buy an expensive pen light. You can get one for $5 online or at a uniform store. It's a penlight.
 
Really. I mean really.

Did you also ONLY get a 43?

I wish.

An avatar???

Yea bro!

I got the best stethoscope offered and the cheaper BP cuff. My reasoning was that offices will have cuffs and I wanted to get a good stethoscope that would last a while. I guess you could hold off on getting the ophthalmoscope and otoscope but I just ordered it with everything else from Welch-Allyn to save myself the headache of making another order. Everything (stethoscope, BP cuff, otoscope, and ophthalmoscope, reflex hammer, tuning forks) was about $450-500. Most of that cost was the otoscope and ophthalmoscope diagnostic kit. Don't buy an expensive pen light. You can get one for $5 online or at a uniform store. It's a penlight.


My girlfriend (an MS3) told me not to bother with anything except a stethoscope, reflex hammer, and tuning fork. To each his own though.
 
My girlfriend (an MS3) told me not to bother with anything except a stethoscope, reflex hammer, and tuning fork. To each his own though.

I can understand that. Then again, each school is different. We haven't touched the otoscope or ophthalmoscope first semester. However, when it comes time for Clinical Skills Exams, you need to bring the equipment. We had to bring our BP cuffs with us into the exams.
 
interview invite this morning as well, scheduled for jan 24 (3.57, 3.5, 27O)
 
II this morning too. Feb 5th interview date. Should have grabbed a slot as soon as I got the invite because Jan. 8 was open. I had to go to class so I didn't get a chance to book an interview date until about an hour after I received the invite. By that time all of January had filled up!
30P, 3.2, lots of volunteerism, worked in the ER for over a year.
 
II this morning too. Feb 5th interview date. Should have grabbed a slot as soon as I got the invite because Jan. 8 was open. I had to go to class so I didn't get a chance to book an interview date until about an hour after I received the invite. By that time all of January had filled up!
30P, 3.2, lots of volunteerism, worked in the ER for over a year.

Same thing happened to me, didn't look at my email until about half an hour ago and the first opening was Feb. 5th so I booked that. Being on the west coast and sleeping in this morning didn't help 😉
Anyone know the acceptance rate for those that interview? Especially this late in the game?

Edit: 31Q, 3.35 cumulative, 3.38 science, lots of community service EC's, Red Cross instructor. My secondary was received 9/25, almost exactly 2 months ago.
 
Same thing happened to me, didn't look at my email until about half an hour ago and the first opening was Feb. 5th so I booked that. Being on the west coast and sleeping in this morning didn't help 😉
Anyone know the acceptance rate for those that interview? Especially this late in the game?

Edit: 31Q, 3.35 cumulative, 3.38 science, lots of community service EC's, Red Cross instructor. My secondary was received 9/25, almost exactly 2 months ago.

Reading earlier in this thread, there's some 80% chance of being accepted if you get an interview. It's pretty high. I definitely don't see as many WL/rejection posts here as I've seen in other threads so I take that as a positive thing. Also, your MCAT is way above their average so that's definitely a plus.

Congrats to those who received invites and good luck!
 
3.43,3.3 25Q, urm, lots of community service hrs, 1.5 yrs hospital volunteering. Complete Nov 5th
 
Same thing happened to me, didn't look at my email until about half an hour ago and the first opening was Feb. 5th so I booked that. Being on the west coast and sleeping in this morning didn't help 😉
Anyone know the acceptance rate for those that interview? Especially this late in the game?

Edit: 31Q, 3.35 cumulative, 3.38 science, lots of community service EC's, Red Cross instructor. My secondary was received 9/25, almost exactly 2 months ago.

At our interview we were told by multiple people that around 600 are interviewed and are 400 accepted (only around 200 matriculate though). We were told getting the interview was the hard part.
 
At our interview we were told by multiple people that around 600 are interviewed and are 400 accepted (only around 200 matriculate though). We were told getting the interview was the hard part.

My class is ~ 250
 
..A little late to the NSU party (I applied to this school later when I found out they actually would take my MCAT from 2009) but I got an interview invite this morning.

This is one of the few schools Im still considering and excited to visit from all the positive info I've heard from other applicants and students. After some key acceptances, I've withdrawn from virtually all other schools, but I figured this school warranted a visit and consideration.

Scheduled for feb 7th and looking forward to checking this beauty out!
 
No problem. We have 10 societies with ~25 students per society.

I know I probably sound horribly naive (I haven't had time to do some in-depth research into the school yet, on the surface it looks awesome!), but what is a society?

Also, thanks for all the posts about interview acceptance rates. I'm pumped to be considered and knowing the ratio is so high is a definitie plus!
 
I know I probably sound horribly naive (I haven't had time to do some in-depth research into the school yet, on the surface it looks awesome!), but what is a society?

Also, thanks for all the posts about interview acceptance rates. I'm pumped to be considered and knowing the ratio is so high is a definitie plus!

It is the group you get assigned to before classes start. Named after important individuals, these societies are essentially a way of breaking up the class into smaller groups. Each society is assigned a faculty member as well as several peer mentors. They get you on your feet initially and serve thereafter as your backbone for academic support and liaison for communicating with administration. You'll get to know your fellow society members and peer mentors well.

..A little late to the NSU party (I applied to this school later when I found out they actually would take my MCAT from 2009) but I got an interview invite this morning.

This is one of the few schools Im still considering and excited to visit from all the positive info I've heard from other applicants and students. After some key acceptances, I've withdrawn from virtually all other schools, but I figured this school warranted a visit and consideration.

Scheduled for feb 7th and looking forward to checking this beauty out!

Welcome 😎
 
Top