~~~~~ Nsu - Com Class Of 2009 ~~~~~

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tag_do said:
I'll put myself in at 80% for NSU next year. The percentage seems to be inversely proportional to the 10-day average temperature in Indiana.
I officially declare that you are not allowed to change your mind. 😉
Yay for Indianapolis ppl! 🙂
Petstoreboy--Are you from our neck of the woods?
 
I hope everyone who celebrates it, had a good Christmas! Unfortunately, for those of us who work....the real world begins again today. For those still on Holiday Break--enjoy it! 🙂
 
Come on, It's got to be more than the weather.
 
Hi Chris. I chose NSU mainly because my family lives down here, but the school also impressed me. I grew up in Fort Lauderdale, and honestly, I didn't hear the most favorable things about NSU (not necessarily about the medical school though). It was the last place I ever wanted to go, but obviously my opinion has changed. I got a great feeling from the school and I was impressed with the students I spoke with (including alumni). The school is up to date and I liked the fact that you take some classes with other health profession students. I don't know if the office staff really care about the students or not, but that didn't bother me. I'm used to a big city and I didn't want to go to a small school (this knocked out close to half of the osteopathic medical schools). I feel we will all get the same education, and you need to go where you will be the most comfortable so you can excel on your own. I wish I could be more helpful to you. Goodluck!
 
Doc 2b said:
I'm wondering how you guys decided on NSU.

Here's my short list of what NSU offers that I like 1) third and fourth year rotation sites 2) a "real" campus 3) an established first and second year curriculum

I'm with you about not making an educational decision based on climate ... although Indiana has been pretty cold this week.
 
otter1812 said:
...I grew up in Fort Lauderdale, and honestly, I didn't hear the most favorable things about NSU (not necessarily about the medical school though)...

their undergrad blows.
 
Hey guys, looks like I'll be joining you in the fall! I'm still waitlisted at my undergrad school, USF, but I think Nova's facilities are much better so I'll probably end up going there (plus it would feel kinda good to turn down an MD school) :meanie:
 
undefinedHello everyone!! My name is Laura and I am now officially a NOVA class of 2009 student. Please look at my profile if you would like to know some introductory material about me. Hello Sharon Lee (she directed me here and in case anyone doesn't know, she's really nice =))!! I too am looking for a roommate for NOVA. Afterall, who can afford $850 / month in medical school just for rent!!!???!!! I personally think we should just build a tent or lean-to village around the school to stay in 😉. It would be much more cost effective and also like we were camping out in a large slumber party every night. Although, it might become a problem if we get as many hurricanes next year as this past season. One step at a time though. Anyway, I hope to live in either Nova Gardens or well..damn....I can never remember the name of the place but it has the word sun in it and it is right next to the campus. I have two chihuahuas, as I said, who will be moving with me. They are very sweet and loving (once they get to know you) and they are usually clean (excepting an occassional tissue or paper towel shredding party...I think in protest of being forced to eat dog food while they watch me eat good food). They do however like to bark at srangers when they come over. Anyway, these two places are the nicest I can find and since everything costs the same down there from slums to castles (at least as far as those terms can describe 2 bedroom apartments) I figure why not live a "life of luxury" as these apartments would have you believe your overpriced rent is purchasing you. I normally wouldn't be willing to pay $1000 for a 2 bedroom apartment, but then they go and throw n the word luxury before apartment and I crack like so much fine china hitting their fancy tile floors. I'm so glad I will be going to school with you all, and I hope to talk to some of you soon. Feel free to email or IM or whatever. Later, Laura 😛
 
Hi everyone! I will be joining the Nova class of 2009 in August with all of you. I just sent my deposit today. I'm currently a student at Purdue, and I'll be moving either in May or July.
 
Hi 🙂

I'll be attending NSU-COM this August and I wanted to say hello before we all meet then. I'm coming from NJ, hopefully I'll move by May, though I'm not sure exactly where yet. Luckily it costs just as much to live in Ft. Lauderdale as it does in New Jersey! If anyone wants to say hi my aol instant messanger is stitch62679, and my yahoo email is [email protected] . Talk to you soon, Mike
 
Not NOVA, bad monkey bad! It is NSU - kick the habit of calling it Nova before the Dean kicks you 😉 . Anyhow, congratulations on your acceptance everyone! I decided on NSU for many reasons - some personal, some academic. Personally, I liked the school and the vibe I got while I was there. The facilities are nice and the campus is safe. I wanted a good sized town b/c my husband and I hate small towns and he had just graduated with his MBA and would be looking for a job so I wanted him to have a lot of options. You can say that climate isnt a determining factor but when you screw up your knee and cold weather literally hurts, you learn quickly to love the sun. Beyond that, I liked how the second year curriculum was set up and the clinical training in the first and second year. I was also excited to learn on Harvey - the heart and respiration sounds simulator. I like that in your second year you take a general pharmacology course but then you take each system and the pharm is incorporated into the system for you so when you are learning about all of the cardiovascular pathology, the pharm is incorporated so that you dont have to integrate it on your own. I also liked that after your first year you can perform a complete physical on your own and during your second year, you learn to draw blood, insert IVs, do a pelvic, do a rectal, etc. You dont just see pictures about how to do these things. We get to actually do these procedures with the guidance of a facilitator so that when we go on rotations, we have already performed several procedures and have had a lot of patient contact. We have simulated patient experiences which are really cool. You go into a room that looks exactly like a physician's office and you actually interact with an actor. First year it is mostly doing physical type stuff where you just drone on from a memorized checklist. Second year, the patients are given a diagnosis and are trained on how to act to simulate the condition. You go in knowing what type of case it will be (endocrine, cardio, etc) but you have to decide what exams you want to do and what questions to ask. You then make your diagnosis and write up a SOAP note. We have done so many of these that I dont practice beforehand anymore - I just go in and do what I think I should. I think that this will be so valuable once we are on rotations b/c we know how to interact with patients and what to do when we have various symptomology. I thought that was really cool. You can also put these skills to use if you go on one of the mission trips that NSU does such as Guatemala, Peru, and maybe Haiti next year. Also, we do small group sessions based on a case in whatever system we are in - these are cool and you really learn to think on your feet and work together. Things I thought were cool but now are sometimes a hassle 😀 are that you get to shadow a doctor about once every other week. Depending on your doc, you may get to see patients on your own or stand in the corner staring at your watch. Also, you learn how to read EKGs and radiographs which some other schools dont do. In my opinion, the biggest negative about NSU is that we are in class A LOT! Some people like this b/c they learn from someone standing in front of them droning on about a topic but I hate it. When I started, I thought a lot of this extra stuff we "get" to do was cool, and most of it is, but now that we are so pressed for time, it can just be annoying sometimes. An example is a little anesthesiology course we take. Most schools dont offer that so I used to think that it was a bonus lol. Now, I just think that it was a hassle. Doc2b, I would also compare how much time you have to study for step 1 after 2nd year. We have five weeks (two of which you can take a Kaplan course and the school foots half the bill and the rest are for independent study). At some other schools, students take finals and then turn around and take step 1 within a week or two. NSU also offers a scholarship to any DO student that wants to complete a MPH (full tuition and fees). I am doing it and they really work around your schedule to make it so that you can complete it in your four years with no problem. I would see if the other schools offer anything like that if you are interested. Okay, now that I am rambling, I will bring this to a close. If you have anymore questions, feel free to pm me. Overall, I am still happy with my decision to attend NSU. Again, congratulations!

War Eagle,
AUdacious
NSUCOM Class of 2007
 
Thanks for all the info, AUdacious! There's a lot of stuff about the curriculum that I didn't know - it all sounds interesting. Our tour guide also brought up the fact that you spend a lot of time in lectures, and this is the only thing deterring me from being 100% sure about wanting to go to NSU. Do you get enough time to actually read the textbooks? A better question is, do you even need to read the textbooks or can you just study purely from the lecture notes?

Also, do you think its possible to do really well on the COMLEX step I with the 5 weeks of studying that NSU gives you? And is the USMLE given at the same time as the COMLEX?
 
Well twiglee I thought you had a nice long first posting going for you until AUdacious completely showed you up. Thanks AUdacious for all your comtinued help (listen to her, she really helped me make the desicion that is bringing me to NSU).

Anyhow, I just wanted to interrupt with a little plug that I am still looking for a roommate. The sooner the better. Listen to twiglee, she says I'm nice!! Anyhow, if there is anyone new to the site or sitting quietly and just reading the postings, I'm on the roommate hunt, me and my Siamese cat, Min-Lee. She's very friendly but doesn't do well with other animals. I'm easygoing and like to have fun, or do anything that helps to relieve stress. E-mail or PM me.

Also, if you know of anyone going to NSU next fall direct them to our little group.

Almost time for 2005!!
Sharon Lee
 
Hello everyone. I'm glad more and more future nsu students and possible nsu students are posting on this thread. Its great to meet all of you and hopefully by August we can put the face on each name 🙂

I'm Jackie and will be attending NSU in August. Already sent my deposit about a month ago.

I'm still in the midst of interviews but I feel lazy attending them...does anyone feel the same way. I fell in love with NSU during my interview and the more I know about the school, the more I tend to ignore other schools and excited to pack and head down there (I'm from NY).

Just out of curiosity anybody from NY?

I havent decided where get an apt and still undecided if I want a roommate this year.

Keep in touch.
See you in 2005
 
AUdacious, how much time in class are you talking, 9-12,2,5 🙁 ? I'm kind of one of those people that like limited lecture, just enough to figure out what I need to know, and enough time to go learn it on my own. So the card thing is really freaking me out. Also are you from AL, I assume you went to Auburn, or oh wait they are the tigers, right...hahahaha
 
Yes, I went to Auburn - War Damn Eagle! Check out the link below for an idea of what our schedule is. The class is divided in half - Group A and Group B so dont be to alarmed when you see the schedule. If Group A is scheduled but not Group B then Group B is off - and vice versa. First year, I felt like I had plenty of time to study. This year, however, I feel a little pushed for time. I am also completing a MPH and stay pretty active though so I do bring a lot of it on myself. The card thing is something you can work around - the M2s will show you when you get here. Another thing is that our class is large so you can always just sit in the back and study if you dont like a specific professor or whatever. I just study in class if I feel like I am not getting anything from a particular lecture. Five weeks to study for step 1 is pretty good. When I was applying, it was one of the longest time periods I could find. Make sure that the schools dont include finals week as a week of study. We have 5 complete weeks after finals etc. To do well in classes, you generally do not have to read any text. First year, you are literally spoon fed the info. They give you the notes all year so you just have to learn the notes and you are good. First year, I only read my CP book which helps you learn proper technique for exams, I had the Rohens atlas and Netters Atlas for Anatomy, and I looked at the pics in the Radiology book (checked it out from the library - didnt buy it). I would buy a First Aid for Step 1 and read that also. Other than that, I wouldnt buy texts first year. If you need a book, I would buy the Board Review Series books instead of the actual text. Second year, you will buy into a noteservice so you and your classmates will work together so that you get all of the notes. We are working to make it so that you are given the notes 2nd year also since we have mandatory attendance but we are hitting a few road blocks so we will see. Second year, I am using Board Review Series, First Aid for Step 1 and 2, and Step Up for Step 1. I do not really read texts unless I just cant get something - then I go to the library and check it out and read the portion on it and thats that - but I am not really a book person so someone else might say something different. Anyhow, point is you can do well on just the notes but I would supplement with First Aid to make sure you are getting what you need for Boards.

http://medicine.nova.edu/current_students.html
 
When it's all said and done, we are the happiest medical students you can find. Maybe it's due to the climate, maybe it's because we like being surrounded by other health professionals to-be...I don't know, there are many, many positives. I love this place.

If any of you are only coming here because you couldn't get into an allopathic school, or you like complaining but are too apathetic to take any postive action, find another place to go to school. Please. We all do our share of complaining - it's med school, but please don't have the perception that this school is "perfect." No school is.

Sometimes the attendance policy gets on my nerves. Sometimes I just want to wear jeans to class. Little things irritate and frustrate me. C'est la vie.

The thing that never ceases to amaze me about this place is how amazing the people are, especially the students. If you are an amazing person, please don't see this post as an attack. 🙂

There are a few (and I mean VERY few) of my classmates that suck, and I was hoping to dissuade anyone else that would fit into this category from joining us.

To the rest of you: Welcome, can't wait to meet you!

-NS
 
NS~I hope you had a good holiday and are enjoying your break...
New buddy Icon???

I hope that everyone in my (our 2009) class is as awesome as how you describe your class...I know I can't wait to get out of Indiana and get on my way to Florida.

It is nice to see more future classmates posting in this thread--I will be very interested in meeting everyone this summer. 😀
 
Wow! I just got my confirmation letter for my deposit, and I didn't realize the semster stars so early! Shortened summer!
 
petstoreboy said:
Wow! I just got my confirmation letter for my deposit, and I didn't realize the semster stars so early! Shortened summer!
If it makes you feel better we start at the beginning of July next year..........sucks.
 
Its not the starting in July that blows, it is the going to December that really hurts. BUT they do that so that you can have time to study for Step 1 which is soo important. If you can get thru the burnout blues, the extra study time is appreciated in the end. Besides you start off with Mama and Papa Khin and they are both truly brilliant and really care about the students. It makes it bearable.

War Eagle,
AUdacious
NSUCOM Class of 2007
 
kaikai128 said:
New buddy Icon???
<- Here's one in honor of tonight. 😎

If I may make just one suggestion to y'all: Andre Pink Champagne with Red Bull over ice.

Party hard, but responsibly. Ch-ch-check ya in '05!

-NS
 
Wow, starting second yr in July? What about research in the summer, does this leave enough time?
 
petstoreboy said:
Wow, starting second yr in July? What about research in the summer, does this leave enough time?
im quite interested in research too...do i have some time left to pursue this interest???
also, has anyone been to the medical mission guatemala, peru, etc? how was the experience and how much did you have to pay for the trip?
 
If research is a priority for you then you will make time for it. Many people do research throughout the year. As far as over the summer goes, you cant do a large research project but there are a few projects through the CDC that run just under a month. If you wanted to do research with a professor over the summer, then that is not a problem at all. I did not get to go on the mission trips but I know that they do a lot of fundraising to make it as affordable as possible. I have heard nothing but great things from my friends that went - you will never see pathology like some of that in the US and for many of the patients, that is the only time they see a doctor period. See you soon.
 
HEYS guys, I'm back... I spent a week in NYC and I froze my butt off. Maybe its me but when I start loosing feeling in my fingers and toes,.. way too cold. Anyways, I hope all is well for everyone and Happy NEW YEAR!! (should be a good one for us) 👍
 
Audacious~~~thanks for the links you have given me. I'll definitely check them out.

🙂
 
jp2004 said:
im quite interested in research too...do i have some time left to pursue this interest???
also, has anyone been to the medical mission guatemala, peru, etc? how was the experience and how much did you have to pay for the trip?

It's hard not to get excited about all the possibilities and you're still absorbing the idea that you'll be a physician one day, but if you don't mind I'd like to share some tips I learned from my experiences....my whole one semester at NSU. Research...Guatamala...sounds great but unless you're an academic allstar it's going to be very difficult to pull all the extra stuff off and do well in your classes.

If you absolutely positively HAVE to pick up a science book between now and the start of class...what I would do knowing what I know now is buy a book called:

Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts
Richard E. Klabunde

Lippincott publishes it....

It's an easy read and it will come in handy once physiology starts..

Just my .02 cents

Welcome to Nova You're going to love it 🙂
 
If my roommate (currently a senior at NSU undergrad) gets accepted to the class of 2009, our apartment will be available for lease because we're going to pool our $ to buy a condo. Two brief posts about my apt. are pasted below.

pm me for details/photos

My roommate and I just talked about this an hour ago. It's quite preliminary, but I just thought I'd put the word out.

-NS

I also reeeally enjoy studying by the pool. Just use earplugs to help get un-distracted. It's getting a bit chilly to do so now, but if the pool's not an option, you can just pull a little table onto your patio. Mine overlooks a pond with a fountain. Not too shabby.

-NS

Living walking distance from school is worth its weight in gold...well, I guess that doesn't weigh anything. Hmm, you know what I mean .

I actually like driving around here quite a bit (it's like street racing all the time) but just to not "have to" drive to and from school every day is SUCH a perk. One of my classmates commented that at the end of a long day, the last thing she wants to do is sit in traffic. She actually commuted further than anyone else I know of, but is moving closer to school so she has a little more time to cook for herself. (remember, one of the biggest challenges of med school is time management. despite my protests, there are still just 24 hours in a day ). Not to mention I only fill up my gas tank every 3 weeks at the most.

The pond with a fountain I referred to in my last post was the one on the north end of Poinciana Lakes. For anyone who wanted to live here, the extra $ to face the water is totally worth it because I can't hear the traffic on University Dr, plus it's a totally pimp view.

If you want to live close to school, you could pretty much just spend a weekend driving around and touring complexes (as Robz and I did last year). I'd do so ASAP, since apartments fill up all the time. If a complex you really like is currently full, don't dismay. Tenants vacate all the time - often without much notice.

Hope you guys and gals had a good new year's eve. Mine rocked!

-NS
 
hello fellow classmates. I think I've posted on here before *this thread anyway* but I wasn't too firm about my attending NSU, but after sending in that first deposit, I think that pretty much cinches the deal for me. I haven't read people's post *going to do that right now* but people can pvt me about looking for roommates and all that happy stuff that comes along with moving. *thank god I only have a few more moves in my life*

Cheers
 
iliacus said:
It's hard not to get excited about all the possibilities and you're still absorbing the idea that you'll be a physician one day, but if you don't mind I'd like to share some tips I learned from my experiences....my whole one semester at NSU. Research...Guatamala...sounds great but unless you're an academic allstar it's going to be very difficult to pull all the extra stuff off and do well in your classes.

If you absolutely positively HAVE to pick up a science book between now and the start of class...what I would do knowing what I know now is buy a book called:

Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts
Richard E. Klabunde

Lippincott publishes it....

It's an easy read and it will come in handy once physiology starts..

Just my .02 cents

Welcome to Nova You're going to love it 🙂


Hi there.
Did you participate both at research and the guatemala trip all in one semester? How's the guatemala experience? Did you like it?
 
Wake Up Class of 2009....We have slipped off of the front page. 🙂
 
hehehe...don't wake me....I'm trying to stock up on sleep...well...unless that's a vodka tonic in your hand!
 
wizzo said:
hehehe...don't wake me....I'm trying to stock up on sleep...well...unless that's a vodka tonic in your hand!

vodka and cranberry o.k.???? :laugh:
 
Hey guys, for those of you that already sent your acceptance fee of $750, did NSU send you anything back to confirm that it was received? Just curious... thanks!
 
Yes, they sent me a letter saying that they had received my deposit.
 
Yeah, I got a letter saying that they received my deposit, and also the login information for WebSTAR for e-mail. [email protected]! 😀
 
So what is everyone doing for housing? I called the school and they said they aren't going to offer graduate on campus housing, which I guess is for the better...never really liked staying on campus, but it would have been nice not to have to worry about finding a place. Are most people married? families? Second career?

So with all those questions, here's a little about me. I'll be moving from CA, but I've lived all over the place, including England. I was in the Air Force for a few years and then a contractor for the Air Force. I'm 32 years old, single...well, I guess that's about it.
 
Hey everyone,

I am another new additon to the class of 2009, got my letter on xmas eve. Look forward to meeting everyone in August.

Drew
 
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