NSU-COM Discussion thread 2008-2009

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MossPoh said:
You have to have received at least one email from NSU during your time. It will start with an "N"

I know it is on the documents received email for sure.
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wow, I must not be on the mailing list -- I didn't get a "documents received" email.

But number on the packet letters starts with an "N"... so I think i'm safe.

Thanks!
 
schussboarder said:
Tol, (or for any current medical student at NOVA)
Are there a lot of opportunities to get involved in medical mission studies abroad? Do they cost a significant amount? Lastly, aside from the the numerous amount of clinical exposure that you would receive on these mission trips, is it worth it (in your opinion) in regards to matching into a specialty?
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I've got some strong gut feelings, but really don't know enough to tackle this question. There are definitely mission trips, how many and how much, I don't know. I'll sniff around.
 
HemaOncoDoc said:
It is possible to schedule your ER during your OMS-III year. It just takes planning and the ability to negotiate with the coordinator.
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Thanks. Good to know. I'm not dead set on EM at all, I just threw that out there because I have a passing interest in it, yet it's not in the rotation set until the fourth year.
 
Several clubs head up their own mission trips. IMOC heads up the largest one. There are ones that participate in mission trips during spring break, during summer break and what not. There are at least three opportunities during the year. Participation in them depend on activity in the club, since it solely based on an application process. Most clubs fundraise during the year, which an lower the amount for the trip substantially. I believe it cost $600 this past summer. Depending on the specialty, a mission trip would more or less help you match. It is another check mark on your CV. IMHO, it can not hurt, only help.

schussboarder said:
Tol, (or for any current medical student at NOVA)
Are there a lot of opportunities to get involved in medical mission studies abroad? Do they cost a significant amount? Lastly, aside from the the numerous amount of clinical exposure that you would receive on these mission trips, is it worth it (in your opinion) in regards to matching into a specialty?
Click to expand...
 
I never will understand the medical mission trip stuff... Seems like a waste of time. But NOVA has a lot of options for trips all over the place. Also, they do a lot of health fairs and stuff around town.
 
danzman said:
I never will understand the medical mission trip stuff... Seems like a waste of time. But NOVA has a lot of options for trips all over the place. Also, they do a lot of health fairs and stuff around town.
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I've been accepted at Nova and waitlisted at AZCOM. Probably one of the biggest reasons for the success was that I went on two medical mission trips with DOCare to Guatemala the past two summers.

Am I glad that I went on them because they helped me get into medical school? Hell yes.

Would I still have paid large sums of my own money to go on the trips if I had known that they wouldn't help me get into medical school? HELL YES. They changed my life. They changed how I look at the world. Sitting in a room, and "treating" to the best of my abilities as a lowly premed, a 21 year old girl with 3 kids, no husband, and no job because she has AIDS...

A waste of time? You have to be ****ing kidding me. Get a life and realize that there is more to this world than the US where most of us never have to go without, and realize that you could bring some joy to people who never get to see a doctor except the once a year when we spend our own money to go down and see them while we "waste our time."
 
Lighten up Francis. It is obvious that you heard what you wanted to hear and reacted with your gut and not you brain. For that I will let it slide. However, I stand by my previous statement, in my opinion they are a waste of time. As a pre-med or medical student you will be all but unable to do anything to help people with their medical needs, other than counseling them. If your goal is to get into med school, they will serve a need (just as we all volunteered our time to various causes) and if you are looking for an excused to see the world, more power to you. I went on a medical mission trip to Guatemala (as a matter of fact) and found the trip amazing. Yet I did nothing, NOTHING, for the poor patients I saw other than hold crap for the doc’s. If you want to make a difference, go over and build houses for them, donate money for clean water, and write your Congressman. You, just like me, “treating” a patient is nearly laughable. And please, pretty please with sugar on top, don’t be that person who feels that need to get on the internet and call people names over silly little **** like this. As I have said on other posts, sometimes you can cut the ego on SDN with a dull butter knife….
 
Ahhhh PLEASE let's get back to Nova now. PM each other if you want to continue!! lol. I see both sides. Medical mission trips seem really amazing and fulfilling. However, if you can't do much, it may be best to do something else like build houses, etc., as stated above. I'm sure medical mission trips have their pros and cons, just as anything does. But the hostility in this conversation is unnecessary so please let's stick to the discussion of Nova. Thanks, guys!!
 
beachblonde said:
That being said, I'm already thinking down the line to residencies and it seems to be important to get in a rotation during the M3 year in whatever specialty you're thinking of doing. I was looking at NSU's website for clerkship info, and it appears that there are zero electives during the M3 year. Does that put me at a large disadvantage if I want to apply for, say, EM yet I don't get a chance to even do an EM rotation until my M4 year?

(For other applicants who don't know, here's the M3 list from the handbook: 12 wks IM, 8 wk Surgery, 8 wk Peds, 4 wk Psych, 4 wk OB/GYN, 4 wk Geriactrics, 8 wk Family med)

I keep reading about how you have to get in a grade or two for whatever you're applying for before your M4 year, or at least at the very beginning so that your letters and whatnot will be ready for apps. Every other school I've been seriously considering allows for at least one elective during the M3 year. What do current students think about the lack of early electives, especially those who aren't interested in IM/Ped/Obgyn?
Click to expand...

3rd year ends in June. You have until Octoberish to get ready to apply for residencies. That July-September period is when you do electives and audition rotations. You need all those 3rd year core rotations to be eligible for auditions. If you'll be going after an EM residency that's in an MD-dominated program, or even one that's just popular with DOs, you'll want to do an audition there.

How to find out about auditions: pick a residency on opportunities.osteopathic.org or www.ama-assn.org/go/freida. Find the hospital's website and dig into the education section. Look for sections like "med students" or "visiting students" and find the requirements. Not all hospital websites are organized, or helpful, so move on if you don't find what you want.
 
//cynicism on
assuming your idealism doesn't die in med school, which it probably will,
//cynicism off
experience in international work is a prereq for doing humanitarian aid with MSF and others. They don't want to put you in a refugee camp etc. until you've lived in third world no-resource suckage, at least a little bit.

And as others have said, be a smart consumer. You can spend a great deal of money to go someplace and get treated like a tourist. You should look for a program where you spend a great deal of money and get put to work.

And for the love of god, don't expect to show up with no practical medical skills and get to do useful medical work. You want to help? Collect a bunch of money at home to donate. If you don't speak the language, don't insist on doing "work" that requires the aid org to pay for a translator. Pay your way, otherwise you're draining resources from sustainable local employment. Show up ready to push a wheelbarrow of bricks or babysit kids or whatever the full-time aid workers ask you to do.

And as with ECs when you apply to med school, no residency program director is going to give a crap that you "worked" in Central America if you don't have competitive numbers and LORs.
 
singinfifi said:
A LOT of guys I know are doing the distance thing as well.

For whatever reason (maybe someone can comment on this) I find a lot more guys in relationships with girls back home in our class then I do girls. One theory for this is that men are threatend by smart women (which, in theory, those of us in medical school are) but I don't know. Interesting thing to speculate on.

Oh good. Lecture. -goes-
Click to expand...

I think men being intimidated by smart women is, unfortunately, a factor. When I was first thinking about medical school, the guy I was dating never seemed too thrilled. His own education/career wasn't going how he wanted and I think he resented the idea of my being more successful than him. Fortunately, I'm not with that loser anymore. 😀 My boyfriend now loves the idea of my being a doctor.

I think another factor may be the nature of men and women in relationships. Being the significant other of a med student is something of a sacrifice. For years, you're not going to see very much of your s.o. and you're going to spend most of your time having to be supportive without much in return. I think that's a position that women are just more willing to fill.
 
Long distance relationships are just easy to stick with if you're comfortable. There are different expectations and if you can handle the lack of human contact, then there is less pressure. You just call and maybe send some flowers once in a while. I think there is more of a dynamic than simply being "afraid" of smart women. I mean, I dig smart chicks so perhaps I'm different. 😉 I've talked to a lot of girls that think and expect to meet a guy during the span of medical school. Far fewer of my male friends expect that. Heck, it seems like more than half the people I encountered at med school were engaged or married anyway.

As a guy I wouldn't want a med girl because the last person I want to spend time around is the one that sits there living the crappiness of it all. Maybe I'll meet one, who knows, but if all we do is talk med school then I might go run into traffic instead.
 
DocHas said:
I think men being intimidated by smart women is, unfortunately, a factor. When I was first thinking about medical school, the guy I was dating never seemed too thrilled. His own education/career wasn't going how he wanted and I think he resented the idea of my being more successful than him. Fortunately, I'm not with that loser anymore. 😀 My boyfriend now loves the idea of my being a doctor.

I think another factor may be the nature of men and women in relationships. Being the significant other of a med student is something of a sacrifice. For years, you're not going to see very much of your s.o. and you're going to spend most of your time having to be supportive without much in return. I think that's a position that women are just more willing to fill.
Click to expand...

Luckily my fiance and I know what it's like to spend time apart, so he'll be accustomed to it when I'm in med school. Currently, I live in NY and he lives in Massachusetts and we see each other every three weeks and our relationship is still so very strong. He's willing to move to wherever I want to go to med school and is 110% supportive of me so I think I can say I am one of the lucky ones. 😉
 
I thought I would add my two cents about long distance. My fiance and I did long distance for 2 and a half years while we were in college. I think it was great. We got to have our own college experiences but also be together. I think it depends greatly on the people in the relationship. All we did was make a little time each day for one another while seeing each other when we could. I was in Ohio and he was in New Orleans so that wasn't much, but we made it work. I think long distance is successful if there is a definitely end point in sight. Otherwise it is indefinite and difficult to manage. I think that you will meet people when you are not looking too....at least it seems thats what happens to most.

Oh and I second the motion for less negativity on here.....we are all coming to this profession for different reasons and have different views to offer. Lets not push out all the positivity with cynicism just yet. Hey if people are still hopeful for the betterment of this world, lets jump on board and help them!
 
I'm just coming to terms with things so it won't hurt as much to be beaten out of me later. 😉
 
Any couples out there ever share an apartment with a roomate? We would love to share an apartment to lower cost of living but I think I would want to share with another med student. Any thoughts? We would be married by then if that makes a difference.
 
Does NSU send a confirmation once they receive a signature page. I had an interview there but I want to make sure that there is no delay with the ADCOM's decision. Would having an interview be an indicator that they have my file complete?
 
aterry said:
Any couples out there ever share an apartment with a roomate? We would love to share an apartment to lower cost of living but I think I would want to share with another med student. Any thoughts? We would be married by then if that makes a difference.
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Is your husband going to be moving down with you? I may be looking to find a roommate, I haven't decided 100% that I am going to Nova yet but things are looking good. I have a boyfriend but he would only be coming to visit, not living down there permanently. 🙂 I'll be a first year med student then too!
 
Although now that I think about it if you are newly weds you may be wanting to find a place for yourselves, marriage is hard enough without having to deal with roommate issues too, lol. But the option is still open 🙂
 
I will probably be seeking a roommate at sometime too. I'm still not 100% sure but when I am or if I don't think there is a chance of getting off the waitlist then I'm going to talk to my brother. He knows all of the best areas to live and probably quite a few rental people considering he used to rent houses to people to supplement his income. He has been down there since the early 70s and knows just about every aspect of south florida you can think of...except spanish.
 
MossPoh said:
I will probably be seeking a roommate at sometime too. I'm still not 100% sure but when I am or if I don't think there is a chance of getting off the waitlist then I'm going to talk to my brother. He knows all of the best areas to live and probably quite a few rental people considering he used to rent houses to people to supplement his income. He has been down there since the early 70s and knows just about every aspect of south florida you can think of...except spanish.
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I will probably PM you when I decide for sure to get your suggestions on places, is that ok?
 
MossPoh said:
I will probably be seeking a roommate at sometime too. I'm still not 100% sure but when I am or if I don't think there is a chance of getting off the waitlist then I'm going to talk to my brother. He knows all of the best areas to live and probably quite a few rental people considering he used to rent houses to people to supplement his income. He has been down there since the early 70s and knows just about every aspect of south florida you can think of...except spanish.
Click to expand...
Me too
 
MossPoh said:
You have to have received at least one email from NSU during your time. It will start with an "N"

I know it is on the documents received email for sure.
Click to expand...
I've had status change since Monday, Nov. 24... still no email or packet. Issue?
 
I thought you were deciding between CCOM and KCOM. Did you wise up?
 
skiracr456 said:
I will probably PM you when I decide for sure to get your suggestions on places, is that ok?
Click to expand...

Yea. I haven't talked to him about it yet. I have the chance for an awesome place for really cheap, but it is in Miami close to the FIU campus. It is a loft above a store from some of his friends. My aim is the same as my SN on here, so just shoot a message sometime there if you prefer.
 
Yea. I haven't talked to him about it yet. I have the chance for an awesome place for really cheap, but it is in Miami close to the FIU campus. It is a loft above a store from some of his friends. My aim is the same as my SN on here, so just shoot a message sometime there if you prefer.

davis749 said:
I've had status change since Monday, Nov. 24... still no email or packet. Issue?
Click to expand...

I was referring to the email from a long time ago before your interview. Did you delete those emails? The one you (should have) received after you sent in the signature page with secondary should have it.
 
Random thought....maybe its that I am tired after a long week and have completely lost my mind...I don't know but anyway, just noticed we have the most posts on our thread than any other school except LECOM-Bradenton. I think we should start a posting war. Yea, I think I have lost my mind.
 
Last edited:
I still have not received my official acceptance letter by mail yet, and it's been over a week... anyone in similar situation?
 
Yes I want it to come already. I emailed Ellen and she said it should be coming this week. When did you interview and when did you find out online you were accepted?
 
ILikeFood said:
I thought you were deciding between CCOM and KCOM. Did you wise up?
Click to expand...
Let's just say I'm finally deciding to take into account a little bit of the feeling I had to the campuses... I really didn't connect as well with CCOM or KCOM's atmospheres. Still deciding, but leaning towards NSU now (God only knows what the next few days might bring :laugh:)
 
hey guys! for those who got accepted:

how much time do you have to decide after initial acceptance? I mean how much time does NSUCOM give you to decide?

I'm wondering because I have just submitted and have couple interviews coming up in January. I can interview in NSUCOM this month if i want , but i dont want to interview, get accepted, and have whole bunch of interviews coming up and then i'll be stuck in a rut!

Please let me know and ANY advice will be great appreciated.

Thanks!🙂
 
Hey does anyone know of any hotels near the school that offer a discount for being a Nova interviewee? Or any suggestions on where to stay? My birthday is the day after my interview so my boyfriend and I are making a mini vacation out the trip 🙂
 
JagerDO said:
Hey does anyone know of any hotels near the school that offer a discount for being a Nova interviewee? Or any suggestions on where to stay? My birthday is the day after my interview so my boyfriend and I are making a mini vacation out the trip 🙂
Click to expand...
I posted pictures of my trip on pages 22 and 23 of this thread. Page 23 has pictures of the hotel I stayed at, which is a short distance from the school. They offer a slight discount for Nova interviewees.
 
Nice pictures! What was the name of the hotel you stayed at? Thanks for your quick response btw!
 
I interviewed on 11/18 and was accepted on 11/24 via webstar and am still waiting for my acceptance packet 🙁. I emailed Ellen about the packets and she said they should arrive this week and that my deposit due date is Dec 23. I think thats because it 30 days from the acceptance date. You might want to wait til January if you need more time. You also might want to email Ellen and ask.
 
Unfortunately I never received an email. I found out via webstar that I had an interview and scheduled over the phone. Hopefully I get some interview info soon...

Thanks for you help!
 
Interviewing on Tuesday... hoping it goes well!!! Wish me luck 😉
 
I'm interviewing on Tuesday as well! Judging from the interview feedback, it seems like you either get a really laid back interview or they play good cop/bad cop with you. Hopefully everything will go well on Tuesday though!
 
I stayed at a small, non-chain hotel across from the beach in Ft. Lauderdale proper that I liked a LOT. Avalon Waterfront Inn Beach Resort. Midweek singles start at $62 per night. You'd need to rent a car to get to Nova from there. In January I needed under a half hour travel time (595 traffic goes the other way).

I found Avalon after having a horrifying time at a beachfront hotel in Hollywood. I was skeptical about Avalon because it had some bad reviews on TripAdvisor. But when I got there, they showed me multiple rooms and let me choose. I didn't see any problems, and I found it clean and comfortable and quiet and nice, and I liked it WAY more than the cookie cutter chains. There's a pool, breakfast in the morning, wifi in the lobby (hang out on the porch, look at the ocean) and the beach is outstanding (I grew up in Santa Barbara; I know from beach). I'll definitely use this place again when my family visits etc.

Now, Avalon is NOT where I stayed the night before my interview - I stayed at the Hampton attached to the Plantation mall, because it seemed prudent and "safe." Bleah. Avalon would have been more enjoyable. If I'd been able to drive by the ocean on the way to my Nova interview, it would have made my day.

Best of luck to y'all.
 
pianoman90 said:
I'm interviewing on Tuesday as well! Judging from the interview feedback, it seems like you either get a really laid back interview or they play good cop/bad cop with you. Hopefully everything will go well on Tuesday though!
Click to expand...
I thought the interview day was enjoyable. Just relax and see if the school is right for you.

Best of luck to everyone.
 
Last edited:
Good luck! You will do great! Don't worry too much about the good cop bad cop, you will get caught up in trying to decide who is who and you won't focus on the great things you have to say about yourself. Just prepare and be confident and you will do great! Let us know!
 
The worst part about my interview day was that the collar to my shirt was an inch smaller than it should've been. Breathing is really neat. You realize that when you can't do it.
 
aterry said:
Good luck! You will do great! Don't worry too much about the good cop bad cop, you will get caught up in trying to decide who is who and you won't focus on the great things you have to say about yourself. Just prepare and be confident and you will do great! Let us know!
Click to expand...

Thanks so much!!! I'll keep you posted. 🙂
 
MossPoh said:
The worst part about my interview day was that the collar to my shirt was an inch smaller than it should've been. Breathing is really neat. You realize that when you can't do it.
Click to expand...

Hahahah yeah they say you don't realize what you've got til it's gone, right???
 
ILikeFood said:
Hyatt Place on Broward and Pine. I hope this links correctly. I think you can find the info in your interview invite attachments (or the website).

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...6.120494,-80.26356&spn=0.017609,0.026178&z=16
Click to expand...

Comfort Suites on Davie Road is less than 2 miles from the NSU campus. They also have a free shuttle to/from the airport and the campus which will save you any cab fare.
It's a little cheaper than the Hyatt (even though the Hyatt is nicer).

~$90 a night - ask for the student discount.
 
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