NSU-COM Interview Discussion thread

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Did anyone else pay their deposit online by credit card? I did this a few months ago when I got my acceptance, and then started getting letters from the University about how I had a balance on my account and how to go about getting it refunded. I kept meaning to call the office to make sure that this was ok and they knew that money was a deposit, but my job has made me loose my mind. Anyone else have this happen and can assuage my fear?

Nate.
 
TerraMedicX said:
Did anyone else pay their deposit online by credit card? I did this a few months ago when I got my acceptance, and then started getting letters from the University about how I had a balance on my account and how to go about getting it refunded. I kept meaning to call the office to make sure that this was ok and they knew that money was a deposit, but my job has made me loose my mind. Anyone else have this happen and can assuage my fear?

Nate.
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I would call the bursar's office at Nova to clarify the issue.
 
soccer12 said:
i've had my stuff in with my application complete on 11/15. i still haven't heard anything yet...i've checked with their online site and i guess my app is still under review. do they offer interviews next year??? or is the entering class mostly full now? i'm really interested in this school.
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Yes, they offer interviews next year. The fullness of the class depends on the deposits that were due on the December 14/15.
 
I paid online and didn't have any trouble. Then again, I called the next day to make sure everything went through, because that's what I do. I'd call in your case as well.
 
HemaOncoDoc said:
I would call the bursar's office at Nova to clarify the issue.
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OK...called the bursar's office...everything is handled...I guess the school just looks at your account to see if you've got the appropriate credit in there, but anytime you have a balance or credit they send you letters every month...that's a little annoying!

Nate.
 
TerraMedicX said:
OK...called the bursar's office...everything is handled...I guess the school just looks at your account to see if you've got the appropriate credit in there, but anytime you have a balance or credit they send you letters every month...that's a little annoying!

Nate.
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Yeah, it's like that Nate, but at least you're constantly updated.
 
masalamonkey said:
i found out yesterday that i was invited for an interview but the earliest date that works is 12/25. just from reading the posts above that seems to be very late, almost too late, for any chance of admission??? any thoughts? (to make things worse, i'm oos 😕) does anyone know if the class has filled or when it filled last year? how many people get off waitlist? any help will be really appreciated. also, any advice on a hotel to stay in as close as possible to nova?
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To all those interviewing in January, do not dispair! I interviewed last year in February and was accepted two weeks letter, flat-out, no waitlist. And we have a few people in our class who interviewed with me, just before, and just after. So just be ready, do your best, and remember, you are all applying many places and spots do open late (Late= April, May). We even have one girl who got pulled in off the waitlist on the first day of orientation.

Good luck all!

If you anyone here is interviewing on Feb 13th, I will be giving your tour, so if you have any questions or comments feel free to message me.
 
i'll be giving up my spot shortly so there's one more out there for you 😀
 
Is there anyone interviewing on Jan 15?
 
explorer_tx said:
Great I'll see you there. Are you local or are you flying in. I am driving from ATL.
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Anyone interviewing January 25th? I'll be flying in on the 24th, it would be great to meet up if you're interested. By the way, (for current students) any ideas who the tour guides are??? Looking forward to the interview!
 
Does Nova regularly update the applicant summary page? I have been complete since early October and my summary page has not changed since I completed my primary application in June. Thanks.
 
molly--same situation...been complete since late october..no word/change online. not sure when to expect anything.....
 
soccer12 said:
molly--same situation...been complete since late october..no word/change online. not sure when to expect anything.....
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I would recommend that you guys call into the admissions office. From what I understand interviewing continues well into March and possibly early April, so I take it that the adcom would make their final interview invites by the end of January or so. This might be a good time to call and check your status and if necessary send in grades from the Fall semester and any additional info that might help to push you into the interview pile.

Good luck! 👍
 
Molly Mac said:
Does Nova regularly update the applicant summary page? I have been complete since early October and my summary page has not changed since I completed my primary application in June. Thanks.
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Best to call, but I only received a change when I received an interview when I interviewed during the 06-07 cycle.
 
masalamonkey said:
I would recommend that you guys call into the admissions office. From what I understand interviewing continues well into March and possibly early April, so I take it that the adcom would make their final interview invites by the end of January or so. This might be a good time to call and check your status and if necessary send in grades from the Fall semester and any additional info that might help to push you into the interview pile.

Good luck! 👍
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It's always fun to have interviewees walk into the lecture hall during class.
 
Any current students who aren't busy on 1/24, it would be great to meet you. I will be flying in that day and will visit the NSU campus around 4:00PM, my interview is the next day. By the way, are there any places in particular that I should go and check out? Would be great to meet some of you guys and get to know a little more about your personal experiences at NSU. Also, I had some questions:

1. How do the international clinical rotations work? I know they are held in two locations and Jamaica is one of them, right? Does it count as a rotation? I really liked these programs when I read about them earlier and would be really interested in getting to know more about them.

2. How much PBL is incorporated into the curriculum, is it sufficient/helpful? From the match lists and other information available I'd think that the curriculum prepares students well for clinical rotations and residency, but it would be great to get some views on that.

3. What are your overall views on the faculty? I know people have generally voiced concerns over the administration, does this sentiment apply to faculty as well? How much can the administration actually affect your medical education or prospects for gaining good clinical spots or residencies?

4. Are there some people who get into relatively competitive non-primary residencies? Though, I have not made up my mind, I do have an interest in surgery having shadowed one for some months.

5. Finally, and I know this is the third time I'm asking this, anyone interviewing on 1/25? (I'm pretty sure there should be a good number of us! :laugh:) For those who interview in the next couple of weeks, please do post your feedback, I'll do the same after mine! 😀
 
Does anyone ever answer the phone? I have been calling since my first post. Is the office still closed for the holidays? I thought for sure someone would answer yesterday or today but nothing so far. Thanks.
HemaOncoDoc said:
Best to call, but I only received a change when I received an interview when I interviewed during the 06-07 cycle.
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i called yesterday. they just said that they couldn't give the information over the phone and they will be concluding the application reviews in about a month. i guess we'll just have to wait and see.
 
I had called early last week and someone answered. I think you can try to call again but I know that when I was calling in November they told me that they send out all their interview invites in batches and not on a rolling basis. So for example everyone who applied around the time that I did had to wait till the first week of December to be told if they had an interview or not. Given that, I'd guess that they're going to send out the next batch of interviews (and rejections) by the end of the month or so. A lady I had spoken in the admissions office also said that they will definitely continue interviewing till Mid-March at least. She informed me that there should be a number of spots left in the class for people interviewing in 08, of course your chances are less than someone who interviewed in November or December but there's still a decent chance if you prepare well. In fact I was told by HemaOncoDoc and other current NSU students that there was good movement off the waitlist in last year's class. Someone also told me that (s)he interviewed mid-February and was accepted 2 weeks later. 😀
 
I was the one who posted above about being accepted last March, after interviewing in February. And we did have pretty good movement off of the waitlist last year, but it can change year to year. So who knows what the waitlist movement will be like. Just keep yourself updated by calling the office and keep working hard at school, work, whatever until you get the call. Good Luck.😀
 
masalamonkey said:
Any current students who aren't busy on 1/24, it would be great to meet you. I will be flying in that day and will visit the NSU campus around 4:00PM, my interview is the next day. By the way, are there any places in particular that I should go and check out? Would be great to meet some of you guys and get to know a little more about your personal experiences at NSU. Also, I had some questions:

1. How do the international clinical rotations work? I know they are held in two locations and Jamaica is one of them, right? Does it count as a rotation? I really liked these programs when I read about them earlier and would be really interested in getting to know more about them.

2. How much PBL is incorporated into the curriculum, is it sufficient/helpful? From the match lists and other information available I'd think that the curriculum prepares students well for clinical rotations and residency, but it would be great to get some views on that.

3. What are your overall views on the faculty? I know people have generally voiced concerns over the administration, does this sentiment apply to faculty as well? How much can the administration actually affect your medical education or prospects for gaining good clinical spots or residencies?

4. Are there some people who get into relatively competitive non-primary residencies? Though, I have not made up my mind, I do have an interest in surgery having shadowed one for some months.

5. Finally, and I know this is the third time I'm asking this, anyone interviewing on 1/25? (I'm pretty sure there should be a good number of us! :laugh:) For those who interview in the next couple of weeks, please do post your feedback, I'll do the same after mine! 😀
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Can't plan that early in advance, but I'll see if I'll be free that day. What kind of places are thinking about checking out? (on-campus, off-campus, housing, sites and sounds of Ft. L?)

1. The international clinical rotations are mainly reserved for the electives. In the event that you got that confused with mission trips, NSUCOM hosts several mission trips during the year (Ecuador, Nicaragua, Jamaica). The mission trips do not count towards your rotation.

2. Let me preface this by saying, the curriculum is in the process of being revamped, but as it stands today, not much PBL is incorporated into the curriculum. Currently, the largest chunk of PBL will come during the second semester of biochem, where you will meet in small groups for a biochemistry paper/presentation. I think PBL has its strengths, but one of the reasons I chose Nova over other schools was that it did not have much PBL.

3. Your SGA e-board, elected during the first semester should act as the liaison between professors and the class. First impressions matter. Be respectful and they will be respectful. It's only common sense. In terms of rotations and residencies. Administration gathers your information, you're responsible for performing.

4. Look at the list of 05-07 residency positions. Short answer, yes.

5. Relax during your interview! Best of luck.
 
masalamonkey said:
I had called early last week and someone answered. I think you can try to call again but I know that when I was calling in November they told me that they send out all their interview invites in batches and not on a rolling basis. So for example everyone who applied around the time that I did had to wait till the first week of December to be told if they had an interview or not. Given that, I'd guess that they're going to send out the next batch of interviews (and rejections) by the end of the month or so. A lady I had spoken in the admissions office also said that they will definitely continue interviewing till Mid-March at least. She informed me that there should be a number of spots left in the class for people interviewing in 08, of course your chances are less than someone who interviewed in November or December but there's still a decent chance if you prepare well. In fact I was told by HemaOncoDoc and other current NSU students that there was good movement off the waitlist in last year's class. Someone also told me that (s)he interviewed mid-February and was accepted 2 weeks later. 😀
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Movement depends on the year. NSUCOM like all medical schools understands that some individuals apply later than other for various reasons. They hold spots open for well-qualified applicants in the Winter/Spring cycle.

Waiting was the most difficult part of the process.
 
Thanks for the information. I was thinking of just walking around the campus, nothing in particular, and meeting some students (main focus). I'm sure the tour will cover lecture halls, labs, interesting spots etc. I thought I might check out any restaurants/bars/shops/sites just outside of NSU, just to get an idea of where people hang out outside of the school. Any ideas?

Actually, it would be great to sit in on a lecture if there is anything going on at that time/day. (Not sure if I'll be let in though!😀) Again, I'd be at NSU by 4:30ish on Thursday, 1/24.

With regards to the international electives, do you know where students go typically? How well are they managed/organized? Does NSU have connections with foreign medical schools or hospitals or is it up to students to organize these?

When you say the curriculum is being revamped, what are the major changes expected? When would the new curriculum come into effect? Do you think the current teaching model works well on the whole?

I'll be sure to PM some of the students closer to my interview date to see if they are free. 🙂
 
masalamonkey said:
Thanks for the information. I was thinking of just walking around the campus, nothing in particular, and meeting some students (main focus). I'm sure the tour will cover lecture halls, labs, interesting spots etc. I thought I might check out any restaurants/bars/shops/sites just outside of NSU, just to get an idea of where people hang out outside of the school. Any ideas?

Actually, it would be great to sit in on a lecture if there is anything going on at that time/day. (Not sure if I'll be let in though!😀) Again, I'd be at NSU by 4:30ish on Thursday, 1/24.

With regards to the international electives, do you know where students go typically? How well are they managed/organized? Does NSU have connections with foreign medical schools or hospitals or is it up to students to organize these?

When you say the curriculum is being revamped, what are the major changes expected? When would the new curriculum come into effect? Do you think the current teaching model works well on the whole?

I'll be sure to PM some of the students closer to my interview date to see if they are free. 🙂
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I asked about international rotations at my interview and was told that the student is responsible for setting up the rotation and that NSU just has to approve it. They said they just want to be sure it's a respectable institution and that they know you're there for an educational rotation.
 
Does Nova ever send out interview invites to applicants before LORs are received?? I submitted my secondary last week, but unfortunately my LORs are taking FOREVER. I have 2 non-science and a DO letter, but my science letters writers are being absolutely ridiculous. I know i should have done this earlier, but I didnt decide to apply until very late.

is there anything I can do (beside hounding my writers) to speed up this process at Nova?

Thanks!
 
masalamonkey said:
Thanks for the information. I was thinking of just walking around the campus, nothing in particular, and meeting some students (main focus). I'm sure the tour will cover lecture halls, labs, interesting spots etc. I thought I might check out any restaurants/bars/shops/sites just outside of NSU, just to get an idea of where people hang out outside of the school. Any ideas?

Actually, it would be great to sit in on a lecture if there is anything going on at that time/day. (Not sure if I'll be let in though!😀) Again, I'd be at NSU by 4:30ish on Thursday, 1/24.

With regards to the international electives, do you know where students go typically? How well are they managed/organized? Does NSU have connections with foreign medical schools or hospitals or is it up to students to organize these?

When you say the curriculum is being revamped, what are the major changes expected? When would the new curriculum come into effect? Do you think the current teaching model works well on the whole?

I'll be sure to PM some of the students closer to my interview date to see if they are free. 🙂
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M1s end class at 3:00pm, so I'm not sure how many students you will be able to find. The M2s may still have classes then.

You will be able to go into the labs now that the cadavers are gone. I wasn't able to do so because of the law.

If you go out at night, there will be students at the Ye Olde Falcon pub and the Davie Ale House, both on S. University Drive. Anything that is close to campus will be frequented by COM students.

Someone answered your question about international rotations.
 
MikeMD said:
Does Nova ever send out interview invites to applicants before LORs are received?? I submitted my secondary last week, but unfortunately my LORs are taking FOREVER. I have 2 non-science and a DO letter, but my science letters writers are being absolutely ridiculous. I know i should have done this earlier, but I didnt decide to apply until very late.

is there anything I can do (beside hounding my writers) to speed up this process at Nova?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes, Nova does send interview invites before LORs are received. Whether they follow that practice this late in the season, I'm not quite sure. However, a decision to accept or reject will not be rendered until LORs are in.

There is little you can do about the lateness of your letters besides providing them stamped envelopes...and encouragement.
 
Excited - Called in and asked about the status of my application and was offered and interview over the phone! Cant wait - Im really looking forward to checking the school out! Anyone have an idea on how NSUCOM students match?
 
HemaOncoDoc said:
4. Look at the list of 05-07 residency positions. Short answer, yes.
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Where can I view this list? I have an interview scheduled for 1/22 and would love to have my hands on this info before then.

Thanks
 
HemaOncoDoc said:
Look under "Recent Graduate Placement":

http://medicine.nova.edu/academics/clinical/index.html

Enjoy! Congrats! Kick Butt! I think I'm giving tours that day.
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I just looked at the core campus assignments and wondered how that is decided. Can you request where you do your core rotations and if so, how likely are you to go where you want? If I wanted to do all of my rotations in Ft. Lauderdale, could I?
 
seb83 said:
I just looked at the core campus assignments and wondered how that is decided. Can you request where you do your core rotations and if so, how likely are you to go where you want? If I wanted to do all of my rotations in Ft. Lauderdale, could I?
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It is done by lottery, a random selection. It is a student-run process, so you decide the rules and regulations. Last year, they had one lottery drawing and a trading session where you can trade a site with fellow student. In recent years, over 90% of students received one of their top three choices.

Note, this will be your core hospital, but I don't believe any single hospital has all the core rotations. In that case, you will be spending three to four months in your core hospital and doing your other cores at neighboring and/or sister facilities.
 
Thanks for all the help so far, really appreciate it!

Just had some more questions:

1. What the heck is a transitional year or rotating? internship or whatever it's called???😕 From what I understand in FL there is a compulsory one year internship, but I thought the first year of any residency is the internship year?? Just really confused by this.

2. Just to clarify: the third year rotations are done through a lottery in FL (mostly at least), what about 4th year? I assume the rural is in a select area for all students. Also, what is the correctional facility rotation, how does it work, how good is it (bc it sounds really interesting)

3. What is the board pass rate for NSU (what is it compared to the national average)? I'm having a hard time finding one solid answer on that. On the same topic, does the COM give time off or include special study for the COMLEX through the basic science and clinical science years?
 
masalamonkey said:
Thanks for all the help so far, really appreciate it!

Just had some more questions:

1. What the heck is a transitional year or rotating? internship or whatever it's called???😕 From what I understand in FL there is a compulsory one year internship, but I thought the first year of any residency is the internship year?? Just really confused by this.

2. Just to clarify: the third year rotations are done through a lottery in FL (mostly at least), what about 4th year? I assume the rural is in a select area for all students. Also, what is the correctional facility rotation, how does it work, how good is it (bc it sounds really interesting)

3. What is the board pass rate for NSU (what is it compared to the national average)? I'm having a hard time finding one solid answer on that. On the same topic, does the COM give time off or include special study for the COMLEX through the basic science and clinical science years?
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1. Some residency programs require an extra year based on the nature of the program. In order to practice in one of the five states, you will need to do a rotating year which is like another intern year. You can get your first year approved to satisfy this requirement though.

2. Fourth year has your rural rotations, your ER rotation, and your electives. The rurals are done by the lottery also. I have heard good reviews of the correctional facility rotation. The Dean speaks highly of it and if you're worried about being safe, it is. It is a very sound experience.

3. I don't know about the board pass rate for NSU. It is up to par with the national average. NSU offers the Kaplan course and the study material for the COMLEX and since M2s start school in July before other programs, they have an extra month before boards to study. If you take them early, then you have an extra month off before rotations. I'm not sure about step II and on...

I would save some questions for your interview 😛
 
Thanks for the help. Sorry for bombarding you with questions every couple of days, just want to be sure that I am relatively ready since NSU is my top choice. May bug you again later though 😛!! Hopefully I'll see you around the campus when I get there. 😀
 
masalamonkey said:
Thanks for the help. Sorry for bombarding you with questions every couple of days, just want to be sure that I am relatively ready since NSU is my top choice. May bug you again later though 😛!! Hopefully I'll see you around the campus when I get there. 😀
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Not a problem at all. Hopefully, you'll have a lot more directed questions than the other interviewees who will be asking about match lists and international rotations.

Best of luck on your interview.
 
hey,

Who else interviewed on 1/11? What did you think?

I absolutely loved the school. I hope I get in!
 
So is anybody else interviewing this Friday on the 18th?? I replied to Dev's email to confirm the date for interview, but have not received a confirmation email back and have not received the information packet either. I've tried contacting him through e-mail and phone and have not been able to reach him. I hope they will be expecting me when I show up. :scared: 🙂
 
I had to call a few times to confirm my interview and for a couple of other things, I found that they usually pick up if you call early in the morning when the office opens (9AM). If you don't get your package before you leave, people have posted the basic schedule as well as directions to the admissions office. Good luck!!
 
HemaOncoDoc said:
Can't plan that early in advance, but I'll see if I'll be free that day. What kind of places are thinking about checking out? (on-campus, off-campus, housing, sites and sounds of Ft. L?)


2. Let me preface this by saying, the curriculum is in the process of being revamped, but as it stands today, not much PBL is incorporated into the curriculum. Currently, the largest chunk of PBL will come during the second semester of biochem, where you will meet in small groups for a biochemistry paper/presentation. I think PBL has its strengths, but one of the reasons I chose Nova over other schools was that it did not have much PBL.
Click to expand...

The majority of PBL is in 2nd year..Its called ILG interactive learning group i think.. you meet once a week for 2 hours and go over cases...and yes its awesome..kinda wish they met twice a week..
 
MikeyLu2010 said:
The majority of PBL is in 2nd year..Its called ILG interactive learning group i think.. you meet once a week for 2 hours and go over cases...and yes its awesome..kinda wish they met twice a week..
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Sweet. Something to look forward to.
 
Random question.

I was reading on another thread that some people got Christmas cards from Nova -- but both of those kids aren't necessarily attending next year-- 1 declined his acceptance, and the other just completed her secondary.

I didn't get a card. Did other students (that paid their deposits) get cards? Or are cards reserved for people that aren't coming next year?

I'm kind of miffed-- you'd think Nova's priority would be sending a friendly hello to their future M1's... maybe not... or did other people get a card (snail) and I just for some reason didn't?
 
Sorry, but a random to question to all...I have been complete at NSU for almost 2 months and I am wondering how long other people waited to hear back about an interview invite. I know there were holidays to consider but I was just curious. I am in-state with 3.6 / 3.2 and 23S (yah, i know a little low..scored considerably lower than practice tests)..but I have letters from a D.O. who graduated from NSU and an M.D. who is apparently on the board at NSU (shadowed both) and a lot of other EC's (intramurals, AMSA, Relay for Life, Honor Societies..etc). Nova is my first choice for any school so this is the only school where the delay is really bothering me. Any advice/input would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
I interviewed early in the season, so it may be slightly different (less apps to process) but my turnaround time for the invite was < 2 wks. I might call and ask (sometimes invites are given over the phone 🙂) b/c you dont want them to somehow have missed your app, and then run out of interview slots. Try to speak with a counselor to get the scoop.


UMCanesMD said:
Sorry, but a random to question to all...I have been complete at NSU for almost 2 months and I am wondering how long other people waited to hear back about an interview invite. I know there were holidays to consider but I was just curious. I am in-state with 3.6 / 3.2 and 23S (yah, i know a little low..scored considerably lower than practice tests)..but I have letters from a D.O. who graduated from NSU and an M.D. who is apparently on the board at NSU (shadowed both) and a lot of other EC's (intramurals, AMSA, Relay for Life, Honor Societies..etc). Nova is my first choice for any school so this is the only school where the delay is really bothering me. Any advice/input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
Wohoo Just this second got an email from Rachel Weiner that I've been invited for an interview! My first invite!! I'm already nervous/excited! Any advice? I live about 40min away so I'll be able to fly home and relax the day before, which is nice.
 
Anybody interview w/ me on Jan 15? Have you gotten "the call"?
 
soccer12 said:
i've had my stuff in with my application complete on 11/15. i still haven't heard anything yet...i've checked with their online site and i guess my app is still under review. do they offer interviews next year??? or is the entering class mostly full now? i'm really interested in this school.
Click to expand...

A friend of mine was interviewed last year in Feb, but he never made it off the waitlist -- but I think his problem is that he didn't interview well.

And I interviewed really early this year and took me almost 4 weeks to hear back -- and never got a phone call. The whole interview day was chaotic and disorganized, but as many people have probably said, don't judge the school based on the admissions office. I just found the school too large, and it felt like the DO program was just another program in their HUGE empire, not the star like it is at many institutions. Good luck if Nova is your first choice -- my spot hopefully will go to one of you!
 
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