NSUCOM Class of 2006!

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Awesome to see a Pediatric match on the list!!
 
Wow! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> I go away for a few days and this post has taken off running... 😀

Thank you Kate for the info! Thank you for the match list! :clap: You guys rock!

Hey- on that thing they sent us it said something about coupons and envelopes for our deposits? Did the rest of you get these things? I think they jipped me because I've been having to pay postage for those! (not that I wouldn't send that amount certified anyway...) 😕 😀 Thanks!

Missy- I lost your phone number with the site crash..I'll be arriving in NO on Thursday morning...email me or something so we can make plans to meet up! 🙂 [email protected] Thanks!
 
dearlord, awesome...thanks for the match info!

Can anyone fill me in on what the rotating osteopathic internships and transtional internships are?

Missy 🙂
 
Hi Everyone,

I am a current M1 at NOVA, and I must agree with KateWL's comments regarding Renal. I want to give all the incoming M1s a "heads-up" as to what went on.

The renal/endocrine professor passed away near the beginning of the semester, soon after teaching us the nervous system. So, the physio department hires Dr. Lyons to teach us &#8211; he used to be the chair of the physio department, but now teaches at FIU (or FAU). Now, they hire this guy to teach us renal phys, when the department already has professors that teach renal phys to other divisions (dental, optometry, etc). On top of that, they hire someone who has been known in the past (when he taught here) to give impossible exams where the averages were way below passing (around 50 or 60!!)

From the start it seemed that his teaching was quite good. He explained concepts well, and was an overall good professor. However, while studying his packet after he has left the school (we had already started a new topic in physio) it was quite amazing all the mistakes me and my classmates found. Arrows pointing up that should be down, contradictions everywhere (on a diagram he clearly shows that urea is secreted at a specific site, but in his text a few paragraphs later he says it is absorbed...) Now, he noticed during class the numerous mistakes that he had, and corrected a fraction of them - but we ended up having to take an exam with notes that were unclear and confusing.
People turned to reading the Vander "Renal Physiology" mini-book and the assigned text from the class &#8211; and appeared to be confident with the materal. And then, the test came...

It was amazing at all the questions that either had no correct answer, or more likely (5 or 6 questions) &#8211; more than one correct answer VERBATIM from his notes. We were even asked questions on the contradictions in the packet.
We are not allowed to ask questions during exams, so that was a big problem for our sanity.. Lyons left the school after the exam, and is nowhere to be found. Big surprise &#8211; average on the test was a 64, and now about 30 people in the class are failing physiology. The current chair of the department refuses to curve the exam (despite the pleas of students and faculty), and says it might be curved at the end of the year depending on the average.
Many now say that is an unlikely thing, since students have been going to his office and complaining. He is quite mad at our class for complaining (like we have no rights to talk about a completely unfair examination)

The facts: We had a bad packet and a completely unfair test by anyone's standards, and no action has been taken. Most of the master's students who got A's and high B's ont he exam last year failed or just barely passed. Students who had 90's and above on all 3 previous exams now got in the 60s. Doesn't that show that there is something wrong with the exam? NOT the students taking it (which the current chair in convinced of). The administration seems to be doing nothing to remedy this. We have so many students in the class barely passing &#8211; and although we have two exams left (we had respiratory today, which was difficult, but at least "fair") &#8211; nobody seems to realize the position this puts people in. It creates unneccessary stress in those that are in danger of repeating the year.

Simply stated, a great injustice has been done to the class of 2005, and although the school prides itself on students and their say in everything, this tragedy to our class is falling on deaf ears.

Now, there are rumors around that they are trying to weed us out because of our class size, and the administration has of course denied everything &#8211; yet, it is quite clear this may be the truth: They willingly hire a professor known to give tsts that fail a majority of the class, and although these exams were curved in the past, they refuse to do so for us. Something just does NOT seem right here.

Just wanted all the incoming M1s to know of our situation, and be aware that you and your class might not have that big a "voice" as you would like. In your first semester, demand to the powers that be that you don't have Dr. Lyons, or your class might too suffer unjust treatment by the school, and have no power whatsoever to combat this wrong done to us all.

Good Luck to you all, and pray for those of use who were willingly failed!
 
I have just decided to attend NOVA in the fall. Im way excited to be moving there. I am looking to buy a house/condo/townhouse. Any advice from others that have done this already?
 
Hey fellow novees. Just wondering if there are any computer savvy people out there who could inform me of the best notebook (laptop) for medical school. Actually I can have only one, a desktop computer or a notebook, so I think I'm going with the notebook just in case it could be handy. So ok, it's for four years at least and all, so anyone know what it should have or exactly what kind would be best??? 😕 I'm lost on the whole choosing one from the millions out there that will be obsolete in six months anyway. 🙁 Suggestions please...
Much appreciated.
 
To KateWL and VOYCE:

What's the deal with renal?? So much for the "open door policy" of the faculty. Please tell me that you haven't encountered these problems all year! Is this the first time or a chronic problem?

Missy 😕
 
Hi mistirvr,

I must say that this is not a chronic problem. The professors here do have an open door policy -For the most part, they all care about us.
In fact, the physio chair usually has his door open to students at all times, just after the exam, he wanted to get away from the class and our complaints. I guess he knew the truth about the exam (how it should be dropped), but couldn't stand to deal with it.
 
Hello All-

Wow. It's been a while since I posted to this thread! It's good to see all of you pre-M1's excited to be heading down sunny Florida. Hopefully you'll have an enjoyable and relaxing summer before starting the adventure of Med School in August.

A little business...I'm going to be contributing to the M1 orientation program. If you have any suggestions or requests, please pass them along. I can't guarentee we can accomodate everyone, but we can see what we can do. Most of it is driven by the administration, but there is some semblance of Student Government input. If you want to get an idea of what to expect, check out your class website. I gave Amra a copy of our orientation sked. Yours will be a lot shorter (hopefully) ours was 3 days of stuff crammed into a week. 🙄

I'm not intending to start a flame war here with Voyce or the lovely Kate <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" /> . However, I have a little different opinion about the infamous "Renal Exam"

First off: I think the "simple fix" is that the test should have been curved. It seems to me to be so straightforward. Slap the standard bell curve on the thing, and you have most of the problems solved. My undergrad degree was in engineering, where we lived and died by partial credit, and the curve. (and as an aside, here, just remember that since engineering exams have averages in the 40's sometimes, the people that designed the bridge you're driving over only knew 40% of the material!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> )

Anyway, the "rub" with the Renal Exam is that they told us from the beginning "We don't curve" (And I seem to remember the guy that told us this doing so in his best Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore: "Charlie don't surf" imitation). Yes, it's a little bit of an ego battle here, but right or wrong, that's the policy, and they're sticking to it.

(In my opinion), the test itself was hard. Renal Physiology is hard! However, I don't know if it was really "unfair." I think that it was in an entirely different format than we expected, written by a Professor that we didn't expect to have. I don't remember any questions that were completely off-the-wall, but they definately required a lot of concept juggling to try to figure them out. The "new" teacher and notes packet errors definately contributed to the confusion, but I don't think these things were the only two reasons that we had problems...remember, "Renal Physiology is Hard!" plus, we had just come off spring break, and a good percentage of us did *not* spend our break with renal books in hand. The bottom line here, is that I think there were many factors that contributed to us getting slammed by this test.

BTW, one of our professors told me why there is a "no questions during the test" policy. Apparently, last year, questions were allowed. Students complained, though, that the question-askers were getting an unfair advantage, so they went to the current policy.

Please don't think that the Nova administration is a band of evil overlords, seeking to crush the DO student population with their mighty fists. I think that a conspiricy to attrite our class by sending in a "ringer" is a bit of a reach. Despite the situation, there is still dialog between the students and the administration/faculty across the board about a lot of issues. Don't let this particular incident sour your opinion of Nova and its program.

I'm sure you'll get the word when the rest of this saga plays out. Recognize that there are lots of unknowns about this thing, so don't be hasty in passing judgement.

Meanwhile, stay excited about starting your M1 year...see ya this summer!!!

Cheers,
-Stickboy
 
Guys, I, being a student at Nova already, can vouch for Stickboy's comments. In pharmacy, physio is split between two semesters and renal was part of the 2nd semester's syllabus. The material, when presented well, is not that bad, but is NOT walk in the park. The other thing is that the medical sciences dept. seemed to have a grudge with the pharmacy program and REALLY held fast to the no curve thing, despite any amount of pleading or groveling (funny enough, alot of our physio. professors would comment how well their medical students understood the material compared to us!) <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> . However, surprisingly, we received end of the semester curves that caused our failure numbers to go from 20 people to 2. Things tend to work out in the end...the Nova administrators are not heartless or cruel...but, they are very picky about details, like if the class as a whole has not been showing up or if every student in such and such programs is always out of dress code. Just things to think about.
 
Ah, I remember those M1 years...

I guess technically I am a 4th year medical student now, since the previous M4s are graduating this month...

It is almost a tradition for NSUCOM students to whine and complain. Apparently my class (2003) upped the ante, and the following classes have surpassed us. Things may seem unfair and the administration is against the students, but that is simply not the case.

Do you think the professors or the administration really want to try to fail people or to create an unnecessarily hard exam? Come on. They're real people too.

What REALLY pisses them off is the 200 students who run up to their offices for the ten minute break and yell and use explitives at them... who would like that?

As medical students, its in our nature to try to be at the top of the class. We are so used to being the cream of the crop in undergrad, and when we come to medical school, we're not anymore. We're at the average. Or a little below, or a little above. What a shot to the ego, for 80% of us. We get nervous and upset and take the blame to the administrators or the professors. Hey, their job is to teach us, not to fail us. Remember that.

Renal physiology is hard. One of teh harder subjects in physio. 'nuff said.

People are going to fail physio. People are going to fail their first year of medical school. 'nuff said.
 
Ah, I remember those M1 years...

I guess technically I am a 4th year medical student now, since the previous M4s are graduating this month...

It is almost a tradition for NSUCOM students to whine and complain. Apparently my class (2003) upped the ante, and the following classes have surpassed us. Things may seem unfair and the administration is against the students, but that is simply not the case.

Do you think the professors or the administration really want to try to fail people or to create an unnecessarily hard exam? Come on. They're real people too.

What REALLY pisses them off is the 200 students who run up to their offices for the ten minute break and yell and use explitives at them... who would like that?

As medical students, its in our nature to try to be at the top of the class. We are so used to being the cream of the crop in undergrad, and when we come to medical school, we're not anymore. We're at the average. Or a little below, or a little above. What a shot to the ego, for 80% of us. We get nervous and upset and take the blame to the administrators or the professors. Hey, their job is to teach us, not to fail us. Remember that.

Renal physiology is hard. One of teh harder subjects in physio. 'nuff said.

People are going to fail physio. People are going to fail their first year of medical school. 'nuff said.
 
Being an M1 i agree with everything the current students have said. However, I have two issues. If the school is going to demand professionalism from it's students I think the same should be demanded of it's professors. If they are going to provide us notes at a minimum those notes should be proof read for accuracy. At this level that is unprofessional. I agree whole heartedly that renal is tough, but so was cardio and respiratory, and when the median grade drops 15 points from the other averages, i think it is somewhat indicative that the information was not presented in the same light as cardio and resp. But in the end you have to suck it up and move on. I am not as much concerned with the grades but rather the question of whether I know renal phys. well enough for next years renal path and more importantly the boards. It is those issues that I take personally and hold the administration responsible for. Beacuse no matter how you look at it (upset with them or not) their job is to prepare us for boards. They are our teachers. When the majority of the class fails an exam, the students don't know the material. Only knowing 65% of the material will not cut it for boards. Just my opinion.
 
Hey Liz,

It has been a long time since we talked (after our NOVA interview). I wanted to let you know that I am planning on going to NOVA!! I am so excited. 🙂 I know it was always your first choice. I thought about going to CCOM but I changed my mind.
Have you decided on where your going to live? Let me know how you are doing.

Iris
 
I left out the most important thing to the previous post. The renal situation is not indicative of the NSU medical program. This must be put into perspective, the physio department was put into a tough situation due to the loss of one of their coworkers. The situation that came about was nobody's fault. Some feel though that the situation could have been handled better. This school takes great pride in teaching it's students. I almost have one year under my belt (yeah!!) and can truly say that 95% of the professors here are good teachers that care about their students. Anywhere you go, you will always have professors that don't appeal to you...we have all had them. There is no medical school that is exempt of this. NSU has a great program with exceptional teachers and students. One little mishap is simply a drop in the bucket to all the great things that makes this school what it is. Ok...I have to get back to mycology!!
 
By mycology, do you REALLY mean magic mushrooms? mmhmmm Thats what I thought. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />
 
scarne

don't worry about renal phys and next year. The Nephrology system isn't bad at all. I didn't really know my renal phys in the first place, but when you taek the systems course, it doesn't really come up. If you want to be a nephrologist you sure as hell better know your phys, but now that i look back on it, it didn't really make much of an impression on teh systems course or even right now as i am starting my 4th year.
Q
 
mydear- I can answer you question extremely well... unfortunately, it is with another question... Before choosing a computer (lap or desk), ask your self what am I going to be using it for? A little known and seldom talked about fact is that computer software (with few exceptions) do not "push" the hardware at all (read: hardware is more advanced than the software). The few exceptions deal with hardcore gaming and multimedia manipulation.

Now, I am a computer junkie (go figure, me?)... I have a nice small apt... with 4 desktops and 2 laps. The fastest system I have is a 900MHz and that system is for making DVDs. The computer that controls the whole network is a measly 500MHz.

Remember all the hype you hear about computers is designed specifically to sell computers (esp since that market is down). Figure out what YOU need and buy accordingly... 🙂

If I can help further(or anyone), please drop me an email ([email protected])

-A
 
Hey, on that match list alot of people got a "rotating osteopathic internship"...does that mean they matched into a specialty and are doing this before entering the program or do they have to go through a process again after the internship?
 
Iris!!!!!!!!!! :clap:

I'm so excited!!! Congratulations! I can't wait to see you down there...when are you moving down? I'm going at the beginning of July and will be living in Cedar Key. Wow! I hadn't heard from you, so I didn't know what was up! (esp after we both cancelled our Touro interviews).. 😀 😀 😀 It's great that we're going to be classmates, I'm very excited! Thanks for posting. If you want, email me: [email protected]

🙂 Liz
 
Eek! We're slipping! BUMP! 😀
 
Will anyone be around tues 5/14-fri5/17?
I'm coming down to look at apts. Anyone wanna meet up?
 
Hey Brian...with the wireless connection in the Nova computer labs...can any wireless network card allow you to connect to the internet or does it have to be a specific one? My roomate is using a dell wireless connection but i have a sony vaio laptop...are they compatible? Thanks!
 
Actually, I'd like some advice about those cool organizer things...PDA's or whatever the heck it's called. I thought PDA stood for Public display of affection, so I might be calling them the wrong thing. Anyways, I'm not a computer person, so any advice without the technical lingo would be good for me too. So as you all are addressing Vash's question, through me a bone or two about those PDA thingies.
Thanks in advance!
 
Personally shibz I would wait unless you have a specific need for one now. They are fun toys with gameboy emulators and such, but I don't thin we will need them until we start our rotations in 2004. By that time these that we have today will be archaic. I bought a visor prism just because my brother got one and while its cool...it was really a waste of 300 dollars in terms of actual need. The only time it has been truly useful is when my computer crashed and I lost all my contacts in my address book. They were all on my PDA too. Old fashioned pen and paper are still faster and cheaper, but if you're like me and you just HAVE to waste money-by all means get one. I got a GPS with mine so I could drive around and play with scrolling maps like I was in a Cadillac or something hehehe. I have actually seen people in school typing their notes on a portable keyboard which in my opinion looks almost as funny as people trying to ride those faddish little foldable scooters around on campus. I know this one girl who actually does her whole papers on her WindowsCE based HP Jornada!!! She just takes it home then and prints it out. BTW she does this without an external keyboard! If you are a truly disorganized person yet not so disorganized that you'll forget to use it...it might be a good thing for you. Otherwise, I would save my money and just get one when you have a need for it and when the features are better. They are just beginning to make things like built in cell phone/internet access, color display, 16+ MB memory, etc standard and soon I'm sure they will have wireless functionality like bluetooth so you can connect to wireless networks like at NOVA. I'd say that if you are that disorganized or regimented though, you probably already use a leather bound day-timer or something because thats really all PDA's are...for now.
 
Slingster--
Perfect advice...just what the DO ordered!
Thanks, I think I will stay with the old paper organizer. Although I still want one of those foldup scooters! Thanks again!
 
Vash-

I was poking around the NOVA website regarding the wireless cards and they recommend 2 of them on the site... As long as its 8011b (that is off the top of my head so I might be wrong with the designation) - the industry wireless standard - it should work. I'm going to do a "learn everything about wireless" soon... so I'll keep you posted (pun intended).

Regarding the PDA thingy, I'm going to wait. 2 reasons: (1) I have a really small laptop (2) I'll forget the thing at home and (3) technology is changing so damn fast, what's 'hot' now, is going to obsolete in 3 months and (4) I want one to replace all my other gadgets (DVR, phone, etc) cause I'm not into the Batman utility belt look.

-A

BTW, I hate computers. 😛
 
Hi, I am really interested in applying to NOVA next year. I am really impressed with the curriculum and the school in general (from what Ive heard).

I was just curious, how far is it from the beach (obviously not important, but I was just wondering)?

Good luck to all of you next year!!!!! 🙂
 
Hey guys,

I was down at NOVA this weekend securing housing for next year, and I decided to live in Davie Crossings. I visited all of the complexes near school and even a few north in plantation, but this turned out to be the best situation. I'm just curious if anyone out there in this forum will be a neighbor.

--Michael
 
Hey Guys,

Compared to other schools do you know how the residency match looked? Did many students get their top choices in AMA residencies?

Any info about this is much appreciated!

Thanks!
 
Hey Liz,

Yes, I almost forgot about the TUCOM interview. We were both so sure we were going to go and then decided to skip it :wink: ! I think I will be moving down in mid July. I am so excited we are going to be classmates!!! 😀 I just sent you an email.

I love this forum.

Iris
 
Shibby- I actually bought a Handspring Visor a while ago and am adjusting to not having a huge date book to write stuff in. I'm pretty good with the grafitti, and figure that I'll be able to use it for med school and then get a better model for residency. I love my new toy so far....but it's definitely not necessary from what I've been told. I got a great deal (only $80 from CompUSA on sale) so I went for it. 🙂

Iris- My old email went bye-bye so you'll probably get that message back. My only working email right now is: [email protected]
Have you checked out our homepage? (www.nsucom2006.com) My future roommate did the whole thing, he rocks! We have some chats and stuff going on over there too- you should join us! (and you can get free email too). 😀 Talk to you soon!
 
Careofme

NSUCOM alum usually get their top choices. I can't give you any statistics...

I'm not sure if perusing the match list between schools is a big predictor of the school... because some DO schools really draw a lot of primary care applicants, who tend to go to community hospitals...

I know some DO students who matched into Harvard, and I don't think it really matters where they went to school. Point is, it doesn't really matter where you go to med school. It all depends on board scores, grades, and how well you did on electives. And of course, the interview. At your step of the game, just have fun, make friends, and do well in class.
Q
 
Ok, I don't have anything to say, but I really love my new avatar!
 
Quinn,

Thanks...I'm just trying to get an idea if when residency application comes around, NSUCOM grads have options (grades, LORs, etc being good).
 
careofme

i don't know the match list for this year's class,but i do know that 3 people are going to johns hopkins for IM which is pretty good. i think as long as you do your best in your classes and rotations and boards as well you shouldn't have any problems getting your top choice no matter where you go to school.
 
Wow, has anyone read that thread called "COMP needs to change, what to do?" Makes me awfully glad I'm not going to that school! Read that stuff when you get a chance, they've got problems. But...makes me wonder. I know there are problems at every school, so are there any current NOVA students who have anything to say, whether positive or negative? I'd like to learn more about what the students think, not just what I've read from brochures. Also, advice would be nice, on anything to do with med school. Always take advice from your elders, right? Thanks
 
Major slippage--must be #1...
 
Looks like as we get near crunch-time, there is less talk of getting together for that disney/sea world trip. 🙁

Oh and BUMP! :wink:
 
I am starting to lean towards what ever is least expensive.... It's getting close now... Trying to build up some reserves... I may have to settle for meeting you on the beach!!!

Mike

🙂
 
Look guys! I've gotten my hat back (even though it's a beach hat (I think)). 😀

Yeah, we should do inexpensive things, Disney is a money pit at the least, although it would be fun. Maybe we can have Nova beach day or a pizza and beer night or something. Or all meet up at Las Olas after we get there.... the local possibilities are endless.

Can't wait to get there now that we're talking about it!!!! :clap:
 
does anyone know if someone is selling a computer desk? I will move my belongings down to FL on June 15th
(depends if germany plays in the world cup on that day or not) :wink:
so perhaps one could meet then.
 
Well since most of you are staying in those apartments, why don't you see about renting out a clubhouse for a NOVA class of 2006 get-together, say mid July? I'm sure we can come up with the money, can't cost that much. We can order pizza, have a BYOB deal and party down! It would be a bit hard to get everyone into a restaurant or local hangout, and actually be able to get to know eachother. You gotta stick us all in a room with music and give us alcohol, it's what we know! See ya'll soon, can't wait.
 
Am I the only one who has problems with class of 2006 website. I can get on there but only read the homepage, the things to click on don't show up for some reason. 🙁 Is this my computer's fault? (I like to blame everything on this computer)
 
Bonnie,

Do you have an old version of Internet Explorer or Netscape??

I think the site works best with IE and try to update and see if that helps...

Mike
 
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