NSUCOM Class of 2013

[linkDO]

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So I was at the Computer Discussion online tonight. They said they will post the transcript from it but not sure if it'll get done. (They said that about the others) Here's what I figured out from it:

-It's not required to purchase the laptop but they say it is a "great deal" and that the school has a close relationship with Dell.
-If you'd like the school sponsored laptop you must sign up to get it through the WebCT course online in the "Quiz" section. (This must be done by June you will not be able to get one until the following summer)
-The school sponsored laptop does have Microsoft Office on it.
-They continually said Mac's WILL NOT work for the computerized testing. Yes, even with bootcamp software.
-Those with Mac's will take a pencil and paper form of the test.
-If you buy the school sponsored laptop you will receive it during Orientation.
-Next year we will use computerized tests for some courses. By our second year they plan to fully implement computerized testing and we will take 100% of our exams on our computers.

Hope this helps answer some peoples questions. If I think of anything more we talked about I'll let you all know.

 

[Krahis]

I have a hard time imagining that any computer purchased within the last 3 years will struggle with the software they require. I was cracking encryptions on a computer that was 6 years old. It took an hour+ for many calculations, but I'm pretty sure a multiple choice test with pictures is not more intensive than code breaking. 😛

I think you're underestimating how poorly coded/designed this type of software can be. Should it run just fine? I would think so. Will it? I can't be sure until it's tested. However, after reading linkDO's comments, I may just run with my current laptop and see if I have any issues. I can always buy a new laptop if I find this one to be insufficient.

 

[MossPoh]

It still makes no sense to me that it doesn't work with bootcamp. I feel like they are mixing bootcamp and parallels up. Parallels runs within the OSX environment but bootcamp is simply allowing you to choose which operating system you go into at the beginning. It isn't a different version of the operating system...it is windows. It is running windows on a separate partition. If you had a laptop with linux and then had windows on it for a few things would it not work that? I doubt it.

They always say those computer packages are a deal. Truth is, they usually aren't much of one. I was on the board as the student representative for my major when they came to do that. The overwhelming decision was to NOT go with such a plan because: 1) surveyed people tend to like a choice and to be a little different. 2) The deals really weren't that great. (I think it wound up being 50 bucks cheaper than I could get with some posted discount codes.)


Trust me, I've seen some horrendously written software. It would have to be the most inefficient code on the planet to truly tax any computer purchased within the last 2-3 years. Maybe they used frontpage and poorly written java, but if the software is THAT bad then I don't understand why any university would even consider purchasing it....I'm sure they still would (like much of the blackboard system) but it is irritating.

Also, most universities have a student discount for office if you are set on using it. I got my copy of office for 30 dollars and my adobe acrobat pro for 50.

 

[Krahis]

.. snip ..

I'm with you in hoping this is the case.

Alright, here's a question for you all. I've been a lax on my financial aid reading and admit that I do not properly understand the maximum limits allowed. In reading the 09-10 budget CoA allowances that NSU I've been thinking. It seems to state that each year of school will run approximately 70-80k for an off campus/out of state resident.

Now, I've read that CoA takes into account tuition, student activity fees, books, and room and board. So essentially this 70-80k is NSUCOM's CoA?

Next, I've heard that federal loans cover, at maximum, the student's CoA ... however, they have a cap that may end prior to that CoA being reached? I've also read that the cap (aggregate) for federal loans is 225k. So 225k/4 years = 56k annually. Does that mean the 80k-56k = 24k annually must come from private loans/scholarships?

I've heard from some people that gradplus loans are included in the 225k aggregate limit, and from others that they are not. The final word? I'm essentially trying to find where I'm going to manage the aforementioned 24k/year that is about that 225k aggregate limit. Still being a younger student, and after paying for undergrad, my savings are barely enough to put a dent into 24k annually. Private loans are my only recourse?

I've seen that for the needs based aid/grants that one must submit parent information and I highly doubt I'll qualify for anything under that requirement as my parents are well off - but they simply aren't paying for my education.

Sorry for the rather routine/basic questions, but due to my schedule I haven't been able to make it to any of the financial aid chat sessions and I'd like to hear some advice from people going through the process rather than the speculation of a financial aid officer. Here I sit, awaiting the results of FAFSA and cowering in fear of the debt that awaits. 🙂

 

[GlobeMedder]

Mosspoh,

I questioned them multiple times about the boot camp software supposed issue and Dr. Whitehead kept saying that it wouldnt work with the testing software because of the security software used to block the browser. Do I think that would matter at all from what i have found out from other mac users/mac gurus, probably not. In my opinion what I think will happen is that it will be tested with the boot camp software and they will see that it works bc there is no possible way that it couldnt. I have even looked around on google for such information but didnt find a thing. Hope that helps.

 

[aterry]

For everyone who has already done their apartment homework (I haven't), it would be super insanely helpful if you could post ballpark price, sq,bd/bth, distance from nova, etc...info on each place you looked into. 😀

Apartments Information

Plantation - good neighborhood, near many malls, 8 minute commute from Plantation to Nova according to Google maps, good places to eat, I have information about the safety from the Police Department if you need it.
Plantation Colony
Price: 1/1-1000-1100 and 2/2-1000-1500

Sq. Ft: 850-1250

Bed/Bath: 1/1 and 2/2

Distance: approx. 8 mins

Apartment Website: www.plantationcolony.com


Verona View
Price: 1000-1300

Sq. Ft: 870-1664

Bed/Bath: 1/1, 2/2 and 3/2.5

Distance: approx 8 mins

Apartment Website: www.veronaview-apts.com


Lake Pointe at Jacaranda – cool upgrades, willing to negotiate a little on deposits, rent, etc…, has specials on fees and such
Price: 1000-1500

Sq. Ft: 635-1200

Bed/Bath: studio (really nice), 1/1 and 2/2

Distance: 8 mins

Apartment Website: www.lincolnapts.com go to Florida and find LakePointe



Laurels at Jacaranda – nice apartments and good area

Price: 781-1467

Sq. Ft: 680-1407

Bed/Bath: studio, 1/1, 2/2 and 3/2

Distance: 8 mins

Apartment Website: www.laurelsatjacaranda.com


Sunrise -good neighborhood, Super Target and Ikea here, 16 min commute from Sunrise to Nova, also have stats from the police


Water Terrace – very nice apartments, will paint two accents walls for free, little pricey, will negotiate on rent, deposits, etc.., has specials on fees and such
Price: 860-1578

Sq. Ft: 823-1084

Bed/Bath: 1/1, 2/2 and 2/2.5

Distance: 17 mins

Apartment Website: http://www.lyonapartments.com/waterterrace/waterterrace.asp


Downtown Ft. Lauderdale-seems like a cool area, don’t know anything from the police, 30 mins drive to Nova and traffic may be terrible
Port Royale – really cool but too far

www.equityresidential.com




Pembroke Pines-not much in this area, do not have police stats, 19 mins to Nova
Landings at Pembroke Pines – cool layouts but I did not like the area
www.equityresidential.com

Winston – fine, weird panic button in the bedroom (WTF?)
www.equityresidential.com

North Lauderdale-not as nice as Plantation and Sunrise, 24 mins to Nova
Hamptons – shady people hanging around

www.homeproperties.com

Vinings – same as Hamptons

www.homeproperties.com

Tamarac- did not like at all, 22 mins to Nova
Hidden Harbour – Not as nice apartments in shady area
www.bhmanagement.com


Davie- 5 mins to Nova or less, not as nice as Plantation and Sunrise

Palm Trace Landings – fine, very close to Nova obviously but would not let us take pictures of the apartment (also WTF?) and overpriced.
www.equityresidential.com

Lauderhill-20 mins to Nova, police (Lauderhill police) say that the below apartment complex is a good one, lots of places in this area, not as nice as Sunrise and Plantation (told that by Plantation police)


Waterford Park – cool townhome/2 floor style, nice upgrades, specials and negotiable rent and deposits, 2 bedrooms are pricey

www.capreit.com/waterfordparkapartments/main-page.asp


I was not impressed with any of the equity properties because they charge way too much for pets. I also thought they really stuck it to you with the administrative and application fees. We are going with Lakepointe I think.

 

[p30doc]

thank you thank you thank you aterry 😀

 

[SteelCity]

I'm with you in hoping this is the case.

Alright, here's a question for you all. I've been a lax on my financial aid reading and admit that I do not properly understand the maximum limits allowed. In reading the 09-10 budget CoA allowances that NSU I've been thinking. It seems to state that each year of school will run approximately 70-80k for an off campus/out of state resident.

Now, I've read that CoA takes into account tuition, student activity fees, books, and room and board. So essentially this 70-80k is NSUCOM's CoA?

Next, I've heard that federal loans cover, at maximum, the student's CoA ... however, they have a cap that may end prior to that CoA being reached? I've also read that the cap (aggregate) for federal loans is 225k. So 225k/4 years = 56k annually. Does that mean the 80k-56k = 24k annually must come from private loans/scholarships?

I've heard from some people that gradplus loans are included in the 225k aggregate limit, and from others that they are not. The final word? I'm essentially trying to find where I'm going to manage the aforementioned 24k/year that is about that 225k aggregate limit. Still being a younger student, and after paying for undergrad, my savings are barely enough to put a dent into 24k annually. Private loans are my only recourse?

I've seen that for the needs based aid/grants that one must submit parent information and I highly doubt I'll qualify for anything under that requirement as my parents are well off - but they simply aren't paying for my education.

Sorry for the rather routine/basic questions, but due to my schedule I haven't been able to make it to any of the financial aid chat sessions and I'd like to hear some advice from people going through the process rather than the speculation of a financial aid officer. Here I sit, awaiting the results of FAFSA and cowering in fear of the debt that awaits. 🙂

would like to know this too 😉

 

[IamAriDO]

Here is the basic run down for financial aid if your going the loan route...

Tuition for this year (i'll do the whole year instead of semester by semester...and using out of state numbers) is 38,818.

There are really three loans that you should use....
subsidized staffords --> gov pays the interest while your in school
unsub staffords ---> gov does not pay interest
Both of these currently are fixed at 6.8%

gradPLUS loan is a fixed (8.5%) federal loan that covers up to cost of attendence minus any other aid. You have to apply for it (credit based but only looks at problems, not debt ratios or credit scores)...most companies have deals and such. I used Citi and just got approved.

Your max per year of unsubsidized staffords is $12750 (max of $4250 for each of the 3 semesters)
now you move on to your unsub staffords which have a max of $26,667 per year

so total stafford borrow amount per year is about 39,400.

Now you use your gradPlus up to $79,004 (which is the max budgetted amount for out of state)..you should budget this and not use all of it since whatever you borrow you pay back.

There is a cap of $224,000 of staffords total so you shouldnt max out staffords, though its a lifetime limit so if you took out staffords in undergrad or another grad program that counts in your aggregate total.

This is higher than most websites that give loan info have because we are in a "health profession" ...All of these numbers I got from some nice lady in financial aid.

IamAriDO

 

[Krahis]

.. snip ..

Thanks for the reply! So the grad+ are used to extend what you can borrow in stafford to the CoA of the school? Such that the 224 cap does NOT apply to grad+, but only to stafford loans?

 

[IamAriDO]

Correct....you max out your stafford per year...and gradPLUS is the next fed loan you can use up to CoA. There is NO aggregate total for gradPLUS so if school costs 1mil (feels like it now doesnt it?) then you can borrow it.


Its important to say to everyone that if you look at the different companies like Chase, Citi, Sallie they all have different deals....such as rate reductions or no fees. The origination fee (3%) and default fee (1%) are going to be reduced per the gov. down to nothing i think by 2010, though i might be off by a year.

Make sure you know that you have some credit, no deliquent accounts and such as thats what the credit check for gradPLUS looks at.

IamAriDO

 

[DoctorDiag]

Has anyone heard from Financial Aid yet?
And is it true that to get need-based grants/loans that you have to include your parents' income? I'm "independent" by tax standards, and I'm paying for school (OOS) myself....also, Nova didn't tell me otherwise last I talked to them... What do you all know?

 

[Krahis]

.. snip ..

Thanks for clearing that up. Much appreciated.

 

[linkDO]

They posted the Orientation Schedule, White Coat order form, and a new White Coat ceremony invite on SharkLink. New things going up on SharkLink makes me excited.

 

[surf08]

Congrats to all of you! I am trying to rent my apartment in palm trace landings, which is very close to school! I have a really nice 2/2. There are all new appliances and the carpet is in very good condition. I live in the back of the neighborhood, in the newer division. I have a pretty view of the lake. Rent is 1425. email me asap if your interested my email is [email protected]. I can also send you pictures.

 

[schussboarder]

They posted the Orientation Schedule, White Coat order form, and a new White Coat ceremony invite on SharkLink. New things going up on SharkLink makes me excited.

I'm the same way...I check sharklink like an addict no less than five times a day just to see if there is anything new up in the files or on the message board.

Can't wait to start all of these nice 8-5 days!!!!

 

[IamAriDO]

Has anyone heard from Financial Aid yet?
And is it true that to get need-based grants/loans that you have to include your parents' income? I'm "independent" by tax standards, and I'm paying for school (OOS) myself....also, Nova didn't tell me otherwise last I talked to them... What do you all know?

You should not have to include your parents income...at least from what Financial aid said. What I posted above was their numbers for me which breaks down as an
Out of state
Independent tax status
Single

So you qualify for loans simply by being a student.....you can borrow according to the above information. Now with grants that i couldnt tell you..

IamAriDO

 

[MossPoh]

So, on the financial aid cost of attendance thing on webstar it told me "$79,005.00"

Do they quote the same amount regardless if you are instate or out of state? I am instate but it says before anything "The following information is based on your status as a Osteo 1 Out-State off Campus student receiving financial aid for the Osteopathic F/W/S."

It looks to me like they already messed up my residency status...great.

 

[MossPoh]

I have pictures of the palm trace apartments. A 2/2. I have no idea why they didn't let aterry.

 

[FourMoreYears]

So, on the financial aid cost of attendance thing on webstar it told me "$79,005.00"

Do they quote the same amount regardless if you are instate or out of state? I am instate but it says before anything "The following information is based on your status as a Osteo 1 Out-State off Campus student receiving financial aid for the Osteopathic F/W/S."

It looks to me like they already messed up my residency status...great.

They haven't approved anyones in state residency status. So they will automatically give you the out of state rate. Nova told me they are in the process of going through the paperwork.

 

[MossPoh]

They haven't approved anyones in state residency status. So they will automatically give you the out of state rate. Nova told me they are in the process of going through the paperwork.

K. Thanks. I figured there had to be something like that. If a couple years of tax forms, a driver's license and proof of instate tuition at another university wasn't enough then I was going to be irritated!


You're a PA right? I think we should become study buddies, especially for the clinical stuff. I imagine you have all that down pat by now.

 

[p30doc]

Yea nova has me listed for out of state tuition too. I'm IS. I was going to flip****, I was hoping they hadn't done anyone's residency stuff yet. Thanks guys.

 

[linkDO]

So they've listed our Cost of Attendance at "$79,005.00" on WebStar but not our actual award yet. When does that happen?

 

[aterry]

I called financial aid a week or so ago and they said another 4-6 weeks. I am wondering too.

 

[Teeno]

Hey everyone!! OK...so it's been a hectic couple of weeks and now i have some decisions to make.

Are there any M1 or M2's on here? If so....could I bother you guys to make a little list of things you LOVE about nsu and things you HATE (or just dislike, or don't love) about nsu????

I just got accepted to AZCOM and i must say that when i went there for the interview...i definitely didn't LOVE the school...whereas when i walked away from nsu after the interview, i was LITERALLY on cloud9.

BUT...az is the next state over from CA, which makes the move (and visiting) much much muuuuch easier (let's be honest, i'm not looking forward to driving my crap over to florida this summer...ahh!)

I have family and friends in both states...but I only have a friend at AZCOM, not at NSU (meaning I've heard the really really bad stuff about azcom and not anything bad about nsu - maybe that's just because nsu is uhhmazing?!)

ok, so any pros/cons would be MUCH appreciated.

on a side note, i'm flying over to FL this weekend to find a place to live (yay! - even though i'm still semi considering az, deep down i know that i'll be happier at nova...i think?)...so maybe i can meet up with someone? an M1 or M2 or a FUTURE m1 thats in the same boat as i am? Is anyone gonna be around this weekend? let me know!


ahhh i need to go for a run, this is stressing me out!

 

[MossPoh]

In the pros and cons school there is a thing. Also, check out the various versus threads. There are like a dozen with NSU vs XCOM.

The distance thing was never much of an issue to me. Aside from the one crappy move it probably won't make too much of a difference. While you may be closer in actual distance, the free time you have will mean that the occasional flight probably will be just as efficient as driving. If you're in LA obviously not, but oh well. As far as friends, well you will make plenty of those either way so don't let that factor too much. I interviewed at AZCOM and while I liked it, I felt that nova was a little better. I didn't feel like they were hiding as much from me. All I heard at azcom was board scores board scores board scores.

 

[FourMoreYears]

K. Thanks. I figured there had to be something like that. If a couple years of tax forms, a driver's license and proof of instate tuition at another university wasn't enough then I was going to be irritated!


You're a PA right? I think we should become study buddies, especially for the clinical stuff. I imagine you have all that down pat by now.

Yeah man...I'd be happy to be buds with you or anyone else who can get me through biochem. The last time I took it was 12-15 years ago. I hate that stuff.

 

[MossPoh]

Yeah man...I'd be happy to be buds with you or anyone else who can get me through biochem. The last time I took it was 12-15 years ago. I hate that stuff.

I hate it too, but I hear it is pretty easy at Nova.

 

[aterry]

Judging from how people are willing to help each other and get you the information you need, I don't think making friends will be a problem. As far as the move, you are right MossPoh, its just once and you will get to learn more about a different region of the country. I knew no one when I moved from Tennessee to Ohio for school and ended up making a lot of friends and learning some interestings things about a part of the country I didn't already know. Keep an open mind and push your comfort level...I think you will be surprised what you can learn! Good luck with your decision.

 

[MossPoh]

It feels like freshman year of undergrad all over again. Everyone wanting to be friends with each other. I seem to have another random facebook friend request every other day.

 

[linkDO]

I'll be your friend.

 

[aterry]

I hope orientation isn't as corny as mine was. It was 80's movie-themed and you had chants and all that. But hey, we are all going to med school now so I think everyone knows that we are all geeks and dorks by now!! I think med school is better than undergrad because there is more of a sense of let's help each other through this difficult material. Anyway, yay for getting in!

 

[ILikeFood]

Let's all be friends, everybody! YAAAAAYYY!!!

 

[MossPoh]

I hope orientation isn't as corny as mine was. It was 80's movie-themed and you had chants and all that. But hey, we are all going to med school now so I think everyone knows that we are all geeks and dorks by now!! I think med school is better than undergrad because there is more of a sense of let's help each other through this difficult material. Anyway, yay for getting in!

I think it will start that way and separate out like every other thing I have ever done. There will always be geeks within the geeks and there will also be the cutthroat people that won't help you no matter what. Don't underestimate the douchebaggyness of people. 😛

 

[linkDO]

yea, i know what you mean. i just hope everyone cares enough about medicine, nova, and their classmates to not be asses to each other.
people dont have to be best friends... but they should be civil and generally willing to help each other out when they can.

 

[a5whipple]

I think it will start that way and separate out like every other thing I have ever done. There will always be geeks within the geeks and there will also be the cutthroat people that won't help you no matter what. Don't underestimate the douchebaggyness of people. 😛

Yay Optimism!! 😆


Actually, I think you're right....But I'll hope otherwise.

 

[MossPoh]

yea, i know what you mean. i just hope everyone cares enough about medicine, nova, and their classmates to not be asses to each other.
people dont have to be best friends... but they should be civil and generally willing to help each other out when they can.

I think we should have an SDN club. I suspect that us on SDN we'll be a little more buddy simply because we have a uniting theme of being addicted to this stupid site.

 

[p30doc]

I think we should have an SDN club. I suspect that us on SDN we'll be a little more buddy simply because we have a uniting theme of being addicted to this stupid site.

we could all get nova/sdn tatoos and motorcycle jackets

 

[aterry]

we could all get nova/sdn tatoos and motorcycle jackets

Thanks. Thats just awesome...

Any design ideas anyone? I personally think we should make a design that incorporates all the awesome emoticons on here....

 

[MossPoh]

As long as they are stick on. I can put one on my cheek then too. All cheeks.

 

[FourMoreYears]

I just got an E-Mail today saying my Florida residency for tuition purposes has been approved. They said it would take 1-2 days for it to reflect in the system. So things seem to be happening on that end for those of you waiting.

 

[ehhwhatsupdoc]

hey guys! wow I haven't been back here since my first post lol...

so I know this is kinda a random question and a bit nerdy... but does anyone know which anatomy book we use at NSU? 😀

 

[MossPoh]

hey guys! wow I haven't been back here since my first post lol...

so I know this is kinda a random question and a bit nerdy... but does anyone know which anatomy book we use at NSU? 😀

Don't worry about it. It tends to be whatever one you like. Seriously though, don't worry about books till you get there especially considering most people I know that go to nova have only purchased about 1 or 2 books.



They must not be doing the IS/OOS tuition thing all at once. I haven't gotten an email yet

 

[DoctorDiag]

Thanks. Thats just awesome...

Any design ideas anyone? I personally think we should make a design that incorporates all the awesome emoticons on here....

Can we have a theme song, too? 😉

 

[MossPoh]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-OIgXyvzUU[/YOUTUBE]

 

[linkDO]

So the way I see it we have four choices for our class slogan:

A. When you flush your dookie down... you flush away the answer.
B. Everything comes down to poo.
C. It doesnt matter if it's hard or it's loose.
D. We need to see what comes out of your tush.

May the voting begin!

 

[aterry]

So the way I see it we have four choices for our class slogan:

A. When you flush your dookie down... you flush away the answer.
B. Everything comes down to poo.
C. It doesnt matter if it's hard or it's loose.
D. We need to see what comes out of your tush.

May the voting begin!

I am pretty sure we all have to be close after this discussion on here. No one else will understand us....As for my vote...its a close one between A and B. I think I am going with A!!

 

[pianoman90]

So when is everyone moving down? I've actually got a reservation at Palm Trace Landings and I'll be moving my stuff down on July 1 from Alabama. I'm planning on coming back home for a few weeks to chill and then fly back around July 27 or so.

 

[Krahis]

So when is everyone moving down? I've actually got a reservation at Palm Trace Landings and I'll be moving my stuff down on July 1 from Alabama. I'm planning on coming back home for a few weeks to chill and then fly back around July 27 or so.

I plan on moving down early July. In the process of finding a place now. Any one who has looked at, or is a resident of, Rolling Hills have anything to say about the place?

 

[melv55]

So when is everyone moving down? I've actually got a reservation at Palm Trace Landings and I'll be moving my stuff down on July 1 from Alabama. I'm planning on coming back home for a few weeks to chill and then fly back around July 27 or so.

moving down mid-july.. my lease at palm trace starts july 7th, but I probably won't go down until July 15th or so.