NYCOM class of 2011!!!

[ZeppelinMed]

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Got that bill today also. I'm assuming we can disregard the charges if your already approved and/or awaiting approval of Stafford/Perkins loans to cover the cost of your tuition.

 

[Taty]

Just received a bill ($18647) from NYIT for the coming semester. Anyone else?

I received it too!!!

But I also received DPC acceptance letter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That made my day!!!!!!🙂🙂🙂

 

[Taty]

Got that bill today also. I'm assuming we can disregard the charges if your already approved and/or awaiting approval of Stafford/Perkins loans to cover the cost of your tuition.

I'll call them tomorrow about it.

 

[Taty]

I haven't received anything either...let me know what they say Taty, I've called them so much regarding Financial Aid I'm afraid to give them my name anymore lol

They told me to wait a little bit.

 

[littlephiLLy]

i'm definetely going to nycom!

looking for a place to live.. anyone who has an open room in a house looking to be filled please PM me?

 

[Vix206]

Just received a bill ($18647) from NYIT for the coming semester. Anyone else?

ditto. but according to my mom (aka my live-in accountant haha), she said that our financial aid didn't show up.

 

[kissachka]

Got that bill today also. I'm assuming we can disregard the charges if your already approved and/or awaiting approval of Stafford/Perkins loans to cover the cost of your tuition.

Yeh, you can disregard it. I called them since I haven't gotten my award letter yet for my loans but she checked my stuff and said I got enough $$ to cover tuition so I shouldn't worry about the bill, they'll deduct the tuition costs from my loans automatically and then send me a check of whatever remains. If you're still waiting for approval though I guess it's best to call them and see what's happening with that.

 

[MCATTT]

I received it too!!!

But I also received DPC acceptance letter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That made my day!!!!!!🙂🙂🙂

hey.. congrats!!!

 

[Vee]

Just received a bill ($18647) from NYIT for the coming semester. Anyone else?

Yup. Same thing. I hope they aren't expecting their money until the student loans come through...

 

[Taty]

hey.. congrats!!!

Thank you.🙂🙂🙂

 

[DrlittleJay]

Congrats Taty!

I was looking at that program too, but im still waiting on my welcome packet to apply.. I hope its not full yet!

 

[Kappy1]

I recieved the bill as well for $18647. I was looking for a due date on it but could not find one. Does anyone know when it is due? Also is the due date before or after our Stafford loan awards come in? Thanks guys.

 

[HunterGatherer]

I recieved the bill as well for $18647. I was looking for a due date on it but could not find one. Does anyone know when it is due? Also is the due date before or after our Stafford loan awards come in? Thanks guys.

Since I was accepted to NYCOM about 15 months ago I am certain I have received about 30 bills!! If you already applied for stafford then disregard the bill as long as you get the SAR and complete any forms that NYCOM sends to you. I just received my bill for 2nd year and expect many "reminders" to follow.

Enjoy the summer!

 

[Vix206]

I'm looking for apartment complexes to live in around the area and have stumbled upon Avalon at Glen Cove, Avalon at Glen Cove North, Archstone in Westbury, and Westwood Apartments in Westbury. If anybody lived there, knows people who lived there, or is going to live here, PM me if you have any info regarding the place. I'm trying to find reviews online, but I've only found a handful of lackluster ones. Thanks! 🙂

 

[gobiggreen]

I know of the places you're talking about. Avalon is nice and close to school and gorgeous. The Archstone is brand spanking new and right near the mall. Not sure if you looked at prices though yet and both of those places are very very expensive. For a 1 BR you're probably looking at at least 16-1700 a month not including utilities. 2 BRs probably start around 2400 and go up to 5000 a month.

I think that a lot of the people who live there are older wealthy Long Islanders who sell their houses when the kids move out and still want to stay on Long Island.

Again, I'm not sure what your price range is, but if you can afford it, you can't go wrong with either Avalon or Archstone. I'm not familiar with the other one you mentioned.

 

[Vix206]

I know of the places you're talking about. Avalon is nice and close to school and gorgeous. The Archstone is brand spanking new and right near the mall. Not sure if you looked at prices though yet and both of those places are very very expensive. For a 1 BR you're probably looking at at least 16-1700 a month not including utilities. 2 BRs probably start around 2400 and go up to 5000 a month.

I think that a lot of the people who live there are older wealthy Long Islanders who sell their houses when the kids move out and still want to stay on Long Island.

Again, I'm not sure what your price range is, but if you can afford it, you can't go wrong with either Avalon or Archstone. I'm not familiar with the other one you mentioned.

thanks for the reply. but yes, i do know those places tend to be pricey-er than sharing a house. what appeals to me is that the places are gated and that my car would be secure as well. i'm also looking for the lowest priced apts at avalon (which are around 1100). i could just even live there for a year, then look to move somewhere cheaper once i get to know the area.

 

[gobiggreen]

Yea, to be honest though, unless you drive a porsche or something else really fancy, your car will be pretty much safe in most neighborhoods in Long Island. I'm impressed though that Avalon is only 1100 a month for I guess a studio?

Not sure where you found that but I didn't think you could get there for under 1500 at the minimum.

That's great though. It looks like an awesome place to live and the truth is I guess that even if you shell out a little more now you'll hopefully make it back one day.

 

[em783]

Hey everyone, I have a couple of questions I was hoping you could answer. First, congrats to everybody 🙂

Does anyone know what tuition for clinical years is looking like? I know what preclinical year tuition is, but I was just wondering if it drops or stays the same for our last 2 years.

Also, it seems like the general consensus is that Glen Cove is a convenient and safe place to live, although somewhat pricey. Could anyone give me names of other LI areas that are safe for a girl to live in on her own? That's probably my number one concern, even beyond price.

And what about Queens? Any areas in Queens that are safe to live in while still being a reasonable commute to school?

I'm not from NY so I definitely need some help on this one. I looked on the webboard, but since I'm not familiar with the area I can't tell where it's best to live. Thanks!

 

[Nelachka]

Hey future classmates 🙂

I am moving into Avalon Glen Cove North this Saturday.
It took me about 2 months (yes 2 months) to find an apartment because I have a dog. I even started looking with realtors.

FYI: There is another complex in the Glen Cove area called Glen Oaks and it is less expensive (and older) but you have to go through a realtor to get it.

Avalon North is brand new, many apartments have not yet been occupied. Avalon South is older. they both have the same sort of amenities and they are right down the steets from each other. (Pool, Gym, BBQ Area, Party Room, Study, Theater). It's supposed to be a luxury complex so it kind of looks like a hotel.

The cheapest STUDIO is 1625 in Avalon Glen Cove South and 1675 in Avalon Glen Cove North. The smaller studios in North, I believe, are all leased out. But I did get once month free, which brings me down to paying $1540/month. You also have to pay $500 per lease term for amerinities at signing. I think that Avalon is way too expensive for what you get in Long Island but it was either this or getting rid of my dog.

If anyone else is living in Avalon, please PM me.

Thanks!

 

[Nelachka]

AND I GOT INTO DPC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAYAYAYAYYAYAYYYYYY I am so SOOOOO Happy!

Taty congrats on DPC.

Anyone else in??

 

[Taty]

AND I GOT INTO DPC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAYAYAYAYYAYAYYYYYY I am so SOOOOO Happy!

Taty congrats on DPC.

Anyone else in??

Congrats!!! YaY!!!!

 

[Taty]

Hey future classmates 🙂

I am moving into Avalon Glen Cove North this Saturday.
It took me about 2 months (yes 2 months) to find an apartment because I have a dog. I even started looking with realtors.

FYI: There is another complex in the Glen Cove area called Glen Oaks and it is less expensive (and older) but you have to go through a realtor to get it.

Avalon North is brand new, many apartments have not yet been occupied. Avalon South is older. they both have the same sort of amenities and they are right down the steets from each other. (Pool, Gym, BBQ Area, Party Room, Study, Theater). It's supposed to be a luxury complex so it kind of looks like a hotel.

The cheapest STUDIO is 1625 in Avalon Glen Cove South and 1675 in Avalon Glen Cove North. The smaller studios in North, I believe, are all leased out. But I did get once month free, which brings me down to paying $1540/month. You also have to pay $500 per lease term for amerinities at signing. I think that Avalon is way too expensive for what you get in Long Island but it was either this or getting rid of my dog.

If anyone else is living in Avalon, please PM me.

Thanks!

yea we are trying to buy a one bedroom coop it looks like hotel too 🙂 and almost next to you so since u got to DPC we can study together🙂

Nelachka,one question do u speak russian, polish or ukranian by any chance?(your nickname sounds kind of slavic🙂)?

 

[Nelachka]

Buying is the way to go, best of luck with the process.

I speak Russian, although poorly at this point... like I am still 7 years old.

😳

 

[Taty]

Buying is the way to go, best of luck with the process.

I speak Russian, although poorly at this point... like I am still 7 years old.

😳

me too 🙂 though i guess my russian is better since I came to the US 6 years ago 🙂 I have very international family we speak Russian,Spanish, Hindi and English. Correction I dont speak Hindi 🙂 but I'll learn if I'll have time 🙂

 

[Taty]

Hey future classmates 🙂

I am moving into Avalon Glen Cove North this Saturday.
It took me about 2 months (yes 2 months) to find an apartment because I have a dog. I even started looking with realtors.

FYI: There is another complex in the Glen Cove area called Glen Oaks and it is less expensive (and older) but you have to go through a realtor to get it.

Avalon North is brand new, many apartments have not yet been occupied. Avalon South is older. they both have the same sort of amenities and they are right down the steets from each other. (Pool, Gym, BBQ Area, Party Room, Study, Theater). It's supposed to be a luxury complex so it kind of looks like a hotel.

The cheapest STUDIO is 1625 in Avalon Glen Cove South and 1675 in Avalon Glen Cove North. The smaller studios in North, I believe, are all leased out. But I did get once month free, which brings me down to paying $1540/month. You also have to pay $500 per lease term for amerinities at signing. I think that Avalon is way too expensive for what you get in Long Island but it was either this or getting rid of my dog.

If anyone else is living in Avalon, please PM me.

Thanks!

I have a dog too!!! 🙂

 

[SexPistol]

Do any of you guys read the class of 2010s thread? If so what do you guys think about all of the changes they have been discussing. It would be so hard on us before we wont know any other way but some of them seem a little harsh. Any thoughts?

 

[Taty]

Do any of you guys read the class of 2010s thread? If so what do you guys think about all of the changes they have been discussing. It would be so hard on us before we wont know any other way but some of them seem a little harsh. Any thoughts?

Hmmm I think it will be more hard to them (class of 2010) because it was better for them before. They can compare things that were before with things that going to happen....

 

[omiya]

Hi, all
I can see that the apartment search has become the main subject for most attending NYCOM this August. That's not surprising. So many of us and such a small number of good, affordable housing.

Well, I have great news for girls looking for a room (sorry guys). Here is an offer you can't resist:

3 rooms are available for 3 lucky girls starting NYCOM.

The rooms are a part of a 2-story 5 bedroom apartment in a 2 family house in Glen Cove (7-10 minutes away from school).

The house is newly renovated, it includes: large living room, dining room, huge kitchen with all new appliances, 1 full bathroom on each floor, backyard, basement, washer and dryer, central air, cable hookup in each room.
It is located in a quiet residential area, walking distance to LIRR.

All three rooms are nice and bright but slightly differ in size. The price reflects the size:

Room #1: 135 square feet with huge double closet - $600
Room #2: 130 square feet with single closet -$575
Room #3: 110 square feet with single closet -$550

The lease starts on July 1st. But the apartment has to be filled by June 15th. (that means that you need to sign the lease by June 15th, but will have to start paying rent on July 1st)

PM me if you are interested with some description of yourself and your contact info included (email or phone number).

thanks👍

 

[nyc55]

Hmmm I think it will be more hard to them (class of 2010) because it was better for them before. They can compare things that were before with things that going to happen....

Hi class of 2011,

I in the class of 2010 and im sorry if we seem harsh abt the new changes, but it's because they ARE harsh.. it may seem ok to you since you never experienced the schedule we had this year without attendance, BUT once you get to med school you will realize why we TREASURED the fact that we didnt have to come to class...it may seem like no big deal now, but im sure none of you have had the workload of med school before, my advice is to just really try never ever to fall behind. it was hard enough not falling behind this year, i cant even imagine what its going to be like next year..

we arent trying to scare you, and if any of you has questions feel free to ask.
GOOD LUCK!

 

[Wey2Tyred]

Hey guys, glad to finally join you all on the SDN! I have some questions and one tip (the two cents may or may not be helpful).

Questions: is anyone else having a difficult time finding housing that is available before August 6th? I've looked at some really great places including beach houses within walking distance to campus. However, most are seasonal rentals and do not become available until after we start classes. I also checked out an extended stay at some local hotels and so on, but my concern is the possibility of a situation where I am two weeks into gross (with two or more exams) and having to move in to a new house. Does anyone have any advice on this issue or housing processes in general? Does UNE having any programs that match students up who are looking for roomates as I see myself being in that situation relatively soon?

Tip: on the tablet/laptop issue- I have a gateway tablet, duo core- 2 ghz, and all the other nice treats, and while it is nice to be able to toggle from a typing mode to tab mode (say if you were taking notes and needed to draw a structure of some sort), it's not all that much better than a standard notebook- and is sometimes it's a bit clunky. If you are looking for tabs though, I purchased mine at the Gateway refurb site for $800. http://www.gateway.com/reman/reman_landing.php?seg=hm
Refurbs are great because you can usually find a really beefed up model inexpensively. AND because if it's refurbed and resold, you know there's been some intense QA performed on the item to ensure it doesn't fail.

Good Luck & Thanks!

 

[thadarknyte]

joinin this fun time....random question, i tried reading the thread of the class of 2010...and from my quick skimming i got this:

1. there is a guy name dr. scandalous who is becoming dean
2. he is messing everything up at nycom
3. there will be a mandatory attendance policy
4. we will be in elementary school have have quizzes that will be graded and then we will recieve stickers if we do well
5. there might be a dress code?
6. the gym sucks...
7. if people knew this would happen, noone would be at nycom right now

am i close or totally off base? haha

 

[HunterGatherer]

joinin this fun time....random question, i tried reading the thread of the class of 2010...and from my quick skimming i got this:

1. there is a guy name dr. scandalous who is becoming dean
2. he is messing everything up at nycom
3. there will be a mandatory attendance policy
4. we will be in elementary school have have quizzes that will be graded and then we will recieve stickers if we do well
5. there might be a dress code?
6. the gym sucks...
7. if people knew this would happen, noone would be at nycom right now

am i close or totally off base? haha

-you will be required to attend 80% of lectures and 90% of labs
-Quizzes will be used to determine attendance. It has not been decided if they will count in our grade.
-There was never any mention of a dress code
-gym is ok. gym hours suck.
-I'm certain i would have taken another acceptance if NYCOM had this policy when I applied. When applying I knew I wanted to have the freedom to start reviewing for step 1 in january of 2nd year but I don't see how I will have the time to do that with madatory attendance and possibly studying for a quizzes. I was never good at quizzes.
-I will find a way to make it work.

 

[Doctorman]

-you will be required to attend 80% of lectures and 90% of labs
-Quizzes will be used to determine attendance. It has not been decided if they will count in our grade.
-There was never any mention of a dress code
-gym is ok. gym hours suck.
-I'm certain i would have taken another acceptance if NYCOM had this policy when I applied. When applying I knew I wanted to have the freedom to start reviewing for step 1 in january of 2nd year but I don't see how I will have the time to do that with madatory attendance and possibly studying for a quizzes. I was never good at quizzes.
-I will find a way to make it work.

the fact that you will be studying all the time and taking quizzes should improve the comlex test. isn't that true?
after all you are studying not waisting time?!

 

[gobiggreen]

No, studying all the time for NYCOM exams and quizzes will hurt your COMLEX not help it. The type of studying and even some of the material is different on the COMLEX (as well as the more important USMLE) and only having time to study to pass classes at NYCOM will hurt you, not help you.

 

[Taty]

No, studying all the time for NYCOM exams and quizzes will hurt your COMLEX not help it. The type of studying and even some of the material is different on the COMLEX (as well as the more important USMLE) and only having time to study to pass classes at NYCOM will hurt you, not help you.

whats the difference??? Arent school suppose to prepare us to pass COMLEX and no other way around?

 

[HunterGatherer]

whats the difference??? Arent school suppose to prepare us to pass COMLEX and no other way around?

In all medical schools students will have to deal with learning minutae or material that will not make you a better clinician or will not help you on the boards. Hopefully it is kept to a minimum and the exams have questions of clinical/board significance. Somehow this is a direct answer to your question. 😀

Better time management will be needed with the new rules.

The bright side:
I flip through all my board review material at the start and end of each system and we are covering everything relevant. Immuno/Heme/Oncology (three headed beast of a system) and integumentary (kinda long) had mostly solid lectures. Musculoskeletal and Neuro systems both need work. Anatomy, path, physio, embryology, are taught very well. Micro and Pharm (possibly improving) are solid but I always get owned by those subjects. Histology - solid professor. I welcome neuroimaging on boards 😀. biochem will probably be covered in depth in GI so I can't comment too much on it. Why does our tech guru use an overhead projector? Behavioral - can't say we got enough board relevant topics. Biostats - Teitlebaum is leaving. Damn glad I minored in stats! OMM - Van Arsdale, Saggio, and Gilliard are great. Dr Ahn is leaving. I like how Dr. Yao works the floor when we practice techniques.

Back to your question. Using only the class notes is probably good enough for a pass. Reading from additional resources is probably needed to do above average on the boards. So at this point in life we are responsible for our own education. You will need to fill any holes in your own preparation or the curriculum. As students in the medical field we should be able to learn independently. We will be required to do this for the rest of our career.

 

[nyc55]

joinin this fun time....random question, i tried reading the thread of the class of 2010...and from my quick skimming i got this:

1. there is a guy name dr. scandalous who is becoming dean
2. he is messing everything up at nycom
3. there will be a mandatory attendance policy
4. we will be in elementary school have have quizzes that will be graded and then we will recieve stickers if we do well
5. there might be a dress code?
6. the gym sucks...
7. if people knew this would happen, noone would be at nycom right now

am i close or totally off base? haha

you are pretty much on target.
i feel like i'm in grammar school again, but even then we didnt have daily quizzes to make sure we werent cutting class...RIDICULOUS

 

[gobiggreen]

Yea, I don't think it's NYCOM's responsibility to totally prepare us for the boards. It is there job to give us good enough background material and the tools to be able to study well for the boards.

The problem is that with all the additional classtime we are going to have to sit through next year we're not going to have the proper amount of time to study for the boards and that's the single most important thing in determining residency.

 

[Taty]

In all medical schools students will have to deal with learning minutae or material that will not make you a better clinician or will not help you on the boards. Hopefully it is kept to a minimum and the exams have questions of clinical/board significance. Somehow this is a direct answer to your question. 😀

Better time management will be needed with the new rules.

The bright side:
I flip through all my board review material at the start and end of each system and we are covering everything relevant. Immuno/Heme/Oncology (three headed beast of a system) and integumentary (kinda long) had mostly solid lectures. Musculoskeletal and Neuro systems both need work. Anatomy, path, physio, embryology, are taught very well. Micro and Pharm (possibly improving) are solid but I always get owned by those subjects. Histology - solid professor. I welcome neuroimaging on boards 😀. biochem will probably be covered in depth in GI so I can't comment too much on it. Why does our tech guru use an overhead projector? Behavioral - can't say we got enough board relevant topics. Biostats - Teitlebaum is leaving. Damn glad I minored in stats! OMM - Van Arsdale, Saggio, and Gilliard are great. Dr Ahn is leaving. I like how Dr. Yao works the floor when we practice techniques.

Back to your question. Using only the class notes is probably good enough for a pass. Reading from additional resources is probably needed to do above average on the boards. So at this point in life we are responsible for our own education. You will need to fill any holes in your own preparation or the curriculum. As students in the medical field we should be able to learn independently. We will be required to do this for the rest of our career.

I feel better now🙂 I know that it is not NYCOM's responsibility to prepare students for the boards...but I just wanted NYCOM to be a little bit helpful🙂

 

[Taty]

Yea, I don't think it's NYCOM's responsibility to totally prepare us for the boards. It is there job to give us good enough background material and the tools to be able to study well for the boards.

The problem is that with all the additional classtime we are going to have to sit through next year we're not going to have the proper amount of time to study for the boards and that's the single most important thing in determining residency.

Well I'll explain you where I am coming from. Truth is that I bought book First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2007, there are many things that sound like Chinise to me in this book. I got scared so I just hope that NYCOM will help me to understand those things because now I am kind of lost....

 

[HunterGatherer]

Well I'll explain you where I am coming from. Truth is that I bought book First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2007, there are many things that sound like Chinise to me in this book. I got scared so I just hope that NYCOM will help me to understand those things because now I am kind of lost....

Look through that book at the start and end of each system. After each exam jot down anything you think is high yield. You should try to hold of on the annotation until you are more familiar with the book since many times you will the find info you need in another location. Also the more familiar you are with a topic the easier it is decide what is worth annotating and what is not.

Download the errata for 2007 now because when the 2008 edition comes out the publishers will removew the file. Each edition is full of errors so don't get scammed into getting the 2008 edition hoping for few errors.
http://usmlerx.wordpress.com/first-aid-corrections/

Here is a thread discussing errata:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=357657&highlight=2007+aid

You probably learned this in undergrad but as you become more familiar with the material you will start finding mistakes in lecture notes, review books, text books and even in errata lists.

1st year seemed to give thorough coverage from what is in First Aid.

 

[MCATTT]

Can anyone recommed me a good medical school text book (or) books to read during this summer? I have so much free time that I am getting too lazy.
I am thinking about reading/ memorizing anatomy. Any great books? thanks.

 

[girlsporty]

Can anyone recommed me a good medical school text book (or) books to read during this summer? I have so much free time that I am getting too lazy.
I am thinking about reading/ memorizing anatomy. Any great books? thanks.

Netter's. It's a legend.

 

[Taty]

Look through that book at the start and end of each system. After each exam jot down anything you think is high yield. You should try to hold of on the annotation until you are more familiar with the book since many times you will the find info you need in another location. Also the more familiar you are with a topic the easier it is decide what is worth annotating and what is not.

Download the errata for 2007 now because when the 2008 edition comes out the publishers will removew the file. Each edition is full of errors so don't get scammed into getting the 2008 edition hoping for few errors.
http://usmlerx.wordpress.com/first-aid-corrections/

Here is a thread discussing errata:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=357657&highlight=2007+aid


You probably learned this in undergrad but as you become more familiar with the material you will start finding mistakes in lecture notes, review books, text books and even in errata lists.

1st year seemed to give thorough coverage from what is in First Aid.

Thank you. You are always very helpful🙂

 

[Kappy1]

Yea, I don't think it's NYCOM's responsibility to totally prepare us for the boards. It is there job to give us good enough background material and the tools to be able to study well for the boards.

The problem is that with all the additional classtime we are going to have to sit through next year we're not going to have the proper amount of time to study for the boards and that's the single most important thing in determining residency.

I would like to respectfully disagree. NYCOM should be making sure that we are scoring as high as possible on the COMLEX and USMLE. Residency programs are basically looking at these scores to see who to accept. Everyone generally has good LOR's and decent class rankings. What seperates the men from the boys and the girls from the women are scores on these exams. The school should definitely be teaching us how to be the best physicians possible and prepare us for a lifetime of learning, but included in that should be preperation for these tests that decide where we will end up. We are all spending hundreds and thousands of dollars on tution, the school should be trying to help us reach our full potential. The higher the students do on the boards the better programs the students will get into. The better programs students are accepted into the more prestige the school has. It is only to the school's benefit to see us succeed. I do agree that they should do what the students need to make sure they excel on these exams if it means time off for studying so be it.

 

[gobiggreen]

Well, I'm not saying it's not NYCOM's responsibility to prepare us at all for the exams, I'm trying to say that it's not their sole responsibility to prep us for the boards. There are review books and review courses for that. A good medical school should give you the tools to be a good doctor, not the tools to pass an exam. Now, along the way to becoming a good doctor you should be able to pass an exam. The review books and review courses should prepare you to ace the exams. If NYCOM's sole job was to get us to ace exams then why wouldn't they just structure school like a Kaplan review course?

It's more important in my opinion to have the tools to be able to learn for yourself than to be spoonfed high yield material, much of which is only applicable to step 1 of the USMLE.

 

[Vix206]

I would like to respectfully disagree. NYCOM should be making sure that we are scoring as high as possible on the COMLEX and USMLE. Residency programs are basically looking at these scores to see who to accept. Everyone generally has good LOR's and decent class rankings. What seperates the men from the boys and the girls from the women are scores on these exams. The school should definitely be teaching us how to be the best physicians possible and prepare us for a lifetime of learning, but included in that should be preperation for these tests that decide where we will end up. We are all spending hundreds and thousands of dollars on tution, the school should be trying to help us reach our full potential. The higher the students do on the boards the better programs the students will get into. The better programs students are accepted into the more prestige the school has. It is only to the school's benefit to see us succeed. I do agree that they should do what the students need to make sure they excel on these exams if it means time off for studying so be it.

i pretty much agree. though these changes may seem drastic to some, i'm not trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. i have enough to anticipate and worry about for next year. i think NYCOM is placed in a sticky situation when very few students are showing up for lectures; if prospectives saw this, i feel like it would be a turn-off for the school. and also, the professors are coming in and getting paid to do what? - teach to a select few of students and a video camera? that's not fair to them. i'd prefer having mandatory lectures than them taking away streaming. at NSU, attendence to 70% of the lectures is required, and while there are ways around it, i did not hear one person complain about it. even if we all do not agree on the new rules (hey, i'd prefer to not have class madatory either), i think we all just need to deal. we have students that are already there on our side, but since we are only incoming first years, our power in the situation is limited. so not to sound like a hallmark card - let's just make the best of it. 🙂

 

[Kappy1]

Well, I'm not saying it's not NYCOM's responsibility to prepare us at all for the exams, I'm trying to say that it's not their sole responsibility to prep us for the boards. There are review books and review courses for that. A good medical school should give you the tools to be a good doctor, not the tools to pass an exam. Now, along the way to becoming a good doctor you should be able to pass an exam. The review books and review courses should prepare you to ace the exams. If NYCOM's sole job was to get us to ace exams then why wouldn't they just structure school like a Kaplan review course?

It's more important in my opinion to have the tools to be able to learn for yourself than to be spoonfed high yield material, much of which is only applicable to step 1 of the USMLE.

Of course the student has make sure that he or she puts in the hours studying to make sure that he or she passes. My point is that since these exams determine what you field of medicine you end up in, the schools should prepare you for both the exam and to prepare you for a life of learning.

My point is that schools including NYCOM are not focousing enough on these exams. Again all the Step exams are a one time deal if you pass (not sure about the COMLEX). But if you just pass these exams you have locked your self out of many fields in medicine.

The school has to prepare for us for this as well because being a physcian brings with it a life of test taking. Every seven years sub-specialties are tested and every ten years specialties are tested. You can't fail these exams, if you do insurance companies will drop you as a provider. If you work for a hospital it can result in you being fired.

I believe medical schools should prepare us for all parts being a great physician, and making us skilled test takers should be one of them. Yes when you are a practicing physician you will need to learn the material and study your self. But the school can provide us with the test taking techniques to make sure that we succeed on these exams as well. Why should I have to pay for a Kaplan course to prepare me for the exam. We pay a lot of tution let the school help us in this aspect as well. It schouldn't take away from any of the other parts of our medical education. Even if it means giving us more hours, or providing us with these courses over the summer whatever. The school should prepare us for this as well. I believe this is anouther tool that can make you a great doctor because, wothout passing these exams we will not be physicians period. I think a great medical school can provide us with both and one should not be taking away from the other.

 

[PlasticMan]

i pretty much agree. though these changes may seem drastic to some, i'm not trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. i have enough to anticipate and worry about for next year. i think NYCOM is placed in a sticky situation when very few students are showing up for lectures; if prospectives saw this, i feel like it would be a turn-off for the school. and also, the professors are coming in and getting paid to do what? - teach to a select few of students and a video camera? that's not fair to them. i'd prefer having mandatory lectures than them taking away streaming. at NSU, attendence to 70% of the lectures is required, and while there are ways around it, i did not hear one person complain about it. even if we all do not agree on the new rules (hey, i'd prefer to not have class madatory either), i think we all just need to deal. we have students that are already there on our side, but since we are only incoming first years, our power in the situation is limited. so not to sound like a hallmark card - let's just make the best of it. 🙂

From what I've heard from other med students around the country, if attendance isn't mandatory at their school, almost nobody goes to class during 2nd year. Why is this such a big deal to NYCOM. Nobody goes to class at other schools either unless it's required.

 

[PlasticMan]

Scores have been sent out. Congrats to everyone for finishing the year!