OFFICIAL: Columbia Class of 2007

[Entei]

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I anticipate that the schedule will eventually be posted on the bottom of this page since that's where the spring schedule for last year is, but they haven't gotten around to posting it yet. I'd like to know what the schedule is like too!

 

[ks9340]

I don't even want to think about exam blocks 🙁 - just about orientation activities and other such things - although i guess it might be good information to have.

I was also placed on an all girls floor (4) - not sure I am going to live in Bard but I didn't realize that they would put me there if I didn't ask for coed.

 

[LittleDrBob]

Hi Everyone,

I've been M.I.A. for the past week, because of a much needed vacation. I'll be in room 1034. You are all more than welcome to join me there for a gathering during orientation. We just need to pick a time...

 

[IntlMD07]

Entei: Harry Potter series is great! I read the last one in three days, I could NOT put it down. After your rec. I will take a look at the Da Vinci code!

Intro Spanish sounds awesome, but the commute to morningside awful... Let me know if you decide to take it.

Bob, just say the date and time and I will be there!

CycloneDub, sorry to be so rude and take so long to reply to your post. Thanks for the welcome! If you have any time off sometime next year, I am sure we would all love to meet you! Good luck with everything.

ks9340 - welcome to the 4th!

 

[SistaKaren]

ooooooooooh Intl...I read the last HP in two freakin' days. My older sister made fun of me...then she read it within 24 hours!

Hahahaha...I think between that and ACC basketball, we'll have a lot to talk about 🙂

 

[merlin17]

5th floor, looking over the street...not psyched but i really didn't care =)

I'm also interested in the MPH, but I'm not sure about trying to fit it into four years. Sounds rather intense...

Very much looking forward to meeting everyone!

 

[IntlMD07]

SK- after the ENFP result, I had no doubt that we had a lot to talk about! 24 hours!!! I guess I am going to have to learn how to be a faster reader in med school 🙂 I can't wait for the next one, that is the bad thing about reading them too fast... It takes forever for a new one to come out!

I finally got the orientation package in the mail. It was a bunch of copies of info that I had already read over the internet - total letdown. Besides, I couldn't find anything about the summer reading requirement anyway, where was that?

I sent the housing stuff out today... I am thinking we are done with the CU paperwork. Yay to that!


I can't wait to meet all of you guys!

 

[IntlMD07]

Quick question - did they ask for a size for the white coat? Are we supposed to buy our own?

 

[LittleDrBob]

I was thinking about doing the MPH at a different institution. I guess it really depends if the Macy's Scholarship is still around. Otherwise, I think it would be good to change things up a bit.

As for the SDN gathering, let's wait until it is closer to move-in to set a time and date.

Someone had mentioned having to set up internet in the rooms before we arrived. Could you post the details on how to do that?

Thanks!

Bob

 

[Entei]

LittleDrBob, the IP request forms can be found here (thanks to IntlMD07!) 🙂 You can choose between filling out a form for a wired IP and a wireless IP, and they'll email you your number within 5 days. I filled out a form for both, but I only received a wired IP, so I'm not sure if that's my address for both wired and wireless or what. 😕

I haven't gotten a size request for the white coat yet, but I remember reading that they will be sending that to us "sometime in July." I was told that CU will provide this first white coat for us, but we are encouraged to buy an additional one later.

As for Harry Potter, I finished HPatSS in one day. Today is day two of HPatCoS, and I'm just about finished with it. They're very enjoyable so far, and I can't wait to get to the ones that haven't been made into movies yet. 😀

 

[IntlMD07]

My favorite is The Order of the Phoenix!! You are in for a treat with Azkaban!! Oh! I wish I hadn't read them and got to start all over again
I didn't ask for a wired IP because I didn't have my number then, but the wireless came quickly. I love it, we are going to be the nerds with internet access a month before class starts

 

[ValleyGal]

Hey all you excited Columbia first years to be!

I am a 2nd year here, and just wanted to clear up some of the issues that you all have been kicking around.

Email Address -- Get that now, before you get to school. A lot of the stuff you need to set up in the fall you need an email address to do, so that makes your orientation week that much easier.
Housing -- Definitely get a riverview, and the sink is a bigger bonus than you think. Doesn't really matter if you are on a women's floor, but they tended to be a bit cleaner.
White Coat Size -- Remember to send that in, although you might have to educated guess at your size. But, remember to be flexible because mistakes get made. When I got my white coat, they had given me one six sizes larger, and I felt like a small child playing dress-up at the ceremony. If you a really small person (like me) you will have to order a coat after this one because the smallest size they offer, a 34, is still way too big.
MPH -- not really doable in 4 years with the MD degree. I promise that you will have enough to do for that, so if you want the extra letters you need to take a year off. Stop being so overachieving!
Undergrad classes -- no one takes those really. One person I know joined the Kung Fu club and had a blast. If you take anything extra it will be medical spanish up at PH.

Hmmm I think that is it. Best advice I can give you is get some rest and don't do anything too taxing for the rest of the summer. Get here ready to rock out at orientation.

 

[IntlMD07]

Hey ValleyGal,

Thanks for stopping by! I read your posts from last year and you gave me a lot of hope while I was on the waitlist. Thank you for that! I can't wait to meet you in orientation!

-IntlMD

 

[LittleDrBob]

Is anyone interested in going to the US Open?

 

[IntlMD07]

When is it? Do you have tickets? I would love to go see fellow Brazilian - Gustavo Kuerten play!

 

[emporio]

hello med. people
i've been assigned to 5th floor and i have sideview of a building... how bad is the view? anyone know? (riverview would have been nice) will i have a big wall blocking everything? no sunlight?

 

[Entei]

When I was at Columbia for the revist, I stayed overnight in a room that had a view of the next door building. I don't remember it being that bad as far as the amount of sunlight goes. It was just a little noisier than I was used to, but then again, I went to school in the middle of the woods.

I've never gone to see a fancy tennis match before, but it sounds like fun! August 25-September 7, right? When should we go?

HP Update: I finished Book 3, and it's my favorite one so far. I can't wait until they make that one into a movie! Now I'm progressing through HPatGoF. I used to be a total book snob, and I dissed on Harry Potter left and right. I never thought I'd be enjoying these so much.

 

[LittleDrBob]

I haven't bought tickets to any of the US Open matches yet. I've been dragging my feet and also searching for someone to go with. There is one important thing I keep forgetting about the med school process: we are going to have 148 new friends in NYC. With that in mind, I was thinking about going during a night match. I didn't want to plan on skipping any classes so early in the semester. If anyone is interested, please pm me.

Bob

 

[SistaKaren]

Hey everyone!

So...I finally got the physical done today....I sure do feel like a pin cushion with all those shots I had to get done 🙂 But that's about it. Enjoying the nice summer weather...it hasn't been too hot in NC lately.

I've never been to a live tennis match before...are they expensive? It would be cool to go, though. I saw some website awhile back listing a bunch of fun free stuff to do in NYC. Mary J Blige is performing for the Today show...but it's on the Friday after we start classes....so sad!

Entei: I hear you...I loved the third book, too! But, I think the fourth may be my favorite. The fifth was good too, though. It's hard to decide.

Thanks for the information Valleygal...I kept thinking that I definitely wanted to be able to socialize with my classmates during my years, so taking a year off definitely sounds more ideal...though being in debt even more than I will be doesn't. Oh well 🙂

Karen

 

[Entei]

It's one month until D-Day!

I got some more CU stuff in the mail. There's an invitation to the White Coat Ceremony where they ask for your coat size. Now I have to divinate my jacket size somehow.

I also got a BLS book along with information about the MD/MBA and MD/MPH programs. The only problem is that they didn't send me a letter that even mentions this BLS book. Am I supposed to be reading this thing now? Is it just for when our CPR class starts? Who knows! 🙄

Book 4: 👍 👍

 

[emporio]

could someone tell me the health "requirement" for newly admitted students? i just got a physical exam done... and on the health form, there are sections for urinalysis, hemoglobin, vdrl??, TB test, and some other stuff. i've met the immuno requirements. do i need all those other stuffs? i don't wanna pay for those lab tests... (urinalysis, hemo, etc)

 

[emotis]

When I called the health services at columbia they said I didn't need to have titers done for chicken pox or Hepatitis. I had already done the urinalysis, hemoglobin and tuberculosis tests becuase they were free for me. I would call them to ask - they'll let you know.

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

I'm a prospective applicant to Columbia Medical and I was just wondering if you guys would be kind enough to post your stats (MCAT, science/non-science GPA, etc) so some of us eager pre-meds can know what it takes to get into Columba P&S🙂 Sorry to dampen the spirit here with this type of stats talk...but I'm just too curious. Any stats you guys could give would be much appreciated.

Berkeley '05

 

[Peace420]

stat #1: everyone has stats
stat#2: you'd be better off asking them what makes them different than a typical applicant.

 

[SistaKaren]

That's good to know about the titers...my doctor didn't think they were necessary either, so I'm glad I didn't get them.

I got the book today in the mail. It looks a lil' long. I was going to wait, but I think that I may start it soon. It's less than a month now! 🙂

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

To Peace420: I am born again in your genius.

stat#1: Really? Everyone has stats? Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks for enlightening me.

Stat #2: Yes, I'm sure everyone did something to make them stick out of the crowd. However, the applications are initially screened by MCAT and GPA. In other words, you can't even get an interview unless your MCAT and GPA are above the bar. I just want to know what that bar is.

 

[bez2]

The average MCAT and GPA statistics can be found on either US News or in the Medical School Admissions Requirement book from AAMC. I think that would be your best indication of the "cut-offs" for most schools, including Columbia. I think Columbia's average MCAT is somewhere around a 35.6 and the GPA is around a 3.8. Again, these are only averages so many people will have below and many people will have above. Furthermore, the stats that you would get from people on SDN are most likely not going to be a good indication because you are dealing with a very small sample size.

 

[ks9340]

To Berkeley Premed:

At this point, I think the last thing most of us want to discuss are our stats. I'm sorry that this is not what you are looking for but I will tell you that because Columbia does not use AMCAS they look at each persons overall app - I know several accepted people who didn't have perfect stats in all areas but had other things that made their apps unique. Knowing our stats will not help you predict whether you will be accepted or not. Just look at the averages and remember that although Columbia is competitive not everyone who was accepted had a 3.8 and 35 MCAT.
PS - if you want people to give you advice, its best not to insult them.

 

[IntlMD07]

Hello Everyone!!!

At last I am home in Rio! I left before this book got sent to me, o-oh!! What is BLS and what is this book? Should I care about not reading it?!?

I hope your summer is going well and that everyone is taking a break before med school starts, in almost a month! I can´t wait to meet you guys 🙂

-IntlMD

 

[Entei]

BLS is for basic life support. I have NO idea if we're supposed to start reading this, or if they just sent it because it's our future text for the CPR class. It's... kind of a long book. I think I'll glance at it, but I definitely don't think I'll be reading it from cover to cover.

There better not be any gunners out there seriously studying the thing and taking notes!

Enjoy Rio, Intl!

 

[Bones99]

There better not be any gunners out there seriously studying the thing and taking notes!

God forbid...The only BLS that I'm studying until class starts is B eer, L adies, and the beautiful Florida S unshine!
Anyone know where we are going during orientation week?

 

[Entei]

Originally posted by Bones99
Anyone know where we are going during orientation week?

Speak of the devil! I just got an orientation letter in the mail today. You should be getting it soon. It's got a whole schedule for the week and an order form for what play we would like to see (choice of one out of Rent, Caberet, Aida, and The Producers).

The schedule includes lots of "evenings out on the town" and a lot of other events including a BBQ on the roof of Bard, bowling, dinner with the dental students, a boat cruise around Manhattan, an ethnic dinner, a Yankees game (GO YANKS!!), Dim Sum in Chinatown, and an ice cream social. There are a few other things on the schedule too, so it sounds like a fun week. 🙂

A notice about the Student Success Network was included in the mailing. (At least, I HOPE I'm not the only one who got that notice!)

God forbid...The only BLS that I'm studying until class starts is B eer, L adies, and the beautiful Florida S unshine!

And that's the kind of talk I like to hear!

 

[IntlMD07]

Thank you so much for the info Entei!!

So, four shows, eh? Which one is it going to be? Any thoughts? I have seen The Producers and it was awesome! Funniest one I have seen on broad and probably the best one too... but I don?t think I am going to waste my free tkt on watching it again, though.
I would apprec. suggestions 😉

 

[SistaKaren]

Aida is fantastic!! I really loved that one. So that's a good one to see, Intl.

I haven't gotten the orientation packet yet, but since I'm getting my mail forwarded from home, I suppose it's bound to be late. I did, however, get that big BLS book today. I thought it was strange that it wasn't accompanied by some letter about the book. It was just....stuffed in my mailbox! 🙂

I hate the Yankees (much like my hate for the Lakers...but less than my hate for That School in Durham)...but I haven't been to a baseball game in so long that it sounds cool. I'm totally excited about Dim Sum in Chinatown. YAY!! It's definitely become a Sunday habit of mine this past year...so I'm glad to be able to go.

 

[Entei]

I have a pretty easy decision to make about the play at least. The only one I haven't seen is The Producers, so that's the one I'm probably going to pick.

It's hard to pick just one of the other three to recommend, though! They were all really good, and they're all very different. Aida is a love story with really good music. Rent is a musical that everyone should see because it's going to be a classic, and Caberet is a lot of fun and more interactive. I guess out of the three of them, Aida was my favorite, but it's a really close race!

SistaKaren... 😱 You're not a Mets fan, are you?

 

[SistaKaren]

Originally posted by Entei
SistaKaren... 😱 You're not a Mets fan, are you?

Nah. I used to be an Orioles fan, but I haven't been into baseball for a long time. It's really lost its magic for me. But, I just don't like the Yankees... 🙂

 

[LittleDrBob]

I'm hoping to see The Producers!!! I've seen Rent 6 times, but I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it!

-Bob

 

[dl2dp2]

(1) How do I gauge the size of the white coats?

(2) Anybody thinking about skipping broadway night? The price's kinda stiff. But then, i bet the plan's prolly go out afterwards and it'd be such a lovely time...alas, so conflicted

Sean

 

[Entei]

Hey, Sean!

I found out my white coat size yesterday. It's equivalent to jacket size. I went to the men's department in Macy's and just tried on some suit jackets until I found one that fit well. I attracted a little bit of a crowd because it was a little weird seeing a woman trying on a bunch of men's suit jackets, but at least I found out my size.

Personally, I think it's totally worth the $40 for a show ticket. If you check with Telecharge, the prices for these shows can be as high as $100, and that's not even including transportation. And if you look at the even bigger picture, $40 is nothing compared to the money we'll be shelling out for tuition. So I think you should go and have a good time with your future classmates. 😀

 

[CycloneDub]

Hey Entei and everyone else,

Hope you're enjoying summertime. Fourth year is treating me well so far. I am currently doing a Sub-I in ENT (joint month between Columbia and Cornell) and being kept busy -- in a good way.
I even got to do some cases with the chief resident. Very cool stuff.

As far as what you should bring to Columbia -- there is not much to worry about. Everything that you might need is in NYC.
If you are living in Bard, an air conditioner or a fan is useful for the first month. The rooms have an OK bed, but many people ended up bringing a nicer mattress and/or bed. At the beginning of the year, many people requested the administration to move out some of the Columbia furniture so they could move in their own. Don't know what the current policy is. You may want to think about a George Foreman or some such cooking utility thing since there isn't enough kitchen space in Bard. If you don't have anything, there is plenty to find in NYC.
Otherwise, don't drag med books unless you find them cheaply. There is a book sale by the 2nd/3rd/4th years early in the year and you can buy used one there. Otherwise, you can just buy them at the overpriced bookstore or buy them online.

Anyways, write back if you guys have any more questions. Hopefully I'll see you all around when you arrive.

Enjoy,
CycloneDub

P.S. Do you guys actually have 'reading' before arriving? Strange indeed. I don't remember any of that...

Originally posted by Entei
Woot! 9th floor, represent! And don't worry, Intl. You're still part of the SDN Cool Kids Club. 😎 Congrats on the cool room, Bones!

Hey, a real, live Columbia med student! How's fourth year treating you, CycloneDub? Our first day of orientation is August 18. Do you have any good advice you can spare for us incoming students?

I would really like to take an undergrad class, but now I'm not sure how realistic that is. I've already taken lots of spanish, and it seems like that's the only intro language class that's offered late enough in the evenings. I was really interested in taking a PE class like fencing or karate. I guess I'll see what I'm eligible for when orientation starts.

BTW, I finished reading The Da Vinci Code in one day. I can't recommend that book highly enough! It was really great. Now instead of reading TSCYaYFD, I've decided to start the Harry Potter series. After all, I wouldn't want to finish my summer reading assignment TOO early and forget all about the book when I have to discuss it later, right? 😳

So, I've been reading to pass the time. What are you guys doing to keep busy until classes start?

 

[bez2]

I was debating whether or not to get a phone in my room at Bard. The plans they are offering seem kind of expensive. I feel getting more minutes on my cell phone would be more economical.
Any thoughts?

 

[emporio]

are the calls made within the university free? does anyone know if i could receive incoming calls without having an account? i think having a cell phone is more practical...

 

[bez2]

I think calls made within the university are free i.e. four-digit dialing. However, you cannot receive incoming calls without an account. The basic account allows you to receive incoming calls for free, and place local calls and pay per minute. The "deluxe" plan allows you to place unlimited local calls. I think I am going to stick with my cell phone. Not only does it make sense economically, but you always have the same number which makes moving a lot easier.

 

[IntlMD07]

We lost Merlin 17 to Harvard! Congratulations Merlin! You should write a book about working waitlists now 🙂

Greetings from Brazil to everyone else. I think I will be watching Aida after all. Rent is easy to get tickets for in the tkts booth on times square, so I figured I can always watch it when I am there.

I hear you on the cell phone. I am definitely not getting a land line. I am never ever home anyway.

I hope you guys are all having fun, resting and not reading BLS!

BTW, can anyone post the orientation schedule that you guys got? Anything else in the mail for that matter?

-IntlMD

 

[merlin17]

Hey all,

I know I know...I really hope that someone got the fantastic news recently! Columbia is such an great place, but my heart lies in Boston so that's where I need to be right now!

Best of luck to all of you next year =)

 

[Entei]

Ok, here's the orientation schedule:

Monday: 9-5: move in and tours of P&S, 12-1: pizza lunch, 6-9: BBQ on Bard Roof, 10: "Night Out" at Coogan's

Tuesday: 9-10:30: Breakfast and Orientation Team Meetings, 11-3: Welcome Wagon, 1-2: lunch, 2-4: financial aid entrance interviews, 5:30-7:30: dinner downtown, 8: Broadway shows

Wednesday: 10-11:30: Health Sciences Administration Orientation, 12:30-2:30: Cultura Lunch and Reading to Kids, 6:30-8:30: Dinner with Orientation Group, 8:30: Bowling and "hitting the town"

Thursday: 9-12:30: SBPM/SSN Orientation, 1-3: Official Registration, 5-7:30: Dinner with first year dental students, 7:30: Boat Cruise Around Manhattan

Friday: 9-10:30: Convocation, 10:30-11:30: "Becoming a Physician" by Dr. Burton Lerner, 12:30-2: White Coat Ceremony, 2:30-4: White Coat Ceremony Reception, 7:30-9:30: Ethnic Dinner Night, 10: "Go out"

Saturday: 10-3: Various trips around the City, 4-7:30: Yankees Game, 9-11: "Gross Anatomy" (the movie)

Sunday: 11-2: Dim Sum in Chinatown, 9:30-11: AMSA Ice Cream Social

*Whew!* Seems pretty packed, I think. 🙂

I got a dose of reality today when I got my Columbia bill in the mail. I also got a bill for phone service! You guys aren't kidding that it's expensive. They charged me for not even USING the phone! I called them up and explained how I'm not even on campus yet, and they issued me a credit. They told me that they accidentally did this with quite a few Columbia students, so if this happened to anyone else out there, you definitely should call them.

Bye, Merlin. Good luck at the big H!

 

[SistaKaren]

Originally posted by sluox
(2) Anybody thinking about skipping broadway night? The price's kinda stiff. But then, i bet the plan's prolly go out afterwards and it'd be such a lovely time...alas, so conflicted

Yeah...I'm definitely thinking of skipping out...very very broke right now. 🙂

I also think I'm sticking with the cell. Hearing that most of you are as well really helps with the decision.

The Spirit Catches You... is such a great read. I'm glad they made us read it!

That's it. Not much going on...must move out of my apartment tomorrow....ugh...so much to do..

 

[Bones99]

I don't think that I'm getting a landline either. The prices are insane! I figure a cell phone will be fine since I probably won't be in my room too often anyway.

 

[IntlMD07]

Entei you are the best! Thank you so much for writing this out for me! I had no idea this was so jam packed! I think I am calling it a week by Friday after the white coat reception though, gotta hang out with my boyfriend a little too 🙂

 

[Entei]

Happy August!

So is anyone else moving in early? I got cleared to move in on 8/16. It's hard to believe I only have about two weeks of freedom left!

I'm on chapter 6 of TSCYaYFD. I started the book a few days ago, but it's been slow going because I've been very distracted with my Xbox and Knights of the Old Republic. (I hope there are some gamers coming to Columbia, so I can host some post-exam Halo tournaments. 😉 ) Reading TSCYaYFD has been a struggle because it's making me feel so frustrated! I just want to give poor Lia her medicine already.