Official DMU Class of 2011

[jbone]

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how do you contact ur "big sib" 😀 Does DMU has a big sib program? At some other schools i know, they set up 1st year student with a second year so we could ask for advice.

Also, one more question, what do we do at the White Coat ceremony ( i mean beside wearing your whitecoat ??) and does anyone know when it will be for this coming class? thank yoU!

Big Daddy J here to save the day and I quote:

"Saturday, September 15, 2007
10:00a-12:30p Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
White Coat Ceremony"

Getting excited for everyone. It really is a great time. So just relax, before you know it, first year will be almost over and all you want to do is curl up in a ball and cry.

BTW, if you Big sib sucks (like mine), I could adopt a few more. 😉

 

[Boner]

Hey everyone!! So what pathway of advice are you guys planning on following this summer: a) hitting the MS-0 book list b) killing off your slow brain cells with EtOH c) slipping into a coma and waking up Aug 7th?

My wife has already pledged to be, "the tannest freakin person in Des Moines." With that said we'll both be hitting the beaches every weekend until we quit our jobs at the end of June. Then we'll be hitting Vegas the first week of July for my sister's birthday. Finally, we're gonna do all the things we love to do in Savannah during our last week here and then move on July 16.

 

[lovableDR]

Big Daddy J here to save the day and I quote:

"Saturday, September 15, 2007
10:00a-12:30p Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
White Coat Ceremony"

Getting excited for everyone. It really is a great time. So just relax, before you know it, first year will be almost over and all you want to do is curl up in a ball and cry.

BTW, if you Big sib sucks (like mine), I could adopt a few more. 😉

could i ask to choose my big sib or is it random or the big sib is the one who will pick??

thank you "big daddy j" 😀 and dj for being big sibs on SDN 🙂 !

 

[Orthodoc40]

So, they posted all the interviewees photos on the portal by date of interview if you want to go look at everyone. Pretty funny!! (Luckily I was missing......was that a foretelling? :O )

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

They sure hid that link!

Orthodoc did you decide yet?

 

[UIC Killa]

So, they posted all the interviewees photos on the portal by date of interview if you want to go look at everyone. Pretty funny!! (Luckily I was missing......was that a foretelling? :O )

wow, that was such a long time ago for me (Oct)...i still remember almost every single person in my group, even you orthodoc...lol, i guess they inteviewed all the way up till april.

 

[Boner]

wow, that was such a long time ago for me (Oct)...i still remember almost every single person in my group, even you orthodoc...lol, i guess they inteviewed all the way up till april.

HA! I interviewed on the same day as you guys too. Pretty funny stuff.

 

[Orthodoc40]

They sure hid that link!

Orthodoc did you decide yet?

Yes, I decided to go to both, remember? 😀
I don't know what's wrong with me. Usually deciding is not hard to do.
Basically it's between the school I like the best (DMU) and the school that makes more sense to go to, would be fine, but doesn't really excite me at all (UMDNJ).
I was in the middle of a re-visit to UMDNJ and my mom had a freak reaction to contrast dye & has been in the ICU for the last 14 days. That postponed my re-visit to DMU for now, unfortunately. But it made me think more about that whole 'practical, makes more sense' thing that UMDNJ is just an hour from home...I hate to say it but this whole thing has made me lean heavily toward UMDNJ just for that, even though I like DMU much more. Blah. I might actually choose once the tuition bills arrive! 😳

 

[Orthodoc40]

wow, that was such a long time ago for me (Oct)...i still remember almost every single person in my group, even you orthodoc...lol, i guess they inteviewed all the way up till april.

Hard to forget that midnight Walmart outfit, huh?!! 😳

 

[Boner]

I'll be in DSM tomorrow with the wife to check out some housing. I'll report back on Sunday or Monday. Anyone have any recommendations on what to do in DSM while not looking for a place to live? Any good places to eat (on a budget)?

 

[Krazykritter]

Go down on Court Ave if you get a chance. There are tons of places down there (although I would aviod Spaghetti Works) & are all fairly reasonably priced. Buzzard Billy's is a favorite of mine. It's a cajun joint w/ an outdoor bar/seating area if the weather is nice (which it should be) & is really inexpensive.

There is also a great hole-in-the-wall secret Italian place called La Trattoria on 4th St off of Court. Best Italian around & it's authentic w/ homemade noodles. Just don't tell anyone about it or it'll become hard to get into.

 

[jbone]

I'll be in DSM tomorrow with the wife to check out some housing. I'll report back on Sunday or Monday. Anyone have any recommendations on what to do in DSM while not looking for a place to live? Any good places to eat (on a budget)?

Stop by and say hi to the poor students about to be pounded in the next 3 weeks.

 

[life_saver]

I'll be in DSM tomorrow with the wife to check out some housing. I'll report back on Sunday or Monday. Anyone have any recommendations on what to do in DSM while not looking for a place to live? Any good places to eat (on a budget)?

For chinese I recommend Huhot in WDM...4100 University Ave. to be exact. 😀 Delicious! Its one of those places were you pick all your ingredients, put em in a bowl, and they cook it for you on a big circular grill and then you take it to your table to eat. Plus, you can do this as many times as you want 👍

Also, I should note that I'm from Iowa before you start to wonder what a guy from TX knows about restaurants in IA 😛

 

[Orthodoc40]

Stop by and say hi to the poor students about to be pounded in the next 3 weeks.

I thought that DMU did not do block exams? What's happening the next 3 weeks? 😕

 

[jbone]

I thought that DMU did not do block exams? What's happening the next 3 weeks? 😕

We don't really do block exams. It's just a bad couple of months for us. Pounded from all directions with multiple tests. Just happened to be that way. I just need a hug. 🙁

 

[Orthodoc40]

We don't really do block exams. It's just a bad couple of months for us. Pounded from all directions with multiple tests. Just happened to be that way. I just need a hug. 🙁

So, its "might as well be block exams" - but not a week, 3 months. How nice!! 😀

Hang in there - you're almost 1/4 through med school!!

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

I was also under the impression that your exams do not come all at once. At least thats what the schedual appears to look like. I usually do a lot better if I have one exam to study for ata time, even if there is one every week.

 

[Orthodoc40]

I was also under the impression that your exams do not come all at once. At least thats what the schedual appears to look like. I usually do a lot better if I have one exam to study for ata time, even if there is one every week.

Lurking on the 2010 forum gives me reason to think that tests & quizzes are pretty much a weekly thing....

 

[djnels01]

Lurking on the 2010 forum gives me reason to think that tests & quizzes are pretty much a weekly thing....

I will say that 1st semester, things were not this way.

But during 2nd semester it gets busier. There are more tests/practicals then there are total weeks in the 2nd semester. So you average >1 test a week. Sometimes we end up with 3 tests and a practical the same week, other weeks we have off.

You'll find out soon enough-

 

[Orthodoc40]

I will say that 1st semester, things were not this way.

But during 2nd semester it gets busier. There are more tests/practicals then there are total weeks in the 2nd semester. So you average >1 test a week. Sometimes we end up with 3 tests and a practical the same week, other weeks we have off.

You'll find out soon enough-

Yes, they lulled you into a sense you'd be fine, and now - - -
All I can say is - OUCH!

 

[Krazykritter]

HAHAHA....WAIT TILL SECOND YEAR!!!! **best evil laugh**

Everything gets ridiculously busy second year & I would say that you definitely average >1 per week. You kind of get used to it though.

I was kind of pondering the paradigm shift the other day; I used to dread final exams. Now after this many final exams (systems based M2 year) I don't really think a whole lot about it & just look forward (well maybe not "look forward" to) moving onto the next system.

BTW -- Orthodoc, did you finally decide on DMU or are you still playing the field??

 

[NjD00]

I LOVE EXAMS!!!!







hahah too many cans of Murphys

Good luck to all of you

 

[FS-Pro]

Lurking on the 2010 forum gives me reason to think that tests & quizzes are pretty much a weekly thing....

I just counted and it looks like we had 29 exams/practicals this semester. Enjoy your time off now

 

[Krazykritter]

I just counted and it looks like we had 29 exams/practicals this semester. Enjoy your time off now

Child's play. In the last 8 weeks of school we had 19 exams/practicals/quizzes. 😱 😱

Drinking from the firehose is a art you have to acquire but everyone does it.

 

[FS-Pro]

Child's play. In the last 8 weeks of school we had 19 exams/practicals/quizzes. 😱 😱

Drinking from the firehose is a art you have to acquire but everyone does it.

we got it easy i guess, we are fiishing w/ 16 tests/quizzes/practicals in the last 8 weeks, 17 if you are in PBL anatomy

 

[It'sElectric]

Child's play. In the last 8 weeks of school we had 19 exams/practicals/quizzes. 😱 😱

Drinking from the firehose is a art you have to acquire but everyone does it.

Come on now.....never in my life have I counted a quiz as something meaningful.

Exams are where it's at. If there's one thing I've learned from 2nd years, it's that it always gets worse. I would say 9 exams in 3 weeks is plenty tough, but it's nothing all of us can't handle. Hell, it's just preclinical years.

 

[Krazykritter]

Normally, you are right about quizzes...The thing that kind of made the quizzes count was that they are 10% of your grade in Ophtho so if you don't go to class you have to get an 80% on the one exam to average to a barely passing 70%.

 

[Orthodoc40]

Thanks for scaring us all now!! 😱
I think I will put in for my transfer to the PA program this afternoon.....!! 😉

 

[NjD00]

Lol...although we go a lot longer...I've heard that DMU's PA program is arguably harder since they cram all of the classroom learning into one year

Orthodoc, don't be scared, you gotta save that up until we have 38 exams in 8 days...or whatever they first years said above

 

[Boner]

In DSM right now and having a good time. Went to the Bucs (hockey) final home game last night, which was a blast, and had some good Mexican at Mazatlan. Discovered Zanzibar Coffee Adventure on Ingersoll this morning, which will supply my coffee beans for the coming years (they roast their own beans in house!). We also found a place to live in Beaverdale. So far, this housing trip has been "great success," as Borat would say. Looking to stop by campus sometime today to get my wife's name officially changed with admissions, so maybe we'll see some of you 2010ers around. More DSM updates to come.

NJD - did you finalize your decision on school yet?

 

[Orthodoc40]

Lol...although we go a lot longer...I've heard that DMU's PA program is arguably harder since they cram all of the classroom learning into one year

Orthodoc, don't be scared, you gotta save that up until we have 38 exams in 8 days...or whatever they first years said above

Oh goodie. ... So much for my escape route into the PA program - darn it!

Say - someone like Krazy Kritter probably knows - the board prep course in year 2 - required? Pay extra for it? What's the deal?

 

[lovableDR]

Say - someone like Krazy Kritter probably knows - the board prep course in year 2 - required? Pay extra for it? What's the deal?

from what I heard at my interview, the Kaplan prep course is Free, it's included in your tuition already.

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

Oh goodie. ... So much for my escape route into the PA program - darn it!

Say - someone like Krazy Kritter probably knows - the board prep course in year 2 - required? Pay extra for it? What's the deal?

I believe I read that the review for the comlex was free?

 

[Orthodoc40]

I believe I read that the review for the comlex was free?

That's what I had thought, too.... anyone?
Oh that's right - they are all off taking tests.... never mind! 😀

Honestly, I was thinking block exams might be better to get ready for something like boards where you're testing everything all at once, but it sounds like getting all these tests & quizzes on a painfully regular basis might make you more ready for the boards. As in - "Another test? Eh, no big deal, I've got this thing down..." 👍

 

[lovableDR]

That's what I had thought, too.... anyone?
Oh that's right - they are all off taking tests.... never mind! 😀

Honestly, I was thinking block exams might be better to get ready for something like boards where you're testing everything all at once, but it sounds like getting all these tests & quizzes on a painfully regular basis might make you more ready for the boards. As in - "Another test? Eh, no big deal, I've got this thing down..." 👍

Block exams sound kool where you can actually spend time doing something during normal week...but for procrastinator like me, I like every week exams cuz I will push myself as hard as I could on a weekly basis. For block exams, we always tend to put off until 2 weeks before and start cramming.

 

[Krazykritter]

Kaplan board prep is indeed "FREE." The Pharmacology department faculty also does pharm board reviews which are pretty good refreshers too...these are again free.

Kaplan has been really helpful except for the Kaplan pharm review. The Kaplan guy was really just mediocre & didn't even hit on ABx which are HUGE on boards. The DMU pharm department is great though so they are picking up the slack. Back to reviewing endocrine...fun times.

 

[jbone]

In DSM right now and having a good time. Went to the Bucs (hockey) final home game last night, which was a blast, and had some good Mexican at Mazatlan. Discovered Zanzibar Coffee Adventure on Ingersoll this morning, which will supply my coffee beans for the coming years (they roast their own beans in house!). We also found a place to live in Beaverdale. So far, this housing trip has been "great success," as Borat would say. Looking to stop by campus sometime today to get my wife's name officially changed with admissions, so maybe we'll see some of you 2010ers around. More DSM updates to come.

NJD - did you finalize your decision on school yet?

I'm in the library. look me up!

 

[DO it right]

I believe I read that the review for the comlex was free?

haha...nothing at DMU is 'free', you always pay for it. It's part of your tuition, though it may not have a separate category such as 'technology fee'.

By the way, if any of you are moving into Imperial, send me a pm, i'll be glad to help you out. 😉

 

[lovableDR]

haha...nothing at DMU is 'free', you always pay for it. It's part of your tuition, though it may not have a separate category such as 'technology fee'.

By the way, if any of you is moving into Imperial, send me a pm, i'll be glad to help you out. 😉

how far is Imperial from school? Does anyone know the name of the 4 apartment buildings that surrounded the school? I know 3000 Grand apartment ; please help!!!!!

 

[DO it right]

how far is Imperial from school? Does anyone know the name of the 4 apartment buildings that surrounded the school? I know 3000 Grand apartment ; please help!!!!!

There are a lot of places. Free wireless is at the 3000 grand, imperial and grand prix. Imperial is directly across from the school (in front of the AC building). Go to http://www.venturellc.com/ for more information on grand prix & imperial. I hope this helps.

 

[Krazykritter]

Winsor Terrace is also right across the street, but does not get the free internet b/c it is so spread out in lots of different buildings.

 

[UIC Killa]

Do any of you know of apartments that allow dogs?...I have been searching for a place and many of the places allow only cats/birds/fishes...etc. My girlfriend and I would like to get a pet and she specifically wants a dog (one of those small ones that can fit in a purse..yah..i know🙄 ). I would really love to find a place as close to campus as possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[Krazykritter]

Windsor Terrace right across from the school allows dogs & has a nice central court yard area. I live at the Imperial, but know of a couple people who have dogs at Windsor Terrace. Their apartments are actually quite a bit bigger than ours & I'm jealous everytime I go over there 🙁

 

[lovableDR]

There are a lot of places. Free wireless is at the 3000 grand, imperial and grand prix. Imperial is directly across from the school (in front of the AC building). Go to http://www.venturellc.com/ for more information on grand prix & imperial. I hope this helps.

Out of these places, which one is the best deal? Could anyone please help? I'm not able to go visit the apartment before I rent so any info is appreciated. I only stayed at 3000 grand with my student host during interview so only know that apartment. Thank you very much!

 

[Krazykritter]

Here's my take on things from when my wife & I were looking two years ago at Imperial, 3000 Grand, Grand Prix, Windsor Terrace:

3000 Grand -- Probably the nicest of the bunch w/ a pool that you can use, but, IMO, overpriced.

Imperial -- Price is right & you are only responsible for the electricity. Apartments are decent, but nothing special. I don't mind living here although I would love to find somewhere nicer for the same money (not going to happen).

Grand Prix -- About the same price as the Imperial but looks like a motel where you have to walk outside & to get to all the apartments. Rooms are okay, but I liked the Imperial better.

Windsor Terrace -- I would say the best bang for your buck is this place. Only thing you run into here is that many of the apartments have a signficantly different layout so you will need to call the management to get an idea of what your place is like. It is slightly more expensive that Imperial/Grand Prix, but less than 3000 Grand. I hear that their new management is really great, too. If I had to do it again, I would pick to live here.

Hope this helps.

 

[Orthodoc40]

Out of these places, which one is the best deal? Could anyone please help? I'm not able to go visit the apartment before I rent so any info is appreciated. I only stayed at 3000 grand with my student host during interview so only know that apartment. Thank you very much!

Loveable, I haven't seen anything except through internet sources, but it seems pretty helpful. When you're on the DMU website & you go to Student Life / Student Services, there are apartment ad links, plus a Des Moines neighborhood map, that at least gives you an idea of where those apartments are. Nothing's better than hearing it from the people who've been living there, but if you can't go, these resources seem not too terrible.

 

[m-said]

So... for those who will be moving to Des Moines (or have already done so ) from another state... what's the best strategy? Do simply rent a U-haul truck? Or do you have any suggestions for other truck rental co.'s or even Moving companies that'll do the driving for you? I guess I'm just not sure what the best option will be (I'm looking at a seven hour drive to des moines). Any suggestions would be appreciated 🙂

 

[Boner]

So... for those who will be moving to Des Moines (or have already done so ) from another state... what's the best strategy? Do simply rent a U-haul truck? Or do you have any suggestions for other truck rental co.'s or even Moving companies that'll do the driving for you? I guess I'm just not sure what the best option will be (I'm looking at a seven hour drive to des moines). Any suggestions would be appreciated 🙂

We'll be renting a Budget truck and driving all 19 hours ourselves. We investigated using the AACOMAS discount Mayflower service, but it ended up being thousands of dollars. If you are going to move yourself, I would suggest reserving your truck now as July/August is the busiest time of year for moving.

 

[jbone]

So... for those who will be moving to Des Moines (or have already done so ) from another state... what's the best strategy? Do simply rent a U-haul truck? Or do you have any suggestions for other truck rental co.'s or even Moving companies that'll do the driving for you? I guess I'm just not sure what the best option will be (I'm looking at a seven hour drive to des moines). Any suggestions would be appreciated 🙂

I rented a U-haul and a car tow and drove over 22+ hours from my house (over 1100 miles) and it was, by far, the cheapest option (26 footer with a trailer for my car 😱 ). Except I freakin hated Nebraska. They have the most unleveled highway I have ever seen. Try driving all night and day with all that you own through the middle of freakin Nebraska going bump-bump........bump-bump.......bump-bump..... FOR 11 HOURS!! I don't smoke, but I actually thought about it. It's a pretty big state. But the Soundman is from there so it can't be too bad. Sorry, rant is over.
Take the Uhaul...it will save you money and you can see the country side (unless you go through wyoming and nebraska...you see....nothing).

People are looking for places still....so sad nobody wants to live by Dr. jbone. Sad indeed. 🙁
MAPLE GROVE VILLAS RULE!!!!

 

[Orthodoc40]

I rented a U-haul and a car tow and drove over 22+ hours from my house (over 1100 miles) and it was, by far, the cheapest option (26 footer with a trailer for my car 😱 ). Except I freakin hated Nebraska. They have the most unleveled highway I have ever seen. Try driving all night and day with all that you own through the middle of freakin Nebraska going bump-bump........bump-bump.......bump-bump..... FOR 11 HOURS!! I don't smoke, but I actually thought about it. It's a pretty big state. But the Soundman is from there so it can't be too bad. Sorry, rant is over.
Take the Uhaul...it will save you money and you can see the country side (unless you go through wyoming and nebraska...you see....nothing).

People are looking for places still....so sad nobody wants to live by Dr. jbone. Sad indeed. 🙁
MAPLE GROVE VILLAS RULE!!!!

22 hours on a concrete slab highway would drive anyone insane - that explains a lot about you, jbone! There's a section of Route 684 in NY that is like that. After 5 minutes I want to pull my fingernails out.

Where the heck are you from that it took you that long to get to Iowa? I though only people from like, MA would have that long a drive! 😉 (Actually mapquest says it's 25 hrs, but what's 3 more at that point?!)