Official U Maryland Class of 2009 Thread

[marcello]

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I think it was about 1200 bucks... geesh a year and a half ago and I can't remember. That's right, my mind is mush from medschool. Call the Office of Medical Education (OME), they will be able to tell you.

Thank you for the info. I wanted to ask what your impression of UMD is (specifically, main downfalls of the school as well as main positive aspects) from your experience. Also, what are your thoughts on the grading system?

 

[waitman192]

I just read thru the whole thread (whew!) and people were wondering how late interviews are going...

I actually just got invited today for an interview on March 7th. And although it makes me a little nervous that it is so late, I know an MSI there now, and he said that he knows some people who were interviewed in March who are there now.

Just thought I'd let everyone know that they are still inviting people for interviews. Good luck everyone!

 

[tinkerbelle]

Good luck on your interview waitman192

 

[cytoskelement]

Thanks for the info cytoskelement 🙂

Oh, do you by any chance know whether all of our third and fouth year rotations will be done in the hospital by UMD (like the veterans & the umd hospital)? Or will we have to travel to other hospitals in the area (i.e. having a car in mandatory)?

several rotations are held at Mercy which is about 8-10 blocks away. you may have physical diagnosis during second year off-campus (as far away as Towson - which requires a car... but my friend doesn't have a car and had his PD partner drive him). if you are proactive, you don't need a car.

 

[joy77]

Thanks for the info cytoskelement 🙂

Oh, do you by any chance know whether all of our third and fouth year rotations will be done in the hospital by UMD (like the veterans & the umd hospital)? Or will we have to travel to other hospitals in the area (i.e. having a car in mandatory)?

I'm not sure about the rest of the rotations, but I think it may be useful to own or borrow a car for the several weeks we will work in the underserved area, as some (most?) of the sites are rural.

Echo the thanks to cytoskelement for all of the good information.

Edit: I was too slow in my answer to the underserved med thing-- don't type very quickly!

 

[cytoskelement]

Thank you for the info. I wanted to ask what your impression of UMD is (specifically, main downfalls of the school as well as main positive aspects) from your experience. Also, what are your thoughts on the grading system?

love the school - truly happy to be here. wouldn't think twice about coming if i did it over again.

a LOT of independent study and not too much hand-holding. if you're not an idependent learner --> go to a nine to five school.

they are way ahead of the curve here with technology. honestly you don't have to go to class - it's digitized.

you do, however, have to go to small group which is in the morning second year, and they are a pain in the ass about signing in for it (plus its worth about 5% of your grade or something... nothing big, i missed like 10 last block and only missed 1.5% of my grade)

as for the grading system... it doesn't really matter so much. the only person you will truly compete with is yourself (you'll realize that your limitations are the real factor influencing your grade). and every program will rank its students against each other (ie you were 99th out of 100 students) - so pass fail doesn't really matter.

 

[JDAD]

I doubt anyone will have an answer to my question, but I interviewed at Maryland on the 13th of December. I haven't heard anything since. Does anyone know how long I should have to wair until hearing from them?

 

[SFMDBound]

Good luck JDAD on a quick response - I interviewed on Nov. 8 and didn't hear until January 14 that I'm on hold...hopefully you're not an out-of-stater like me.

 

[JDAD]

Good luck JDAD on a quick response - I interviewed on Nov. 8 and didn't hear until January 14 that I'm on hold...hopefully you're not an out-of-stater like me.

Thanks for the reply, unfortunately, I am an out-of-stater. Did they specifically tell you that you were placed on hold because you were a non-resident?


Good luck getting off that list.

 

[SFMDBound]

No, the letter didn't say that I was on hold specifically because I'm from out-of-state, I just know that our chances in general are much slimmer there than for in-staters. But, it does happen - I knew someone from my college who got in as a California resident. Good luck!

 

[JDAD]

No, the letter didn't say that I was on hold specifically because I'm from out-of-state, I just know that our chances in general are much slimmer there than for in-staters. But, it does happen - I knew someone from my college who got in as a California resident. Good luck!

Thanks for your reply. At least it is good to know that I still have a shot.

 

[shawty ya'head]

i'm an out-of-stater from pennyslvania interviewing there tommorrow.

any suggestions? I really like the school and the area.


-a

 

[tinkerbelle]

I really like the school and the area.

you can't be serious

The interview was actually really laid back. Make sure you allow enough time to get to your interviews (sometimes you have to walk to the veterans hospital or a different building). Make sure you can explain any "bad things" in your application (like weak grades, little volunteering, or something like that) and why you want to go to UMD.

Are you driving up the morning of your interview, or are you already here? Cause it's snowing now so traffic might suck.

Hmm.. can't really think of anything else. You should have a great day. Good luck on your interview

 

[tinkerbelle]

Are any of you guys filling out the University Suites Application (the dorms)? What's this SAR thing we need to mail them with our application?

 

[tinkerbelle]

Wow. It's like i'm talking to myself I'm the only one posting lately

Do you guys have anymore info on the promatriculation program (like cytoskelement)? I really want to do it, but I work until June 10th. And I'm wondering if the program is partly videotaped or what the hours are.... or if there is any way I can drive up after work in order to makeup stuff for the 2 weeks i'd miss. I have the feeling it'll be impossible, but i feel like I should try anyways.

 

[shawty ya'head]

yeah tinks...i love the area actuallly...

it fits what i want to do...while i was in philly at penn i worked a ton with the north and west philadelphia communities running clinics and what not...

i def want to go into emergency med in urban underprivelged areas...so baltimore is a sweet location...especially if i can rotate at maryland general which is right down the street from UMD...

i had my interview on 1/19 and it went REALLY REALLY well....i'm just afraid that sometimes i'm a little agressive because i'm a business kid and you have to be super agressive in business interviews...

i think i'm a really good fit...i'm out-of-state though...dr. foxwell said that this year they have a ton more out-of-state applications than usual and therefore they may take more kids from out-of-state..usually they take 24-30....

keepin' the finger crossed...oh yeah, anyone know how to or what the regulations are to becoming a maryland resident?

 

[BlueMagpie]

Hey tinkerbelle, boy, I missed all the activity on this thread earlier, I feel like we're losing some folks... 🙁

Anyhow, I haven't decided whether or not I'm applying for University housing, I guess I should, but I have a cat and even though they allow them, I'm just afraid it will make it harder to get a good placement. Also, I don't know if I can handle any more dorm furniture. I wonder if you can put theirs in storage and just use your own..?

Yeah, so what is this SAR thing, I haven't heard of it.

Also, I think we get graded for the summer program...what does that mean? Is it on our record when we apply for residencies?

 

[BlueMagpie]

keepin' the finger crossed...oh yeah, anyone know how to or what the regulations are to becoming a maryland resident?

Like any place, it's pretty hard. You'd have to live/work there for a year or else be a dependent of someone who is a Maryland resident. Some people get Maryland residency by marrying a resident of the state.

 

[starfruit]

Congrats on SLU, nervouspremed!! 👍

 

[BlueMagpie]

Congrats on SLU, nervouspremed!! 👍

I second that! 😀

 

[tinkerbelle]

Hi BlueMagPie 🙂 Yeah, I saw that we are allowed to bring pets. I'd love to bring one of my cats, but I am scared that it will make it harder to get a spot. I think you can request to not have furniture in your room. I thought I saw that on the housing website somewhere. I need to go apartment hunting though... just in case I don't get a dorm room.

Good luck getting in shawty ya'head The shock trauma center will be an awesome place to rotate for someone interested in EM.

 

[uptoolate]

Hi All,

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go to UMaryland in the fall. I'm wondering how many of you fall into the non-trad category. Anybody else have kids?

BTW- I've been living in Baltimore for the last 6 years and housing seems to be pretty easy to come by.

 

[starfruit]

Hi uptoolate,

Welcome to the thread! I, too, am a non-trad (6 yrs out of college), but don't have kids. It seems like UMD is fairly non-trad friendly. In fact, one of my interviewers was non-traditional when he attended the medical school, and enjoyed his experience.

Let me know if you have any questions I can answer. I'm not absolutely certain I'll be at UMD, but there's a good chance. 🙂

 

[tinkerbelle]

Hi All,

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go to UMaryland in the fall.

yay! hi there, classmate 🙂

P.S. Hope to see you there as well starfruit 😀

 

[joy77]

Up_too_late: Welcome! I'll be 6 years out when I start in the fall. Married but no kids yet; I think we'll be waiting a few years on that.

It seems like "non-trad" is the new "trad" these days...

 

[nervouspremed]

Thx for the congrats, I am still crossing my fingers for the UMD interview intivte. haha, doens't look good at this point. Anyway, you guys have fun at UMD, I am sure you guys will love it there. 👍

 

[BlueMagpie]

Hi All,

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go to UMaryland in the fall. I'm wondering how many of you fall into the non-trad category. Anybody else have kids?

BTW- I've been living in Baltimore for the last 6 years and housing seems to be pretty easy to come by.

Hey uptoolate, welcome! 🙂

I'm a non-trad as well, 4 yrs out of ugrad. Single, no kids.

 

[uptoolate]

Thanks for the welcome! I'm looking forward to meeting y'all.

 

[AdrenalineJunki]

Hey guys! I just found out today that I will be joining you next year! I'm a non-trad too, graduated 3 years ago. I think I am going to try to live in the new student apartments, at least for the first year. If anyone is interested in getting together and meeting before this summer, let me know.

 

[BlueMagpie]

Hey guys! I just found out today that I will be joining you next year! I'm a non-trad too, graduated 3 years ago. I think I am going to try to live in the new student apartments, at least for the first year. If anyone is interested in getting together and meeting before this summer, let me know.

Hey Adrenaline Junki, congrats on getting in! 👍 I'm certainly interested in meeting everyone before classes start, I was thinking that we could all meet at a coffee shop somewhere.

So have any of you finished and turned in your FAFSAs yet? I'm still waiting for my W-2 and am starting to get nervous about funding... 😳

 

[tinkerbelle]

Hey guys! I just found out today that I will be joining you next year! I'm a non-trad too, graduated 3 years ago. I think I am going to try to live in the new student apartments, at least for the first year. If anyone is interested in getting together and meeting before this summer, let me know.

Yay! I guess I'll see you there AdrenalineJunki 😀

Hey BlueMagpie... we should set up a pre-school starting party. Maybe in March or April? People should know whether they are definitely coming to UMD by then don't you think?

 

[tinkerbelle]

So have any of you finished and turned in your FAFSAs yet? I'm still waiting for my W-2 and am starting to get nervous about funding... 😳

I haven't finished my FAFSA yet either... but as long as we turn it in by March 1, aren't we good for scholarships and grants? Did you see that the SAR thing is part of the FAFSA? I think you get it after you submit your FAFSA. Although I'm a little worried that I won't get a spot in the dorms b/c I haven't done my FAFSA/SAR yet...

 

[BlueMagpie]

Hey BlueMagpie... we should set up a pre-school starting party. Maybe in March or April? People should know whether they are definitely coming to UMD by then don't you think?

Yes, April sounds good. 👍

I believe that you are right about the March FAFSA deadline, now I remember someone mentioning it on interview day. I thought that we could turn in our housing requests without filling out the FAFSA. Maybe I'll e-mail the financial aid dude.

 

[tinkerbelle]

Yes, April sounds good. 👍

I believe that you are right about the March FAFSA deadline, now I remember someone mentioning it on interview day. I thought that we could turn in our housing requests without filling out the FAFSA. Maybe I'll e-mail the financial aid dude.

Hmm. I thought the SAR was required for your housing application to be complete. But then again, i tend to make things up and convince myself i am right sooooo. if you hear something different, let me know 😀

 

[AdrenalineJunki]

Hmm. I thought the SAR was required for your housing application to be complete. But then again, i tend to make things up and convince myself i am right sooooo. if you hear something different, let me know 😀

Tinkerbelle- I wouild't worry too much about the SAR for the student apartments. Since only students live there and most of the students probably depend on student aid, I am guessing that the apartment managers know more about FAFSA and award deadlines than we do. They know that you can't turn in information that you havent been given yet. Just send in what you have.

As far as funding deadlines, when i was there, the financial aid person told us that everyone who submits their FAFSA before March 1 is put into the same pool for funding, so we are still have time for the optimal funding.

 

[calvin&hobbes]

Hi,

I just thought I would bump up this thread.
Just out of curiousity, does anyone know when the next adcom meeting will be? Thanks.

 

[tinkerbelle]

maryland sent me a letter saying they dunno whether to accept me, deny me, or wait list me. ahhhh... sadness. I so want to go there. If not, looks like I'll be going to Penn State. 🙂

Well i hope you hear good news from UMD soon Both UMD and Penn State are great schools 😀

 

[JDAD]

Hi,

I just thought I would bump up this thread.
Just out of curiousity, does anyone know when the next adcom meeting will be? Thanks.

The next adcom meeting will be on the 14th.

 

[calvin&hobbes]

The next adcom meeting will be on the 14th.

Thanks for the info. I hope that means that the letters will be sent the week of the 14th. By the way, did you ever find out what happen with your file's decision...after 8 weeks?! Best of luck!

 

[JDAD]

Thanks for the info. I hope that means that the letters will be sent the week of the 14th. By the way, did you ever find out what happen with your file's decision...after 8 weeks?! Best of luck!

I called, and the lady who answered the phone told me that was normal. I wasn't so sure. She was rude and sounded like I was bothering her.

I email Dr. Foxwell and he was really nice. He told me that it was a mistake and he would make sure my application was presented to the admissions committee at their next meeting, Feb 14th. He's a pretty cool guy.

Now I wait until the 14th to hear about a decision. Tick tock, tick tock!

 

[JDAD]

is dr.foxwell's email just the admissions email?

no, your going to have to find it. look him up in the faculty directory

 

[JDAD]

Any news regarding the adcom meeting yesterday?

Does anyone know how long it will take for me to find out. My application should have been reviewed yesterday, do they email or mail acceptances/rejections?

 

[BlueMagpie]

JDAD- It took them about 3 weeks to get back to me and they sent their decision by snail mail.

 

[JDAD]

JDAD- It took them about 3 weeks to get back to me and they sent their decision by snail mail.

I don't think my question was clear enough. I interviewed WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY back in December on the 13th. My interviewers didn't send in their reviews, so Dr. Foxwell had to raise ****. He told me my application would be reviewed yesterday. Hopefully I will find something out by the end of the week.

I was just wondering how long it took for them to put the letter in the mail after they reviewed and made a final decision.

I don't think there is any way to figure this out, unless you look at your acceptance letter and tell me what date it has on it. Since they meet on Mondays, I presume that I would have a rough idea about how quick the turn around is.

Thanks to anyone who wants to list the date on their acceptance/rejection letter.

 

[BlueMagpie]

Well, as it happens I have the letter here...the date on it is Nov. 17 and it arrived at my house on the 20th (saturday).

Sorry that you've had to wait so long.

 

[JDAD]

Well, as it happens I have the letter here...the date on it is Nov. 17 and it arrived at my house on the 20th (saturday).

Sorry that you've had to wait so long.

Thanks, I am guessing your file was reviewed on Monday the 15th, then sent the letter on the wednesday the 17th. Hopefully my letter will make it to me by the end of the week. If I don't hear anything by this time next week, I can safely guess that MD is not for me.

Thanks for your help!

 

[AdrenalineJunki]

JDAD- the week that my file was reviewed, I recieved my letter on friday, and I live in MD. I will keep my fingers crossed that yours comes with good news any day.

On a side note, i was talking to people at work last night and they convinced me to look at some of the apartments aroung campus and not do the student apartments, so now I am looking for a roommate. If anyone is interested, or knows anyone who is looking for a roommate, PM me!

 

[BlueMagpie]

Adrenaline, I was curious to know why you won't be looking at the student apartments (I'm actually thinking I'd rather live in regular rental housing too), have you heard anything unpleasant about it?

 

[AdrenalineJunki]

Adrenaline, I was curious to know why you won't be looking at the student apartments (I'm actually thinking I'd rather live in regular rental housing too), have you heard anything unpleasant about it?

There was nothing bad about the student apartments, they are still on my list of places to check out. (The student at my interview loved them) Its just that the nurses that I work with convinced me to put some other apartments higher on my list. They used to live in Bmore and I think that they were just more familiar with the nonstudent places. There are aparently some other nice places to live in the area. The thing about the student apartments that was it was so easy- they paid all the bills in the rent, they furnished the place, and found you a roommate. Now I have to actually do some work. 😳

 

[neuropower]

Hi everyone! i haven't posted in a while, but am more sure every day that I will be attended UMD! I just got really excited because I got an email with a username and password to medscope, their website for students. its kind of a tease though because most everything is restricted, but you get a taste i guess...was anyone else able to access class notes, ppts, or audio-video tapes of the lectures? from the schedule, it seems like we have classes 8-12 most days, but is half of that lecture and half PBL? also, the class calendar says we have "intro to clinical medicine" from 1-4 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which I don't remember hearing about at the interview...sounds like fun though!

i would be totally down for meeting up with other M1s in march or april!

if we want to get a campus dorm room, when do we need to apply and how do we apply? i spoke to a financial aid lady today and she said there are no dorms anymore...maybe there are only apartments?

i haven't heard anything unpleasant about campus housing, actually i think a lot of it is brand new, but the cheapest campus housing i could find was 600-700 bucks per month, and that was sharing an apartment with 3 or 4 other people! so compared with typical baltimore area rent, campus housing looks very expensive to me. which is why i'm confused about the way they budgeted student costs on the financial aid website. they seem to think that living off campus should cost ~$4,000 per year more than campus housing. but i found listings for rooms in apts off campus for $350-400 per month. i asked financial aid how they came up with their numbers and she said it was an "average" but didn't have specific information. i guess people just find expensive places to live off-campus?