Official University of Michigan Class of 2010 Thread part 01

[Chouster]

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Yeah, Sail is right. I had to submit my parents' tax returns because I did the FAFSA before they filed (I just got their numbers off Turbo Tax). Not everyone has to submit copies. They will email you specifically if they want them.

Yeah, I've seen some of First Days. Bits of it were filmed in the hospital where I work (the other hospital in AA/Ypsi area) Unfortunately, the cameras did not find my photogenic face so my TV debut will have to wait for another day.

Who here is coming to 2nd look? I am! I just need to write a term paper and my honors thesis first.

I'll be there. Hope the M1s show us a damn good time like last year's M1s did for last year's recruits (evidently since too many matriculated). I wonder what's on the itinerary under "social events".

 

[Dr IHTFP]

Hi everyone,

We just got back from visiting AA, and it sickens me to say that I may not be going to michigan after all. The estimate the director of finaid had for me included 2k of grants and 55k of loans :-(. Now, I'm beginning to question whether or not it is worth going to UM over UTSW (total budget: 32K). I'm not sure how common that kinda of debt (212k) is or how common it is for people to just bite the bullet, but seeing those numbers on paper scared the life out of me **sigh** is UM worth the extra 100K? I really just don't know.

I'm looking for replies on the lines of "...212K is nothing!" or "...a majority of students have comparable debt." 🙁 😱 🙁 😱 😕 😕

 

[happydays]

Hi everyone,

We just got back from visiting AA, and it sickens me to say that I may not be going to michigan after all. The estimate the director of finaid had for me included 2k of grants and 55k of loans :-(. Now, I'm beginning to question whether or not it is worth going to UM over UTSW (total budget: 32K). I'm not sure how common that kinda of debt (212k) is or how common it is for people to just bite the bullet, but seeing those numbers on paper scared the life out of me **sigh** is UM worth the extra 100K? I really just don't know.

I'm looking for replies on the lines of "...212K is nothing!" or "...a majority of students have comparable debt." 🙁 😱 🙁 😱 😕 😕

Have fun at UTSW!

 

[happydays]

I watch it a lot and I noticed First Days was filmed at UMich like last summer. Does it still come on?

Wow! I thought it was just out. Boy am I slow. 😀

 

[happydays]

Apparently they have copies of the tapes in the library and show them on CCTV at UofM. We can have "First Day" parties next year and see what our lives are going to be! I'm a dork!

Yes! We must!

And Sail, I want to be bold!

Just let go of all your inhibitions. 😎

 

[happydays]

Hey everybody! (spoken like Dr. Nick)

I turned in my FAFSA and the Michigan FinAid form and when I called to see if they had received everything they said that I needed to send in copies of my parents' signed tax returns. so...FYI, maybe you should double check - if I hadn't called, I don't know how I would have known I needed to send in extra crap. In other news, hope y'all are having a fabulous day. Go Blue! Why? Because we're better than everyone else. USNews be damned. 😉

Who is dr. Nick?

 

[QofQuimica]

Have fun at UTSW!

Not to sound blase, but I have to agree with happydays. That is a crushing amount of debt, dude. UTSW is a great school. Assuming U Mich won't up your aid, then I say you should go to UTSW, save the money, and apply to U Mich for residency if you still want to go there. But ask if they will up your aid first.

 

[SailCrazy]

I'm looking for replies on the lines of "...212K is nothing!" or "...a majority of students have comparable debt." 🙁 😱 🙁 😱 😕 😕

I think it depends a lot on what area of medicine you're thinking about. If you're looking at a high paying specialty, not only will the amount of your debt be much less important, going to UofM could significantly help you to reach your goal. On the other hand, if you see yourself in a lower paying and/or less competitive area, maybe the moeny is a bigger issue.

Remember, there are tons of people out there who don't get the option of cheap in-state tuition. They still end up paying off their loans, and they aren't exactly living in a cardboard box.

I'd have a hard time choosing the more expensive option, but I'd certainly consider it.

 

[happydays]

I think it depends a lot on what area of medicine you're thinking about. If you're looking at a high paying specialty, not only will the amount of your debt be much less important, going to UofM could significantly help you to reach your goal. On the other hand, if you see yourself in a lower paying and/or less competitive area, maybe the moeny is a bigger issue.

Remember, there are tons of people out there who don't get the option of cheap in-state tuition. They still end up paying off their loans, and they aren't exactly living in a cardboard box.

I'd have a hard time choosing the more expensive option, but I'd certainly consider it.

You can't change the reality that that debt will be a huge burden. IHTFP should go where the flow is easier.

 

[happydays]

I'm looking for replies on the lines of "...212K is nothing!" or "...a majority of students have comparable debt." 🙁 😱 🙁 😱 😕 😕

Why do you want people to talk you into coming to UM? You shouldn't go to a school that needs convincing. You should go where your heart pulls you toward.

 

[QofQuimica]

I think it depends a lot on what area of medicine you're thinking about. If you're looking at a high paying specialty, not only will the amount of your debt be much less important, going to UofM could significantly help you to reach your goal. On the other hand, if you see yourself in a lower paying and/or less competitive area, maybe the moeny is a bigger issue.

Remember, there are tons of people out there who don't get the option of cheap in-state tuition. They still end up paying off their loans, and they aren't exactly living in a cardboard box.

I'd have a hard time choosing the more expensive option, but I'd certainly consider it.

Sail, I know you bleed Blue, but there ARE other schools out there that are also excellent, and UTSW is one of them. Their rep is fantastic, and this student absolutely COULD get into a "competitive" career coming out of there. Plus, TX schools are incredibly cheap for in-state residents, and not even all that bad for OOS residents. (TX OOS tuition is the same as my in-state tuition: $20k.) U Mich does not give OOS residents in-state consideration after MSI like some other states' schools do. That means this person will have to pay $40k in tuition alone, every year, to go to U Mich, versus less than $7k per year if s/he stays in TX. I think that U Mich is an awesome school, but those economics don't make sense.

Dr IHTFP, it probably makes sense to tell U Mich about your dilemma and ask if they'd be willing to up your grants. But if they aren't, I'd really urge you to avoid taking on all that debt. You'd get a great education at UTSW, and you can do anything you want coming out of there. You will really be doing yourself a favor by minimizing your debt as much as you can.

 

[Labslave]

Hi everyone,

We just got back from visiting AA, and it sickens me to say that I may not be going to michigan after all. The estimate the director of finaid had for me included 2k of grants and 55k of loans :-(. Now, I'm beginning to question whether or not it is worth going to UM over UTSW (total budget: 32K). I'm not sure how common that kinda of debt (212k) is or how common it is for people to just bite the bullet, but seeing those numbers on paper scared the life out of me **sigh** is UM worth the extra 100K? I really just don't know.

I'm looking for replies on the lines of "...212K is nothing!" or "...a majority of students have comparable debt." 🙁 😱 🙁 😱 😕 😕

Absolutely incredible. Wow. 😱

Coming from a person in a similar situation, I would urge you to take the advice of others on this thread. I haven't gotten my estimate from UMich yet, but there's no way in hell I'd even consider taking on the 212k worth of debt to attend UMich when you have other (more palatable) options at quality schools.

It's because of anecdotes like these that I begin to wonder whether or not giving full tuition scholarships to a select few students really makes sense. Quite frankly, the biggest difference between those who receive these incredible offers and those who don't (who have also been accepted) is that they've also received acceptances from other top-notch schools. I truly believe that the difference in the quality of students is often negligable, and schools end up shooting themselves in the foot by not giving decent (not necessarily amazing, but decent) financial aid to a larger number of people; more of the decent students they accept undoubtedly choose to study elsewhere. It seems like they would have figured this out by now ( 😕 ).

I, for one, will not be heading to Ann Arbor in the fall if I am given the same financial offer you were made.

 

[Dr IHTFP]

Thanks for all the replies...

Firstly, I want to say that I really truly love UM, and my wife and I think AA is a great and beautiful place to live. Believe me, happydays, my heart is pulling me toward UM; it's my wallet that's not. My wife could not contain her tears after the meeting because she wants to be near her family (OHIO) so badly, and we hate dallas as much as anyone can hate a city. >200K debt is a bitch, but her teacher's salary would help that a little. Also, it's important to remember that we are looking at it as a difference of 100K from dallas and not !!!!200k OF DEBT!!!!. To be honest, I'm beginning to think our quality of life in AA, my wife's happiness (and she understands the financial implications), being close to family, football games, 2 yr P/F, and all the other pros on this list i have sitting in front of me is worth the extra money. We've always tried to be as happy as possible in the present, because living life for the future or some imagined future circumstance can be very disappointing.

I am going to call and ask for more grant money, but should I call Robert? finaid was hardly any help.

 

[Labslave]

I am going to call and ask for more grant money, but should I call Robert? finaid was hardly any help.

I would definitely call Robert. At this point he's your best bet. Good luck!

 

[OrganLibrarian]

Now I'm shaking in my boots for the day I hear about my financial aid package, or the lack thereof!

 

[happydays]

Thanks for all the replies...

Firstly, I want to say that I really truly love UM, and my wife and I think AA is a great and beautiful place to live. Believe me, happydays, my heart is pulling me toward UM; it's my wallet that's not. My wife could not contain her tears after the meeting because she wants to be near her family (OHIO) so badly, and we hate dallas as much as anyone can hate a city. >200K debt is a bitch, but her teacher's salary would help that a little. Also, it's important to remember that we are looking at it as a difference of 100K from dallas and not !!!!200k OF DEBT!!!!. To be honest, I'm beginning to think our quality of life in AA, my wife's happiness (and she understands the financial implications), being close to family, football games, 2 yr P/F, and all the other pros on this list i have sitting in front of me is worth the extra money. We've always tried to be as happy as possible in the present, because living life for the future or some imagined future circumstance can be very disappointing.

I am going to call and ask for more grant money, but should I call Robert? finaid was hardly any help.

Keep in mind that UM is not bottomless money barrel. There are too many other out of state applicants who are in your situation. Perhaps you can call the finaid office about other loan options, but I doubt they will just give you more grants.

Oh, but you can TA students your first two years, and that will waive your tuition (for those years). You should call about that and ask. I was thinking about doing that.

Do you have any other options? Like Q said, UTSW is a great school. You'll have everything and more if you go there.

 

[BDiesel]

..

 

[princessd3]

Check out the Admitted Student Website for Entering Class 2006 (pictures of classmates).

 

[russell578]

...

 

[OrganLibrarian]

happydays I found your picture!!! 😛

 

[princessd3]

I thought I was the only one trying to match faces.

 

[OrganLibrarian]

I thought I was the only one trying to match faces.

I have a lot of time on my hands here at work...if any of you are interested, I'm the one who went to a college probably nobody has heard of!

 

[SailCrazy]

Check out the Admitted Student Website for Entering Class 2006 (pictures of classmates).

I wonder why some are so clear and others so blurry... 😕

 

[princessd3]

I have a lot of time on my hands here at work...if any of you are interested, I'm the one who went to a college probably nobody has heard of!

No that's me!

 

[SailCrazy]

I thought I was the only one trying to match faces.

I have a lot of time on my hands here at work...if any of you are interested, I'm the one who went to a college probably nobody has heard of!

I don't really know enough about most of us here to find people quickly, but I did find Q right away! 🙂

 

[princessd3]

I wonder why some are so clear and others so blurry... 😕

Yeah, mine is black and white while others are colored.

 

[princessd3]

I don't really know enough about most of us here to find people quickly, but I did find Q right away! 🙂

I found her. Think I found you too.

 

[SailCrazy]

I found her. Think I found you too.

For those who know a little bit about me, I shouldn't be that hard to find. ...and I've found you too!

 

[princessd3]

For those who know a little bit about me, I shouldn't be that hard to find. ...and I've found you too!

I knew two things, age and undergrad school so that was kind of easy using the excel spread sheet first. Way too much time on my hands.

 

[dajimmers]

I found Q too, but I haven't looked for anyone else yet.

I'm apparently the only admit from Michigan State this year, so I shouldn't be too hard to find. There sure are a lot of you Michigan Undergrads. But even more from Harvard. And California is definitely represented.

Oh well, back to work. I'll return to stalking later...

 

[princessd3]

I am still stalking 🙂 So far I've put faces to the following names:
dajimmers, ti89, ahd929, ashanti rock, somewhere2010 (met her before), SailCrazy, QofQ, amandil.

 

[SailCrazy]

I wonder if the deans will address the ranking issue.

You know someone's going to bring it up. I promise not to do it myself. ...

Dean's Message to Faculty/Students re: Rankings

Dear Colleagues:

We have again been ranked among the nation's best medical schools, according to the U.S. News & World Report survey of the nation's top research-oriented medical schools. Our rankings have varied over the past several years between 9th and 12th, and this year we remain in that area at No. 11.

The School also ranked in five of eight medical specialties:

Family Medicine (6)
Geriatrics (4)
Internal Medicine (8)
Pediatrics (15)
Womens Health (7)
Among separate rankings of primary care-oriented schools, we were ranked 28th.

The new additions this year to the methodology have changed the rankings. Influential this year is the fact that our research dollars per faculty member ratio is low relative to some others. However, our reputational score among academic leaders is tied for 8th in the nation, and our assessment score for residency directors is tied for 6th.

We all work very hard to provide the very best in education, research and clinical care. Your efforts are what sustain Michigan's national and international reputation - we should be proud of these accomplishments.

If you are interested in details of the medical school rankings, you can pick up a copy of the 2007 edition of America's Best Graduate Schools at newsstands beginning this Monday. Rankings were posted earlier today on the U.S. News & World Report Web site at www.usnews.com. They also will appear in the April 10 edition of the magazine.

Allen S. Lichter, M.D.
Dean

 

[OrganLibrarian]

I am still stalking 🙂 So far I've put faces to the following names:
dajimmers, ti89, ahd929, ashanti rock, somewhere2010 (met her before), SailCrazy, QofQ, amandil.

I'm very impressed with your dedication! 😀

 

[QofQuimica]

I am still stalking 🙂 So far I've put faces to the following names:
dajimmers, ti89, ahd929, ashanti rock, somewhere2010 (met her before), SailCrazy, QofQ, amandil.

Ok, this is SO unfair. Someone has to tell ME how to get in there so that I can look too!!! princess, how do I log in? I've met ashanti, but I don't know what any of the rest of you look like.

 

[princessd3]

Ok, this is SO unfair. Someone has to tell ME how to get in there so that I can look too!!! princess, how do I log in? I've met ashanti, but I don't know what any of the rest of you look like.

I pm'd you.

 

[QofQuimica]

I absolutely agree w/ you, Labslave. Especially when this process seems like a crapshoot, it sometimes seems completely random who gets multiple acceptances at top notch schools and who doesn't. I really think there should be more need-based aid to stop perpetuating this problem of keeping lower-class people out of professions. Let's just say, for argument's sake, that it is much easier to go to a top college for undergrad, get good grades, and take a prep course to get a good score on the MCAT if you come from an upper-class family. These more fortunate people will get more merit money when they arguably don't need as much $$$ as someone who may not have had the aforementioned advantages. Now sure, they've earned it, because there is no substitute for hard work, but I think it's important to make sure everyone has enough $$$ to pursue his/her dreams (in an ideal world).

I would agree with you (and against my own best interest, I would add 😛 ), but only if adult students were not held hostage by their parents' income. I am starting medical school at 31 years of age. I have been completely financially independent for a decade now. My father is turning 70, but he is still working F/T as a physician. He will not be contributing to my education, and it is absolutely ridiculous that any school would expect him to do so (U Mich is one that does). There are several schools that consider non-trads over age 30 independent for institutional aid, and I believe that is fair. I understand that some of you trads will also not be getting financial support from your parents, but it's especially frustrating to be treated as a child when you've been out and on your own for 10+ years, and maybe you even have kids of your own. So I would say there should be an age limit (and we can argue about where to set it) above which students should be legitimately recognized as independent adults at all med schools. Alternatively, the schools could ask students to prove that they have been self-supporting for the past X number of years, and use that as the designation for "adultness." I would qualify that way too, and so might some of the trads who are self-supporting. But this business of requiring parental info regardless of age or number of years of self-support is truly idiocy in action. 👎

 

[Labslave]

But this business of requiring parental info regardless of age or number of years of self-support is truly idiocy in action. 👎

I totally agree. I would, however, prefer the system that you suggested in which independence is determined by proof provided by the student. We all know there are a select few students who have the means to graduate from medical school without a single penny worth of debt because of mommy and daddy's sizeable bank account...

In other news, you are by far the easiest person to ID in the M0 list (seeing as you are the only person I could actually pick out)!

 

[Labslave]

Just to confirm what everyone (probably) already knows:

I just called the financial aid office, and was told that instructions on how to request a complete financial aid offer will be emailed to all accepted applicants this Thursday or Friday. After making your request, an answer will be given within 3-5 days.

I think this was mentioned somewhere else in the thread, but I just wanted to make sure and get a more concrete time window.

 

[Saluki]

I totally agree. I would, however, prefer the system that you suggested in which independence is determined by proof provided by the student. We all know there are a select few students who have the means to graduate from medical school without a single penny worth of debt because of mommy and daddy's sizeable bank account...

In other news, you are by far the easiest person to ID in the M0 list (seeing as you are the only person I could actually pick out)!

I got rejected by UMich, and I'm sorry for posting on y'all's thread... But I actually think they make things too hard to prove, especially for the single parent families... For instance, evil Wash U...

 

[princessd3]

Hey Labslave just out of curiousity what school did you go to? No particular reason just always wanted to know.

 

[QofQuimica]

I totally agree. I would, however, prefer the system that you suggested in which independence is determined by proof provided by the student. We all know there are a select few students who have the means to graduate from medical school without a single penny worth of debt because of mommy and daddy's sizeable bank account...

In other news, you are by far the easiest person to ID in the M0 list (seeing as you are the only person I could actually pick out)!

lmao, this is SO unfair. Every one of you who has picked me out should PM me right now and tell me who YOU are. I've met ashanti and almost_there, so I know who they are, and I can pick out Sail and dajimmers, but I'm not sure about the rest of you. Come on guys, help me out here. 😛

 

[QofQuimica]

I don't really know enough about most of us here to find people quickly, but I did find Q right away! 🙂

I found you, too. 😍

 

[happydays]

wow, only 40 acceptances for UM students this year. Record low!

 

[happydays]

I found you, too. 😍

Q, you're diagonal from me. (I'm down and left!)

 

[QofQuimica]

Q, you're diagonal from me. (I'm down and left!)

lol, thanks, happy. I would not have been able to pick you out. Of course, there are like eight zillion of you guys. 😛

 

[happydays]

lol, thanks, happy. I would not have been able to pick you out. Of course, there are like eight zillion of you guys. 😛

What do you mean by "you guys"????

 

[happydays]

I found her. Think I found you too.

I found you!

 

[Ashanti Rock]

This thread has gone crazy! Did I devulge that much information about myself?

Honestly though, one more reason why you've got to love Michigan! Go Blue!

 

[happydays]

happydays I found your picture!!! 😛

And your ID is safe with me! 😀

 

[happydays]

Dean's Message to Faculty/Students re: Rankings

Dear Colleagues:

We have again been ranked among the nation's best medical schools, according to the U.S. News & World Report survey of the nation's top research-oriented medical schools. Our rankings have varied over the past several years between 9th and 12th, and this year we remain in that area at No. 11.

The School also ranked in five of eight medical specialties:

Family Medicine (6)
Geriatrics (4)
Internal Medicine (8)
Pediatrics (15)
Womens Health (7)
Among separate rankings of primary care-oriented schools, we were ranked 28th.

The new additions this year to the methodology have changed the rankings. Influential this year is the fact that our research dollars per faculty member ratio is low relative to some others. However, our reputational score among academic leaders is tied for 8th in the nation, and our assessment score for residency directors is tied for 6th.

We all work very hard to provide the very best in education, research and clinical care. Your efforts are what sustain Michigan's national and international reputation - we should be proud of these accomplishments.

If you are interested in details of the medical school rankings, you can pick up a copy of the 2007 edition of America's Best Graduate Schools at newsstands beginning this Monday. Rankings were posted earlier today on the U.S. News & World Report Web site at www.usnews.com. They also will appear in the April 10 edition of the magazine.

Allen S. Lichter, M.D.
Dean

Thank you, Sail!

I have yet to find you.

Correction: I found you! Hehehe!