Official University of Michigan Class of 2010 Thread part 01

[dajimmers]

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Today's the day! What's everyone doing? Going to the airport? Class? I've got class until 1:30, so I'll be showing up in AA by 3:00.

Oh, and just as a warning: I am horrible at remembering names. I'm lucky to remember my wife's name 😳 . I'm usually OK with faces, but I may need to ask people's names several times. Or we could just not talk 😛 .

 

[happydays]

Today's the day! What's everyone doing? Going to the airport? Class? I've got class until 1:30, so I'll be showing up in AA by 3:00.

Oh, and just as a warning: I am horrible at remembering names. I'm lucky to remember my wife's name 😳 . I'm usually OK with faces, but I may need to ask people's names several times. Or we could just not talk 😛 .

I'm not ready. I've been up all night writing a paper, and it's not done. I may show up to sign in, but after that it's back to work. I'm a good student; I swear I am....

 

[dajimmers]

I'm not ready. I've been up all night writing a paper, and it's not done. I may show up to sign in, but after that it's back to work. I'm a good student; I swear I am....

Bah, I hate papers. I'm a science major, but I though it would be fun to take non science classes for my last semester. It was, until it hit me that you A) have to actually read the material in English classes, and B) you have to write far too many papers.

So now I've got 3 10+ page papers due next week. But that's next week, and this is the weekend before. And as there's no cure for senioritis or procrastinitis, I may just as well give up .

Q, you just finished your dissertation, right? So you've got nothing to do? And you've got plenty of experience writing countless pages, right? So... wanna write about fossil fuels and environmentally conscious sustainable energy? Or the meaning of life? I'll have them with me at second look, if you're interested. 😀

 

[happydays]

Bah, I hate papers....

And as there's no cure for senioritis or procrastinitis

Amen! Thank you for understanding.

 

[ChocolateKiss]

For those of you who got your financial aid packages, did they come in the mail?

 

[Zut Alors]

I got no aid, only stafford loans. 🙁

exactly

The estimates come by e-mail. You just need to follow the instructions that they sent to you a few weeks ago by e-mail and request an estimate from Mary Jo Blinn 😕 .

 

[QofQuimica]

Q, you just finished your dissertation, right? So you've got nothing to do? And you've got plenty of experience writing countless pages, right? So... wanna write about fossil fuels and environmentally conscious sustainable energy? Or the meaning of life? I'll have them with me at second look, if you're interested. 😀

Sorry, dude, you're on your own with those papers; I already have my college degree. 😉 But I'll be your bowling buddy any time, assuming my thumb nails don't get ripped off.... 😱

 

[happydays]

Sorry, dude, you're on your own with those papers; I already have my college degree. 😉 But I'll be your bowling buddy any time, assuming my thumb nails don't get ripped off.... 😱

I'll be a much better bowling buddy, cuz you'll surely win. 🙂

 

[dajimmers]

Hey everyone, I just made the arduous 1-hour trip back to East Lansing... 😛 I hope all of your trips are safe and quick! 😍

I definitely had a good time at the second look. I can't believe how much effort they must have put into it, and how organized it was. Very nicely done. 👍 I met plenty of people I'd love to have as classmates and friends next year.

Anyways, back to work, since Q decided not to write my papers for me. Darn you!
___________________________________________

EDIT: I was pretty enthusiastic in the above statement, and want to make sure everyone feels fine posting their impressions. If you were excited or disappointed, please let us know. I’m sure some people knew beforehand, some are still deciding, and some have decided for/against by now.

One negative I feel, is the laptop requirement seems a bit silly right now. It's just so we can all sit together at the histo lab? I like the electronic slide stuff, but it does feel like they’re passing on their equipment costs to us. I was going to get a new laptop anyways, but for those who didn’t want to, I can see it being an additional financial burden for little obvious reason. We’ll spend what, $80 for a year of anatomy material (Netter’s, etc), but they want us to spend $1000+ for a year of histo material?

 

[ChocolateKiss]

Anyone want to enlighten me as to how 2nd look went? Unfortunately, I never got off the 2nd look waitlist, so I couldn't go. I also can't make the Mich in Berkeley event because I'm going to Penn Preview. I'm afraid I'll never get to meet U Mich students to help me make my decision.

 

[BDiesel]

..

 

[QofQuimica]

My only complaint was that I had the same conversation 1000000x. "Hi I'm BDiesel. Where are you from? Are you going to be coming here?"

OMG, I feel the same way!

 

[happydays]

I'm pooped from all the talking. I think I'm actually an 80 year old trapped in the body of a 20 year old. By the end of the day, I don't think I knew what I was talking about anymore.

 

[Chopianista]

Hey everyone! Hope all you Second Look-ers had fun! I'm a bit bummed that I missed out.

I'm curious to learn what they said about the laptop requirement at Second Look that they didn't specify in the email. Is the PC laptop requirement really just for histo? They must have other reasons for the requirement... right??

 

[OrganLibrarian]

Hey everybody,

So now that most of you have met me and know that I do NOT play the organ, actually, I'd just like to add that I really enjoyed meeting all of you! You guys are super fun and interesting and all of that - and since I'm 87.2% sure that I'll be attending UMich I'm damn excited to spend the next four years with you!

Second Look generally made me feel recruited, which is always nice, but I did feel like they crammed a little too much in, to the point that I was sacrificing being social (which I never like to do) in order to rest.

 

[Fireboy]

Hey guysl

What's the UMich Berkeley event?? I couldn't make it to second-look and am in the Bay area, so it is sounds interesting.

Thanks!

 

[almost_there]

Definitely lots of fun... if I get to go to class with all the folks I met at Second Look, I'd be seriously stoked.

 

[ChocolateKiss]

Hey guysl

What's the UMich Berkeley event?? I couldn't make it to second-look and am in the Bay area, so it is sounds interesting.

Thanks!

Email from Robert Ruiz:

Greetings from Ann Arbor. I hope all is well this spring season. Just
a quick note to let you know that I will be in Berkeley on Saturday,
April 29, 2006. I will be hosting any admitted student for
coffee/dessert in the hotel. If you have any questions about Michigan,
want to meet others who are considering Michigan or simply want some
dessert please join me:

Saturday, April 29, 2006
8:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Berkeley Marina 200 Marina Boulevard Berkeley, California 94710
1-510-548 7920
To RSVP please reply via return e-mail to [email protected]
Note: I realize some of you no longer reside in the San Francisco but
wanted to share the information in case you were in the area. Best
wishes-RFR

 

[opps]

hey all,
i'll be an intern in the plastics dept next year and i'm looking for a roommate to share this sweet condo (www.barclaypark.org) about 5min from the hospital.
$850/mo fully furnished, access to gym in clubhouse, wireless, utilities and condo fees INCLUDED! available june 1st.
live somewhere different (and way cooler) than the white coat ghetto...
[email protected]

 

[goeblue2]

hey all,
i'll be an intern in the plastics dept next year and i'm looking for a roommate to share this sweet condo (www.barclaypark.org) about 5min from the hospital.
$850/mo fully furnished, access to gym in clubhouse, wireless, utilities and condo fees INCLUDED! available june 1st.
live somewhere different (and way cooler) than the white coat ghetto...
[email protected]

that's a sweet condo and a sweet deal.
i'd take you up on it if i didn't already have a place...

 

[Labslave]

Hey guys! Just wanted to say that I had a blast this weekend and that it was cool getting to meet some of you. I was sold as soon as Dr. Ruiz took raced Krisda from about the 20 yard line at the stadium on Saturday... 😉

 

[somewhere2010]

Hey guys! Just wanted to say that I had a blast this weekend and that it was cool getting to meet some of you. I was sold as soon as Dr. Ruiz took raced Krisda from about the 20 yard line at the stadium on Saturday... 😉

omg, you guys went inside the stadium? we didn't do that at welcome weekend! 🙁 ehehe oh well, i've been in once before!

so glad to hear you guys had fun, but i have to echo chopianista and say that i wish i could have been there to meet you all too! i'm still totally on the fence about michigan or cornell, but i know that if i end up at michigan, i will have some kick a$$ classmates 🙂

 

[Labslave]

omg, you guys went inside the stadium? we didn't do that at welcome weekend! 🙁 ehehe oh well, i've been in once before!

Pretty awesome, huh? It was pretty messed up though, seeing as they were doing lots of construction. I'd like to know if Q actually made the trip outside to the field though...I remember reading somewhere that she'll be the only one who would NOT go to all the football games. 😉

 

[Chinorean]

Pretty awesome, huh? It was pretty messed up though, seeing as they were doing lots of construction. I'd like to know if Q actually made the trip outside to the field though...I remember reading somewhere that she'll be the only one who would NOT go to all the football games. 😉

Ooh if Q doesn't go to the football games she can hang out with me instead! Hahaha btw Labslave, sorry for freaking you out at Espresso Royale ^_- now do you know who I am?

 

[QofQuimica]

Pretty awesome, huh? It was pretty messed up though, seeing as they were doing lots of construction. I'd like to know if Q actually made the trip outside to the field though...I remember reading somewhere that she'll be the only one who would NOT go to all the football games. 😉

Yes, I did. It was one of those moments where time just stands still: the sun was shining, the astroturf was radiantly green, and the clouds were puffy white. I looked all around me, and everything was just happening in slow motion. I watched one real M0 kick an imaginary field goal through the real goal post from the fifty yard line. The imaginary football soared higher and higher, and WOAH! He actually made it! It was then that I knew that my veggie wrap was waiting for me inside, and incidentally, one of the other M0s had stolen my apple and replaced it with her own. I might not have noticed, except that someone had already taken a bite out of it. It was truly an experience to blog about, if only I had a blog.... 😛

Incidently, I would totally buy season's tickets and sell those suckers.

 

[Labslave]

Ooh if Q doesn't go to the football games she can hang out with me instead! Hahaha btw Labslave, sorry for freaking you out at Espresso Royale ^_- now do you know who I am?

And your sn makes so much sense (and now I know why you said your posts are often times not very serious in nature)!

 

[Labslave]

...one of the other M0s had stolen my apple and replaced it with her own. I might not have noticed, except that someone had already taken a bite out of it. It was truly an experience to blog about, if only I had a blog.... 😛

LMAO
Hopefully that won't deter you from coming to Umich! I, for one, promise that I will never steal your apples. 😉

 

[QofQuimica]

LMAO
Hopefully that won't deter you from coming to Umich! I, for one, promise that I will never steal your apples. 😉

I predict that this could be a very LONG four years. I'll just have to keep better watch on my apples from now on. 😛

 

[happydays]

If I find a cute skirt, maybe I'll go with that! 😛

I see that you didn't find that cute skirt afterall. 🙁

 

[princessd3]

I see that you didn't find that cute skirt afterall. 🙁

Maybe he did.

 

[princessd3]

I really enjoyed Second Look, especially meeting SDNers. I really liked the hospital rounds too. It was very educational. The attending introduced us as students everytime he walked into the patient's room. It was cool being a med student for a day.

 

[princessd3]

Well now that most of you met me in person, do I look like my avatar? A few people thought it was a picture of me even after meeting me.

 

[happydays]

Well now that most of you met me in person, do I look like my avatar? A few people thought it was a picture of me even after meeting me.

You look much better in person. 🙂

 

[princessd3]

You look much better in person. 🙂

AWWWWWW....Thanks!

 

[SailCrazy]

I see that you didn't find that cute skirt afterall. 🙁

Maybe he did.

.... no comment! 😛

 

[SailCrazy]

Well now that most of you met me in person, do I look like my avatar? A few people thought it was a picture of me even after meeting me.

Definitely not. I agree with happydays!

 

[SailCrazy]

omg, you guys went inside the stadium? we didn't do that at welcome weekend! 🙁 ehehe oh well, i've been in once before!

Yep, we went into the Stadium. Our "surprise lunch" on Saturday was held in the Hall of Champions, the new athletic recruiting facility that is *only* for athletes. We were the first (and only planned) non-athletic group to be hosted there. And since Robert Ruiz told us we weren't allowed to tell anyone, I won't mention anything about the ~8 of us who also got to go into the locker room 😱 👍 😀 with Robert and a couple of M1s (including the one who played on the 1997 Nat'l Championship team!!!)

...i know that if i end up at michigan, i will have some kick a$$ classmates 🙂

That was definitely well-esatblished this weekend.

 

[happydays]

Since Robert Ruiz told us we weren't allowed to tell anyone, I won't mention anything about the ~8 of us who also got to go into the locker room 😱 👍 😀 with Robert and a couple of M1s (including the one who played on the 1997 Nat'l Championship team!!!)

There's a M1 who played on the 1997 Nat'l Championship team?

 

[ChocolateKiss]

Did anyone learn anything new or interesting at 2nd look? I'm feeling left out- I feel like I'm the only one who wanted to go and ended up getting stuck on the 2nd look waitlist 🙁 I was having a hard time deciding between U Mich and U Penn, but I think I may end up going with Penn just because I'm able to go to Penn Preview and meet everyone and get excited about the school.

 

[SailCrazy]

Did anyone learn anything new or interesting at 2nd look? I'm feeling left out- I feel like I'm the only one who wanted to go and ended up getting stuck on the 2nd look waitlist 🙁 I was having a hard time deciding between U Mich and U Penn, but I think I may end up going with Penn just because I'm able to go to Penn Preview and meet everyone and get excited about the school.

It’s too bad that you didn't get to go. I was in Ann Arbor the week before as well and spoke with Robert Ruiz about the weekend. He said that they'd received a lot of feedback last year that people wanted more opportunities to really interact with other prospectives, which necessitated the switch to more small groups throughout the weekend (and a limited number of people who could attend.) 🙁 They definitely lamented not being able to have everyone there who signed up.

There were a couple of people in Ann Arbor who will be in Philly next week for the UPenn second look, try to track them down to see what they think. I know one was strongly leaning to Michigan by the end of the weekend! 👍

Also, if getting to know great people really would influence your decision that much, Michigan is probably the place for you. The most common positive attribute everyone attributed to Michigan was "great people." 🙂

 

[dajimmers]

I think the administration is really trying to figure out a good balance between letting everyone come to second look and keeping it manageable and small enough to foster conversation. As you saw in some previous posts, the 90+ who were there was already too much for them. I admit, I introduced myself a lot and will remember mabye 10-15% of the people I met... I don't think they've been doing second look for too long, but I think they did a really great job at this one. I really feel bad for you, ChocolateKiss, that you didn't get to attend.

I agree with everyone else, the people (current, prospective, faculty, and staff) I met were great. Definitely would be fun bunch of classmates with lots of interests and backgrounds. Students found roomates, planned on going to football games, formed bowling teams, and went out to bars in groups of formerly total strangers. Missing this is the worst thing you missed.

Other than that, the rest wasn't too important (to me at least). It was all cool, and I'm glad it was included, but it all either gave information you can get away from UofM (laptop info, research and international opportunities, student groups, a video of current students talking about UofM) or served to foster getting to know each other better (hospital rounds, dinners, bowling, bars).

See how you feel about Penn. If you have apprehensions after the revisit, come back and tell us about them, we'll set you straight 😀 .

 

[princessd3]

Ooh if Q doesn't go to the football games she can hang out with me instead! Hahaha btw Labslave, sorry for freaking you out at Espresso Royale ^_- now do you know who I am?

Hmmm....I didn't figure you out. So who are you?

 

[somewhere2010]

I think the administration is really trying to figure out a good balance between letting everyone come to second look and keeping it manageable and small enough to foster conversation. As you saw in some previous posts, the 90+ who were there was already too much for them. I admit, I introduced myself a lot and will remember mabye 10-15% of the people I met... I don't think they've been doing second look for too long, but I think they did a really great job at this one. I really feel bad for you, ChocolateKiss, that you didn't get to attend.

it's too bad that they didn't make it clearer that ANYONE could attend welcome weekend or second look! there were only about 35 of us at welcome weekend, so i think they should have suggested this alternative to those on the waiting list for second look. though it does sound like the weekends were a little different, the main purpose was the same for both - to meet fellow classmates and explore ann arbor a bit more.

 

[happydays]

The doctor with whom I rounded looks just like Hugh Laurie!!!!

 

[QofQuimica]

it's too bad that they didn't make it clearer that ANYONE could attend welcome weekend or second look! there were only about 35 of us at welcome weekend, so i think they should have suggested this alternative to those on the waiting list for second look. though it does sound like the weekends were a little different, the main purpose was the same for both - to meet fellow classmates and explore ann arbor a bit more.

Yeah, they could just have two smaller second looks instead of one big one. Chicago is doing that. Actually I think they're having like five of them. But Mich might not be able to do that considering all of the logistics that were required to put on the second look.

All in all, I think they did a great job. My favorite thing was actually the bowling, hokey as it was. We had a lane going with like eight of us, and I am happy to say that we over-30 folks outbowled the young 'uns. happy is definitely good luck for me; I didn't get any strikes until she started playing with us. 😀

 

[dajimmers]

The doctor with whom I rounded looks just like Hugh Laurie!!!!

I'm pretty sure House "went" to Michigan as well. And Hopkins, don't know which was the MD and which was the residency, though.

In other news, I think we'll need to use the buddy system when we first enter the hospital/med school in August. I can easily see myself getting lost for days in that thing.

 

[WorldDoctor]

Hey guys, I loved meeting the incoming class at UM second look. I'm deciding btwn Mich and UCLA though... UCLAs weekend is coming up. Any advice, lines of reasoning to choose Mich over UCLA would be much appreciated. Hopefully, we'll all be classmates next year 👍

 

[dajimmers]

Hey guys, I loved meeting the incoming class at UM second look. I'm deciding btwn Mich and UCLA though... UCLAs weekend is coming up. Any advice, lines of reasoning to choose Mich over UCLA would be much appreciated. Hopefully, we'll all be classmates next year 👍

Sure, we'd love to tell you why you should choose Michigan! We may need a bit more information to help you though; family, location, weather, and financial concerns, curriculum preference, where you'd prefer to go to residency, etc. And as I know nothing about UCLA, or really California in general, I can't help you with the differences between the schools, but I'm sure others on here can.

If you're interested in research, see if Michigan or UCLA has a lab(s) that interests you. If you have a specialty you're really interested in, see if one is more renowned in it.

If you really loved the people you met (which it appears you did), I'd focus on the other issues. Would you enjoy four years of Ann Arbor and Michigan weather? Do financial and family issues support Michigan? Are you strongly opposed to the possibility of remaining in the midwest for residency?

 

[WorldDoctor]

thanks dajimmers... basically reconfirmed my own lines of reasoning. just thought i'd fish for some other factor that could help make the decision more absolute.

so ideally, i'd like to match on the east coast. not sure what specialty, but in general do you guys think it will be easier to match east coming from Michigan than from UCLA?

 

[SailCrazy]

Are you strongly opposed to the possibility of remaining in the midwest for residency?

And of course, don't forget (as we've been reminded many times) Michigan is a net exporter to the coasts! 😀

so ideally, i'd like to match on the east coast. not sure what specialty, but in general do you guys think it will be easier to match east coming from Michigan than from UCLA?

To answer your question WD, I'd guess that your individual performance in medical school will have a much more significant impact on your ability to match to the east coast than any slight difference between the two schools. Go where you'll be happy and best able to do well... Hopefully that's Michigan! 👍