ok. first let me say i am using my friends login, so if you want to reply to me you can do so directly. i'm a first (soon to be second) year and my name is robb, everyone who is anyone knows me
i was asked to lay the smack down and set you straight, but it seems to me you are simply more vocal when expressing your concerns than others, although you may be misguided on some key points. your concern is definitely warranted, but you need to relax.
first of all, when comparing Galveston to a third-world country, try and think about what its actually like practicing medicine in a third-world country. there are no comparisons to be made- none. make no mistake, the UTMB medical system is second to none- if we didn't spend so much money taking care of the people baylor and texas medical turn away because of inability to pay, then maybe we would have crystal chandaliers in every room too. but remember, there's a reason one of the school mottos is "here for the health of texas". so before you go calling galveston the third world (which pretty much anyone with experience would say is an unbased and laughable comparison), actually do some research on the standard of care we offer here. also remember this- UTMB was taking care of patients when there was 6 ft of water in John Sealy. you should rethink your statement. theres are MRI machines in our hospital, we have running water, i even took a shower this morning. also, there are no large felines on galveston island, find a third world country that can make that claim! this is not the third-world.
now, you are worried about the quality of your education. well, in terms of your first two years in medical school (upon which you are about to embark), you actually won't be working in the "gutted" hospitals or any of the other patient facilities unless you are doing so on your own time. and even then, most of the hospital is functioning normally, with critical facilities having been relocated to make way for the renovation. the point is, your education really won't be severely affected. and besides, with the first two years being mostly academic, the quality of the education depends on YOU and how much effort you put in.
as for the second two years, the school is working overtime to guarantee our education, and considering the obstacles, they've done a great job. you can complain if you want, but you havent even started your first year, i'd wait a little while before you start getting caustic about how badly your education has been affected- wait until you know a little more.
and besides that- you are already enrolled am i right? so you're very concerned that you might not get that duke residency in dermatology because the first floor of the hospital was flooded? don't worry, people in my class literally voiced that exact concern (give me a break!)honestly your only real option is to go with the flow, stand behind your school, and do the best you can. the only other option would be to drop out and apply somewhere somewhere else next year....be my guest.
i guess thats it. someone earlier said it best when they said "UTMB will be fine"
you'll find very soon when you actually start medical school that this is the best place to be. the people are the coolest, the board scores are the highest, the schedule is relaxed, and you live 5 minutes or less from the ocean. did i mention how cool everyone was?
your desire to get that get that orthopedic proctology fellowship at Harvard is noted, but that depends on your boards. so study hard because you'll be competing with me for that one
Robb
MS1
(insert accomplishments here)
Well look, I can not imagine what the UTMB students have gone through, honestly I can not. I admire ya'll for handling a tough situation the way ya'll have, it is very impressive.
That being said, solely as far as my medical education goes, what you and the other students went though does not matter to me. I want to go to a school where I will get a great education and have significant oppurtunities. After seeing the campus I have doubts about that. Of course the hurricane was devestating and I know UTMB will rebuild...but in the meantime...for the next four years that I am there its hard to believe my education and especially rotations/clinical experience will not be negatively effected based on the look of the campus (ie. first floors of hospitals gutted, entire hospitals closed and re-opnening at some unspecified time in the future/ or never, Big Red completley gutted etc. etc.). And I can promise you that I am not the only UTMB student to have doubts, so don't get all defensive and judgemental towards me. Your whining and WHO8P whining about how tough it has been and how I just don't understand makes me further believe what I said orignially. I do appreciate the information on the funding and the poster who provided that. My intent in my orignal post was to get some feedback on why UTMB will be ok in the next four years and how my time there will not be effected negatively, not to hear you two whine about how I don't understand or empathize.
Again, what you have been through was incredibly tough and your perservence is impressive and I am sure will make you stronger and all, but I am talking solely about my medical school education here, which I want to be the best possible, so I really am not going to just ignore my doubts and worries (after seeing the state campus) because ya'll have had it hard.
Also, I did not spell check this post either, I have better things to do, if you want to proof read it and re-post it, go for it, won't bother me.
