Official: UTSW Class of 2008 Thread

[G_Eagle]

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An e-mail arrived this morning from one of the guys who interviewed me. It was very short, one line, and said congratulations on getting in. Anyone else get something like this? I am surprised because it came from my second interviewer who seemed like he didn't pay attention to anything I said. Therefore, I think the admissions office is "encouraging" their interviewers to send e-mails.

 

[G_Eagle]

This is it...MS0 is almost here!!!! I'm driving up to Dallas on Thursday evening. I can't wait to meet all of you. My name is Joe F. Please don't call me G_Eagle there (unless it is a question...as in "are you G_Eagle on SDN?"). Once we meet, I am your friend...and I have a name, and I will call you by yours. No, that wasn't a tirade, that was my way of saying that I can't wait to meet you guys for real...not these online alter egos.

Anyway, I have noticed that we don't get cool patches on our white lab coats. Yeah, I don't like that. I'm thinking about putting a cub scout first aid badge on mine except it would look unprofessional. Oh well, for now I'll have to live with a bare, white coat and my name.

This is going to be awesome!

 

[soonerpillow]

Originally posted by G_Eagle
This is it...MS0 is almost here!!!! I'm driving up to Dallas on Thursday evening. I can't wait to meet all of you. My name is Joe F. Please don't call me G_Eagle there (unless it is a question...as in "are you G_Eagle on SDN?"). Once we meet, I am your friend...and I have a name, and I will call you by yours. No, that wasn't a tirade, that was my way of saying that I can't wait to meet you guys for real...not these online alter egos.

Anyway, I have noticed that we don't get cool patches on our white lab coats. Yeah, I don't like that. I'm thinking about putting a cub scout first aid badge on mine except it would look unprofessional. Oh well, for now I'll have to live with a bare, white coat and my name.

This is going to be awesome!

Yeah, I'm driving down to Dallas tomorrow, too. I'm excited, too! Except I'm not going to tell you my name. And the first person who comes up to me and says, "Hey! You're soonerpillow!" is the winner. 😀

That does stink that we don't get cool patches. 😛 Poor us 🙁 😉. We still get to go to an awesome school, though. and we'll know which one it is, even if it doesn't say it on our coats.

 

[G_Eagle]

MS0 was great! Sure, there were probably a few too many "panel discussions," but more importantly, this confirmed that our class will be awesome! I got to meet at least 40 people or so, including NitoVerde and soonerpillow, and I already had met at least 15 people from other interviews. There were three other people from my high school at MS0! I met so many people that some were asking if I was running for class president...hmm..... I am so excited that I am going to UTSW. There is now a sticker on my car, and I am wearing that red pouch with my nametag everywhere (just kidding ). I look forward to starting classes in the fall.

For all those who couldn't attend and are undecided about schools, I hope that you will seriously consider UTSW. Oh yeah, about the patch on your white coat issue. A 3rd year pointed out the error of my ways. He said that once you get on wards, you won't like a patch because it makes you stick out like a sore thumb, screaming "med student." Without it, you fit it much more nicely.

Please ask me questions if you were not there, and I'll try my best to answer. Also, you should be receiving a packet with the items that you missed. Well, I'll post again later....😀

 

[soonerpillow]

Originally posted by G_Eagle
MS0 was great! Sure, there were probably a few too many "panel discussions," but more importantly, this confirmed that our class will be awesome! I got to meet at least 40 people or so, including NitoVerde and soonerpillow, and I already had met at least 15 people from other interviews. There were three other people from my high school at MS0! I met so many people that some were asking if I was running for class president...hmm..... I am so excited that I am going to UTSW. There is now a sticker on my car, and I am wearing that red pouch with my nametag everywhere (just kidding ). I look forward to starting classes in the fall.

For all those who didn't make it, I hope that you will seriously consider UTSW. Oh yeah, about the patch thing. A 3rd year pointed out the error of my ways. He said that once you get on wards, you won't like a patch because it makes you stick out like a sore thumb, screaming "med student." Without it, you fit it much more nicely.

Please ask me questions if you were not there, and I'll try my best to answer. Also, you should be receiving a packet with the items that you missed. Well, I'll post again later....😀

He's not kidding. He spoke with practically everyone there. 😀 And you could definitely tell he was excited. 😀 I also got to meet Bad Mojo, who was really cool and, BTW, won the prize for being the first, and only, person to identify me. He is much more observant than G_Eagle. 😛

I enjoyed it, too. Now I feel a little more ready to start med school. Although I got a little stressed out during the curriculum information session. Just hearing about all those hours I'll have to spend studying... I am now going to really appreciate these last 6 months.

The best part was definitely meeting all my future classmates. (We have some really cool people...and some really intense people. 🙂)Followed closely by the awesome financial aid video we got to watch this morning...

 

[ndi_amaka]

My one and only complaint is that for people interested iinhealthcare and fitness, the administration fed us like cattle!!! Too much food!

But yea, I agree the class is great.

 

[Bad Mojo]

How was the second day of MS0? I had to take off Friday night. I ended up working about 15 hours on Saturday, so I couldn't stick around. I heard some about it though. One of the people I met (or recognized from a past lab class) came by the gas station where I was working and filled me in. It was weird because we were going to be classmates and I was giving her change for her gas. Anyway, noone else figured out the whole Sooner Pillow thing. I noticed the last name, thought, "Hey, that's a unique last name." and came up with it. Of course, he'd already mentioned he was from OU. About G Eagle who mentioned his name was Joe. Are you/he from Baylor. In retrospect, I think I talked to you briefly about the DAT/Baylor between lectures. The guy was really happy and stuff and named Joe. I could be wrong, though.

Overall, it was great meeting some of you.

 

[G_Eagle]

You're right, Bad Mojo. You caught me. PM me about what we talked about...I'm trying to recall our conversation. I hope that my being "really happy and stuff" had a good first impression that would encourage a friendship as classmates. If not, I'll try something different with my second impression 🙂laugh: ). At least it meant that you remembered my name. But, yeah, it was a well-needed break from college. A good taste of what's to come (minus the work)....

 

[Giving My .02]

Hey,

I know who you are G_Eagle. Let's just say we met at the A&M interview (You came up to me on our first break). I am so glad you are in our class, and glad that you are sold on UTSW. Hey, I like your personality, it is nice and funny. I think we will need it in our class.

 

[G_Eagle]

Originally posted by Giving My .02
Hey,

I know who you are G_Eagle. Let's just say we met at the A&M interview (You came up to me on our first break). I am so glad you are in our class, and glad that you are sold on UTSW. Hey, I like your personality, it is nice and funny. I think we will need it in our class.

I appreciate that. I attempt to exude a disarming and cheerful attitude that would endear both colleagues and eventually my patients. I tried to meet people at my interviews with the hope that we would all end up at the same medical school. It is an honor to be in the same class as yourself. I look forward to seeking your clarifications on difficult topics, providing occasional wisdom myself. Were you at MS0, or could you not make it?

Also, are any of you doing the Adopt-a-doc program (I think it is called). I am considering trying to do some shadowing over spring break.

 

[Giving My .02]

You know who I am. I was only able to make it on Friday. You came up to me after the first break in th emorning in the big room. I was asking you about people who went to your undergrad. If you need more clues, I will write later. Getting ready for class, and studying at the same time.

 

[G_Eagle]

Gosh, I thought about it all morning in class...but I am afraid you'll have to give me a hint. Perhaps where you were sitting when I talked to you or something else....

 

[soonerpillow]

Originally posted by G_Eagle
Gosh, I thought about it all morning in class...but I am afraid you'll have to give me a hint. Perhaps where you were sitting when I talked to you or something else....

I know! He was the guy with the goofy red name tag!😀

 

[Giving My .02]

Funny funny funny

No, I was the one you said James is here, and waved to him while chatting with me.

 

[Bad Mojo]

Originally posted by soonerpillow
I know! He was the guy with the goofy red name tag!😀

No no no, that was ME!

 

[G_Eagle]

As much as I'd like to say that made me instantly remember, I remember talking about James with a few people. My memories are still failing me....more help please?

Originally posted by Giving My .02
Funny funny funny

No, I was the one you said James is here, and waved to him while chatting with me.

 

[importedalb]

Hey guys,

What a great MS Zero weekend! I'm not sure if I met any of you, but I was wondering if anyone remembered the names of the housing complexes/neighborhoods that the tour guide mentioned in the bus tour. I'll be moving from CA, so I don't really have time to shop around town...

 

[G_Eagle]

If you were at MS0, you should have gotten that packet with a list of complexes. If you were not there, you should get it in the mail. As for the bus tour, they basically showed us what was in the packet.

 

[importedalb]

I assume you're talking about the white sheet with "Housing Info" written on it?

I guess I was too preoccupied to realize that. Thanks.

 

[ndi_amaka]

Where are you guys planning to stay???

 

[G_Eagle]

I'm living at home. It is close. My siblings are out of the house. My parents aren't charging me anything, and they said that they won't bother me at all (no curfew, no chores, nothing). Besides, my girlfriend will be going to Baylor College of Dentistry, and I expect to be visiting her when I am not studying.

 

[importedalb]

I turned in my housing app for Med Park during MS Zero. I also liked the Village, which looks nice and been recommended by many people, so that's a possible alternative for me.

Are there a lot of restaurants near Med Park (I know the neighborhood is not the best), or would people have to drive elsewhere for good eats?

second thing: anyone hear anything about the organ-based curriculum they are going to implement soon? If they covered it in the afternoon workshop, I had to skip it. Can someone clue me in?

 

[soonerpillow]

I'm thinking about Uptown. it seemed to be a cool area with lots of stuff in it. close to campus and plenty of available apartments.

Also thinking about getting a house either this year or next.

 

[G_Eagle]

Uptown is near great eating locations and Greenville also has quite a few. Highland Park has some upscale restaurants, but it does have more affordable ones as well.

As for the organ-based curriculum, I was surprised at how they brushed over it. The only thing I know about it is that we are switching to it for second year....and that's about it. I hope our class isn't experimental. They always make mistakes first time out....oh well....

 

[Bad Mojo]

Is anyone out there? I feel that you've turned your backs on me, your classmate. 🙁

 

[G_Eagle]

I'm here...but I don't like to post...then post again...and again...I usually wait for someone else to post and then I reply (like I am doing now)...

I tried to introduce some topics of conversation, such as using the Day-with-a-Doc access to shadow a physician, but so far no one has gone with it....And, Giving My .02 never did give any more hints for identity as promised...please please please?

But, yeah, I'm here!

 

[soonerpillow]

Originally posted by Bad Mojo
Is anyone out there? I feel that you've turned your backs on me, your classmate. 🙁

*shuns Bad Mojo*

 

[soonerpillow]

Originally posted by G_Eagle
I'm here...but I don't like to post...then post again...and again...

I can tell, from your uber-weak post count. 😛

 

[ndi_amaka]

Does anyone know how the preclinical and clinical grade points are broken down?? I heard something like the amount of credit u earn from your medicine rotation is equal to the amount of credit you earn in your first 2 yrs. I was like, WHAT? Maybe he was exaggerating.

 

[G_Eagle]

I do know that medical rotations are more important overall than your success in your first two years. This is because it is these years that more effectively demonstrate your ability to perform as a doctor. Knowledge (which was the first two years), begins to play a lesser role as ability to work with others, patient interactions, and procedural ability take new importance in determining your grade. For residency applications, how you did on your rotations (applicable to that residency) is very important. Of course, there are other factors involved.

Using the UTSW Curriculum website, the credit hours for each year are the following:

MS1- 22 Hours
MS2- 10 Hours
MS3- 22 Hours
MS4- 16 Hours (variable as many are electives)

If you look on the Southwestern website's admissions section Curriculum , the numbers are different that looking at the individual courses on the webcurriculum's website (my guess is that the first year courses are worth more credit hours than those hours listed on the admission's site). Either way, you get more credit hours in your third and fourth years than the first two.

 

[Harrie]

MSI = 12.5
MSII = 10
MSIII = 22
MSIV = 16 (but 4th year is P/F, so doesn't factor into GPA)

 

[JDAD]

Did any of you take the August MCAT?

 

[ndi_amaka]

Originally posted by jarrod_dale
Did any of you take the August MCAT?

moi

 

[Bad Mojo]

I took the August MCAT, but it was in 2002. I don't know if that's what you looking for.

I was working tonight at the gas station and was reading the Sunday Dallas Morning News. There was this big section about Parkland hospital. Did anyone else see it? One article talked about how long the lines are for patients and another talked about the CEO-dude (Dr. Anderson, I think) and how the board of something wants to can him. The articles were part positive and part negative. Either way, it made me really anxious to get started.

 

[G_Eagle]

I read another article about Parkland, saying they were putting on hold a 430 million dollar day surgery center because the money has to be put back into Parkland. Because of having to treat an influx of illegal immigrants due to Bush's policy (I believe is what the article said) as well as the reduction of resident's hours, money has to be redirected into maintaining the hospital. This article came out a few weeks before MS0. My attitude is that these are not uncommon issues for a hospital to face. Parkland isn't going to shut down or anything (Dallas would be in serious trouble if it did). Therefore, the situations they are facing will hopefully be resolved in due time.

What I want to know about is that large private donation specifically for the advancement of clinical training. Will that be applied in a way that directly affects us?

Yes, I am ready to get started in school. I am tired of learning about nonmedical subjects and want to start learning about disease and the human body. Then, I'll feel ready to start working with patients! (or at least I'll start feeling ready)

 

[soonerpillow]

You know, I also feel pretty excited about starting. But I also really appreciate the free time I have now. My New Year's Resolution was to enjoy my last eight months before med school, and it's been very fun keeping it. 😀 So, while I look forward to August, I also look forward to this afternoon after class when I can play video games.

 

[soonerpillow]

Bump, y'all!

What's going on with you guys?
I'm counting down the days til graduation! 58! woohoo! That means 158 days til we start med school! 😕

 

[No Egrets]

just waiting to hear from baylor over here! otherwise, got my UTSW spot reserved. 😎

any of yall planning on doing research at UTSW this summer? i am not particularly enthused about the idea, i'd rather travel.

 

[G_Eagle]

I'm going to work at a camp this summer! 😀 I am also shadowing a few physicians over spring break through the connections offered by UTSW. I'm thrilled about it!

I wish you had been at MS0, No Egrets. It would have been nice to meet you (and to convince you that you would have so many awesome classmates at UTSW, that you couldn't possibly go anywhere else!). 🙂

 

[soonerpillow]

I'm going to travel...down to Dallas!

I'm not doing any research this summer and I'd be perfectly happy never doing any again. I'm really burnt out on it right now.

 

[Bad Mojo]

I'm thinking about doing the summer research thing. I've done research for years. I graduated in December so this spring is my relaxation time. It'd be nice to get settled in to Dallas and get acclimated.

 

[G_Eagle]

I'll be in Dallas starting back in July so perhaps we should get together at that time. It would be nice to start getting to know my classmates better. Besides, I need to ingratiate myself with you all so you will teach me the material.

 

[soonerpillow]

Originally posted by G_Eagle
I'll be in Dallas starting back in July so perhaps we should get together at that time. It would be nice to start getting to know my classmates better.

Yes! that would be great! You can show us around Big D a bit, as well.

 

[G_Eagle]

I am debating on whether I should spend my loan money on food or on season tickets to the Texas Rangers...or even the Dallas Stars...hmm...

 

[No Egrets]

Originally posted by G_Eagle
I am debating on whether I should spend my loan money on food or on season tickets to the Texas Rangers...or even the Dallas Stars...hmm...

WHAT??? You would consider season tix to the Rangers or Stars over the MAVS??? Clearly you must not be a fan of the NBA... Mavericks games are tons of fun! Also I would say they make better dates than rangers/stars games (any girl in Dallas knows Dirk, Nash, Finley).

 

[G_Eagle]

Ha ha ha....yeah, I am not really a fan of the NBA, though I like college basketball...

Just this past weekend, my girlfriend and I went to a Dallas Stars game, and she actually liked it! It was great! Hey, I wouldn't turn you all down if we went as a group to a Mavericks game. And we could go to a Stars game. And we could go to a Ranger game. And we could laugh about not studying. Then we would scrape by on a test...

 

[Bad Mojo]

Now that we're medical students we have to get used to living off of loans. I'm a fan of all the Dallas sport teams (Cowboys forever!), but we have to live within our means. Rangers games give you the most bang for your buck, and a student at MS0 mentioned $1 tickets through the school. I was looking at Mavs and Stars tickets, and they're kind of steep. The last Mavericks game I was at was a ton of fun, though.. I think, personally, though that I'll need one Cowboy game a year. I'll have to budget though. Leaving real Big 12 football (SoonerPillow knows what I'm talking about, sorry G-Eagle!), with a game every other week will be rough.

 

[soonerpillow]

Originally posted by Bad Mojo
Now that we're medical students we have to get used to living off of loans. I'm a fan of all the Dallas sport teams (Cowboys forever!), but we have to live within our means. Rangers games give you the most bang for your buck, and a student at MS0 mentioned $1 tickets through the school. I was looking at Mavs and Stars tickets, and they're kind of steep. The last Mavericks game I was at was a ton of fun, though.. I think, personally, though that I'll need one Cowboy game a year. I'll have to budget though. Leaving real Big 12 football (SoonerPillow knows what I'm talking about, sorry G-Eagle!), with a game every other week will be rough.

Heck yeah! I almost would have gone to the OU med school so I could continue getting Sooners season tickets for football.

Are there any Cowboys season tickets available and how astronomical is the cost? I've been a Cowboys fan since I started watching football, but I've never even been to one of their games. Definitely have to remedy that.

But if that's not possibile, I'd be into Stars, Mavs, and Rangers tickets, in that order. I really like hockey, so that would be fun.

 

[G_Eagle]

Maybe we could all chip in for season tickets to something or figure out a way to split up the cost. Whatever happens, I would definitely like to go to a few games to relax.

 

[G_Eagle]

Bad Mojo...I PMed you, thanks....

Oh yeah, shadowing this week has been awesome. Tomorrow I'll be in the ER from 7pm to 7am....woohoo!