Oklahoma 2012?

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It was last Saturday, and it went all right. We pretty much saw the same stuff that we saw at our interviews, in fact a little less. They talked a lot about the curriculum, there were a couple of demonstrative lectures, and a med student Q&A session.

PreMedMommy - Did you feel like you didn't really get to know the other students? I was hoping to make some new friends, but I felt very disconnected. Also, do you know if you're gonna do the Tulsa track?
 
PreMedMommy - Did you feel like you didn't really get to know the other students? I was hoping to make some new friends, but I felt very disconnected. Also, do you know if you're gonna do the Tulsa track?

I felt that the event was a bit awkward, as well, like how you guys didn't get to interact much with each other, how some of the tour spots were the same, etc.

Do you have any specific feedback on how you think the 2nd look day could be improved? I already plan on providing the planning committee with my input, and I'd be thrilled to have some input from you all, too.
 
PreMedMommy - Did you feel like you didn't really get to know the other students? I was hoping to make some new friends, but I felt very disconnected. Also, do you know if you're gonna do the Tulsa track?

Like I said, I'm pretty shy, so I have a hard time just sticking myself out there and chatting up with people. I did meet one person who I connected with pretty well, but she seemed to be leaning towards OSU. She also had two kids, so we had a lot to talk about. Other than that, no I really didn't get a chance to interact with any other people. However, I did see a guy I went to HS with. I've changed tremendously since then (let's just say that in HS, I defined wasted potential), so he was pretty shocked to see me there, which was kinda fun. I wish we had more time to interact with the other future med students.

I have deep roots in the southern OK area. My family comes from there, but I do have some relatives in the OKC area. That's where my ties are, so I'm not going to go the Tulsa track. I really love the city, and I hope to do my residency there, so I want to stay close.

Were you the girl who asked all the questions???

I felt that the event was a bit awkward, as well, like how you guys didn't get to interact much with each other, how some of the tour spots were the same, etc.

Do you have any specific feedback on how you think the 2nd look day could be improved? I already plan on providing the planning committee with my input, and I'd be thrilled to have some input from you all, too.

When I interviewed, I was extremely intersted in the sim lab, but they didn't do any demonstrations. I would have like to see someone actually use the resources in the sim lab to demonstrate how they work.
 
Were you the girl who asked all the questions???

LOL, I so was! How did you know? And I promise I'm not some total gunner, but I generally have a lot of questions, and I'm not shy about getting answers... So sorry if that annoyed anyone... Believe it or not, I saved quite a few to ask one-on-one later...
 
LOL, I so was! How did you know? And I promise I'm not some total gunner, but I generally have a lot of questions, and I'm not shy about getting answers... So sorry if that annoyed anyone... Believe it or not, I saved quite a few to ask one-on-one later...

The curly brown hair was a dead give-away.
 
The curly brown hair was a dead give-away.

Wow... Was I really the only white girl with a fro? And what's up with the overabundance of guys in the class? Seriously, 100 guys to 60 girls seems kind of extreme...

You know, I'm starting to get pretty excited about this whole med school thing.
 
Wow... Was I really the only white girl with a fro? And what's up with the overabundance of guys in the class? Seriously, 100 guys to 60 girls seems kind of extreme...

You know, I'm starting to get pretty excited about this whole med school thing.

LOL, really I noticed the overabundance of brunettes. Maybe there is something to that whole dumb blonde thing (just kidding all you blondes, espcially you trixie.)
 
Like I said, I'm pretty shy, so I have a hard time just sticking myself out there and chatting up with people. I did meet one person who I connected with pretty well, but she seemed to be leaning towards OSU. She also had two kids, so we had a lot to talk about. Other than that, no I really didn't get a chance to interact with any other people.

Have you guys started a Facebook for Class of 2012 yet? Being shy seems to be a pretty common trait in the science crowd and it always seems a bit easier to open up online like this. Perhaps that would be a way to start getting to know one another before day 1.
 
When I interviewed, I was extremely intersted in the sim lab, but they didn't do any demonstrations. I would have like to see someone actually use the resources in the sim lab to demonstrate how they work.

That's a great suggestion. I'll make sure the higher-ups know about that.

Did you find the student panel beneficial? It seemed rather short to me, but I think that was mostly because the "mini lectures" ran a little long. On that note, did you find the mini lectures interesting?
 
That's a great suggestion. I'll make sure the higher-ups know about that.

Did you find the student panel beneficial? It seemed rather short to me, but I think that was mostly because the "mini lectures" ran a little long. On that note, did you find the mini lectures interesting?

I did like the student panel, but the mini-lectures, honestly, I could have done without. I've sat through a number of science lectures, so I kinda know how they go. However, I did like seeing how all the gadgetry that went along with it worked. For me, the most beneficial part of the whole thing was when I snuck back inside (out of the cold) to eat lunch with a girl I had met, a couple of the med students sat down at our table with us and we had a two on two discussion and were able to ask questions that way.
 
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Have you guys started a Facebook for Class of 2012 yet? Being shy seems to be a pretty common trait in the science crowd and it always seems a bit easier to open up online like this. Perhaps that would be a way to start getting to know one another before day 1.

I haven't started one, and I haven't heard of anyone else starting one yet. If there is one, I'd love to join.
 
That's a great suggestion. I'll make sure the higher-ups know about that.

Did you find the student panel beneficial? It seemed rather short to me, but I think that was mostly because the "mini lectures" ran a little long. On that note, did you find the mini lectures interesting?

I liked the SP, but it was a little short. I also think SP work best when there are no faculty/staff in the room. I thought the tours were fairly repetitive and dull. I loved the mini lecture on gene imprinting (Angelman's/Prader Willi), but the one on nerve innervation was a little too technical for Saturday morning. It was fun to see how the question response system worked.

I really liked that they let us try on lab coats to find our size, but it would have been beneficial to have mirrors to look in.

My main beef was just the lack of getting to know other students. To be honest, a question response system or cadaver lab aren't going to sway my decision, and most curriculums are about equivalent, but how well I mesh with the students plays a big role for me, and I wish I had more opportunity to note that.
 
I thought the second look was really helpful for me. I got to see just how many people I've been going to school with that I could possibly go to school with... for another four years. 🙂

I brought my boyfriend with me and I think it really helped him to see what this medical school business is all about. Honestly, I don't think he would care to know about the specifics of the curriculum, but he did find it really helpful to know what was going on. People were really friendly with us. I met a couple people I didn't know. I didn't try too hard to get in people's faces or to meet people since I knew a bunch already and I didn't want my BF to feel left out.

During the lunch my tour guide (and also friend) sat with us and I asked him a few questions about his experiences there. He was on the panel, but he was more helpful to me when I told him of my situation and where I'm debating.

After seeing how much more relaxed OU is compared to the other schools, I am definitely leaning more toward OU. I know there are a lot of opportunities if I went JHU, but I didn't think anybody at OU feels particularly limited in their options (at least the ones I know wanting to work with underserved communities or going into primary care).

Ultimately, I think it was the free hat that swayed my decision. 👍

Doctordreamer, I think we were in the same tour group together, but we kept getting separated. I wanted to say hi! But I didn't know how you'd feel if I came up to you and said, "DOCTORDREAMER!! I'm Azadi! ... You know... SDN? ... Ookay." 😀
 
I thought the second look was really helpful for me. I got to see just how many people I've been going to school with that I could possibly go to school with... for another four years. 🙂

I brought my boyfriend with me and I think it really helped him to see what this medical school business is all about. Honestly, I don't think he would care to know about the specifics of the curriculum, but he did find it really helpful to know what was going on. People were really friendly with us. I met a couple people I didn't know. I didn't try too hard to get in people's faces or to meet people since I knew a bunch already and I didn't want my BF to feel left out.

During the lunch my tour guide (and also friend) sat with us and I asked him a few questions about his experiences there. He was on the panel, but he was more helpful to me when I told him of my situation and where I'm debating.

After seeing how much more relaxed OU is compared to the other schools, I am definitely leaning more toward OU. I know there are a lot of opportunities if I went JHU, but I didn't think anybody at OU feels particularly limited in their options (at least the ones I know wanting to work with underserved communities or going into primary care).

Ultimately, I think it was the free hat that swayed my decision. 👍

Doctordreamer, I think we were in the same tour group together, but we kept getting separated. I wanted to say hi! But I didn't know how you'd feel if I came up to you and said, "DOCTORDREAMER!! I'm Azadi! ... You know... SDN? ... Ookay." 😀

LOL! And how did you know it was me? Now, are you the darker complexioned girl that had a boyfriend with long hair? You totally should have said something! I felt so left out all day. 🙁

So, are you leaning towards OU now, or JHU? JHU is great, but after interviewing (and being rejected helped, LOL!), I think I'd prefer somewhere cheaper and friendly for school, and somewhere more prestigous for my residency, you know?
 
Wow... Was I really the only white girl with a fro? And what's up with the overabundance of guys in the class? Seriously, 100 guys to 60 girls seems kind of extreme...

You know, I'm starting to get pretty excited about this whole med school thing.

OU does have a smaller percentage of female students than most schools. The class of 2011 is I think 39% female, and my class is around 40% female. The real problem seems to be with the applicant pool, so it's not like they're discriminating against female applicants. It's not a big thing, but I agree it's not ideal.

Honestly, as for the sim lab, I'm a second year and have never used it. The anesthesiology club has some sessions where you can sign up to work on it, but they always fill up. Also, Dean Schmidt had an optional session to learn cardiac skills. So there are opportunities to sign up and use it if interested, but it's really not an important part of your first two years. I think that's sort of a premed/med student divide -- they talk to premeds a lot about early clinical exposure, but once you're in school, you'll realize that will come in time, and you don't need a lot of it when you're trying to learn all the crap you have to learn as a basic science student.

As for the sp thing, that is how you do it your first year. The mods are divided into two groups, and you interview the sp in front of your half of the mod and your small group leader. It is a very artificial situation, but I don't know if there's an efficient way to do it differently. Again, you'll have plenty of time to hone these skills later.

So did they tell you about the wonderfulness of IMPS? 😉 😱
 
As for the sp thing, that is how you do it your first year. The mods are divided into two groups, and you interview the sp in front of your half of the mod and your small group leader.

For SP I think they meant student panel rather than standardized pt but I wasn't there so I don't know.
 
For SP I think they meant student panel rather than standardized pt but I wasn't there so I don't know.

oops, just say sp and immediately thought standardized patient. I thought they maybe did that as one of the "here's what you'll do in school" things.
 
After seeing how much more relaxed OU is compared to the other schools, I am definitely leaning more toward OU. I know there are a lot of opportunities if I went JHU, but I didn't think anybody at OU feels particularly limited in their options (at least the ones I know wanting to work with underserved communities or going into primary care).

I hate to say it, but no one's ever limited in going into underserved primary care. That's always available to you regardless of where you go to school. The thing you should think about, though, is the possibility that you'll change your mind and want to do something more popular. You can do anything from OU, but some things might be easier to do from JHU.

You've got to make your own decisions, but I personally would have regretted picking OU over a place like JHU.

Putting on my flame hat. 😱
 
You can do anything from OU, but some things might be easier to do from JHU.

I'm going to the welcome back week at JHU next weekend for sure. It's all expenses paid! What sucks is that when I got that acceptance call, the lady on the phone told me, "Yes, we do treat our minorities differently." 😱 It seems like in an effort to diversify they are promoting some kind of segregation. I want to check more of this out when I go to see how deep this actually runs.

I've been working since I was 16 and received no financial help from my parents since I was 17 and had to help raise my family through college. Money and closeness does play a huge factor with me. I didn't realize this until I visited those other schools. I don't want to pay more just to be unhappy someplace, away from my family, and detached my tribe. I'd go to JHU/Vandy (I got a scholarship there) if I really felt like I was hurting by going to OU, though. I'm on the IHS scholarship right now and will continuing on it for medical school. I might as well stick with my obligation to go into primary care instead of paying back the ridiculous amount of money they provide (tuition, fees, livings expenses, misc stuff) plus interest in less than a few years.

Realizing medical school will be tough, I feel like I should indulge in some things outside of medicine that will help shape me as an individual (not just a medical student). I may meet some great people and do some awesome things in Baltimore, but I can do the same here in OK. You guys are great, considerate, helpful, and I'm pretty sure we'll do some awesome things together. There are opportunities available for me here that I can't get anywhere else, too. It's not that I'm so attached to my family that I refuse to leave the nest (I left it a long time ago), but there are elders and other tribal members I want to have access to. This summer I'll be involved in language preservation and education with my tribe. For the first time since I moved out I will be going to the Sun Dance this year. I can learn more about the Native American Church. I never had this opportunity until my father left OK. He didn't want my sisters and me to turn into "dirty, drunk Indians." You see, there's a large cultural resource here that I was never able to tap into until now. I definitely can't do that going to JHU.

All that said, I'm willing to work harder at OU to have the benefits of choosing this lifestyle. 🙂 If I can work it out to where JHU and all of this are more compatible then I would certainly jump for it. I feel like the longer I wait to stop being a lost little he'eka'eshkone, the harder it will be for me to return. I guess the question of OU or JHU/Vandy involves a bit of an identity crisis. 🙁

And, yes, Doctordreamer, that was me! I knew it was you b/c you had brown curly hair and you are really tall. I didn't think it looked like a 'fro though so that kind of kept me from saying something, too. I was expecting more literal 'fro-age. haha
 
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Azadi don't apologize for your long post, it was interesting🙂

just out of curiosity,i was wondering why you didn't mention dartmouth as a contender for you? i had a couple of native friends in high school that went there and really blossomed thanks to the native americans at dartmouth (NAD i think?) program.
 
Nobody mentioned to me any programs for native students in the medical school. There are some sweet sites for 3rd and 4th year to go (reservations and whatnot) and their MPH is done at Harvard. Those were the only bonuses I could see at DMS. I didn't feel very comfortable with the atmosphere there. When I mentioned Dartmouth's history, one of my interviewers said, "I think Dartmouth has some pretty shallow roots myself." He mentioned the natives there, but said that we're scattered in undergrad. He didn't really have much info on natives at DMS, which didn't seem like a good thing coming from someone who was already as knowledgeable/opinionated about the issue. Pointing out natives there just didn't seem to be that important to them on my interview day, I suppose. Perhaps because it's not a strong point? It would definitely be easier to go there if I could brave the weather, knew other natives going/wanting to go who also want a good cultural tie, and/or if it were more affordable to live/move there.


Besides, they have terrible Mexican food! Ugh. Don't be fooled. It might look, feel, even smell like Mexican food, but I assure you it will taste nothing like it. I can't survive on that. Tex-mex in OK is better than that.
 
I'm going to the welcome back week at JHU next weekend for sure. It's all expenses paid! What sucks is that when I got that acceptance call, the lady on the phone told me, "Yes, we do treat our minorities differently." 😱 It seems like in an effort to diversify they are promoting some kind of segregation. I want to check more of this out when I go to see how deep this actually runs.

I've been working since I was 16 and received no financial help from my parents since I was 17 and had to help raise my family through college. Money and closeness does play a huge factor with me. I didn't realize this until I visited those other schools. I don't want to pay more just to be unhappy someplace, away from my family, and detached my tribe. I'd go to JHU/Vandy (I got a scholarship there) if I really felt like I was hurting by going to OU, though. I'm on the IHS scholarship right now and will continuing on it for medical school. I might as well stick with my obligation to go into primary care instead of paying back the ridiculous amount of money they provide (tuition, fees, livings expenses, misc stuff) plus interest in less than a few years.

Realizing medical school will be tough, I feel like I should indulge in some things outside of medicine that will help shape me as an individual (not just a medical student). I may meet some great people and do some awesome things in Baltimore, but I can do the same here in OK. You guys are great, considerate, helpful, and I'm pretty sure we'll do some awesome things together. There are opportunities available for me here that I can't get anywhere else, too. It's not that I'm so attached to my family that I refuse to leave the nest (I left it a long time ago), but there are elders and other tribal members I want to have access to. This summer I'll be involved in language preservation and education with my tribe. For the first time since I moved out I will be going to the Sun Dance this year. I can learn more about the Native American Church. I never had this opportunity until my father left OK. He didn't want my sisters and me to turn into "dirty, drunk Indians." You see, there's a large cultural resource here that I was never able to tap into until now. I definitely can't do that going to JHU.

All that said, I'm willing to work harder at OU to have the benefits of choosing this lifestyle. 🙂 If I can work it out to where JHU and all of this are more compatible then I would certainly jump for it. I feel like the longer I wait to stop being a lost little he'eka'eshkone, the harder it will be for me to return. I guess the question of OU or JHU/Vandy involves a bit of an identity crisis. 🙁

And, yes, Doctordreamer, that was me! I knew it was you b/c you had brown curly hair and you are really tall. I didn't think it looked like a 'fro though so that kind of kept me from saying something, too. I was expecting more literal 'fro-age. haha

LOL, okay, so my fro-age is not quite so literal, but, in my defense, I was having a good hair day. 🙂
 
So...

Anybody having trouble finding a decent place in Oklahoma City? I've been looking around for a one bedroom apartment, but I don't know where is safe and decently priced. I live in Norman right now. I've been living in the same apartment for the past three years... I need out! I want to find somewhere kind of close to campus, but not too close. I'm paranoid about staying near high-crime areas. The worst run-in with crime I've had in undergrad is when I was doing laundry here at my apartment. Someone stole my victoria's secret thongs straight out of my washer!! I was so upset. Another girl had her undies stolen as well, but she had a box saying, "Please return, no questions will be asked!" I've also had 3 stalkers, but I think it's because Norman is full of college-aged weirdos who think they can get away with saying/doing anything.

If anybody knows of anywhere that is quiet, let me know! I'm willing to spend up to $530ish a month, but I need at least 740 sq ft. I really expanded into this apartment. I asked one of my MS1 friends at the school and he suggested Lincoln at Central Park (way expensive for me), Breighton (the one by the paseo), and Lincoln Greens. I think there was another one he suggested, but I don't remember it.

Any suggestions???
 
I don't know of any good apartments, but I take it you've decided to go Sooner?
 
Go to facebook page for OU Med class of 2011. They have a discussion thread that lists a bunch of good apartments. Also, someone should start an OU Med class of 2012 group on facebook. I would, but i'm not accepted yet, just waitlisted. Its a good way to meet everyone and post discussion boards about apartments, equipment, computers, etc. good luck.
 
So...

Anybody having trouble finding a decent place in Oklahoma City? I've been looking around for a one bedroom apartment, but I don't know where is safe and decently priced. I live in Norman right now. I've been living in the same apartment for the past three years... I need out! I want to find somewhere kind of close to campus, but not too close. I'm paranoid about staying near high-crime areas. The worst run-in with crime I've had in undergrad is when I was doing laundry here at my apartment. Someone stole my victoria's secret thongs straight out of my washer!! I was so upset. Another girl had her undies stolen as well, but she had a box saying, "Please return, no questions will be asked!" I've also had 3 stalkers, but I think it's because Norman is full of college-aged weirdos who think they can get away with saying/doing anything.

If anybody knows of anywhere that is quiet, let me know! I'm willing to spend up to $530ish a month, but I need at least 740 sq ft. I really expanded into this apartment. I asked one of my MS1 friends at the school and he suggested Lincoln at Central Park (way expensive for me), Breighton (the one by the paseo), and Lincoln Greens. I think there was another one he suggested, but I don't remember it.

Any suggestions???

I lived in the Lincoln Greens for 2 1/2 years. They're nice in some ways, but I had a couple of bad experiences with them, too. The 1-bedrooms are nice and run $475 a month in rent.

Now, they are about a 20 min drive from OUHSC, and when I was making that drive, I never wanted to go home if I had to go back to the school again later that day. It did get me to save money packing lunches and I got good study time in during big breaks from classes.

Are you set on a 1-bedroom or are you open to a roommate, 'cause you can definitely save a lot with a roommate, not to mention gas money if you're carpooling. I know I will be looking for a roommate come fall, and I'm sure others will, too.
 
Okay you guys, I finally created a facebook group for our class. Search

University of Oklahoma - Class of 2012
 
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Ok good, cuz I have NOOOOOOO idea what I'm doing. I'm going to try to make you an admin.

When I use the search function though, I still can't find it.
 
Ok good, cuz I have NOOOOOOO idea what I'm doing. I'm going to try to make you an admin.

When I use the search function though, I still can't find it.

I can't either, but the group's search function is enabled. It may just take a whiloe to show up.
 
Okay, I made you an admin, and I turned of the related groups option, because I really don't want every goup I'm a member of to pop up-which seemed to be the case.
 
Thanks for the group Mommy! I made a post on the roommate topic! 🙂


I would really like to go to OU and I am really hoping they'll offer me a decent financial aid package. Brown is offering me $56,000 scholarship so for a few days there I was really getting anxious. Anybody know when OU might say something about the mulah?
 
Thanks for the group Mommy! I made a post on the roommate topic! 🙂


I would really like to go to OU and I am really hoping they'll offer me a decent financial aid package. Brown is offering me $56,000 scholarship so for a few days there I was really getting anxious. Anybody know when OU might say something about the mulah?

At 2nd look I was told it would be a couple of weeks, so I'm kinda shocked it's not here, yet.
 
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I typed in Oklahoma Medicine 2012 into the search field and the only thing that returned is OSU COM's Class of 2012 account.

Yeah, the search function's not working, but the link is, so we can all just use it for now.
 
Yeah, just use the link and invite all your friends that you know going to OU.
 
Just to let everyone know, scholarship award letters have been sent out.
 
If you applied for a scholarship using the link provided on the OUMedBlog. Letters have gone out. I received mine today.
 
Yeah, I received one. I think I need to see my financial aid packet. This is... a tiny scholarship in comparison, but I think the cost of living and tuition is way cheaper than the other places.

... I am getting really nervous, though. :scared:
 
Yeah, I received one. I think I need to see my financial aid packet. This is... a tiny scholarship in comparison, but I think the cost of living and tuition is way cheaper than the other places.

... I am getting really nervous, though. :scared:

Azadi,

I spoke with finaid yesterday. They give you a living budget of a little over $2000 a month, which is way more than you need. But if you take the entire budget out, the cost for next year will be $46,000.

They said to subtract your scholarship money, and the rest will be loans. Finaid letters will go out the 2nd week of May, and they should just list your loan breakdown.

So outside of what you're getting in scholarships, I wouldn't expect any other free money from Oklahoma.

BUT, say you have $6000 in scholarships, $40,000 a year in loans is way less than some of these other schools. (I am looking at another school whose budget is $71,000 and isn't nearly as generous on living expenses at OU.)

Also, if you only take out $1000 a month for living expenses, you just dropped your loans by $10,000 a year!

It's not SO bad. 🙂
 
If you applied for a scholarship using the link provided on the OUMedBlog. Letters have gone out. I received mine today.


Do you get a letter either way? I still haven't received anything in Tulsa 😕
 
I'm not sure if they send you a letter to let you know you didn't get a scholarship or not. I suspect they won't since financial aid award letters will be coming out in a week or two. You'll probably know with that if you didn't get one.
 
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