Oklahoma Anyone? part 01

[MechE]

---

Members do not see this ad.

haha, sounds good. you get the keys, i'll drive.

Don't you mean fly?

 

[Amxcvbcv]

You can ride out with Tulsa Life Flight anytime you want. I'm not sure about Oklahoma City.

That would be awesome!

In my second life, I wouldn't mind being a pilot for an air ambulance service. 😛 😀

 

[Dr Turninkoff]

Don't you mean fly?

i would if i thought i could get it off the ground. 😉

 

[oudoc08]

I am the clinical coordinator for the EMIG (Emergency Medicine Interest Group) here at OU. Currently, we are doing observer ride-alongs for medical students with EMSA. As this is my first year doing this, I am trying to get enough positive input to allow for medical students to participate in more in-depth patient care on those rides. So far, it's going great, with nothing but excellent feedback. For those of you incoming students who are interested, please let me know if you have any further suggestions on this matter.
I will be working later this year to try to set-up student ride alongs w/ medi-flight. From what I've heard, in the past it has been a relative no-go, but now that it's my job, I'm gonig to press for it, as I've heard there would be a fair amount of interest.

Congrats to the acceptee's and good luck in next years application process for those who were not accepted.

 

[als12179]

I got the acceptance letter today from a 1/19 interview. It was post-marked 1/26 so start checking those mailboxes.

Thanks to ad_sharp for all the info on the upcoming campus improvements. Sounds like the next few years are going to be pretty exciting. I just hope the class of 2009 gets to use some of those new facilities. I just interviewed at the University of Pittsburgh a couple of days ago and their facilities are out of this world. For instance, they have a simulation facility with 25 sim-man mannequins and like 10 different scenario rooms with that can simulate anything from an OR to a delivery room to an ER to a terrorist attack scene. We definitely need to keep up the improvements.

Congrats to everyone else as well.

 

[als12179]

Hey everyone!
Just joined and this is my first post!
Does anyone out there know anything about
the on-campus housing at OU? I read some stuff online
about the University Village and was wondering
if the apartments are good/worth the $
anyone else live/thinking about living there too?

There are tons of off-campus apartment complexes and rental houses/duplexes/townhomes all around the okc area that are in within a reasonable drive of campus and are much cheaper than the University Village. Areas like Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, and NW OKC have plenty of nice neighborhoods that are family friendly and have all the shopping and such that you need.

 

[ad_sharp]

There are tons of off-campus apartment complexes and rental houses/duplexes/townhomes all around the okc area that are in within a reasonable drive of campus and are much cheaper than the University Village. Areas like Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, and NW OKC have plenty of nice neighborhoods that are family friendly and have all the shopping and such that you need.

Right now, I live in an apartment on Northwest Expressway in OKC. However, my wife and I are currently looking to buy a house. There are a ton of apartments around. I would start your search in NW OKC and Moore. Those are probably the best two places when money and driving distance are taken into account.

 

[eggdrpsoop]

Hey hey everyone. I just got a deferral/wait-list letter from OU for an interview on Jan. 20th.

They say to send in updated transcripts and such and I was wondering if I should. I am a biochemistry major. My AMCAS GPA is 3.70. My cummulative GPA is now a 3.69 because of last semester. I took 2 courses, Principles of Physiology (got an A) and Advanced German Composition (got a B). I was also working and researching part time. The point is, my cummulative GPA went down, but I received an A in a science course. What would you do?

I am planning on telling them that I now have my German minor, working on finishing my Zoo minor this semester (classes in Imunnology, Neuroscience, and Histology) and finishing my Honors thesis to graduate with honors.

Does this seem like too much? I want to tell them what I am up to and not sound too much like I am tooting my horn.

 

[oudoc08]

Right now, I live in an apartment on Northwest Expressway in OKC. However, my wife and I are currently looking to buy a house. There are a ton of apartments around. I would start your search in NW OKC and Moore. Those are probably the best two places when money and driving distance are taken into account.

Edmond's nice as well, and the morning and afternoon commute is only about 20 minutes (traffic usually is fairly decent, even at rush hour).

 

[oudoc08]

Hey hey everyone. I just got a deferral/wait-list letter from OU for an interview on Jan. 20th.

They say to send in updated transcripts and such and I was wondering if I should. I am a biochemistry major. My AMCAS GPA is 3.70. My cummulative GPA is now a 3.69 because of last semester. I took 2 courses, Principles of Physiology (got an A) and Advanced German Composition (got a B). I was also working and researching part time. The point is, my cummulative GPA went down, but I received an A in a science course. What would you do?

I am planning on telling them that I now have my German minor, working on finishing my Zoo minor this semester (classes in Imunnology, Neuroscience, and Histology) and finishing my Honors thesis to graduate with honors.

Does this seem like too much? I want to tell them what I am up to and not sound too much like I am tooting my horn.

I've never been in your position, but I think if I were on the adcom, I would want to see that you still wanted greatly to come to OU, and thus updating your file, and letting the school now that you are interested is important. There will be acceptee's who don't take the slots. Every year there are always people in just about any school who are accepted later from waitlists. Enthusiasm without cockiness. If nothing else, even if you don't get accepted this round, it is important for next time to show that you have made improvements in whatever areas you can. Nothing looks worse than reapplying with the same package.

Good luck to you.

 

[Napoleon1801]

Also a recipient of the Scarlet Letter!!!


😀 😉 😱 👍 👍 👍 👍



Class of 2009!





~My name is Rick James, bitch~ Chapelle

 

[ad_sharp]

I've never been in your position, but I think if I were on the adcom, I would want to see that you still wanted greatly to come to OU, and thus updating your file, and letting the school now that you are interested is important. There will be acceptee's who don't take the slots. Every year there are always people in just about any school who are accepted later from waitlists. Enthusiasm without cockiness. If nothing else, even if you don't get accepted this round, it is important for next time to show that you have made improvements in whatever areas you can. Nothing looks worse than reapplying with the same package.

Good luck to you.

Ditto.

Definately send an update. They'll be wondering why you didn't if you don't. Sounds to me like you're on the right track. You may even want to send a brief letter stressing your intent to attend school here. I know that during my interview, I said something like, "I want to start off by stressing the fact that I intend to go to school here, I've always wanted to go here, and I will be here if only you'll give the okay."

 

[ad_sharp]

Also a recipient of the Scarlet Letter!!!


😀 😉 😱 👍 👍 👍 👍



Class of 2009!





~My name is Rick James, bitch~ Chapelle

👍 congrats!!! 👍

 

[Doxie]

Are the university apartments within walking
distance of the school? I wish I had taken a look
when I was visiting the campus.

 

[ad_sharp]

Are the university apartments within walking
distance of the school? I wish I had taken a look
when I was visiting the campus.

Yes, they're roughly 100 yrds away from the student union on the other side of the college of nursing.

here's a link:
http://www.ou.edu/universityvillage/

 

[MoosePilot]

Hey hey everyone. I just got a deferral/wait-list letter from OU for an interview on Jan. 20th.

They say to send in updated transcripts and such and I was wondering if I should. I am a biochemistry major. My AMCAS GPA is 3.70. My cummulative GPA is now a 3.69 because of last semester. I took 2 courses, Principles of Physiology (got an A) and Advanced German Composition (got a B). I was also working and researching part time. The point is, my cummulative GPA went down, but I received an A in a science course. What would you do?

I am planning on telling them that I now have my German minor, working on finishing my Zoo minor this semester (classes in Imunnology, Neuroscience, and Histology) and finishing my Honors thesis to graduate with honors.

Does this seem like too much? I want to tell them what I am up to and not sound too much like I am tooting my horn.

Toot your horn! That's my opinion...

 

[Napoleon1801]

Do any of you first year guys know what kind of research opportunities there are in the summer at OU and how you go about applying for them?

Anyone remember the timeline for last year's events for the entering class i.e. orientation, white coat ceremony...etc?

Also any advice on acquiring textbooks?

 

[Dr Turninkoff]

Do any of you first year guys know what kind of research opportunities there are in the summer at OU and how you go about applying for them?

Anyone remember the timeline for last year's events for the entering class i.e. orientation, white coat ceremony...etc?

Also any advice on acquiring textbooks?

yeah, i was also wondering about the research. im in desperate need of a summer job. although i'm sure buy for less would love to have my surgical produce skills for another summer, i'm in the market for something else.

 

[biendesalud]

Do any of you first year guys know what kind of research opportunities there are in the summer at OU and how you go about applying for them?

Anyone remember the timeline for last year's events for the entering class i.e. orientation, white coat ceremony...etc?

Also any advice on acquiring textbooks?

I'm not sure about summer only jobs, but here are the research listings for current OU research positions:

http://www.ouhsc.edu/jobs/jobs.asp?jobtype=RS

Often they are part time so you can get the job now, work a certain number of hours per week, and then go full time in the summer.

 

[Amxcvbcv]

I'm not sure about summer only jobs, but here are the research listings for current OU research positions:

http://www.ouhsc.edu/jobs/jobs.asp?jobtype=RS

Often they are part time so you can get the job now, work a certain number of hours per week, and then go full time in the summer.

Good luck with those!

I've been applying to just about every part-time position that has opened up since last August and have only had 2 interviews. Lots of them seem to be interior hires despite the posted availability. For example, I sent in an application for one on a Friday and by the next Tuesday the position was listed as filled.

Oh well... 🙄

 

[ad_sharp]

Do any of you first year guys know what kind of research opportunities there are in the summer at OU and how you go about applying for them?

Anyone remember the timeline for last year's events for the entering class i.e. orientation, white coat ceremony...etc?

Also any advice on acquiring textbooks?

Here is next year's academic calendar:

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2005-2006


FIRST YEAR STUDENTS
Fall 2005
Orientation August 10 - 12
White Coat Ceremony August 13
Classes begin August 15
Labor Day September 5
Exam Block 1 September 26 - 30 (Week 7)
Fall Break October 7 - 9
Exam Block 2 October 31 – Nov 4 (Week 12)
Thanksgiving Break November 24-27
Classes end December 9
Exam Block 3 (finals) December 12 - 16 (Week 18)
Winter break December 17 - Jan 2


My advice on jobs-make a lot of phone calls and try to apply to all of those positions online. Call Dean McGee and OMRF. That should get you started.

Textbooks:
I usually buy mine at Ratcliff's by campus, amazon, b&n, or half.com. Don't buy all of the books right off-you'll be wasting money. You won't use all of them. I tend to only buy the books when I feel that I need them. Notegroups (which are going to cost you $160 for the year and the course syllabi (about $30 per class on average) are usually sufficient to cover the class. The only book that is an absolute buy for the Fall is Chung's Anatomy-you'll get sick of reading it. I'm different from some people, but I usually just study the syllabus, notegroups, and the board review books for supplementation-any more than that and you won't have the time to read them all well. Additionally, the info on Hippocrates (mp3's, powerpoints, lab stuff, videos, reviews, etc) is usually adequate when you don't understand something from the course. If I can say one thing, OU is great about saving you money on textbooks with the comprehensive syllabus.

 

[Dr Turninkoff]

anyone know when we will get financial aid packages? also, for those currently at ouhsc, how negotiable are these offers?

 

[MechE]

Unfortunately guys, I will not be joining you next year at OU. I also received the white envelope. 🙁

 

[oudoc08]

Do any of you first year guys know what kind of research opportunities there are in the summer at OU and how you go about applying for them?

Anyone remember the timeline for last year's events for the entering class i.e. orientation, white coat ceremony...etc?

Also any advice on acquiring textbooks?

Here's advice on acquiring textbooks, from someone who used to do so. DONT!

Actually, that's a generalization, there are a few must haves.

Chungs anatomy.
Netters Anatomy Atlas

That's it.

"Required" texts are not. You will be so busy with the printed syllabus, which you must buy, and notegroups which you will want to subscribe to (160 bucks for two years, all 150 of us signed up), that other textbooks are simply not necessary, except to clarify a rare point, which if you absolutely need to, you could look it up online or at the library.
This is good for 1st semester only. In second, you'll need a separate neuro atlas, and a phys. book might help.

Please whatever you do, don't buy the psych book. It's a joke. Some people did like the embryo book, as it's small, easily readable, and some points in embryo are a little confusing. All depends on whether you want to spend 50.00, or just try to read a little harder from the syllabus.

Other opinions? Adam? Word?

 

[oudoc08]

Here is next year's academic calendar:

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2005-2006


FIRST YEAR STUDENTS
Fall 2005
Orientation August 10 - 12
White Coat Ceremony August 13
Classes begin August 15
Labor Day September 5
Exam Block 1 September 26 - 30 (Week 7)
Fall Break October 7 - 9
Exam Block 2 October 31 – Nov 4 (Week 12)
Thanksgiving Break November 24-27
Classes end December 9
Exam Block 3 (finals) December 12 - 16 (Week 18)
Winter break December 17 - Jan 2


My advice on jobs-make a lot of phone calls and try to apply to all of those positions online. Call Dean McGee and OMRF. That should get you started.

Textbooks:
I usually buy mine at Ratcliff's by campus, amazon, b&n, or half.com. Don't buy all of the books right off-you'll be wasting money. You won't use all of them. I tend to only buy the books when I feel that I need them. Notegroups (which are going to cost you $160 for the year and the course syllabi (about $30 per class on average) are usually sufficient to cover the class. The only book that is an absolute buy for the Fall is Chung's Anatomy-you'll get sick of reading it. I'm different from some people, but I usually just study the syllabus, notegroups, and the board review books for supplementation-any more than that and you won't have the time to read them all well. Additionally, the info on Hippocrates (mp3's, powerpoints, lab stuff, videos, reviews, etc) is usually adequate when you don't understand something from the course. If I can say one thing, OU is great about saving you money on textbooks with the comprehensive syllabus.

Damn right on the books. I spent probably 500.00 before the spring semester buying books, but in my defense, I bought most off amazon, and they were things like all the BRS, 1st aid, High Yield Board review books, so I'll be able to use them for boards. If you're going to buy books, those are the ones you want. They're not detailed enough for the classes, but the syllabi fill in the rest.
Just don't buy the big heavy textbooks. Again, a waste, because you'll never have time to look at them.

Adam can back me up on this. For just neuro, and phys. this semester, our FIRST test material alone, will barely fit into a 4 inch binder. Just first test material and the notegroups that go along with it.

 

[Amxcvbcv]

Damn right on the books. I spent probably 500.00 before the spring semester buying books, but in my defense, I bought most off amazon, and they were things like all the BRS, 1st aid, High Yield Board review books, so I'll be able to use them for boards. If you're going to buy books, those are the ones you want. They're not detailed enough for the classes, but the syllabi fill in the rest.
Just don't buy the big heavy textbooks. Again, a waste, because you'll never have time to look at them.

Adam can back me up on this. For just neuro, and phys. this semester, our FIRST test material alone, will barely fit into a 4 inch binder. Just first test material and the notegroups that go along with it.

Do you feel like you're actually retaining anything as you try to drink from the proverbial fire hydrant?

 

[ad_sharp]

Do you feel like you're actually retaining anything as you try to drink from the proverbial fire hydrant?

You'll be amazed at the amount of material that you'll learn and actually be able to retain.

 

[ad_sharp]

anyone know when we will get financial aid packages? also, for those currently at ouhsc, how negotiable are these offers?

It was some time in mid summer when I received mine. There will be a maximum for the amount of loans that you can receive. As far a scholarships go, I guess that it wouldn't hurt to try to negotiate on them.

 

[ad_sharp]

Unfortunately guys, I will not be joining you next year at OU. I also received the white envelope. 🙁

That sucks.

When is your Tulane, Kansas, and Baylor interviewing going to take place?

Good luck

 

[oudoc08]

Do you feel like you're actually retaining anything as you try to drink from the proverbial fire hydrant?

You feel like you forget alot, but when you really reflect, it's amazing how much you retain. Also, you will see many posts on SDN about the 1st and 2nd year being an utter waste of time. I couldn't disagree more. There has admittedlly been some information that seems somewhat irrelevant (mostly in biochem), but for the most part it all seems to integrate.

Also, it's beginning to become clear the reason why we all had to take gen chem and org. 1 and 2, physics 1 and 2, etc.

I never thought I'd have to hear the terms,: "Nernst equation, capacitance, voltage, parallel resistance, dimerization, valence, Poisoulle, hydrodynamics, Faraday, etc." ever again, but I'll be damned if there isn't a reason we have to learn all that crap in undergrad. It's called medical physiology.

Strangely enough, it seems more tolerable and makes more sense when applied in the context of medicine.

Ex. I never really understood or cared about the Nernst equation.
Now I see how it's vital to understanding why even slightly elevated serum potassium levels can drastically affect or arrest cardiac function, by elevating the resting membrane potential to a dangerous near-threshold point, and why IV calcium can help treat the problem (by elevating the threshold away from the rising RMP).

Neat stuff.

 

[Amxcvbcv]

You feel like you forget alot, but when you really reflect, it's amazing how much you retain. Also, you will see many posts on SDN about the 1st and 2nd year being an utter waste of time. I couldn't disagree more. There has admittedlly been some information that seems somewhat irrelevant (mostly in biochem), but for the most part it all seems to integrate.

Also, it's beginning to become clear the reason why we all had to take gen chem and org. 1 and 2, physics 1 and 2, etc.

I never thought I'd have to hear the terms,: "Nernst equation, capacitance, voltage, parallel resistance, dimerization, valence, Poisoulle, hydrodynamics, Faraday, etc." ever again, but I'll be damned if there isn't a reason we have to learn all that crap in undergrad. It's called medical physiology.

Strangely enough, it seems more tolerable and makes more sense when applied in the context of medicine.

Ex. I never really understood or cared about the Nernst equation.
Now I see how it's vital to understanding why even slightly elevated serum potassium levels can drastically affect or arrest cardiac function, by elevating the resting membrane potential to a dangerous near-threshold point, and why IV calcium can help treat the problem (by elevating the threshold away from the rising RMP).

Neat stuff.

Deep down I wanted to believe there is a reason that stuff is on the MCAT. It's nice to see that there is a proper context. 🙂

 

[pbehzad]

As for not buying most of the textbooks, do you think that'll hurt not having the textbook for Step 1? You won't really need the textbooks to study for the Boards will you?
I'm all about saving money and not buying textbooks.

Thanks.

 

[oudoc08]

As for not buying most of the textbooks, do you think that'll hurt not having the textbook for Step 1? You won't really need the textbooks to study for the Boards will you?
I'm all about saving money and not buying textbooks.

Thanks.

The textbooks that are "required" for class, are far to thick and information overloaded for board review.

The board review books such as 1st aid for the USMLE, all the BRS (Board Review Series), and the High Yield series books, are all no more than a 1/4" to 3/4" thick max.

Again, these books are great for USMLE review, and for class reference, but they aren't quite indepth enough for the most part to just study out of for the class (except for Chung's anatomy, but that's just because he wrote the book, and teaches the class pretty much out of it)

Detail comes from the syllabus and notegroups.

To avoid further confusion, let me just give a quick example of how I study.
I read the syllabus, read the notegroups. That's it.
If I have a question about a point I'm not sure of, then I look at other resources (but this is rare, as the syllabi are for the most part, very complete)

The best answer is not to buy textbooks up front. They are always available, and except for the anatomy atlas that you know you will need, you might as well wait to see what you need before you go wasting a bunch of money on books.

(This comes from someone who in undergrad bought all the books, and a year ago was just sure that all the people in medical school were crazy about not buying books. I was also the one who thought that the med students who homeschooled were crazy, and not "getting their money's worth". Now I'm a homeschooler, because I've figured that that is the most efficient way to use my time. Different strokes for different folks.)

Take advantage of all the resources of OU, and understand that textbooks are the last resort, not the first.

 

[MechE]

That sucks.

When is your Tulane, Kansas, and Baylor interviewing going to take place?

Good luck

My Tulane interview is March 9th. I didn’t receive an interview from either Baylor or Kansas. I also just found out that the deadline to apply to OSU’s DO program isn’t until Feb. 1st, so I filled out the ACCOMAS last night and I’ll send the transcripts and letters of recommendation Monday. (The transcripts deadline is Feb. 15th, and the supplementary materials deadline is March 1st). I also know a few DO’s so I need to ask one of them for a letter of recommendation. I’ve never really considered being a DO before, but in the end your still a doctor.

 

[ad_sharp]

My Tulane interview is March 9th. I didn’t receive an interview from either Baylor or Kansas. I also just found out that the deadline to apply to OSU’s DO program isn’t until Feb. 1st, so I filled out the ACCOMAS last night and I’ll send the transcripts and letters of recommendation Monday. (The transcripts deadline is Feb. 15th, and the supplementary materials deadline is March 1st). I also know a few DO’s so I need to ask one of them for a letter of recommendation. I’ve never really considered being a DO before, but in the end your still a doctor.

Good plan. Make sure that you check back at AACOMAS to make sure that they get your stuff finished quickly. If you need anything from the OSU admissions people, I suggest that you talk to Bonnie Bost-Laster. She's the head of admissions, and will check the status of your app for you. Good luck.

 

[als12179]

In the financial aid information they gave us they showed a budget for books and supplies of a couple thousand dollars if I remember right. How much do you really spend on books and supplies if you don't go all out with the textbooks?

 

[oudoc08]

In the financial aid information they gave us they showed a budget for books and supplies of a couple thousand dollars if I remember right. How much do you really spend on books and supplies if you don't go all out with the textbooks?

In the fall, there is about 200.00 worth of books that you NEED (Netters, Chungs, and maybe embryo) and in the spring, about the same (Neuro atlas Neuro text and Phys. text if you think you might need it). Syllabi for each semester runs around a hundred, and notegroups is 160.00 for 2 years payable at the beginning of school.
They allow for all the "required" books plus a computer I believe when estimating financial aid.

For biochem/med mol. genetics alone, there was something like 5 or 6 "required" books. I assume that makes up a large part.

 

[oudoc08]

Again, I make my plea to those of you accepted. Do NOT join AMSA (American Medical Student Association) simply to get a "free" Netters. You will be made this offer prior to school. What the catch is, is that you fill out a credit card app. and pay about 80.00 for a 5 year membership in AMSA, and in return you get a Netters anatomy atlas (about the same price) for "free".
The problem is, is that AMSA is a covertly liberal left-wing organization who was forced to separate from the AMA due to their liberal agenda. (i.e. - they are against a ban on partial birth abortion, want handgun ownership made illegal in the US, favor creation of a socialized medicine state, are against the war in Iraq, favor the UN's hand in everything foreign.

They are not up front with entering medical students about their liberal agenda. If you dig through their website, it's there, but most students just figure "hey, free book, and I get to be part of a medical student association."
By the time they realize what they're in, it's too late. They have your money, and your "support" in Washington.

This happened to many of our first year students. Efforts to cancel membership have largely been unsuccesful, despite repeated attempts by them and by myself on their behalf.

Basically, I ask that you educate yourself prior to joining AMSA. It is NOT a medical student association representing all medical students. It is a fringe organization made up of a vocal liberal minority.

If you're an ACLU card-carrying liberal, then go ahead and join, but if you're not, spend your money on the Netters, and consider yourself fortunate to not be duped.

Any quesions, please leave message here.

Adam, am I missing anything?

 

[Dr Turninkoff]

Again, I make my plea to those of you accepted. Do NOT join AMSA (American Medical Student Association) simply to get a "free" Netters. You will be made this offer prior to school. What the catch is, is that you fill out a credit card app. and pay about 80.00 for a 5 year membership in AMSA, and in return you get a Netters anatomy atlas (about the same price) for "free".
The problem is, is that AMSA is a covertly liberal left-wing organization who was forced to separate from the AMA due to their liberal agenda. (i.e. - they are against a ban on partial birth abortion, want handgun ownership made illegal in the US, favor creation of a socialized medicine state, are against the war in Iraq, favor the UN's hand in everything foreign.

They are not up front with entering medical students about their liberal agenda. If you dig through their website, it's there, but most students just figure "hey, free book, and I get to be part of a medical student association."
By the time they realize what they're in, it's too late. They have your money, and your "support" in Washington.

This happened to many of our first year students. Efforts to cancel membership have largely been unsuccesful, despite repeated attempts by them and by myself on their behalf.

Basically, I ask that you educate yourself prior to joining AMSA. It is NOT a medical student association representing all medical students. It is a fringe organization made up of a vocal liberal minority.

If you're an ACLU card-carrying liberal, then go ahead and join, but if you're not, spend your money on the Netters, and consider yourself fortunate to not be duped.

Any quesions, please leave message here.

Adam, am I missing anything?

i cant wait to join. i just hope i'm not the only one. the conservative tilt i get from sdn is the only thing turning me off from going to OU. politics aside, i do appreciate your other advice about ouhsc in general.

 

[oudoc08]

i cant wait to join. i just hope i'm not the only one. the conservative tilt i get from sdn is the only thing turning me off from going to OU. politics aside, i do appreciate your other advice about ouhsc in general.

🙂 The politics and discussion board arguing are part of what makes the first year! You won't be the only one, I promise. Plus, it's all in good fun.
Lata
T

 

[Dr Turninkoff]

🙂 The politics and discussion board arguing are part of what makes the first year! You won't be the only one, I promise. Plus, it's all in good fun.
Lata
T

haha, fair enough. i'm just trying to dodge the bullets from everyone's concealed weapons

 

[eggdrpsoop]

Hey you guys...I just talked to the admissions office about this years deferrals. They told me that currently, there are 21 seats left for the class. However, they are first interviewing the February applicants and then on the 27th of Feb. will make a decision on those 21 spots (could be more if people decline their spots from now until then) taking in consideration of all deferred students and Feb applicants. THEN a waitlist is made from those left over. So technically I can still be rejected if I am not on that final waitlist. 🙁 Anyone else currently "deferred" like me? Keep your heads up! We still have a good chance! 😀 👍 👍

 

[Blisterpeanuts]

Howdy folks,

I'm an Oklahoma man who's been living in Boston for a long time doing computer programming and other things. Now I'm a non-traditional (i.e., old) pre-med and I am seriously thinking about applying to OU.

I've read that OU's a very good school with top notch facilities and staff. It also doesn't hurt that the cost of living in Oklahoma is significantly lower than Massachusetts.

Anyway I'm bringing the wife and my baby daughter down to visit the parents at end of March and I would really love to visit the campus. I was wondering whether anyone there in your copious spare time could meet me for 20 minutes and talk a bit about the school. Hey, lunch is on me.

By the way, what's the rough age spread at OU? I'm going to venture a guess that it's a relatively traditional student body, mostly right out of college or 2-3 years beyond. However this is pure speculation. I don't really care about age differences because in my premed courses I've found that the work is the great equalizer. However I am curious as to how open minded the school is toward older candidates (30s and 40s).

Thanks for any opinions and the best of luck to all of you who are still applying.

 

[oudoc08]

Howdy folks,

I'm an Oklahoma man who's been living in Boston for a long time doing computer programming and other things. Now I'm a non-traditional (i.e., old) pre-med and I am seriously thinking about applying to OU.

I've read that OU's a very good school with top notch facilities and staff. It also doesn't hurt that the cost of living in Oklahoma is significantly lower than Massachusetts.

Anyway I'm bringing the wife and my baby daughter down to visit the parents at end of March and I would really love to visit the campus. I was wondering whether anyone there in your copious spare time could meet me for 20 minutes and talk a bit about the school. Hey, lunch is on me.

By the way, what's the rough age spread at OU? I'm going to venture a guess that it's a relatively traditional student body, mostly right out of college or 2-3 years beyond. However this is pure speculation. I don't really care about age differences because in my premed courses I've found that the work is the great equalizer. However I am curious as to how open minded the school is toward older candidates (30s and 40s).

Thanks for any opinions and the best of luck to all of you who are still applying.

Hello,
I'm 29 (well, 29 this saturday), married w/ 2 kids, and mostly home-school. I feel like I couldn't attend a better school when it comes to family for this reason. OU's extensive online and offline resources, as well as their whole attitude towards learning the material, regardless of method or source, makes it extremely condusive to learning medicine. Right now, as I type, I'm 130 miles from the college, sitting in my living room, getting ready to start studying for our first neuro block exam next week. However, we are moving in a couple of weeks to OKC. I would be more than happy to spend the afternoon w/ you, show you around, lunch, whatever.

There are several in our class that are in their late 20's, and 30's. I believe the oldest is 38 or 39. In the class above us, I believe there is someone in their 40's. The average age, however, is 21 or 22.
I've never seen much discrepancy attributed to age. Pretty much, everyone in our class is a "medical student", regardless of other characteristics. The school expects nothing more or less from each student, it just provides the opportunity.

 

[als12179]

I was wondering if any current med students, or those applying this year, also considered going to OSU-COM in Tulsa. If so, how did you think it compares to OU? I know that OSU-COM is ranked much higher in US News than OU, but it seems that you would still have more opportunites with an M.D. as opposed to a D.O. degree. Especially if you don't want to practice in a primary care field. What do you guys think?

 

[OSUdoc08]

I was wondering if any current med students, or those applying this year, also considered going to OSU-COM in Tulsa. If so, how did you think it compares to OU? I know that OSU-COM is ranked much higher in US News than OU, but it seems that you would still have more opportunites with an M.D. as opposed to a D.O. degree. Especially if you don't want to practice in a primary care field. What do you guys think?

It depends on what you want to do, and where you want to go. If you want to stay in Oklahoma, there are twice as many residencies for OSU-COM grads than OU grads.

In the example for my specialty, there are 2 emergency medicine residencies for D.O.s, and a third one is opening up, but there are no residencies for M.D.s. OSU-COM graduates can apply for all of the residencies in the state, including those affiliated with OU. OU graduates cannot fill any of the residencies affiliated with OSU, since those graduates don't have the extra training.

If we were to use Texas as an example, graduates from OU and OSU would be on equal ground for all of the primary care specialties and general other specialties. There may be a few hospitals that prefer M.D.s, but D.O.s can take the M.D. boards, which would equalize the field, since the D.O. boards are somewhat different. The areas where it would be difficult to get an M.D. residency may be a few subspecialties, but in most cases, those residencies are available at other locations. (For example, the Texas D.O. school is starting a Cardiovascular Surgery fellowship next year.)

So, in closing, it depends on where you live, and what you want to do. Perhaps if you told us what you are interested in, we can give a more focused response. Feel free to email me or PM me if you have specific questions about OSU-COM or D.O.'s.

 

[ad_sharp]

I was wondering if any current med students, or those applying this year, also considered going to OSU-COM in Tulsa. If so, how did you think it compares to OU? I know that OSU-COM is ranked much higher in US News than OU, but it seems that you would still have more opportunites with an M.D. as opposed to a D.O. degree. Especially if you don't want to practice in a primary care field. What do you guys think?

I'm studying for a neuro exam right now so I don't have enough time to go through the entire debate. I'll try to PM you about it some time next week after exam block to give you the full low down on why I went here over OSU. (I was accepted to OSU as was OUdoc) I know a lot of people here who were accepted there and I'm sure that OSUdoc knows people who were accepted here that went there. In the end-it probably just depends on where you want to spend the next four years. Here's my advice in a nutshell-If you're sure that you want primary care, then go to the school that you like the best (or city). If you want to specialize go MD (here or somewhere else). I'm sure that we can debate the merits of either forever, but it all comes down to your preference. Read through this thread (at least the last five pages to find out a little more about OU). PM me if you would like answers to any specific question. If not, I'll try to send you a big email in a week and a half or so.

 

[DrMom]

I know a lot of people here who were accepted there and I'm sure that OSUdoc knows people who were accepted here that went there. In the end-it probably just depends on where you want to spend the next four years.

I think this is key. You're going to be spending 4 years at the school...you need to go to the one that you feel is the best fit for you. Both have good qualities and both can certainly provide you with an excellent medical education. Many people get accepted to both and have their own reasons for choosing one over the other. Learn all you can about the schools and students and then choose for yourself. 🙂

 

[ad_sharp]

I think this is key. You're going to be spending 4 years at the school...you need to go to the one that you feel is the best fit for you. Both have good qualities and both can certainly provide you with an excellent medical education. Many people get accepted to both and have their own reasons for choosing one over the other. Learn all you can about the schools and students and then choose for yourself. 🙂

Well said 👍

 

[als12179]

Thanks for the input guys. What prompted me to ask the question was a link on another thread to a page showing the residency choices of this year's graduates at OSU-COM (http://www.healthsciences.okstate.e...raduates-ab.htm). There were a couple of people doing anesthesiology, radiology, and ortho, but 95% were going into family medicine, IM, ob-gyn, and EM. It made me wonder if this was because these people wanted to be primary care physicians, or if it was because they weren't able to get into a specialty residency. I realize that the primary care fields make up most of medicine anyway, but it seems that the percentage of OSU grads going that route is extremely high.