Oklahoma - (Prospective) Class of 2010 part 01

[oudoc08]

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At least you'll only be faced with multiple choice questions here

Amen. One of the best things about medical school tests, IMO. I had the undergrad biochem professors who liked giving 10 page tests with 10 questions, thus a full page to answer each question with the answer that contained the points that she wanted to hear, forget whether your answer was right or not. I still remember a particular question was. "DESCRIBE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES OF GTP AND ATP". Notice the question didn't say how many similarities or differences she wanted. In fact, you could list 10 valid, well thought-out points in each column, but if it wasn't the particular one that she was looking for, you missed it.

The only thing that isn't multiple choice in med school is anatomy practicals.

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Amen. One of the best things about medical school tests, IMO. I had the undergrad biochem professors who liked giving 10 page tests with 10 questions, thus a full page to answer each question with the answer that contained the points that she wanted to hear, forget whether your answer was right or not. I still remember a particular question was. "DESCRIBE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES OF GTP AND ATP". Notice the question didn't say how many similarities or differences she wanted. In fact, you could list 10 valid, well thought-out points in each column, but if it wasn't the particular one that she was looking for, you missed it.

The only thing that isn't multiple choice in med school is anatomy practicals.

Well, they're multiple choice in a very technical sense... you just have about 490 choices to choose from 🙂 (2010ers: They give you a list of terms, and you select which of the terms applies to each structure... so at least you don't have to worry about spelling!)

 

[Amxcvbcv]

Well, they're multiple choice in a very technical sense... you just have about 490 choices to choose from 🙂 (2010ers: They give you a list of terms, and you select which of the terms applies to each structure... so at least you don't have to worry about spelling!)

Unless you're talking about neuroanatomy practicals... 😛


So many caveats. At least he doesn't care about spelling, as long as he can understand what you're trying to spell.

 

[Antigunner]

At least he doesn't care about spelling, as long as he can understand what you're trying to spell.

They're pretty generous, too - I put incus for uncus and they gave it to me

 

[want2beadoc]

That is all good news for me 🙂. I'm getting tired of essay tests.

 

[tsthethird]

I think I'm just tired of tests in general.

 

[speedo542]

They're pretty generous, too - I put incus for uncus and they gave it to me

Bastards. I put uncal instead of uncus and they counted it wrong!! I knew what it was, but I had a small brain fart at the time.

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

How do you guys know what was counted right or wrong?

 

[Antigunner]

How do you guys know what was counted right or wrong?

I'm pretty sure they were marked on our answer sheets when they gave them back

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

I'm pretty sure they were marked on our answer sheets when they gave them back

Gave them back, you say? I don't remember getting mine back, which means I probably stuffed it in my backpack and lost it in my desk pile somewhere 😎 I care so little about tests by the time they're finished...

 

[Amxcvbcv]

It's Test Block 5, baby!

 

[Antigunner]

It's Test Block 5, baby!

Whooooooooo!!!!! Bring it on!!!! [smashes head against wall] ow...

 

[glp]

all this talk about tests is making my head hurt. i havent used my brain since last may when i finished my prereqs.

 

[oudoc08]

It's Test Block 5, baby!

Test Block 11 is on! IHI here I come!

 

[Amxcvbcv]

Well crap.

That didn't go as well as I'd hoped. The practical portion should be nice, though... should be.

 

[want2beadoc]

Quick question: Do the OU med students get their own private discussion board? How active is it?

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Yes, we do 🙂 Each class gets a curriculum board and a chat board (the theory being that the curriculum board should be just academic stuff, with chat being about bar tour and south park and whatnot). They are much more active than our SDN thread, particularly around test block 🙂 The curriculum board comes in very handy when you're trying to learn all of Human Behavior in one night, and your classmates are kind enough to post summaries and sample questions 🙂 You don't get it until school starts in August though, I'm afraid (which seems dumb to me-- once the class is officially decided, I don't know why they wouldn't want you guys to have a forum to talk to each other over the summer!).

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

One thing I should mention is that it's NOT private-- the other classes read it when they're bored (so no bashing us 😉 ) and the course directors and professors read the curriculum board and reply to questions, especially around test block. They have access to the chat board as well, and some (like Leon) will actually read it every once in awhile, but most have better things to do 🙂 It really doesn't keep us from complaining about classes, but I wouldn't advise saying anything obscene.

 

[want2beadoc]

Thanks for the info. I'm really looking forward to school. I asked a lot of these questions on interview day, but since your on... how is the culture at the school? is it gossipy, laid back, etc.? Who's the coolest professor? Thanks for taking the time to respond. 🙂

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Thanks for the info. I'm really looking forward to school. I asked a lot of these questions on interview day, but since your on... how is the culture at the school? is it gossipy, laid back, etc.? Who's the coolest professor? Thanks for taking the time to respond. 🙂

It's hard to say what the culture of "the school" is... it's more of a class by class thing. For example, the second years (from what I gather, though I'm sure they'll correct me if I'm wrong) are more laid back than our class. They tend to have higher bar tour attendance, they go to class less, etc. Our class is sort of gunner-y, but in a very cooperative way (as I mentioned, people are always posting all of their summaries/helpful hints/answering each other's questions). There's also no telling what of that is just second year being a different beast though-- we may be more fun next year, and you guys may be uptight 🙂

As far as your specific questions, it is not gossipy in a negative way-- you can't help but know a lot about your classmates when there's only 160 of you, but I've never known it to make anyone uncomfortable. We're not overly cliquey, though study groups tend to hang out together. Coolest professor--- depends on your definition. Leon teaches biochem (not Dr. Unger, not Prof. Unger, you will call him Leon and he will be your Leon), and he's definitely pretty cool (he comes to bar tours and parties, that sort of thing). Dr. Chung teaches gross anatomy (and wrote the BRS Anatomy book used by over 1/2 the national medical student population), and he's cool in that Chuck Norris kind of way (Dr. Chung doesn't sleep, he waits sort of thing). Dr. Blair teaches neuro and physiology, and he's cool in that very-good-and-funny-teacher sort of way. All in all, we have some really fantastic professors here. Hope that helps! 🙂

 

[Amxcvbcv]

The class isn't officially established until classes start. 😛

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

The class isn't officially established until classes start. 😛

While that is technically true, you'll recall that we got a list of each other's emails early in the summer 🙂 That means the class was MOSTLY established, so MOST of us could have gotten to know each other over the discussion boards, and the latecomers could have joined the party whenever they decided to come! 🙂 Since everyone has to decide by the middle of May, my understanding was that the majority of the shuffling was finished by early June. In any event, the people who have actually sent in their deposits by June 1 should be able to use the discussion boards-- it would have made that LOOOOONG summer go by a little quicker! 😉

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Ooh ooh class of 2010 I just looked at your fall planning schedule! Your first day of class is scheduled for Aug. 14 (though you probably knew that one already). They've already got all your anatomy lectures and labs scheduled... it's so cute, and I'm SO glad I'm not you!!! 😉 Most of you will have a love/hate relationship with anatomy, I just personally veered toward the latter half of the spectrum (and thus I will not be a surgeon). Anyway, I just got excited, because I can find the most RANDOM things to entertain myself with when it's test block week and I don't want to study. 😀

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Ooh ooh class of 2010 I just looked at your fall planning schedule! Your first day of class is scheduled for Aug. 14 (though you probably knew that one already). They've already got all your anatomy lectures and labs scheduled... it's so cute, and I'm SO glad I'm not you!!! 😉 Most of you will have a love/hate relationship with anatomy, I just personally veered toward the latter half of the spectrum (and thus I will not be a surgeon). Anyway, I just got excited, because I can find the most RANDOM things to entertain myself with when it's test block week and I don't want to study. 😀

I feel better if gross anatomy doesn't have to be your favorite subject. For a while I thought maybe I shouldn't be a doctor because structures aren't always my main interest. I'm sure I'll find gross interesting and I'll work hard, but it will never be my favorite thing to do, you know? Now, cell bio and biochem are fascinating to me - and human behavior is fascinating. But I really prefer patients who still have upholstery on. I guess not everybody loves every subject equally (and that's OK, right?? 🙂 ) - I have premed friends who love anatomy and hate biochem. I think I'd be a much better internist than a surgeon - which is good, because that's the plan.

 

[oudoc08]

It's hard to say what the culture of "the school" is... it's more of a class by class thing. For example, the second years (from what I gather, though I'm sure they'll correct me if I'm wrong) are more laid back than our class. They tend to have higher bar tour attendance, they go to class less, etc. Our class is sort of gunner-y, but in a very cooperative way (as I mentioned, people are always posting all of their summaries/helpful hints/answering each other's questions). There's also no telling what of that is just second year being a different beast though-- we may be more fun next year, and you guys may be uptight 🙂

I'd say it's more a function of 2nd year vs. 1st year. Last year, we thought the class above us was the same way. Now I think it's just more of a "getting your groove on" type of thinig that develops over time. (Don't get me wrong though, there's still plenty of people that are uptight as hell, but for the most part, people tend to get more comfortable and relax a bit in 2nd yr.)

And thought it's cliche, I'll just add that from my experience, compared to 1st yr, 2nd yr. is a bit harder as far as amount of material, and concept integration, but it's so much better than MS1.

 

[oudoc08]

IHI, YOU ARE MY B!TCH LOVER!!! HAHAHAHA!. Now on to pharm 🙂

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

I feel better if gross anatomy doesn't have to be your favorite subject. For a while I thought maybe I shouldn't be a doctor because structures aren't always my main interest. I'm sure I'll find gross interesting and I'll work hard, but it will never be my favorite thing to do, you know? Now, cell bio and biochem are fascinating to me - and human behavior is fascinating. But I really prefer patients who still have upholstery on. I guess not everybody loves every subject equally (and that's OK, right?? 🙂 ) - I have premed friends who love anatomy and hate biochem. I think I'd be a much better internist than a surgeon - which is good, because that's the plan.

Anatomy absolutely doesn't have to be your favorite subject. My goal was to pass that class, I did, and now it's behind me. Sure, a surgery program wouldn't be thrilled with my C, but that's why I'm not applying to any surgery programs 🙂 I'm also leaning toward primary care, and was before I got in, so it's not a big deal. It's good that you like biochem-- I didn't like that much either, so first semester was really tough for me. This one's better, because phys comes much easier to me and I'm better at it. Neuro is almost as hard for me as anatomy was, but at least I find (most of) it more interesting. I'm really looking forward to next year though... I feel like IHI is where the fun is, though I'm not sure the MS2's would agree 🙂

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

IHI, YOU ARE MY B!TCH!!! HAHAHAHA!. Now on to pharm 🙂

Congrats on making IHI your b!tch and all 😉

 

[MechE]

Anatomy absolutely doesn't have to be your favorite subject. My goal was to pass that class, I did, and now it's behind me. Sure, a surgery program wouldn't be thrilled with my C, but that's why I'm not applying to any surgery programs 🙂 I'm also leaning toward primary care, and was before I got in, so it's not a big deal. It's good that you like biochem-- I didn't like that much either, so first semester was really tough for me. This one's better, because phys comes much easier to me and I'm better at it. Neuro is almost as hard for me as anatomy was, but at least I find (most of) it more interesting. I'm really looking forward to next year though... I feel like IHI is where the fun is, though I'm not sure the MS2's would agree 🙂

Remember: C = M.D.

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Remember: C = M.D.

While very true, C in gross anatomy does NOT equal surgeon 🙂 Fortunately, I think surgery is icky 😉

 

[oudoc08]

Remember: C = M.D.

True, but I only know a handful of people in my class that share that view. Not so much in a "gunner" way, but in a personal-self expectation way. Our class average is typically way above average on most tests, and the end result may have a indirect, but significant impact on your future specialty choice.

There's people who will argue with me and say that 1st/2nd yr. grades are like #13 when it comes to a residency directors priority list, but the more important things may be a direct result. It all lies not in your grades, per se, but the attitude by which you came by those grades.

Step 1 scores most assuredly are correlated with 1st/2nd year grades.

3rd yr. rotation grades require a solid foundation of knowledge which, while theoretically don't require making good basic science grades, very likely correlate. If you don't know what you're talking about while your giving patient presentations, it can't look to impressive to your attending or residents. In addition, since part of your rotation grade is based on your shelf exam scores, why would those be any higher if your 1st/2nd yr. grades were not good?

LOR's may save you if you get them from someone that knows you very well outside of your curriculum. That may involve research, or whatever.

But the truth is, C=MD is only a great attitude to adopt if you're ok with mediocrity. If that's the case, I doubt your entire residency application is going to look much better.

This oughta p!ss some people off (and the usual disclaimer applies that many stellar med students choose to do the following fields, not just the bottom quartile), but if you're sure you want to do a low competitive field such as Fam. medicine, PM&R, peds, etc., then I guess you're safe, but if you're not 100% sure or want to do anything more competitive, I'd advise striving to do your best in everything you do.

On the flip side, If you busted your butt to make the C, then you're doing fine. The correlation likely won't be nearly as strong. You'll shine in rotations and get some great letters, and while you may not be doing plastics, ENT, derm etc., you'll be able to do most anything else you set your mind to. More importantly, you'll be a darn good doctor someday. I know a lot of people who make A's on every test that won't be.

 

[Jwax]

Quick question: Do the OU med students get their own private discussion board? How active is it?

At first, I though that said trick question.

 

[oudoc08]

IHI and Pharm down. HB tomorrow then BEER. Actually, screw this noise, HB was cake last time. I'm going flying.

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

IHI and Pharm down. HB tomorrow then BEER. Actually, screw this noise, HB was cake last time. I'm going flying.

That's awesome 🙂 Unfortunately, we have Phys and Histo left... so no beer for me until Friday night! 🙁

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Almost-second-page bump!

 

[Amxcvbcv]

One... more... test...

Thank God it's Histology... That physiology test took a lot out of me. 😛


For those of you on the outside, it was 26 pages, 96 questions, and 3 hours. Ick.

 

[Antigunner]

One... more... test...

Thank God it's Histology... That physiology test took a lot out of me. 😛


For those of you on the outside, it was 26 pages, 96 questions, and 3 hours. Ick.

we're taking histology? huh... 😉

 

[oudoc08]

Ok, Word to the 1st years. The first HB II test... cake. The second one... um, not so much.

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Ok, Word to the 1st years. The first HB II test... cake. The second one... um, not so much.

Ouch... Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Amxcvbcv]

Weekend... wonderful weekend... 🙂

Whew. I can hardly believe we only have four weeks left. 😀

August 14 is getting close you guys. 😉

I 😍 emoticons, obviously.

 

[JohnnyOU]

August 14 is getting close you guys. 😉
.

🙁

I assume they still contact us via postal mail if we get off the waitlist?

btw...is there sometime (like june or july) when they tell us all that the waitlist acceptances are done...no more...go away...we hate you.

 

[Amxcvbcv]

Waitlist acceptances can and sometimes do occur all the way up until the day before classes start, unfortunately (or fortunately, I guess).

After May 15th applicants can only hold one acceptance at a time, so the waitlists should start to move after that. Like I said, though, it's not unheard-of for folks to be accepted very close to the start of classes.

I don't know if they would be willing to let you know about the progress of the waitlist, but I guess it never hurts to call. 😛

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Weekend... wonderful weekend... 🙂

Whew. I can hardly believe we only have four weeks left. 😀

August 14 is getting close you guys. 😉

I 😍 emoticons, obviously.

I'm scared. Please don't tell me I should be studying anatomy already 'cause I'm not.

Hope you current students have a great weekend full of beer and other good stuff following the exam block.

So, umm, serious question -- do you guys like the exam blocks or not? Overall, I think they seem good, but I'm guessing that I'll be hating life during exam weeks.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Overall, I think they seem good, but I'm guessing that I'll be hating life during exam weeks.

Does this mean you're likely Oklahoma-bound, exlawgrrl? ::fingers crossed::

 

[Antigunner]

I'm scared. Please don't tell me I should be studying anatomy already 'cause I'm not.

Hope you current students have a great weekend full of beer and other good stuff following the exam block.

So, umm, serious question -- do you guys like the exam blocks or not? Overall, I think they seem good, but I'm guessing that I'll be hating life during exam weeks.

They basically suck from the week before until they're over, but overall, I like it a lot better. I think they probably are a bit smoother for people that actually keep up with the material, so they don't have to put in 14 hour study days before the tests...

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Does this mean you're likely Oklahoma-bound, exlawgrrl? ::fingers crossed::

Well, I'm still waiting to hear from OHSU, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do if they waitlist me, which is very probable. I'm getting more excited about going to OU, so we'll see. 🙂

My exciting news for today is that I bought a new car (figured my 140k mile, 11 year old escort wasn't exactly going to make it another 7 to 8 years or so), and it's here today!! If I go to OU, I'll actually get to drive my car to school -- OHSU doesn't give parking permits to 1st and 2nd year students, so they've got to bus it.

 

[oudoc08]

I'm scared. Please don't tell me I should be studying anatomy already 'cause I'm not.

Hope you current students have a great weekend full of beer and other good stuff following the exam block.

So, umm, serious question -- do you guys like the exam blocks or not? Overall, I think they seem good, but I'm guessing that I'll be hating life during exam weeks.

I really do like the exam blocks. Like another poster said, during the week of test block and the week before, it sucks, but man it's nice afterwards for a couple of weeks to have what seems like a break (a few hours of studying each day instead of the majority of the day).
In addition, our class had the IHI final which arguably has the most material (my notes and syllabi last test were slightly over two inches thick) on Mondays this semester instead of Fridays which we did last semester.
At first, I disagreed with the change thinking I liked having more time to study for it, but man getting it over first thing in the week after having crammed all weekend, makes the rest of test block week a lot less stressful.

Now our last test is Human behavior on Thurs. and then it's like a 4 day weekend.

Well I'm off here, gotta get up at 5am, head to the airport, and fly the family to see my parents out of state. Great chance to build some cross country time for an instrument rating next year.

Later

 

[JohnnyOU]

Waitlist acceptances can and sometimes do occur all the way up until the day before classes start, unfortunately (or fortunately, I guess).

After May 15th applicants can only hold one acceptance at a time, so the waitlists should start to move after that. Like I said, though, it's not unheard-of for folks to be accepted very close to the start of classes.

I don't know if they would be willing to let you know about the progress of the waitlist, but I guess it never hurts to call. 😛

Thanks for the info.

Do you know if they notify people only with postal mail or do they start using phone calls and emails now? Just wondering cuz I'd love to stop checking my mailbox so often....neighbors think I have OCD or something.

 

[Amxcvbcv]

Thanks for the info.

Do you know if they notify people only with postal mail or do they start using phone calls and emails now? Just wondering cuz I'd love to stop checking my mailbox so often....neighbors think I have OCD or something.

I don't know. 🙁

Sorry!

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Thanks for the info.

Do you know if they notify people only with postal mail or do they start using phone calls and emails now? Just wondering cuz I'd love to stop checking my mailbox so often....neighbors think I have OCD or something.

I would be SHOCKED if they called or emailed... they're not fond of giving out admissions info any way but the postal service (for security reasons... what if your brother pretended to be you and found out before you did?). So I think you're going to keep having OCD 🙁 You can probably relax a bit for now though, I doubt there will be much movement for another month or so.