OSU-COM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

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Listed alot on here, but here are mine:

3.8 cGPA, 3.75 sGPA, 26P MCAT
1000's of hours community service - no exageration
Over 300 hours work at free medical clinic and shadowing my doc
Non-traditional
 
Bump
how's everyones break going? Any more news from anyone?
 
I'm interviewing on Monday, anybody else out there doing the same?
 
Good luck tomorrow. Don't forget to leave interview feedback later.
 
I'm interviewing on Monday, anybody else out there doing the same?

Yeah, same. The weather should be sunny tomorrow in Tulsa. I'm a bit nervous. I hope they like me...
 
Listed alot on here, but here are mine:

3.8 cGPA, 3.75 sGPA, 26P MCAT
1000's of hours community service - no exageration
Over 300 hours work at free medical clinic and shadowing my doc
Non-traditional

RevDoc, I got accepted first round with stats that are lower than yours. The only difference is that I was crazy active in college and I am a traditional student. Just letting you know that I think that you still have a great chance at getting accepted next round (given that you didn't blow your interview). Good luck! :luck:
 
Thanks Bigdog. I also was crazy active in undergrad, and Interview went very well I thought.

Im going to see if I can send in more letters of rec. Also, I've heard of a "letter of intent." Anybody heard of this or know anything about them, whats in them, or if they even work?

Lindsey said they want to see my fall grades, but waiting til Jan is going to drive me INSANE, and my grades kind of speak for themselves (high GPA) I would think. Never had a bad semester so I don't know why they would think I would have one now. Grades are all about discipline (200+ hours = 3.8GPA Grad and Undergrad)
 
Thanks Bigdog. I also was crazy active in undergrad, and Interview went very well I thought.

Im going to see if I can send in more letters of rec. Also, I've heard of a "letter of intent." Anybody heard of this or know anything about them, whats in them, or if they even work?

Lindsey said they want to see my fall grades, but waiting til Jan is going to drive me INSANE, and my grades kind of speak for themselves (high GPA) I would think. Never had a bad semester so I don't know why they would think I would have one now. Grades are all about discipline (200+ hours = 3.8GPA Grad and Undergrad)

I asked my interviewers about the letter of intent, in case waitlisted, and was told basically don't bother. They just recommended following up with Lindsey and Sarah and following their advice. Just curious, how many upper division science classes have you had and what are your current courses?

OSU loves to see histology and many (>3) upper division biology courses
 
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Goodluck to anyone tomorrow and if there are any other interview dates arriving soon. I also hope to see a few pulled from the waitlist at the next round!
 
Just One - Good call on the uppers. I'm on the bubble I guess.

Taking 12 hours upper right now, which woud accnt for the reason waiting. I have all A's in my biology classes though. You would think a trend would be visible.

Taking Histo in the spring. God, I hope they don't want to wait til Spring to see that grade.
 
I appreciate Lyndsey, Sarah, and the whole admissions office - 1000x friendlier and more helpful than anywhere else.

I just feel helpless waiting, and would like to be doing everything possible to show Adcom I'm serious about their school. Still - what exactly is a letter of intent? Swearing youre coming to that school?
 
Letter of Intent basically states that despite being "shunned" (lol no offence by that word) to the waitlist, you're still 150% sure that school (ie OSU) is your number one choice. Most people also use it as an opportunity to go in depth on areas in which they've improved, or to add additional examples that may better the status as a possible canidate.
 
If I remember correctly, you have to pinky swear and cross your heart and hope to die (stick finger in your eye). Without the both of them it won't work

How many of those 12 hours are biology (or science besides organic, since everbody takes organic)?
 
lol - Id be willing to pinky swear, take a solemn oath, or whatever I need to do!

All 12 hours are biology. Since I'm postbacc (non-science), every semester I just take science classes that would help in med school
 
I would guess that you will be fine after reporting all A's this semester. As stated, your stats are better or on par with many of the FIRST rounders except maybe the uppers.

BTW, is anyone else no longer receiving the email notification for this thread? I haven't been getting it for the past few days.
 
lol - Id be willing to pinky swear, take a solemn oath, or whatever I need to do!

All 12 hours are biology. Since I'm postbacc (non-science), every semester I just take science classes that would help in med school

I am too lazy to go back through the thread, but if I am not mistaken, you said you are in biochem this semester, right? If so, I imagine that is the grade they want to see. From what I have been told and read, they like to see the A in biochem.

The waiting is going to suck, but assuming you turn in all A's, I think you are going to get in off the waitlist.
 
I spoke with Lindsay about my waitlist status and she basically said that it was my sGPA (3.0) and that I should try to retake Biochem, because it was my last semester and I got a C in it (which was completely bogus because the professor was a whack job). Anyway, I am looking into taking Biochem at UCO because they offer it at night, 5:45 till 7:00 twice a week. I know a lot of you all went to UCO so I was hoping to get some feedback on the professor who teaches it by the name of D. Gibson. If you all could shoot me some advice that would be great.
 
I took biochem I & II At UCO but not with Gibson. I have heard good reviews. Which book did your class use? Ours used stryer, berg I think. Biochem I was the first twelve chapters I think, it's not in front of me right now. Biochem I was techniques, kinetics, amino acids, enzymes (myoglobin, hemoglobin, protein kinase A, etc), carbohydrates, vitamins, some others. Biochem II was mostly reaction pathways (glycolysis, krebs, ETC, photosynthesis, etc)
 
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I tried to find it on Half.com but I still couldnt remember.
 
If at all possible---try to take a biochem class that will go into a lot of depth on carb and lipid metabolism, strong molecular genetics, and ***molecular endocrinology***....tons o' fun.
 
If at all possible---try to take a biochem class that will go into a lot of depth on carb and lipid metabolism, strong molecular genetics, and ***molecular endocrinology***....tons o' fun.

Good luck getting all that from undergraduate Biochem I
 
Nobleheart, did you take the summer hist/neuro course?
 
I did.....found it very helpful....have triple digit avg. in histo.

They cover all info for first exam plus muscle for the second. Almost everyone that took the summer intro to histo made an A on the first exam....class avg. for lecture was 59%...which is typical for the first exam...pretty painful.

It is intentsive...basically give up July...but well worth it in my opinion.
 
I did.....found it very helpful....have triple digit avg. in histo.

They cover all info for first exam plus muscle for the second. Almost everyone that took the summer intro to histo made an A on the first exam....class avg. for lecture was 59%...which is typical for the first exam...pretty painful.

It is intentsive...basically give up July...but well worth it in my opinion.

I'm convinced
 
I would be intersted however if we do the summer course how does student aid work? Do we file for the summer aid withe fafsa?
 
I would be intersted however if we do the summer course how does student aid work? Do we file for the summer aid withe fafsa?

I don't think federal student aid is available in the summer. They only disburse in the fall and spring. I imagine taking the class would be on your own buck as far as living expenses go, but I have no clue about the class. I would think it is free, but I now that I think about it, nothing is free.
 
I don't think federal student aid is available in the summer. They only disburse in the fall and spring. I imagine taking the class would be on your own buck as far as living expenses go, but I have no clue about the class. I would think it is free, but I now that I think about it, nothing is free.

Aid is available in the summer, I don't know about the details though.
 
Do you know if the summer course costs money? I was under the impression, and this is only because of my previous experiences with federal loans, that you are given two equal disbursements of loans, one at the beginning of fall semester and one at the beginning of spring semester. The total amount of the two disbursements you receive is meant to cover a twelve month period of expenses, so hopefully it will cover our living expenses in the summer. I know one can take out private student loans for the summer, but I didn't think we could take out anything related to fasfa the summer before. I hope some current students will chime in here and share their experiences.
 
The course cost this year was around $500. Everything is tacked onto your fall tuition and fees....makes it nice.

You just enroll and take Dr. Meek by the hand for a month of adventure and pain....mostly adventure.
 
I should mention that this is an online class....with tons of interaction with Drs. Meek and Wilson....and TA's.
 
Thats an affirmative on the Biochem this semester Marsh.

Noble - since its online, do you ever meet at the school?
 
You are welcome to study at the school and utilize library resources. There is a formal class that meets with Drs. Meek, Wilson, and Jarolim, but this is usually exclusive for bridge students. When Lindsey/Dr. Meek sends out the email notification of the course you could ask Dr. Meek if you could come to class.
 
I have a question mainly directed toward the medical students at OSU. What courses (in undergrad) most prepared you for medical school? 😀 thanks
 
Jarolim was one of my interviewers - Super cool/friendly. He seems like the kind of guy who wouldn't mind you coming to sit in on the class.
 
Jarolim is a cool cat....hope he doesn't retire this year.

Helpful classes:

-genetics
-molecular genetics
-molecular biology
-anatomy ****with cadaver disection
-physiology
-biochemistry
-HISTOLOGY
-microbiology/biology of micro-organisms

I am sure there are several focused senior classes that would also be beneficial.
 
Jarolim is a cool cat....hope he doesn't retire this year.

Helpful classes:

-genetics
-molecular genetics
-molecular biology
-anatomy ****with cadaver disection
-physiology
-biochemistry
-HISTOLOGY
-microbiology/biology of micro-organisms

I am sure there are several focused senior classes that would also be beneficial.

Dissection is the big one, followed very closely by Histology. The genetics isn't overwhelming at all, but you should have some exposure prior to med school. Basically know what autosomal dominant/recessive means, etc… Biochemistry and Physiology are big ones as well. Basically you should go onto the site, look at the first year curriculum, then adjust your undergrad/grad schedule to fit in as many of those classes as possible. The summer histo class is totally up to the person. I didn't take it, got a solid B in the class and feel like I retained a lot of the material. I had zero prior histology experience and am ranked almost exactly mid in our class. I state all that to say I'm not the best/brightest of our class by far. The first year is a massive grind on your soul, so I say take July and go have fun. But I'm just a lowly second year….

With all that said, a 2nd year had his home burn down on Thanksgiving day. He's a very close friend of mine and I've spent a lot of time helping to move his family to another student's home. I can honestly say I've never been more proud to belong to an organization/community/family.
Friday morning the president of our school, Dr. Stanley Grogg, took the student and his family to Walmart to buy essentials. The students have banded together to gather donations and Alumni have donated as well. It is one thing to say that being a part of OSU-COM is like being in a family, but it's a whole other issue to actually see the "family" come together.
 
WOW - thats incredible to see the entire school - including alumni and the President come together to help. VERY impressive!
 
wow, yeah that is very impressive. What a community atmosphere! So, when I was interviewing I constantly heard that getting an A in anatomy and Histology simultaneously was close to impossible. Why?😳
 
I had my interview on monday and I think it went alright, anyone have a ballpark figure of how long it takes to find out if you're in? I know that they're having another round of interviews on wednesday
 
Haha as long as I pass and do well on all the steps, ill be happy!

BTW I concur with everyone that the indecent with the school banding together is absolutely amazing!
 
you tend to pick your battles in med school....7hr anatomy/5hr biochem/4hr histo(feels like 5hr) Some times you have a test per week.....keep in mind that 4-5hr courses in med school are not like the undergrad equivalent...you literally cover the avg. undergrad course in a few weeks or less.
 
you tend to pick your battles in med school....7hr anatomy/5hr biochem/4hr histo(feels like 5hr) Some times you have a test per week.....keep in mind that 4-5hr courses in med school are not like the undergrad equivalent...you literally cover the avg. undergrad course in a few weeks or less.

Ya that sums it up. Its a GPA game. You will also have a different background with different strengths/weaknesses than your classmates. You'll have 1 test/week first semester, then you avg 2+ tests/week the second semester. I don’t think it’s impossible at all to get an A in both classes, but the problem is they are both first semester. It usually takes even the best students several weeks to acclimate to the workload and how you must study to keep up. I think that is the biggest deterrent to getting an A in both. Like I said, you’ll learn to devote more time to classes that A: Are more board relevant B: Carry a higher credit hour rating.
 
I am looking forward to school obviously, but as it grows nearer now that I am in, I am growing more intimidated. Oh well, if people before me have done it, i should be able to.
 
Marsh - I was wondering if you would be changing your avatar lol
 
How'd it go? did you do well? Dont forget to post interview feedback and join up with the facebook group in my sig if you want.
 
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