Pathology electives

[akshay1]

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Hey there,
I am going to Chicago to rotate in the field of pathology. This is my first time that I'm going to usa. I live in India. I want to know what is expected of me ? What should I get and study before coming ? And any important tips for staying in the usa.
Thank you in advance.

 

[deleted314957]

stay away from the west side and south side of chicago.

 

[Kunu]

working women in America like being referred to as "sweetie" or "babe"

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

Watch the 1st 3 seasons of Jersey Shore and that will get you ready for living in the US. Remember to gym, tan, laundry everyday.

 

[longlakeboy]

This is a great, quick read if you're starting off in pathology and interested as a medical student:

http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Surgical-Pathology-Beginners-Diagnostic/dp/0387744851

Where in Chicago are you rotating? Where you should stay would depend on where you're rotating.

 

[KLPM]

"Homana homana homana" is the socially accepted greeting when meeting particularly attractive women.

 

[BeeDrizzle13]

LOL don't listen to all the jokers in the posts above. Except for the posts saying where not to go and what might be a good to read. When you get here just work hard, treat everyone with respect and be yourself. If you really don't know the social expectations of the US, find someone who does and learn them. Anyways, good luck.

 

[akshay1]

Thank you so much. I'll go through the book. Could you tell me about the dress code? I mean Patho is hardly any clinical so formats compulsory? And are scrubs required ? What all to read?
And most importantly what all to buy and gift the program director?
Thank you

 

[deleted314957]

Your not expected to buy anything for the program director. that is not at all customary in the USA. when you're done I'd shake his/her hand and heartily thank them for the experience.
scrubs would probably be provided by the institution. on the first day i'd show up in a sport coat and tie and then after that i would follow everyone elses lead. you can always remove the jacket and tie on day one if you are over dressed.

 

[mlw03]

Your not expected to buy anything for the program director. that is not at all customary in the USA. when you're done I'd shake his/her hand and heartily thank them for the experience.
scrubs would probably be provided by the institution. on the first day i'd show up in a sport coat and tie and then after that i would follow everyone elses lead. you can always remove the jacket and tie on day one if you are over dressed.

Agree with this advice. Plenty of men in pathology wear pants and a button down shirt, no tie, on most days. But much better to be over rather than under dressed in your situation.

 

[deleted314957]

Addendum

I am really serious, especially for someone coming from a relatively low violent crime rate. You must avoid the areas west of 12th street ( Western Ave.) and south of Roosevelt Road (12th street) . Gunshots are a dally occurrence there-literally- and i speak as an old forensic pathologist. Take a cab ANYWHERE you are are not CERTAIN. And DO NOT make yourself look like a "doctor" with a bag or a stethescope.Don't worry about the academic end of things. you must be active and engaged and be a "team player". you should know enough about "soccer" to know what that means,

 

[lipomas]

haha, when I interviewed at U of C I stayed at some hotel near by and it had bars all over the outside. Scary stuff. Then in the morning I drove to U of C and the plight was unbelievable on the drive over. Immediate campus area was nice though.

 

[longlakeboy]

Addendum

I am really serious, especially for someone coming from a relatively low violent crime rate. You must avoid the areas west of 12th street ( Western Ave.) and south of Roosevelt Road (12th street) . Gunshots are a dally occurrence there-literally- and i speak as an old forensic pathologist. Take a cab ANYWHERE you are are not CERTAIN. And DO NOT make yourself look like a "doctor" with a bag or a stethescope.Don't worry about the academic end of things. you must be active and engaged and be a "team player". you should know enough about "soccer" to know what that means,

If you are rotating at U of C, though, it's fine to stay in Hyde Park. There's virtually no violent crime there - it's actually one of the safer neighborhoods in the city. Having a prestigious university and the POTUS's house there will ensure that.

If you're rotating at Northwestern, Rush, or UIC, you can pretty much stay anywhere north of 18th street (12th/Roosevelt if you want to be more conservative) and east of Damen.

Evanston or Loyola, you'll probably want to stay closer to Evanston or Maywood - both of those are a bit of a hike for Chicago proper.