***Penn Class of 2012***

[Neuronix]

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So the other day, my little beastie decided to play predator

That's wolf instinct for ya. Your doggie is presenting you its kill as a sign of respect for the pack leader (you!). To anthromorphize your dog, I think it's a combination of pride and instinctual fulfillment. The last behavior wolf pups learn before killing and bringing food back is fetching...

Errr, was I psychology major in college? Yeah...

BTW, be very careful about wanting to buy or bring pets to the city. It's hard to find places that will accept uncaged pets (easier for cats, harder for dogs, I dunno about bunnies 😀). It will limit you quite a bit as to apartment availability and you should ask about this before you even bother to look at places if you have a pet.

 

[Wombat Jones]

That's wolf instinct for ya. Your doggie is presenting you its kill as a sign of respect for the pack leader (you!). To anthromorphize your dog, I think it's a combination of pride and instinctual fulfillment. The last behavior wolf pups learn before killing and bringing food back is fetching...

Errr, was I psychology major in college? Yeah...

BTW, be very careful about wanting to buy or bring pets to the city. It's hard to find places that will accept uncaged pets (easier for cats, harder for dogs, I dunno about bunnies 😀). It will limit you quite a bit as to apartment availability and you should ask about this before you even bother to look at places if you have a pet.

So I'm the pack leader, eh?? Finally!!! I can't really fault her for doing what dogs do, but that poor little squirrel....

Thanks for the warning. I will be starting my apartment search very early; she may be a pain in the ***, but I kinda like having her around.

 

[ziggy793]

So I'm the pack leader, eh?? Finally!!! I can't really fault her for doing what dogs do, but that poor little squirrel....

Thanks for the warning. I will be starting my apartment search very early; she may be a pain in the ***, but I kinda like having her around.

Riverwest allows dogs usually 🙂 That's where I'll be setting fort.

 

[Neuronix]

but that poor little squirrel....

😀 I hope it was the squirrel that keeps digging up my herbs!!!

 

[malicious1116]

So the other day, my little beastie decided to play predator-- she snagged a baby squirrel from the yard, shook it like a stuffed animal, and then proudly threw it on the porch in front of us. I swear she was smiling the whole time. And I'm a sucker for squirrels🙁.

When I was walking to class one day I saw a golden retriever eat a squirrel😱. I was so freaked out and there was a group a people watching it!

On another note. I'm looking for an apartment now. There are apartments for July and Aug on the market now. Some of the ones I wanted to look at were already taken by the time I went to tour a few days later. So I definitely suggest at least starting to look. I'm looking at actually living farther away from campus. A lot of the apartments (that are affordable) near campus are really small. I would also advise those with cars to consider parking when deciding where to live. Certain areas (especially close to campus) are difficult to park. A lot of places sell parking spots but they are like ~120 a month.

 

[wutwinb]

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[Neuronix]

It all depends where, just like the Art Museum. Just check out a map... Graduate Hospital area is about a 20-30 minute walk depending on where, but realtors call all kinds of places things they shouldn't so just check based on street location and a map. Figure about 10 minutes to get over South Street bridge and to the med school, and 8 blocks is around 15 minutes depending on how fast you walk.

The only problem with GHo is that South Street bridge will be closing. That will add significantly to any walking time or you will have to take a bus. GHo actually isn't a real section of town (just something to make it sound attractive to Penn students), so South Philly ads and SWCC ads might be for areas close to Penn as well. You just need to know the streets. Just be careful, as with GHo/SWCC/South Philly/Art Museum/West Philly, they're all transitional areas. Some of the parts of each of those are still kinda scary. That's why they're affordable 😉

As for parking, that's mainly a Center City issue. $120/mo for parking is pretty cheap actually. If you want to get a street parking permit though (required in some parts) you will need to transfer your registration and insurance to wherever you end up living. Pretty much forget about driving into Penn. The parking there they give to students is far from the med school and expensive. Of course traffic too. I know one guy who used to do it and he stopped cause it sucked so much.

 

[ziggy793]

When I was walking to class one day I saw a golden retriever eat a squirrel😱. I was so freaked out and there was a group a people watching it!

All this squirrel talk made my the little advertisement link in gmail turn into squirrel control ads or weird things like a link to a quiz asking if I am a squirrel... hmm 🙄

As for apartments, I would really suggest anything in the confines of market to spruce and from 36th to 17th street. That little area is a 10-30 min walk from campus and realtively safer in my opinion.

As for apartments going up for grabs too quickly, I know that some realtors just get a TON of ppl they show apts to and its like they are herding cattle. And, they act like the apts are the only ones out there that are decent. Many of the smaller realtors/building owners aren't like this and don't push you to make irrational decisions. I really liked Al Shapiro, riverwest owners, and 2400 chestnut (but this has a waitlist already). I really hated city living philly realtors bc the guy who showed me the apt was SO beyond rude and obnoxious. I asked him how much electric was for an apt he showed and snipped at me to go and call PECO. But, that was just my experience....

The apts above trader joes are pretty cute and close to campus, but market is a little sketch late at night. If you are coming down market you will be okay though rather than going down spruce and cutting across to market. Some other favorites are the Dorchester (kind of old building and expensive) and Academy house (old and exp)-- but they are farther from campus. Feel free to PM me if you want to ask me any Qs about my apartment hunting adventure. I am so glad to be done and ready to focus on my move.

 

[malicious1116]

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[ziggy793]

My fiance wants to live out in Penrose, which is SW philly. He likes those apartments and its a lot quieter and less congested. There's a shopping center across the street that has a lot of fast food places, a market, kmart and some other stuff. That will probably be too far for most people but I think I'll be comfortable with it. A 1 bdrm with w/d is 749. They have a fitness center and a club house. It has more of a suburban feel. There are houses in that area too that may be worth looking at. 19142 zipcode.

That sounds like a great deal. I would love to have a w/d but that ups the rent in center city by 200 a month! How would you commute? I know for second year when we have later rotations, it might be better to be closer to campus. But, first year may be easier since we have more set schedules.

 

[IcePanda]

Has anyone's financial aid package come online yet?

Nothing here as of 3pm.

 

[LEB06]

Has anyone's financial aid package come online yet?

Nothing here as of 3pm.

Hey guys,
Finaid is up as of 4:30ish...

 

[IcePanda]

Hey guys,
Finaid is up as of 4:30ish...

Yeah. Mine is up too. Anyone want to discuss what it all means ... in particular the "scholarship(s)" part?

 

[ICanDoThis]

Yeah. Mine is up too. Anyone want to discuss what it all means ... in particular the "scholarship(s)" part?

I think it means they awarded you some type of (merit?) scholarship? Certainly sounds like something that you won't have to pay back. Unfortunately my page says that I have $0.00 in scholarships. Great.

 

[carwreck]

Yeah. Mine is up too. Anyone want to discuss what it all means ... in particular the "scholarship(s)" part?

I believe the scholarship part is merit and/or Need-based (?) scholarship money that you don't have to pay back.

Yay for fin aid being up!

 

[Blossom196]

46K in scholarship here.... good deal. i'm guessing it is need based since they never mentioned any merit based for me.

Do you guys know if the only merit based scholarships are the full scholarships? (btw how i envy you full scholarship ppl!!)

 

[carwreck]

46K in scholarship here.... good deal. i'm guessing it is need based since they never mentioned any merit based for me.

Do you guys know if the only merit based scholarships are the full scholarships? (btw how i envy you full scholarship ppl!!)

Merit-based scholarships are not limited to only full tuition and can be partial.

You got 46k in scholarship money. That's well over full tuition! I don't think full merit-based scholarships cover anything other than tuition, but I could be wrong. You sound like you're set though! Congrats!

 

[malicious1116]

Yall ready for Penn Preview!

P.S. we have to keep this thread on the first page😀

 

[finallygavein]

Does anyone have a link to the academic calendar for first years in 2008?

 

[linuxizer]

Does anyone have a link to the academic calendar for first years in 2008?

It's on the acceptance page (click the red Accept arrow up top, then "Academic Calendar"). Copied below:

2008 Day Holiday/Event/Deadline Time
March Preferred FAFSA filing
April 9 Wednesday Preferred Filing for Penn Financial Aid
April 24-26 Thursday-Saturday Penn Preview
May 1 Tuesday Deadline for deferral request
Financial aid packages available 5:00 pm
May 15 Tuesday Only one school choice for applicants
Tuition deposits due 5:00 pm
August 11-15 Monday-Friday Orientation (First Year)
August 15 Friday White Coat Ceremony (First Year) 3:00 pm
August 18 Monday Classes Begin (First Year) 8:00 am
August 25 Monday Classes Begin (Second Year) 8:00 am
September 1 Monday Labor Day - No Classes
November 26 Wednesday Thanksgiving Recess Begins 5:00 pm
December 1 Monday Thanksgiving Recess Ends 8:00 am
December 23 Tuesday Winter Break Begins (First Year) 5:00 pm
2009 Day Holiday/Event/Deadline Time
January 5 Monday Winter Break Ends 8:00 am
January 19 Monday Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No Classes
March 6 Friday Spring Break Begins 5:00 pm
March 16 Monday Spring Break Ends 8:00 am
May 17 Sunday Medical School Graduation
May 25 Monday Memorial Day - No Classes
June 22 Monday Summer Break Begins (First Year)

 

[wutwinb]

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[Textuality]

Hmm...maybe that's last year's calendar.

Oh, I finally get to join this thread!!! Bwahaha! I knew my optimism and skilled nagging would pay off 😛

I'm coming to Penn next year! I got a call and an acceptance this afternoon 🙂 I'm also looking to buy a house..hmm...

 

[wutwinb]

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[Textuality]

Anybody know how heavily textbooks are used? I was hoping to be able to rely mostly on powerpoint slides and such 😛

Do you know when we get a list of books we need to get?

 

[Neuronix]

Do not buy books without first consulting with a second year. They will give you a list of books to buy and most are pretty useless. You will only need maybe 3-4 books. Feel free to show up with 0 books and figure it out when you get there. I could try to assist but I'm entering my 6th year and my memory is hazy.

The powerpoint slides and notes handed out for each lecture are the most high-yield of anything you can study. From there if you want to read books, I'd recommend review books like Clinical Micro Made Ridiculously Simple, BRS Path, BRS Physio, Lippincott's Pharm, etc...

 

[linuxizer]

Hmm...maybe that's last year's calendar.

It's the 2008-2009 calendar, but maybe they copy/pasted it into the calendar from last year without changing the day-of-week. It happens. Either that, or anyone who doesn't decide by today is screwed!

Ari

 

[wutwinb]

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[Neuronix]

Usually they call or send an e-mail and wait before doing things like deaccepting people. Don't fear too much 🙂 May 15th is and has always been the deadline for these sorts of things but if you're having issues call and I'm sure someone can help you.

 

[linuxizer]

oo, don't scare me like that . i'm taking my deposit in to admissions tomorrow morning. if they said tuesday was the deadline, they might have to drag me out kicking and screaming (and crying), lol.

Sorry! For the record, it's obviously May 15, not Tuesday. 😀

Ari

 

[malicious1116]

Hmm...maybe that's last year's calendar.

Oh, I finally get to join this thread!!! Bwahaha! I knew my optimism and skilled nagging would pay off 😛

I'm coming to Penn next year! I got a call and an acceptance this afternoon 🙂 I'm also looking to buy a house..hmm...

Congrats! I'm so happy for you. I know how bad you wanted it

 

[carwreck]

Hmm...maybe that's last year's calendar.

Oh, I finally get to join this thread!!! Bwahaha! I knew my optimism and skilled nagging would pay off 😛

I'm coming to Penn next year! I got a call and an acceptance this afternoon 🙂 I'm also looking to buy a house..hmm...

Congrats Text!!!!!! I'm very happy for you!

On another note, does anyone know when we will be getting Penn Key/email and whatnot. Is that at orientation all the way in August?

 

[Wombat Jones]

Woohoo Text! Glad to see you over here in this thread!

 

[linuxizer]

I heard somewhere that the alumni association gives stethoscopes to the incoming class during their White Coat Ceremony, but haven't been able to find that in print anywhere. If they don't then I'll start looking for a used one over the summer. Can anyone confirm?

Also, still no information about immunizations. I'd like to get those done in the next month or two so that work picks up the tab while I'm still on good insurance. Does anyone have a link to last year's list?

Thanks 🙂
Ari

 

[wutwinb]

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[linuxizer]

The entering class of 2007 definitely got free stethoscopes from the Penn Alumni association last year. So, I'm hoping they keep that tradition alive for us, because apparently those things are kind of pricey...

Cool. I won't buy one then, and we'll see 🙂. Next decision's going to be whether to do the optho/otoscope kit or just sneak by without one. SDn's advice seems to be decidedly mixed on this.

Thanks for the tip,
Ari

 

[Neuronix]

On the oto/ophthalmoscope, I say wait and see what you think. When I was a second year they were very adamant that EVERY STUDENT MUST BUY ONE, but in reality some people didn't and when it was time for the "required" standardized patient exams, those who didn't have one would borrow from those who did have. You won't need it until second year anyway. I think they're most useful if you want to do volunteer work in many clinics or other countries. It can be useful if you're just hanging around the clinics and like doing those exams, but usually if such an exam is required there will be one around for you to use. Personally, I'm partial to the panoptic scope, and I feel like your standard ophthalmoscope is just playing around with a light and a magnifying glass.

 

[linuxizer]

Good to know. I guess I won't worry about it until it becomes a problem.

Ari

 

[linuxizer]

Immunizations are here if anyone else needs them:
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/imreq0809.html
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/penn_health_requirements_2008-2009.pdf

Ari

 

[Textuality]

Thanks Ari 🙂

Haha, now if i can only find somebody who has records of my immunizations...
Yeah, my parents and I have moved around so much that keeping track of that kind of stuff has gotten trickier and trickier through the years. Especially since I was born in China and spent 2 years in thailand...I'm pretty sure I'm vaccinated against everything by now..

Side note: Everytime I read one of those school x vs y threads, I always want to go "PPEEEENNNNNN!!!!" Haha, but I'm sure my extreme enthusiasm for my school would be construed as obnoxious, haha, and get me beaten up. So I'll just do it here:

PENN IS AWESOME! BEST. SCHOOL. EVER. 🙂
Haha, I'm in philly right now, and everytime I go to Penn campus, I smile like an idiot. My mom wants me to bring her a Penn SOM jacket back (you know how parents are)...anyone know where I can find one? The bookstore only has Penn and wharton stuff it seems. thanks!

-Andi

 

[linuxizer]

My mom wants me to bring her a Penn SOM jacket back (you know how parents are)...anyone know where I can find one? The bookstore only has Penn and wharton stuff it seems.

During revisit weekend students were selling Penn Med paraphernalia for prices around 1/3 of the bookstore through a non-profit student organization. It sounded like they have a storefront somewhere during defined hours. Definitely the way to go if you can find them.

Ari

 

[Wombat Jones]

So I set up my Pennkey/password, but I am being denied access to the roommate list. Anybody else having the same problem?

 

[ziggy793]

So I set up my Pennkey/password, but I am being denied access to the roommate list. Anybody else having the same problem?

I am. They are probably uploading something... hmmm 🙄

 

[Neuronix]

During revisit weekend students were selling Penn Med paraphernalia for prices around 1/3 of the bookstore through a non-profit student organization. It sounded like they have a storefront somewhere during defined hours. Definitely the way to go if you can find them.

I'm not sure to whom you refer. A long time ago before I started there was an actual Penn Med bookstore on the first floor of BRB. It closed up because it was unprofitable.

There's now Dolbey's on the south side of Spruce between 36th and 37th, which is so expensive as to be a ripoff. I imagine they have Penn Med gear but I haven't set foot in there since I was a first year.

But to get to the point I think you may be referring to the Penn Med Used Booksture (PUB). I haven't been there in a really long time either. Their website is here: http://www.med.upenn.edu/msg/pub.shtml They have some merchandise for sale that you can pick up from Suite 100.

Sorry for the delayed response. I meant to respond and just plain forgot about this thread.

 

[Ben62734]

I am. They are probably uploading something... hmmm 🙄

I was having problems earlier (I managed to mostly avoid the brief "oh no, they revoked my acceptance" panic attack), but it seems to be ok now. Also, my financial aid info changed.. that happen to anybody else?

 

[linuxizer]

But to get to the point I think you may be referring to the Penn Med Used Booksture (PUB). I haven't been there in a really long time either. Their website is here: http://www.med.upenn.edu/msg/pub.shtml They have some merchandise for sale that you can pick up from Suite 100.

Those are the folks I was thinking of. Thanks.

Ari

 

[Textuality]

So can we set up a Penn email account now that we have a key? Anybody know how to do this?

 

[Ben62734]

So can we set up a Penn email account now that we have a key? Anybody know how to do this?

You have to apply for one here: http://www.med.upenn.edu/somis/email.html

It says it takes about a day to process the request (I just put mine in a few minutes ago, so no idea if that's accurate).

 

[Textuality]

Thanks ben!

Anybody happen to know where we can find Orientation info and schedule type stuff?

 

[linuxizer]

Thanks ben!

Anybody happen to know where we can find Orientation info and schedule type stuff?

Hidden in an e-mail they sent 6 days ago:
"The accepted student website will be updated in mid June with important information regarding pre-matriculation and the week long activities of Orientation (August 11 - August 15). Some of these items will require your immediate action. So stay tuned. We will notify you as soon as the website is available to you."

Ari

 

[ziggy793]

Did anyone get the mailing they emailed us about with the PennKey etc? I only got the campus express brochure which says I should have gotten a previous mailing with my pennkey info and I should contact them if I didn't get it yet...

If someone did get the first mailing, what was in it? PennKey...?? Any other info or things to do?