Penn State class of 2010

[bluenebula83]

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I will be staying at the Hershey Lodge the night before the 2nd look day. Where is everyone else staying?

Question: What is the dress code for this event?? What is everyone else wearing? They didn't specify anything, so I would assume it is casual-ish.

i'll just be in jeans and a button-down shirt. hope that's casual enuff. 🙂

 

[jackb960]

I won't be able to make the second look weekend. Sounds like it is going to be a great weekend. Just the chance to meet future classmates and fellow students would be enough. I will just have to wait until August 🙁.

Has anyone bought a laptop yet? What are the required specs and are you doing it through PSU or on your own? I really want the smallest laptop I can get and want to buy it before I complete the FAFSA. Any suggestions?

Have fun this weekend!

 

[hardy]

Has anyone bought a laptop yet? What are the required specs and are you doing it through PSU or on your own? I really want the smallest laptop I can get and want to buy it before I complete the FAFSA. Any suggestions?

Get a Dell 710m... If you know how to set up a computer, I wouldn't get the Laptop through PSU.

 

[LT2]

did we decide if we're going to try to meet the night before second look for drinks?

 

[hardy]

did we decide if we're going to try to meet the night before second look for drinks?

Sounds good to me!

 

[LT2]

Sounds good to me!

any other takers? also, anyone know of a good place to grab a drink?

 

[LT2]

so i looked at the orientation schedule from last year and they went to:

Froggies Bar and Restaurant -> in Hershey

TJ Rockwells -> in Elizabethtown

Dukes on the River -> in Harrisburg

anyone know anything about these? i'd lean towards Froggies just because it's in Hershey...

other votes?

 

[hardy]

Dukes on the River -> in Harrisburg

anyone know anything about these? i'd lean towards Froggies just because it's in Hershey...

other votes?

I have heard Dukes is a place where med students hang out sometimes, but that is pretty much my knowledge about any of these. I vote for the Hershey option.

 

[wtwei02]

Froggies was a great place, buckets of beers, foosball, pool, decent food. Notice that I said was...the place shut down less than a year ago. Sorry.

There's not much in Hershey...you can try "Your Place" right across the hospital, "Bears Den" in the Hershey lodge. If you don't mind a smokey dive bar, check out "Shakey's" a block behind the Staples on 422 in Hershey. After that, your best bet is Harrisburg.

 

[LT2]

Froggies was a great place, buckets of beers, foosball, pool, decent food. Notice that I said was...the place shut down less than a year ago. Sorry.

There's not much in Hershey...you can try "Your Place" right across the hospital, "Bears Den" in the Hershey lodge. If you don't mind a smokey dive bar, check out "Shakey's" a block behind the Staples on 422 in Hershey. After that, your best bet is Harrisburg.

thanks for the heads up!!! i'm not into smokey. dive bar, yes, not so much smokey though.

why don't we set it for the bears den in the hershey lodge. i kinda want to check out the lodge anyway. sound good?

 

[hardy]

why don't we set it for the bears den in the hershey lodge. i kinda want to check out the lodge anyway. sound good?

yeah... but are we the two only ones coming? 🙁

 

[bluenebula83]

did we decide if we're going to try to meet the night before second look for drinks?

ya i don't mind meeting up. since i won't hav a car, how r we gonna organize this?

 

[LT2]

ya i don't mind meeting up. since i won't hav a car, how r we gonna organize this?

i'll have a car so i can pick up 3 people? where will you be staying bluenebula? i was thinking about sending an invite through student admissions at PSU if they'll send it out... thoughts? it would be nice if there were more than 3 people who show up! 😳

 

[PhillyEaglesFan]

i'm up for downtown harrisburg. i'm not much of a drinker, but i guess i can chew on some chicken wings or something.

there are some decent places in downtown hbg. kokomos, a sportsbar kind of place, i go to sometimes. it is also just nice to walk around downtown hbg (assuming weather is nice, which it is supposed to be). i'll be available to pick up some folks (assuming you don't mind loud, blaring rap music).

 

[hardy]

I will be able to pick up 2 people... or 3 if they want to get close.

 

[LT2]

ok, so i have a head count of four right now?

eagles fan, would you be up for coming to hershey? or does everyone want to go to harrisburg? something easy for everyone would be nice. i don't know the area at ALL so i'm not much help. how far is kokomos from PSU med center?

 

[PhillyEaglesFan]

i'll be happy to come to hershey. we can meet up/hang for a while there first.

we can figure out later if anyone wants to check out downtown hbg. it's about twenty minutes by highway. (if you haven't guessed already, i'm a local 🙂

 

[LT2]

ok so how about the bears den at the hershey lodge at around 8? we can meet there, hang out and decide what to do from there... sound good?

 

[PhillyEaglesFan]

yup!

 

[LT2]

alright, i've got 4 of us who are planning on showing up. if anyone else is interested, please come! the more the merrier for sure...

i've invited an MSI to join us and bring some other students so we can chat with 'em before Saturday. i'll keep you posted on whether or not he's going to come.

if you need a ride or have any other questions, PM me and we can talk...

 

[wistarrat]

alright, i've got 4 of us who are planning on showing up. if anyone else is interested, please come! the more the merrier for sure...

i've invited an MSI to join us and bring some other students so we can chat with 'em before Saturday. i'll keep you posted on whether or not he's going to come.

if you need a ride or have any other questions, PM me and we can talk...

I have a car and, depending on what time you all want to go out, I'd love to hang out, too. But, I'd be coming from Philly, have to return to Philly Friday night, and then leave again at 6:30am for Saturday's check-in. I guess if anyone else is coming from Philly and wants a ride, especially for Friday night, you can PM me. 😴

 

[LT2]

I have a car and, depending on what time you all want to go out, I'd love to hang out, too. But, I'd be coming from Philly, have to return to Philly Friday night, and then leave again at 6:30am for Saturday's check-in. I guess if anyone else is coming from Philly and wants a ride, especially for Friday night, you can PM me. 😴

wow, that's crazy!! would 8 be too late for you? let us know so we can work with you...

 

[wtwei02]

you know, with gas prices the way they are, you might be better off just gettig a room for the night instead of driving back and forth. There are plenty of cheap places to stay in the area.

 

[wistarrat]

you know, with gas prices the way they are, you might be better off just gettig a room for the night instead of driving back and forth. There are plenty of cheap places to stay in the area.

Yes, true! I've got friends I could crash with, too. But, my parents and sister are coming for Saturday. Umm... am I the only one who invited my family? uh oh.

edit reason: typo

 

[hardy]

I got a "final confirmation" email and it said the following:

Social events
On Friday, March 31st, for those of you arriving early, come to dinner with each
other and some of the current first-year class. We will be meeting in front of the
main hospital entrance at 6pm. See your host or any 1st-year for directions.

I assume we all will go to that instead?

 

[Avianburner]

hey everyone. I'm still not sure what the plans are for friday night. two of the first years are celebrating a birthday (i'm one of em!), so i'm sure we'll be headed out somewhere. One of the "powers that be" said there should be news on more definitive options tomorrow or tonight. Possibly the new Irish bar downtown? Possibly a party on campus? I think it partially depends on how many of you reply and say you're down for some drinks....

About computers, The class is kinda split on whether or not to buy a laptop from the school. I'm pretty sure they don't have enough for everyone to buy one, but a good deal of people got them. I got accepted too late to participate in the program, but I looked over the spec sheet afterward and I personally thought they were too expensive for what you get. The model they received also had some motherboard problems with the sound output (IT is WELL aware of the problem and I'm sure it's a major point to avoid next year...). I ended up buying one when Dell had a deal going. It ended up being worth more than the ones they offer by several hundred, and I ended up paying a few hundred less than the ones they offered. One of the pro's is that they install all necessary software (very little of it which you use first year...), including groupwise email, chart access for 3rd year, antivirus, antispyware, etc. If you're computer illiterate, it's not such a bad deal. Finally, they'll increase your budget (i.e. give you more money out of your government loan) so you can buy a laptop, so you don't have to worry about where the money's coming from.

phew....no more typing for awhile. See you this weekend!

 

[hardy]

If you're computer illiterate, it's not such a bad deal.

I would agree with that. If you are computer illiterate it actually sounds like the best thing you can do since you will get support.

 

[LT2]

I got a "final confirmation" email and it said the following:


I assume we all will go to that instead?

so much easier... see you there!

 

[Avianburner]

Looks like I'm helping give tours to parents on Saturday, so I won't be spending as much time with you all as I'd thought... 👎

I hope to see everyone at the "social" events though! You have the info for Friday night, and for those of you that can stay Saturday night, we'll be going to Shakey's in Hershey.

Enjoy the rest of the week!

 

[PhillyEaglesFan]

OK! Guess I'll see you all Friday night at 6 then!

 

[Avianburner]

Social Schedule for second look day
Courtesy of your neighborhood second look day coordinator (not me)

Friday Night
Meet at Bear's Den next to the Lodge at 7pm
(645 in front of the hospital if you don't know where to go)
After Bear's den, a whole BUNCH of people will be going to Celota's on 2nd Street downtown Harrisburg. By whole bunch, I mean I've talked to many people in both the first year and second year class. Come celebrate my birthday!

Saturday Night
After the day's activities, there will be a BBQ - more info on that on Saturday
Then we're going to Shakey's in Hershey around 9

See you there!

 

[LT2]

we're meeting at the bears den at 7?? what happened to the hospital at 6? 😕 did we all get the same instructions? or are we heading to the bears den from the hospital...

 

[PhillyEaglesFan]

we're meeting at the bears den at 7?? what happened to the hospital at 6? 😕 did we all get the same instructions? or are we heading to the bears den from the hospital...

Change in plans I think. I got an e-mail that said Bears Den at 7. People who need a ride or don't know the way should meet in front of hospital at 6:45 pm. Gonna be a beautiful day!

 

[Avianburner]

Change in plans I think. I got an e-mail that said Bears Den at 7. People who need a ride or don't know the way should meet in front of hospital at 6:45 pm. Gonna be a beautiful day!

What he said

 

[wistarrat]

What he said

Too much driving back and forth for me I have a meeting until 5:30 anyway-- I'll see you guys Saturday morning!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 

[Idioteque]

Quick questions for all you penn staters. are the class lectures available on the internet with the software that plays the lectures slides along with the video? Thanks.

 

[Scalpellum]

Did anyone find anything out that is important during second look day (i.e. laptop program, financial aid, curriculum, grading, etc.)? I wish I could have gone.

 

[astrolux]

Did anyone find anything out that is important during second look day (i.e. laptop program, financial aid, curriculum, grading, etc.)? I wish I could have gone.

I am in the same situation. I couldn't attend because of financial/time constraints but I would really like to know what impressed, or distressed, those who went. I enjoyed my interview at Penn State but I am on a couple of waitlists and so any insight you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hardy]

Did anyone find anything out that is important during second look day (i.e. laptop program, financial aid, curriculum, grading, etc.)? I wish I could have gone.

Laptop program: Don't know about that. If you are compute illiterate you should get it through them, otherwise don't bother.

Financial Aid: Didn't go to that session since the process entirely depends on your personal data. Send your Fafsa to them.

Curriculum: I was actually impressed that they have had an integrated curriculum for some time. It seems to be much more mature than at other schools.

Grading: Honors/High Pass/Pass/Fail. Essentially, ABCF

I am in the same situation. I couldn't attend because of financial/time constraints but I would really like to know what impressed, or distressed, those who went. I enjoyed my interview at Penn State but I am on a couple of waitlists and so any insight you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated.

The second day look (as the anatomy prof kept saying) was quite fun. The mini-lectures they gave were a nice preview for the real courses. The students were really fun and nice. The school really impressed me. The location does not seem to be that bad either. There is some stuff going on in Harrisburg and everything you need is close by. Baltimore, Phily, DC, and NYC are all within a few hours so if you are missing something you can take a daytrip. Being not in a big city with a lot of things to do might actually be better since there are less distractions around. Just imagine going to school in NYC when you neither have a lot of money nor a lot of spare time. It makes much more sense to be in a place like Hershey where you can get away really easily.

 

[Avianburner]

are the class lectures available on the internet with the software that plays the lectures slides along with the video? Thanks.

Currently, the only lectures that we have available online to us are the first year physical diagnosis lectures. The setup is nice, with the powerpoint accompanying the video and changing slides as the lecturer changes slides. While they have the setup in place, it works nicely, students love it, and many other schools are moving toward this, I haven't heard any rumors yet that they will begin to tape all lectures.

Hope that helps!

 

[veruckt]

So after second look day I am 95% sure i will be attending PSU in August.
I have a cat that id rather not give to my parents, so i am looking at offcampus places close by to the medcenter, and also looking for a roommate.
Anybody interested or have any good info?

 

[LT2]

i have to agree with the others, the second look did a really good job of convincing me that i'd be really happy at PSU.

the laptop program is pretty much what's on the website. you pay the money, get the computer and PSU helpdesk when things go wrong.

the grading someone posted earlier

financial aid, same thing

curriculum was really well presented at second look. from what i remember, it's very didactic first year, and second year is small group case based. i wasn't too sure about the case based learning, but i am starting to come around to it. it seems like the students spend enough -- but not too much -- time in class (this should mean something coming from someone who doesn't like to sit in class!).

i was really impressed with the mini lectures given by the anatomy and cardiology professors. Really impressed. i never thought i'd be interested in cardiology but with professors like that, who knows.

the people are really what made the place absolutely outstanding.

the only thing i wasn't too impressed with was the student fitness center. TINY (and i'm not a crazy weightlifter)! i only counted three elliptical machines?!

phillyeaglesfan- sorry i didn't get to chat with you more! good job writing on the board though for our case!

bluenebula- also sorry i didn't get to talk more with you! i saw you at breakfast and not once again after that!

all the others that were there, sorry i didn't get to meet you, i'm sure i'll see you at orientation!

 

[hardy]

the only thing i wasn't too impressed with was the student fitness center. TINY (and i'm not a crazy weightlifter)! i only counted three elliptical machines?!

Yeah, it was pitiful... but luckily they are going to build a new, bigger, one on the east side within the next year or so.

 

[PhillyEaglesFan]

Hey LT, thanks! My handwriting is terrible, perfect for our profession! wistarrat was also among us in the case session, at the head of the table, i think.

Great meeting both of you!

 

[The JockDoc]

Yeah, it was pitiful... but luckily they are going to build a new, bigger, one on the east side within the next year or so.

That part is cool. What type of equipment and facilities are there in the existing gym? Are there free weights, etc?

Does anyone also know what we need to do to apply for on-campus housing?

 

[PhillyEaglesFan]

That part is cool. What type of equipment and facilities are there in the existing gym? Are there free weights, etc?

Does anyone also know what we need to do to apply for on-campus housing?

The free weight area is pretty small. There are dumbbells, goes up to 90-pounders, I think. There was a cage and a Smith machine too. Benches. Pretty small, but a student told me very few people use the free weight area. There is also a Gold's Gym a few minutes away from school. But given the choice between free and $40/month...

I think you can fill out an online app for on-campus housing on the housing website.

 

[LT2]

housing application is online. just submit and wait!

phillyeagles- wistarrat was which one, the one sitting next to you (on your left) or the one to her left? i'm confused. 😕

 

[Scalpellum]

I submitted a thread under Penn State in the pre-allopathic forum area. I don't want to re-post the thread so just go here if you are interested. The thread questions why Penn State does not release their information to USNEWS so they can be ranked.

For on-campus housing go here

 

[wistarrat]

housing application is online. just submit and wait!

phillyeagles- wistarrat was which one, the one sitting next to you (on your left) or the one to her left? i'm confused. 😕

<---- waving!!!
hi!!! yup, I was there! I was the one who asked Dean Davis about US News rankings at the end of the day. I felt like a tool for being concerned about rankings, but thought it deserved an explanation, especially because I see how focused the law students are with this pseudo-evaluation. Anyway, nice to meet you, LT2. But, where were you sitting? I was the one on Philly's immediate left. heh heh. 🙄

 

[Avianburner]

Weird how all of you were in the same PBL group!

Not sure if I met anyone? Did you go out Friday night?
I was one of the parental tour leaders after lunch on Saturday