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- Feb 21, 2013
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I've been trying to gather objective data and feel out my personal impressions on these schools from their Second Looks, but the whole process has made what was once an easier choice much harder (I WAS leaning heavily to UCLA, but Pitt's second look was pretty damn impressive). Rather than just list info on the schools, here's a bit about what I'm looking for.
-Campus culture matters to me a LOT. I want to be around people that are down to Earth, friendly, and chill (to use a word that was really overused at Second Looks) and faculty that will really work with the students (rather than just the space-cadet professors from undergrad). I got a bit of a Southern boy impression at UVA, and I'm not like that at all, but that could be unfairly based on a few people.
-The ability to pick-and-choose projects based on my interests. I want to join clubs, try new things, and do not want to be sitting in class all day. All schools are systems based, have podcasts, and are P/F, though...
-I want to be very prepared to handle all aspects of my residency (procedures, talking to patients, etc) but am very undecided as to what my speciality is going to be
-Cost of living is a factor but not a dealbreaker. I'd rather be able to enjoy myself when the time comes and pay for it later (not that I need to spend money to have fun)
-In terms of location, I'm from the Northeast, but I can get used to most things. I have always loved the idea of LA. I wonder, though, if the things people gripe about (traffic, "fake" materialistic people, smog) will really affect me as a med student. I want to go somewhere that has the best day-to-day experience for the students, not which is the coolest for some in the general city, because that won't be my experience.
Does anyone have any personal insight on which schools may or may not be a fit? Thanks in advance!!
-Campus culture matters to me a LOT. I want to be around people that are down to Earth, friendly, and chill (to use a word that was really overused at Second Looks) and faculty that will really work with the students (rather than just the space-cadet professors from undergrad). I got a bit of a Southern boy impression at UVA, and I'm not like that at all, but that could be unfairly based on a few people.
-The ability to pick-and-choose projects based on my interests. I want to join clubs, try new things, and do not want to be sitting in class all day. All schools are systems based, have podcasts, and are P/F, though...
-I want to be very prepared to handle all aspects of my residency (procedures, talking to patients, etc) but am very undecided as to what my speciality is going to be
-Cost of living is a factor but not a dealbreaker. I'd rather be able to enjoy myself when the time comes and pay for it later (not that I need to spend money to have fun)
-In terms of location, I'm from the Northeast, but I can get used to most things. I have always loved the idea of LA. I wonder, though, if the things people gripe about (traffic, "fake" materialistic people, smog) will really affect me as a med student. I want to go somewhere that has the best day-to-day experience for the students, not which is the coolest for some in the general city, because that won't be my experience.
Does anyone have any personal insight on which schools may or may not be a fit? Thanks in advance!!