Question about USC

[Jalby]

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Just a PM I recieved recently. Kind of pissed me off.

Hi,

I was reading one of the threads here on SDN and I saw that - correct me if I'm wrong - a student at USC med. I'm applying there for next fall and I was wondering if you could help me out with the secondary they have. It's not tough- just a 250 word essay. I don't know if that's the same thing you got but the question is expected: "why USC?"

I've read the MSAR article and visited the website, but I'd like to know from someone who actually studies there why he/she chose USC and what strengths USC has.

I guess to make it easier for you, I'll just ask some specific questions. I would really appreciate it too if you could add anything you feel is important outside of those questions.

Now, here goes:

1. What are some of USC's strengths?

2. How well does its focus on early patient contact work for students?

3. What are some classes that you think are an essential part of USC's curriculum?

Hope I narrowed down my questions for you. thanks!

 

[Jalby]

And now notice the bold when I didn't reply

Hey I was wondering if you could help me out soon, I kinda want to send this secondary in early

 

[Jalby]

my reply:

I already applied to USC once. I'm not going to do it again for someone who I don't even know.

 

[Jalby]

Then what really pissed me off:

That's fine, I know you have *so* much more important things to do. People like you confirm the fact that med school is such a crapshoot process. Thanks for nothing, dingus.

 

[Jalby]

As a matter of fact, I'm in the middle of surgery right now, and working 75 hours a week along with having a test on it on friday. So yes, I do have a hell of a lot better things to do then help someone who I don't know and have never even seen post on SDN write their secondary. Especially the question "Why USC?" If you don't know that question, we sure as hell don't want you here.

And just so you know, I have a 21 on my MCAT and a 182 USMLE score. It's definately not a crapshoot.

(PS MCAT and USMLE numbers are edited)

 

[dr.z]

I would be too.

 

[Jalby]

Then the final pm:

Well ok, thanks anyways. Be sure you get enough sleep so you don't get stuck when your patient has HIV.

PS. congratulations on your wonderful MCAT and USMLE score.

 

[hamhamfan]

Come on. Some of us want to know what it's like to be a USC student. I guess he could have searched your posts, but it doesnt hurt to PM, right?

 

[calstudent]

I agree, Jalby, that the OP caught you at a bad time. But, in all seriousness, I spent a lot of time flipping through USC's website, and I really didn't find as much as I have for other medical schools, and I think he wanted help. Granted, he went overboard, which is not right, but I think he just wanted help.
Personally, I searched through all your posts when I sent in my stuff last week, and it was more than helpful enough. Perhaps he should do the same.

 

[hamhamfan]

why usc has to be the easiest question.
it's in LOS ANGELES, in the GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
the end.

I've only been to the undergrad campus and driven by the hospital... but that part of LA is SCARY.

 

[Mongo]

I'm with you Jalby. He had every right to send the PM hoping to get his secondary mostly written for him, but the dingus and HIV stuff is WAY out of line.

 

[NubianPrincess]

I usually don't agree with making the contents of PMs public, but that last one disgusted me.

Let's face it. I have PMed people about their school before, and have received wonderful and honest advice. But I would never demand that someone give me information on my own time schedule just so that I could reproduce the same answers on a secondary.