Texas A&M Accepted for Class of 2013

[iMD]

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lilmuck, did you have to fill out any additional information besides to fafsa application? and when did you get your reward, if you remember?

 

[AggieSean]

lilmuck, did you have to fill out any additional information besides to fafsa application? and when did you get your reward, if you remember?

They're going to send you a sample award offer with an amount that they projected you'll need. You will then edit the sheet yourself and change the amounts to whatever YOU think you will need, for example being married and having a sugar mama I crossed through the projected award for living expenses, travel, etc. I then subtracted those amounts from the total award package.

I believe I got my award in late July.

Everyone:

Relax about financial aid. I know that's easy for me to say, but don't worry, the school will ensure that they get paid.

Are there any other questions about school, 1st year adjustment, life as a med student, etc?

 

[DRTLA]

I wanted to add something about financial aid. As someone who has been through professional school once, I wish I would have known how to make an accurate budget going into that experience. For those of you who were lucky enough to have your undergrad paid for (like myself), most have never been given a chunk of money a couple times of year that is meant to sustain you for a certain period of time. I know in my case, it was not hard to stay under the amount they gave me. However, with a little more planning, I feel I could have cut my loans down fairly significantly.

My situation is a little different now that I have been in the working world with a wife who has a good job (teaching), but if this were my first go round in school, I would probably take out the full amount first semester....live on a budget, and adjust accordingly the following semesters. Even though these loans are at a decent interest rate...they still SUCK to pay back. You are probably going to be looking at $1,500 a month or more of payments when you get done....and while you will have a great income...that is 18,000 a year that you could have saved for retirement or gone on a sweet vacation with your family. I just wish I would have had a little more forethought when I went through it all the first time.

On a completely unrelated note....Sean or CPA, what does orientation involve? I'm sure there are some hype sessions where people tell you how great you are, etc, but what else? Is it all in Temple, CS, or a combo of both. How about the white coat ceremony?

Good luck with the rest of yall's semester....almost done with your first year!

 

[AggieSean]

I wanted to...

On a completely unrelated note....Sean or CPA, what does orientation involve? I'm sure there are some hype sessions where people tell you how great you are, etc, but what else? Is it all in Temple, CS, or a combo of both. How about the white coat ceremony?

Good luck with the rest of yall's semester....almost done with your first year!

That was good advice, DRTLA.

Regarding orientation, no each campus has their own orientation. Honestly there wasn't very much "you're so awesome" stuff, it was more of a welcome to med school we're glad to have you here, etc. Dean Colenda will give a 5 minute talk to both campuses and some other announcements will be made. You will then be split into groups and will stay with them all day doing the obligatory orientation things: setting up e-mail, library resources, intro to the curriculum, etc. We did a few activities as a large group, e.g. we did this thing called "the party" where you had to go to different corners of the room based on responses to a certain situation and you figure out what personality type you are (not MBTI, something else with 3-letters). We also did a thing where you submitted a random piece of info about yourself, Donna (our awesome student services lady in Temple) compiled the list and the class had to guess and figure out who it was.
Starting on Wednesday of orientation, we had some lectures and they were just basics/intro stuff. Yes some of it will be on the first test, no don't freak out.
That's all I can think of, and class is about to start.

 

[cpa2md]

Orientation was part getting to know each other (which was good), part this is how to do things you will not need for 5 years or more (like getting transcripts), and part class. You will hear the fire hose analogy about 26 times.

I did not go to the ropes course, and apparently didn't miss much. Truly, we have interacted with the other campus twice this year...and the use of the term interacting is a stretch!

The dean's dinner was no big deal - it was barbecue on the concourse with a band. It was really not worth the trouble, in my opinion.

The White Coat Ceremony was nice, but probably not worth bringing your family across the country for. Hour-long ceremony, punch and cookies, done.

 

[seelee]

My dog ate the paper about getting on the listserv...can anyone tell me how to do it?

 

[potato head]

My dog ate the paper about getting on the listserv...can anyone tell me how to do it?

i'll PM it to you. it's a bit of a long document.

 

[iMD]

what is/was the dress code for orientation? jeans and a tee?

im a bball shorts, tshirt, flip flops kinda dude..... is that gonna change much the first 2 years of med school?

 

[andon]

hey potato, could i get a pm with that also please?

 

[AggieSean]

what is/was the dress code for orientation? jeans and a tee?

im a bball shorts, tshirt, flip flops kinda dude..... is that gonna change much the first 2 years of med school?

Most people dressed nicely, but it wasn't necessary. And no, most people dress normally for the first two years. There will be days which require professional dress (guest lecturers, presentations by patients, etc.) so that of course means slacks, shirt and tie with white coat for the gents and similar dress for the ladies.

 

[seelee]

My mother-in-law wanted to buy me a stethoscope for graduation/getting into med school. I have heard about the Littmann Cardio III. Is that a good one? Are there better ones?

 

[AggieSean]

My mother-in-law wanted to buy me a stethoscope for graduation/getting into med school. I have heard about the Littmann Cardio III. Is that a good one? Are there better ones?

Mullie, Terri feel free to correct me but that's about as good as they get. Medical equipment (oto/ophthalmoscope, reflex hammer, pen light, tuning fork, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff/sphygmomanometer....I think that's it) makes for GREAT Xmas or "congratulations you graduated/you're in med school" presents, as it can get expensive. If that isn't an option I recommend searching around on e-bay, amazon, google market, etc for cheaper equipment.
A rep from WelchAllyn will come in December (the equipment isn't required until January of your first year unless this changes with the new curriculum) and will sell stuff at a "discount." It's VERY expensive (like $600 expensive), I'd recommend searching around or finding someone who will let you borrow their equipment or rent it, whatever.

 

[potato head]

hey potato, could i get a pm with that also please?

PM sent 👍

 

[seelee]

Mullie, Terri feel free to correct me but that's about as good as they get. Medical equipment (oto/ophthalmoscope, reflex hammer, pen light, tuning fork, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff/sphygmomanometer....I think that's it) makes for GREAT Xmas or "congratulations you graduated/you're in med school" presents, as it can get expensive. If that isn't an option I recommend searching around on e-bay, amazon, google market, etc for cheaper equipment.
A rep from WelchAllyn will come in December (the equipment isn't required until January of your first year unless this changes with the new curriculum) and will sell stuff at a "discount." It's VERY expensive (like $600 expensive), I'd recommend searching around or finding someone who will let you borrow their equipment or rent it, whatever.

Good info, but that didn't answer my question about the brand of stethoscope. Is the Littmann cardio III a good model? Also, how good a quality does the oto, ophthalmoscope need to be? In all the clinics where we will work, we will have some there right? When will we need our own? I had heard that since you only use them on standardized patients, they don't have to be very good quality. Is this true?

 

[AggieSean]

Good info, but that didn't answer my question about the brand of stethoscope. Is the Littmann cardio III a good model?

Mullie, Terri feel free to correct me but that's about as good as they get.

😉

To answer the rest of your question, you should basically find the cheapest thing possible. Yes, every exam room will have all the equipment you need, except for maybe a reflex hammer. The goal here is to save money, so no I don't think quality is very important. DON'T buy a pan-ophthalmoscope either.

 

[seelee]

😉

To answer the rest of your question, you should basically find the cheapest thing possible. Yes, every exam room will have all the equipment you need, except for maybe a reflex hammer. The goal here is to save money, so no I don't think quality is very important. DON'T buy a pan-ophthalmoscope either.

Maybe next time I should actually read your post...my bad.

 

[DRTLA]

😉

To answer the rest of your question, you should basically find the cheapest thing possible. Yes, every exam room will have all the equipment you need, except for maybe a reflex hammer. The goal here is to save money, so no I don't think quality is very important. DON'T buy a pan-ophthalmoscope either.

I have one....biggest waste of $500 ever!

Sean and CPA, what stethescopes do you guys own? I have one that I bought from Welch Allyn (I think it is the Harvey DLX) as well, but don't know if should get the Littman. Did you guys buy your stethescopes from Welch Allyn too?

 

[potato head]

zap.

 

[cpa2md]

I have one....biggest waste of $500 ever!

Sean and CPA, what stethescopes do you guys own? I have one that I bought from Welch Allyn (I think it is the Harvey DLX) as well, but don't know if should get the Littman. Did you guys buy your stethescopes from Welch Allyn too?

The Welch Allyn is fine. I have a Littman Cardio II SE that I won as a door prize at my UTMB interview. 😉 They still haven't rejected me, either. 🙄

Ditto on finding your stuff as cheap as possible. I did get a PanOptic, but I got it on eBay for $300 for the set (including lithium ion handle and otoscope). I have heard strong recommendations about the lithium ion handle, though - they last longer and are about 1/2 the weight of the others. Plus, they make great gifts.

Spend the money you save on a weekend in New York!!!!

 

[bquillera13]

I officially have an apartment in Temple! So relieved!!

 

[AggieSean]

I officially have an apartment in Temple! So relieved!!

Holler! Welcome to Temple. Where you gonna be livin'?

 

[bquillera13]

Holler! Welcome to Temple. Where you gonna be livin'?

I'll be at Chappell Hill!

 

[DRTLA]

I'll be at Chappell Hill!

I guess it all worked out with them? Congrats on finding a place....I think you are going to like it there. As I told you, it would probably be my first choice.

 

[bquillera13]

I guess it all worked out with them? Congrats on finding a place....I think you are going to like it there. As I told you, it would probably be my first choice.

Yeah it worked out. I didn't get the floor plan I wanted. I ended up with a bigger one, but I'm ok with that...even for the extra $50. I just wanted a downstairs apt. really bad!

 

[seelee]

😉

To answer the rest of your question, you should basically find the cheapest thing possible. Yes, every exam room will have all the equipment you need, except for maybe a reflex hammer. The goal here is to save money, so no I don't think quality is very important. DON'T buy a pan-ophthalmoscope either.

what is a pan-opthalmoscope?

 

[seelee]

So assuming I get diagnostic equipment as a gift, and I buy only the absolutely necessary textbooks (and the cheap editions at that), and opt for review books instead of texts, what can I expect to spend my first year on books/instruments. The COA budgets 4400 dollars, I am hoping that most of that can be diverted to other means.

 

[cpa2md]

what is a pan-opthalmoscope?

It's a fancy gizmo for looking at the backs of eyeballs.

 

[cpa2md]

so assuming i get diagnostic equipment as a gift, and i buy only the absolutely necessary textbooks (and the cheap editions at that), and opt for review books instead of texts, what can i expect to spend my first year on books/instruments. The coa budgets 4400 dollars, i am hoping that most of that can be diverted to other means.

$600-$1000

 

[iMD]

is it considered late to be getting an apt right? i wanted to wait til after my finals (around mid may) to go up to CS and put a deposit down on an apt i liked. will i have a hard time finding one?

 

[da8s0859q]

is it considered late to be getting an apt right? i wanted to wait til after my finals (around mid may) to go up to CS and put a deposit down on an apt i liked. will i have a hard time finding one?

This, and just for my curiosity, anyone know anything about the Warehouse?

 

[iMD]

whats the financial aid number? i want to start harassing them 😛

 

[Raleigh1978]

is it considered late to be getting an apt right? i wanted to wait til after my finals (around mid may) to go up to CS and put a deposit down on an apt i liked. will i have a hard time finding one?

I would definitely do it promptly...I had my deposit in late Feb/early March over at Crescent Pointe (which I REALLY like btw), and they said come mid- to late-March things get packed. Maybe give a few properties a call ahead. I think Arbors at Wolf Pen Creek isn't full quite yet, but places like Presidio might be filling up quickly. At the worst, you won't be able to choose which floor you get to live on OR you might be put on a waiting list.

As far as the Warehouse goes, you have to pay for parking, and it's really an arm and a leg. I was looking at it, because I wanted a nice place to stay, but I found that it was too expensive for the square footage. With Crescente, it costs $1190 for 1325 sqft (given that you do have a spacious patio/balcony). The parking is ample, so you wouldn't need a garage. They also had a $200 off special, when I was applying, and I bet if you requested it again, they might be obliging.

 

[sea2sea]

any thoughts on the presidio vs. royal oaks? i have a deposit at the presidio but have some reservations and am considering royal oaks since i've heard that noise can be a factor at the presidio... anyone care to agree/disagree?

 

[Raleigh1978]

any thoughts on the presidio vs. royal oaks? i have a deposit at the presidio but have some reservations and am considering royal oaks since i've heard that noise can be a factor at the presidio... anyone care to agree/disagree?

I have a friend living at Presidio--apparently where most med students live--and he and his friends love it. They had no problems with noise. Conversely, my brother's friend broke his lease and moved out of Presidio because he felt the staff was extremely inattentive, and he was a light sleeper (so he could hear the trains through the cement walls, I guess).

 

[wintermagnolia]

I may have missed this before but I was wondering are there any places in College Station that one should stay away from? Apartment complexes with generally bad reputations?... Also does anyone know any good apartments that are a little less expensive than presidio, royal oaks? Thanks

 

[neb85]

I currently live at Royal Oaks but I'm shipping off to Temple in June (finally done with M2 year, blah). FWIW, I think it's a great complex. The rent is relatively cheap, the apts and the kitchens are huge, and the maintenance guys are always driving around in the golf cart if you need anything. Also Aerofit, the gym, is free - I think that's almost worth the deal if you don't like fighting for space in the weight room at the A&M rec.

I only have one complaint - the walls and ceilings are a bit thin. However that's a problem for most apartments around here, unless you get a top floor unit.

Royal Oaks also has a med student discount... not sure if anyone has mentioned it already.

Congrats on getting in and good luck next year. Looking forward to meeting you guys in Temple!

Nathan

 

[neb85]

I have one....biggest waste of $500 ever!

Sean and CPA, what stethescopes do you guys own? I have one that I bought from Welch Allyn (I think it is the Harvey DLX) as well, but don't know if should get the Littman. Did you guys buy your stethescopes from Welch Allyn too?

If you already have a stethoscope, it's probably not worth it to get another one. I have the Littman, but the Welch Allyn will work just fine. IMO it's easier to order when the reps come around later in the year, but if you want to save money by going online that's fine too. Just know that you won't need any physical exam tools until spring semester - no rush 🙂. They'll tell you everything you need to know when you get there.

 

[DRTLA]

If you already have a stethoscope, it's probably not worth it to get another one. I have the Littman, but the Welch Allyn will work just fine. IMO it's easier to order when the reps come around later in the year, but if you want to save money by going online that's fine too. Just know that you won't need any physical exam tools until spring semester - no rush 🙂. They'll tell you everything you need to know when you get there.

That's kinda what I was thinking. Thanks for the help!

 

[briton]

To all those who ARE buying a tablet:

Which one did you decide to buy in the end? I'm wondering whether I shouldn't just buy the A&M recommended tablet and just be done with it. Has anyone bought another tablet they are happy with? How much was it?

I hate to resurrect an old topic but the deadline to order draws near.

 

[bquillera13]

To all those who ARE buying a tablet:

Which one did you decide to buy in the end? I'm wondering whether I shouldn't just buy the A&M recommended tablet and just be done with it. Has anyone bought another tablet they are happy with? How much was it?

I hate to resurrect an old topic but the deadline to order draws near.

I'm in the same boat as you. I was considering buying the recommended tablet just so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Because it's so expensive, I was also considering waiting until loan money came in and buying something else.

 

[briton]

I'm in the same boat as you. I was considering buying the recommended tablet just so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Because it's so expensive, I was also considering waiting until loan money came in and buying something else.

The recommended tablet is cheaper to buy from A&M than from HP. The question is whether we need anything that expensive. Would be nice not to have to give this any more thought though.

 

[DRTLA]

Did anyone else get the email today with the subject: Scholarship Offer. I was fired up...only to find it was about the Army.

 

[neb85]

To all those who ARE buying a tablet:

Which one did you decide to buy in the end? I'm wondering whether I shouldn't just buy the A&M recommended tablet and just be done with it. Has anyone bought another tablet they are happy with? How much was it?

I hate to resurrect an old topic but the deadline to order draws near.

I just did my time this year as my class's liason to the IT office. I would really recommend buying the one the school suggests. The IT guys will definitely provide free labor and support on any of the "recommended" machines, but I'm not sure about non HSC-recommended ones - you run the risk of not having support on your computer if it breaks and you need it fixed quickly. Keep in mind that the IT department here at the HSC is undergoing a lot of change so many things will probably be very different in a year.

I would say in general, buy what the school recommends - it's usually pretty good and everything is spec'ed out by people who (mostly) know what they're doing. It's a lot easier in terms of compatibility and support, unless you know your way around computers really well.

Nathan

 

[bobsagat]

I just don't know how I feel about tablets. I have never used one...much less owned one. I really don't see myself using the actual tablet application very often, so what would be an added benefit of owning a tablet over a laptop? Sean, Mullie, or CPA, are we absolutely sure that owning a tablet is not that big of a deal. I would hate to buy a new laptop, and have this be the semester they start enforcing that requirement.

don't buy a tablet!

Do not buy a tablet unless you WANT one. Just make sure your computer has a working ethernet card.

Just to reiterate...

 

[briton]

I was going to buy a new laptop anyway because my old PC croaked. I was just wondering how much of a premium I would be paying for a tablet over a plain laptop and whether or not it's worth it. If a laptop with similar specs to the HSC-recommended tablet is not much cheaper I may as well just buy the tablet. That said, there's a lot more choice in laptops than there is in tablets!

Any thoughts?

 

[seelee]

Having owned both a tablet and a laptop, I can say that comparing a tablet to a comparable laptop, the laptop would be significantly cheaper.

The only benefit to a tablet is the ability to draw diagrams, chemical structures, math equations, etc. on your notes. Handwriting text, while the software and quality is good, is still slower than typing. Since most of the notetaking is of the text variety, I recommend a laptop.

When my tablet croaked, I bought one of the new 13 inch aluminum macbooks and I will never go back. It is the most intuitive piece of equipment I have ever used. Plus, since it can run both windows and Mac OS, it is the most versital as well.

 

[cpa2md]

I will tell my story, yet again...I bought the A&M recommended Gateway last year, but I bought it through eBay, with a 3 year Square Trade warranty, new in box, for less than 1/2 what A&M wanted for it. If I need them to, the IT guys will work on it, and I really have had no trouble with it, and I really LIKE the tablet aspect of it.

That being said, Gateway apparently no longer exists as such, and the people with Gateway warranties, from what I've been told, are SOL. Since I have an after-market warranty, mine still exists.😉

Oh, the Temple students got our M1 buddies today, so be on the lookout from us.

Philip? You out there?

 

[DRTLA]

I will tell my story, yet again...I bought the A&M recommended Gateway last year, but I bought it through eBay, with a 3 year Square Trade warranty, new in box, for less than 1/2 what A&M wanted for it. If I need them to, the IT guys will work on it, and I really have had no trouble with it, and I really LIKE the tablet aspect of it.

That being said, Gateway apparently no longer exists as such, and the people with Gateway warranties, from what I've been told, are SOL. Since I have an after-market warranty, mine still exists.😉

Oh, the Temple students got our M1 buddies today, so be on the lookout from us.

Philip? You out there?

I got an email from an A&M student a couple weeks back welcoming me, etc. I emailed back asking if he was my "buddy", but never got a response. I guess if you guys just got them today, maybe it was just someone assigned to welcome me.

 

[cpa2md]

I got an email from an A&M student a couple weeks back welcoming me, etc. I emailed back asking if he was my "buddy", but never got a response. I guess if you guys just got them today, maybe it was just someone assigned to welcome me.

May have just been a random thing, or it may have been one of the people who was assigning buddies who pulled you out first because you're so special. We filled out our sheets two or three weeks ago.

 

[cast128]

Anyone have anything to say about Chappel Oaks in Belton? Do you guys think that is to far away from school, etc? Nice? To Loud? Any information would be appreciated.