The Under M1 Club: Come on in! part 01

[Biodude]

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Just thought that I'd drop in to relate my responses:

manna - well, you're pretty much right there...there's great opportunity here, but there's also great competition. I figured that if I had to compete this hard to land a spot in getting my clinical experience, I might as well get paid for it. I didn't know that other people may have been thinking the same thing! In fact, the competition has been so fierce that all of my attempts to gain clinical experience thus far (hospice, hospitals, ROP) have utterly, utterly failed. By the way, I hope your son gets better.

jenni4476 - Hmm, I can now see that my points aren't very bad...just the rambling and ranting of an 18 year old (soon to be 19 year old) male. I didn't know that it was hard for CNA's in your area to find jobs...in California, it's pretty darn easy for nurses and nurse assistants to find jobs, while our doctors...let's just say that you wouldn't have to worry about not finding one in my area from any specialty (ENT, Plastic Surgery, Radiology, Family Practice, Peds, Internal Medicine...we almost got 'em all 😛 ). I'm probably going to move to a rural part of California to practice medicine once I'm done with the inital training process (med school thru residency)...or I'll be moving into another state.


Actually, come to think of it, the Medical Terminology won't fit well into my class schedule because of how far away the Garden Grove center is from my university...it's unlikely that I'd get there in 10 minutes, especially considering the traffic. I'll just have to test it out over the weekend, I guess.

Sorry about coming off as sounding arrogant everyone, but I'm just really frustrated, you know? I don't even have CPR certification, yet I claim to be a pre-med. I feel like a charlatan. Especially since my clinical experience has been extremely limited (following around some doctors doing rounds and observing one hernia surgery). Now I see all these pre-meds who are volunteering in the hospitals actually getting patient contact, not stuck doing clerical tasks or candy stripping, etc. Or pre-meds who hold jobs as medical assistants, or EMT's, etc.

I can't believe that I'm a pre-med student because I really have no authority to talk about the life of a physician despite all I've garnered from medical students and residents at SDN...well, if I don't get clinical experience, then I guess I'll just have settle and wait a few years after graduating college to apply. Not my first choice, though. Sometimes I just forget how lucky I am when I start focusing on the negatives of being a Californian pre-med (you've all seen various threads on CA pre-meds and their difficulties, I assume). Maybe in August I can try to get to the ROP center right before it opens.

Well, there may be one hospital out there that I could go volunteer at to get clinical experience, but I don't want to go there, and I notice that a lot of pre-meds have stayed away from that place. That's not all...even if that was the only hospital I could go to to get clinical experience at, I'd still refuse, because I have a personal grudge against it 😡 My father died in that hospital after a surgery (colostomy, I think), and I just did not like the feeling of being there, nor the nurses or doctors who cared for him. Some of the doctors there were just arrogant (like NOT calling for a specialist until it was pretty much too late because "we can handle it" 😡 ) and the nurses weren't even trying to comfort my family while my dad was going through the dying process 🙁 😡 😡 😡

So, I already know the type of doctor I DON'T want to be...and I hope that pre-meds who have those doctors' personalities don't get accepted to medical school when they apply.

 

[minx]

How's everyone,
i starting Summer School on the 26th of june and Tai-chi of the 1st so i will be doing something. But Apart from that still not doing anything i probably look for a job or voluntaring in august since they will more peolple because most will be on vacation. Here in spain Summer holiday stated in Late June (classes end usually end around the 20th,schools and Colleges) thought to mid-september.

Voluntaring ,I feel kind of embarased because you are all doing some wonderful things i am still here doing nothing. So Biodude worry i 'm sure you will find something soon🙂. Well once I signed myself to in this hospice with single mother from unfavoured enviroment & problems but in the the father in the ministry at slu, how also the voluntaring coordinator didn't manage in touch with the social worker he new .

Rugirlie- i think your internship sounds really interesting. Thanks for your advice but her you need special qualifications to work in a hospital . Even in spanish med schools here in spain don't get to se e apatient before 3/4th year of schools. I know before you could and take Care of the and play n the morning ,but i'm definitively not sure about that any way at times i could go i have class at my College.

Manna - i hope your son get better.

jenni- don't work out to much on that ballet.

 

[minx]

How's everyone,
i starting Summer School on the 26th of june and Tai-chi of the 1st so i will be doing something. But Apart from that still not doing anything i probably look for a job or voluntaring in august since they will more peolple because most will be on vacation. Here in spain Summer holiday stated in Late June (classes end usually end around the 20th,schools and Colleges) thought to mid-september.

Voluntaring ,I feel kind of embarased because you are all doing some wonderful things i am still here doing nothing. So Biodude worry i 'm sure you will find something soon🙂. Well once I signed myself to in this hospice with single mother from unfavoured enviroment & problems but in the the father in the ministry at slu, how also the voluntaring coordinator didn't manage in touch with the social worker he new .

Rugirlie- i think your internship sounds really interesting. Thanks for your advice but her you need special qualifications to work in a hospital . Even in spanish med schools here in spain don't get to se e apatient before 3/4th year of schools. I know before you could and take Care of the and play n the morning ,but i'm definitively not sure about that any way at times i could go i have class at my College.

Manna - i hope your son get better.

jenni- don't work out to much on that ballet.

 

[minx]

How's everyone,
i starting Summer School on the 26th of june and Tai-chi of the 1st so i will be doing something. But Apart from that still not doing anything i probably look for a job or voluntaring in august since they will more peolple because most will be on vacation. Here in spain Summer holiday stated in Late June (classes end usually end around the 20th,schools and Colleges) thought to mid-september.

Voluntaring ,I feel kind of embarased because you are all doing some wonderful things i am still here doing nothing. So Biodude worry i 'm sure you will find something soon🙂. Well once I signed myself to in this hospice with single mother from unfavoured enviroment & problems but in the the father in the ministry at slu, how also the voluntaring coordinator didn't manage in touch with the social worker he new . i reall y sorry abot your dad ,i would react in the same way.

Rugirlie- i think your internship sounds really interesting. Thanks for your advice but her you need special qualifications to work in a hospital . Even in spanish med schools here in spain don't get to se e apatient before 3/4th year of schools. I know before you could and take Care of the and play n the morning ,but i'm definitively not sure about that any way at times i could go i have class at my College.

Manna - i hope your son get better.

jenni- don't work out to much on that ballet.

 

[BallerinaTina16]

Hey Biodude, I was just reading your post and wanted to say something real fast.

Dont compare yourself to other people too much. It ALWAYS sounds like everyone else is doing way more and way cooler things than you. You find something you like, that is good for you. Don't force yourself into it. You will be much happier this way.

Okay gotta go to work. The weekend from hell is almost over!!

 

[jenni4476]

Biodude-you don't sound arrogant! My total clinical experience is limited to one week in a nursing home for my class, no one will hire me since I have no experience, and I call myself a pre-med too......proudly. I just figure if I keep looking for a way around this problem, I will eventually find one (there's got to be a pony in here somewhere sort of mentality).

And as far as "the ramblings and rantings of an 18-year old male" go, they're cool! That's what we're here for, to all support each other, right? It's kind of nice for me to get a peek into a "traditional" student's life-especially someone who has their head on straight. 😉

btw...what exactly did you mean by "my (meaning your) points aren't so bad"? I'm not sure I understand what you're referring to there.....don't go getting down on yourself, if I'm understanding you correctly.

minx-no I'm not treating myself too harshly. It's just been a while since I've really pushed myself and I'm kind of getting back into it. It's a form of stress relief for me, and there's a kind of satisfaction involved in envisioning myself as a beautiful ballerina even though I've got a long way to go to get there. Oh well, someday...... It's so cool that you're in Madrid. I had a chance to go to Spain for my high school Spanish classes but my mom didn't want to send me overseas at age 15 so I'll just have to make it over there later on. It just sucks that their hospital system is set up so differently. Do they make allowances for med school admissions if clinical opportunities aren't available to you where you are?

manna-I pm'd you with the info you asked for!

cosmosis-congrats on the A!

Later.....expecting a phone call to come in and I still have dial-up can't wait for my fall financial aid to come in so we can install DSL and get cable-love me some Trading Spaces, just hate to have to go to my girlfriend's house to watch it!

 

[minx]

hi , it tyhe beginning of Jun and it already near 40?C really hot and really sunny ,it normally a lot milder about 25?c.

Jenni- no . Sadly here they they only consider the grade you got on the the end of High School exam "selectivividad" . because in spain you striaght from school to university (no college)I I
hope your husband is much better now with formula and diet.

see you

 

[washkeep]

Biodude, first.... these are a few good methods to relieve stress.

1. Scream outside
2. Dance very poorly to a bad song
3. Sing loudly in your car
4. Run
5. Beat up a stuffed animal
6. Watch Jerry Spring- always makes you feel better about your own life
7. Partying
8. Watch your favorite movie
9. Make-out with someone not too regrettable
10. Finger-paint
11. Make me some cookies
12. Translate German: Du bist so schon! Du sollst nicht kummern. Ich weiss dass du einen sehr gut Arzt sein wirst!
13. Ask random people for hugs
14. Lay down in the grass

Secondly, um you ARE premed. I didn't shadow at all until now(summer after soph year) and i'm sure as hell premed. You are committed, you're taking the classes, you're volunteering... You know being premed, well DO NOT try to fit into some type of mold. There are very few specific rules. For me, I just knew I wanted to care for and help people. I wanted to do somethign rewarding, challenging, and exciting.

Biodude, I think at some point we all freak out. So that's okay, but don't let it consume you. Just do what you can and a little bit more. YOu do not have to volunteer at the hospital where your father passed away.... a review board would understand. But if they didn't.. too f&*%ing bad for them.

You'll make it.

 

[Biodude]

Hey all, sorry about the outburst before, but Father's Day is approaching (Sunday, June 15). While other people may be scrambling to grab gifts for their dads, I'm sitting here thinking about all the nasty things I said to mine two weeks before he died. I really wish that I could have said some things to him before he died, and I wish that I could have retracted some of the things that I did and said to him. I never once told my dad that I loved him, I never told him that I looked up to him as an example that hard work does pay off, and I never told him that he helped me realize what an education was all about. Instead I was the rebellious and spoiled teenager who complained about trivial things...

A parent's death can really make someone mature faster than others of his/her age, can't it? I am constantly shocked at the things other people my age worry about while other people seem shocked at my "maturity" whatever that means.

Anyway, here's what I've been up to:

Just signed up for an orientation for volunteering at a certain hospital...I tried to get in before and it was no go. I think that my nervousness during that particular interview made me seem uninteresting to the interviewers. I know that I will be more assertive this time around.

I don't think that the Plan B I mentioned before would fit into my schedule. Looks like I'm not going to get paid clinical experience. I guess I will settle for volunteering at the hospital. At least that particular hospital won't have me candy striping. 😀

I will be calling the volunteer coordinator at CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County) later today and maybe set up an appointment for interviewing there. wolv4ine, if you are still lurking here, I'd like to thank you for introducing me to this volunteer program.

Lastly, I think that I will be goin' to the soup kitchen to help serve the people who come in for dinner. It really is too bad that most of these people have to depend on a soup kitchen for food...some of them have kids, and it's really heart-breaking to them having to live on the streets. These people don't get any medical care, and lots of them really need it. That's why I'm seriously thinking about becoming a physician who runs a free clinic in a rural/underserved area, paid for by the government.

minx - I'm glad to be hearing more from you. And by the way, how is your Tai Chi class going? Like I said before, Tai Chi is a martial art 😉 I don't know if you've got Windows Media Player for your computer, but if you do, check out this link:

http://media.wu-jing.org/pafiledb/pafiledb.php?action=category&id=1

Anybody interested can go ahead and check it out. It's a TV series about Tai Chi, and yes, that is how it looks like in a fight 😎 Okay, it may be a bit jazzed up to look cool, but those are actual Tai Chi moves from the Chen style...the oldest (historically verified) style. I know that some of the files may not work, but for ones that do, you'll see. Besides, the TV series was directed by Yuen Woo Ping (fight coreographer for the Matrix movies and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), so of course it'll be good stuff to watch.

Hope you do well in volunteering and thanks. Oh yeah, what classes are you taking over the summer?

BallerinaTina16 - Thanks for the reality check. I just feel very behind because I don't have any clinical experience. You know, like how am I supposed to be sure that I want be a doctor when I don't have much hands-on experience on what a doctor does? By the way, I hope you did well on your finals 🙂

jenni4476 - by "my points aren't so bad" I meant that what I considered to be frustration may have seemed very trivial to most of the non-trads I know. Oh yeah, and thanks for the support. I think that I really needed that...as well as from minx and BallerinaTina16. Oh yeah, I know how it's like to have dial-up LOL. I got DSL and never went back.

Well, I'll be back later...

 

[Biodude]

Didn't notice washkeep's post 'til after I posted mine...

Hey washkeep thanks for the tips. And review boards had better understand that bit. I'll be sure to try those things out...and yeah, I'm glad that I'm not unique. That's what I like about this thread. We're all in this together and we can all vouch for the fact that we're all going through the same BS...

Well, I dunno, it's just that I don't like being couped up studying for classes all day long. I like to remind myself of the fact that I want to help people, so that's why I try really hard to volunteer. I know that I'm supposed to focus on grades and MCAT scores because that's what most medical schools seem to want 🙄 but going to school, studying, going to school, studying, makes me stop and what just what the heck I'm doing by doing only that stuff! I really hope that the med school I end up at allows students to see patients during their first and second years...

Now to go meditate (I'm Buddhist) 😀

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Hey all -- Just wanted to check in...nothing really going on in my life except school, school, and more school lol. I did actually get to spend a nice night in with my bf Wed😀 but other than that I've just been studying away lol. My goal is to finish copying questions for biopsych thru chapter 5 today (i've started ch 4)...read over the weekend and hopefully get thru the first five tests Tues and Thurs. We'll see how much I really get done though lol.

Biodude - I know exactly how you feel about the not being premed enough thing. But you are, trust us. CA is sooo much more aggressive about these things then CO for sure. And you are doing way more volunteering then I am yet so just don't sell yourself short. You're doing all the "right" things, on track schoolwise so just have some fun. Volunteering at CHOC would be awesome so good luck! And I kind of know how you feel about your dad too. My stepmom died a few years ago from a brain tumor and I hadn't seen her since I moved out here and didn't even get to go back for the funeral due to money issues🙁 Trust me tho...he does know all the stuff you wish you had said...

jenni - congrats on stepping up the ballet thing...i had to put it on hold again to fit in work study time during the week for fall...someday i'll make it back lol.

Manna - hope your lil one is starting to feel better.

Tina - hope finals went well and good luck on the research interview! I'm sure you'll knock their socks off!

Minx - hang in there...when you do get to the States you can fill in clinical experience then so don't worry too much about it. Just have fun🙂 Good luck with Tai Chi and summer class!

I love your stress relief suggestions Wash! I do 1(indoors tho), 5, and 9 on a regular basis hehe😀

Catch ya all later!
--Jessica, UCCS

 

[agent]

Time to bump this bee-atch.

Sorry guys I was in the hospital a few times (not shadowing 😉) due to some sort of serious GI bleed situation.

I've been on medical disability for 5 weeks. I return to work on Monday. Thank you to those concerned who sent me pms.

I havent had a bleed in 2 weeks now so they are letting me go back to work. I will be traveling to Northwestern twice this summer. Once for a video capsule test to try to determine where this bleed is coming from and a second time to meet with an academic advisor. There's a 99.8% chance that I'll be finishing my undergrad at NW. Registration for the evening courses starts august 4th.

I did graduate and get my Assosciates. I was kind of really disappointed when I saw my final GPA and transcript. There was an F on there from a class I never dropped and thats what was bringing my GPA down so low. I ended with a 3.3 GAG.

Well whatever, once I get to NW my GPA will start over. I still think my GPA on my transcript isnt right though. I managed to get an A in my psych course and a B in my pre-calc course.

I definetely have a strong upward trend on my transcript. the first two semesters were all W's or C's then the last 4 attending semesters were all A's and one B.

Finally, we are officially house shopping. Finally we are getting out of this damned apartment!

Ill be back to work on Monday. I have no summer clases. See you all later.

 

[Biodude]

Hey agent, welcome back! We got stockpiled by a whole bunch of new members while you were away 😀 You know, I'm glad that you started this thread up, because it's really the only one worth goin' to on the pre-allo boards now. I notice that a lot of what pre-meds say on the pre-allo board is either A) a bunch of speculation without any proof or B) flames. Or a combination of the two. It's nice to have a thread where pre-med undergrads and non-trads can come to together and support eachother. By the way, if you plan on catching up on all the days you've missed in the thread, watch out for what Squat n Squeeze has said. That guy's a total troll.

I hope you're doin' alright, and GI bleeds suck. My father suffered from some after receiving radiation treatment for his prostate cancer (and now I don't have a very high opinion on that specialty [Radiation Oncology] despite how some people seem to harp about it). Hope ya get into Northwestern and find yourself a good house! 🙂

Skaterbabe74 - That sounds like a lot to do...when is Bio-Psych officially going to be done and finished with again? Anyways, good luck and hopefully you'll get those tests done 😀 I guess I was starting to sell myself short because it seems like I'm constantly being hit on all sides on not getting a career in medicine...funny thing that the one person who is supposed to discourage me is the only one (well, not the only one) encouraging me. By that I mean my pre-med advisor 😎 Oh well, just obstacles to get through like 2badr said in an earlier post, I suppose...those people weren't kidding when they said that the pre-med journey requires a lot of mental/emotional endurance.

Right now, I am confirmed for an orientation/interview at HOAG Memorial Hospital (it's a place close to the beach; a whole bunch of UCI students volunteer there - any UCI people out here like the Undergrad, I whole-heartedly recommend HOAG for your clinical experience). It offers a lot of hands-on nurse's assistant-type of stuff, and I figure that I've waited long enough. I tried once before, but I guess I flubbed up on my interview because I didn't receive any replies. Oh well, might as well give it a second try.

The application form seems like one I'd fill out for a job though...address, phone number, e-mail, age, languages spoken, prior community service/volunteering/EC's, professional goals (like whether you are pre-med, nursing student, etc.), Social Security #, and several essay questions 😳 like:

"What do you think are the most important characteristics and attributes a person must possess to be successful in patient care? How do you rate yourself in these areas?"

"Do you consider yourself to be assertive and self-sufficient? If so, explain why and give examples."

And the competition is real tough...I thought that if I had to put this much effort into it, I should get some form of monetary compensation for my effort (like most college students, I am strapped for cash). Darn it, now I need to find another way to get a paying job 😡 I still wish that my ROP could have worked out, though...nuts. I have no working experience and I have no skills (in terms of what you're supposed to get with a degree), so it's going to be difficult finding a job (I refuse to work in the campus food court 😛 ) You bet that I'm going to be much more aggressive this time after being rejected last time from that volunteering.

As for boring ol' summer school, I am currently studying for both my 2nd World History exam on Tuesday and my American Studies mid-term exam on Thursday. The American Studies professor doesn't like people usin' any kind of multiple choice tricks (you know like, well the question asks for this, so the answer definitely isn't (b) or (d), etc.), so I have a feeling that the exam will be somewhat difficult, being an all-essay test.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Holy cow - the prodigal son returns hehe...welcome back Agent. We sure missed you around here😀 . I am sorry to hear what a rough time you've had the last couple months, but i'm glad you're doing better now🙂 . Congrats on the AA! One step down! Don't worry about that 3.3 tho...that's a good start, and I'm sure you're gpa will just keep soaring at NW (or anywhere else if it doesn't work out). NW was a dream school for me growing up so you have the utmost respect and awe from me for getting in (I assume you've been accepted since you're 99.8% sure you're gonna go there hehe). Congrats on the 3.5 for your last semester...i remember how much precalc was giving you fits hehe Good luck house-hunting!

Biodude - Biopsych is 8 weeks so the last "class" to take tests will be July 31. It sounds like more than it really is (so long as you've already had A&P) because the first 5 chapters are only 145 pgs. I finished writing the study questions and have answered them for ch 1, currently reading ch 2. The cd rom also has terminology quizzes and a multiple choice quiz for each chapter. I missed only one on each for chapter 1 so I feel pretty good about the class so far lol. I am extremely thankful for having had A&P before this class tho because it's making these first chapters so much easier. Ch 2 is structures of the brain and nervous system, ch 3 is electrical signals, ch 4 chemical signals, and ch 5 hormonal signals....so it looks like it'll be pretty much a review for me. I can't imagine having to memorize things like the skeletal nerves, number of spinal nerves, neuron parts, hormone functions, etc in just a week which is what people who haven't had A&P are having to do if they don't want to take tons and tons of tests at once lol. After this week I won't have to do as many chapters each week but I kind of put off starting any of psych until the weekend except for copying questions lol. I also have like 80 pages to read for comparative religion by Monday afternoon, but I'm not too worried about it.

Good luck with the HOAG interview! I have a feeling you'll get in no prob this time. As far as making money I don't blame ya for refusing to work in the cafeteria hehe...I do too, but what about the library? You can usually get some studying done during your shifts and I don't think you need any sort of "skills" to qualify...

Good luck studying for your exams this week!

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[CH3CH2OH]

hey guys, great to c this thread comming back to life...i was getting worried😛
u guys r all talking about summer classes and i still have two weeks b4 my spring quarter ends...so much stuff to do, bio paper and presentation, quizes, art project, lab finals, lecture finals...
btw, how many of u took the ACS ochem test? how was it? how did u study?
anyway, have to run,
have a great weekend everyone!!!

 

[agent]

Originally posted by Biodude
You know, I'm glad that you started this thread up, because it's really the only one worth goin' to on the pre-allo boards now. I notice that a lot of what pre-meds say on the pre-allo board is either A) a bunch of speculation without any proof or B) flames. Or a combination of the two. It's nice to have a thread where pre-med undergrads and non-trads can come to together and support eachother.

Thanks for the compliment.

I made the same exact observation and thats why I wanted to start up this thread. At this point, this thread is more of a mini-forum inside of the pre-allo forum 😉

Thank you again for all of your concerns. You all are so supportive! And yeah pre-calc was giving me fits but I bore down, got a tutor and I hit a home run at the end 😉

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

I signed up for two classes, Ceramics and Botany for July 7-Aug 8. Don't know if I will keep either, or both, or one. Intriguing though 🙂

 

[minx]

hey whatzup?
This summer iam going to take:

*ENG 190, Advanced Stategies of Rhetoric and Research. June26-1Aug.

I was going to take a theolog class but i could 'nt because i had to a general theology class first.

I just watched the video, the walls of china one .It was pretty amazing.

Welcome back agent!

 

[agent]

Thanks. Glad to be back.

Happy Fathers Day to any dads who are members!

 

[agent]

Looks like the forums are finally back.

Let's a do a role-call for current members:


State where you'll (or where you think) be attending in the fall and your undergraduate year and your age (if you dont mind.)

===========================
In fall: Northwestern
Year: Junior
Age: 25 (will turn 26 july 11th)
============================

 

[Biodude]

Hey all! Glad these forums are finally back online so that I can start ranting again! 😀

As for agent's roll call list, I'll be next:

________________________

In Fall 2003: Cal State Fullerton
Year: Sophomore (in the Fall...I'm still considered a freshman right now)
Age: 18 (19 sometime at the beginning of July - I share a birthday with Tom Cruise)
________________________

What's up with me? Well, I've taken some exams for history and American Studies. The latter exam was pretty tough (all essay, took me about an hour and a half to finish it and I probably didn't do so well...oh well 😳 ) I got my first exam for world history back on the day I took my second one. I got all of the questions right. I missed around 4 questions on my second exam though. Well, I guess that means that I will have to be sure to get all the questions right on the third and fourth exams to ensure an A in the class.

Yesterday I finally went to an orientation/interview at HOAG Memorial Hospital (the one I recommend to you UCI people out there...come on, PM me and let's hook up there if we get in, eh?) It was a bit different this time...for one thing, the application form was given before the orientation in .pdf form through e-mail. The first time I went, the application form was given on the spot. Also, the interviewers asked different questions to everybody. I didn't get the same interview questions as the guy sitting next to me, nor did he get the same as the girl sitting across from him, etc., while the first time I interviewed, everyone received the same questions to answer. Overall, I think it went better this time around because I tried to be more forceful and assertive...all of of my attempts at snagging clinical experience were failures up to this point and I didn't want to blow this chance either.

I'll be studying for my next history exam (Tuesday)...3 more weeks of these classes and then I will be starting on my Psychology and second half of World History classes (you know how world history courses in college are set up...1st is "World civilizations to the 16th century" and then it's "World civilizations after the 16th century"). After this set of classes I should be allowed to take only my major and minor set of courses if I so choose, as I will be finished with all but one of my General Education courses...unfortunately the university doesn't have enough room to fit in everyone in my case 🙄

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Fall: Towson University
Class: Junior
Age: 20

Whee!

BTW, either my school does quality labs(not likely), or other college's chem classes aren't teaching crap to their students. There are people in my class who can't pipet, don't know what burets, filtration systems, etc, titrations are. Its unbelievable. I'm probably one of the better pure workers in the lab, yet I get Bs and Cs instead of As on the reports like they get because I hate doing them. Ugh.
Got an 87 on the test, BTW. Another one Wednesday..will be on solids, molarity/molality, etc..

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Hey all! Gosh I've been going thru such withdrawal the past week while this was down hehe.



"Let's a do a role-call for current members:


State where you'll (or where you think) be attending in the fall and your undergraduate year and your age (if you dont mind.)"
----------------------------------------------------
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
Age: 29
Class: senior by credit but a sophomore by graduation date
-------------------------------------------------------

It's been a strange week for me. I've had a lot of trouble motivating myself to do anything lately lol. But I think I'm coming out of it finally (I hope).

I started taking tests in biopsych on Thursday. Got an 80% for Chapter 1, a 90% for Chapter 2, and have two more attempts at Chapter 3 (first attempt only got a 70).

In comparative religions our prof was sick last Thurs, Mon, and Tues so Mon and Tues we were supposed to come in and watch a 1 hr video over the topic for the day. Considering I spend 2 hours commuting everyday and it's been raining just about every late afternoon/early evening I didn't think it was worth it to go in on those days lol. Thurs we got the first half of our final project questions. So far we have 10 1-2 page essays to write in response to questions out of the book. I hope the second half of our questions aren't as numerous lol. My power had gone out on Thurs from the storms so I missed class then too cuz I didn't know what time it was (all my clocks are electric and I don't have a watch) so our prof was supposed to post the questions on his bulletin board outside his office. Saturday I wasted 3 hours going to school, waiting for the next bus, and coming home because he forgot to post them!! 😡 Luckily this time he had brought a copy of the questions home with him so he emailed them to me last nite. I could have used those 3 hours for some fun at our "springspree" festival downtown instead tho!! Sigh...oh well.

Cozmosis - It's probably a combination of both. Your school doing a decent job at teaching lab skills and the other schools not doing a good job lol. Or you have a lot of people in your class who let the other person do all the work in their labs lol. Do you guys have to write up your entire lab report or do you get a workbook where you just fill in the info to guide you? At our school we have both depending on the class. Actually for G Chem II, my honors class kept a full lab notebook on our own that we had to turn in at the end for a grade and then write a report from that info so we didn't have much leeway in how detailed we kept it lol. The regular G Chem II class had a workbook tho. From what I understand for Organic we keep a lab notebook with carbon copies to turn in each week.

Minx - is your english class the equivalent of English Composition II? (ie. the second half of a full year sequence that we have to take over here...)

Biodude - sounds like you're keeping busy😎 Sorry to hear your second Western Civ exam didn't go quite as well as you would have hoped. I'm sure you'll do great on the next one tho!

Anyway, glad the forums are up again. I missed y'all this week. Off to finish my readings for comparative religion tomorrow, some reading for biopsych, and then start working on those essays lol.

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[MEDicated]

hey guys, im new to student/doctor, but this thread caught my eye and i wanted to encourage all of you to keep up the hard work. i'm 24 and working towards acceptance into medical school and remember finishing my junior year (3 years ago) in VA, having a 2.6 gpa. the medical advisor told me it was hopeless to pursue my new dream of medicine, but i knew i had the capabilities, i had just done a little too much partying and not enough studying. so here i type, after graduating and doing post-bac work at UF, with confidence that it will work out this year. my gpa has been 4.0 for the past two years and my cum is 3.2. b/c of my intense interest in gaining admission this year, i have done quite a bit of research on the process and would love to help any of you out if i can. feel free to ask any questions (ive been around the block🙂) and ill see if i can offer any assistance. good luck everyone!!

 

[minx]

Hi everyone i am happy the forum is open again!

Saint Louis University Madrid Campus.
Age: 23 (I'll be 24 the 24th of August).
Class: Sophomore.


Skaterbabe74: yes ,my english course is the 2nd half of the one year we have to take.

 

[RoseLee]

Hi all.

Yippee, the Forums are back. I didn't realize how much I relied on them to get me through my work week 🙂.

Roll call :

Undergrad/Post Bac (in Spring 2004) : Either Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or CSU Chico. (waiting for my acceptances.....on pins and needles)
Year : Post Bac
Age : 32 (33 in September)

Hopeful entry into med school : Fall 2006 (Class of 2010 baby!!!)

Still finishing my degree classes. 5 more weeks to go. Papers, papers, papers, but I officially graduate on August 1, 2003!!!! I'm currently applying as a second degree student to the above schools and some other "safeties". I really, really want to go to Cal Poly, but I think my chances are slim since I already have a bachelor's degree. But I can dream 🙂.

6 more months til I'm a full-time student again!!

Roselee

 

[RangerD]

I guess I am under M1 too. My standing would be considered a Senior by some, but probably Sophmore by others? I am a Senior in my BBA...I actually only have one class left before I receive a BBA in CIS. However, I have also recently begun taking my pre-reqs for Med School. I have a couple done, but much more to do, so about what a Sophmore would have.

I am a non-traditional student in that I am 32 with 2 kids (9 & 11). I am ex-military. I put off pursuing med school till my kids got about this age. Now we are ready and I am planning to get the pre-reqs done and take the MCAT by next April.

I also work full time to support the family and go to school full time at night. Not much free time is left. Definitely not much time to do any volunteer work, which I know I need to do...but when?!?!

I don't get much sleep nowadays, going to school till 10:30P some nights and having to be up for work at 5:00A. Not much time between for studying, but I have managed to keep my GPA up so far.

The roughest part so far is mainly the sleep deprivation. Other than that, I am excited about going to med school. I just wish it wouldn't take so long to get the pre-reqs and MCAT done....

 

[agent]

Welcome RangerD and MEDicated!

I'm sure both of your experiences will be very helpful to us.

Ranger: I also have two kids so I know how hard it can be to balance work, family and school 😉

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Skaterbabe: We have to turn in carbon copies after each lab, in which we have to copy the procedure basically word for word or we get an Unsatisfactory, then we have to turn in a lab report the next lab. Its a pain..I hate em

 

[RangerD]

Thanks agent. Yeah, this weekend was typical...I shut myself in the study for most of the weekend. I have a big Chem test Monday & Lab Final on Thursday. All A's so far, so hopefully I keep it up. However, I have a tendency to overstudy. I am kind of a perfectionist, I think.

 

[samenewme]

Post-bacc (post masters in Library Science, actually)
Currently attending UW-Milwaukee
Prereqs in progress
Applying probably Spring 2004 for admission Fall 2005 -- if all goes well.

 

[rugirlie]

phew.... an end to sdn withdrawl!

In Fall: Rutgers College
Class: 2005 (I'll be a juinor in fall)
Age: 20 in a few weeks... yay...

Anyone else studying for this Aug MCATS?

 

[manna]

Originally posted by agent Let's a do a role-call for current members:

Agent - Glad to see you're back and recovering... some of us were starting to worry about you! 🙂

Fall: community college locally (Mississippi)
Year: just a few credits shy of being a junior, but I haven't taken any sciences yet 🙁
Age: 26

Nothing much interesting going on here. Only four weeks of summer classes left, so we're cramming to get everything in. I have a critical symbolism essay due today that I haven't even begun on (I'm the world's worst procrastinator) and a HUGE micro exam tomorrow. Guess I shoulda done schoolwork this weekend instead of going to the casino! Gotta get to work.... 🙂

 

[agent]

Manna, are you going to get an associates from that cc and then go a to 4 yr school or what?

 

[manna]

Originally posted by agent
Manna, are you going to get an associates from that cc and then go a to 4 yr school or what?

Probably so. I'm going to take Chem at night this fall/spring, then hopefully transfer to the bigger Uni summer of 2004 to take Orgo. I haven't had Zoo yet, but they only offer it at like 10am in a town that's a one-hour commute each way. Not really convenient for my working schedule. The big U is alot closer to me, commute-wise, but I owe them some back tuition $ I've got to pay off before I can re-enroll there. 🙁

I'm also waffling as to going for a BSN as an undergrad degree. If I did that I'd end up graduating in 2006. Maybe not necessarily the best or shortest route, generally speaking... but I have to face the reality that I DO have a family to support and IF I ended up with a BS in biology... I can't afford to take care of my kids and pay my student loans on $20K/yr... ya know?

So for now I'm thinking I'll either transfer into that or the medical tech program. We'll see how I do in chem.

Thanks for asking ... sorry for the lengthy reply. 🙂

 

[agent]

Ive considered BSN as well. The issue with that is that most of the courses are not offered at night.

 

[manna]

Originally posted by agent
Ive considered BSN as well. The issue with that is that most of the courses are not offered at night.

I'm surprised in such a big city there isn't an evening BSN program... I can think of two around here, but they're both quite a commute for me (2 hours - only because I live in such a rural area/away from the city).

You could always check out http://www.allnursingschools.com

Wasn't a Uni near you beginning an evening Bio BS program?

 

[agent]

Yeah thats Northwestern.

I've considered BSN cause I really like the idea of patient care. Call me a weirdo.

 

[manna]

Originally posted by agent
I've considered BSN cause I really like the idea of patient care. Call me a weirdo.

Nothing wrong with that. 🙂 It takes all types. You could be like Greg Focker - wasn't he supposedly super smart but preferred the care for patients on a more personal level or something? Been a while since I've seen that movie. 🙂

I've known several folks who were pre-med and went into nursing... only to discover they loved nursing so much they decided to stick with it and forget the MD idea. (not having to worry with the headaches and constant career lifestyle of a doc, either!)

(Not to mention the travel nurses who are making $75/hr OMG!)

 

[agent]

Yeah those float pool nurses can make major bank.

Plus they get to generally work in different areas of patient care so its always a bit different.

 

[manna]

Yes, the flexibility of nursing is definately a big plus. Keep us posted on what you decide. 🙂

It's turning into a very sh*tty day here. I'll spare this thread the details, but if you wanna know you can read my blog, and click where it says "the saddest thing" - http://www.livejournal.com/users/mannatat

 

[RangerD]

Yeah, I had considered the nursing route too. If I was gong to do it, I would have done the CRNA. However, when I looked at the time it would take to get the CRNA, it was not much different than the time it would take to get through Med School. At least after Med School, I would have more freedom, etc. Of course there is the residency, but I'll get paid during that time. Total time w/o pay and living on loans is an important consideration...

Since the time would be about the same to get out of school, best bet for me was to follow the dream...🙂

 

[manna]

Originally posted by RangerD
Since the time would be about the same to get out of school, best bet for me was to follow the dream...🙂

That's great! I think everyone who has the opportunity should follow their dreams....

just, well, in some instances... dreams have to be tempered with a big dose of reality.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Hey all!

Well I didn't get quite as much done this weekend as I hoped, but I'm not behind or anything lol.

Spent a few hours yesterday looking for something fun for my bf and I to do while he's taking some time off around the 4th. Think we're either going to go up to denver for a day and visit the museum of nature and science - they opened a new interactive space exhibit that sounds fun, have a really really nice dinner at del frisco's steakhouse (just about everytime we've been there Mike Shanahan, coach of Denver Bronco's has been eating there hehe - that's my bf's fav coach lol) and spend the nite at one of the nicer hotels around there or we'll head up to cripple creek and spend the nite up there (that's one of our casino towns...)

Minx - sounds like fun lol...not...i hated eng comp classes...i'm a decent writer but hate being told what to write about lol.

Cozmosis - See we can reference the procedure from our lab manuals and just write out any differences from that instead of having to write out the entire thing in the lab reports. No wonder you hate doing them lol.

Welcome MEDicated and RangerD!!

MEDicated good luck applying this year!

RangerD - where are you going to school? Between your military background and working full time I don't think adcoms would expect you to have a ton of volunteering, but an idea might be to drop the munchkins at a friend or family member's one or two Sats a month for like 4-5 hours and go volunteer at a hospital...I know it's hard to find the time but how else are you going to know for sure this is what you want to do if you don't experience the setting lol. Good luck on your Chem test today and your lab final Thurs!

Manna - good luck finishing your essay! lol...i so know what you mean about procrastinating tho...I didn't get to do anything fun like go to the casino (did you win? hehe) but I have definitely done my share of it the past week lol.

Ok I've procrastinated enough this morning so I'm off to do some studying...work on biopsych for a couple hours, then switch to comparative religions later or tonite. Last week of comparative religions thank goodness lol. I seriously don't think I've ever been soo bored in a class before!

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[RangerD]

Skaterbabe-

Mainly going to school at UofH, although this summer I'm taking my Gen Chems at community college due to it not being offered in the evening at UofH.

Thanks for your idea about the volunteering. Yeah, I think that is a good idea and something I will try to work in. I am also thinking about doing some volunteering 'on-the-clock'. What I mean is that I am a medical rep and I work with Ortho and Neuro surgeons all the time. I was thinking about approaching one of them and getting them to let me volunteer in one of their offices for half a day each week. That would kill 2 birds with one stone. I need to go by their office every week anyway. That would let me get some volunteer time in, while also getting some good face time with the docs, which could help keep putting food on my table for the time being. Best of all that would not require me to take any additional hours away from the few hours of sleep I get at this point.

What do you think?

 

[washkeep]

Role...
----------------------------------------------------
Washington University in St. Louis
Age: 22
Class: Junior
-------------------------------------------------------

Hey Milwaukee person! I work in Milwaukee and live in a suburb. Aren't you excited for Summerfest?!

So MEDicated... what med schools are you thinking about?

 

[washkeep]

Wait i'm not 22, i'm 20! This could be a long week.

 

[BallerinaTina16]

In Fall: UC Davis
Class: 2005 (if I don't decide to add psych to my major)
Age: 20 (21 in November..... hurry up!)

Its been awhile guys. I got the research job!! I am way excited. Its paid and I will be able to save a little over the summer. I start this week doing some training.

I wish I had time to post more but I'm off for my meeting at work. The U.S. Dept. of Ag is coming to Davis and they are staffing the police force as well as us Aggie Hosts to work while they are here to help out. Look for me on the news! I'm personally driving some of the dignitaries around campus in an unmarked police vehicle. Its too exciting. Hahaha. Will post soon!

Where are you Biodude? IM me soon. You too Skaterbabe.

 

[Biodude]

Hey everyone...

Wow, the thread has sure been quite active during the time that I've been away.

I guess it's a little late but welcome to the club, MEDicated and RangerD!

RangerD - Well, your idea sounds good so far. Skaterbabe74 always offers good advice.

Just a question, but how many of you people are planning on applying for the class of 2010 again? I'm not going to be bumping up my original "applying 2006/class of 2010" thread after all the flaming it received 😀 I know I will be applying for it.

Here's my current "things to do" list:

1. Study for the next world history exam (tomorrow)
2. Start reading the next section for American Studies (the final won't be cumulative! )
3. Call CHOC (still need to get around to doing that)

That's for today. If I stretched it out to the entire week, it would be quite a bit longer. I'm hoping to hear from HOAG within the next one to two weeks...hopefully I'll get in. I really want to obtain some clinical experience here. I certainly won't be satisfied with shadowing anymore because shadowing sort of makes me feel useless since all I do is stand around watching the patient care happening, rather than participate in it. Darn, well, I'll try to get into ROP again in the Fall...

Maybe I'll go see my pre-med advisor again. Hopefully, he won't mind the fact that I'm bugging him with questions for the 5th time in a year. I think I'll be bugging him about 25 times over the course of my pre-med years Well, on the plus side, at least he'll get to know me...I know some people who don't get to know their pre-med advisors.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

RangerD - Surviving the heat and humidity? hehe...

Your volunteer "on the clock" idea sounds great...go for it. The new privacy laws they enacted this year may prevent you "visiting" patients with them but you'd certainly get some exposure then. Sounds like an ideal solution!



Gosh I miss Summerfest and Taste of Chicago...they just don't do things up out here in colo spgs like they do in Milwaukee/Chicago lol🙁


Congrats on getting the research job Tina!! Sounds like you'll have a fun week driving around dignitaries 😀

Biodude - thanks for the compliment. I seem to have good ideas for everyone but myself lately lol. Good luck on your western civ test tomorrow!

--Jessica, UCCS