Hi funshine 🙂
Here's why I really like Rochester:
I loved the way their curriculum is set up. You only have 2 hours of lecture a day. The rest of the time you have small group stuff or lab. You have a PBL sessions once a week (which is great for finguring out the big picture). A lot of schools only have a few PBL sessions for a course (like 3 for the whole block). Plus, you take the shelf exams (i think that's waht they are called) for some of the blocks... it's a good preparation for the boards and getting used to board-style questions.
You can go abroad multiple times to do an elective or to do research. This was a huge plus since I really want to apply all this public health stuff I learned last year. Plus, you can apply for funding.
They have a standardized patient program (although a bunch of schools have standardized patients now). I think Rochester gives you great clinical training and really tries to produce caring physicians that look at the whole patient. Their curriculum is very touchy-feely. Anyone who went to Hopkins and volunteered as a counselor will understand what I mean when I say their curriculum is very APTT-ish. They want you to ask your patients those silly "how do you feel" questions and really LISTEN to your patients.
I also really liked the students. They seemed really fun and sweet and intelligent. I could totally see myself hanging out with these people.
The only cons are that you must have a car to get around and that there are no on-campus dorms (although i suppose the white coat ghetto is kinda like dorms... i think tons of students live there and it's only 5 minutes away from campus).
I really liked the area. It's beautiful. They have tons of festivals (like a lilac festival or something). Plus I LOVE those old style houses. I think they are called Victorian. At any rate, I thought some of the houses were gorgeous and I'd love to live in a place like that.
Too bad out of state tuition is going to be a killer. However, I've heard tons of people get waitlisted. So I'm not expecting an acceptance 🙁 But we'll see.
Another thing I should mention: the Admissions people are awesome. I interviewed with the Dean of Admissions and he actually took the time to e-mail someone in the obgyn department so I could ask the department director questions. Then the Infertility Director actually took the time to CALL ME and talk to me about their infertility program. It was awesome. This school really cares about it's students and does a lot of little things to make their students feel special.
yeah.... i REALLY liked Rochester..... PM me if you have any questions 🙂
to all!
