UC Irvine (UCI) class of 2010!

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I don't remember meeting many non-trads at Second Look; in fact, I cant remember meeting any. You should call the Admissions office and ask for more info, they would probably be able to help with that. Though I should mention that I dont really think of 25/26 as too non-traditional, its not like you're a decade out of college or anything. I think you'll still be able to relate to the 22-23 year olds :)

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sammyusc said:
Is everyone here and old fogy like me?? I'll be 26 in October...

25 isn't old. You're only a year older than me, and I'm still young!
 
Hi! I just finished 1st year and thought I'd comment on a few things.

Meal plan: don't get one. The undergrad campus is too far away to walk to during lunch, and you'll be walking alone. Plus, the 'med cafe' has horribly overpriced food. I'm assuming no one will be living in a dorm and that you'll have kitchens---please use them (or buy cliff bars)

People in there mid-20s or above: around a third of the class (wild guess) falls into this category. And no, no age segregation takes place. As far as non-trads (however you define that) go, we only have a couple people over 30.

The retreat: GO! tons of fun. I guess, if you don't like having a good time, don't go. :)

Housing: most of the 1st years lived in Palo Verde this past year and a few lived in VDC. I understand that UCI started a new grad-housing guarantee which doesn't seem to include med students. In that case, call up the housing offices and try to work it out with them. Persistence tends to work, especially at VDC (I have no idea how they'll fill all of the new housing they just built).

Hope this was helpful. Enjoy the first month---it's a fun ride (seriously, I loved it)! See ya in September!
 
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I called VDC yesterday and they claim to be out of the 1 bed/1bath spaces at both new and old properties....

I really have no idea about housing and won't be able to get into town until right before the school year starts to look for off campus housing. Maybe we'll set up tents somewhere for homeless first year med students.
 
punkrocker said:
I called VDC yesterday and they claim to be out of the 1 bed/1bath spaces at both new and old properties....

I really have no idea about housing and won't be able to get into town until right before the school year starts to look for off campus housing. Maybe we'll set up tents somewhere for homeless first year med students.


Call VDC in mid July and ask about temporary housing. VDC has told me that they will have extra room and should be able to accomodate some med students from August to Sept. 2.
 
SanDiegoSOD said:
Call VDC in mid July and ask about temporary housing. VDC has told me that they will have extra room and should be able to accomodate some med students from August to Sept. 2.

August to Sept 2nd? Don't the VDC leases start Sept 16th?
 
BAM! said:
August to Sept 2nd? Don't the VDC leases start Sept 16th?

Because most VDC undergrads are gone during the summer, VDC has extra spots available throughout the summer months, given on a first-come, first serve basis. This availability ends Sept. 2nd because VDC closes for two weeks for cleaning before students come back. Good luck with housing from Sept. 3 to Sept. 15, it's going to be an adventure :)
 
did you guys turn in your paperwork yet? the ones at the bottom of the link..?
 
I've filled it out except for the vacc form, and I mailed in my palm spring conference form.
 
what is vacc? vaccinations?

how did you fill out the aamc survey? it's not up yet.

Did you send the papers all on one envelope?


do we have any summer reading? i know last year they had summer reading.
 
Hey! I just got accepted and now Im trying to decide between UCI and USC. Could any of you give me some advice (although I'm sure there will be some bias). Is it worth it to go to UCI just to save all that money?
 
i sent all the forms in one envelope. it was super thick and cost 3 stamps.

Hey hero, I doubt going to one school over the other will give you a sizable advantage for residencies. both place well in california. But you have to live in the ghetto vs rich suburbs. I think USC is systems based, i dunno about P/F, but UCI is P/F/H. All I know is that at UCI, the students seemed really happy. good luck!
 
yeah, I meant my vaccination form.
Didn't fill out the aamc survey yet. the only paperwork I sent in is the conference one. The other stuff is just filled out on my desk, waiting to be sent in.

"do we have any summer reading? i know last year they had summer reading."

<<SHHHHH!!! they might hear you....>>
 
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vaccination form? where did you guys get that from?
 
punkrocker said:
I called VDC yesterday and they claim to be out of the 1 bed/1bath spaces at both new and old properties....

I really have no idea about housing and won't be able to get into town until right before the school year starts to look for off campus housing. Maybe we'll set up tents somewhere for homeless first year med students.


I just signed a lease for VDC. I'm moving in July 15th into a 3 bedroom/2 bath. I have a private bath with my bedroom. They've prorated my housing from July 15th-September 15th and then my other lease will begin September 16th. I recommend speaking with the assistant leasing manager, Jean Bennet. She was very helpful in aiding me. They're not kicking me out for two weeks or anything I just start paying rent a little earlier than I planned, but at least I have housing. See you all in August!
 
spify said:
I just signed a lease for VDC. I'm moving in July 15th into a 3 bedroom/2 bath. I have a private bath with my bedroom. They've prorated my housing from July 15th-September 15th and then my other lease will begin September 16th. I recommend speaking with the assistant leasing manager, Jean Bennet. She was very helpful in aiding me. They're not kicking me out for two weeks or anything I just start paying rent a little earlier than I planned, but at least I have housing. See you all in August!

O and I forgot... make sure they know you're a med student at VDC when you speak to them on the phone. Their undergraduate and graduate student policies are different--like graduate students are garenteed parking and undergraduates are not... maybe they're only making the undergradautes move out between sept 2nd and sept 16th because they didn't ask me to.
 
spify said:
I just signed a lease for VDC. I'm moving in July 15th into a 3 bedroom/2 bath. I have a private bath with my bedroom. They've prorated my housing from July 15th-September 15th and then my other lease will begin September 16th. I recommend speaking with the assistant leasing manager, Jean Bennet. She was very helpful in aiding me. They're not kicking me out for two weeks or anything I just start paying rent a little earlier than I planned, but at least I have housing. See you all in August!


That's pretty sweet. I spoke with Jean two weeks ago and she made it clear to me that everyone would be kicked out on Sept. 2; maybe things have changed? I'll give her a call later this weeks. Thanks for the info.
 
Hey guys...I thought I'd join this thread since I was officially contacted by Dr. Peterson yesterday and offered an acceptance...YAY!! I'm soooo happy...I can't wait to meet all of you in August :)
 
for the student ID card, were your names on the computer? does that mean when we get accepted, our names automatically go into the computer to get a student ID? because the student ID card will say "medicine" and have a student ID number...

has anyone gotten theirs yet?
 
Do most first years live in Vista del Campo or does it just seems that way from this thread?

I was just wondering because I remember during the interview they also talked about Palo Verde and Verano place...any insight on those?
 
cHocoBo 118 said:
i believe its because VDC opened up a whole new complex (norte). Last year, it seems like most first years lived in PV.

i'm living in VDC norte btw.

how did you chose b.w. norte and regular VDC? Did you even try palo verde or verano?

for current students, would any of you recommed living off campus?
 
drpac said:
how did you chose b.w. norte and regular VDC? Did you even try palo verde or verano?

for current students, would any of you recommed living off campus?


Like Chocobo, I chose VDC Norte because its brand new. The best part about that is new furniture - if my bed is being furnished, its nice to know that its never been used before. Plus, Norte has washers and dryers in each grad apartment, which is a huge plus for me.
 
SanDiegoSOD said:
Hey is anyone considering purchasing a small meal plan? I'm thinking of getting a voluntary meal plan to use when I'm on campus. I love to cook at home, and will do so every day, but check this out - UCI Dining is all-you-can-eat per meal (unlike UCSD, which was charge-per-item). You can get a 165 meal plan for $809 for the year, working out to $4.90 per meal. Think of the possibilities! Eat a normal breakfast, eat a snack for lunch, and then gorge yourself at an early dinner on campus. You can have, like, three meals in one sitting, if you're so inclined. The potential cost savings are literally blowing my mind... :eek: :D

SanDiegoSOD,

Myself and a classmate of mine have gone to the dining halls periodically. They had this system called punches where you bought credits that were $3 a piece, then you could go for breakfast (1 punch, $3), lunch (2 punches $6) or dinner (3 punches $9). We never really went for dinner but breakfast and lunch was a good deal. They got rid of the punches and now you just put money on your card and use it the same way. Not sure what prices are gonna be. This way you dont have to eat there all the time to get your moneys worth, and you might get sick of it, although the food is actually quite good. On a food note, MedCafe is the closest to Tamkin but the food is not very good, and they raised prices this year so its not even a really good deal. Hope this helps!!
 
cHocoBo 118 said:
hmm good idea. never thought about the meal plan since dorm days.

on a separate note, is anyone going to that retreat in palm springs? I wonder how many first years are expected to attend this thing.

Choco,

I think you should definitely hit the retreat. It is always a blast, and usually 80-90% of the class goes. In addition, I bet at least half of my class (2nd years) will go too, and since it is the weekend after we get back it is a good chance for us to meet you and you to meet us. I am one of the coordinators for the retreat and we are planning a good time. There are always hands on workshops that are fun and not tested on (I REPEAT) this is not tested on. The admin's whole philosophy on the retreat is that it should be a party environment where we all get the heck away from campus for a weekend. Prices are cheap considering it includes two nights at a resort spa and food. There is a casino a mile away where a lot of people will probably hit. We busted our butts to have it scheduled right after a Biochem exam so you all can relax and not worry about studying. Last year we had the test three days later and it sucked!! Just wanted to put my plug in!

- Dave
 
Hey all, hit me up if you have questions about UCI. I've been here for 8 (!) years now, so I'm pretty up on the ins and outs of UCI, the School of Medicine, food, living, etc...
Some nuggets: VDC is the best value in Irvine.
Don't buy a meal plan, trust me.
DO NOT STUDY YET, PLEASE!!!
Go to the retreat, it's amazing.
Peace out, hit me up at [email protected] if you need anything.
 
Hey!...i was wondering if any girls in our class are living in vista del campo- or most are living in palo verde? im moving into vdc starting july 14th (or at least some of my stuff is) and my potential roomie just bailed on me bc she got a spot at pv. :( im just hoping i get paired with a cool laid back med student with zero drama :luck:
 
Beckaroo said:
Hey!...i was wondering if any girls in our class are living in vista del campo- or most are living in palo verde? im moving into vdc starting july 14th (or at least some of my stuff is) and my potential roomie just bailed on me bc she got a spot at pv. :( im just hoping i get paired with a cool laid back med student with zero drama :luck:


Why is she leaving for PV? It's not much cheaper, and though it is closer to the med campus, it's only a little. I would think that the whole resort-style living of VDC would be a fairly big draw for most people.

Oh, and as for the "cool laid back med students with zero drama"... let me know if you find more, I'll throw a party for us at VDC :D :thumbup:
 
SanDiegoSOD said:
Why is she leaving for PV? It's not much cheaper, and though it is closer to the med campus, it's only a little. I would think that the whole resort-style living of VDC would be a fairly big draw for most people.

Oh, and as for the "cool laid back med students with zero drama"... let me know if you find more, I'll throw a party for us at VDC :D :thumbup:

PV=1 year newer, unfurnished, no washer/dryer, slightly cheaper, half a mile closer to med campus, officially "on-campus." Parking sucks, more kids/families in the complex.

VDC=furnished, a little more expensive, washer/dryer (the #1 best feature), pool/spa/fitness center/study rooms (useful), but slight supervision ("RA's"). It's "off campus" and owned and run by an outside company so they hire RA's. I recommend BEING one, since you get FREE RENT and work 4-8 hrs/wk. TRUST ME you'll have the time, I wish I did it 1st year. Would've saved me $8k.

OK, enough ranting. Good luck finding cool laid-back med students with zero drama, they don't exist, at least not after the first month :) I still recommend VDC. I also recommend talking to Gayle Pierce about roommates and housing. She knows all...
 
SanDiegoSOD said:
Why is she leaving for PV? It's not much cheaper, and though it is closer to the med campus, it's only a little. I would think that the whole resort-style living of VDC would be a fairly big draw for most people.

Oh, and as for the "cool laid back med students with zero drama"... let me know if you find more, I'll throw a party for us at VDC :D :thumbup:

I think she's doing PV bc its alittle cheaper and supposedly has bigger rooms?? I dont know but im definitely looking forward to the resort style living! (minus the RA's- what the heck? hopefully they are more for undergrads?) count me in for the VDC party sweet :cool:
 
hey there,

i too am grappling with the housing situation. so today, vista del campo NORTE emailed me offering a 2bd/2bath place- move in date is sept.16th.

an hour later, i get a call from Palo Verde, saying that they are planning to place people from the waitlist, into 2 bd and 3bd apartments soon....and that i should be able to move in before aug. 7th.

thing is, vista wants me to decide/sign the lease by this Friday noon, and Palo Verde can't get back to me until early next week.

i'm not sure which one to take right now since I haven't visited. palo seemed nice when i stayed wf my student host. is vdc that much better? also, i'd have to move 2X if i go to vista since the move in date is not til sept 16th =(

is anyone else going through this? any advice, thoughts? thanks!



SanDiegoSOD said:
Why is she leaving for PV? It's not much cheaper, and though it is closer to the med campus, it's only a little. I would think that the whole resort-style living of VDC would be a fairly big draw for most people.

Oh, and as for the "cool laid back med students with zero drama"... let me know if you find more, I'll throw a party for us at VDC :D :thumbup:
 
like i said before, i got an excellent opportunity to move into pv early (as in May 22) but I didn't actually start living here until about 2 weeks ago.

personally, i think pv is awesome. my fiancee and i have a decent sized 2 br/1 bath apt. we converted the second bedroom into an office which is really nice, we have a full kitchen (no dishwasher, but i'm used to that), plenty of living space. because pv is so new, everything feels really clean, but i'm sure vdc will be very similar. while i wish i had a washer and dryer, i think i am getting a great deal at 1250/month. Oh, and utilities being covered (except for phone and electricity) is a pretty nice deal. I don't know what is covered at vdc.

While it seems that there are a lot of families, it isn't really annoying or anything like that, it just isn't as social as say the freshman dorms from undergrad. It is kinda boring for the summer, but i think i will notice it less and less once i have to study.

My only gripe about living on campus (and i'm sure all you sports fans can side with me) is that UCI's on campus cable system does not provide ESPN, nor do they plan on getting it added in the future (how lame is that). There is also no way to get another cable provider to service your apartment. You can get a satellite dish, but it must go IN your apartment. anyway, i won't go through that whole hassel just to get ESPN, but thought i would let you all know. I am not a big tv watcher...the only thing I do enjoy watching though is sports, and now I am greatly hindered. We do get FSW and FSW2 for all of those awesome UCLA games (GO BRUINS!!!).

one more thing...at the pv community center, they do have tvs that get ESPN, so I propose that all those who love watching college gameday get together at 7:30am (I know we won't be studying that early) for some heeb nationals (the low fat kind), memosas, and some good ole college pigskin!

oh yah, invite me to that no drama party...

see you in august,
noah (that was probably my longest post ever)
 
thanks for the input! i think i will take my chances with PV and i can always put down a deposit with vista.

on a separate note, are any of you girls looking for a place to live in the meantime (between now - sept 15th) before you move into Vista?

I was going to sublet from a grad student at Verano because I had planned on moving into Vista. However, I won't be needing it afterall cuz i found backup housing. The room at Verano is fully furnished, clean, has a bed and desk, and is part of a 2 level townhouse. The girl there is away on internship and she is charging only $500/month including utilities and parking permit.

i'd love to help her find a replacement, so please let me know!





bruinH2Oskier said:
like i said before, i got an excellent opportunity to move into pv early (as in May 22) but I didn't actually start living here until about 2 weeks ago.

personally, i think pv is awesome. my fiancee and i have a decent sized 2 br/1 bath apt. we converted the second bedroom into an office which is really nice, we have a full kitchen (no dishwasher, but i'm used to that), plenty of living space. because pv is so new, everything feels really clean, but i'm sure vdc will be very similar. while i wish i had a washer and dryer, i think i am getting a great deal at 1250/month. Oh, and utilities being covered (except for phone and electricity) is a pretty nice deal. I don't know what is covered at vdc.

While it seems that there are a lot of families, it isn't really annoying or anything like that, it just isn't as social as say the freshman dorms from undergrad. It is kinda boring for the summer, but i think i will notice it less and less once i have to study.

My only gripe about living on campus (and i'm sure all you sports fans can side with me) is that UCI's on campus cable system does not provide ESPN, nor do they plan on getting it added in the future (how lame is that). There is also no way to get another cable provider to service your apartment. You can get a satellite dish, but it must go IN your apartment. anyway, i won't go through that whole hassel just to get ESPN, but thought i would let you all know. I am not a big tv watcher...the only thing I do enjoy watching though is sports, and now I am greatly hindered. We do get FSW and FSW2 for all of those awesome UCLA games (GO BRUINS!!!).

one more thing...at the pv community center, they do have tvs that get ESPN, so I propose that all those who love watching college gameday get together at 7:30am (I know we won't be studying that early) for some heeb nationals (the low fat kind), memosas, and some good ole college pigskin!

oh yah, invite me to that no drama party...

see you in august,
noah (that was probably my longest post ever)
 
My family (myself excluded) was on a river-rafting trip in Tennessee two days ago. There were a total of three families there, and it turns out that one of the families included the guy in charge of building VDC and VDC Norte. Weird, huh?
 
a tinge of nostalgia, going through these forums one year later...

besides what others from my class of 09 have mentioned (go to the retreat, don't study this summer, etc.), I reiterate something that was mentioned a few pages ago - live it up the first month or so. and in that time you'll realize what makes uci different.

not studying every single minute of your free time? the horror (especially to ex-premeds)! no, that time will definitely come...but it would be a pity to miss hanging out with what will inevitably be an awesome class, just because you wanted to cram in that extra bit of histo that you'd most certainly rather forget. I'm not telling you to go wild or anything, but I guess I leave that to your own discretion. beware the digital cameras, though - haha...

it's okay to live a little as a med student. seriously. and one year ago, I never thought I'd be saying that.
 
Hi!

I just got the call from Dr. Peterson on Friday right b4 my vegas trip! Im so excited cuz UCI has been my first choice since forever and i went to uci undergrad. GO ANTEATERS! I now have to scramble to get everything done. Also, i never turned in the UCI financial aid forms...is that bad? Hopefully i can still get some money. YAY! :love:
 
Hi,

Does anyone know when we'll get a copy of the 1st year schedule? I'd like to plan some plane flights, etc. Maybe some 2nd years have a copy of this from last year?

Thanks
 
BAM! said:
Hi,

Does anyone know when we'll get a copy of the 1st year schedule? I'd like to plan some plane flights, etc. Maybe some 2nd years have a copy of this from last year?

Thanks


We won't get a copy until next week, according to the Educational Affairs office (or something like that). Last years schedule won't help us because the curriculum has changed and we start a month earlier than all previous classes.

And Gracey, congratulations! Welcome to the club! :D :clap:
 
thx SanDiegoSOD. an extra month of summer would have been nice... :(
 
cHocoBo 118 said:
congrats! i remember you from a while back really wanting this. See you in a ... a FEW WEEKS. wow... i didnt realize school is starting so soon. i'm in ecuador ahora learning espanol.

Thanks! I now have the pleasure of going through housing hell. I called PV and the convo sounded promising. VDC was not helpful at all... I mite just live off-campus, but its so expensive.
 
Ok folks, for all those who have boring summer jobs or otherwise have time to kill, I've created the class of 2010's very own facebook group! :clap:

The groups name is "UC Irvine SOM Class of 2010" (super creative, huh? :))

You have to request to join the group, because that assures that only group members can see what is posted, unlike SDN which is open to anyone with a browser.

See y'all there!
 
SanDiegoSOD said:
Ok folks, for all those who have boring summer jobs or otherwise have time to kill, I've created the class of 2010's very own facebook group! :clap:

The groups name is "UC Irvine SOM Class of 2010" (super creative, huh? :))

You have to request to join the group, because that assures that only group members can see what is posted, unlike SDN which is open to anyone with a browser.

See y'all there!

i managed to stay away from facebook, my space, etc. throughout all of college...wasn't till after i graduated that i realized it is a decent way to stay in touch (maybe I am just trying to justify it with myself).

anyway, ill bite...

noah
 
C'mon everyone, Noah and I are having a fantastic time with the facebook group - you know you want to join us! :D

P.S. I think I may have accidently turned down a join request... whoops, sorry about that. Please try again, I know most of us have gone through enough rejection over the past 11 months to not have to deal with it on facebook :)

P.P.S. For those still looking at VDC: the leasing manager there was gracious enough to allow me to start a lease on August 4th, and I wont have to move out when VDC renovates in September. That means I'll be at VDC instead of VDC Norte, but hey, I'll take that if it will keep me from having to move three times in two months. Maybe others who were having issues with VDC timing can get permanent placement in August :cool:
 
I think you rejected me on facebook...

I got offered a 2 bedroom at vdc norte but its for sept 16 start date. I dont know if i should just wait it out. I also dont want some random roommate.

Btw..beckaroo, did you find a roommate yet? Im a really laid back, no drama kind of girl :)
 
Gracey103 said:
I think you rejected me on facebook...

I got offered a 2 bedroom at vdc norte but its for sept 16 start date. I dont know if i should just wait it out. I also dont want some random roommate.

Btw..beckaroo, did you find a roommate yet? Im a really laid back, no drama kind of girl :)


Congrats Gracey, welcome to the club! :) I have a 2 bed/2bath at vdc with a random roomie who is going to move out beginning of Sept. After that I hope to get a med student- if you get an offer for vdc same apt style let me know! :thumbup:

On another note, Im gona try to join the facebook club...hopefully SanDiegoSOD doesnt reject me... ;) Just to warn you guys though, a friend of mine made my profile awhile ago and it was pretty much a joke...i hope i dont scare you all :scared:
 
Beckaroo said:
On another note, Im gona try to join the facebook club...hopefully SanDiegoSOD doesnt reject me... ;) Just to warn you guys though, a friend of mine made my profile awhile ago and it was pretty much a joke...i hope i dont scare you all :scared:


Either facebook is acting funny, or I'm a ***** (I'll assume the latter :)) because I "accepted" another person this morning and he doesnt show in the group, just like what happened with Gracey. Hmmm... Don't know why.
Anyways, I made Noah and Gracey admins of the group, so they can add people to.
 
Hi guys,
I'm going to be driving to Cali next week from Seattle. I'm excited! About housing, I called Palo Verde and apparently I'm toward the end of the waitlist (for family housing). I never did the app for VDC, is it worth doing/too late to do? I'm thinking about living in Costa Mesa (seems cheaper than irvine) and commuting. Anyone have any experience with living off campus?
 
if anyone is down in the irvine area before school and wants to meet up, feel free to contact me.

or if you just want to use me to see what pv looks like, that is cool, too.

[email protected]
 
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