UCONN Positives??

[Dogg1]

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I interviewed at UCONN a couple of weeks ago and wondered if anyone on the board has any info about the school? I'm out of state and was a little put off by having gross anatomy for a year and doing most rotations at ambulatory care facilities (interested in surgery). Plus the dean of students wasn't very nice when I asked him a question and the students seemed real tired. I hear it is a great school though. Anyone have any contributions?
Thanks

 

[Dogg1]

bump

 

[deleted77919]

I'm an OOS'er who really liked UConn. Pass/Fail first two years, P/F/H for 3 and 4. There is no AOA because they don't rank students (some might not like this, but students at Harvard and Stanford seem to do ok w/o AOA). I have a friend who attends so I got to meet a number of first year med students, go to West Hartford for some pretty good food, really liked the people. Farmington is just far enough away from Hartford proper that there are some great natural areas if you are into running and biking. Skiing in Vermont isn't very far away. Rivers are pretty close by for canoeing, kayaking, etc.

Cons: Hartford isn't the most happening city. If you are really into bars, etc then you might get kind of bored. Farmington is a suburb of Hartford and is itself pretty small, but West Hartford is just a few minutes away (pretty nice but kinda pricey). I thought the cost of living was a bit higher than what I am used to in VA. Most everyone is from CT, but that means as an OOS'er you are a novelty of sorts.

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[lynn42]

bump

Since no one is answering, I will give you my 2 cents. I interviewed there as an out-of-stater as well and stayed with a student. The students told me that they loved how few tests there are. They have I think it was around 5 tests per year. They don't have a test for anatomy, a test for biochem . . . etc. All of the sections are combined into 1 big test. It is a lot of info, but you are only stressed about the week before the test and not every week. Also, the grading system is pass/fail. That's nice. Also, the facilities are concentrated. You aren't running around to find everything. All the buildings are combined.

One thing I didn't like is the fact that students are NOT given a copy of each lecture at the beginning of the semester. Therefore, you have to be a darn good note taker. The school is concerned about other people using the lecture material. That seems like a drawback.

I love the location however. It is reasonably priced. Plus, the town is so charming. It is also resonably close to Boston and NYC.

Hope that helps 😳

Does anyone know if one can gain residency in Connecticut and then get instate tuition?? I think you can.

 

[Dogg1]

You can get instate residency, but not until the 2nd year I was told-

I asked the dean of students about notes and he got all worked up/irritated (even though they provided notes when he was there)- not a good vibe

 

[deleted77919]

You can get instate residency, but not until the 2nd year I was told-

You can get reclassified as in-state after the first year (provided you register to vote in CT, etc when you get there). Tutition the first year is pretty steep, about 42k, but for years 2-4 it'll be in-state tuition, about 20k less.

 

[Paperboy!]

There is no AOA because they don't rank students (some might not like this, but students at Harvard and Stanford seem to do ok w/o AOA).

no offense to uconn, but i think i know why harvard and stanford seem to do ok w/o AOA...

 

[deleted77919]

no offense to uconn, but i think i know why harvard and stanford seem to do ok w/o AOA...

I wasn't suggesting that they were in the same catagory, but are examples of schools that also don't participate (there are just a handful of others).

The ERAS section on AOA does ask if your school participates in AOA and if so were you AOA. People looking at the app therefore know. And, as I mentioned AOA might be a big deal for some people.

 

[silas2642]

I wasn't suggesting that they were in the same catagory, but are examples of schools that also don't participate (there are just a handful of others).

The ERAS section on AOA does ask if your school participates in AOA and if so were you AOA. People looking at the app therefore know. And, as I mentioned AOA might be a big deal for some people.

Okay, dumb question. But what does ERAS and AOA stand for? I'm guessing I didn't participate in it.

 

[lynn42]

Okay, dumb question. But what does ERAS and AOA stand for? I'm guessing I didn't participate in it.

OOOHHHH- Perfect timing for this thread because I was just accepted today!!! For those of you who are waiting . . . the acceptance comes in a small letter. TRICKERS!!!!!

 

[C.P. Jones]

congrats!!!!!!!!!!

(there goes another spot 🙁 )

 

[ExtraCrispy]

Okay, dumb question. But what does ERAS and AOA stand for? I'm guessing I didn't participate in it.

ERAS = Electronic Residency Application Service - basically it's AMCAS for residency applications.

AOA = Alpha Omega Alpha - it's the one academic honor society in medicine, and at many med schools about 15% of the senior class is elected to it each year.

 

[antihero94]

I am an out of stater, and currently a 2nd year at UConn and perhaps I can offer you some advice.

1) Yes, you do become in-state after 1 year. A little jumping through hoops (ie getting a drivers licence, registering to vote, etc.) but well worth the 10,000 it will save you.

Now for the positives.

1) tons of clinical. Starting around the 4th week of the first year you will be in a primary care office 1 day a week for 4 hours, practicing medicine. This is the type of experience many schools say/want to have, but don't. You will have the skills necessary to kick ass in 3rd year with this program. It lasts for at least 3 years (through your rotations in 3rd year) and you can continue it as an elective in 4th year.

2) Awesome curriculum. Great mix of lecture, conferences, PBL (3 hours per week), dissection, dry labs, etc. About 6 tests per year, which means you are prepared for other large tests in life (aka the USMLE, which we kick ass on).

3) Pass/fail really means pass fail.

4) A cooperative environment. Students really support one another, and with a class size of 80, you get to know everyone.

5) Open bar parties funded by the school after every exam (perhaps the most important thing).

6) Great faculty. Many of whom ONLY teach these days and that is their primary interest.

7) School responds to feedback of students so every year the curriculum is different in response to this feedback.

8) People. UConn definitely attracks a certain type of person. I typically call these people the "anti-gunners." Very interested in academics, but realize that they can be successful without crapping on other people.

And about the location. Farmington is no booming metropolis, and coming from Boston neither is Hartford. But, it definitely has plenty to do. Lots of bars we go out to in Farmington, West Hartford, and Hartford. Great places to study outside of school. Movie theatres. Great restaurants of every flavor, etc.

Anyways, if anyone has any more questions about UConn send me a personal message and I will give you my email address.

-T

(and for those who are interested http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?id=3899)

I interviewed at UCONN a couple of weeks ago and wondered if anyone on the board has any info about the school? I'm out of state and was a little put off by having gross anatomy for a year and doing most rotations at ambulatory care facilities (interested in surgery). Plus the dean of students wasn't very nice when I asked him a question and the students seemed real tired. I hear it is a great school though. Anyone have any contributions?
Thanks

 

[C.P. Jones]

5) Open bar parties funded by the school after every exam (perhaps the most important thing).

wouldn't you want more tests then?! 😛

 

[VPDcurt]

OOOHHHH- Perfect timing for this thread because I was just accepted today!!! For those of you who are waiting . . . the acceptance comes in a small letter. TRICKERS!!!!!

When did you interview?