Hey astrocreep96,
Thanks for your response. I am trying to make a final decision on Louisville, that is why I have all these questions. I just have some more:
(a) Do you go to class everyday or are the Tegrity lectures sufficient for you to do well on tests? Are Louisville lecturers big on daily attendance.
I go to class most days, but this most recent block of material I've slacked off a lot. I still read the lecture material and go through the lecture notes. I will occasionally catch a recording on Tegrity, but not unless it's been a long while since we covered something. The professors certainly like to have strong attendance, but it is not mandatory. I will say, I believe the profs. are fairly personable individuals, especially in the first semester, and it's not bad at all to attend the lectures most of the time.
(b) What have you heard about the Trover track ( both positives and negatives)?
I have heard nothing about it. Rural medicine doesn't really interest me.
(c) The school and facilities seemed kinda old when I came in. Are the clinics that way too? Do you feel like newer facilities or updated technology would have made a difference in your education?
I don't think it would have made a difference in my education. The building is on the older side, but it's always in good condition.
The lecture hall at first seemed a bit on the cramped side, but I've since come to find it a little homey. Same with our unit labs - I have my desk full of a toiletry kit (for the rare occasion I am running late or eat an apple and get something stuck in my teeth - pet peeve), coffee mug, Rock Stars, books, pencils, etc. It's my home away from home (which is only a 5 minute bike ride anyway). I like it quite a bit, to be honest.
Clinics depend on where you are. Jewish and Kosair are the big buck places, University is a little older and state funded. It's not too bad - standard urban hospital I guess.
(d) Coming from a big, sunny city, I am concerned about how much fun there is to be had in Louisville. Are there opportunities to decompress after school work is done? ( rec center, activities in city etc).
Lots to do. You'll find out within the first week of orientation. I came from Utah and grew up hiking, backpacking, climbing, etc. I do miss the mountains, but there is much more to do in the city.
Lots of my classmates will go to the bars on the weekends. Not really my thing since I did that in college and I've decided to limit the damage to my liver. Bardstown Rd. has a ton of cool little shops and downtown/4th Street Live always has something going on. I just saw Ben Bailey (Cash Cab) a couple of weeks ago at a comedy club down the street (I live in Downtown).
Now that the weather is nice, I've been riding my road bike a lot (getting ideas for a titanium bike I want to build while I'm at it😀). River Road along the Ohio offers a good 10+ mile ride (one way) if you want, and Cherokee Park has a hilly 2.5 mile loop that I'll bike around for awhile in the morning on the weekends.
There is a nice gym across the street from the hospital (about a block from the school) that is free for students.
(e) How much research opportunities are available to Louisville students? ( especially when you are trying to get competitive for a good residency).
Plenty. I will speak about my experience only since I believe it is unique. I got into the SRSP program the Summer before I started (last Summer) with a particular physician and it has been a great experience. I have a first author publication for a specialty journal that we are getting ready to submit and I had a poster presentation last fall (all in the specialty I want to pursue). I spent last Summer scrubbing into the OR, assisting a fellow with surgeries before the other residents were there, attending clinic with the physician at University Hospital and at his private practice, etc. Phenomenal experience.
(f) Are there supportive mentors that assist you in preparing for residencies? Some schools are not as supportive as others, and even with a good Step score, you might have to go at it alone....
Again, my experience is unique, but it's not out of reach for anyone willing to do the leg work. The physician I researched with last Summer, and will likely research with again this Summer, is the residency director for the specialty I want to go into. He's got a strong presence in the field and has been a great guy to work with. I've had a blast and I can't wait to get into the OR again this Summer. So for me, I've had the best possible mentor I could have hoped for.
There are plenty of regular mentor types in the school for every student, however. We have unit lab advocates (Second Year students that swing by to help out or offer advice), an individual Second Year mentor, academic advisors (mine is also pretty good), and various deans that swing by and provide lunchs for unit labs on rotation. It would be fair to say that I think there are actually too many people looking out for you, and it gets complicated remembering who they all are.
Thanks for taking out the time Astrocreep96... much appreciated.
