University of Maryland Class of 2010 part 01

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Cozmosis said:
So screw that message I wrote! Glad to get out and meet you all, I had a good time. Even if we got kicked out of the loudest bar ever.

And I told you all, F Hopkins!!



Am I missing something? Did you guys start a bar fight without me? 😡
 
Cozmosis said:
No, but I think LS (damn it seems werd using people's SDN names now) almost decked a girl with a birthday cake

LOL more likely almost a nice side-kick to the gut.

But seriously no, I wasn't really mad, just sorta disappointed. I just think that sort of thing is so pointless and I've never really understood attitudes like that, so they tend to irritate me as a matter of course.
 
So what's the whole story about the bar incident? Was the Hopkins girl just being condescending? Did you guys actually get kicked out? Because if you did, I wish I was there to see the rumble.
 
plzletmein said:
So what's the whole story about the bar incident? Was the Hopkins girl just being condescending? Did you guys actually get kicked out? Because if you did, I wish I was there to see the rumble.

Nah, it was no big deal. We had already left the place we had been at for several hours. We probably loitered a little too long, and when it became really busy, being a saturday night and all, they asked us to either give a credit card to keep our tab running or to close it out as a subtle hint that we were taking up too much space/tables and not buying enough booze (at least that was how I took it). Besides, it was so loud by then it really wasn't conducive to conversation anymore. So we closed out and left. We were thinking about trying to find some place else to hang out and tried one more place but they were pretty much just as busy and we had 7 in our party so they didn't have anything readily available for us. So while we were standing outside saying our goodbyes kinda, this girl walked passed and asked if we had a lighter (she was carrying a birthday cake). We all said no, and she was a little incredulous and asked "not a single one of you?" My husband laughed and said something about nah, most of the group was going to be doctors.... she said, oh really, you are and someone filled her in we were soon to be first year med students. She asked where, we said Maryland, she did what akestler described: kinda looked us up and down and then said "oh... hopkins" in what I took as a snotty tone and then went inside the bar.

So sadly, no brawling in the streets and no heated debates about the merits of a turtle vs a blue jay for a mascot. A very minor incident that just rankled a bit. Maryland was/is my top choice and I didn't even apply to Hopkins, so I really don't have an inferiority complex and I don't think anyone else there did either. It was just annoying because it was so reminiscent of something from highschool - like, OMG, did you really get those jeans at Old Navy instead of The GAP!? Just kinda ridiculous.
 
It was an odd encounter, to say the least. Still, it didn't ruin my night. I had a great time hanging out with you all. We've got a cool class, and I can only imagine how much fun orientation week will be.
 
Oh yeah, I completely agree with SQ. It was a great night and we shouldn't just be focusing on that incident. I'm glad we all went out for it - and honestly I know some of you will be busy soon with PSP but let's not wait until orientation to do it again - though definitely wait until some people are actually located in B'more 🙂
 
I stand behind you.

Great start to the week..Avs win, Kings win, Ravens have a great draft, good times over the weekend..

As long as the end of last week doesn't repeat, I'll be in a good mood! 👍
 
it's may! a month from now, i'll be back home in baltimore =). yippeeee.
 
oh, and it sounds like you guys had fun at nacho mama's even if there was a snooty girl. wish i could have been there!
 
Has anyone considered alternatives to the UMB health insurance (hospitalization insurance)? I've been comparing the 2005-2006 plan for UMB with the one you can get through AMSA if you are a member. They do not appear terribly different coverage-wise, especially if you are a young and healthyish individual, but AMSA is half the price for their plan with the $20,000 lifetime max. They have one with $250,000 lifetime max too and that one is still cheaper than UMB, by about $400 for just a student (I am looking at the student + spouse coverage of course and those are cheaper too).

Has anyone else been doing this comparison with any other options or AMSA's plan? The copays for prescriptions and office visits look the same and so I'm thinking it might be a better idea to go with AMSA instead of UMB.

Thoughts?
 
LucidSplash said:
Has anyone considered alternatives to the UMB health insurance (hospitalization insurance)? I've been comparing the 2005-2006 plan for UMB with the one you can get through AMSA if you are a member. They do not appear terribly different coverage-wise, especially if you are a young and healthyish individual, but AMSA is half the price for their plan with the $20,000 lifetime max. They have one with $250,000 lifetime max too and that one is still cheaper than UMB, by about $400 for just a student (I am looking at the student + spouse coverage of course and those are cheaper too).

Has anyone else been doing this comparison with any other options or AMSA's plan? The copays for prescriptions and office visits look the same and so I'm thinking it might be a better idea to go with AMSA instead of UMB.

Thoughts?
UMB's health insurance is really expensive, considering here at Mizzou Todd and I pay about $1600 a year combined (although the rate may be different for grad students). I have not been looking at other plans, but we were mainly waiting to see what kind of job Todd would get, and then what sort of health coverage they provide.
 
Cozmosis said:
As long as the end of last week doesn't repeat, I'll be in a good mood! 👍

I just found out that two projects I thought were due at the end of finals week (next week for me) are in fact due at the end of this week. 😱 I may not be getting a lot of sleep for the next few days...but on the bright side, next week should be a breeze for me.
 
SuzieQ3417 said:
I just found out that two projects I thought were due at the end of finals week (next week for me) are in fact due at the end of this week. 😱 I may not be getting a lot of sleep for the next few days...but on the bright side, next week should be a breeze for me.

Ouch..nothing worse than a ninja assignment.

There's so much construction here. It stinks and it is so loud all day. All for a freaking Starbucks merged with the library.
 
SuzieQ3417 said:
UMB's health insurance is really expensive, considering here at Mizzou Todd and I pay about $1600 a year combined (although the rate may be different for grad students). I have not been looking at other plans, but we were mainly waiting to see what kind of job Todd would get, and then what sort of health coverage they provide.

Wow, $1600. I think I pay around $2500-$3000 out of my paycheck (pretax) over the course of the year for Greg and I through work, but of course work pays more on top of that. But that is really stellar coverage. I expected our coverage would downgrade a bit when I went back to school, and the premium might go up, but UMB's just seems overpriced. Of course that may be what it costs without the employer subsidy, I don't know.

I think we'll end up going with AMSA. I think its a good option, though we'll probably ask our accountant to crunch some numbers between what Greg can get as someone who is self-employed and this plan. I'm already a member of AMSA anyway and membership dues are only $65 a year, so its worth it just for the health insurance. Especially since I'm scared about how much my car insurance is going to go up when we move, and I'm not sure the discount AMSA members have with Geico will help at all.
 
You guys totally rock!! I had fun on Saturday...it was so great to finally meet you, and I totally agree that we should get together again sometime soon. I seriously want to have a bbq or something at my house in June or July...that is, if the train has finished passing through by then, right, SQ?... 🙂

LOL @ that girl with the cake. I told my friends about that incident, and now it's a punchline. My new response to no-brainer questions is a snooty up-and-down glare accompanied by a terse "Hopkins." :laugh: I think this'll provide much amusement for years to come. Hopfully, I don't think that everyone at Hopkins is like that girl. But, if they are, let the soy sauce fly!!!

If you all are truly a representative sample of the rest of UMB's c/o 2010, we are gonna have the rockinest class ever!! Now that you all have my #, if you're ever out in DC, give me a call and maybe we can meet up...I usually go out somewhere downtown or in Bethesda on the weekends. Espcially akestler, who has no excuse since he lives like 10 minutes from me.
 
Oh god more talk about finances someone tell me which one to do and I'll do it

My only concern with the UMB plan was the fact that it seems like office visits weren't covered, and I go to a derm who bills basically everything as an office visit, not a sick visit. Does AMSA cover for that kind of thing?
 
LadyWolverine Espcially akestler said:
I've become really anti-bethesda/drinking this last month, basically living like a hermit, but don't worry this is pretty normal for me. I have these weird episodes where I will go 3 months hard drinking and then just go a month or two where I don't want to set foot in a bar...it's part of my binge like personality when it comes to certain things. I have a huge neuro exam on monday too, and if it's anything like today's endo exam, i'm screwed, so I probably won't go out this weekend, but the following weekend I will definitely be out and we can try and meet up.
 
akestler said:
I've become really anti-bethesda/drinking this last month, basically living like a hermit, but don't worry this is pretty normal for me. I have these weird episodes where I will go 3 months hard drinking and then just go a month or two where I don't want to set foot in a bar...it's part of my binge like personality when it comes to certain things.

I understand...I get the same way sometimes. Summertime makes me crazy, though, and I feel like I have to be out-and-about as much as I can. 🙂
 
Cozmosis said:
I've been to Bethesda once and I'm pretty sure I won't go back, that place is way too expensive and high class for me.

Aww...I grew up there, and I'm neither expensive nor high-class. 🙁
 
Cozmosis said:
Oh god more talk about finances someone tell me which one to do and I'll do it

My only concern with the UMB plan was the fact that it seems like office visits weren't covered, and I go to a derm who bills basically everything as an office visit, not a sick visit. Does AMSA cover for that kind of thing?

From the looks of this link http://www.umaryland.edu/health/costs/ it looks as though general visits are not covered (but for non-specialty stuff we can use the student health center free). AMSA's plans from 2005-2006 are detailed in pdf form here: http://www.studentresources.com/college/ViewBrochures.aspx (choose AMSA from the dropdown list). The brochure doesn't have policy cost listed but the printable enrollment form does, so you'll need both. Both AMSA plans appear to have a $20 office visit deductible with 80% of the bill covered.

There is also dental and vision insurance through AMSA but I haven't looked into those yet.
 
Well, its nice to see that they at least include prescription coverage...my current plan doesn't offer that.
 
LadyWolverine said:
You guys totally rock!! I had fun on Saturday...it was so great to finally meet you, and I totally agree that we should get together again sometime soon. I seriously want to have a bbq or something at my house in June or July...that is, if the train has finished passing through by then, right, SQ?... 🙂

If you all are truly a representative sample of the rest of UMB's c/o 2010, we are gonna have the rockinest class ever!! Now that you all have my #, if you're ever out in DC, give me a call and maybe we can meet up...I usually go out somewhere downtown or in Bethesda on the weekends. Espcially akestler, who has no excuse since he lives like 10 minutes from me.

Ditto on everything written here. Maybe we'll have two bbqs, because I think Greg and I are putting in an offer on a house in the next day or so. LW, its the one that was your second choice. 🙂
 
LucidSplash said:
Ditto on everything written here. Maybe we'll have two bbqs, because I think Greg and I are putting in an offer on a house in the next day or so. LW, its the one that was your second choice. 🙂

WooHOOO!!! That's so awesome! I really loved that place, the kitchen is so frickin cool, plus you have a fireplace! Only caveat - where does the fridge go? 😉
 
LadyWolverine said:
WooHOOO!!! That's so awesome! I really loved that place, the kitchen is so frickin cool, plus you have a fireplace! Only caveat - where does the fridge go? 😉

Yeah, that did come up. Now, mind you, in our apartment right now, we can't open our oven door unless the fridge door is open too. We'd like to avoid this kind of ghettoness in the house, so we're thinking of getting creative with an extenstion cord and putting the fridge along the brick wall, but we haven't really figured it out yet. :laugh: What's more ghetto - extension cord or not being able to open the oven unless the fridge door is open?
 
SuzieQ3417 said:
So we were really surprised today, while looking at apartments, how close everything is. I knew they would be nearby, but I didn't know Centerpoint was literally right next door to the Redwood. And both are definitely within easy walking distance to the med school and Inner Harbor. I'm sure it was a really touristy thing to do, but we went down to Inner Harbor for dinner. It seems like there was a lot of activity down there for the Volvo Ocean Race...thats some crazy stuff...8 months on a sailboat around the world.

Anyway, we decided we liked Centerpoint the best out of the 4 places we looked, and put a small deposit down to hold an apartment. We haven't signed a lease yet, but its still exciting (though not as cool as LW and her house). Oh, and LS, I'm down with egging or soy-saucing those people that bought your home...just give me the time and place. 😉

Just curious 3417 - why did you go with Centerpoint and not Marlboro/Redwood? I'm gonna be going up to Baltimore tomorrow to look at both.

Yeah, I figured if people can call you "Suzie" then I can call you 3417.
 
LucidSplash said:
Yeah, that did come up. Now, mind you, in our apartment right now, we can't open our oven door unless the fridge door is open too. We'd like to avoid this kind of ghettoness in the house, so we're thinking of getting creative with an extenstion cord and putting the fridge along the brick wall, but we haven't really figured it out yet. :laugh: What's more ghetto - extension cord or not being able to open the oven unless the fridge door is open?

I thought about this, too. I think you could put the fridge against the brick wall, and then try to find a smaller-diameter extension cord that would run along the border of the backdoor, up OVER the door (so you don't have to find a way to secure it to the floor), and then down the opposite side of the door border till it's level with the outlet.

Or, you could just get an electrician to wire another outlet in that corner between the brick wall and the back wall...wouldn't that have been a more optimal place for the outlet, anyway?
 
Also, sorry, this is kind of a stupid question. But what building are our lectures in? I know I went inside it, I just wasn't paying much attention as to where I was, and I don't know the name of the building so I can't find it on this campus map.
 
Did anyone notice...WE DID IT!!!

arnoldnumerouno7nv.jpg


I've been saving that for weeks! OK, so I made it 10 minutes ago, but still!
 
Cozmosis said:
Did anyone notice...WE DID IT!!!

Kickass!!!

We are officially either the coolest class ever, or the lamest class ever.

I'd like to think the former. 👍
 
Where else did people look for apartments besides Redwood, Redwood Square and Centerpoint? Did anyone check out Greenhouse or Inner Harbor Lofts?
 
Dr.Mario said:
Just curious 3417 - why did you go with Centerpoint and not Marlboro/Redwood? I'm gonna be going up to Baltimore tomorrow to look at both.

Yeah, I figured if people can call you "Suzie" then I can call you 3417.
3417 you say? Eh, it works for me.

There were several reasons we went with Centerpoint as opposed to the Redwood:

1) Centerpoint offers a refundable pet deposit, whereas The Redwood does not
2) Centerpoint was a little cheaper (at least based on the apartments both places had available when we want to move in...this is also taking into consideration 2 months free rent you get at Centerpoint when you sign a 14 month lease)
3) All of the apartments at The Redwood that have a cool view of Camden Yards will not have that view much longer, since a high-rise hotel will soon be blocking the view (a lame reason, but a reason nonetheless)
4) Both places were really nice, but Centerpoint is brand new, which is a plus in my book. We live in a pretty craptastic old apartment right now, so this got me excited.
5) Centerpoint's fitness center has free-weights, whereas The Redwood does not (more for my husband than me...definitely not a deal breaker, but still important).

What I liked more about the Redwood is that its super-controlled access....you need to swipe a card to get in the front door AND get on the elevator. It may be overkill, but still a plus in my opinion. I think The Redwood had slightly larger apartments as well for the price, but everything that was available when we wanted to move would have been between $1500 and $1800, which is more than we planned on spending.
 
SuzieQ3417 said:
3417 you say? Eh, it works for me.

There were several reasons we went with Centerpoint as opposed to the Redwood:

1) Centerpoint offers a refundable pet deposit, whereas The Redwood does not
2) Centerpoint was a little cheaper (at least based on the apartments both places had available when we want to move in...this is also taking into consideration 2 months free rent you get at Centerpoint when you sign a 14 month lease)
3) All of the apartments at The Redwood that have a cool view of Camden Yards will not have that view much longer, since a high-rise hotel will soon be blocking the view (a lame reason, but a reason nonetheless)
4) Both places were really nice, but Centerpoint is brand new, which is a plus in my book. We live in a pretty craptastic old apartment right now, so this got me excited.
5) Centerpoint's fitness center has free-weights, whereas The Redwood does not (more for my husband than me...definitely not a deal breaker, but still important).

What I liked more about the Redwood is that its super-controlled access....you need to swipe a card to get in the front door AND get on the elevator. It may be overkill, but still a plus in my opinion. I think The Redwood had slightly larger apartments as well for the price, but everything that was available when we wanted to move would have been between $1500 and $1800, which is more than we planned on spending.

Are you talking about Redwood Towers or Square? Wait, there is a difference...right? I'm so confused.
 
Dr.Mario said:
Where else did people look for apartments besides Redwood, Redwood Square and Centerpoint? Did anyone check out Greenhouse or Inner Harbor Lofts?
We looked at Inner Harbor Lofts....very cool floor plans in my opinion, but they haven't been updated since 1970 (think avacado and yellow appliances). If you can deal with an authentic 70's kitchen, then it might be a good place for you. The building is owned by the hospital now, and it is right next door so walking is great. Only other negative I had with the place was that there were no washer/dryer hook-ups in the lofts...you have to use a community laundry room. (I've been spoiled for the past 4 years with my own washer/dryer, so there is no way I would go back to coin-operated)
 
LadyWolverine said:
Or, you could just get an electrician to wire another outlet in that corner between the brick wall and the back wall...wouldn't that have been a more optimal place for the outlet, anyway?

Yeah, this is an option we might look into as well. But I'm not sure how difficult it would be, or even possible, to alter that brick wall. But we'll see. If its doable and they can do it nicely, then that's what I'd like to do.
 
Dr.Mario said:
Oh ok, because there's also this place http://marlborosquare.com

So far I'm looking at Inner Harbor Lofts, Marlboro/Redwood Square, and Centerpoint tomorrow. Waiting for Redwood Towers to call me back.

The Redwood got back to me the same day that I faxed my application over. Why don't you download the application form and fill it out/send it? They seemed pricy, but very nice. I didn't exactly like that area of town, though. Had I decided to rent instead of buy, however, this is most likely where I would have ended up.
 
LadyWolverine said:
Aww...I grew up there, and I'm neither expensive nor high-class. 🙁


People tell me I'm expensive, but in a no class kinda way. WTF does that mean? 😕
 
LucidSplash said:
You're like Anna Nicole Smith. :laugh:
:laugh: Well, I did hear that she won her lawsuit today (for now at least), so that might be a good thing.
 
Dr.Mario said:
Waiting for Redwood Towers to call me back.
We tried emailing them to schedule an appointment and they never got back, so we just walked in and asked to see some apartments, and we had no problem. We went on a Friday though, so if you go on a Saturday things might be more hectic.
 
Hi Everyone,
Is anyone currently in Baltimore? I am in town this week and I was wondering if anyone would like to meet in person to explore the possibility of sharing an apartment. I am 24/m/non-smoker

My email is [email protected]...I'm hardly ever on this website.

Look forward to meeting all of you once school starts!

Sivan
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top