UT-Houston School Thread

Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
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armybound said:
Whoa, apparently Texas Rock Gym in Houston is really nice... if anyone wants to start climbing.
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It is really nice, I went once in HS. I'm game for going again.
 
Bumping up this thread!

Anyone have any fun or unique plans for this Memorial Day weekend?
 
I didn't find out I got Monday off until yesterday, so I have no plans other than going rock climbing tomorrow.
 
Invictusmaneo,
I happen to be in the market for a 3g, 8gb iphone. What is the best deal you can give me? pm me @ youngdocson (at) yahoo.com if you wish. I am a serious, cash-paying buyer, and your future friend 🙂....
 
This may be a stupid question, but do we have to send a deposit in? I always thought schools required this.
 
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Hi everyone,

Just got accepted off the waitlist and feel like I have some catching up to do. Does anyone have any suggestions for decent apartments close to the TMC. I'm really hoping for somewhere quiet (no rowdy neighbors) but affordable. Does anyone have any good experiences or has anyone found somewhere nice for themselves that they can recommend?

Thanks.
 
briton said:
Hi everyone,

Just got accepted off the waitlist and feel like I have some catching up to do. Does anyone have any suggestions for decent apartments close to the TMC. I'm really hoping for somewhere quiet (no rowdy neighbors) but affordable. Does anyone have any good experiences or has anyone found somewhere nice for themselves that they can recommend?

Thanks.
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Here's a small list:
Lanesborough
Greenbriar
Brompton Court
Archstone
Kirby Place
2111 Holly Hall
Maroneal
Camden Vanderbilt

And of course there are a ton of condos south of the school. Look at har.com for those. RentersResource.com is also a good starting place to look for more apartments. I'm willing to bet most students live in the zipcodes 77054, 77030, and 77025, all of which are south of the school. Some live north in the Museum District, but I don't know any names of apartments. Hopefully this gives you a good start to your apartment hunting.

And.....welcome!!! 🙂
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by armybound
has anyone actually gotten a financial aid package yet?


So, this is my first official post. I'll be joining y'all this August and I'm pretty stoked. Anyway I emailed the financial aid office the other day and they said they would start sending stuff out in 2-3 weeks, so like mid-June. But talking to some friends I've heard that mid-July is more typical. So I guess we just keep waiting.
 
skittlesworth said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by armybound
has anyone actually gotten a financial aid package yet?


So, this is my first official post. I'll be joining y'all this August and I'm pretty stoked. Anyway I emailed the financial aid office the other day and they said they would start sending stuff out in 2-3 weeks, so like mid-June. But talking to some friends I've heard that mid-July is more typical. So I guess we just keep waiting.
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I guess you basically just have to decide where you want to go without financial aid info and accept whatever they give you.
 
armybound said:
this is kinda crazy, isn't it?

what's the deadline for choosing which school you want to go to? June 15?
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If you were going to get any of the cool scholarships, I think you pretty much know. Sometimes you get surprised with a small grant (but i don't think you do if you had any income) But yeah, the fin aid office is ridiculous. I don't even have any info and I did my fafsa mid feb. And for the first time I have an efc so I don't know how it will change my award. I don't know if they're better for the other schools, but i feel like they have no idea what it is actually like to be a med student.
 
aggiesarah2007 said:
If you were going to get any of the cool scholarships, I think you pretty much know. Sometimes you get surprised with a small grant (but i don't think you do if you had any income) But yeah, the fin aid office is ridiculous. I don't even have any info and I did my fafsa mid feb. And for the first time I have an efc so I don't know how it will change my award. I don't know if they're better for the other schools, but i feel like they have no idea what it is actually like to be a med student.
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do you think it's just because they're so short-staffed?

I really want to volunteer in the admissions office to try to expedite things a bit.
 
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armybound said:
do you think it's just because they're so short-staffed?

I really want to volunteer in the admissions office to try to expedite things a bit.
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financial aid doesn't come through the admissions office (though they are SUPER short staffed! you should TOTALLY volunteer! it is way fun there 🙂) I think it all comes through the financial aid office, in the big tower up in the sky (or the big tower down Fannin, it just doesn't sound as nice). I have no idea what their prob is. I had problems with my loan last year because of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loan Act (funny that instead of ensuring it, I almost didn't get any) and they didn't care at all and they never let me know (nor did my lender) there was a problem, and they acted like I was the only one in the world having the problem (which it turns out a whole lot of people had the same problem). It was a big pain. And I've never had a call or email returned from my "counselor" I just have to hope I get someone on the phone the first time. It was a big change from the fin aid office at A&M who was always more than willing to help and if they didn't have the answer they went and found it.
 
I hear you. I emailed my counselor the other day and haven't heard anything.

Baylor would have had me applying for loans by now. At this point I have no idea how much I need to take out for next year. This is really weird.
 
Hey guys

I am actually going to be in the Houston area for a year at MDACC. My housing that I had set up fell through, so I am looking for something come beginning/mid of July. I know there is that newish looking student housing near the UTH gym that seems nice. Any experiences there? How about the other UTH housing building?

I don't know how fast those places fill up & I know its kinda late but is there even a remote chance I can get into a 1 BR unit at one of those places (pref. the newer one) or will I just be on a never-ending waitlist?

If not I'll have to check out the afore mentioned places, but by far, (assuming they are not bad)it seems like the UTH housing is the way to go for the $$

Thanks!
 
Rocket3004 said:
Hey guys

I am actually going to be in the Houston area for a year at MDACC. My housing that I had set up fell through, so I am looking for something come beginning/mid of July. I know there is that newish looking student housing near the UTH gym that seems nice. Any experiences there? How about the other UTH housing building?

I don't know how fast those places fill up & I know its kinda late but is there even a remote chance I can get into a 1 BR unit at one of those places (pref. the newer one) or will I just be on a never-ending waitlist?

If not I'll have to check out the afore mentioned places, but by far, (assuming they are not bad)it seems like the UTH housing is the way to go for the $$

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you are looking to get something this July, then you are out of luck if you aren't on the waitlist by now. I got on the waitlist back in January to move in during June but I haven't heard from them yet. I'll be lucky if I even get to move in by the time school starts in August.
 
Zweisamkeit said:
Here's a small list:
Lanesborough
Greenbriar
Brompton Court
Archstone
Kirby Place
2111 Holly Hall
Maroneal
Camden Vanderbilt

And of course there are a ton of condos south of the school. Look at har.com for those. RentersResource.com is also a good starting place to look for more apartments. I'm willing to bet most students live in the zipcodes 77054, 77030, and 77025, all of which are south of the school. Some live north in the Museum District, but I don't know any names of apartments. Hopefully this gives you a good start to your apartment hunting.

And.....welcome!!! 🙂
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great info.

Where are all you incoming M1s going to be living? Anyone else have any places to definitely consider/avoid?
 
briton said:
Thanks for the great info.

Where are all you incoming M1s going to be living? Anyone else have any places to definitely consider/avoid?
Click to expand...

I lived at 2111 Holly Hall...I would definitely not do it again. Go to apartment review sites before you move anywhere and see what people have said. If you see a trend, don't think it will be different for you.
 
Are any current students using the health insurance provided by the school? If so, how much does it cost??
 
MiSfiT2013 said:
Are any current students using the health insurance provided by the school? If so, how much does it cost??
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I think it is about 1000 for the year, but I've never heard anything good about it. If you don't get sick or ever need anything other than a simple antibiotic, its just fine. It is also good if you can't get anything else for a reasonable price, it is good. But if you had a choice of getting it from another place you might think about it.
 
briton said:
Thanks for the great info.

Where are all you incoming M1s going to be living? Anyone else have any places to definitely consider/avoid?
Click to expand...

I was very close to signing with the equinox because it felt so safe but the train tracks right behind it and the price made me hesitate long enough to find a really good deal at City Plaza which felt safe enough with their solo entrance gate that is guarded 24/7.
 
wow, my grammar really suffers when I post from my phone. My high school English teacher would have made me run around the portable building for that run on sentence.
 
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Hey what's up guys. I just got off the waitlist last week and I'm still deciding if Houston is the way to go. The thing that kinda of scares my away is the COA, do you guys know exactly what it is (I think it's somewhere around 19k) and why is so much less than San Antonio (~25k) ? Also, I have fiance and a car payment and need to stay around the TMC so it seems like I would be spending half or more likely more on rent alone. The math doesn't add up, is it really feasible with 19000?
 
MiSfiT2013 said:
Are any current students using the health insurance provided by the school? If so, how much does it cost??
Click to expand...

The insurance through the school is an 80/20 plan with a $300 deductible. It costs around $1200/year. Unless you can get on your parent's plan or one through a spouse, the student plan is a pretty good deal.

MrBlonde said:
Hey what's up guys. I just got off the waitlist last week and I'm still deciding if Houston is the way to go. The thing that kinda of scares my away is the COA, do you guys know exactly what it is (I think it's somewhere around 19k) and why is so much less than San Antonio (~25k) ? Also, I have fiance and a car payment and need to stay around the TMC so it seems like I would be spending half or more likely more on rent alone. The math doesn't add up, is it really feasible with 19000?
Click to expand...

Here's the COA numbers. It's higher than 19K. I remember seeing a monthly breakdown somewhere and they allow a lot for housing and food. Try to get into student housing or get a place near there. You don't have to pay 1000/ month for an apartment.

http://sfs.uth.tmc.edu/fa_docs/cost_of_attendance_uth_0910.pdf
 
we've got a couple more deadlines coming up this month:

White coat order form due 6/31 -- we never did finish our discussion on sizing
Immunization records due 7/1, which includes a recent TB and up-to-date tetanus/TDaP. Also note that the Hep B series needs to at least be started (3 shots over 6 months).
 
chr123 said:
The insurance through the school is an 80/20 plan with a $300 deductible. It costs around $1200/year. Unless you can get on your parent's plan or one through a spouse, the student plan is a pretty good deal.
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Wow that's pretty good! I wonder why Baylor's plan is $2400+..? I wonder if I can sign up for the UTH one 😛
 
chr123 said:
Try to get into student housing or get a place near there. You don't have to pay 1000/ month for an apartment.
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Ain't nobody getting into university housing this next year who wasn't on the wait list six months ago. There isn't any place as cheap as that, but I have a decent 1-bedroom on the rail for just under 900/mo. There are cheaper places within a couple miles as well.
 
Anybody looking for someone to play raquet ball with in the fall?
 
DocPsychosis said:
Ain't nobody getting into university housing this next year who wasn't on the wait list six months ago. There isn't any place as cheap as that, but I have a decent 1-bedroom on the rail for just under 900/mo. There are cheaper places within a couple miles as well.
Click to expand...

Don't forget to look for condos that are for rent on har.com (go to the residential leases). You can get a place close to the shuttle for a reasonable price.
 
armybound said:
how about some squash?

how much free time are we going to have to engage in some kind of activity?
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Well I now the rec has a raquetball court which I'm not sure you can use for squash, I think a squash court has different lines but I'm not sure b/c I've never played.

I'm not sure about how much time we will have but I'm planning on making some time for some stress relief and to try to stay in shape.
 
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HerrTex said:
Well I now the rec has a raquetball court which I'm not sure you can use for squash, I think a squash court has different lines but I'm not sure b/c I've never played.

I'm not sure about how much time we will have but I'm planning on making some time for some stress relief and to try to stay in shape.
Click to expand...
squash is a lot more of a workout than racquetball, in my experience. it'll get you running all over the place.
 
armybound said:
squash is a lot more of a workout than racquetball, in my experience. it'll get you running all over the place.
Click to expand...

I agree. You have to get the ball warmed up before you play and this alone takes some effort!

I think a squash court is slightly larger than for racquetball. Sometimes the back wall of the court can be moved out to accommodate but I have only seen this a couple of times.
 
another question on white coats...

so you get your coat, get the patch on the pocket... when do you give it to them for the white coat ceremony? is it on the actual day of the ceremony? so if I wanted to buy one locally and get my patch put on am I ok, or does it need to be at UTH before the ceremony?
 
DocPsychosis said:
Ain't nobody getting into university housing this next year who wasn't on the wait list six months ago. There isn't any place as cheap as that, but I have a decent 1-bedroom on the rail for just under 900/mo. There are cheaper places within a couple miles as well.
Click to expand...

Where do you live if you dont mind (& do you like it there?)

I keep checking the recommended sites, but each time I cross-check some sort of apartment rating site, they always get low marks. I actually know somebody who lives in the Lanesborough and is happy (and stayed with them there before and thought it was nice), but even that got really bad ratings. Unless there is a different Lanesborough, then I'm not sure if my impression was wrong or if the ratings are questionable.

Another thing i wanted to ask: do you think I can maybe play the odds with the waitlist: eg. I would assume most students waitlist for a move in time around June-July+/-August. If I were to list a move in month of August or even September, would that increase my chances at all? Are there even availabilities that open up at odd times of the year, or does the whole place pretty much cycle along with the school year. If you guys think that will improve my odds I might just try that and figure something out for the month I will be "homeless".

thanks again
 
Rocket3004 said:
Where do you live if you dont mind (& do you like it there?)

I keep checking the recommended sites, but each time I cross-check some sort of apartment rating site, they always get low marks. I actually know somebody who lives in the Lanesborough and is happy (and stayed with them there before and thought it was nice), but even that got really bad ratings. Unless there is a different Lanesborough, then I'm not sure if my impression was wrong or if the ratings are questionable.

Another thing i wanted to ask: do you think I can maybe play the odds with the waitlist: eg. I would assume most students waitlist for a move in time around June-July+/-August. If I were to list a move in month of August or even September, would that increase my chances at all? Are there even availabilities that open up at odd times of the year, or does the whole place pretty much cycle along with the school year. If you guys think that will improve my odds I might just try that and figure something out for the month I will be "homeless".

thanks again
Click to expand...

The problem with apartment rating sites is that only the pissed-off people bother to register their opinions, meaning the scores are depressed way downwards. I'm at the Lanesborough, which has so-so management but very decent construction and amenities. I personally have no real complaints about living here.

From what I hear it's easier to get a place if you're willing to move in at an off-month, either early summer or sometime into autumn, but I'm really not particularly knowledgeable regarding those options.
 
armybound said:
another question on white coats...

so you get your coat, get the patch on the pocket... when do you give it to them for the white coat ceremony? is it on the actual day of the ceremony? so if I wanted to buy one locally and get my patch put on am I ok, or does it need to be at UTH before the ceremony?
Click to expand...

You bring your whitecoat with you to the ceremony, carry it up to the stage with you, and then hand it to whoever puts it on you. When you order it with their order form, you have to pick it up yourself at the bookstore and take it with you to the ceremony. Super easy (once someone tells you how it works 🙂)

If any of you guys have any questions that you think should be obvious, but you don't know the answer, really do ask. My 2nd year buddy (who is a 4th year now! holy cow!) said a lot of people in her class didn't even know where to go the first day. Her class, and moving on down have tried to make sure everything is out there, but really, the school isn't always good about telling you things so just ask! 🙂
 
DocPsychosis said:
The problem with apartment rating sites is that only the pissed-off people bother to register their opinions, meaning the scores are depressed way downwards. I'm at the Lanesborough, which has so-so management but very decent construction and amenities. I personally have no real complaints about living here.

From what I hear it's easier to get a place if you're willing to move in at an off-month, either early summer or sometime into autumn, but I'm really not particularly knowledgeable regarding those options.
Click to expand...

from what I remember with the UT housing waitlist, the earlier you put the better. Like if there were 3 people on the waitlist who wanted august and didn't get it, they're ahead of everyone who put they wanted september, even if someone who put september turned their form in earlier.

I'm just using those months as examples, because by august most people have housing and don't want to move once school starts, so if you can pick an off month you'll get something (because somehow they have openings at odd times like that). When I was on the list I said I wanted July move in and I got called early August, but I had already bought a condo.
 
aggiesarah2007 said:
You bring your whitecoat with you to the ceremony, carry it up to the stage with you, and then hand it to whoever puts it on you. When you order it with their order form, you have to pick it up yourself at the bookstore and take it with you to the ceremony. Super easy (once someone tells you how it works 🙂)

If any of you guys have any questions that you think should be obvious, but you don't know the answer, really do ask. My 2nd year buddy (who is a 4th year now! holy cow!) said a lot of people in her class didn't even know where to go the first day. Her class, and moving on down have tried to make sure everything is out there, but really, the school isn't always good about telling you things so just ask! 🙂
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what in the world is the point of this ceremony, then? that sounds really weird. does it take forever with all 200+ of us getting our coats one by one?

did you go to the "highly recommended" student retreat?

did you get my PM yesterday? 😡
 
armybound said:
what in the world is the point of this ceremony, then? that sounds really weird. does it take forever with all 200+ of us getting our coats one by one?

did you go to the "highly recommended" student retreat?

did you get my PM yesterday? 😡
Click to expand...
I was and still am anti-white coat ceremony because I think it's pointless. I guess it's more for your families so they can feel proud for you. I know some other professional schools that have the ceremony later in the year, which I think is a better idea because then you've actually accomplished something.

It doesn't take too long. If I remember correctly, they don't wait for you to get off the stage before calling the next name.

You should go to the retreat if you can. The one thing that I didn't like about it was that there are some inside jokes about faculty that you don't really understand until you've had them for some classes. But otherwise it's a good chance to meet people and have a little fun before responsibilities set in.

I also have to agree with Doc regarding those apartment review sites. People who have bad experiences are always the first to complain. My apartment complex is fantastic for the most part yet there have been a bunch of bad reviews recently. Yeah, there have been a couple of things that happened that kind of annoyed me but no apartment complex is perfect.

Sorry for my general bitterness. Step 1 sucks. 👎 But like Aggiesarah said, feel free to ask questions!!
 
what happens at this retreat? is it inside or outside? I need some time to acclimate to Houston weather!
 
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