UT Southwestern Class of 2013!

[HappySlappy]

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Always go with family. Boyfriends/girlfriends/husbands/wives/friends come and go, but family is forever. It would also suck if you guys broke up (don't mean to jynx or anything) and you were stuck in New York with no sort of emotional support for miles, and trust me you'll need it.

I'm not saying this to promote SW or anything, if your family lived in San Antonio or Galveston I would tell you to go there, but a family will just always be there for you no questions asked, whereas I'm assuming at this age (assuming you both are recent college graduates) you both have your own issues to deal with *cough*medschool*cough*. Plus, I'm a firm believer in that if a relationship was meant to be then it would work out regardless of the distance.

 

[EveeSTi]

Quick questions for any current students, I have an HP Mini laptop that I am currently using (I am traveling the world and needed something lightweight), but it doesnt have a CD drive or an ethernet port. So...

1) Do the classrooms have wireless? Or do you plug in your laptops to ethernet cables at the desks?

2) Is there wireless all around campus?

3) Do you find that all the software we need can be downloaded or put onto flash drives easily? Or am I going to need to get an external CD drive to load some of it on this computer?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Quick questions for any current students, I have an HP Mini laptop that I am currently using (I am traveling the world and needed something lightweight), but it doesnt have a CD drive or an ethernet port. So...

1) Do the classrooms have wireless? Or do you plug in your laptops to ethernet cables at the desks?

2) Is there wireless all around campus?

3) Do you find that all the software we need can be downloaded or put onto flash drives easily? Or am I going to need to get an external CD drive to load some of it on this computer?

There is wireless pretty much everywhere. I qualify that with "pretty much" because I haven't been literally everywhere on campus, so I can't say for sure about places that I haven't tried.

Most everything is web-based, but some classes provide extra material on a CD that they include with the syllabus. Most of this can also be downloaded, but I can think of one instance where it was only available on the CD. I would play this one by ear (i.e. don't run out to get a CD drive now -- if you need one, get one later.) In the one specific example of which I am thinking, you could have one of your friends rip the CD or use a library/carrel computer to rip it or something like that.

 

[165651]

Hi guys, hopefully someone can answer this question...

I saw on http://www4.utsouthwestern.edu/stuaff//stuinfo/acadcal0809.htm#0708 that our projected orientation is August 15th (which I noticed is a Saturday). I also remember that there's a retreat; is that usually Saturday-Sunday, as in will it be August 15th-16th? Just wondering because my someone special's birthday is the 15th, haha.

Thanks! 😀

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Yeah, this year the first days of orientation were the retreat (over the weekend.) It's technically not mandatory, but it is a great way to meet people before the craziness of classes start, so it's probably not a good idea to skip it (though I know people who did, due to circumstances beyond their control.)

If it is the same as this year, your SO will be welcome to attend the retreat with you (but it probably won't be their idea of a fun birthday 🙁 )

 

[lol.psych]

I've officially declined all my other acceptances. Hi, definite future classmates ^_^

And is it REALLY a bad idea to skip the retreat? I mean, it's not that I don't want to meet my classmates before things really get going (Oh god, I do!), it's just that I don't have any real interest in going on something like last year's retreat, which was at a Christian-bonding-camp-nature-park. Any of y'all interested in a pre-classes MS0/MS1 bar night?

 

[165651]

thanks for the info, Sol Rosenberg. a minor question, but just wondering when we get emails? this summer, or do we have to wait for orientation?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I've officially declined all my other acceptances. Hi, definite future classmates ^_^

And is it REALLY a bad idea to skip the retreat? I mean, it's not that I don't want to meet my classmates before things really get going (Oh god, I do!), it's just that I don't have any real interest in going on something like last year's retreat, which was at a Christian-bonding-camp-nature-park. Any of y'all interested in a pre-classes MS0/MS1 bar night?

It's up to you whether or not you want to go to the weekend orientation (you can't skip Monday though.) However, based upon the bolded text above, either the information you received about last year's weekend orientation, or your interpretation of that information is incorrect.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

thanks for the info, Sol Rosenberg. a minor question, but just wondering when we get emails? this summer, or do we have to wait for orientation?

You should start getting emails in July, IIRC (about a month before orientation starts.) It's kind of annoying and unnerving (I was freaking out about not getting them,) I know, but everything will be fine (you'll have time to do everything that you need to do.)

 

[DrNort]

I am living at med park next year and was wondering if anyone knows if they offer free internet? I can't imagine they do but one can hope, right?

 

[sprinkibrio]

I've officially declined all my other acceptances. Hi, definite future classmates ^_^

And is it REALLY a bad idea to skip the retreat? I mean, it's not that I don't want to meet my classmates before things really get going (Oh god, I do!), it's just that I don't have any real interest in going on something like last year's retreat, which was at a Christian-bonding-camp-nature-park. Any of y'all interested in a pre-classes MS0/MS1 bar night?

I really don't think it is what you think. I didn't go, but it was 100% run by the most fun crowd of my class so I can't imagine it being any worse than my class's run down water park orientation (ugh).

 

[sprinkibrio]

Found out last night. I'm now deciding bw UTSW and Columbia. Does anyone have any compelling thoughts? My parents live in Dallas, boyfriend is in New York.

I had that same decision and obviously chose to be away from the boyfriend... now ex. I don't regret anything! I think the decision depends on a lot of things, pm me if you think I can help!

 

[lol.psych]

I really don't think it is what you think. I didn't go, but it was 100% run by the most fun crowd of my class so I can't imagine it being any worse than my class's run down water park orientation (ugh).

That's really reassuring - I'm really wary of "retreat" places, especially after having looked at the website of the place where last year's class went. Screamed nature bonding park to me. I am very relieved that that was not the case, and probably won't be this coming year ^_^ Thanks!!

 

[EveeSTi]

Seems I have a decision to make, to commute and have more room or to live nearby and sacrifice some luxuries. Do any of you current students commute or know anyone that does?

It would be really nice to have some room to breathe, especially since I'm living with my girlfriend and we don't want to be cramped. But I just don't know if the commute will make me miserable.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Seems I have a decision to make, to commute and have more room or to live nearby and sacrifice some luxuries. Do any of you current students commute or know anyone that does?

It would be really nice to have some room to breathe, especially since I'm living with my girlfriend and we don't want to be cramped. But I just don't know if the commute will make me miserable.

I commute about 20 - 30 minutes each way. It's no big deal. If the "wasted time" stresses you out, you can listen/review lecture mp3s on the way. If you have any specific questions or concerns, feel free to ask.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

1 Hospital PGY1 Program Hospital 2 Program 2
2 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Surgery-General
3 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine-Preliminary
4 Carilion Clinic-VA Surgery-General
5 Johns Hopkins Hosp. Internal Medicine
6 U. of Okla. Coll. Med./Tulsa Medicine-Preliminary U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation
7 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Neurology
8 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Radiology-Diagnostic
9 Jackson Memorial Hosp-FL Anesthesiology
10 Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr-TN Surgery-General
11 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Obstetrics And Gynecology
12 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pathology-Anatomic And Clinical
13 U. of Colorado Pediatrics
14 Georgetown Univ Hosp-DC Plastic Surgery
15 Ventura Cnty Med Ctr-CA Family Medicine
16 Texas Tech U Affil-Amarillo Obstetrics And Gynecology
17 Duke U. Med. Ctr./N.C. Internal Medicine
18 Northwestern McGaw/NMH/VA-IL Internal Medicine
19 U Texas HSC-San Antonio Internal Medicine
20 Baylor/Houston Internal Medicine
21 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Surgery-Preliminary
22 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Internal Medicine
23 NY Hosp Med Ctr Queens Emergency Medicine
24 Northwestern McGaw/NMH/VA-IL Surgery-General
25 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Emergency Medicine
26 NYP Hosp-Columbia Univ Med Ctr-NY Family Medicine
27 UT Med. School/Houston Transitional Year Ophthalmology
28 Loyola U. Med. Ctr., Ill. Surgery-Preliminary
29 U Texas Med Branch-Galveston Transitional Year U. of Wash. Affiliated Hosps. Radiology-Diagnostic
30 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
31 Northwestern McGaw/CMH-IL Pediatrics
32 U Texas HSC-San Antonio Anesthesiology
33 UT Med. School/Houston Medicine-Preliminary Baylor/Houston Radiology-Diagnostic
34 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Obstetrics And Gynecology
35 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Obstetrics And Gynecology
36 Henry Ford HSC/Mich. Orthopaedic Surgery
37 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Obstetrics And Gynecology
38 NY Hosp Med Ctr Queens Internal Medicine-Preliminary
39 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center-CA Anesthesiology
40 Baylor/Houston Medicine-Preliminary U Texas HSC-San Antonio Radiology-Diagnostic
41 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
42 U Oklahoma COM-Tulsa Psychiatry
43 University Hosps-Jackson-MS Otolaryngology
44 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
45 U Illinois CoM-Chicago Internal Medicine
46 Duke U. Med. Ctr./N.C. Pediatrics
47 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
48 UC San Francisco Med. Ctr. Pathology-Anatomic And Clinical
49 U Kansas SOM-Wichita Family Medicine
50 Childrens Hospital-LA-CA Pediatrics
51 Johns Hopkins Hosp. Internal Medicine
52 U Texas Med Branch-Galveston Obstetrics And Gynecology
53 Baylor/Houston Surgery-Preliminary
54 Barnes-Jewish Hosp./Mo. Internal Medicine
55 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL Pediatrics
56 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
57 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
58 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
59 Barnes-Jewish Hosp./Mo. Neurological Surgery
60 John Peter Smith Hosp-TX Family Medicine
61 Virginia Mason Med Ctr-WA Radiology-Diagnostic
62 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pathology-Anatomic And Clinical
63 Brigham and Women's Hosp./Mass. Internal Medicine
64 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Medicine-Preliminary Ophthalmology
65 UC San Diego Med Ctr-CA Internal Medicine
66 Presbyterian Hosp-Dallas-TX Medicine-Preliminary Stanford Univ Progs-Ca Dermatology
67 U. of Colorado Internal Medicine-Primary
68 UT Med. School/Houston Medicine-Preliminary UT Med. School/Houston Radiology-Diagnostic
69 UT Med. School/Houston Otolaryngology
70 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
71 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Oral/Maxillofacial Surg
72 SUNY Upstate Med University Otolaryngology
73 Banner Good Samaritan Med Ctr-AZ Surgery-General
74 Barnes-Jewish Hosp./Mo. Internal Medicine
75 Virginia Commonwealth U Hlth Sys Pathology-Anatomic And Clinical
76 U Illinois CoM-Chicago Medicine-Preliminary U Illinois CoM-Chicago Radiology-Diagnostic
77 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Oral/Maxillofacial Surg
78 U. of Ark. Coll. of Med. Pediatrics
79 UT Med. School/Houston Pediatrics
80 UC San Francisco Med. Ctr. Internal Medicine
81 Barnes-Jewish Hosp./Mo. Internal Medicine
82 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Radiology-Diagnostic
83 U. of Okla./Okla. City Medicine-Preliminary Wayne St. U./Detroit Med. Ctr. Radiology-Diagnostic
84 Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ctr. Medicine-Preliminary Johns Hopkins Hosp. Radiology-Diagnostic
85 McLennan Co Fam Med-TX Family Medicine
86 Barnes-Jewish Hosp./Mo. Internal Medicine
87 Scott USAF Med Ctr Family Medicine
88 Cedars-Sinai Med Ctr-CA Pathology-Anatomic And Clinical
89 Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr-TN Internal Medicine
90 U Texas HSC-San Antonio Internal Medicine
91 Tulane U. Medicine-Preliminary U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Dermatology
92 Harvard Longwood Psych-MA Psychiatry
93 Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ctr. Emergency Medicine
94 U. of Mich./Ann Arbor Pediatrics
95 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Internal Medicine
96 U. of Colorado Psychiatry
97 U. of Okla. Coll. Med./Tulsa Medicine-Preliminary Duke U. Med. Ctr./N.C. Radiology-Diagnostic
98 Baylor/Houston Pediatrics
99 U Texas HSC-San Antonio Surgery-Preliminary Urology
100 U North Carolina Hospitals Surgery-Preliminary Urology
101 UC San Diego Med Ctr-CA Internal Medicine
102 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
103 Stanford Univ Progs-Ca Surgery-Preliminary Urology
104 UC Davis Med Ctr-CA Surgery-General
105 Baylor/Houston Anesthesiology
106 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Surgery-Preliminary UT Med. School/Houston Anesthesiology
107 Medical University of SC Pathology-Anatomic And Clinical
108 U. of Ark. Coll. of Med. Pediatrics
109 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL Internal Medicine
110 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Obstetrics And Gynecology
111 UC San Diego Med Ctr-CA Surgery-General
112 Indiana U. Sch. of Med. Emergency Medicine
113 Yale-New Haven Hosp. Obstetrics And Gynecology
114 Childrens Hosp Boston-MA Pediatrics
115 Naval Med Ctr-Portsmouth Medicine-Preliminary Radiology-Diagnostic
116 U. of Colorado Obstetrics And Gynecology
117 Texas A&M-Scott & White Surgery-General
118 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
119 Barnes-Jewish Hosp./Mo. Internal Medicine
120 Childrens Hosp Boston-MA Pediatrics
121 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Oral/Maxillofacial Surg
122 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
123 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Medicine-Preliminary Jackson Memorial Hosp-FL Dermatology
124 U Arizona Affil Hosps Surgery-General
125 Northwestern McGaw/NMH/VA-IL Internal Medicine
126 Exempla St Joseph Hosp-CO Medicine-Preliminary U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Radiology-Diagnostic
127 Emory Univ SOM-GA Internal Medicine
128 Baylor/Houston Anesthesiology
129 John Peter Smith Hosp-TX Transitional Year Ophthalmology
130 Baylor/Houston Internal Medicine
131 Childrens Hosp-Philadelphia-PA Pediatrics
132 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
133 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Medicine-Preliminary U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Dermatology
134 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
135 Santa Clara Valley Med. Ctr. Transitional Year Ophthalmology
136 UT Med. School/Houston Internal Medicine
137 Johns Hopkins Hosp. Internal Medicine
138 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Neurology
139 Jackson Memorial Hosp-FL Surgery-Preliminary Jackson Memorial Hosp-FL Urology
140 UC San Diego Med Ctr-CA Internal Medicine
141 University at Buffalo SOM-NY Anesthesiology
142 UT Med. School/Houston Transitional Year UT Med. School/Houston Radiology-Diagnostic
143 Children's Mercy Hosp./Mo. Pediatrics
144 Henry Ford HSC/Mich. Anesthesiology
145 Cedars-Sinai Med Ctr-CA Pathology-Anatomic And Clinical
146 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Internal Medicine
147 Duke U. Med. Ctr./N.C. Obstetrics And Gynecology
148 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
149 U. of Colorado Pediatrics
150 UC San Francisco Med. Ctr. Internal Medicine
151 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
152 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
153 Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL Emergency Medicine
154 John Peter Smith Hosp-TX Family Medicine
155 Baylor/Houston Obstetrics And Gynecology
156 Mt Sinai Hospital-NY Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
157 UPMC Medical Education Prog-PA Internal Medicine
158 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Obstetrics And Gynecology
159 Driscoll Childrens Hosp-TX Pediatrics
160 Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr-TN Orthopaedic Surgery
161 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
162 Carilion Clinic-VA Surgery-Preliminary
163 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Internal Medicine
164 U Texas HSC-San Antonio Medicine-Preliminary Virginia Commonwealth U Hlth Sys Radiology-Diagnostic
165 U Texas Med Branch-Galveston Surgery-General
166 UT Med. School/Houston Obstetrics And Gynecology
167 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Emergency Medicine
168 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Anesthesiology
169 Ochsner Clinic Foundation-LA Anesthesiology
170 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Medicine-Preliminary Dermatology
171 Orlando Health-FL Surgery-Preliminary
172 UT Med. School/Houston Internal Medicine
173 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pathology-Anatomic And Clinical
174 Baylor/Houston Internal Medicine
175 John Peter Smith Hosp-TX Transitional Year Barnes-Jewish Hosp./Mo. Radiation Oncology
176 Group Health Coop-WA Family Medicine
177 UT Med. School/Houston Pediatrics
178 Northwestern McGaw/NMH/VA-IL Psychiatry
179 U Rochester/Strong Mem-NY Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
180 La. State U. Med. Ctr./Shreveport Surgery-General
181 Emory U./Ga. Surgery-Preliminary Emory U./Ga. Urology
182 Winthrop-Univ Hosp-NY Pediatrics
183 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
184 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Oral/Maxillofacial Surg
185 U Illinois CoM-Chicago Emergency Medicine
186 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
187 Childrens Hospital-LA-CA Pediatrics
188 UT Med. School/Houston Surgery-General
189 Methodist Hospital-Houston-TX Neurological Surgery
190 U. of Ken. Med. Ctr. Surgery-Preliminary U. of Ken. Med. Ctr. Urology
191 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pathology-Anatomic And Clinical
192 UT Med. School/Houston Pediatrics
193 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
194 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
195 U Texas HSC-San Antonio Internal Medicine
196 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
197 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Internal Medicine
198 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
199 U. of Okla./Okla. City Medicine-Preliminary Integris Baptist Med Ctr-OK Radiology-Diagnostic
200 Tufts Medical Center-MA Obstetrics And Gynecology
201 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Pediatrics
202 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Obstetrics And Gynecology
203 Emory U./Ga. Internal Medicine
204 U. of Colorado Internal Medicine-Primary
205 John Peter Smith Hosp-TX Family Medicine
206 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Surgery-General
207 Baylor/Houston Anesthesiology
208 U. of Wash. Affiliated Hosps. Pathology-Anatomic And Clinical
209 Austin Med Educ Progs-TX Psychiatry
210 Presbyterian Hosp-Dallas-TX Internal Medicine
211 Brooke Army Med Ctr-TX Surgery-General
212 UC San Francisco Med. Ctr. Surgery-General
213 Medical University of SC Internal Medicine
214 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Psychiatry
215 St Vincents Hospital-NY Medicine-Preliminary Virginia Commonwealth U Hlth Sys Radiology-Diagnostic
216 U. of Colorado Otolaryngology
217 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Neurological Surgery
218 Tulane U. Medicine-Preliminary Lenox Hill Hospital-NY Radiology-Diagnostic
219 U Nevada Affil Hosps-Las Vegas Pediatrics
220 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Psychiatry
221 Mayo School of Grad Med Educ-MN Orthopaedic Surgery
222 Methodist Health System Dallas-TX Surgery-Preliminary
223 Duke U. Med. Ctr./N.C. Pediatrics
224 UC San Francisco-Fresno-CA Medicine-Preliminary U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Dermatology
225 U Texas Med Branch-Galveston Anesthesiology
226 Christus Santa Rosa-Tx Family Medicine
227 Barnes-Jewish Hosp./Mo. Internal Medicine
228 Baylor U. Med. Ctr. Radiology-Diagnostic
229 U Texas SW Med Sch-Dallas Obstetrics And Gynecology
230 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center-CA Obstetrics And Gynecology
231

 

[TheElement]

Are we supposed to know what this is supposed to entail? It justs looks like a bunch of scrambled words to me.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

Here you go then.

 

[lol.psych]

I am wondering what UTSW's definition of a syllabus is. In college and high school, "syllabus" meant the two-page sheet you got on the first day of class that listed what general topics would be covered on what date, and when tests were. I'm getting the impression that the medschool definition is very different than the HS and college definition (or my HS and college were both unusual in this regard). How much longer is it? How detailed is it? Does it fit into a binder, folder, or is it way longer? Is it similar to a textbook, or more like an outline?

(Asking because I'm looking at messenger bags and would like to get a better idea of what I'd be carrying around)

 

[TheElement]

I always had the impression that it was a huge book of notes that outlined all the course material.

Speaking of books, will we know what we'll need to buy for next year anytime soon?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I am wondering what UTSW's definition of a syllabus is. In college and high school, "syllabus" meant the two-page sheet you got on the first day of class that listed what general topics would be covered on what date, and when tests were. I'm getting the impression that the medschool definition is very different than the HS and college definition (or my HS and college were both unusual in this regard). How much longer is it? How detailed is it? Does it fit into a binder, folder, or is it way longer? Is it similar to a textbook, or more like an outline?

(Asking because I'm looking at messenger bags and would like to get a better idea of what I'd be carrying around)

Haha. Welcome to medical school. The most general description of what a syllabus is is all of the material that you are responsible for (with a few exceptions, like genetics, which actually uses a textbook as the primary source of content.) Some end up being more like outlines, some are like [giant] textbooks. Some will only fit in giant binders, but you don't need to carry around the whole syllabus. You can just carry around the part that is for the current block (most classes with a giant syllabus have 3 blocks.) They will definitely fit in a 2" binder (the outline ones can usually fit in a 1",) and (so far) you never really have more than 2 classes at a time.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Speaking of books, will we know what we'll need to buy for next year anytime soon?

Yes, don't buy books. Trust me. For one, your big sib might give/let you borrow his/hers.

Exceptions are Netter's (and maybe Rohen's,) and the genetics book. However I have no idea if they are using the same genetics book next year, so wait until genetics starts (or almost starts -- they'll usually update the course information page ~1 month or so before the class starts, maybe earlier, maybe later.)

If you find that you are having trouble following the syllabus or things just aren't sticking, then you might want to buy one or more of the recommended textbooks.

 

[EveeSTi]

Big sib? Who? I haven't heard of this yet...

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Big sib? Who? I haven't heard of this yet...

Your big sib is an MS2 who is supposed to help you out, be there to answer questions, etc, kind of like what I have been doing here 🙂

Everyone gets one, and you'll find out who it is during orientation. Like I said, some of you will get lucky and have a big sib that bought books that will give them to you or let you borrow them. One of you will get unlucky and get me as a big sib (I didn't buy any books, so I don't have any to give/lend.)

 

[OlBlueEyes]

Does anyone know anything about the new interim dean (Charles Ginsberg)? Any thoughts on how the change in deans will impact the school? Thanks!

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

I still haven't completely decided where I should go. It's between Northwestern Univ and Southwestern. UTSW is way closer to home, but Im kind of ready to break free from the south. Any suggestions?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I still haven't completely decided where I should go. It's between Northwestern Univ and Southwestern. UTSW is way closer to home, but Im kind of ready to break free from the south. Any suggestions?

You'll be paying over 3X the tuition (assuming no scholarships) for the same caliber of school (Ranked 19th vs 21st.) Cost of living in Chicago is also way higher than Dallas, so you will graduate with a bunch more debt. Let's not forget that you'll be freezing your ***** off in the process.

It would be an easy decision for me, but sometimes we need to go with our heart. Best of luck to you regardless.

 

[Pemberley]

I still haven't completely decided where I should go. It's between Northwestern Univ and Southwestern. UTSW is way closer to home, but Im kind of ready to break free from the south. Any suggestions?

I'm the last person to say that UTSW is the greatest... but Sol Rosenberg's right. Get out some mortgage calculator tools and look at your future loan payments when deciding.

 

[emucansado]

So is there a dress code for class (ie Business casual)? I'd rather not buy clothes until I really have to.

 

[lol.psych]

So is there a dress code for class (ie Business casual)? I'd rather not buy clothes until I really have to.

Oh gosh. Oh... oh gosh. I certainly hope not because I had big plans to come in to class in (probably ripped) jeans and plain t-shirts. Probably sweats, too.

Please, someone, tell me there is no dress code!!

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

So is there a dress code for class (ie Business casual)? I'd rather not buy clothes until I really have to.

Sorry, "professional attire" every day.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Haha, just kidding. No dress code, except to colleges on Wednesdays, which IS business casual (but really depends on your mentors. Some are old school and WANT their small group to dress in professional attire, most do business casual (the "official requirement") and some don't care and their groups wear jeans and T-shirts.) After you get your white coats (in Oct, before anyone asks) you are supposed to wear those to colleges (but again, some groups don't.)

 

[fastrandstrongr]

You'll be paying over 3X the tuition (assuming no scholarships) for the same caliber of school (Ranked 19th vs 21st.) Cost of living in Chicago is also way higher than Dallas, so you will graduate with a bunch more debt. Let's not forget that you'll be freezing your ***** off in the process.

It would be an easy decision for me, but sometimes we need to go with our heart. Best of luck to you regardless.

as a kid who's coming from chicago to dallas, i can absolutely relate. sol is correct, it is much more expensive to be in chicago and the schools are of essentially equal ranking. i lived in chicago/suburbs for the past 16 years and everyone hates the weather. it really is that sucky. in dallas, you'll have a much better place to live and, in general, a higher quality of life. but then again, i don't know about your financial situation so that entire point might be moot.

Sorry, "professional attire" every day.

that was not funny! i was shocked for a second haha

 

[lol.psych]

Sol Rosenberg, you are incredibly helpful. Thank you!

 

[TheElement]

Does anyone know whether the $5k in Texas grants is a yearly stipend or is it just allocated for our MS1 year?

 

[nellenellenelle]

Found out last night. I'm now deciding bw UTSW and Columbia. Does anyone have any compelling thoughts? My parents live in Dallas, boyfriend is in New York.

CONGRATS!! I studied there for a while, school is great, but the area is not so safe. Both schools are great and have pro's and con's. It really depends on what you want your med school education to be like. Are you a city lover? (I am and I loved NY a lot), but living there can be expensive (esp. for a student) and unsafe esp. in the uptown area. Also, Columbia has an incredibly competitive (i.e. cut throat) environment. How well do you do in those kinds of environment? Do you thrive under competition, or do you break?

Also, since you brought up the bf issue, it will also depend on how commited the relationship is. I'm kinda in the same boat (bf at brown but he is ms4 and almost done) and totally understand what you are going through. Relocation is no fun, but neither is a long-distance relationship (and sadly, most don't work at the end). How much longer does your bf have in NY? Will he come to Dallas eventually? etc. You should really have a serious talk with him.

feel free to PM me if you want. Good luck with your decision making and CONGRATS!!!

 

[nellenellenelle]

I still haven't completely decided where I should go. It's between Northwestern Univ and Southwestern. UTSW is way closer to home, but Im kind of ready to break free from the south. Any suggestions?

CONGRATS on getting into NW but....

Man, have you spent a winter in Chicago???? It's freeeeeeezing!!!!

 

[a868373]

I was accepted off the waitlist yesterday 5/19 by email (so there is still hope!!). I am thrilled to join you all!

 

[emucansado]

I was accepted off the waitlist yesterday 5/19 by email (so there is still hope!!). I am thrilled to join you all!

Congratulations!! Welcome to the party!

 

[Audra2013]

Hey guys!

I was also accepted off the waitlist 5/19! Just wanted to say hi to my future classmates!

 

[HiDoc88]

Does anyone know, with the new grading system, if the P/F first semester still counts for AOA purposes and rankings for residencies?

 

[secret25]

Does anyone know, with the new grading system, if the P/F first semester still counts for AOA purposes and rankings for residencies?

Does UT Southwestern have pass/fail grading? I thought it had A-F grading...

 

[HiDoc88]

Does UT Southwestern have pass/fail grading? I thought it had A-F grading...

UTSW just changed their grading policy for the new incoming class so that ONLY the first half of first year is now P/F. The rest of first year, second year, and third year remain on the traditional A-F grading system though.

I was just wondering whether the school is still going to use our grades from the P/F first half of first year to determine AOA status and class ranking.

 

[TheElement]

UTSW just changed their grading policy for the new incoming class so that ONLY the first half of first year is now P/F. The rest of first year, second year, and third year remain on the traditional A-F grading system though.

I was just wondering whether the school is still going to use our grades from the P/F first half of first year to determine AOA status and class ranking.

I believe I saw someone mention that even though it shows up P/F on your transcript, the grades are recorded for ranking and AOA still.

 

[midn]

I believe I saw someone mention that even though it shows up P/F on your transcript, the grades are recorded for ranking and AOA still.

I think I started that rumor. I looked a the original e-mail sent out about the grading change and it says nothing about retaining the grades for ranking, etc.

My bad. Make sure to ask admin though.

 

[potato51]

UTSW just changed their grading policy for the new incoming class so that ONLY the first half of first year is now P/F. The rest of first year, second year, and third year remain on the traditional A-F grading system though.

I was just wondering whether the school is still going to use our grades from the P/F first half of first year to determine AOA status and class ranking.

I can't see why they would. The registrar only uses your letter grades (not your actual scores) to calculate your GPAs, and if letter grades are never assigned (and I doubt course directors will go through the trouble if grades aren't going on your transcript), I don't see how it could factor into your GPA or running for AOA. If it did, there'd really be no point to the P/F system considering it's just for one semester. I'd make sure with the administration on this one though.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADING SYSTEM CHANGE ANNOUNCED

On February 2, 2009, the Faculty Council of UT Southwestern Medical Center unanimously adopted a new grading system for the medical school after several months of study and input from both faculty and students. Both students and faculty alike agreed that the medical school grading system must find a balance between providing meaningful information for residency program applications and the inevitable stress inherent in any grading system.

The new grading system will be effective beginning in July 2009 as is as follows:

The first half of the first year will be Pass/Fail. Students will be provided feedback about performance on examinations so that each student can be aware of how well he/she is mastering the material, but the final grade will be either Pass or Fail. This change will allow students to make the transition into the new environment of medical school more gracefully.

Beginning with the second half of the first year and continuing through the clinical rotations of the third year, students will be graded using a letter grade system (A, B+, B, C, & F). The numeric cutoffs for grades will be publicized at the beginning of each course. Having grades awarded in this manner rather than a “normative” basis (grading curve) should eliminate any perception among students that they are competing with each other for grades. This change should encourage students to focus on the mastery of material and the collegiality essential in the care of patients.

The fourth year will continue to be graded on a Pass/Fail system.

I certainly do not see where it says that the grades will be saved and used for AOA or ranking...

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I certainly do not see where it says that the grades will be saved and used for AOA or ranking...

That is the School Policy. Each AOA chapter can use whatever criteria it wants to offer membership (though there are some general guidelines set by the national organization.) However, I have no idea whether first semester performance (using super-secret grades or something like that) would count toward AOA membership.

My advice is to not worry about AOA. You have essentially 4 years of classes to build your GPA (third year counts 2X) before most will be inducted, so a lot can happen between now and then. Do your best in your classes (the better you learn the material in first year, the better prepared you will be for 2nd year, Step 1, etc, etc) and even if they keep your grades and use them for double secret AOA ranking, having a B vs a B+ probably isn't going to make much of a difference.

 

[DrNort]

Does anyone know if we have to have all of our shots up to date by the time school starts (TB tests n such) or can we get it done after the semester starts?

 

[wedogogirl]

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