Wayne State University part 01

[mendel121]

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I realize there is no hard and fast answer, but some insight/personal experiences would be appreciated. I was wondering how "friendly" Wayne is to Non Trads? I will be 42-43 upon application. My numbers are good. EC's sre decent, and LOR's should be fine. GPA will be ~3.7ish/SCI-~3.5-3.6ish. Based on some practice MCATS, I am hoping for a 28+. I got a 26 on my 2 practice tests. This is with BIO 1-2,Chem 1-2, Physics 1, and about 1/2 way through O-chem 1. I also had other sciences. 13+ years experience as a paramedic and will have worked 60+ hours throughout my entire bachelor's.
Just wondering if anyone can give me a little idea on how Wayne ticks. Thanks and good luck in your studies.

Rob

Hey Rob - OK, so I think that Shangal drank his full helping and then some of pessimist juice last night - probably just second year/step 1-itis.

Anyway. My situation is different from your's, but I think that I can give some insight. I came to WSU at 29 (still older than the average bear) after grad school. I have 2 kids, a wife and a mortgage. I'm an M1 now, and things are going well so far.

I think (with the exception of most second years, who are probably just sick of school, period, at this point) that most people who complain about how hard and terrible med school can be are those people who just weren't prepared to work hard, people that cruised through undergrad without jobs, got A's then got into med school. If you come in with a healthy respect for hard work, which is sounds like you do, then I think you'll do just fine. I, like you, worked full time through out goimg to school full-time as an undergrad, and even had a second job while in grad school, and I think that I would equate medschool to undergrad with a full time job. It is a lot of work, but it sounds like you can handle that.

As far as money goes - unless you're independently wealthy - well you'll have debt, and a lot of it. With a wife and kids, expect $180K or so. AS I was told when considering such things "Everyone has debt, and everyone makes enough to pay it off".

I don't think I have any more nuggets of wisdom to give you, other than to read my signature line, it's served me well over time. Good luck, and please keep asking questions - I think you'll be happy at Wayne. Hope to see you in the class of '11.

 

[Flobber]

Do we ever get to see our placements for 3rd year? Isn't this Friday the deadline to submit any trades? Hopefully, they will get them to use Thursday at midnight and tell us to have all trades worked out and submitted by Friday at 9 am.

 

[CeLo]

I'm going crazy waiting for the lottery results! I have a funny feeling they'll tell us at 5:00 today that the results will be delayed becuase of the power outage. Stuff like that doesn't surprise me anymore.

 

[Flobber]

I'm going crazy waiting for the lottery results! I have a funny feeling they'll tell us at 5:00 today that the results will be delayed becuase of the power outage. Stuff like that doesn't surprise me anymore.

I never received any email or anything telling us the results would be today... where did that notion come from? I'm pretty nervous about it, too... I wish just once they would do something efficiently for us.

 

[CeLo]

It said May 1 on the handout we got from the class meeting...they should have emailed us as to when the results should be posted. That would stop me from having email OCD.

 

[deowolf04]

I'm going crazy waiting for the lottery results! I have a funny feeling they'll tell us at 5:00 today that the results will be delayed becuase of the power outage. Stuff like that doesn't surprise me anymore.

Not 5:00--it was 4:27! This school is such a model of incompetence and poor communication.

 

[oldjeeps]

Any other second years thinking that the Neuropath E-case looks like it is going to be a pain?

And we actually have to come up with a differential rather than just filling in a multiple choice bubble – that’s not supposed to happen until we all start looking like idiots on the wards on July 3rd.

 

[lj1230]

The e-cases suck.... I had to google almost every question

 

[oldjeeps]

Not 5:00--it was 4:27! This school is such a model of incompetence and poor communication.

Not sure I would go so far as to say that everything and everyone at Wayne is incompetent; but there certainly are enough to make it feel that way at times.

As far as the poor communication goes… this is Wayne State, they function on a need-to-know basis and you are just a lowly med student therefore you don’t need to know, yet (unless it is within 24 hours of something that is “required” – and if you ticked off one of the incompetents then make that within 12 hours).

On the original theme, it would have been nice to be informed earlier (like last Friday) about the delay in publishing the lottery results. If they had then I would have been relaxed and might have actually gotten some effective studying done this morning. Rather than constantly taking ‘study breaks’ to check if the results had been posted.

 

[oldjeeps]

The e-cases suck.... I had to google almost every question

Hadn’t thought of that approach; thanks for the idea, might resort to that myself.

 

[katrinadams9]

Hey everyone. Just wanted to give you all some advice. Don't go rollerblading until after boards. My husband and I went on Thurs and I managed to break my right little finger in 2 places. This really sux 'cuz I'm right handed. So, there will be no helpful mnemonics for neuro as I am so far behind. It's hard to study while in surgery and on vicodin. 😡

 

[Flobber]

Hey everyone. Just wanted to give you all some advice. Don't go rollerblading until after boards. My husband and I went on Thurs and I managed to break my right little finger in 2 places. This really sux 'cuz I'm right handed. So, there will be no helpful mnemonics for neuro as I am so far behind. It's hard to study while in surgery and on vicodin. 😡

Sorry to hear that... as if things didn't suck enough right now.

 

[katrinadams9]

YAY!!! Year 3 schedules are up. I got my first choice - block 6. I'm also happy about my hospitals too. How about everyone else?

 

[JonD-08]

YAY!!! Year 3 schedules are up. I got my first choice - block 6. I'm also happy about my hospitals too. How about everyone else?

I wanted and got block 6 also -- a recent graduate told me that taking medicine last would best prepare me to take Step 2 early if I screw up on Step 1 and need to. Didn't get my first choices on much (everything within Detroit city limits), but with gas prices the way they are and me already living downtown, I won't complain too much.

Sorry about your finger, that does suck. Good luck on the exam, I'm pretty far behind too

 

[CCEMTP2DOC]

I realize there is no hard and fast answer, but some insight/personal experiences would be appreciated. I was wondering how "friendly" Wayne is to Non Trads? I will be 42-43 upon application. My numbers are good. EC's sre decent, and LOR's should be fine. GPA will be ~3.7ish/SCI-~3.5-3.6ish. Based on some practice MCATS, I am hoping for a 28+. I got a 26 on my 2 practice tests. This is with BIO 1-2,Chem 1-2, Physics 1, and about 1/2 way through O-chem 1. I also had other sciences. 13+ years experience as a paramedic and will have worked 60+ hours throughout my entire bachelor's.
Just wondering if anyone can give me a little idea on how Wayne ticks. Thanks and good luck in your studies.

Rob

BUMP

 

[lj1230]

I got group 4, which was my second choice... but I actually think I wanted this more then my first choice. For the most part I got good hospitals. I don't have to be downtown till after the new year! Which is good with gas prices!

 

[oldjeeps]

I realize there is no hard and fast answer, but some insight/personal experiences would be appreciated. I was wondering how "friendly" Wayne is to Non Trads? I will be 42-43 upon application. My numbers are good. EC's sre decent, and LOR's should be fine. GPA will be ~3.7ish/SCI-~3.5-3.6ish. Based on some practice MCATS, I am hoping for a 28+. I got a 26 on my 2 practice tests. This is with BIO 1-2,Chem 1-2, Physics 1, and about 1/2 way through O-chem 1. I also had other sciences. 13+ years experience as a paramedic and will have worked 60+ hours throughout my entire bachelor's.
Just wondering if anyone can give me a little idea on how Wayne ticks. Thanks and good luck in your studies.

Rob

If you have worked for 13+ years as a paramedic your ECs will be more than "decent" in WSU's book.
Best suggestion is to use any down time you have on the box to study for the MCAT and to do well on it.

As for the application process I am convinced that it is highly random - just make sure that you send your application to a large number of schools, call it CYA applying.

 

[JonD-08]

The ~25 and counting emails in my inbox would be way cooler if everybody had to attach either a joke or a neuro mnemonic

 

[dancinjenn]

The ~25 and counting emails in my inbox would be way cooler if everybody had to attach either a joke or a neuro mnemonic

Only 25? I guess that you must check your mail everyday! I had over 60 for the past 2... Bright side is that I only read 10% of them, and auto delete the others.

If your on Brain Drain then you'll get somthing today...no cool mnemonic though.

 

[cfdavid]

BUMP

what's up there rob. i pm'd you about a month ago. did you get it?

 

[OhNoNotAgain]

WORST thread ever.

 

[mendel121]

WORST thread ever.

Um, OK, thanks for sharing.

 

[oldjeeps]

I think that I see a troll.

Especially since there is an identical post (by the same person) on one of the other very large SDN threads ("DMU................Self-proclaimed Super Geniuses").

 

[fun8stuff]

I think that I see a troll.

Especially since there is an identical post (by the same person) on one of the other very large SDN threads ("DMU................Self-proclaimed Super Geniuses").

i think "OhNoNotAgain" refers to what his mother says everytime he makes a move on the family dog... the dog howling from his room is always the sign.

 

[CCEMTP2DOC]

what's up there rob. i pm'd you about a month ago. did you get it?

yeah, probably. My puter was giving me problems. Sorry for not responding. Been busting my butt at school and work. I am back and will be on much more often.


Rob

 

[mendel121]

Hey all second/soon to be rising third years, I have a question for ya'll.

Trying to plan for next year (budget, daycare for kids, etc) - and I'm wondering how you'd compare M1 to M2 as far as time spent studying, and required time actually down at Scott Hall, etc.

What I'm really trying to decide on is whether or not I can keep working (research lab) during M2 - I did it all through M1 without much trouble, but I'm trying to decide whether I should abandon it for M2. Any advice would be great, thanks

 

[katrinadams9]

Hey all second/soon to be rising third years, I have a question for ya'll.

Trying to plan for next year (budget, daycare for kids, etc) - and I'm wondering how you'd compare M1 to M2 as far as time spent studying, and required time actually down at Scott Hall, etc.

What I'm really trying to decide on is whether or not I can keep working (research lab) during M2 - I did it all through M1 without much trouble, but I'm trying to decide whether I should abandon it for M2. Any advice would be great, thanks

I studied a ton more this year than last. I did all of my studying outside of classes from home though. I don't know how you managed to hold down a job last year. I wouldn't have been able to. I would think it'd be harder for you to work as an MS2, especially during path with exams every 2 weeks.

 

[Flobber]

Hey all second/soon to be rising third years, I have a question for ya'll.

Trying to plan for next year (budget, daycare for kids, etc) - and I'm wondering how you'd compare M1 to M2 as far as time spent studying, and required time actually down at Scott Hall, etc.

What I'm really trying to decide on is whether or not I can keep working (research lab) during M2 - I did it all through M1 without much trouble, but I'm trying to decide whether I should abandon it for M2. Any advice would be great, thanks

For me, the workload was quite a bit heavier but there is essentially no REQUIRED Scott Hall time. I spent 99% of this year at home. The required stuff: micro labs, a few clinical days, maybe a few other interspersed labs. Not too bad at all. If you are a video streamer, as I am, you may not even need daycare for most of the year.

Oh, I forgot about clinical medicine. All of the lectures are required and there is a physical diagnosis class in the second half of the year that requires you to spend Tuesday and Thursday mornings either working with standardized patients at Old Hutzel or working in a local hospital. Block off Tues and Thurs from 8-12 from January on...

As for keeping your job... if you think a publication is imminent and its something you feel strongly about, go for it. If its just for a little extra money and the hope of padding a resume, do yourself a favor and dedicate that time to studying. The better grades, and the better USMLE scores they will most likely contribute to, will serve you much better for your clinical years and for residency placement.

Kids and a job while in med school? You are a champ.

 

[Flobber]

By the way... are there any kind-hearted 2nd years who have that review CD that's been floating around all year? I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share the .doc file for the PD exam review. That would be greeeeeeat.

 

[katrinadams9]

By the way... are there any kind-hearted 2nd years who have that review CD that's been floating around all year? I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share the .doc file for the PD exam review. That would be greeeeeeat.

I could use that too. 🙂

 

[JonD-08]

You guys mean the Mark Deneau CD? If so PM me your emails (hotmail or whatever if you want to stay anonymous) and I will hook you up. If it's some other review CD... then I want whatever doc file they're talking about too 🙂

 

[fun8stuff]

For me, the workload was quite a bit heavier but there is essentially no REQUIRED Scott Hall time. I spent 99% of this year at home. The required stuff: micro labs, a few clinical days, maybe a few other interspersed labs. Not too bad at all. If you are a video streamer, as I am, you may not even need daycare for most of the year.

Oh, I forgot about clinical medicine. All of the lectures are required and there is a physical diagnosis class in the second half of the year that requires you to spend Tuesday and Thursday mornings either working with standardized patients at Old Hutzel or working in a local hospital. Block off Tues and Thurs from 8-12 from January on...

As for keeping your job... if you think a publication is imminent and its something you feel strongly about, go for it. If its just for a little extra money and the hope of padding a resume, do yourself a favor and dedicate that time to studying. The better grades, and the better USMLE scores they will most likely contribute to, will serve you much better for your clinical years and for residency placement.

Kids and a job while in med school? You are a champ.

these neuro labs are getting old. between clinmed and neuro, i have been having to go into scott hall 2-3 days a week. not cool.

 

[Shangal]

I think I have dementia, or maybe antergrade amnesia stemming from my korsakoff

 

[deowolf04]

these neuro labs are getting old. between clinmed and neuro, i have been having to go into scott hall 2-3 days a week. not cool.

Warning, major 🙄 ahead. Awww...poor you...a whole 2-3 days a week 🙄 . Wait until Heme when you have required lab every DAY.

Less than a week to go before we escape from our Scott Hall prison! 😀

 

[fun8stuff]

Warning, major 🙄 ahead. Awww...poor you...a whole 2-3 days a week 🙄 . Wait until Heme when you have required lab every DAY.

Less than a week to go before we escape from our Scott Hall prison! 😀

so how long does heme last? is it possible to spend more time at home 2nd year than first?

 

[Flobber]

well that neuro exam was fun. i especially liked the CNS sarcoidosis question... wtf? 1 down, 2 to go.

 

[lj1230]

so how long does heme last? is it possible to spend more time at home 2nd year than first?

Heme is 2 weeks.... and you pretty much have to be at school everyday for the labs. I spent a lot more time at home this year then last

 

[katrinadams9]

Heme is 2 weeks.... and you pretty much have to be at school everyday for the labs. I spent a lot more time at home this year then last

Me too.

 

[oldjeeps]

well that neuro exam was fun. i especially liked the CNS sarcoidosis question... wtf? 1 down, 2 to go.

I know that there were some parts of the notes that I skimmed more than read, but where did they pull some of those questions out of 😕 ?

Only five more days until this awful year is over with, unfortunately that is followed by five weeks of hell as I prep for step 1. I am going to have to find a really good way to unwind, in the week I have off post-boards, before the start of third year.

 

[ddmo]

where did they pull some of those questions out of 😕 ?

Rhymes with masses.

 

[Shangal]

is it just me, or does snorting cocaine sound like something interesting.

This is the coolest unit of the year! I feel like a drug dealer

 

[oldjeeps]

does snorting cocaine sound like something interesting.

Only if you don't like your nasal septum. Don't know if you were in class to see the fun picture of the instrument that went in one side of the nose and out the other without touching anything because the septum had rotted away – curtsy of the vasoconstrictive effects of the coke.

 

[oldjeeps]

Rhymes with masses.

In other words the same place that they find lots of their questions.

 

[lj1230]

Was the "drugs of abuse" lecture only 2 hours? I was watching the video and he said we will talk about alcohol when we get back, then all the sudden it went onto cocaine...... just wondered if I was missing something

 

[ddmo]

No it was 3 hours. 3 wasteful hours. McCauley wrote the questions, so it's probably a waste of time to be watching the lecture.

 

[jisthefax]

is it just me, or does snorting cocaine sound like something interesting.

This is the coolest unit of the year! I feel like a drug dealer

Yeah, as I was watching the lecture I kept on thinking about the scene in Pulp Fiction where John Travolta shoots up heroin and goes into a dream phase of him driving down a lonely highway. Too bad the lecturer didn't go into the whole epinephrine shot to the heart thing for an overdose.

😀 Hey all, it's nice to discover this island of wayne staters out here on SDN.

 

[Shangal]

pulp fiction, now that is a movie that everyone thought sucked but me.

man, I am tired, its almost 2 a.m., so I decided on watching a shakira song before I slept. Now that is just good stuff, I highly recommend it to everyone

this is also kind of a funny video clip just in case anyone is tired. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7332162508070840272&q=belly+dance&pl=true
It's a little freaky too to be honest

 

[fun8stuff]

pulp fiction, now that is a movie that everyone thought sucked but me.

man, I am tired, its almost 2 a.m., so I decided on watching a shakira song before I slept. Now that is just good stuff, I highly recommend it to everyone

this is also kind of a funny video clip just in case anyone is tired. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7332162508070840272&q=belly+dance&pl=true
It's a little freaky too to be honest

i think i prefer:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6454271833530214755&pl=true

 

[fun8stuff]

i think i prefer:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6454271833530214755&pl=true

this guy is awesome...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4776181634656145640

 

[JonD-08]

No it was 3 hours. 3 wasteful hours. McCauley wrote the questions, so it's probably a waste of time to be watching the lecture.

Gahh it won't go faster than 1.4x speed... what's up with McCauley, I don't remember him? Does he only test the notes or are his questions out of nowhere? (Hope not the latter, since his questions are half the exam...)