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Western / COMP 2007

Started by tkim
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tkim

tkim

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Threads for COMP start up and keep dying! So, I figured I'd start another one!😉

I just sent in my initial deposit. It's gonna be a pain to move cross-country (Boston -> Cali). Does anyone have some advice as to where in the area - Pomona, Claremont, Upland, etc. are decent places to live for a couple with a newborn and two dogs?

The Mapquest and Mapblast maps list the larger cities/towns, but I'm concerned that during my search for apartments through these online places that I'll miss some great place because I don't recognize the name of the area or town.

So, is the area 'Inland Empire' or 'San Gabriel Valley' or 'East LA'? It's so confusing!

- Tae
 
thanks for bring the thread back to life...

i'm from san diego and i know nothing about the pomona area. i hear that upland and clairemont are nice so i'm going to begin my search there.

tae- did you get the apartment listing in your packett from the interview? if so, has it helped at all?

i'm going up in a few weeks and i wouldnt mind doing alittle recon for you or any other east coasters. if i see any places that allow dogs i'll be sure to let you know...

jeff
 
Originally posted by lapiz007
thanks for bring the thread back to life...

i'm from san diego and i know nothing about the pomona area. i hear that upland and clairemont are nice so i'm going to begin my search there.
Click to expand...

I've also heard that La Verne, Chino Hills, West Covina, San Dimas, Montclair, Diamond Bar, and Rancho Cucamonga are close, nice places as well. Basically all the surrounding towns in this MAP - with the exception of Pomona and Ontario.

map.gif


tae- did you get the apartment listing in your packett from the interview? if so, has it helped at all?
Click to expand...

If you mean the glossy real estate guides sitting out near the lobby, no, they weren't much help with the exception of giving me some sort of price range.

Someone else posted a list from a Claremont-McKenna site.

The LA Times site has the best search tools that include dogs with no weight restriction.

i'm going up in a few weeks and i wouldnt mind doing alittle recon for you or any other east coasters. if i see any places that allow dogs i'll be sure to let you know...
Click to expand...

I would appreciate anything you can find out!

- Tae
 
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Originally posted by lapiz007
Tae-

i was given a yellow sheet of paper in my packett with about 22

local apartment listings. just phone numbers and locations. let me

know if you would like them.
Click to expand...

Hmmm - was this included in the interview packet - or the packet they send you after acceptance? Thanks for the sites - I'll check them out.

- Tae
 
the flyer was included in the interview packett. again, i am not

sure how helpful the info on it is or of the quality of the places

listed as i have not checked them all out. but leads are leads i

guess...
 
Originally posted by lapiz007
the flyer was included in the interview packett. again, i am not

sure how helpful the info on it is or of the quality of the places

listed as i have not checked them all out. but leads are leads i

guess...
Click to expand...

Hmmm - I didn't get any rental listings in my interview packet. Hopefully they'll send something in the post deposit packet. If not, I'll ask you for the apartment listings. But rather than have you type them out, maybe you can copy it and mail me a copy?

- Tae
 
sure thing. let me know...

you don't happen to remember when that mandatory orientation i

s do you? i normally wouldnt worry about it until a week or so

before, but my sister's wedding is on the 10th and i would hate

to have to miss it...


-jeff
 
Check out Chino Hills also. Its a nice quiet area, with newer apts. not quite as crowded as claremont, but its getting there. I lived there my first year. You can get to school in 5-10 min, 15 with traffic. Not too shabby.

Good luck. You'll have loads of fun in the first year.😱
 
Hi folks,
The safest places I'd look around first (if I had a family and wanted to live close to school) would probably be around Chino Hills/Diamond Bar or Claremont/LaVerne. There are definitely other places to live that are probably just as safe although they may not look as nice. Going east, parts of Upland, Ontario, and even as far as Rancho Cucamonga aren't bad to look into (they just extended highway 210 to help take some pressure off I-10 which would be the logical path from Rancho Cucamonga to Pomona). Going west from school, there are a few places in Walnut, San Dimas, Covina, Rowland Heights.. and then you move farther away from Pomona and a little closer to LA. All the places mentioned range from 5-25 minutes away depending on traffic, route, etc. It definitely is a good idea to first do research online then stop in for a day or two to drive around and see what looks suitable. If you're not really picky about environment, you could live in Pomona across the street from school. This works fine for quite a few people, but it's good to get a feel for it first and talk to people who live there. Either way, if you can get a roommate, the cost of living won't be too bad for a nicer area like Chino Hills even compared to getting a one bedroom in Pomona.

As I've only been in this area for a year and a half, my understanding is that the Inland Empire is more east and perhaps southeast of Pomona moving.. inland where Riverside would be. I believe Pomona and its surroundings are in the San Gabriel Valley. Once you drive about 25-30 minutes west, you'll probably be closer to east LA. If you're talking about county lines, Pomona is the eastmost edge of LA county and the westmost edge of San Bernadino county. If you go maybe 15 minutes south, you hit the NE edge of Orange County.

Btw, thanks for getting the thread started up again.

(Oh yeah.. I've been MIA for awhile. Congrats for everyone who got in so far!)
 
In case anyone still hasn't interviewed yet, I was speaking to one of the OMM professors the other day who has been interviewing lately about how things had been going. He mentioned one of the questions he thought of asking applicants dealt with if someone had unlimited financial resources, what question or problem would they want to put those resources towards. He cited a few examples where applicants specifically targetted a specific disease or condition. While there may be no wrong answer, I got the feeling that he would have been impressed with more creative answers that demonstrated more thinking skills and an ability to take the bigger picture into account. We then had a little discussion on how students growing up these days have perhaps not been taught how to think creatively enough (and ask questions) as the emphasis so often is to memorize and regurgitate information (which happens quite a bit in med schools everywhere too!) Although this may not mean someone has to have any sort of interest in research, some of the most innovative and well-known doctors (both allopathic and osteopathic) were those who were constantly asking questions of themselves and of others.. and trying to answer them as well.

Just something to think about...
 
Alright - thanks for the suggestions and clarifications!

I plan on flying out sometime in April or so, to check out the apartments. Now, I'm wondering if this is too early or late for an August move in, in terms of finding the widest number of places available.

Yes, I know that orientation is somewhere in the first/second week of August, but I cannot move in by July, as we need to work as long as possible before moving, and our first child will be barely a month old by August, and I want to avoid moving with a newborn for as long as possible. She's actually flying a week after I drive cross-country and set up the apartment.

So, I 'm getting the impression that a lot of the surrounding areas are nice/decent but pricier than Pomona. Does anyone have a preference for a certain area - all things being equal? I read some thing about Claremont being quaint, New England-y type of town, with little shops and stores. Sounds pretty nice, but I'd rather save $100/month and live somewhere else, and drive to Claremont when I need to.

Anyone else moving cross-country to go to COMP?

- Tae
 
Good to see the COMP thread is starting again, hope this one will last longer.
Living situation-wise, might want to consider Fullerton area, not too bad and it is ok distance, ~15 min. Just thought anyone might be interested in that area.
 
Hi everyone,

Sorry I've been gone for a while. It's getting hectic here at the end. But one more week!!!

<b>Tae</b>- I don't think it's too early to come to the area and look for apts in April. I remember looking in June and some of my top choices were filled up, especially the popular ones in Claremont. I live in Upland now, and it's not too bad. It's close to all the shops and I-10, and about 10-15 minutes from school. I have a roommate and we pay $890/month- 2 beds/2baths. That is a very decent price. But I'm moving to Claremont next year though, I think. Just because I think it suits me better. The thing that i forgot to consider when I moved in is parking. Some apts only let you have one space and you have to pay extra (in our case $50/mo!!!) for an additional parking garage. That's So-Cal for you!

Also, if I remember correctly, orientation for our class was August 10th this year. But I don't know about your class. You can always call and ask.
Well, I'm going to grab dinner then back to cramming!
Congrats to all that got accepted and good luck to the rest!
 
Just a quick bump for the thread - and a throw-out question:

Does anyone have any experience with self-moving? This is when you pack everything, load it into a commercial trucking container yourself, then they take it, fill the rest of the cargo space with a commerical load - i.e., ball bearings, washing machines, etc., and drive it to your destination.

This type of service is comparable in price to a one-way rental van, but there some advantages going with a self-mover:

1) Gas - you don't pay for that - it's included in the price.
2) Driver - someone else drives, so you don't have to.
3) Theft - my friend had his one-way rental stolen from the parking lot of a motel - a common occurence. Lost everything.
4) Not having to return the rental. They drop off and pick up cargo container.

Because of these advantages, I'm looking pretty hard at using one.

- Tae
 
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So I was wondering are all of you set to attend COMP next yr?
Excited to see my potential classmates are representing on this website 😉
 
Hey everyone....I interviewed at western a couple weeks ago...( i should be hearing the decision this week ).....

but I did want to let you know about the surrounding area of pomona.

i am born and raised in so cal. I grew up and live in santa monica. it's on the coast about 45 min from pomona ( without traffic). personally....i would never want to live anywhere near pomona. If i get in and go to western, I will stay at home and commute! LOL

I think if I were to live close, I would choose the chino hills area. but like i said....i don't think any of the surrounding cities are great. If you are willing to commute a short distance, I would look into the glendale/pasadena area. They aren't too bad.
 
I've notice that there is a Western University Medical Center (heard it thru my workplace where they have set up an account with our communication service), now is that a clinic or a hospital? Just wondering if anyone has any info on that.
 
Originally posted by SM-UCLA tech

I think if I were to live close, I would choose the chino hills area. but like i said....i don't think any of the surrounding cities are great. If you are willing to commute a short distance, I would look into the glendale/pasadena area. They aren't too bad.
Click to expand...

This is good info for me. My drive to work now is 25-30 mins, and that's not bad. I have a feeling that all the places mentioned as nearby are like 10-15 mins. That's great, but if I can save some money or get into a better neighborhood for the same money by driving 15 mins more, I don't mind.

Thanks for the info!

- Tae
 
<b>kpax</b>-
Western U Medical Center is a clinic across the street. It's mainly made up of family docs that teach here too. Some of the 3rd years rotate through there. They're pretty friendly ppl, and if you any health problems, they'll take care of ya! Also, they do immunization shots at orientation if you haven't gotten them already. Btw, I'd recommend getting *all your shots before you come because 1) you probably have insurance that would pay for the shots. 2) saves the time waiting in line at orienation. 3) you don't want to get sticked a bunch of times on the same day! (I saw this guy getting 5 when I got my booster that day. It doesn't look pretty...)

Hope everyone is doing good. We just can't wait 'til this week is over!!
 
Western U. Medical Center is a clinic about 3-5 min's walking distance from school. It is mostly run by some of the faculty members from COMP and they also use it for a week during the January Intro. to Clinical Medicine course in Jan-Feb for the first year students.
 
Thanks for the info
You're right, NX811, should get immunization shots ASAP
Would hate to get 5 in one day

Sounds like you guys (melancholy and NX811) are students there already. If that's the case, how has it been?
 
Hello All!

SM-UCLA, did you interviewed on 12/10? I interviewed that day and am hoping for good news in the mail....

Good luck 🙂
 
Hi Tae & Jeff,
Pomona area is considered:
*Pomona Valley
*East San Gabriel Valley
*Inland Empire (actually next county to east, but people lump Pomona and Claremont in).
Since the new extension of the 210 freeway just opened, the traffic toward Pasadena on the existing portion of the 210 has become worse. Traffic here is not fun, and the travel times are not consistent.
I currently live and work in Claremont (moved back in with parents after graduation to save money). Actually, there are some really nice places in Pomona. I'm hoping to move out when school starts. I can't study at home!
kpax 18, are you still deciding where to go?
SM UCLA tech & Flintstone, GOOD LUCK!!
Katie
 
Wow.. I completely forgot how opening up the rest of the 210 freeway would affect the traffic going towards Pasadena. I just figured it might help out I-10 a little bit. From what I've heard, it's helped some of my classmates and professors coming from around the Rancho Cucamonga area...

kpax- things are going okay so far here.. about to finish our first semester in the second year. One last exam in about 9 hours and it's time for winter break!
 
potere-I've pretty much decided to go to COMP. It's close to where I am right now and where my folks live.
Though the city is ghetto but I like it cuz that's kind of the setting I want to work in, in the poorer areas.
Excited for the up coming yr, hope to see u all next yr.
 
hey flintstone....

no...i interviewed on december 5th

and unfortunately i was put on the waitlist 🙄

i think i shot myself in the foot when i discussed my interest in surgery. i know that is an interview faux paux, but since i have worked in surgery so long, it was only a natural progression for me to say i have an interest in surgery. i was worried that if i didn't express an interest in surgery, then it would look bad that i have worked in the o.r. for so long.

oh well......now i get to sit and wait, and hope!
 
Hi SM-UCLA Tech,

I think it is nice for you to be true to yourself....

Well, I am still waiting for the verdict.

😱
 
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<b>Merry Christmas all!!!</b>

It's so good to have a break. Unfortunately, it's only 2 weeks, but I'm going to enjoy when I can!!! Hope some of you are receiving good news during this break 🙂

Happy New Year too!
 
I just wanted to say hello to everyone. I was accepted to COMP in November, but I just started reading the posted conversation and decided to join in. It is great to have a way to talk to your future classmates!
I wanted to ask anyone out there about the roommate situation. How do we find roommates if we are interested in having one? I guess that is all for now, Happy New Year to you all!
 
Congratulations kat13 :clap:

About the roomate situation, you can put your name on this list they have at the school and they will hook you up with some one, might want to call the office to find out more about it.
Hope to see you next yr
 
Hi folks,
Just wanted to say Happy New Years (I'm a little late here) and hope things are going well during the holidays. Classes are about to start up again in a few more days.. sigh. At any rate, keep the questions coming and we'll be sure to try and keep coming up with answers.. heh.
 
How hectic is the schedule? How are the tests? Do you really have test at least once a week? Just some of the things I heard during the interview and hopefully this "horror" is just a rumor 🙂
 
Hi folks!

Hope your break were restful. I injured myself on the slopes of Mt. Hood, Oregon this break, but it was all worth it 🙂

Finals were a blur to me, but I passed. That week was a test of endurance I think. We all had to push that extra mile. So hard because it was the end and motivation was running low. Anyway, it's over, and here we are in the systems- starting w/ Dermal. It's a bit different but I think I'm going to like it better- less exams!! No more one exam every monday (yes, the rumors are true). The only thing I'm dreading is head-and-neck portion of anatomy right now. I just don't really want to walk into that lab anymore...

On to a lighter note, what was the coolest present you got this Christmas? 🙂
 
Hi folks,
Kpax- Unfortunately, some of those things you heard were....... true. BUT, don't fret because the one-exam-a-week schedule is mostly just in the first year, first semester where you take the core classes (anatomy, biochem, microbio, etc.) Note that there are stretches in this first semester where you don't have exams every week... and towards the end of the year, there are weeks where you have more than one exam. It does get tiring at times when you have a stretch of exams, but I know most of my friends in the first year had time to go out and have a little fun here and there. Exams usually come on a Monday so while your weekend is lost, you do have the weekend to study for the exam.

After that first semester, we mostly start on systems so we will have exams every few weeks. The workload piles up more for each exam, but there is a little more breathing time. Hope that is some consolation. I do think that being able to get through the first semester of the first year is a big deal, but after going through that semester, I personally felt like I could handle another such hard schedule if I had to. It IS a rather big courseload for one semester, a lot more intense than many schools out there from what I hear. It might change a little in the future, we'll have to see... but at least you can say you've gotten through it in the end, right?

tkim- What a lovely backyard you have. Why would you want to shovel any of that white powdery stuff? You're right, we don't see any of it back here except on the mountains from the comfort of the park we tend to eat around... and when we decide to get our fill of snow and drive the hour and a half to the slopes. I hear it's close to 75-80's for highs these days, but it certainly does waver some.
 
Originally posted by melancholy

tkim- What a lovely backyard you have. Why would you want to shovel any of that white powdery stuff? You're right, we don't see any of it back here except on the mountains from the comfort of the park we tend to eat around... and when we decide to get our fill of snow and drive the hour and a half to the slopes. I hear it's close to 75-80's for highs these days, but it certainly does waver some. [/B]
Click to expand...

That is most certainly not my backyard - otherwise it'd be full of junk and tires. 😉

That's a local park where I take my dogs to romp. I had to shovel my driveway to get out, but it was worth it.

It's snowing again ... 😡

- Tae

P.S. Did anyone get anything else besides the health forms after sending in the first deposit? Like apartment/housing info?
 
Nope, haven't received anything besides the health forms. I suppose that they'll send us stuff after we submit it. Sometimes I wonder if they should have been more "update-ive-ish" , not really a word....just my feelings about it.


Thanks for the info melancholy, certainly puts things into perspective now thinking about it, of how it'll be totally different from undergrad. But it is good to see that there are people that survived the hardest part.

sorry to hear about the injury nx18, hope you recover soon, maybe in your OMM lab your fellow class mates can perform some treatment on you 🙂

Hey tKim, you gonna love it here, with the 80+ mph hot wind blowing like crzay here lately, yup certainly compares well with the cold blizzard wind over there.
 
Originally posted by kpax18

Hey tKim, you gonna love it here, with the 80+ mph hot wind blowing like crzay here lately, yup certainly compares well with the cold blizzard wind over there.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm originally from Hawaii, so I can't wait to get backto warmer weather!

Found an apartment rental site that allows you to search from distance to school -> HERE.

- Tae
 
I am just trying to get a sense of what the class of 07 is like. So, I was just wondering where everyone was from. Are there a lot of people comming from California? Or maybe all over the country?
 
From right here in the backyard, Riverside 🙂
 
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Massachusetts! What a ways. Good luck with the move. I was a little stressed that I had to drive down from Oregon, but now I won't even sweat it. Anyone else from Oregon?
 
I'm from Claremont, about 10 minutes north of the campus. If anyone has any questions about the area feel free to ask me.

Hey kpax, did you go to UCR by any chance? I graduated from there last march.
 
potere, you got it, I graduated from UCR last summer, taking a yr off this yr, working and saving up some $$$

Did you attend there too?
 
oops, didn't see your last statement, of course you graduated there...

Kevin
 
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