WESTERN/COMP Discussion thread 2007-2008

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What else do we need to get, other supplies ect.., or should we wait until school starts? I was looking at the stethoscopes from the Western bookstore and there are tons, what type of stethoscope do we need ? Or is there one that is recommended? Also, is there any other (tools) we need to get?😕

Wow! You guys are buying stethoscopes already?? I haven't even BEGUN to think about that stuff yet! I guess I'm behind the ball.
 
What else do we need to get, other supplies ect.., or should we wait until school starts? I was looking at the stethoscopes from the Western bookstore and there are tons, what type of stethoscope do we need ? Or is there one that is recommended? Also, is there any other (tools) we need to get?😕

Littmann Cardiology III or Welch-Allyn Harvey Elite. If you can find a good deal somewhere, like on eBay, go ahead and get it now. If not, just wait. There is no rush. Also look for a otoscope/ophthalmoscope on eBay. There is a bunch of other crap you need, but don't worry about it yet, the other stuff is cheap anyway. Just try to find good deals on the expensive items.
 
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Littmann Cardiology III or Welch-Allyn Harvey Elite. If you can find a good deal somewhere, like on eBay, go ahead and get it now. If not, just wait. There is no rush. Also look for a otoscope/ophthalmoscope on eBay. There is a bunch of other crap you need, but don't worry about it yet, the other stuff is cheap anyway. Just try to find good deals on the expensive items.

http://www.webmedbooks.com/westernu...aspx/sid=5e9f2012-54de-48a3-835a-828ee62e96ab

Master Cardiology $188

http://www.allheart.com/littmannscopes.html

Master Cardiology $154

I would hold off on buying any medical equipment until your clinical years, or until OSCE's start.

I would buy the cheapest oto/opth scopes on ebay or borrow a friend's when needed for OSCE's. No one brings their own 'scopes on rotations - they're wall-mounted in every exam room. Save your money for something worthwhile - like a Wii or an Xbox.
 
ha i got cheap scrubs $10 top and $10 pants from walmart
now i am trying to save money for my japan trip, so i guess i will buy everything when i come back or wait till X'mas time and put them on my wishlist =P

thanks everyone esp cyclo for the details
 
I don't if this has been addressed already but does Western have any minimum laptop requirements? I am getting ready to buy my tablet this weekend and wanted to double check before I jump the gun.
 
Question: for the physical/immunizations, does Western only require a 1-step PPD skin test for TB? Or does it have to be a 2-step? Nowhere in the papers does it specify, so I assume a 1-step is good enough?
anybody feel free to correct me, but a 2-step is only necessary if you've never been tested before or if you havent been tested in a while.
 
What's "a while?" Because I had a 1-step a year ago that was negative.

In any case, I assume that if they wanted a 2-step, they would have specified, so is it safe to assume that a 1-step is good enough?
sorry...a while here = more than 1yr (at least) 😉

I'd say that's a safe assumption. And hey, when it comes down to orientation week and it's inadequate, I think I remember reading that COMP will provide the tests.
 
Hey guys, I can't access my Financial Aid menu on BanWeb. (I can only seem to access Housing which doesn't help if I can't pay for it) I e-mailed everyone, but I want to know if any of you guys had similar problems and if it is a big deal if it takes me 8 days to accept the award since my 7th day is Memorial Day (great timing...). Common sense says it's their problem, I shouldn't have to pay for it... but that doesn't always happen.

I'm going camping and I can't believe this is hanging over my head.
 
1 step PPD is fine. If your PPD is positive, you'll need a chest X-ray.

Also, if you grew up in the days before varicella vaccines so that you actually got chicken pox, you need to get a varicella titer to show immunity. You can't just tell them you got chicken pox when you were a kid.

What's "a while?" Because I had a 1-step a year ago that was negative.

In any case, I assume that if they wanted a 2-step, they would have specified, so is it safe to assume that a 1-step is good enough?
 
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I am planning on getting a mac book and install window on it, does anyone know how that is gonna work?

i am not a computer person and hate viruses =( thats what i will be switching to mac primarily and use window for school work.
 
Check out the "what laptop are you getting for med school" thread. After reading it through I decided on a Lenovo tablet. I have had it for a couple of weeks and I am really liking it so far.
 
sorry...a while here = more than 1yr (at least) 😉

I'd say that's a safe assumption. And hey, when it comes down to orientation week and it's inadequate, I think I remember reading that COMP will provide the tests.

yeah, I remember reading that too and I PM-ed the person who had written that post. That person told me that it was true until 3 years ago, when he/she was a 1st year. Can anyone speak on this matter...anyone with experience from just last year?

Also, in regards to #5 from the Required Immunization letter, if we get the tdaP vaccine, then we shouldn't have to get the TD vaccine, right? My last TD vaccine was more than 8 years ago.
 
Yeah, I think it's recommended to get a tdaP shot if your last TD booster was 8 or more years ago (applies to me), especially if you will be working in the hospital. I'm not positive, but I think it's usually only one dose. After that, regular TD boosters can be given.
 
Hey guys, I can't access my Financial Aid menu on BanWeb. (I can only seem to access Housing which doesn't help if I can't pay for it) I e-mailed everyone, but I want to know if any of you guys had similar problems and if it is a big deal if it takes me 8 days to accept the award since my 7th day is Memorial Day (great timing...). Common sense says it's their problem, I shouldn't have to pay for it... but that doesn't always happen.

I'm going camping and I can't believe this is hanging over my head.


call the registrar's office and talk to karen.
 
Yeah, I think it's recommended to get a tdaP shot if your last TD booster was 8 or more years ago (applies to me), especially if you will be working in the hospital. I'm not positive, but I think it's usually only one dose. After that, regular TD boosters can be given.

Thanks Pistol! Dr. Gugelchuck (love his name!!!) just got back to me and he also said that if you get the tdaP then you don't need the TD booster.

Also, I found out from a couple of current Western students that in the last couple of years, the university hasn't been giving out free immunizations to those who don't have it done...they used to do that. But it might be cheap to get it from the Western U Medical Center.
 
Thanks Pistol! Dr. Gugelchuck (love his name!!!) just got back to me and he also said that if you get the tdaP then you don't need the TD booster.

Also, I found out from a couple of current Western students that in the last couple of years, the university hasn't been giving out free immunizations to those who don't have it done...they used to do that. But it might be cheap to get it from the Western U Medical Center.

The immunizations are on the expensive side.

Also if your already in Cali and need some shots I would go here.

Orange County Health Care Agency
1725 W. 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706
1800-564-8448

I just called today and I"m gonna get the MMR Shot for free = Save $45 bucks + Admin fees. 😀
 
Thanks Pistol! Dr. Gugelchuck (love his name!!!) just got back to me and he also said that if you get the tdaP then you don't need the TD booster.

Also, I found out from a couple of current Western students that in the last couple of years, the university hasn't been giving out free immunizations to those who don't have it done...they used to do that. But it might be cheap to get it from the Western U Medical Center.

Thanks for the info. If I get the tdaP, then I won't ever need the TD booster again? Or are you saying that you only need one or the other every 8 years?
 
any movement yet guys??? anyone on the alternate list post anything in this forum??

nothing yet on my part 🙁 i made a thread for us waitlisters at western but i think the admins deleted it. dunno why, i have seen other application seasons have the same thread for western, im going to make another one.
 
Hey you guys! I'm a first-year COMP student, just took our Behavioral Med and Psych final yesterday. Now gearing up for our final class (Musculoskeletal). Whoo!

Just quick notes: for laptops, as long as you have one and can get online then you'll be fine. It's surprising how many people in my class have Macs so there's not much issue with that. I've seen a couple or so students with tablets and that's cool too, definitely very helpful in taking notes on powerpoints (which you'll do a LOT). Living conditions, the Helix is fine but there are some nice places around that are cheaper. I recommend looking at Chino Hills, 10 minutes (tops) from school. Really nice area, very safe and suburban. They've just opened a new outdoor mall on top of many theaters/stores/cafes/restaurants around.

If you guys have any questions, feel free to message me. For those on the waitlist, hang in there! Orientation isn't until the week of August 4th (I think) so it's still early 👍
 
for all of us participating in the ISAC, all our admissions requirements must be completed by June 1st which happens to fall on a Sunday.. can anyone verify if the admissions office is open this Saturday or Sunday to accept any last minute vaccinations? My concern is that I won't be able to return to the USA until maybe Thursday or Friday night (wee 7wk Philipines vacation...). If no one here can confirm it soon then I'll have to give up a free roundtrip ticket for taking a flight next day (my original return flight tonight in 3hrs is overbooked) >.<"

(currently at the airport browsing the internet on my iphone)
 
for all of us participating in the ISAC, all our admissions requirements must be completed by June 1st which happens to fall on a Sunday.. can anyone verify if the admissions office is open this Saturday or Sunday to accept any last minute vaccinations? My concern is that I won't be able to return to the USA until maybe Thursday or Friday night (wee 7wk Philipines vacation...). If no one here can confirm it soon then I'll have to give up a free roundtrip ticket for taking a flight next day (my original return flight tonight in 3hrs is overbooked) >.<"

(currently at the airport browsing the internet on my iphone)

I called the admission office yesterday regarding the immunization records and they told me it's not due until July 1st even if you are doing ISAC.
 
Hi everyone

have you guys already got your finaid award letter? non-ISACers?

also anyone applied to any scholarship this year? is there any of them that is still open for application? thanks everyone
 
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Wow... when do you guys finish M1 year? It seems very late.... don't most schools finish first week of June?

Yeah, it's pretty late. We go until mid-June, with final exam being on June 16th. School starts back up again on August 11th.
 
Award Letters:

Zhousilai, my hubby and I received our letters on May 19th through our Western emails. Some people didn't get their letter through their email but received it through their Banweb accounts. If you still haven't received anything, I would call the financial aid office. Good luck!
 
Ellino, you should redirect any LOI towards this forum to show them how dedicated you are towards going to COMP lol then for sure you'd get in.

As for financial aid, I decided on allstudentloan.org since they're loan rates are at 5.05%, for me, which is not too bad (this is what a lot of people posted in the fin aid section of this forum).

Anyways can't wait to travel!
Also did anyone shadow docs or help docs in other countries? I've always wanted to do that, but I figured becoming a doctor faster would be a bit more useful (versus a UG :laugh:) .
 
Ellino, you should redirect any LOI towards this forum to show them how dedicated you are towards going to COMP lol then for sure you'd get in.

As for financial aid, I decided on allstudentloan.org since they're loan rates are at 5.05%, for me, which is not too bad (this is what a lot of people posted in the fin aid section of this forum).

Anyways can't wait to travel!
Also did anyone shadow docs or help docs in other countries? I've always wanted to do that, but I figured becoming a doctor faster would be a bit more useful (versus a UG :laugh:) .

Lol. seriously. i got in contact with natalie from admissions a few days ago and she said there weren't any updates as far as waitlists are concerned, but that I should hang in there and don't give up. lol.
 
Lol. seriously. i got in contact with natalie from admissions a few days ago and she said there weren't any updates as far as waitlists are concerned, but that I should hang in there and don't give up. lol.
As opposed to what? Killing yourself?

Staying on a wait list doesn't strike me as a very active process. Its not like you have to hold a plank position with other wait-listers, and whoever can hold it the longest gets in. You just wait. Hence the name "wait list". How, exactly, would you give up?
 
As opposed to what? Killing yourself?

Staying on a wait list doesn't strike me as a very active process. Its not like you have to hold a plank position with other wait-listers, and whoever can hold it the longest gets in. You just wait. Hence the name "wait list". How, exactly, would you give up?
True, though she has been very friendly and helpful.
 
As opposed to what? Killing yourself?

Staying on a wait list doesn't strike me as a very active process. Its not like you have to hold a plank position with other wait-listers, and whoever can hold it the longest gets in. You just wait. Hence the name "wait list". How, exactly, would you give up?

My guess would be she means stay on the waitlist rather than withdrawing 😛
 
I think I've asked this before, but no one answered. Do any of you know if Western has an early-decision program?
 
I think I've asked this before, but no one answered. Do any of you know if Western has an early-decision program?
unfortunately they don't (unless they changed it recently) cuz i was hoping that they had early-decision myself when i applied last cycle
 
Okay so I just called to ask about my financial aid and they just told me that the class was full when they recieved my deposit which was sent the day of my acceptence btw...and now I am accepted to the class of 2009 unless spots open up this year. And there has also not been that much movement. No-where did I get a call informing me of this situation. I quit my job, withdrew at another school already, am getting ready to move!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is anyone else in this situation?
 
Okay so I just called to ask about my financial aid and they just told me that the class was full when they recieved my deposit which was sent the day of my acceptence btw...and now I am accepted to the class of 2009 unless spots open up this year. And there has also not been that much movement. No-where did I get a call informing me of this situation. I quit my job, withdrew at another school already, am getting ready to move!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is anyone else in this situation?

Are they legally allowed to do that? Can you take any legal action? i would assume if you pay the deposit on time after the acceptance, they definately cant withdraw you the next day.

I would call the other school you withdrew from to see if you can get your seat back. But i doubt they will give it to you.
 
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I can't get my seat back at the other school, I withdrew over a month ago. This is just bull. I don't even know what to do or when to begin. I just wonder how many more people are in the same situation as me and just don't know.
 
I can't get my seat back at the other school, I withdrew over a month ago. This is just bull. I don't even know what to do or when to begin. I just wonder how many more people are in the same situation as me and just don't know.

did you speak with the director of admissions? or just the sectary?
 
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I can't get my seat back at the other school, I withdrew over a month ago. This is just bull. I don't even know what to do or when to begin. I just wonder how many more people are in the same situation as me and just don't know.

I'd say talk to the Dean or anyone that will hear your case because they have some buffer and I think the class capacity isn't set in stone. I remember hearing that it can be a range of 210-220. Give them hell or at least asked to be compensated for your trouble. Thats bs, if you were waitlisted thats a different story but this is like overbooking on a airline someone should get a free ticket for waiting for the next flight.
 
I talked to the admin people and the director's assistant. When I called orginally they told me the director is in a meeting...and 5 minutes later she left to go home. Its such BS how they run this. But the director who personally called me to tell me about my acceptence is suppose to call me tomorrow. I am just soooo confused about all of this...I feel like I am having a nightmare. I was accepted on april 13th... I guess it is like over-booking a plane ticket and at the same time messing with people's lives. I guess they just don't know what it is like on our side. I just hope things work out in the end. They said I am not on the "waitlist" but some other kind of list that they pick from first before the waitlist. who knows what they are talking about.
 
With all these people dropping their seats, I would expect there not to be full anymore. Now I am getting kinda nervous!🙄
 
I talked to the admin people and the director's assistant. When I called orginally they told me the director is in a meeting...and 5 minutes later she left to go home. Its such BS how they run this. But the director who personally called me to tell me about my acceptence is suppose to call me tomorrow. I am just soooo confused about all of this...I feel like I am having a nightmare. I was accepted on april 13th... I guess it is like over-booking a plane ticket and at the same time messing with people's lives. I guess they just don't know what it is like on our side. I just hope things work out in the end. They said I am not on the "waitlist" but some other kind of list that they pick from first before the waitlist. who knows what they are talking about.


Hey smp,

Several people are in the same situation as you. Apparently, they still decided to accept a few students that interviewed in March and April where there was a high chance that the class was full. I recieved my letter in May...but my letter specifically stated that the class might be full and that if all else fails I was garantueed a spot in the 2013 class. I'm not sure if your letter informed you of this.

All I can say is that I was admitted much later than you and when I called the admission office, she estimated that I was in the top 5 list of first people to get a spot which was based on when they recieved your deposit (this would mean that you are also in the top 5 and earlier than me). If that is the case, and we already know of 5 people dropping out, then I would say that it is highly likely that both you and I will be classmates this August. This is just a speculation using what I was told by the admissions office and reading the comments on SDN, please take this prediction as only a prediction.

Plus, every year people on the waitlist hear some good news and they must offer us a seat before those on the waitlist.

Best of luck to everyone, I will let everyone know if I hear anything...if I do, then that would mean COMP started filling up their vacated spaces.
 
Hey smp,

Several people are in the same situation as you. Apparently, they still decided to accept a few students that interviewed in March and April where there was a high chance that the class was full. I recieved my letter in May...but my letter specifically stated that the class might be full and that if all else fails I was garantueed a spot in the 2013 class. I'm not sure if your letter informed you of this.

All I can say is that I was admitted much later than you and when I called the admission office, she estimated that I was in the top 5 list of first people to get a spot which was based on when they recieved your deposit (this would mean that you are also in the top 5 and earlier than me). If that is the case, and we already know of 5 people dropping out, then I would say that it is highly likely that both you and I will be classmates this August. This is just a speculation using what I was told by the admissions office and reading the comments on SDN, please take this prediction as only a prediction.

Plus, every year people on the waitlist hear some good news and they must offer us a seat before those on the waitlist.

Best of luck to everyone, I will let everyone know if I hear anything...if I do, then that would mean COMP started filling up their vacated spaces.


I know there was a chance of this happening but the part that upsets me the most is that they never even informed me that I am in this situation. On my acceptance letter is states that if I am in this situation, they will call me and ask me if I am okay with deferring my acceptance to 2009 unless a spot opens up. But there was no phone call and my check was cashed without any notification. I just think there is something wrong with the way they do things. Now I understand why some of the MS1 were complaining about the administration. Anyways, I hope I am at the top, they cashed my check on may 2nd and had it by april 23rd. I guess I will just have to wait and see. And when I asked them how many people there were in my situation, she said she does not know. Thanks for all the help.