Wisconsin 2014!

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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Just have to say, I've been looking for places to on Craigslist and am *FLOORED* by how much more affordable housing is in Madison than Champaign. I'll be able to get a MUCH nicer place for LESS than I am paying for rent now...and my house is in a super sketchy neighborhood.

I know that in Champaign, housing tends to come available in waves (usually October the year before you want to move in!!!). Houses and condos are usually a bit more flexible, but still somewhat cyclic in availability... is there a trend like this in Madison?
 
xStormWarningx, I totally agree. BF and I cannot stop talking about how cheap rent is in Madison compared to where we are now. We could get a two bedroom near campus for what we are paying now for a postage stamp-sized 1 bedroom.
 
elefante7 said:
I'll make sure there I am wearing an elephant sweatshirt and/or an elephant t-shirt. 😀
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We could just put screen names on our name tags. Or maybe each others' screen names? keep 'em guessing.
 
However you guys want to do it, it'll be much appreciated. Sooooo excited for this weekend!!! I'm definitely now (after much thought and agonizing) leaning toward Wisconsin, and I hope this visit totally makes me fall in love with the place. 😀
 
I'm hoping the same, Nittany. If I love it there and get a good feeling, it'll make my decision really easy!
 
Well, if you guys are up for it I'll probably be heading out for a drink or two with a few other accepted students and classmates afterwards. Could be fun! And also give an opportunity to ask questions in a more relaxed environment.
 
DVMorBust said:
Well, if you guys are up for it I'll probably be heading out for a drink or two with a few other accepted students and classmates afterwards. Could be fun! And also give an opportunity to ask questions in a more relaxed environment.
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You know I'll be there! I can personally speak for the helpfulness of DVMorBust and her friends, if anyone else can spare the time they're a fantastic resource. Not to mention it would be great to celebrate our achievement with future classmates! :soexcited:
 
Sounds like a good idea! Count me in. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.
 
WIDVM said:
You know I'll be there! I can personally speak for the helpfulness of DVMorBust and his friends, if anyone else can spare the time they're a fantastic resource. Not to mention it would be great to celebrate our achievement with future classmates! :soexcited:
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Fixed it for ya.

And I promise we're very helpful! We can head to the bar near the school so people don't have to worry about transportation (assuming people are staying near the school) unless there's great interest in doing bowling or something instead.
 
Sweet! This would be awesome! I'll have the boy with me, but I think we'd be up for some fun times with the Wisconsin crowd. 🙂
 
Couple of questions for the current folks as I STILL try to make this decision:

1) How do you feel about the classrooms and facilities overall? They just seemed smaller than those in Missouri - do you ever feel as though you don't have the materials/space/etc. that you need to succeed (stupid concern, I know)?

2) How did you take to sharing a microscope in histology? Did you like the way anatomy was structured?

3) The bus system - any idea how long of a journey it would be to get from the Sam's Club/South Gammon Road/West Towne Mall area to campus when using the Metro system? I really am worried that I'll be spending hours each day on a bus since parking is so crappy.

4) Is there anything that you really wish you knew before going in? Anything positive or negative that has come up in your time in Wisconsin that has shaped your image of the school?

THANKS IN ADVANCE. This is WAAAAY tougher than I ever thought it would be.
 
NittanyKitty said:
Couple of questions for the current folks as I STILL try to make this decision:
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Well, I can't blame you. It is a big decision. I'll see what I can do to help you out.

1) How do you feel about the classrooms and facilities overall? They just seemed smaller than those in Missouri - do you ever feel as though you don't have the materials/space/etc. that you need to succeed (stupid concern, I know)?
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I don't think I've ever thought our facilities were too small for my learning needs. I've never felt cramped. Maybe if I spent tons of time staring at much larger facilities I would, but I can honestly say that I've never thought of that as a problem.

2) How did you take to sharing a microscope in histology? Did you like the way anatomy was structured?
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This one is easy. I would much prefer to share a microscope in histology than not (I would change my tune if they weren't two-headed microscopes- that is key). Histo slides are much less confusing if you have someone else staring at the same stuff at the same time and you are figuring it out together. And yes, I do like the way anatomy is structured. What in particular are you worried about with anatomy? I'm not sure how it is structured at Mizzou so I can't give you much comparison.

3) The bus system - any idea how long of a journey it would be to get from the Sam's Club/South Gammon Road/West Towne Mall area to campus when using the Metro system? I really am worried that I'll be spending hours each day on a bus since parking is so crappy.
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Hmmmm... hopefully someone else can help you with this one. I have a car so I've never actually done that particular trip. I do of course ride the bus to school everyday, but I live very close by so it isn't any problem. I do know that my sister lived in Madison for 3 years without a car and she was very happy with the busses.

4) Is there anything that you really wish you knew before going in? Anything positive or negative that has come up in your time in Wisconsin that has shaped your image of the school?
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Can't think of anything at the moment. I did a ton of research beforehand so I knew quite a bit before showing up. I'll get back to you on that if I think of something...

THANKS IN ADVANCE. This is WAAAAY tougher than I ever thought it would be.
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You're welcome. It was GREAT meeting you!! Hopefully I made your decision easier rather than harder.
 
Elefante,

Thanks for the detailed response. I was wondering many of the same things as well. I do have some more specific questions though.

How much do the classes/professors rely on the use of technology? By this I mean how much of the notes and etc are electronic vs printed on paper vs you basically have to write everything down yourself.

Also on that note, is the use of tablet computers strongly recommended, somewhat recommended, or not recommended at all?

I am in the process of looking for a new laptop and can't decide between the several tablet PCs or a Macbook Pro.

Any help would be appreciated!

-Shakenbake
 
Thanks for the help, elefante! Loved meeting you last week and you've been a huge help throughout this whole process. 🙂 Think I'm pretty much decided after I get this bus thing nailed down. I'm calling the metro line this morning to see if the route I found actually exists and gets me to campus in about 20 minutes. Then, it's decision time!

And, that's a great question shakenbake. I know at the open house they said a lot of our notes are provided to us already printed. Are there any classes where this isn't the case? How do most students handle that? And most lectures are recorded, right?
 
And I've finally decided - signing on for the class of 2014! 😀
 
Whooo Hooooo Nittany Kitty!!!!!!!!!!!! :soexcited::soexcited::soexcited:

Ok, back to answering questions (sorry for the absence but exams were ruling my life for a bit).

At least for first year, we have all the notes we need provided to us (either put in our mailboxes or handed out to us in class). There are maybe one or two small exceptions to this. People generally take notes directly on top of them. Two or three people bring laptops to class and take notes with those. Tablets are absolutely not required (and since I'm a mac person- I recommend you get the macbook pro).

In addition to the notes given in class, there is supplemental info available online and for a couple classes there are open note online quizzes- so you definitely need access to a computer, but you don't need it in class with you. I actually have one friend who doesn't have internet at home and she just does all her computing stuff at school.

Also, yes, most of our classes are recorded and you can go back and listen to them again later if you need to. This is also helpful if you are sick. I am not positive this will continue to be the case because it was originally put in place as a back up plan for going to school in case H1N1 kept us all in our homes.

To go back and answer one of NittanyKitty's questions: one thing I wish I would have known or had extremely clearly laid out for me was what kind of supplies I would need for school. We were given some info at orientation, but it confused me and I didn't know anyone to ask. But you won't have that problem because you can always ask me what you need. 🙂

Also, I'm glad you were able to figure out the bus thing. Sorry I wasn't more help on that.
 
Elefant 7: Could you elaborate on what supplies you needed? Also, there is a SDN thread about studying vocab/anatomy flashcards during the summer; do you have any other suggestions on ways to prepare for fall?

Thanks👍
 
razzle dazzle said:
Elefant 7: Could you elaborate on what supplies you needed? Also, there is a SDN thread about studying vocab/anatomy flashcards during the summer; do you have any other suggestions on ways to prepare for fall?

Thanks👍
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Supplies for 1st semester anatomy: dissection kit, gloves, white lab coat, scalpel blades, protective eyewear

Supplies for physical exam lab: stethoscope, maroon lab coat, coveralls, clipboard, pen light, thermometer maybe, boots for second semester,

I would not buy anything in advance. You get a stethoscope talk on which ones are good so you should wait for that. Also, sometimes your 2nd year buddy will shower you with supplies as gifts or upperclassmen will sell their old lab coats. Plus you get lots of freebies from companies trying to buy your loyalty.

I don't know if I have much of an opinion on all the flashcards and such. I didn't personally use any so I can't recommend anything.
 
decision (finally) made: i'll be joining y'all at madison in the fall! as usual, i waited until the last possible minute to make a commitment but...i'm pretty thrilled now that it's set in stone.

can't wait to meet everyone!
 
jennywren said:
decision (finally) made: i'll be joining y'all at madison in the fall! as usual, i waited until the last possible minute to make a commitment but...i'm pretty thrilled now that it's set in stone.

can't wait to meet everyone!
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Yay!! Glad to hear it!
 
Has anyone else tried looking at their financial aid award? I tried, and it said there was a problem with my ID number or PIN, so I'm wondering if it's actually a problem, or if it's the kind of system that is 'closed' after hours, and I missed the 'open' time since I'm 2 time zones away.
 
I just went to the site and it worked for me. I changed my pin number from what they assigned it to one of my own choosing.
 
Bahahahaha I'm an idiot. Apparently I've logged in before and must have changed it then. Had to go through every possible password I might use, but I got in. 😛 I hope I get smarter by the end of the summer, or vet school's not going to go well. :laugh:
 
YEAH!!!! IS list is moving!!!! UP TO #3!!!!!!!!!!!!! HURRAY
SDN'rs are awesome and I hope everyone gets good news!😍
 
razzle dazzle said:
YEAH!!!! IS list is moving!!!! UP TO #3!!!!!!!!!!!!! HURRAY
SDN'rs are awesome and I hope everyone gets good news!😍
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Hey did you call them to find out you have moved up? I am on the OOS and haven't called---I really want to know if I have moved up....hmmm.
 
yes, called lynn maki. but, i am IS and it's the only school I applied to so I needed to know how close my head was to imploding! Good LUCK
 
Well...Good to hear the list is moving, but...not as far along as I had hoped🙁

I'll try to remain optimistic that the number she gave you doesn't include all the people who waited until the last second to decline today 🙄

I was planning on calling Monday, so maybe we can all rotate who calls so we don't sound to desperate calling all the time:laugh:
 
of the 60 applicants offered an IS position, there is only one more that has yet to make a decision. Lynn has called but has gotten no reply and will wait to see if she recieves mail confirmation. Of course, she said people withdraw as waitlists pick up steam.

I am so hoping there are some IS"ers that are waiting for the OOS train and will climb onboard!

When i see that people are posting that they have gotten off a waitlist it gives me hope......and joy that their dreams have come true.
 
variegata said:
Has anyone else tried looking at their financial aid award? I tried, and it said there was a problem with my ID number or PIN, so I'm wondering if it's actually a problem, or if it's the kind of system that is 'closed' after hours, and I missed the 'open' time since I'm 2 time zones away.
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Once you got in, did you have any useful information posted? Mine has the expected budget and costs and all that but nothing so far about financial rewards. Any idea when we'll be getting the official word on loan and aid packages?
 
NittanyKitty said:
Once you got in, did you have any useful information posted? Mine has the expected budget and costs and all that but nothing so far about financial rewards. Any idea when we'll be getting the official word on loan and aid packages?
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Mine was an official package, as far as I can tell. It had buttons for accept/decline and everything. I just went to the link they sent in the email, "view financial aid," clicked on "2011" and it showed the amounts I was offered for the different loans and work study. Gonna call them with a few questions and work out a budget to see if I need to accept it all now (hopefully not) before acting any further.
 
Well., they are up to IS Alternate #4, so whoever you are, you are up next!!! GOOD LUCK
 
waiting is aweful.....but everyone on SDN is awesome. Best of luck to everyone!
 
Woot! Course enrollment on August 26th! I wonder if they'll send us more information about how/what to enroll in.

Vet school is becoming real!
 
😀 Just to let you guys know I'm also signed on for the class of 2014! 😀 Woohoo!

How did you guys get log on info to check out financial aid awards? I have no idea how to go about it. ^^' I'm OOS if that helps...
 
xStormWarningx said:
😀 Just to let you guys know I'm also signed on for the class of 2014! 😀 Woohoo!

How did you guys get log on info to check out financial aid awards? I have no idea how to go about it. ^^' I'm OOS if that helps...
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There's a 10 digit number at the top of the email they sent you about your financial aid award. Follow the link in the email, and if you've never logged in before, the default password I think is your birthday (it'll say on the page or in the email).

Looking forward to meeting you in August!
 
Hi everyone,
I am new to SDN, but I am a deferring student, and I did go through all of first semester already at UW SVM. I will be joining the class of 2014 and want you guys to know that if you have any questions about anything, just ask me 🙂 Good luck everyone, and stay positive.
 
SLM 2014 said:
Hi everyone,
I am new to SDN, but I am a deferring student, and I did go through all of first semester already at UW SVM. I will be joining the class of 2014 and want you guys to know that if you have any questions about anything, just ask me 🙂 Good luck everyone, and stay positive.
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I recognize that pony...
 
Hey guys! This is possibly the hardest thing I've had to do, but I'll be turning down my seat at UW today. I was pulled from the NCSU waitlist late last week and the chance to attend my first-choice school is too good to pass up. I hope someone awesome gets the opportunity to be at Wisconsin next year - it is a fantastic program!!!
 
Nittanykitty, did you already turn down your seat? I'm high on the OOS waitlist at Wisconsin and I called Friday and Lynn said that they haven't had anyone turn down their seat and my # hasn't changed. Just wondering. Thanks : )
 
psugal said:
Nittanykitty, did you already turn down your seat? I'm high on the OOS waitlist at Wisconsin and I called Friday and Lynn said that they haven't had anyone turn down their seat and my # hasn't changed. Just wondering. Thanks : )
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Hey psugal! I did turn down my seat but I sent a letter on Wednesday so they would have it in writing. I'm guessing that they'll have it all filed and figured out early next week.

Also, are you graduating from PSU now? Probably know you if you are... 🙂
 
Okay, great. I was wondering what happened but that explains it : ) Yep, I'm graduating! Not sure if I knew you or not..
 
psugal said:
Okay, great. I was wondering what happened but that explains it : ) Yep, I'm graduating! Not sure if I knew you or not..
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Hope you hear soon! And I graduated last year, so I'm sure I ran into you at some point or another!
 
Sorry to see you go, Nittany, but congratulations on getting into the dream school! I'm sure an equally awesome person will take your seat in Wisconsin.
 
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