WVSOM 2010 Anyone?

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JohnUC33 said:
Depending on the date, I might be down.

I was planning on sometime in July because I figured most people would be moved to Lewisburg by then.

......this is probably a really dumb question, are we responsible for seeking out our own private loans to cover what their financial doesn't cover??? If so, has anyone set up their private loans yet? I don't know anyone whose tuition has cost more than the government allocated Stafford loans. One year of our tuition is more than 2 years of my brother's medical tuition.......sickening!!!
 
wake920 said:
I was planning on sometime in July because I figured most people would be moved to Lewisburg by then.


i will be moving into woodland akers sometime in july, probably mid-july, so i would be down for a rafting trip. just keep us updated.
 
wake920 said:
......this is probably a really dumb question, are we responsible for seeking out our own private loans to cover what their financial doesn't cover??? If so, has anyone set up their private loans yet? I don't know anyone whose tuition has cost more than the government allocated Stafford loans. One year of our tuition is more than 2 years of my brother's medical tuition.......sickening!!!

my understanding is that FASFA will allocate all of your government loans and then anything that we need after that must come from a private loaner. if you want, WVSOM will help you with obtaining your private loans from lenders that they are affiliated with. however, you are free to go anywhere to get your private loans.

has anyone received a letter from the WVSOM financial aid office? i got one in the mail not too long ago.
 
Canuck99 said:
my understanding is that FASFA will allocate all of your government loans and then anything that we need after that must come from a private loaner. if you want, WVSOM will help you with obtaining your private loans from lenders that they are affiliated with. however, you are free to go anywhere to get your private loans.

has anyone received a letter from the WVSOM financial aid office? i got one in the mail not too long ago.


If you are interested in being a military physician or are currently in the military, try for an HPSP scholarship (pays EVERYTHING and gives you $1300/month stipend on which to live). Otherwise, USAA is very generous and helpful with their loans.
 
hi guys, i am interested in applying to WVSOM for the next application cycle. do i have a chance being an out-of-state student with a 3.33 science and 3.35 overall and non-science g.p.a and a 23 MCAT. thanx.
 
BengaliDocIsl said:
hi guys, i am interested in applying to WVSOM for the next application cycle. do i have a chance being an out-of-state student with a 3.33 science and 3.35 overall and non-science g.p.a and a 23 MCAT. thanx.

YES! i have/had the same stats and I got in!! woohoo!
 
the wvsom.edu website says "WVSOM educates primary care osteopathic physicians for rural communities. The school is dedicated, first and foremost, to service for West Virginia and prepares graduates to care for the special health care needs of West Virginia's elderly". However, I want to practice in metropolitan or suburban communities in Michigan. I'm not going to practice anywhere near west virginia or rural communities. Does that mean I can't attend WVSOM and that I shouldn't apply to it?. Is it ok for me to attend it even though I won't follow the focus of the schol?
 
wake920 said:
I was planning on sometime in July because I figured most people would be moved to Lewisburg by then.

......this is probably a really dumb question, are we responsible for seeking out our own private loans to cover what their financial doesn't cover??? If so, has anyone set up their private loans yet? I don't know anyone whose tuition has cost more than the government allocated Stafford loans. One year of our tuition is more than 2 years of my brother's medical tuition.......sickening!!!

I agree it is sickening to how much they are making us pay. I am so concerned about how i will pay off such an outrageous debt after graduation. Not to mention the debt that i'm already in from my undergrad loans
 
BengaliDocIsl said:
the wvsom.edu website says "WVSOM educates primary care osteopathic physicians for rural communities. The school is dedicated, first and foremost, to service for West Virginia and prepares graduates to care for the special health care needs of West Virginia's elderly". However, I want to practice in metropolitan or suburban communities in Michigan. I'm not going to practice anywhere near west virginia or rural communities. Does that mean I can't attend WVSOM and that I shouldn't apply to it?. Is it ok for me to attend it even though I won't follow the focus of the schol?

I think that you should go to the school you want to go to---a place where you think you will get the best education. Part of the reason I am going to WVSOM is because I might want to practice rural medicine (not in WV), but you can get a good education from the school. WVSOM might help those who want to pursue rural primary care in WV, but it won't hurt you if you don't. I think for what you are talking about, the place that you do your residency will matter more. Most med students change what specialty they want to go into anyway. If you still have the same intentions for practice in MI, then you probably should do your residency there. That's just my opinion.
 
bbgirl said:
I think that you should go to the school you want to go to---a place where you think you will get the best education. Part of the reason I am going to WVSOM is because I might want to practice rural medicine (not in WV), but you can get a good education from the school. WVSOM might help those who want to pursue rural primary care in WV, but it won't hurt you if you don't. I think for what you are talking about, the place that you do your residency will matter more. Most med students change what specialty they want to go into anyway. If you still have the same intentions for practice in MI, then you probably should do your residency there. That's just my opinion.

so your saying its ok to go there right even if i don't want practice in rural communities and want to practice in MI. thanx
 
Canuck99 said:
i will be moving into woodland akers sometime in july, probably mid-july, so i would be down for a rafting trip. just keep us updated.

July to mid-july will work for me as well so i'm up for rafting.
 
BengaliDocIsl said:
the wvsom.edu website says "WVSOM educates primary care osteopathic physicians for rural communities. The school is dedicated, first and foremost, to service for West Virginia and prepares graduates to care for the special health care needs of West Virginia's elderly". However, I want to practice in metropolitan or suburban communities in Michigan. I'm not going to practice anywhere near west virginia or rural communities. Does that mean I can't attend WVSOM and that I shouldn't apply to it?. Is it ok for me to attend it even though I won't follow the focus of the schol?

the school is not going to make you do anything. do what you want, apply to where you want. but in my opinon, it would be best if you are open minded to what WVSOM or any other school has to offer. as long as you have a slight interest for rural medicine and you aren't shutting the door on that, then i think you can be happy at WVSOM.
 
I have decided to go to WVSOM. I like the town, the people, and it's a great school (with nearby Snow Shoe Mnt). I am still trying to decide between the Armed Forces Health Scholarship with the AirForce and the NHSC. Both pay for your full schooling. I am leaning towards NHSC right now.
Has everyone found a place to live yet? I wonder if it will be harder to find a good place with this new increase in class size.
Did anyone interview on feb 27th?
👍
 
BengaliDocIsl said:
so your saying its ok to go there right even if i don't want practice in rural communities and want to practice in MI. thanx

that is correct. you absolutely do not have go into rural medicine or even have an interest in rural medicine in order to be accepted to WVSOM. in fact, in my interview i was asked what specialty i planned on pursing and i did not mention rural medicine or family practice and i still got in. WVSOM will give you a great medical education and prepare you for whatever residency you decide to pursue.
 
I hope no one takes this question as being too personal, but I want to get an idea of how much different people plan on taking out in loans? I know everyone/situation is different, but I want to get an idea of how many people are going to take that max $70,000+. To make sure I have enough, I am thinking about taking out the high sixties. Mainly, I just want to use whats left over to get my car paid off (not too good of an interest rate on that deal). By the end of my four years, I really want to graduate around 200,000 in debt. That might be hard to do, but I have been training all my life to be super cheap; and I hope to use those skills in med school 😀
 
JohnUC33 said:
I hope no one takes this question as being too personal, but I want to get an idea of how much different people plan on taking out in loans? I know everyone/situation is different, but I want to get an idea of how many people are going to take that max $70,000+. To make sure I have enough, I am thinking about taking out the high sixties. Mainly, I just want to use whats left over to get my car paid off (not too good of an interest rate on that deal). By the end of my four years, I really want to graduate around 200,000 in debt. That might be hard to do, but I have been training all my life to be super cheap; and I hope to use those skills in med school 😀
I plan to take out $60,000. But, like you, I hope to stay under $200,000. Is tuition the same for all four years? If it is, and tuition doesn't increase (highly doubted), then we owe ~$187,000 in tuition alone leaving only 13K for other spending. That would be tough.
 
yeah i think i'll take around 63,000 or so in loans. I'm curious though has anyone received any need-based grants or are there any need-based grants that the school offers to students?
 
tsdesai said:
yeah i think i'll take around 63,000 or so in loans. I'm curious though has anyone received any need-based grants or are there any need-based grants that the school offers to students?

same, probably around 60-65K.
 
FutureDocDO said:
If it is, and tuition doesn't increase (highly doubted), then we owe ~$187,000 in tuition alone leaving only 13K for other spending. That would be tough.

tuition is pretty close to the same amount each year, but not exact.
 
where has everyone gone?

anyone have an idea of what it would cost to do this rafting trip?
 
Hi everyone.

If you haven't done so already, get your student health form in. It's located near the bottom of one of the pages on the WVSOM website and is sort of easy to miss. This is different from the Health and Technical Form.

It's a 3 page long physical - and chances are you'll have to get updated shots and vaccinations.
 
Should I send them a letter of intent, since I hadn't received an interview offer, yet?
 
Canuck99 said:
where has everyone gone?

anyone have an idea of what it would cost to do this rafting trip?

Hello fellow white water rafters!!! Here's the deal, I have been several times and have gone with several outfitters and USA Raft has the best rates. Their web site is http://www.usaraft.com

I am thinking we should shoot for either the lower New River or the middle or lower Gauley River. Depending on how many people want to come, we may get a $5-10.00 discount. The cost ranges from $60-70 for a Saturday trip and $45-60 for a Sunday-Friday trip. Trips range from 4-6 hours, which will be decent since we will doing a lot of paddeling and getting soaked!

The Gauley trips may book up fast, especially if we do a weekend trip, but the new River stays pretty open. So if people can let me know which trip you all want to do and which day of the week would be best I can e-mail USA raft and reserve our spot. I am thinking either the second of third week of July, but everyone let me know what you think and don't forget to check out the website!!!
 
Anyone going to do the Armed Forces Health Scholarship? Also, has anyone seen the weight room? What kind of free weights do they have?
xclone333 on aol.
 
I say we go on a weekday to avoid a rush and save some to pay out of state tuition.

wake920 said:
Hello fellow white water rafters!!! Here's the deal, I have been several times and have gone with several outfitters and USA Raft has the best rates. Their web site is http://www.usaraft.com

I am thinking we should shoot for either the lower New River or the middle or lower Gauley River. Depending on how many people want to come, we may get a $5-10.00 discount. The cost ranges from $60-70 for a Saturday trip and $45-60 for a Sunday-Friday trip. Trips range from 4-6 hours, which will be decent since we will doing a lot of paddeling and getting soaked!

The Gauley trips may book up fast, especially if we do a weekend trip, but the new River stays pretty open. So if people can let me know which trip you all want to do and which day of the week would be best I can e-mail USA raft and reserve our spot. I am thinking either the second of third week of July, but everyone let me know what you think and don't forget to check out the website!!!
 
Xclone said:
Anyone going to do the Armed Forces Health Scholarship? Also, has anyone seen the weight room? What kind of free weights do they have?
xclone333 on aol.

They have a few racks of free weights and a few machines I think. I was only in there for a few minutes on my tour, but I did think that the room would be very crowded if more than 5 people were in there lifting. Good thing I have my own set 🙂
 
wake920 said:
They have a few racks of free weights and a few machines I think. I was only in there for a few minutes on my tour, but I did think that the room would be very crowded if more than 5 people were in there lifting. Good thing I have my own set 🙂

That doesn't sound too promising. I went to the YMCA to workout during my interview weekend and I was so surpised to find everyone was 50yrs+ working out haha. This school is gonna be a huge change, but looking forward to it. 👍
 
Xclone said:
That doesn't sound too promising. I went to the YMCA to workout during my interview weekend and I was so surpised to find everyone was 50yrs+ working out haha. This school is gonna be a huge change, but looking forward to it. 👍

the YMCA is nearby WVSOM? is there a membership fee? do they have a lot of machines? i dont' mind working out with 50yrs+, i'm sure i can beat them to one of the machines. 🙂

does anyone intersted in taking community classes such as music, arts and crafts....knitting? anyone know if they have such classes within the community. i think it'd be a good break in between hours of studying.
 
theresa83 said:
the YMCA is nearby WVSOM? is there a membership fee? do they have a lot of machines? i dont' mind working out with 50yrs+, i'm sure i can beat them to one of the machines. 🙂

does anyone intersted in taking community classes such as music, arts and crafts....knitting? anyone know if they have such classes within the community. i think it'd be a good break in between hours of studying.


Ya, the YMCA(smallest one I have ever seen) is just prob a mile west of the school, near the Greenbrier in and the Hampton Inn. I am sure there is some membership fee, but I'm sure it's not bad. One of the older guys I lifted with told me that some of the professors work out there. They have a lot of variety even if the equipment is kinda old. What to do between studying is a good question. I'll have to retire my discgolfing and start real golfing.
 
Xclone said:
Ya, the YMCA(smallest one I have ever seen) is just prob a mile west of the school, near the Greenbrier in and the Hampton Inn. I am sure there is some membership fee, but I'm sure it's not bad. One of the older guys I lifted with told me that some of the professors work out there. They have a lot of variety even if the equipment is kinda old. What to do between studying is a good question. I'll have to retire my discgolfing and start real golfing.

DO you know if there is a lap pool at the YMCA?
 
Has anyone seen the new lecture hall? Is it even finish yet?
 
Xclone said:
Ya, the YMCA(smallest one I have ever seen) is just prob a mile west of the school, near the Greenbrier in and the Hampton Inn. I am sure there is some membership fee, but I'm sure it's not bad. One of the older guys I lifted with told me that some of the professors work out there. They have a lot of variety even if the equipment is kinda old. What to do between studying is a good question. I'll have to retire my discgolfing and start real golfing.

so is the Y decent enough for someone who lifts 4 times a week?
 
Canuck99 said:
so is the Y decent enough for someone who lifts 4 times a week?

Sure. I lift often and its fine for me. They have a lot of machines, but also free weights. They have a few flat benches, a incline bench, a decline bench, preacher curl, free bars, tricept pulldowns...I don't do legs much but they have a squat and some leg machines. They have all you will need. I don't think they have a pool, but I could be wrong. I was only in the weight area which is pretty small. It's a narrow building, so I doubt they have a pool but could be wrong.

I am gonna drive down to find a place to live May 7th or whenever this semester ends. You guys think there will still be good places to pick from?
 
Xclone said:
I have decided to go to WVSOM. I like the town, the people, and it's a great school (with nearby Snow Shoe Mnt). I am still trying to decide between the Armed Forces Health Scholarship with the AirForce and the NHSC. Both pay for your full schooling. I am leaning towards NHSC right now.
Has everyone found a place to live yet? I wonder if it will be harder to find a good place with this new increase in class size.
Did anyone interview on feb 27th?
👍



Hey I'm doing the Navy HPSP...have you decided what you're doing yet?
 
trish10 said:
Hey I'm doing the Navy HPSP...have you decided what you're doing yet?

I am in the final steps of my application with the Air Force. I am still trying to decide on the 3 yr or 4 yr deal. Definitely a good deal financially.
 
I dont think I've ever been in the school gym when more than 2 other people have been in there at the same time except when there are planned activities going on, eg. broomball, dodgeball, or basketball games.

The Y has access to a pool though one of the hotels near it. I'm not sure what the pool is like cause I haven't had a chance to check it out and I'm not a fan of indoor pools. If I knew that it was a decent lap pool then I might have made more of an effort but I suspect it's not. I think the Y mostly uses it for water aerobics.

We were told recently that they are going to add more gym equipment to the gym at the school. I'm not sure how they are going to fit this stuff in.. but they say they have a plan.
 
does anyone know if WVSOM has an attendance policy for SBL?
 
Canuck99 said:
does anyone know if WVSOM has an attendance policy for SBL?


When I interviewed, I specificially asked about that. No, they don't have an attendance policy for SBL 🙂 I wasn't in PBL, then I would love SBL cause I would never go to class anyways--I learn so much better on my own.
 
JohnUC33 said:
When I interviewed, I specificially asked about that. No, they don't have an attendance policy for SBL 🙂 I wasn't in PBL, then I would love SBL cause I would never go to class anyways--I learn so much better on my own.

same here but with the amount of material that we have to get through now, i think i will have to try to make it to class.
 
how many of ya'll are planning on buying a new computer before school starts. i have an older DELL and am debating on whether to get a new fancy one. with all the laptop computer requirements that WVSOM has i will probably have to get a new one.
 
Canuck99 said:
how many of ya'll are planning on buying a new computer before school starts. i have an older DELL and am debating on whether to get a new fancy one. with all the laptop computer requirements that WVSOM has i will probably have to get a new one.
I have a Dell Dimension 8200 desktop right now. I will be getting a laptop in early July. It will probably be a Dell latitude D620. It looks like a good mobile laptop at a decent price except for having only one speaker.
 
FutureDocDO said:
I have a Dell Dimension 8200 desktop right now. I will be getting a laptop in early July. It will probably be a Dell latitude D620. It looks like a good mobile laptop at a decent price except for having only one speaker.


I will be getting a new laptop because mine is kinda old and barely functioning. 🙁 Not sure on the specs or which type. Most likely a dell. Would like the new apples that use the windows OP but they are kinda price but they are BADD!! I already have a pretty awesome desk top with a top notch MP3 collection so I got to take that at least just for my music!

We all should have a little get together in early august. Does any one else here have a my space account? I have gotten the my space bug and just wonderding if I am the only one! 😎
 
I had a toshiba laptop that worked decently well.. but with a malfunctioning space bar. Anyways I decided that was a good enough excuss to get a new laptop. I got THE lightest laptop I could find. Ended up with a panasonic toughbook. I love it. It is increadibly portable.
As a result if anyone asks me what type of computer to get my suggestion is as light as you can find.
 
I've never had a laptop or the need for one. For those who currently have a laptop what is an ideal weight to be carrying it around to class everyday. I want a light laptop but I don't want to sacrifice screen size. Ideally, I want a 14" laptop. Most of them are around 5lbs.
 
The panasonic is a 14.1" screen and 3.3 lbs.
That was the lightest I could find for that size.
I have classmates who got the largest screen they could possibly get. They have computers the size of a movie screen but they also have to lift weights in order to be able to carry their computers back and forth.
 
I think I'm going to keep mine as long as I can get the updates we need. It's not that old and I carried it around while writing my 250 page MS thesis. When it dies, I'll get a new one. That's $3000 saved from the proposed financial aid sheet.
 
Megalofyia said:
I had a toshiba laptop that worked decently well.. but with a malfunctioning space bar. Anyways I decided that was a good enough excuss to get a new laptop. I got THE lightest laptop I could find. Ended up with a panasonic toughbook. I love it. It is increadibly portable.
As a result if anyone asks me what type of computer to get my suggestion is as light as you can find.


What kind of Toshiba laptop did you have? I'm thinking about getting a M satellite series notebook myself. Other than the problem with the space bar, did you notice anything else negative?
 
jgl1980 said:
I will be getting a new laptop because mine is kinda old and barely functioning. 🙁 Not sure on the specs or which type. Most likely a dell. Would like the new apples that use the windows OP but they are kinda price but they are BADD!! I already have a pretty awesome desk top with a top notch MP3 collection so I got to take that at least just for my music!

We all should have a little get together in early august. Does any one else here have a my space account? I have gotten the my space bug and just wonderding if I am the only one! 😎


hahahah, jiggles. i got you hooked on myspace, didn't i! mission accomplished, my life is complete now.
 
theresa83 said:
hahahah, jiggles. i got you hooked on myspace, didn't i! mission accomplished, my life is complete now.


Yes you did!!! You have seriously altered my day to day life! 😉 I think I am an addict 😱 Everywhere I go I am looking for more friends to add 😀 I think it is about time that jiggles wrote on your board again. Haven't done it for a while so keep an eye out for it.
 
JohnUC33 said:
What kind of Toshiba laptop did you have? I'm thinking about getting a M satellite series notebook myself. Other than the problem with the space bar, did you notice anything else negative?
It was in the satellite series. The space bar issue was because I was trying to clean the keyboard. I had removed the space bar and broke a tiny piece off that was needed to put it together.
 
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