SUNY Upstate Medical 2011

[spanky33]

Hi all,
Is health insurance through SUNY Upstate the cheapest? I think, its some blue shield company. Are there any other cheap companies?

sunny,

in terms of loans, i got the same thing from OSAP and that's pretty much all I could put together on my own. everything else needs a co-signer.

in terms of health insurance, go to the OHIP bureau and ask them for extended coverage, and show them your acceptance letter (and something showing that it goes until 2011). also take your old OHIP card, your driver's licence , and you passport or birth certificate. they will give you extended coverage in new york. more importantly, SUNY Upstate accepts this as your health insurance.... Pretty sweet...

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[BEMD]

Does anyone have suggestions for where to find a queen size mattress set in Syracuse? I was going to go with Macy's, but it turns out they don't deliver to where I'm living. I've checked out the big chain stores (Wal-mart, JC Penneys, Target), but they didn't have anything great.

Hey,
I have been living in Syracuse for about 1.5 months now so I have had some time to explore. I don't know if you have a car, but there is an area of Syracuse, well technically its East Syracuse, that has several mattress stores. I was shopping for a futon a few days ago and, lots of them area actually having back to school sales right now. They are all on Eire Blvd. To get there from the campus head east on 690 to exit 15 or 16. They will let you off onto Eire Blvd. There is also a Wal-mart over in that area. Good luck with your search. If you want a more detailed description feel free to PM me.

 

[Oschemi]

Hi all,
Is health insurance through SUNY Upstate the cheapest? I think, its some blue shield company. Are there any other cheap companies?

HTH world wide is much cheaper than the blue shield company. This provider is for international students but I am not sure if their coverage is as good as excellus blue cross blue shield. I am still not sure which to choose. Best of luck.
P.S: Just found out that intl students are ineligible for the Blue shield insurance, oh well.

 

[AnxiousBoy]

Is there any Canadian who got accepted into SUNY this year? I would like to know how you ppl arranged your finances? OSAP is giving me only 8500 , where do u suggest I go next?

Hi there,

I'm from Canada accepted this year and going. Sorry for the late reply. I went to RBC. 180,000 no co-signer. What you need to do is go to the medical student specialist guy. He can manipulate your numbers so that you can get cleared without a co-signer. I got it without a co-signer with zero assets (but excellent credit history). Well, at least you got OSAP. I'm from BC and BCSAP doesn't even have Upstate as a designated school. I will have to do some more work to get this one through, though.

 

[RedVelvet1]

I'll bet you can find a mattress at Raymour and Flanigal on Erie BLVD and that they would deliver too...

 

[RedVelvet1]

I know this is horrible to think about since school hasn't even STARTED yet, but I am already getting nervous about MFM. I've heard such bad things about. I heard the notes for one test are over 700 pages long and people keep telling me it shouldn't be bad as long as you keep up with it everyday, but I really don't see how it is physically possible to learn all that material. To anybody who has already taken it, did you just pick out the stuff that seemed important and ignore the other stuff?

 

[racerx]

I know this is horrible to think about since school hasn't even STARTED yet, but I am already getting nervous about MFM. I've heard such bad things about. I heard the notes for one test are over 700 pages long and people keep telling me it shouldn't be bad as long as you keep up with it everyday, but I really don't see how it is physically possible to learn all that material. To anybody who has already taken it, did you just pick out the stuff that seemed important and ignore the other stuff?

Take a deep breath and say, "It'll be OK." Seriously, it isn't that bad. While there is a lot of information, remember that each exam is only 80 MC questions. There is only so much material that they can cover in that short an exam. Also, there are only two other courses you'll have concurrent with MFM, both which take much less of your time.

They give you the notes in a pre-printed syllabus, and will often tell you that something is important to know. Develop a system of marking/highlighting instructor-stated important info in the notes, aside from the regular highlighting.

Also, when learning all of the metabolic pathways, I bought a medium-sized whiteboard and eraseable markers. Different colors for different components of the pathways (i.e., red=enzymes, blue=substrate, etc.). . .and drew them out repeatedly, until I knew them cold.

Again, you'll do fine. The nervousness is normal, but will pass. You're going to find out that it isn't as intellectually difficult as you thought. However, the pace is much quicker than undergrad.

Upstate has a great support system for students. They don't want to see you fail, so they have tutorial and review groups for all the classes. The reviews in the week before each exam are useful, depending on the instructor. You often get an idea of what material on which to focus when studying for the exam.

You'll each get a big sib, an MS2 that often passes on exams from previous years. These will give you an idea of what is important to know, allowing you to focus your efforts even more.

Sorry this is so long and rambling, but I'm pre-coffee this morning.

racerx

 

[racerx]

I'll bet you can find a mattress at Raymour and Flanigal on Erie BLVD and that they would deliver too...

The Sears stores in the malls usually have great deals on Sealy mattresses. They deliver too.

 

[DrKitty]

Welcome to Upstate, class of 2011! Summer went by so fast...

As far as MFM, I personally think it was not as bad as some people make it sound. If you were a biology major, a lot of it will be review for you. If not, just focus on what's emphasized in class and check out old exams.

On the other hand, are you ready for Shanley?

As far as I remember, the number of questions on each MFM exam pushed 80s, but I could be wrong, racerx. It feels like MFM was ages ago. See you in class soon

 

[racerx]

Welcome to Upstate, class of 2011! Summer went by so fast...

As far as MFM, I personally think it was not as bad as some people make it sound. If you were a biology major, a lot of it will be review for you. If not, just focus on what's emphasized in class and check out old exams.

On the other hand, are you ready for Shanley?

As far as I remember, the number of questions on each MFM exam pushed 80s, but I could be wrong, racerx. It feels like MFM was ages ago. See you in class soon

You are absolutely right DrKitty. I rechecked some of my old exams. Approximately 80 questions.

To the OP, it's still not overwhelming. As Dr. Kitty said, it is mainly review if you have a strong bio background.

Dr. Shanley is the pathophysiology Prof. His MS1 course is titled MLC1. I started out the year carrying an intense distaste for his methods, but began to actually *gasp* enjoy the course. You do learn alot about how to think through the disease process, and he kinda grows on you a bit. He's not nearly as bad as he may come off at first.

DrKitty, I'm more than ready to get back to work. See you there!

 

[Scottish Chap]

I know this is horrible to think about since school hasn't even STARTED yet, but I am already getting nervous about MFM. I've heard such bad things about. I heard the notes for one test are over 700 pages long and people keep telling me it shouldn't be bad as long as you keep up with it everyday, but I really don't see how it is physically possible to learn all that material. To anybody who has already taken it, did you just pick out the stuff that seemed important and ignore the other stuff?

The material in med school is not conceptually difficult at all - there's just a huge volume that must be managed. Keep in mind that the Admissions Committee really does know an applicant's potential better than most applicants think and you'll do well once you get there. You'll see. Good luck!

 

[RedVelvet1]

Thanks for all the MFM advice guys

 

[Meli308314]

Do people tend to bring their laptops to take notes during class or do they take notes on paper?

 

[Random]

Mostly paper but some people bring their laptops. More people bring their computers in the first year b/c you can spread out in the 9th floor auditorium more than in the 1st floor one.

 

[racerx]

Do people tend to bring their laptops to take notes during class or do they take notes on paper?

A few people take laptops, but most just use the margins of the syllabus. Most of the information you will need is in the syllabus, with hilighting of salient points and the occasional fleshing-out of info. These syllabi are nothing like I'd ever seen in undergrad. They are complete notes.

I always kept a few sheets of loose leaf notepaper in the back of my 3-ring binder (the syllabi all come pre-punched) to draw diagrams if so needed, but that was it. Also, the powerpoints and videos of the lectures are provided to you online for study; this helps reduce the need for notes too.

All of that being said,do what is most comfortable for you and appropriate for the class you're taking. For example, MLC1 doesn't provide a syllabus, as is is less structured and more Q/A -- taking notes there might be a good idea.

 

[RugbyJC]

Do people tend to bring their laptops to take notes during class or do they take notes on paper?

I think one person in my class did at first, but then we made fun of him so he stopped. Do what works for you though.

***********

Just throwing in my two cents on MFM and Shandley too. I never took biochem in college and didn't understand this stuff the first time it was presented to me in general bio. I didn't understand it during MFM and I still don't understand this stuff, nor have I seen it since step I, nor will I ever see it again. If you fall into this category just memorize what you need to, remember that you will see it on the boards and do what you have to do to pass. You must get that 70, but whether you get a 70 or an 86 you will still get that P and P=MD. There are also Kaplan Videos in the library that can teach this material better than some of the profs and they are a very underused resource. If you are struggling, check these out and use the Kaplan Biochem book...and even First Aid. This class can be a little annoying, but it doable even without a bio background. Remember you need to have fun though and sleep. Pace yourself.

As far as Shandley, his bark is worse than his bite. The class ahead of mine hated him, but we voted him best path prof when I was a second year and I learned the most from his class because it really makes you think. Im even taking his MLC-III as a fourth year. You should know that his class is not worth as much as the other classes and it is hard to really fail unless you are WAY WAY below the mean. Set limits on how much time you will devote to this material and stick with that. DO NOT NEGLECT your other classes, no matter how tempting this is.

ok...im done typing mindlessly for now...

 

[BEMD]

Hey everyone,
I was just wondering what everyone is planning to wear to orientation tomorrow and this week. I have to admit that I am a little nervous about meeting everyone and starting school, but at the same time I cant wait.

See you all tomorrow.

 

[CoryChevalier]

Yup...this is it; we're finally starting. Good luck bro.

 

[racerx]

MS1's,
I just wanted to say enjoy your orientation. Have fun, make new friends, and hit the ground running!

See you at club day (Sunday).

 

[stemcell345]

Here is a site for Upstate Medical Class of 2011!

Can anyone please give me some information on SUNY Upstate? Like why they wanted to go there... what the school has to offer. I'm interested in all kinds of medicine right now..so any information on programs would help. Can you do rotations in buffalo?

 

[CoryChevalier]

What do you want to know? I'm just a first year so only know so much but I really like the facilities at Upstate...new anatomy lab and nice location. A big reason for my decision was that everyone that I talked to who went there seemed to guinuinely like the school....and so far I do too (just a bit too much work . If you like really getting hands on in 3rd year stuff, Upstate is perfect because you can do your clinicals in Binghamton instead of Syracuse and have a lot more physican-student time (you won't be last in line after residents and fellows)....great experience if you're interested in surgery.
As far as rotations in Buffalo, I know you can do an elective 3rd year and I think you get a couple of away electives 4th year that you could do in Buffalo if you so wish, but you can go anywhere on those rotations and Buffalo is similar to Syracuse.

Sorry for the bad typing and bad grammar, I just got done doing work for the night and I'm trying to make time for 30 minutes of rest time before bed.

 

[goosie]

Hi,

Thanks in advance for answering my question! My boyfriend has an interview at SUNY Upstate next week (I know, I know- why isn't he posting? I'm really really bored at work and he's swamped at the lab, so I'm trying to be a nice gf. Plus, I applied to SUNY, so hopefully I'll need this info myself!)

I was hoping to get a sense of what the interview is like- laid back or high stress? One person or a committee? Really anything would be helpful, I know he didn't get much info other than a date for the interview.

Thanks again!

 

[tictaq]

Hi,

Thanks in advance for answering my question! My boyfriend has an interview at SUNY Upstate next week (I know, I know- why isn't he posting? I'm really really bored at work and he's swamped at the lab, so I'm trying to be a nice gf. Plus, I applied to SUNY, so hopefully I'll need this info myself!)

I was hoping to get a sense of what the interview is like- laid back or high stress? One person or a committee? Really anything would be helpful, I know he didn't get much info other than a date for the interview.

Thanks again!

Interview is really laid back...two interviews (one of mine was with a student which is super laid back)

don't worry you'll do fine!

 

[CoryChevalier]

Yeah I agree....I had one as a student too and it really wasn't a big deal. Not one of the more stressful interviews I had

 

[RedVelvet1]

Any of the upperclassment have any suggestions on what equipment we should buy? Those Welch Allyn are trying to persuade us to buy their 400 dollar Otoscope/Ophthalmoscope but it seems like a heavy investment. Did anybody buy any other brands?

 

[RedVelvet1]

BTW- anybody know how seen we really need the otoscope/ophthalmoscope? November or something?

 

[DrDavid7]

SO do most people live in Clark, Madison or Jefferson.

For people living in Madison how do you like it?

 

[CoryChevalier]

If you want to live off-campus but not too far away I recommend Jefferson...nice apartments and good management. Madison is nice too but I've heard management isn't as good.

 

[racerx]

BTW- anybody know how seen we really need the otoscope/ophthalmoscope? November or something?

You'll need it around the beginning of November. As far as the Welch/Allyn Deluxe set -- I got it, but didn't need the full monty. Many of the MS2's have either the Welch/Allyn portable pocket set (much cheaper and smaller), or older sets bought from ebay.

 

[kjoe]

Hi,

Thanks in advance for answering my question! My boyfriend has an interview at SUNY Upstate next week (I know, I know- why isn't he posting? I'm really really bored at work and he's swamped at the lab, so I'm trying to be a nice gf. Plus, I applied to SUNY, so hopefully I'll need this info myself!)

I was hoping to get a sense of what the interview is like- laid back or high stress? One person or a committee? Really anything would be helpful, I know he didn't get much info other than a date for the interview.

Thanks again!

They are really laid back. Usually they are with one MS and one faculty, but I had two faculty and can't complain. I was super nervous at the first one (which was a lot longer than the second) but I felt like the interviewers really just wanted to make it comfortable.

BTW, I was accepted yesterday!!!

 

[CoryChevalier]

Congrats kjoe, hope to see you here next year!