Glen definitely isn't the nicest place ever. The average income in Temple is probably pretty low, and houses are cheap, so folks who take up residence in apartments in Temple are either very economically disadvantaged, students, or new to Temple. that mixture of folks can tend to make pretty poor neighbors. overall we had no problem with the Glen though.
Ok, I feel like I am rambling a bit, but in re-reading your post, it seems like these two schools are about on equal footing with one another. I'm assuming since you are holding 2 acceptances right now that you probably interviewed at most the Texas schools. You may have had different experiences, but the A&M students I encountered were the most benign of the schools I went to. So for me, the combination of $100,000 difference in debt, great student body, great faculty, not having to live in Nebraska, having a great educational (classroom) experience, and having the ability to rotate through S&W would seal the deal for me....not that I'm biased or anything.
Good luck with your decision. It's a tough one, but keep trying to hash it out, and you will figure it out.
, and I reluctantly accept the title....*gulp* Aggie (I am a sports nut, and I grew up a Longhorns fan...sorry; I mean no disrespect...but it's like a Yankess/BoSox thing, you know). Anyway, I cannot wait to see everybody at CS and, in 2 years, in Temple! Have a great summer, Sean!Sean, as always, did a great job of answering the questions. The only thing I would add...as far as the grading, not only are there no curves, there is no rounding. An 89.99 is a B, a 69.99 is an F.
Also, people handle the pressures of medical school differently, and it is important to know UP FRONT that it is ok, even good, to ask for help with any sort of issue. We have had some students who were suffering alone due to shame? insecurity? whatever. Anyway, I will say up front that I did not handle the transition too well, and I am a charter member in the Lexapro fan club!
DrTLA, I actually went back to College Station and spoke with Mr. Maldonado, and they also gave me a personal tour with 2 M-1's. I needed to make sure A&M had equal footing with Creighton, not only in terms of academics but also the educational environment. So, here's my analysis, using your own words, more or less: Both Creighton and Texas A&M have a "great student body, great faculty," offer "a great educational (classroom) experience," and provide great clinical training. Plus, living in Omaha isn't that bad because you're surrounded by a caring student body, and even the locals are friendly (to a brown man, such as myself...in fact, I befriended locals just chillin' at a bar with current M-1's *the students bought me drinks after my interview, and much drunkenness ensued all-around*). Creighton itself is in downtown Omaha, which by most standards, is laughable, but still it has a downtown feel (taller buildings, night-life, slightly more upscale restaurants and apartments, etc.). I lived in up-town Boston (known as the Back-Bay/Fenway area) while at BU, so I would feel right at home in Omaha. Plus, I detest the heat, and I love the cold and the snow. But location cannot be an end-all factor in determining which medical school to attend; this decision is too important for that (otherwise, who the hell would want to go to WashU or Hopkins?). So, you said it best, and it comes down to cost. In which case, Aggieland wins! Thanks for your input; I can't wait to meet you and the rest in med school!!! I can't believe I'm about to do this, but "Whoooop!"
Sean, Sean, Sean, what can I say? You have been incredible and incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for bearing with my insolent questioning. You answered those questions favorably (towards A&M of course). As you may have read above, I paid A&M another visit the other day...yesterday in fact, and Mr. Maldonado and Dr. Fallon answered my questions very well (haha, it was more like I was interviewing them). In addition, the students during the tour gave me a positive impression of the school. They even said that the M-2's are very helpful (but not exceedingly so as in the case of Creighton, a Catholic school). The facilities at CS (and the fact that we will have a brand new campus next year) truly impressed me. All the good things I hear about Scott and White are something to take into consideration. Mr. Maldonado gave me most of the statistical data I had requested and a program list for the match from the last 4 years, and A&M's match, which does seem to be based on regional preference, is quite impressive (I saw an ENT match at Barnes-Jewish...wow). So in the end, Creighton and A&M seem quite similar in terms of the education which the students procure and the environment in which they study. So, as stated above, it comes down to cost. Sean, thank you again for all your answers and your consideration. Haha, you even attempted to answer questions which would require reading my mind and predicting the future (the questions in the second paragraph would be ones I would ask myself when picking a school...and I did not expect you to answer them). Still, I appreciate it.
I am now quite excited to be joining you at the TAMHSC College of Medicine
P.S. I joined the A&M facebook group last night, and from certain comments posted, I think I know who you are.
Cpa, I am assuming you were a business major/accountant? It's always heartening to hear success stories from those who met a little academic adversity. In fact yours is a story that serves as a compelling argument to attend A&M because it seems like A&M provides a safety net to students who might need a little help to get by. My student interviewer at Creighton was a history major (as was I...hmm, this may have played a part in my acceptance there...). And unlike me, he was a history guy that chose to do medicine (whereas I'm a science guy that chose history). While I found history courses to be a challenge as an undergrad, my interviewer said he had a lot of trouble adjusting to med school (and now he's an M-4). I needed to hear a testimonial like this one from A&M so I had a basis of comparison with Creighton. I mean, the situation stinks, I'm sure, but it seems like you're doing alright now, which is good. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and your honesty! I do really appreciate it. Take care, man, and have a great summer!
I know how you feel becoming an Aggie....I went to UT and am one of the most die hard Longhorn fans you will meet. Me and Sean may have to duke it out on Thanksgiving (although we both know what team will win). 
Don't count on it.
DrTLA, I actually went back to College Station and spoke with Mr. Maldonado, and they also gave me a personal tour with 2 M-1's. I needed to make sure A&M had equal footing with Creighton, not only in terms of academics but also the educational environment. So, here's my analysis, using your own words, more or less: Both Creighton and Texas A&M have a "great student body, great faculty," offer "a great educational (classroom) experience," and provide great clinical training. Plus, living in Omaha isn't that bad because you're surrounded by a caring student body, and even the locals are friendly (to a brown man, such as myself...in fact, I befriended locals just chillin' at a bar with current M-1's *the students bought me drinks after my interview, and much drunkenness ensued all-around*). Creighton itself is in downtown Omaha, which by most standards, is laughable, but still it has a downtown feel (taller buildings, night-life, slightly more upscale restaurants and apartments, etc.). I lived in up-town Boston (known as the Back-Bay/Fenway area) while at BU, so I would feel right at home in Omaha. Plus, I detest the heat, and I love the cold and the snow. But location cannot be an end-all factor in determining which medical school to attend; this decision is too important for that (otherwise, who the hell would want to go to WashU or Hopkins?). So, you said it best, and it comes down to cost. In which case, Aggieland wins! Thanks for your input; I can't wait to meet you and the rest in med school!!! I can't believe I'm about to do this, but "Whoooop!"
Sean, Sean, Sean, what can I say? You have been incredible and incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for bearing with my insolent questioning. You answered those questions favorably (towards A&M of course). As you may have read above, I paid A&M another visit the other day...yesterday in fact, and Mr. Maldonado and Dr. Fallon answered my questions very well (haha, it was more like I was interviewing them). In addition, the students during the tour gave me a positive impression of the school. They even said that the M-2's are very helpful (but not exceedingly so as in the case of Creighton, a Catholic school). The facilities at CS (and the fact that we will have a brand new campus next year) truly impressed me. All the good things I hear about Scott and White are something to take into consideration. Mr. Maldonado gave me most of the statistical data I had requested and a program list for the match from the last 4 years, and A&M's match, which does seem to be based on regional preference, is quite impressive (I saw an ENT match at Barnes-Jewish...wow). So in the end, Creighton and A&M seem quite similar in terms of the education which the students procure and the environment in which they study. So, as stated above, it comes down to cost. Sean, thank you again for all your answers and your consideration. Haha, you even attempted to answer questions which would require reading my mind and predicting the future (the questions in the second paragraph would be ones I would ask myself when picking a school...and I did not expect you to answer them). Still, I appreciate it.
I am now quite excited to be joining you at the TAMHSC College of Medicine
P.S. I joined the A&M facebook group last night, and from certain comments posted, I think I know who you are.
Awesome! Thanks.Awesome! You should be good. Other than anatomy lab, there's not usually anything on Friday afternoons. You can trade with someone if you're in lab. Quizzes are at the start of lab, at 1, so you'll have plenty of time to get there.
Even if you have a test on Monday (which is not likely), Friday night won't kill you. Have fun!
Awesome! Thanks.
They're playing Boston, so the crowd should be a good size. I'm just hoping my quartet gets the call for the playoffs, too!
FWIW, Glen is not across the highway. You just take Scott Blvd across 31st to get to S&W.Hmmm... It was a while ago, but I looked at
Echo Station - they were very new and the kitchens were big, but there was no place to put a dining room table. I don't remember about the rent though.
The Glen - Not a very nice place, but passable. I think they'll be doing some improvements this coming year under new management. Super close to Scott and White. Probably not bike-able because it's across the highway. Rent is cheap.
I also looked at one other one that was right next to the Bridge, but I don't remember much other than it was similar in price and value to the Bridge. Chappell Hill was the first apt. that I looked at and I knew it was the one, so I didn't look at too many beyond that... just enough to confirm my bias
Awesome! Thanks.
They're playing Boston, so the crowd should be a good size. I'm just hoping my quartet gets the call for the playoffs, too!
When I came from Boston for my interview, the round-trip ticket to Houston was $700+, and the round-trip ticket to College Station/Easterwood with a connection in Houston was ~$370...that was an easy call for me. It's definitely a case-by-case thing and depends on when you buy the ticket, how many days before your intended day of departure you buy the ticket, and the travel season (peak or off) in which you intend to travel. Just go to Orbitz.
Continental is usually a safe bet (since there are 4 flights or so in and out of CS and Houston is a major hub for it). I think American and Delta fly into CS, too, but Delta sucks big time and you would have to connect in Atlanta or something out of the way and American connects through Dallas (biggest, busiest airport in TX = more chance of delays). I think there is a shuttle from Houston Intercontinental to CS, or there used to be, and if it still runs and the ticket to Houston is much cheaper than the ticket to CS, then I would suggest flying to Houston and taking the shuttle. I mean, I would rather get to CS sooner than wait at the airport for the next plane to CS.
Also, Easterwood is located like probably less than half a mile from the med campus, so it's pretty convenient in case you do fly directly to CS. It's a pretty tiny airport, but it does have 2 gates that are used for even the really small jets. What's awesome is when you fly out of CS, if you show up like an hour before your flight, that's probably too early. I really like small airports, especially when they're located like 5 minutes from where you live...no lines, less time waiting, usually a friendlier staff, and, sometimes, it's cheaper because the airlines want to fill up seats on planes going to less population destinations.
I hope this helped a little.
Wait... so if you just wanted to go to Houston you could've saved $330 by "missing" your flight to College Station?
Where in Boston did you go to school? I'm an ex-Terrier myself..Hmm, now I can see from where the origin of your SDN screen name might have come... To be accurate, you may want to change it to "sea2sea2gulf." Actually, nevermind; that doesn't have as nice of a ring to it, and the part of the Houston area that's associated with the gulf is Galveston Bay *shudders*. Galveston might be nice and all, but the beaches....
Anyhoo, that's quite a conundrum. What I would do is see if there still is a shuttle from IAH to CS. If not, then find out how much it would cost for a one-way rental from the cheapest car rental company for the cheapest car they have (if you're coming alone without too much luggage). See if that's any cheaper. Otherwise, I would just fly directly there; I don't know how else to do it because there is no other easy method for getting there (taxi will probably cost ~$150 anwyay, there's no train or public transport, etc.). Sorry
Yes, but when you skip a "segment" of your flight (and this is probably true with all airlines), the rest of your ticket is scrapped as well, and I needed to get back to Boston. I already knew about this rule so I didn't try it, but I did have a couple of friends who learned this the hard way. Let this be a warning to you, too, lest you be stranded on a return flight at some point in the future. What you can do [and what I usually do] is, when you have to fly one-way, buy the round-trip ticket because, more often than not, for big city destinations, the round-trip ticket is cheaper, and just skip the return flight or use this segment to fly back at a later time if plans change or to another place (a flight change fee might apply but is usually less than the cost of a new ticket). Haha, I sound like the disclaimer guy.
i was also at BU (though for a master's program and not undergrad). the shuttle looks like it would be a good compromise; i think online it said 25.99 which is cheaper than cab fees i have paid before.
haha, yes, maybe it is time for a screen name update
i have another question which might be a little silly, but how cold does it get in CS in the fall/winter? are fleeces/winter jackets/scarves, etc. necessary?
Most days in the winter are highs in the 50s. There will be 1 or 2 chilly days - CS had a touch of snow this past year (meaning it snowed one day and was 70 the next). Most people get by with a hoodie, maybe a pair of gloves, and maybe a scarf for windy days. No parkas required - a jacket...maybe, particularly if it has a zip-out lining.
In my experience tablet functionality can be substituted for by just printing out all the powerpoints and writing on them. The one subject that this is really necessary for is histology, where you actually have to circle and label slides in the powerpoint presentation. Though this may just be personal preference.
Whoa. You can't break the lease at all? That's awful!
