Sure! Are there many student organizations? If so, are any specifically geared toward the performing arts (singing, acting, piano, dance)?
When I last counted, there were 40+ different medical student groups, and this doesn't even include university-wide groups and student government. Most of the med school groups (obviously) have a medical bent - AMA, AMSA, SNMA; different specialty interest groups like IMIG/EMIG/SIG/FMIG, etc who host an array of lunchtime talks and procedure nights throughout the school year. There are also many service oriented groups, like healthy choices for baltimore and mountain manor, which are also somewhat "medical" in that they strive to promote healthy lifestyles. There is a musical performance group called otitis musica, which I believe is mainly instrumental. There was, in the past, an a cappela group, but idk if they have had any membership in the past couple of years. Otitis musica put together several concerts that I believe may have involved some singing parts. I also have a couple of classmates who participated in musical groups/orchestras outside of UMB. Aside from OM, I'm not certain if the medical school itself has a performance group, but there may be a university-wide group and/or groups in other schools (law, etc) that you might consider participating in. Also, it is fairly easy to start your own student group - you can request funding from student council as well as USGA.
What fun stuff is there to do in Baltimore?
Different strokes. What are you into?
I like to hit up Federal Hill once in a while for happy hour or dinner/dancing at one or more local watering holes/meat markets, but I'm getting a bit past the age where that kinda thing is novel anymore.
But there's Magerk's and Mad River for those who haven't outgrown their frat boy/sorostitute phases, and Thirsty Dog is always a fun place to start/end the evening (decent, cheap beer and great pub-type food). Besides, everyone needs to go out and get embarrasingly intoxicated once a year - might as well do it at a place that plays absolutely tragic dance music and gets way too crowded with yuppies and underage uncoordinated binge drinkers who attempt to sing along to the latest hiphop joint being blasted over the speakers and obviously don't know any of the words. Curiously, these are the same people who then, 2 minutes later, are furiously jamming on their air guitar to Bon Jovi and screaming all the words to "Livin' on a Prayer" (although I swear half the people in the room weren't even alive when that song hit the airwaves).
(Don't lie. We all have been "That guy" (or gal) at least once. And if you're not inebriated enough to participate in the revelry, at least it's great people-watching.)
There's a fantastic art museum called the Walters in Mount Vernon that's free (or at least it used to be?). Mount Vernon also boasts a really fun environment that's funky and unique without feeling as trendy/yuppie as Fed Hill. The basilica is very beautiful and a cool place to visit, and the entire Mount Vernon area is filled with amazing little shops and restaurants/bars/clubs like Red Maple, Brewer's Art, and The Helmand.
There's always the Inner Harbor, which I feel is pretty overrated. There's the typical fare - M&S grille, Cheesecake Factory, Hooters
, and of course the aquarium. There are better places to try across the water and also further west. My favorite places are Little Havana, Bay Cafe, and a whole strip of places in Fells Point. Across the street from the Harbor is PowerPlant Live!, which, IMNSHO, is only fun in the summer. There is a sort-of cul-de-sac of restaurant/bar/clubs, with a grandstand in the center, where, in the summer they host live shows.
There's a comedy club near the University. There is also the BSO and plenty of other local orchestras if that's your thing. The There are lots of smaller live venues that host everything from reggae to zydeco, but you'll have to consult the local paper for those specifics. The Baltimore Opera recently bankrupted, which is unfortunate because the Lyric Opera House is something everyone should experience at least once. There are not many large live venues in Baltimore, because there's not a lot of space. There's a theater called the Hippodrome (actually, I think it was recently renamed) that hosts a lot of big-name performances. There are a couple of small movie theaters (my favorite being the Charles) that show more indy-type flicks. Most blockbuster-type movie theaters are a decent drive away - Arundel Mills is a good place to escape to in order to see the latest Bond- or X-Men-type "big-screen" releases.
Everyone needs to go to at least one O's game and then go to Pickle's afterwards. Tickets are $6 with student ID on Fridays and although the seats are out in Center Field, the view is pretty decent. There's always Ravens stadium in the fall/winter if you are so inclined. My favorite sports bar is Ropewalk Tavern in Federal Hill, but that's mostly because that's the official meeting spot of the unofficial U of Michigan alumni club of Baltimore - but seriously, they show lots of games and the ambiance beats the pants off of a place like ESPN zone in the Harbor.
If you're an outdoorsy person, there are some relatively decent places to go around here, although not too many
I recommend going to Fort McHenry if you are a history buff. There's Centennial Lake in Columbia, which has a 2+-mile circle around the lake that's beautiful and nice for running, walking, or rollerblading. I also like Patapsco State Park, which is a short car-ride away and has some good hiking and running/walking trails. Federal Hill has a park, and there's always Patterson Park (I think there's a bbq there during 1st year?). Lots of our classmates participate in rec league sports like soccer and basketball. You can sign up for these through the University or join a community rec league.
Anyway, hopefully that'll give you guys a running start in terms of a social scene in Baltimore
I suggest also meeting people outside of med school - through an alumni club, church, rec sports team, etc. Also remember that DC is only a 45-minute trip, and Philly and NYC are also pretty close. So there's plenty of opportunity for road trips!
