University of Maryland Class of 2011

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God I hope I'm one of those that barely stude ones :D
So I remember the grading system being A/B/C etc but was it just my imagination or did i hear something about making first year P/F?

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God I hope I'm one of those that barely stude ones :D
So I remember the grading system being A/B/C etc but was it just my imagination or did i hear something about making first year P/F?

There are those on the faculty that are proponents of this as well as actual students. That being said, its not going to happen anytime soon. Maybe in like 5 years someone will finally get enough "oomph" behind the idea, but for now, its a no go.

As for parking, I've never felt scared to walk to the parking garage. However, during the week, after 6, there is a carvan service you can use to get pretty much anywhere on campus. Even though I live a little less than a mile from school, my street is actually the farthest one west that the caravan will go to, so I have even taken this home some nights if I stay very late (I usually ride my bike to school). If you live within the area, you can take it to go to the grocery store, get whereever. If you're on campus and you want to go somewhere else on campus, you can take it. You can even take it from the school to the parking garage which is about 3 blocks if you want. Here's the link that'll give you the area map that is serviced by the caravan. Read where it says Caravan and click on the link for the service area map.

http://www.umaryland.edu/student/transportation.html
 
I have a quick question for all of the current students, especially those that live in appartments right next to campus. Do you and your classmates all have cars? I know that the public transportation isnt the best in Baltimore, so it is basically a necessity to have a car? The reason I ask is becuase I currently do have a car, but before looking at appartments this past weekend while I was in the city I didnt realize how much it would coast to park my car for a month at a time. :oops:

Also, I had a second question. When I was looking at appartments this past weekend I primarily focused on the buildings like The Sail Cloth Factory, The Marlboro, etc. These were all very nice but a little pricey. I was wondering where else I could live that would still be relatively safe but a little less pricey. Also, how does parking work in these areas. Thanks for your help.

No one has an answer ?:(
 
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No one has an answer ?:(

I know that some people have cars, but also that a some people don't. I have no idea on percentages. You can get by without a car if you live within walking distance to campus.

As for places to live, you can try finding a room to rent in a private house in a place like Ridgley's delight. In these cases there is street parking which I don't think costs anything. A lot of students live here, and get enough roommates together to rent an entire house. Its going to be difficult to find actual apartment housing right near the school any cheaper than the places you mentioned.
 
Hello all UMD 2011 class:thumbup:
Will anyone be living in the Owings Mills area. I am already in Baltimore, doing post-bacc research with the NiH.
Congrats to all of you.


Yay! 2011!!! :clap:
 
pikesville, close enough?

Depends how long it would take you on a morning commute to get there. That's kind of an obvious statement, but if you can get to campus in 30-45 minutes you shouldn't have a problem. It takes me around that long from Columbia, but then again I don't have to deal with 695...

I have a friend who comes from Ellicott City. Another comes from Timonium, 95% sure. I'll double check with her, but it can be done. Around here, there is usually a certain time at which you can leave your home and make it to campus quickly, but beware, if you leave after that, traffic makes it a disproportionately longer journey. Don't know if you ever have the time or desire, but drive it once or twice around 7am on a weekday (its best during the school year, traffic patterns change summertime) to get a feel for it.

Wish I could give you something more accurate than that! I'll check with my girl from T-Mo and let you know, but she pretty much told me the same.
 
Hey!
How far is Pikesville from Owings Mills? I have been living here in Owings Mills for about 5 months. It took me ~ 45mins to get to UMSOM the day of my interview. That's also because the metro station is ~4 blocks from the SOM. BTW, is it better to get off "Lexington Street" or "Charles Center." Did anyone do the "Charles Center" stop.

Yay! I guess we'll be classmates next semester.:thumbup: :thumbup:
 
Cool thanks to the person above. Lexington it'll be for me then all year long.

So is everyone graduating this year from college?
graduated already and chilling in Cancun before matriculating? :D
 
Cool thanks to the person above. Lexington it'll be for me then all year long.

So is everyone graduating this year from college?
graduated already and chilling in Cancun before matriculating? :D
lol, i wish, I wish, I wish. I'm in my senior year in college. Looking forward to getting married this summer and possibly coming to UMD. Anyone else tying the knot this summer before school?
 
No one has an answer ?:(

I wish I could give you a good answer. I have considered getting rid of my car, because I only drive it once a week to my orchestra rehearsals (I used to drive it twice a week, but now there is a good grocery store within walking distance, so I don't even need it for groceries). Paying $120 a month to park it and about $1200 a year in insurance for my husband and I is ridiculous when we never drive anywhere.
That being said, I have been told by 3rd/4th year students that a car is a must during rotations. When I press them for details, they don't usually give me specifics, so I only know that a car would probably be needed for the required ambulatory rotation during 4th year (where they send you out to a rural/underserved area in Maryland for 8 weeks). You might want to check with Student Affairs if you are really serious about getting rid of your car, and they can point you in the right direction for answers.
 
lol, i wish, I wish, I wish. I'm in my senior year in college. Looking forward to getting married this summer and possibly coming to UMD. Anyone else tying the knot this summer before school?

I didn't, but there are a few people in our class who did...its a good time to get married, believe me! All the planning and everything it takes to do it, there's not very much time after med school starts to have a wedding. The summer after first year is also good, but other than those times...superman and superwoman are marrying cause thats a buffet on a dessert plate.

As a side note to everyone in a relationship going into med school, make sure they really understand how much work and time you have to put into this. I have a couple friends who are having a bit of trouble with their partners because they want more time than can be devoted to them. After talking to my girl about all this, shes been super cool so she only helps me when im stressed (she'll come to my apartment and make dinner and clean up for me even!) and is very understanding and supportive when I have to put in a lot of time with work when she would like to spend some QT.

I only make a note of this because its important to sit down with your (not you specifically, just for everyone!) partner and make sure the possibility of this situation arising is hashed out. I think there can be trouble when expectations are not hashed out thoroughly--this happened to a very good friend of mine and he's really not having a fun time right now...
 
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lol, i wish, I wish, I wish. I'm in my senior year in college. Looking forward to getting married this summer and possibly coming to UMD. Anyone else tying the knot this summer before school?

I got married last summer :) Congrats to you! I remember you were hoping your girlfriend got into Howard med school so you could live together - did everything work out for you guys? I understand the stress involved because my husband is in law school at GW, and I was worried about having to live apart to go to med school.
 
I got married last summer :) Congrats to you! I remember you were hoping your girlfriend got into Howard med school so you could live together - did everything work out for you guys? I understand the stress involved because my husband is in law school at GW, and I was worried about having to live apart to go to med school.
Well, she has her interview tomorrow, and as far as I know, HU still has spots open in the class, so we'll be praying alot!
 
Well, she has her interview tomorrow, and as far as I know, HU still has spots open in the class, so we'll be praying alot!

Good luck to her! I interviewed and got accepted there and had a good experience. Tell her to expect to fill a sheet of questions out in the morning (that was probably the biggest surprise), they want to see how you respond to the inquiries unscripted and "off the cuff". Also, wanting to practice medicine and an urban or community setting is a plus, they look highly upon that. PM me if you want to know more, I'd have to try to remember some of those questions, lol
 
is anyone taking or going to take this class:?
http://medschool.umaryland.edu/osa/med_spanish.asp

I don't, but there are a bunch of people that do - LadyWolverine does and there are a few others here that do I think. From all accounts, its well done. They split you up by fluency level - the only thing is that I think you have to have had at least some spanish in the past. Its not for BEGINNER beginners - but if you can say Hola and Como esta, you're ok. LW can give you more info.
 
Cool thanks to the person above. Lexington it'll be for me then all year long.

So is everyone graduating this year from college?
graduated already and chilling in Cancun before matriculating? :D

Nope, I graduated from college in 2001. Just working a lot and contemplating taking a vacation to maybe Vietnam or Thailand for a couple of weeks in May or June.
 
Cool thanks to the person above. Lexington it'll be for me then all year long.

So is everyone graduating this year from college?
graduated already and chilling in Cancun before matriculating? :D

I will be graduating college this spring. I am a Bioengineering major at Binghamton University, which is in New York. I lived in Maryland for most of my childhood life, but then my parents moved to New York when I was in middle school. I am very excited about the possibility of going to Maryland. I loved the school and I love the state, but it just sucks that I am an out of state resident :( .

How about everyone else, where are you all from? When I lived in Maryland I lived in Kingsville. :)
 
Well,let's just say my life has been a roller coaster so far.
I was born in France, grew up in Mali. I went back to France after high school. I came to the US six years ago (one year of learning english and four of University ) and now spending a year with the NIH.

Yay!:luck:
 
hey everyone! After effectively writing off the possibility of attending UMd (b/c I thought their interview season was over), to my immense shock and INCREDIBLE happiness, I received an interview invite yesterday! I can't tell you how excited I am!

I used to live in Baltimore, and unlike most people, I absolutely love it. I spent 6 years there after college (i'm non-trad, obviously)- 5 in Mt. Vernon and the last in Mt. Washington. I think the idea of attending school just blocks from Lexington Market and Camden Yards sounds like a little bit of heaven to me. :) I can't wait to visit the campus and see the facilities!

I read earlier in this thread that one of you current MS-Is wrote posts elsewhere about why you like b-more -- can you point me towards those posts? In the mean time, fingers crossed that soon I'll be joining the "where should I live and how much will I study" discussion.
 
Its entirely possible that we had a "discussion" about that in the 2010 thread. If so, its somewhere in the 40-odd pages we racked up (on a side note, you guys have to keep our rep going which means A LOT more posting). Here's the link to our old thread. Maybe you could use the search function or something because I haven't the foggiest idea where it might be in the thread and you probably don't want to read all 40 pages of our blatherings :)

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=244602
 
hey everyone! After effectively writing off the possibility of attending UMd (b/c I thought their interview season was over), to my immense shock and INCREDIBLE happiness, I received an interview invite yesterday! I can't tell you how excited I am!

I used to live in Baltimore, and unlike most people, I absolutely love it. I spent 6 years there after college (i'm non-trad, obviously)- 5 in Mt. Vernon and the last in Mt. Washington. I think the idea of attending school just blocks from Lexington Market and Camden Yards sounds like a little bit of heaven to me. :) I can't wait to visit the campus and see the facilities!

I read earlier in this thread that one of you current MS-Is wrote posts elsewhere about why you like b-more -- can you point me towards those posts? In the mean time, fingers crossed that soon I'll be joining the "where should I live and how much will I study" discussion.

Congrats on the interview !!!!:D :thumbup: I hope that it goes well. I loved the school when I saw it. I hope its a nice sun shiney day because that always helps, at least it did for me. :)
 
Yay! congvrats on the interview.. I dislike (uhhm for now) baltimore and I still managed to find it in my heart to absolutely love UMD so I can't imagine how much you'll love it once you see the facilities and people. Honestly, UMD students were the most diverse, coolest, most personable group I've seen of all the places I've interviewed at. so ya.. love love! Hope you get in!:luck:



and to add my intro, I'm from the Middle East, grew up there, moved to Wisconsin, then went back for high school (and had to relearn arabic haha), then moved to Maryland for University and ya.. so I'm from all those places.

(did I beat the french/mali person up there? ;) )
 
I guess I'm the most plain person here. I was born in Maryland, and grew up in Maryland, and am currently going to college in Alabama. But I'm not all bland, my father is from Jamaica, and my mother is from a small caribbean island called caracao. So basically I grew up in a very caribbean environment, and I consider myself very much caribbean. Lol, so yeah, after tests yall can come by my apartment for curry chicken and rice & peas!
 
OK, here, I'll drop a dime from probably the laziest person at school (me)

That's just fine, I kinda like it, I'll just make sure to increase your printing allotment by another 250 pgs. I'll also vote for you as the next AMA president, cause I wanna be on you.

Later!
 
Hey guys- a quick question about the MD interview. My interview invite email does not tell me with whom I will be interviewing. Do they tell you your interviewers' names ahead of time? Can anybody tell me generally what to expect (or point me towards a thread that discusses this?)

I know you guys are so beyond the interview jitters that it's ridiculous, but as far as I'm concerned, they're GOOD jitters! :p
 
Below is an excerpt from my blog when I wrote about my interview at UMD. Hope it helps!!!

My interview at Maryland went really well. My schedule for the day was:

8:30 a.m.- 9: a.m.: Arrive on Campus
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Interview with Dr. Christenson, Ph.D (Pathology)
10:00 a.m. -11: 00 a.m.- Interview with Dr. Jacobs, M.D. (Urology)
11:00 a.m. – 11: 30 a.m.: Financial Aid Session
11:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.: Orientation with Dr. Foxwell
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Lunch with medical students
1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.: Campus Tour with Medical students

So I woke up at around 5 a.m. and left the house around 7 so I could get to Baltimore by 8 a.m. I walked in and the other interviewees were already there. I was the only minority there, and at the time, the only male also. Maryland did their interviews a little differently, and basically we were shown on a map how to get to our interviewers place, and we had to walk there ourselves. There weren't any escorts like at Vanderbilt. When I got to my first interviewers building it was interesting because it was a research lab, so basically everyone looked up and was wondering why some tall guy in a suit was there. Anyway, they directed me to Dr. Christenson's office, but he wasn't there, so I waited outside until he came. He was really a very very very nice guy. He didn't really seem to care about my academic accomplishments at all; he just wanted to hold a conversation with me. He had certainly read my personal statement and was really interested in my work in the projects and overseas. We talked about that for most of the interview. Some questions I can remember are:

1) Have you been to any other interviews?
2) Why don't you look at the business side of medicine so instead of being that one doctor that does overseas missions, you can fundraise and employ thousands of doctors to do the work?
3) Why Maryland?
4) What do you think is keeping these kids from leaving the projects?
5) Why did you go to Oakwood College?
6) Did you play any sports in high school

There were other questions, but that was the bulk of it. We really just had a normal conversation, and I was completely put at ease.

Next I went to my interview with Dr. Jacobs, and he as an absolutely hilarious guy. Our interview basically consisted of us talking about surgery (my shadowing experiences), other medical schools and his opinions about them, Jews, Muslims, coffee, medical school debt, etc. He was adamant about me going to the medical school that cost the least, which ever one that was. We talked about the hard time primary care docs are having making money, and a lot of other stuff. Overall, he just wanted to hold a conversation with me, and I was completely put at ease.

Our group session with Dr. Foxwell was pretty cool. He is a down to earth kind of guy—very professional—but definitely down to earth. While we were going around the table introducing ourselves a girl said her name, and Dr. Foxwell asked her if she was Greek. When she confirmed that, he mentioned that his 1st wife was Greek and that her family didn't like him for the first 2 years so they spoke around him in Greek. All you could do is laugh at that. Things he mentioned that I like is that Maryland students are only in lecture for 2 hours a day, and all the lectures are video taped, and the video and the PowerPoint lectures are available online. He also mentioned that Maryland really doesn't care too much about GPA and MCAT because that doesn't make a good doctor. He said that they do have a cut off point for it, but after that it depends on extracurricular activities that you have done.

After him, we had a lunch chat with medical students there, and they basically exclaimed how they loved the school. I talked to a 4th year Maryland resident and she said that she will graduate with about $150,000 worth of debt. That is a little higher than I really wanted to have. The tour of the medical school was really great and I saw all of their new facilities (they've renovated a lot), and their hospital which is really beautiful. I would definitely attend the school, so now I'm just waiting to see where the Lord sends my fiancée and I.

I have my interview at Howard tomorrow, so I'll just add my experiences with them on this post after its done. I'll do the same with Morehouse on Friday…so this post will be pretty big. Below is a video of one of their lectures in their brand new lecture hall. And don't forget to check out the pictures to the right.
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4yTpeCltEo[/YOUTUBE]

Oh yeah, I didn't find out who my interviewers were until I got there. They give you a schedule for the day, and on that schedule are your interviewer's names.
 
aw man, how come you got to see a lecture! heh.
 
You were in the other tour group? We really didn't "really" see the lecture. We just walked into the back of the classroom, stood there for 1 1/2 minutes and walked out.
 
Thanks, DoctaJay! I appreciate all the insights. It sounds like you had a great day all around :)
 
Does anyone else find it funny that one of the 2011ers was jealous that they didn't get to "see a lecture"? Believe me, you'll get to see your share of them very shortly. I, personally, try to avoid them at all costs.

AVIs are the greatest invention ever - rewind and pause are my 2 best friends.
 
Does anyone else find it funny that one of the 2011ers was jealous that they didn't get to "see a lecture"? Believe me, you'll get to see your share of them very shortly. I, personally, try to avoid them at all costs.

AVIs are the greatest invention ever - rewind and pause are my 2 best friends.

LW, I find it funny too, although I have seen that youtube video before and I've never seen one of our lectures be that empty before. Okay, I lied, possibly directly before/after one of our exams, but it still wasn't that bad.

I personally enjoy shadowing during morning lectures sometimes when I don't have to go to small group (some of the attendance is mandatory). Taking that time here and there to see surgeries or see outpatient clinics is exquisite. Helps recharge the soul.:thumbup:

PS AVI's are a blessing from God
 
Next I went to my interview with Dr. Jacobs, and he as an absolutely hilarious guy.

You had Dr. Jacobs as an interviewer? Very fortunate...he's my ICM preceptor and cracks me up every Tuesday from 1 to 3 (thats right c/o 2010, I said two hours for ICM...sometimes less:D)

He was adamant about me going to the medical school that cost the least, which ever one that was.

I'm an out-of-state student and he's given me crap about this before. A college scholarship makes me not mind it so much...but I'm gonna try to "fake it" as they say haha, the loans do get worrysome after seeing all those 0's :scared:
 
You had Dr. Jacobs as an interviewer? Very fortunate...he's my ICM preceptor and cracks me up every Tuesday from 1 to 3 (thats right c/o 2010, I said two hours for ICM...sometimes less:D)

Oh 2 hours, that's nice for you.... my ICM is Wednesdays 1 to 2:15 - SNAP. (Except I can say I'm decidedly less entertained during my 1.25 hours). :rolleyes:
 
You had Dr. Jacobs as an interviewer? Very fortunate...:

When I first met him, I was a little distracted from his arm, and when he told me that he's a surgeon, it flashed through my mind how. How does he operate with his arms like that? I know folks work through their disabilities, but it just seemed like it would be really hard to do surgery.
 
When I first met him, I was a little distracted from his arm, and when he told me that he's a surgeon, it flashed through my mind how. How does he operate with his arms like that? I know folks work through their disabilities, but it just seemed like it would be really hard to do surgery.

He used to be a Urologist, but due to his injury, he doesnt operate anymore. He is still on staff teaching medical students (like us first years!), especially in their clinical years (3rd and 4th). I actually dont know if he teaches the residents too, but I know he participates in the residency match interviews as well. There were a few days where we would walk into the conference room and see the soon-to-be urology residents finishing lunch. We got the leftovers :thumbup:

But I digress...his injury was the result of a surgery he had if I remember correctly...irony to say the least. He actually did tell us towars the beginning of the school year when we first started out, but I dont remember what his condition was and I should take care not to try to speculate what it was. But you are definitely correct, he isn't able to operate anymore, it would be too difficult for him to do so (not to mention a gigantic liability for the hospital). If you do come here, definitely make sure you get him at some point, he's an awesome teacher!
 
I actually only saw him in passing talking to some interviewee and it just occured to me that he must be a really really nice person.. you know what I mean? when you get that first impression--that there's still genuinly good people in the world?
..ok that last part was a literal translation from an arabic saying, it's not as mushy in reality :D
 
Maybe the most recent interviewees know this, but does anyone know Maryland's avg Step 1 score? I actually never bothered to ask...doesn't much matter to me, but I'm curious to know, can't lie about that!
 
Maybe the most recent interviewees know this, but does anyone know Maryland's avg Step 1 score? I actually never bothered to ask...doesn't much matter to me, but I'm curious to know, can't lie about that!
I'm not sure what they have been in the past, but from what I've gathered (I attend meetings with faculty/deans on occassion) current 3rd year students scored around the national average (maybe a few points higher, but not statistically significant). The pass rate, however, is significantly higher than the national average....97% if I remember correctly. A decent number of students did "amazing", but I don't know what kind of scores that might mean.

In the past, students didn't do as well on the respiratory section of Step I (word of mouth), but hopefully that will change with the new faculty member, Dr. Scharf, taking that section over. From what I've heard, the section hasn't been taught as well in the past, but he seems to be doing a good job so far. Our exam results this Friday should be an indicator of where our class will stand on that issue. <crosses fingers>
 
The pass rate, however, is significantly higher than the national average....97% if I remember correctly.

SQ, I'm assuming that's "1st attempt" pass rate, yes? I know the national average is like 93% for 1st attempt and I've also heard the 97% figure for Maryland. I just want to be clear to all the incoming MSIs that it isn't like 3% of every class fails STEP 1 and drops out :)
 
SQ, I'm assuming that's "1st attempt" pass rate, yes? I know the national average is like 93% for 1st attempt and I've also heard the 97% figure for Maryland. I just want to be clear to all the incoming MSIs that it isn't like 3% of every class fails STEP 1 and drops out :)

I have heard that before as well and am sure that's correct. You cannot advance to the 3rd year at UMD unless you take it and pass it eventually...so I would assume that is the first time pass rate. Sounds pretty good to me!

If you did happen to be one of the poor souls who failed it (no sarcasm intended...that really does suck tons) it is possible to continue with 3rd year, but you have to show them you're about to take it again, immediately. I think that's right at least...
 
In the past, students didn't do as well on the respiratory section of Step I (word of mouth), but hopefully that will change with the new faculty member, Dr. Scharf, taking that section over. From what I've heard, the section hasn't been taught as well in the past, but he seems to be doing a good job so far. Our exam results this Friday should be an indicator of where our class will stand on that issue. <crosses fingers>

I'm hoping so too! Dr. Scharf seems to want to emphasize doing well in respiratory phys, you can tell by his random yelling whenever you listen to the avi's :laugh: For some reason, I don't find it (the yelling) so bad while sitting in his lectures...

I thought I heard that students don't do that well on embryology either. I don't think that's a product of the teaching, I found our embryo lecturers (esp Dr. Anderson of course) to be very good. Then again, my source isn't the most reliable, so take that one with a grain of salt...a very small, solublized grain...
 
I have found embryo and resp phys to be the most challenging components of medical school so far. I, personally, am not pleased with the way that they are teaching physiology here (aka "functional systems"). I don't think that it fosters adequate long-term memory integration to be basically "cramming" an entire body system into 4 days of lecture and small group. I took human physiology in graduate school, where we had 3 hours of lecture every MWF. Granted, the course was spread out over an entire semester, but I felt that I had adequate time to think about the material, and put at least some of it into my long-term memory. If this was my first time faced with this material (and for many people, I'm sure that it is), I would not feel like I had ample time to digest and apply these concepts.

I'm not trying to bad-mouth UMB. I'm sure that the FS faculty are doing the best that they can. I've actually found some of the lectures to be quite stimulating, and some of the faculty members that speak to us in the morning are extremely charismatic and really enjoy what they are teaching. My beef is with the overall format of the course. I believe that I would have gotten more out of a schedule that was not in block format.

But, in the words of our illustrious Dr. Scharf, "TOUGH!"

Now I'm going to go re-watch some renal AVIs. Good luck on Friday, everyone in 2010!
 
First, I apologize for being pre-med in a med school forum. Second, I posted this in the pre-med forum and haven't gotten any replies...so any feedback would be greatly appreciated :)

Did anyone apply to Maryland through Early Decision? What were your stats?

P.S. Congrats to all!
 
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