Incoming September 08 Semester

[IAUPREMED]

Just wanted to start a thread for all the new incoming September 08 students, new or transfer..just to get to know ppl..and how far they have gotten as far as finding housing and any other issues!

I am actually from Chicago, illinois, but lived in Dallas Texas for the last few years! Pretty excited to see new people, live in a new place and experience something different.

[JD8261]

I am also a student starting in September. I'm very excited about starting.
I have been trying to get a syllabus for some time now so that I may start looking over the material but I have had no luck. If any of you have a syllabus could you please let me know.

[Pearl.d]

hey,
even i am student of class september 08.
i am from chicago IL, i am going to campus next week for visit...

[Pearl.d]

hey IAUPREMED, I don't know but i am not able to msg you.

[Frinly]

Hai all, I am also going to start this fall, Sep 2008. And I would also like to get to know people before we all get there. I am also pretty excited, never been to an Island before. I am from Boston, MA. I am up for people who wanna talk and make friends, so let me know.

Oh, and also do any of you have a list of books for the first semester? I wonder how many books are available at the library on campus for at least a few semesters. I have talked to a close friend of mine who has been to Nevis for 2 weeks, she had shared with me pretty neat experiences, if you guys wanna know also let me know.

[joyw]

im from billerica mass, wow! i'll be a first sem student also coming fall. lets pm each other. i will send you a pm now

[IAUPREMED]

do any of you have facebook? I am thinking about creating a UMHS facebook group to communicate through

[medicine2k6]

There is a facebook group already started...just search for it. If you have problems, ill post it. Im on facebook too, if anyone wants to add each other, PM me so we can exchange names.

[joyw]

i just joined the facebook group.

[Frinly]

There are several facebook groups for UMHS which one are you guys on? I think we should start one for sep 2008 class so we know eachother. let me know what you think and we can have one of our own or just be one of those that are already there. Joy Im ganna call you soon. Thanks for the no.

And again does anyone have the list of books for the first sem?

[Dr. Prince]

I will be there in Sept 08 from Florida.

[PunjabiBallar]

I'm coming to UMHS in September from Tampa, Fl. I'm really excited about meeting all of you and I hope we can make our time on the island memorable. I'm curious to see where most of the students are staying. I keep hearing that Frigate Bay is the "hot spot".

[JBMD2B]

:-wave

I am also an incoming Sep. '08 student from Miami, FL.

[IAUPREMED]

Hey here is the new Facebook group JUST for september 08, please repost all intros in there, looking forward to meet you all.

Univeristy of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS) - SEPTEMBER 2008 | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52398005346)

[Frinly]

hey,
even i am student of class september 08.
i am from chicago IL, i am going to campus next week for visit...

Hai Pearl,

I just wanted to ask if you have been down to St.Kitts yet ! and if you have, if you could share little bit about what you thought about the Island and the School. I would be really glad to hear back from you. Either ways....we can talk more if you would like that.

[IAUPREMED]

I got this email about UMHS having a campus bookstore sometime soon. Thinking of just buying the books there instead of bringing them from the US. I need that book list ASAP. The admin told me it should be available first week of July.

[JD8261]

I will also be starting in September. I will be visiting the island July 11. I will let you guys know what I think of the island and the school. Aside from the facebook groups that have been started by others I have started a Myspace group as well.
Here is the link:
groups.myspace.com/UMHS

JBMD2B we are going to be classmates once again. Wohooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[UMHS]

IAUPREMED,

UMHS already has a bookstore. If you order your textbooks through the bookstore, they will be here when you arrive for registration. The Bookstore will pay for shipping and the customs duties will be lower if we bring them in.

Just this morning, I was notified that the Bookstore was extending its hours. With the medical students studying later in the evening, we needed to keep it open longer.

[joyw]

IAUPREMED,

UMHS already has a bookstore. If you order your textbooks through the bookstore, they will be here when you arrive for registration. The Bookstore will pay for shipping and the customs duties will be lower if we bring them in.

Just this morning, I was notified that the Bookstore was extending its hours. With the medical students studying later in the evening, we needed to keep it open longer.

Im an incoming first semester medical student this fall. I don't know what books to buy yet. I think its a good idea to buy the textbooks through the bookstore in that way these books doesn't add up to the weight of our luggage. But then again I don't have the list of books to buy.
How am I going to access the school bookstore? Is there a website address?
Thanks very much!

[UMHS]

The booklist for the September '08 semester is in the final stages of approval. Students who have been accepted to UMHS should be getting the list by email in the near future. They will also get an order form that they return to the new York office. The order will be processed and the books shipped directly to the campus. Once you have registered, you will received your books. This will all be accomplished before the start of classes.

Of course, students are welcome to buy their books from the source they believe provides the greatest service and best price, but with the limitations on airline luggage that are going into effect, your point about lightening your luggage is an excellent one!

[joyw]

Ah okay, thank you. Im just so excited that I want to buy my books as soon as possible, before the books all sold out, hehehe.

[medicine2k6]

Hello UMHS official, is there a possibility of getting buses that go at certain times of the day to student housing areas if possible? At least the student housing near school or something, would cut the walking time and dont have to walk in the dark after studying in the library.

[cvannilam]

hey guys

the school is good, it still has its kinks, being that we are the first semester and all.

Exams were ok, my only problem is keeping up with the material given. Not that sufficient time wasnt give, but that im a procrastinator!.. they have extended library hours and I believe they will have it open even longer next semester, since we will have more new students.

Classes and teachers are really nice and are willing to take the extra step in helping you outside of class. I really dont have any complaints, but many students do complain about the food offered to them. I dont and thats because I always go home for lunch ..
(cvannilam@yahoo.com)


ohh and for housing, please do check out the camps area.. its the closest area to school :)

and books..well id say def get the NETTERS atals for anatomy, the HISTO text book is great, do NOT get the atlas..its not worth it.. the physio constanzo text book is great and i personally like the lippincott for biochem, but i just started reading devlin for biochem and it also seems to be doing a good job!.. and i have the BRS for all four subjects, which gives me a quick review!.. thats just my opinion but feel free to ask around .. there is a group on facebook if u wanted to ask :)

take care and def lookin forward to seeing you guys next sem!

[Afric08]

Im also starting this fall. I'm from VA.

[IAUPREMED]

Wow we have students from all around...sept 08 is going to be awesome!! Hey afric08 if you have facebook, please join the group! Anyone know how many total students were expecting for sep 08?

[UMHS]

Sorry that I did not get back to you sooner but I have been out of the office and am just now getting back to full time work. I wanted to respond to your question regarding buses. We have had buses off and on for the nursing students. While they used the ones to come to school, they seldom used the ones in the late afternoon and evening. For this reason, we discontinued the later ones.

The medical students asked that we re-institute them so we have. Of course, their continuation will depend on utilization. Conversely, if the buses are used extensively, we will increase the number of runs and extend the hours. We tend to give students what they need but not waste money on items that they do not use. (Let's face it, the money is coming from the tuition they pay and we would like to keep that tuition reasonable!)

[medicine2k6]

Thank you for getting back to me...I agree with you of not wasting money but defenetly I feel there should be buses 3x a day regardless of whether the bus is totally full or not. But Im sure it wil be used. The schedule should be once in the morning to go to school, once after classes and once at the end of the day when the library closes.

Also what food is served on the campus itself for lunch and dinner? If there could be more added to the menu then students wouldnt have to leave school to eat something after classes. That may be one reason why students would immediately leave. But now that library hours are longer many students would wanna stay longer too...

[bioMD]

hey, everyone did you guys got your a)housing- found room mate or by yourself, if any one is looking PM me b) already ordered your books? c) ticket to the island? any other helpful infor......Please share!
thanks!

[butterflymd]

Greetings,

I am starting a thread for the incoming class of Fall 2008. Coming Fall 2008 originally from Brooklyn New York City now living in MD. Welcome to the class of 2012. Let's make it happen. :p

[PRTemplar]

I am there with you!!

[butterflymd]

Cool where are you from. I am wondering what is the size of the class for Fall 08

[RobotJim]

Hey Fall 08-ers... I am not one of you but I do have a couple of questions for you..I have been looking into Caribbean schools for a while now and I plan on applying for Fall 09. May I ask why you guys/gals choose UMHS...From the research that I have done on the school it seems that it offers a very high quality education with top notch facilities and obviously the school interests me a great deal. However, it is only natural to be a bit scared that the school is so new and has yet to have a list of affiliated US hospitals for 3rd and 4th year students. Do you all share this fear or does your faith in the school overshadow this fear? Also, how does the administration of the school address these issues? I wish the best of luck to all of you and I hope that UMHS kicks butt and turns out to be as good as it looks.

Thanks

[butterflymd]

Hi ,

I was accepted into 2 other caribbean schools and chose UMHS over the others. The admissions process, FA and staff have been excellent and quite professional. All of my questions have been answered with none having gone unanswered for more than a day. Finding housing was a piece of cake and Mr. DS on the island is extremely helpful. I have to admit I do have the new school fears as well but I have received more than enough information to know that this school is headed in the right direction. The fact that the school is so technologically advance puts the icing on the cake especially when some med schools in the US don't have the technology that UMHS has already put into practice. Good luck with your decision. I say visit the school and always asks lots of questions until you feel secure in your decision.

[mrsemej]

Hi ,

I was accepted into 2 other caribbean schools and chose UMHS over the others. The admissions process, FA and staff have been excellent and quite professional. All of my questions have been answered with none having gone unanswered for more than a day. Finding housing was a piece of cake and Mr. DS on the island is extremely helpful. I have to admit I do have the new school fears as well but I have received more than enough information to know that this school is headed in the right direction. The fact that the school is so technologically advance puts the icing on the cake especially when some med schools in the US don't have the technology that UMHS has already put into practice. Good luck with your decision. I say visit the school and always asks lots of questions until you feel secure in your decision.

+1

I was also accepted in three other Caribbean schools, and chose this. 2 of the three said schools where very disorganized and I never felt comfortable dealing with them. (loan problems off the bat, not returning calls or having adequate staff to run the admissions dept.) I felt as if they were treating me like so before they have my money, how would they treat me after...With that said, I also was scared of their "new" school status, but after seeing their school I am convinced they will do good.

[mrsemej]

Greetings,

I am starting a thread for the incoming class of Fall 2008. Coming Fall 2008 originally from Brooklyn New York City now living in MD. Welcome to the class of 2012. Let's make it happen. :p

Where in MD are you from, I am also fall 08 student and coming from MD (Rockville).

[joyw]

me too am from massachusetts.

[skull]

Hey Fall 08-ers... I am not one of you but I do have a couple of questions for you..I have been looking into Caribbean schools for a while now and I plan on applying for Fall 09. May I ask why you guys/gals choose UMHS...From the research that I have done on the school it seems that it offers a very high quality education with top notch facilities and obviously the school interests me a great deal. However, it is only natural to be a bit scared that the school is so new and has yet to have a list of affiliated US hospitals for 3rd and 4th year students. Do you all share this fear or does your faith in the school overshadow this fear? Also, how does the administration of the school address these issues? I wish the best of luck to all of you and I hope that UMHS kicks butt and turns out to be as good as it looks.

Thanks
Since it's a new school, there are no students doing clinicals yet, but there should be some by next semester (current semster 5 sudents) , and I expect the school to publish the list of the sites by then. I do not think Dr. Ross will have any problem securing clinical sites, the same way he did for Ross. Take a look here (http://www.umhs-sk.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=57).

I agree with the other posters that many other schools are a bit disorganized (including a couple of the big five-I applied there myself, and had to wait about 3 months with lost documents and rude staff, before I withdrew my application out of frustration). Try this with UMHS, and you'll be nicely surprised!

[Arash2663]

Hey everyone. I'm also starting this fall. I'm coming from Houston, TX.:-smiley7
Anybody know what is the color of our scrubs

[mrsemej]

Hey everyone. I'm also starting this fall. I'm coming from Houston, TX.:-smiley7
Anybody know what is the color of our scrubs

I was wondering the same thing, but they are probably blue ones.

ps. Arash, I am guessing you are persian, same here...:-smiley7

[UMHS]

IUON students are required to wear the blue scrubs in the clinical settings. They are allowed to wear whatever color they like in the classroom.

UMHS students will need scrubs in the gross anatomy lab. They can wear any color as long as the scrubs appear professional.

In clinical settings, the UMHS students will wear dress clothing and the short white lab coat. "Dress clothing" for men is defined as dress shirt and tie, dress slacks, leather shoes with socks. For women, dresses or dress blouses with slacks or skirts are appropriate. (Dress leather shoes, not sandals or flipflops, complete the outfit.) The dresses and skirts, however, should be appropriate to a clinic and should be more modest/less flashy than what would be worn to a club. For both men and women, think about how your doctor dresses. Unless he is a real iconoclast, this should be appropriate for you as well.

[UMHS]

ButterflyMD,

Back on August 14, you were wondering about the class size. As we get closer to the beginning of the semester, I can give you better estimates. Right now, I'd put the class size at 50 but it could go as high as 60. Right now I am basing that on the numbers of students who have made arrangments for housing and who have applied for student visas.

[butterflymd]

UMHS official thanks for the numbers wow that is nearly double the May class excellent. I think the professionalism at UMHS is working. Thanks for the information. See you in Sept. :)

[UMHS]

Butterfly,

We'll be looking forward to seeing you in a week or two. Stop by and introduce yourself.

Just so you know what to expect in January, we think that the numbers will double again! With all semesters, we will probably have close to 120 new students come on campus in January 2009! Of course, you will see the number of faculty double as well so the faculty to student ratio will not be negatively effected.
Again, we're looking forward to meeting you in person!

[butterflymd]

TY see you very soon.

[medschool123]

Does anyone have the schedule for semester I and II yet? I heard they havent even finalized the schedule yet and classes are starting soon, if im wrong, please do let me know...

[butterflymd]

Hey Med school once you register you will get a schedule of classes that is the way it normally goes. There is already a schedule in place for the first semester students but sometimes there are time changes. Did you contact the school to obtain the information you needed before posting on VMD? Notice that alot of students may not be on here because they are prepping to go to the island.

[Arash2663]

I found this schedule : umhs-sk-physiology.org

[UMHS]

Butterfly is correct. The schedule is not normally distributed until registration. I'm not sure why it is important to know it now but here it is:

First Semester
8:00AM Gross Anatomy
9:00AM Histology
10:30AM Physiology
11:30AM Biochemistry

Second Semester
8:00AM Biochemistry
9:00AM Physiology
10:30AM Gross Anatomy
11:30AM Genetics/Embryology

The afternoons are dedicated to Gross Anatomy labs, Case-based learning and Clinical Correlations.

Medschool, don't worry! We will be ready for the start of school. I could even tell you what classroom the classes will be in but that seems like overkill at this time.