Current 3rd Semester White Coat Planning

[WSUCougar]

There has been a lot of debate going back and forth about how "our" 3rd semester class's "white coat" ceremony should be. When I was a first semester student I thought that it was a big deal, and was looking forward to it, but now that I'm getting closer to it, I'm starting to realize how much of a waste of money it is. Am I alone in this thinking.

Imagine this...... the last white coat had to spend around what $50,000, just so that people could drink and get a white coat. I understand that we want to have fun, and that we look forward to getting that "coat" but..... isn't it a bit ridiculous to have to spend that much for a ceremony that lasts what 4 hours. Now you get to our HUGE class and start to think about all the costs/money that is going to have to be raised. If the last couple of white coat ceremony's cost that much money for a much smaller class than ours, this means that for our class it would be something in the range of what $70,000. Now don't be petty about my numbers, because they are "estimated", but obviously for our class its going to cost more than previous classes.

Our class got 20 volunteers to form the "white coat committee", which I think is good, especially because I hear the last committee had around 3 members who had to do everything and ended up having to repeat their 4th semester classes.

A problem I think associated with this "white coat" ceremony, is that people are treating this ceremony like it is "more" important than a graduation. At one of the earlier white coat committee meetings, one of the members stated that she has 17 family members who want to come here for the ceremony. Are you kidding me??? People don't even bring that many family members to their graduation, let alone a white coat ceremony. Just a couple immediate family members, and leave it at that.

I'm all for the school "standardizing" a simple, easy, cheap white coat ceremony. Especially because I think that allowing the students to run the event is what caused this ceremony to get blown out of proportion in the first place, with each class trying to have a bigger and better bash.

What does white coat ceremony mean anyway. Nothing, unless you actually pass your step and get into clinicals, which some students receiving the coat will fail to do.

I never really cared about this whole issue, until talking to some of our class mates and SGA reps about some other uses this 50,000 - 75,000 could be spent on.

How about taking that money and spending it to improve the school, such as buying Pt-Simulators for our Pt-Dr class, or buying better seating for all of the class rooms. It could buy an ophthalmoscope/otoscope kit for every student, while having top of the line equipment in Pt-Dr lab. Where we would have more than a couple pen lights. Because.... is it not stuff like this is what benefits "us" the most, in being in Med School.

I thought that this was a good thread to start here, because whenever any body mentions the phrase "white coat ceremony" to our class, the walls/floors start shaking due to all of the grumblings, people moaning, and others cheering. We just need to find a good common ground, where it doesn't have to be at the Ritz, where we drink wine out of 100K gold plated glasses, and have our 2nd and 3rd cousins come. Or have it in lecture hall 3, where not even your spouse could come. Just somewhere in between.

what do you guys think?......

[butterflymd]

Cougar it does sound like a good idea to use that money for other equipment that could be utilized for improving students diagnostics skills. The patient simulators are an excellent idea as other med schools in the caribbean are already on board with patient simulators. Spending that much money on a white coat ceremony is exhorbitant. In the US you receive your white coat during your first semester and it is absolutely free for the students.

[camryllionareMD]

Wow, I had no idea about the large cost! If this can be brought up in class as far as budget so we can all make an informed decision I think that would be great. I can look at a Hummer on the street and say what a great car, then when I find out the real cost, I end up buying a Ford instead and am just as happy because I now know that it's less hassle.

I think that seriously a lot of us in class just honestly don't know how much effort and cost goes into this thing. Like, when we heard about brilliant students that failed 4th semester just to do white coat obviously we felt that it wasn't worth the cost of their education. If we get the whole picture ahead of time we won't feel like we're being dictated over.

17 family members, I have a sneaking suspicion I know who that is.....

[smu79]

I agree that the white coat ceremony is a waste a time. Perhaps, per your last post, you can recommend the school to do a standardized ceremony- however, who will pay the bill? SMU? I doubt it. I do love the idea though.

I believe our white coat ceremony cost about 30k. it is sure getting out of hand. In fact, our people couldn’t even raise money and thus, had to rely on students stinky rich parents to pay for it.

Now if you have extremely rich parents raise your hand and pay the bill. Cut the fundraising waste of time and use it proactively, like studying. I know you are out there.

you should develop a committee to identify these people, and maybe, just maybe, you could have your white coat ceremony on Uncle Mohamed Yacht.

[JTP73]

Yeah, all valid points by WSU.

The white coat ceremony is way over-rated and does not mean all those in attendance will ever have a need for that coat. As well, though it looks nice, the SMU logo makes you an easy target. A plain white coat will suffice.

It is better to have this ceremony after Basic sciences too. That way most of the ones getting a coat are serious enough to do well enough academically to become a physician.

The event should be held at the school with coffee, tea, and cookies. Not necessary to have much more hooplah than that.

Harvey pt simulators, scopes, seats, etc, would be a much better use of funds. My cynical guess is though, that this extra money would simply serve to line some fancy-suit-and-snakeskin-shoes wearing execs silk pockets. Man, what I would do now to have $5 bucks burning a hole in my pocket...

[gschneid]

I'm with you, Coug. It's a whole lot of hoopla for something that is relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things. A coat is a coat. Spend the money on something more worthwhile than an evening where many will be too drunk to remember. Have a big graduation ceremony instead, that's more of an accomplishment than making it through 3 semesters of basic science.

[jackets5]

wow this sums up my thoughts exactly. Its a waste of time and money. We really have not accomplished anything yet. We havent even passed step 1, we havent earned our MD. We came here to get an MD not to finish basic sciences. there are about 100 more important things we could do with 50-70k instead of wasting it on a stupid white coat ceremony at the ritz. you are so right also that some of the people at the ceremony will never use a white coat since the wont pass their step. Its stupid idea that is blown out of proportion, i cant even see a way to defend the excessive cost of having it.

There has been a lot of debate going back and forth about how "our" 3rd semester class's "white coat" ceremony should be. When I was a first semester student I thought that it was a big deal, and was looking forward to it, but now that I'm getting closer to it, I'm starting to realize how much of a waste of money it is. Am I alone in this thinking.

Imagine this...... the last white coat had to spend around what $50,000, just so that people could drink and get a white coat. I understand that we want to have fun, and that we look forward to getting that "coat" but..... isn't it a bit ridiculous to have to spend that much for a ceremony that lasts what 4 hours. Now you get to our HUGE class and start to think about all the costs/money that is going to have to be raised. If the last couple of white coat ceremony's cost that much money for a much smaller class than ours, this means that for our class it would be something in the range of what $70,000. Now don't be petty about my numbers, because they are "estimated", but obviously for our class its going to cost more than previous classes.

Our class got 20 volunteers to form the "white coat committee", which I think is good, especially because I hear the last committee had around 3 members who had to do everything and ended up having to repeat their 4th semester classes.

A problem I think associated with this "white coat" ceremony, is that people are treating this ceremony like it is "more" important than a graduation. At one of the earlier white coat committee meetings, one of the members stated that she has 17 family members who want to come here for the ceremony. Are you kidding me??? People don't even bring that many family members to their graduation, let alone a white coat ceremony. Just a couple immediate family members, and leave it at that.

I'm all for the school "standardizing" a simple, easy, cheap white coat ceremony. Especially because I think that allowing the students to run the event is what caused this ceremony to get blown out of proportion in the first place, with each class trying to have a bigger and better bash.

What does white coat ceremony mean anyway. Nothing, unless you actually pass your step and get into clinicals, which some students receiving the coat will fail to do.

I never really cared about this whole issue, until talking to some of our class mates and SGA reps about some other uses this 50,000 - 75,000 could be spent on.

How about taking that money and spending it to improve the school, such as buying Pt-Simulators for our Pt-Dr class, or buying better seating for all of the class rooms. It could buy an ophthalmoscope/otoscope kit for every student, while having top of the line equipment in Pt-Dr lab. Where we would have more than a couple pen lights. Because.... is it not stuff like this is what benefits "us" the most, in being in Med School.

I thought that this was a good thread to start here, because whenever any body mentions the phrase "white coat ceremony" to our class, the walls/floors start shaking due to all of the grumblings, people moaning, and others cheering. We just need to find a good common ground, where it doesn't have to be at the Ritz, where we drink wine out of 100K gold plated glasses, and have our 2nd and 3rd cousins come. Or have it in lecture hall 3, where not even your spouse could come. Just somewhere in between.

what do you guys think?......

[lifeAgift]

WOW

I had no clue folks got so geeked up about a ceremony/ ritual.

Graduation/ match party is all the hoopla I'm gonna need.

Guess Ive worn a white coat so often that I'm not impressed. I'm actually looking forward to wearing birkenstocks to work more than anything else.

[smu79]

wow this sums up my thoughts exactly. Its a waste of time and money. We really have not accomplished anything yet. We havent even passed step 1, we havent earned our MD. We came here to get an MD not to finish basic sciences. there are about 100 more important things we could do with 50-70k instead of wasting it on a stupid white coat ceremony at the ritz. you are so right also that some of the people at the ceremony will never use a white coat since the wont pass their step. Its stupid idea that is blown out of proportion, i cant even see a way to defend the excessive cost of having it.

Although I believe having an excessive or lavishly white coat ceremony is a waste of money, the white coat ceremony should still go on. The white coat ceremony is a right of passage a tradition in the medical community, regardless if you will never wear the white coat (i.e scientist, pharm rep etc.). I am willing to bet that about 90% of all medical schools have a white coat ceremony.
Its like attending kindergarten , 6th grade of middle school and not graduating. Although culminating point is graduating high school, we still celebrate certain milestones. White coat ceremony is that milestone- it just shouldn’t cost 70k. Thus, having a school-plan, small ceremony is more than enough
p.s. I remember calling Michigan State University for the status of an elective application this spring. The lady told me to call the next business day because they were going to be busy with the white coat ceremony.

[WSUCougar]

Although I believe having an excessive or lavishly white coat ceremony is a waste of money, the white coat ceremony should still go on. The white coat ceremony is a right of passage a tradition in the medical community, regardless if you will never wear the white coat (i.e scientist, pharm rep etc.). I am willing to bet that about 90% of all medical schools have a white coat ceremony.
Its like attending kindergarten , 6th grade of middle school and not graduating. Although culminating point is graduating high school, we still celebrate certain milestones. White coat ceremony is that milestone- it just shouldn’t cost 70k. Thus, having a school-plan, small ceremony is more than enough
p.s. I remember calling Michigan State University for the status of an elective application this spring. The lady told me to call the next business day because they were going to be busy with the white coat ceremony.

I agree... I'm not saying get rid of the ceremony. I'm just saying let's not pretend that it's this huge deal that should culminate into a 70,000 event. Celebrating a kindergarten graduation is all good.... but would you as a parent like to raise 70,000 for that graduation. Probably not......

I mean some of the people I talk to, act as though this party should be this huge extravagant event, where they want to have upwards of 17 relatives fly here and attend the ceremony for them... LOL.....

especially, when in all reality it means virtually nothing come the next day, when you wake up with a huge migraine, and a white coat that is now stained due to your best friend barfing on it. ;)

Although it may be a right of passage, white coat ceremonies are far different beasts, when you compare US Med Schools with Carib Med Schools.

US Med Schools are affiliated with local hospitals, which may have these Med Students in one form or another spending time in there hospital.
So its more of a partnership celebration between the new US Med Students and affiliated hospitals.

[smu79]

I agree... I'm not saying get rid of the ceremony. I'm just saying let's not pretend that it's this huge deal that should culminate into a 70,000 event. Celebrating a kindergarten graduation is all good.... but would you as a parent like to raise 70,000 for that graduation. Probably not...... I mean some of the people I talk to, act as though this party should be this huge extravagant event, when in all reality it means virtually nothing come the next day, when you wake up with a huge migraine.

Although it may be a right of passage, white coat ceremonies are far different beasts, when you compare US Med Schools with Carib Med Schools.

US Med Schools are affiliated with local hospitals, which may have these Med Students in one form or another spending time in there hospital.
So its more of a partnership celebration between the new US Med Students and affiliated hospitals.

indeed, thats why i am an advocate of having a small school sponsor white coat ceremony.

[jackets5]

indeed, thats why i am an advocate of having a small school sponsor white coat ceremony.

i agree 100% with you. the problem is we have a bunch of people who dont want to settle for anything less then the ritz for this ceremony. this is from our SGA rep was sitting at the meetings while they were arguing this. Its really a joke. A small cheap ceremony in LH 4 have maybe some food etc. no need to go all out for something that really dosent matter at all. the person who wanted to fly 17 people here for the white coat really does not have a grip on reality and what actually is important. Its funny the people in my class who are really big into having this white coat (needs to be at the ritz, maybe westin) are the people who are barely passing their classes or the ones failing/withdrawing from classes

[UFTim]

I can understand both sides. I liked having a nice white coat because I had family that wanted to come down and see what my life was like, and what better time than White Coat?? It was also a big deal for us because half of our class went to Maine following third semester, so it was a nice going away party with all of our class.

It was very nice and I'll remember it forever.

However, when it starts costing students a lot of money, that's when I have to draw the line.

[DrCannoli]

Can we use our DAP to fund it...LOL...just wanted to lighten it up a little, but I do agree that is crazy amount of costs for a White Coat Ceremony....why can't we just get our white coats and get drunk at the bar with them on...LOL....plus I hear butterfly is related to Bill Gates she can pay for it all HAHAHA

[goldenyen]

most med schools, that i know of, do the ceremony your first year around the day of orientation. you get your coat and it's cake and punch and it's usually held in the school auditorium. and i'm pretty sure that 99.9% of those white coat ceremonies are run by the school...not by the students.

another thing to keep in mind...that even if your class wanted to do something small to allow family members to come...your class is 200+ students, say each student only brings 1 family member (we know it'd be more) that's 400 people not including faculty, the only place on island that can accommodate that many people is the ritz. the last class that had it at the ritz, had a formal sit down dinner. maybe if you guys kept it to a daytime ceremony with only cake and punch it'd be a lot less expensive. which hopefully the $150 levy that they charge, will cover the white coat and pay for a small event.

[Future MD | DM erutuF]

I always thought that the way our school's white coat was run was more like a farewell party for leaving the island. Heck, Step 1 wasn't even taken yet, how can anyone celebrate at that point? We should definitely have this in the 1st semester before starting classes if we are to be more like "most medical schools". I really appreciated the work our white coat committee did for our white coat, but it was far too extravagant for something as little as a white lab coat.

BTW, my family did not come to mine. Graduation is the only time they see fit to celebrate anything.

[Future MD | DM erutuF]

i agree 100% with you. the problem is we have a bunch of people who dont want to settle for anything less then the ritz for this ceremony. this is from our SGA rep was sitting at the meetings while they were arguing this. Its really a joke. A small cheap ceremony in LH 4 have maybe some food etc. no need to go all out for something that really dosent matter at all. the person who wanted to fly 17 people here for the white coat really does not have a grip on reality and what actually is important. Its funny the people in my class who are really big into having this white coat (needs to be at the ritz, maybe westin) are the people who are barely passing their classes or the ones failing/withdrawing from classes

Remember, C=MD!!! :rolleyes:

[smu79]

C= 185 step1 which then = family medicine at wyckoff:rolleyes:

I rather be a nurse than follow this path..

[rynobuddy]

wow 70 grand for a white coat ceremony? I am shocked. My class had ours at the Mariott and maybe the student had to pay 30-45 which included the coat. If i remember correctly the fund raising did not go all that well and most of the bill was footed by a few students.

It was nice photo op for the some people and a nice dinner, but did not mean a whole heck of a lot to me. Heck I do not even care about graduation, just give me that piece of paper so I can move on and be rid of the SMU headaches.

[Future MD | DM erutuF]

C= 185 step1 which then = family medicine at wyckoff:rolleyes:

I rather be a nurse than follow this path..

I think Wyckoff is generous for 185. A spot in in Sioux Falls, SD would probably be more like it.

[jackets5]

if your going through med school to just get by with "C's" then your not the doctor i would ever want to go to or have my family go to. There is nothing worse than being satisfied with being average. I feel bad for the people who are happy like that

[gschneid]

I agree jacket. But someone has to be mediocre and it sure as heck won't be me.

[jackets5]

people are average and thats okay. but people that are happy to be average and settle for that are the ones that i feel sorry for.

[Future MD | DM erutuF]

I'm sorry, I think I diverted this thread to the direction it has gone. What I originally meant in response to jackets5's post was that those students jackets5 was referring to (the borderline ones who were pushing the idea for the white coat) need some reassurance that they will become doctors, and the white coat is one step in the positive direction for them. It puts the whole suffering through med school into a bigger picture, and in the end, no matter the grades in med school, the MD will hopefully behind their names in the near future. A lot of the success in med school is a direct result of confidence, and I think this white coat ceremony helps to instill some of that.

[STRONG FINISHER MD]

BACK TO TOPIC.....
THIS SEMESTERS WHITE COAT WAS ABOUT 50 GRAND AT THE WESTIN! WHAT I DONT GET IS THAT WHY SO MUCH? WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? THE FOOD WAS AVERAGE...THEY CHARGED PEOPLE FOR DRINKS AND SO ON... THE STUDENT PAYS 150 BUX, AND EACH GUEST PAYS 60 BUX ! A WHITE COAT AVGs ABOUT 5 BUX EACH, LUNCH FOR 1 SHOULD BE 15 BUX, AND TO RENT THE HALL FOR FOUR HOURS SHOULD BE ABOUT 6,000 MAX ..SO LETS SAY WITH A CLASS OF 80 STUDENTS ...SHOULD BE ABOUT 70BUX...THATS AROUND $100 PER STUDENT. WHY 150? THEY CHARGE EACH GUEST 60 BUX FOR LUNCH???? AND THEY DONT EVEN OFFER DRINKS ?!?!?!? AND GET THIS...THEY MAKE THE DEANS AND PROFESSORS PAY 60 BUX TOO ..AND HECK, THEY EVEN TAKE TIME OUT OF THEIR SCHEDULE TO COME DOWN AND MAKE A SPEECH.... PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZE THIS NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB...
WHY NOT MAKE IT ON A SUN WHERE RITZ HAS ALL U CAN EAT BUFFET LUNCH FOR 20 BUX AND WE BRING OUR WHITE COATS AND COUSINS AND NEIGHBORS TOO:yeah: .

[smu79]

I think Wyckoff is generous for 185. A spot in in Sioux Falls, SD would probably be more like it.

ive been to Sioux Falls, SD......and all you find is hard farm working people trying to make a living. In wyckoff, you'll find lazy people, 12 yr old kids skipping school breaking into people cars ect. and dont let me get started about training there...i'll take the spot in SD in a heart beat...

[WSUCougar]

BACK TO TOPIC.....
THIS SEMESTERS WHITE COAT WAS ABOUT 50 GRAND AT THE WESTIN! WHAT I DONT GET IS THAT WHY SO MUCH? WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? THE FOOD WAS AVERAGE...THEY CHARGED PEOPLE FOR DRINKS AND SO ON... THE STUDENT PAYS 150 BUX, AND EACH GUEST PAYS 60 BUX ! A WHITE COAT AVGs ABOUT 5 BUX EACH, LUNCH FOR 1 SHOULD BE 15 BUX, AND TO RENT THE HALL FOR FOUR HOURS SHOULD BE ABOUT 6,000 MAX ..SO LETS SAY WITH A CLASS OF 80 STUDENTS ...SHOULD BE ABOUT 70BUX...THATS AROUND $100 PER STUDENT. WHY 150? THEY CHARGE EACH GUEST 60 BUX FOR LUNCH???? AND THEY DONT EVEN OFFER DRINKS ?!?!?!? AND GET THIS...THEY MAKE THE DEANS AND PROFESSORS PAY 60 BUX TOO ..AND HECK, THEY EVEN TAKE TIME OUT OF THEIR SCHEDULE TO COME DOWN AND MAKE A SPEECH.... PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZE THIS NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB...
WHY NOT MAKE IT ON A SUN WHERE RITZ HAS ALL U CAN EAT BUFFET LUNCH FOR 20 BUX AND WE BRING OUR WHITE COATS AND COUSINS AND NEIGHBORS TOO:yeah: .

I don't know.... I hear that to just "rent" a room at places like the Ritz, Westin cost wayyyyy more than the 6,000 grand you mentioned. That is probably the biggest complaint amongst people trying to organize the ceremony. You can pay a hotel like the Ritz 30,000 - 35,000 grand just to use a room that is completely empty :shock:

Its not the "people who organize it, who need to do a better job". Its the people who have unrealistic expectations about how the white coat ceremony should be, who need to do the adjusting. Anything on this island is wayyyy overpriced. The white coat committee is fighting an uphill battle when it comes to finding ways to pay for this event.

[camryllionareMD]

I see now where exactly the 30 grand goes. I understand it from the Ritz' point of view coz they are a 5 star hotel beach on the water and they're a business. If I owned the Ritz I'd probably charge just as much. Seriously I think we can find a common middle ground of a place less pricey that's not a dump.

[goldenyen]

BACK TO TOPIC.....
THIS SEMESTERS WHITE COAT WAS ABOUT 50 GRAND AT THE WESTIN! WHAT I DONT GET IS THAT WHY SO MUCH? WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? THE FOOD WAS AVERAGE...THEY CHARGED PEOPLE FOR DRINKS AND SO ON... THE STUDENT PAYS 150 BUX, AND EACH GUEST PAYS 60 BUX ! A WHITE COAT AVGs ABOUT 5 BUX EACH, LUNCH FOR 1 SHOULD BE 15 BUX, AND TO RENT THE HALL FOR FOUR HOURS SHOULD BE ABOUT 6,000 MAX ..SO LETS SAY WITH A CLASS OF 80 STUDENTS ...SHOULD BE ABOUT 70BUX...THATS AROUND $100 PER STUDENT. WHY 150? THEY CHARGE EACH GUEST 60 BUX FOR LUNCH???? AND THEY DONT EVEN OFFER DRINKS ?!?!?!? AND GET THIS...THEY MAKE THE DEANS AND PROFESSORS PAY 60 BUX TOO ..AND HECK, THEY EVEN TAKE TIME OUT OF THEIR SCHEDULE TO COME DOWN AND MAKE A SPEECH.... PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZE THIS NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB...
WHY NOT MAKE IT ON A SUN WHERE RITZ HAS ALL U CAN EAT BUFFET LUNCH FOR 20 BUX AND WE BRING OUR WHITE COATS AND COUSINS AND NEIGHBORS TOO:yeah: .

the coat itself may cost $5, but you're forgetting the embroidery and the cost to ship it down here. i don't know what hall you are renting for $6000 'cause all the places on island are way more expensive than that, including the marriot. to rent just the room at the ritz is $50,000.

i think any person who VOLUNTEERS to organize the white coat does an amazing job. it is quite a task to try and balance school and planning this event when they could be studying. maybe if you got involved in planning you'd see where all the money was going and realize how hard the committee members have worked and not make comments about how they need to do a better job.

i still think this is an event that the school should standardize and be planning...NOT the students, then there probably wouldn't be all this fuss about where the money is going or why it isn't at a nicer place.

[azulpanther]

just have it at the school's parking lot with subway and pizza hut. As refreshments have jugs of kool-aid lined up. If thats what the majority of people want, then go ahead and do that

[Sebastien Guilbard]

Hello all,

I have been helping students who want to do their white coat at the Ritz.
The Ritz ballroom for every white coat ceremony is comp.
They do charge you for food, beverage, audio, video etc.
I am quiet amazed to see that the Westin bil was so high ( if indeed it was 50,000), when i know for a fact that the seated four courses diner at the Ritz last semester was 30,000US$ for about 320 people. Since they had done a great job on fundraising, i believe the cost was about 50$ per guest. I thought that was very good.

My two cents..

[STRONG FINISHER MD]

the coat itself may cost $5, but you're forgetting the embroidery and the cost to ship it down here. i don't know what hall you are renting for $6000 'cause all the places on island are way more expensive than that, including the marriot. to rent just the room at the ritz is $30,000.

i think any person who VOLUNTEERS to organize the white coat does an amazing job. it is quite a task to try and balance school and planning this event when they could be studying. maybe if you got involved in planning you'd see where all the money was going and realize how hard the committee members have worked and not make comments about how they need to do a better job.

i still think this is an event that the school should standardize and be planning...NOT the students, then there probably wouldn't be all this fuss about where the money is going or why it isn't at a nicer place.

IF YOU OR ANY ONE CAN NOT BALANCE THE TWO , THEN STEP DOWN, AND ALLOW SOME ONE WHO CAN. AND ..YESSS...IF THEY DID THEIR HOMEWORK, THEN THEY WOULDNT BE PAYING 50 Gs FOR A PLACE LIKE THE WESTIN... WHERE RITZ SIMPLY CHARGES MUCH LESS WITH DRINKS INCLUDED ! PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZE THIS BETER HAVE SOME NEGOTIATING SKILLS WHEN THEY STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

OOOO, MY BAD, ADD 3 BUX FOR EMBROIDRY AND 5 BUX FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES, AND 1.95 FOR TAXES

[azulpanther]

IF YOU OR ANY ONE CAN NOT BALANCE THE TWO , THEN STEP DOWN, AND ALLOW SOME ONE WHO CAN. AND ..YESSS...IF THEY DID THEIR HOMEWORK, THEN THEY WOULDNT BE PAYING 50 Gs FOR A PLACE LIKE THE WESTIN... WHERE RITZ SIMPLY CHARGES MUCH LESS WITH DRINKS INCLUDED ! PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZE THIS BETER HAVE SOME NEGOTIATING SKILLS WHEN THEY STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

OOOO, MY BAD, ADD 3 BUX FOR EMBROIDRY AND 5 BUX FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES, AND 1.95 FOR TAXES


why dont you tone urself down a notch and instead of yelling why dont you give some constructive criticism.

[Micfly213]

why dont you tone urself down a notch and instead of yelling why dont you give some constructive criticism.

Maybe his caps lock is broken...or he just could like really loud noises.

[the_punisher]

Maybe his caps lock is broken...or he just could like really loud noises.

speaking of LOUD NOISES :rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::offtopic:

:sorry:

[the_punisher]

Hello all,

I have been helping students who want to do their white coat at the Ritz.
The Ritz ballroom for every white coat ceremony is comp.
They do charge you for food, beverage, audio, video etc.
I am quiet amazed to see that the Westin bil was so high ( if indeed it was 50,000), when i know for a fact that the seated four courses diner at the Ritz last semester was 30,000US$ for about 320 people. Since they had done a great job on fundraising, i believe the cost was about 50$ per guest. I thought that was very good.

My two cents..

just wondering... why do students still have to raise money for white... didnt they start charging students 100 or 150 for white coat along with their tuition or did they stop doing that???

[Micfly213]

just wondering... why do students still have to raise money for white... didnt they start charging students 100 or 150 for white coat along with their tuition or did they stop doing that???
They still do (at least for the first semester we're here), but apparently it's not enough to do much of anything. So we're then expected to put together various fundraisers so we can make our ceremony as fancy as the previous classes' and so forth.

It's pretty much a snowball effect here, I had heard from people that a few semesters ago it was still being held in the Lecture Halls.

[the_punisher]

They still do (at least for the first semester we're here), but apparently it's not enough to do much of anything. So we're then expected to put together various fundraisers so we can make our ceremony as fancy as the previous classes' and so forth.

It's pretty much a snowball effect here, I had heard from people that a few semesters ago it was still being held in the Lecture Halls.

it could be really cheap if you guys can all decide to do it at school and then go to Next Level or something for "FUN".... i mean... i dont understand what the big deal is about white coat and my best friend hates me for my opinion on this one... and thats:

"it's nothing... you getting a white coat infront of a bunch of people before you even passed step 1 is just false hope... most people in that white coat picture dont even make to 5th semester... "

[UFTim]

They still do (at least for the first semester we're here), but apparently it's not enough to do much of anything. So we're then expected to put together various fundraisers so we can make our ceremony as fancy as the previous classes' and so forth.

It's pretty much a snowball effect here, I had heard from people that a few semesters ago it was still being held in the Lecture Halls.

I think there has only been one semester in the past 3 years that had a low key white coat. Those guys were a year behind me and are about a semester or so into clinicals. Their class was really small, which may have had a small effect on their decision.

[goldenyen]

IF YOU OR ANY ONE CAN NOT BALANCE THE TWO , THEN STEP DOWN, AND ALLOW SOME ONE WHO CAN. AND ..YESSS...IF THEY DID THEIR HOMEWORK, THEN THEY WOULDNT BE PAYING 50 Gs FOR A PLACE LIKE THE WESTIN... WHERE RITZ SIMPLY CHARGES MUCH LESS WITH DRINKS INCLUDED ! PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZE THIS BETER HAVE SOME NEGOTIATING SKILLS WHEN THEY STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

OOOO, MY BAD, ADD 3 BUX FOR EMBROIDRY AND 5 BUX FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES, AND 1.95 FOR TAXES


that's easy for you to say, but let's say you have only 5 people organizing w.c. and they have to step down, who's left to make decisions and organize things?

thanks to sebastian, the class before was able to get a great deal from the ritz...i'm not sure where you're getting your info, but the only drinks included at the ritz were water or the after dinner tea or coffee, which was also offered at the westin brunch.

the white coat before went with a different, cheaper company to order white coats. they are NOT $5, it actually came to $38/coat including embroidery & shipping...that price is cheaper than the usual order from university books online.

i believe this semester went with the same company, so a rough estimate:
$150-38 = $112 to go towards the ceremony from each student that participated in white coat (84 people) that gives you ~$9,400 for the actual ceremony. and if they were really charged $50,000...that's why guest and faculty tickets cost so much. and it doesn't matter if you rent the room for 2 hours or 6 hours, it's a set price. i'm pretty sure this past committee chose what would be best for them considering time and budget. i thought this past ceremony was nice and the committee did a great job organizing it.

even though i enjoyed the ceremony at the ritz...i'm sticking to my guns. i still think the ceremony should be organized and standardized by the school not the students. then there wouldn't be all this fuss about why we're being charged so much for this or that. i'm sorry, but at other schools you get your coat, a handshake, some cake, some punch, and you're on your way.

if you're not happy with the way the ceremony turned out or how much it cost for everything, you should bring your negotiating skills and help organize the white coat. but you might want to call the ritz first and see if they could accommodate 300+ students, faculty, and friends of SMU at one of their sunday brunches. but you probably already thought of that since you seem to have everything figured out...

[WSUCougar]

its a done deal, 20 current 3rd semester students stepped up to volunteer on the white coat committee and have already announced that white coat is in October, at the Ritz, with a maximum of 2 guests per student.

SGA requiring 20 students to form the committee was a really smart idea. This type of ceremony for so many students, shouldn't be all on the shoulders of 2-4 students.

I know some of the students on the committee, and they're hard-working proactive individuals, so I have no doubts about them not being able to pull it off. :cool:

[STRONG FINISHER MD]

Ok , Now I Understand, Make The Guests Pay $60 To Cover The Cost Of The Hall And Rest Of The Ceremony. What If There Are Not Enough Guests There? The Way It Runs Is That The Student Pay For All Including Hall, And The Guests Charges Are To Cover Their Food. And I Can Assure You That It Does Not Cost $60 Per Person Just For The Cost Of Lunch, Espec. When You Give Them Business For 80 People. ...38 Bux Per White Coat... Way Too Much When You Are Buying In Bulk. Again... Bad Negotiating Skills..

that's Easy For You To Say, But Let's Say You Have Only 5 People Organizing W.c. And They Have To Step Down, Who's Left To Make Decisions And Organize Things?

Thanks To Sebastian, The Class Before Was Able To Get A Great Deal From The Ritz...i'm Not Sure Where You're Getting Your Info, But The Only Drinks Included At The Ritz Were Water Or The After Dinner Tea Or Coffee, Which Was Also Offered At The Westin Brunch.

The White Coat Before Went With A Different, Cheaper Company To Order White Coats. They Are Not $5, It Actually Came To $38/coat Including Embroidery & Shipping...that Price Is Cheaper Than The Usual Order From University Books Online.

I Believe This Semester Went With The Same Company, So A Rough Estimate:
$150-38 = $112 To Go Towards The Ceremony From Each Student That Participated In White Coat (84 People) That Gives You ~$9,400 For The Actual Ceremony. And If They Were Really Charged $50,000...that's Why Guest And Faculty Tickets Cost So Much. And It Doesn't Matter If You Rent The Room For 2 Hours Or 6 Hours, It's A Set Price. I'm Pretty Sure This Past Committee Chose What Would Be Best For Them Considering Time And Budget. I Thought This Past Ceremony Was Nice And The Committee Did A Great Job Organizing It.

Even Though I Enjoyed The Ceremony At The Ritz...i'm Sticking To My Guns. I Still Think The Ceremony Should Be Organized And Standardized By The School Not The Students. Then There Wouldn't Be All This Fuss About Why We're Being Charged So Much For This Or That. I'm Sorry, But At Other Schools You Get Your Coat, A Handshake, Some Cake, Some Punch, And You're On Your Way.

If You're Not Happy With The Way The Ceremony Turned Out Or How Much It Cost For Everything, You Should Bring Your Negotiating Skills And Help Organize The White Coat. But You Might Want To Call The Ritz First And See If They Could Accommodate 300+ Students, Faculty, And Friends Of Smu At One Of Their Sunday Brunches. But You Probably Already Thought Of That Since You Seem To Have Everything Figured Out...

[goldenyen]

that's why they ask people to rsvp ahead of time to get a head count and get a final estimate. with the final estimate from the venue, you calculate how much each additional guest ticket should cost to cover everything.

ideally the levy should cover our coats, the hall, and our meal...then guest should only have to pay for their food...but that never happens because the levy isn't really enough to cover everything. i'm not sure how the westin was, but the ritz literally charges for every little thing plus a 20% gratuity fee.

i agree $60 is steep for lunch, but it's all up to how much money the class raised. if they did more fundraising they could have had cheaper tickets. the more money you raise the cheaper the guest tickets, the less fundraising, the more expensive the ticket. it's the committee's choice to how much effort they want to put into raising money. hopefully the next class shouldn't have a problem with 20 people on their committee.

if you go to university books online...the coat is $34, shipping to cayman is $70, to a US address is $26. previous classes used this company and even in bulk i doubt it was much cheaper that that. the class before went with the same company that printed their shirts, hoodies, and SMU gear because they already had the template of the SMU logo, they were giving a discount, and they were familiar with shipping to SMU. i'm sure they could do some shopping around and find something cheaper but most only ship within the US.

Ok , Now I Understand, Make The Guests Pay $60 To Cover The Cost Of The Hall And Rest Of The Ceremony. What If There Are Not Enough Guests There? The Way It Runs Is That The Student Pay For All Including Hall, And The Guests Charges Are To Cover Their Food. And I Can Assure You That It Does Not Cost $60 Per Person Just For The Cost Of Lunch, Espec. When You Give Them Business For 80 People. ...38 Bux Per White Coat... Way Too Much When You Are Buying In Bulk. Again... Bad Negotiating Skills..