Official Fall 2005 Thread

[DrFaiyaz]

Hey guys wat's goin on....This thread is for all those starting Ross SOM for the fall class of 2005. I just found out I got in this morning. Kind of a relief, it hasn't hit me yet. I am from houston, tx. Anyone else starting in the fall.

[DrVinsk]

Congratulations!

I am from Houston, but am a 4th semester student. You are entering the school at a time of many changes! I hope all goes well for you. Ignore the negative slop concerning the school....you will have a good time. You will handle the weather okay, Houston is a concrete jungle so you will be well prepared for the heat! Take care and again, congratulations.

[nejain]

Congrats, i sent in my application and am still waiting for an interview. what do you mean that the school is goin to many changes, is it for the better? Also, did you interview at the florida campus, and if so, what did your thoughts of if?
thx

[DrFaiyaz]

I interviewed in miami on April 1st, they showed us around larkin hospital where the 5thsemester takes place....So it took about a month and a half for them to come to a decision....Going to be a challenge but I am up for it, I saw that one person this year matched at UT Houston for surgery....I would like to come back to houston eventually so we'll see

[Wajaro]

Congrates DrFaiyaz! I am also starting fall 2005. Finding housing is my major concern ATM.

[DrFaiyaz]

Yea I know, I want to live in a decent apartment, preferably by myself...I am waiting for them to send me the admission packet....Have you started the process for your loan?

[Wajaro]

Yea, I got my loan stuff all done. I just finished finals and graduation so now I am working on all those crazy required medical tests.

[dpatel2]

i am from Baton Rouge, LA and will also be starting in fall 2005. still looking for a place to live

[Wajaro]

dpatel2, Have you found any good leads on places to live yet or perhaps some places not to live? Please share

[Ari F]

Hey just got accepted. What kind of changes should i be expecting?

thanks

[Wajaro]

Congrates Ari F!!! Well Done! I have been getting prepared to go so I maybe able to help some if you have any questions. But as far as changes to expect, I would have to say there will be many changes, (LOL) Coming from New York city.

[Ari F]

Hi...are there any changes in ROSS policy as far as passing and failing that i should be aware of?

thanks

P.S. Anybody from New York going to ROSS let me know...we'll talk

[DoingWhatItTakes]

Hello Everyone,
I was just informed today that I was accepted for Fall 05, and I'm looking forward to meeting all of you. Take care!

[DrFaiyaz]

Congratulations man....I also heading down to Ross in september, excited and scared a little but up for the challenge...I from houston, tx how about yourself?

[DoingWhatItTakes]

I'm currently living in Alabama, a little south of Montgomery. Does anyone have any advice or recommendation regarding financial aid?

[Gator98MD]

I'm currently living in Alabama, a little south of Montgomery. Does anyone have any advice or recommendation regarding financial aid?

Yes, unless you are independently wealthy you will need to get some.
The school has a Finan aid package they will send you.

[never2late]

I'm currently living in Alabama, a little south of Montgomery. Does anyone have any advice or recommendation regarding financial aid?

Hi, i will be there in sept too. :)

oh, did you try to apply financial aid through fafsa for 2005-2006? i think you can fill out the form online. after that, the school will send you a package with the estimated amount of $ that you need to get from the alternative loans. i haven't receive my package yet. anyways, i think you should apply fafsa early if you haven't yet.

[Cali09]

Hi All!!
I just found out I got in for this Fall too!!!
I'm coming from Cali...Anyone found housing yet??

[DrFaiyaz]

I heard that ross is changing their curriculum to more of an integrated curriculum, I know a lot of medical schools are doing that. So how is the class schedule going to change, Like on the website the curriculum is out of date? You guys hear anything about that

[Hypnotiq1121]

Congrats to everyone accepted. I am from the tiny state of RI and will be attending Ross in the Fall as well. If anyone is from the Ct, MA or RI area let me know. I think I have made the decision to just find an apartment when I get down there because frankly, there is no way I can just choose one based on the pictures. Let me know what everyone else is doing. Also when do you guys plan on going down there?

[soulny]

Hey everyone! I'm from New York and I'll be starting in fall 2005. I'm trying to find housing that's as close as possible!!! If anyone gets any good tips, let me know.

[singer]

For all of you with Stafford loans I just read in the paper that there will be a rate increase 0f 1.93%. This still keeps the rate under 5%.

[DrFaiyaz]

Today is my birthday, turned 23...yeaaaa :D

[emhgee]

Hi all- from NY heading down this fall.

A few questions - and I don't care how superficial they sound somethings simply NEED to be asked... :wink:


Beauty salons? How much for waxing, pedicure, manicure???

How much are dive lessons - ish?

Anyone doing cell phones down there? Who do you recommend?

Lots of places don't have 110V - I know nothing about electrical stuff and am pretty okay with that - but what's that mean in repect to using my laptop?

[futuremdsomewhere]

Hi, I am currently on the island and finishing everything this semester. I have a large tv, a big nice comfy chair, all books, modem, router, toaster, blender, iron, everything you will need here. I am also selling a laptop I just got at the end of april when I was home for break. It was about 2300 after discounts. I also have a really nice laptop case. I have the receipt for it so you can turn it into financial aid and get the entire 2300 back from them, takes about 4 weeks after you get here. For the computer, tv, chair, books, modem, router, toaster, and everything I want 2000.00. I will include everthing I have electronic from ross, notes, questions, etc. Message me if interested.

[jeepney]

Hi all- from NY heading down this fall.

A few questions - and I don't care how superficial they sound somethings simply NEED to be asked... ;)


Beauty salons? How much for waxing, pedicure, manicure???

How much are dive lessons - ish?

Anyone doing cell phones down there? Who do you recommend?

Lots of places don't have 110V - I know nothing about electrical stuff and am pretty okay with that - but what's that mean in repect to using my laptop?


Hi everyone. I'm from southern CA. Had my interview a couple of weeks ago and just got in last week. I have the same moronic questions along with rushing to take care of financial aid, visa, and worrying about where I'm going to live. Never lived away from home before, much less been out of the country. Scared, but excited!

[barnardgirl]

congrats to all of you that have been accepted!

my interview for the september term is scheduled for next week at the new jersey location (i'm from nyc), and i was looking for advice - what to expect, what to wear, anything that i may find helpful or encouraging..

thanks so much.

[Dru]

just do a search of the Ross Forum, and you'll find a ton of info, including what to wear, what questions they ask, etc.

[avonmark]

My interview was on June 16th in the LA office, and I was accepted yesterday for the fall 05' class. I'm from the bay area in California. Congrats to the rest of you who were also accepted.

[Sweet Endurance]

Does anyone know exactly how long it takes the administration to invite you for an interview after your application has been received?

[spursrock]

Hi guys, I just got accepted recently too and to Jeepney am also from Southern cali. Yea am running around getting loan, visa and stuffs ready too. Nervous and excited about the changes , cant wait to meet u guys!

[Anita@Ross]

Hi guys, I'm Anita...coming to Ross in September from Southern CA.

1. I met a guy yesterday who is transfering to Ohio from SGU. He had all kinds of comments about SGU vs. Ross, and basically summed everything up by saying that it'll be a lot harder to gain licensure in CA coming from Ross. I've never heard this before. Does anyone know if it's true?

2. I have 2 labcoats that come to like mid-thigh. Do I need to buy a shorter one?

3. When shipping boxes to Ross, will the package come directly to the school? I saw on the book order form that you must go to customs at the airport (an hour away) to retrieve it. I just don't know how I'm going to take only 70 lbs worth of stuff...

4. I still haven't received the financial aid package. Do I need to go out and start looking for loans?

5. Do a lot of students go home between semesters? For me it's roughly $1000 roundtrip coming back to CA. I'm coming home for Christmas, but is it worth it in spring or summer?

Thanks!

Anita

[homerbrave]

Hi guys, I'm Anita...coming to Ross in September from Southern CA.

1. I met a guy yesterday who is transfering to Ohio from SGU. He had all kinds of comments about SGU vs. Ross, and basically summed everything up by saying that it'll be a lot harder to gain licensure in CA coming from Ross. I've never heard this before. Does anyone know if it's true?


Anita

Hi Anita, I can answer ur first question. Maybe a current basic science student can answer the other ones.

Your friend is right in some ways in regard to practicing in CA. The name of the school doesn't matter. The major difference is that CA has certain restricitions about the hospital accreditation where students do their clinical rotations. Mainly, the more ACGME or MD rotations you do the better. SGU has 100% ACGME or M.D. clinical rotations while Ross doesn't. Now, you can request the NJ office to place you in all ACGME rotations but the drawback is that you won't be able to get all your core rotations back to back. Also, students who want all ACGME rotations may have to relocate all over the country (OH, Conn., MD, NY, CA., etc) for one or two rotations and/or can't complete their core rotations well until their 4th year. I know of a few students who waited over 18 months for their last ACGME rotation but weren't able to get one from Ross so they had to accept a DO or AOA rotation AFTER they have MATCHED/scrambled in non-CA states. This is the main difference b/w the two schools and licensure in CA, PA. But at least we can practice in TX. which I understand recent SGU grads. have not been able to do as of this writing. Also, you won't have to go outside the country for rotations either like at some other non-LCME medical schools.

Don't worry about financial aid, it will come once you're on the island. Get used to the NJ office, they are often delinquent and are quite proud of it. Welcome to RUSM!

[richardchoi@comcast.net]

alright, just another fall 2005-er checking in. i'll be coming from the cleveland area...in case there's another fellow ohioans floating around here.

one question, futuremdsomewhere mentioned something about getting the cost of his laptop refunded directly from financial aid? i didn't quite understand what was going on there...anyone, hopefully the poster, care to elaborate (particularly since i'll be buying one shortly here)?



also, not to stir up any problems, but i'm curious if anyone has read into the vast cesspool of other Ross threads on here...there is a crap ton of negativity going down that is really starting to worry me. it's validated a lot of private concerns i had going into this process. as a result, i've really started dragging my feet on my whole transfer down there. for all i know though, it could just be a handful of bitter students acting out some grudge or whatever...but honestly it just seems way too widespread and uniform in message. i'm just not seeing a lot postive feed back from the kids actually down there right now.

[Dru]

Hi, all.

Unfortunately the Ross Forum goes through cycles of trolls who fail out of Ross and are not able to self-reflect as to why they actually failed. I work with Ross docs every day. Ross has a highly successful program of producing excellent physicians, and you are reading the tripe of a handful of individuals that were weeded out of the program. Many of the failures result in people resorting to posting opinions about inferior professors, poor handouts, bad living conditions, etc. It seemingly becomes easier to do this instead of looking in the mirror and saying, "geeze, I didn't learn the material cuz I really didn't study" or "maybe I'm just not cut out for this". This is not to say that you WILL run into professors that manage to teach poorly. You WILL run into inferior (or less than you're used to) living conditions. Some of the most important issues for your success at Ross will include:

1. The ability to have self-control, self-confidence, and autonomy to study your hind-quaters off. Study time does not include goofing off at Wine Bar or stagnating in front of your computer spending hours on forums. You WILL need to study the material, and study it again. If you are able to regiment yourself to a routine and not allow yourself to be diverted to wasting your time, you will have a higher success rate. Likewise, you will be required to set aside some of your time to relax and rejuvenate....it just has to be the right balance for you to make the grade and suceed.

2. The ability to be adaptable in the face of change is vital. We've all seen brutally honest (and some not too honest) depictions of the island. It IS a rough place to live, but you are sacrificing 16 months of your life there. (more if you allow yourself to fail)

3. The ability to be tolerant will be important. You are about to be dropped into a melting pot far more concentrated than what you may be accustomed. You will be exposed to a lot of individuals with wonderful personalities, but you will also be interacting with some who are socially inept. If you don't embrace diversity or at least tolerate it, you will be miserable. A lot of people complain about how Domincans treat them badly. There are ill-mannered "natives" in all countries, but in all honesty, I've always been treated well there. It's important to be respectful and polite even when surrounded with strangers or those you really may not care for or about. If some of the posters on this forum have treated Dominicans with their attitudes, it isn't hard to see why some natives would treat them like dirt.

The waves of trolls never cease to amaze me. They go as far as impersonating a continuing student. They childishly develop more than one VMD account, and literally have discussions with each other (themselves) to spread rumors and pose questions about how "bad" Ross treats their students and makes them fail. On the surface it looks like a "crowd" of people saying some pretty negative things, but the reality is...it's one or two people having a huge conversation of agreement with themselves. Generally, I consider this behavior pathological, but I'm certain a diagnostic category needs to be set up for it. (multiple accounts by the same users will be banned, by the way) They usually come and go right with the ends of the semesters after they fail and the reality is seen that these individuals "DON'T PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS" from childhood, right into adulthood. Their behavior in real-life is often just as deceitful and unsavory as within the forum.

If you truly have studied, and you truly don't have the intellect to retain or learn what it takes to become a physician, Ross has done a kindness by letting them go. Yup, they are out their time and money. Yup, they may be accepted and try again at a different school. Ross is NOT for everyone, nor should it be. If I was layed out on a bed in a hospital and had to depend on a doc to adequately care for me, I'd consent to being cared for by a Ross doc ANY day. They are the cream of the crop...and for those that didn't have success, I feel sorry. (They'll probably resort to bashing me for saying all this, but I really don't care, cuz it had to be said.)

[FRNC]

I'm the father of a 4th yr Ross clinical sciences student. Ross was a great opportunity. My kid never had Army Ranger "survival training" and yet managed to enjoy island life (beach lobester feasts, pig roasts, hikes, beach parties after minis, travel to neighboring islands between semesters, etc.). My kid was very focused and dedicated to learning the "avalanche " of material presented and was successful. Same with 5th semester Miami and now clinicals. My point is; Ross is a great opportunity to pursue your dream of becoming a phyiscian if the US route is not available. It is a challange but doable with dedication. You must be proactive to both take advantage of what Dominica has to offer and be successful with you studies.

Best wishes for success.

FRNC

[Dru]

I am not sure Anita's lab coat question was answered. Generally the residents and attendings all wear the longer mid-thigh length white coats, but medical students who are serving internships or clerkships or clinicals always ONLY wear the short white jacket. After the first weeks in Dominica you will have the "White Coat Ceremony", which I know has been poo-pooed here on the forum...it is sort of a rite of passage into the medical world, sort of like the old fashioned capping ceremony we used to have for nurses back in the day. All the local dignitary and administrative officials from Ross and Dominica show up for it, so my vote would be to GO. Yes, your time could be spent studying, but in my mind it is just one of those little things you shouldn't miss.

Anita can cut off her longer white lab coats, or she can go to her local scrub uniform shop to get a new shorter model. The scrub shops all have the macho male version as well as the foo-foo, but professional version for the gals. Or you can wait til you get down there and pay top dollar at the Ross Bookstore for one.

[gemilli]

Hi. I was just curious if any of you knew if the fall 2005 class is still accepting students. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. : )

[FRNC]

Hi. I was just curious if any of you knew if the fall 2005 class is still accepting students. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. : )

gemilli,

Call the Ross admissions office. No one posting here would know for sure. Worth a phone call.

[gemilli]

Hi, thanks for the quick post. I was just hoping to get a quick answer. :)

[spursrock]

Hi guys,
Just wondering wat date do u guys book for return since the semester end on dec 16? do most of guys fly out on the 16 too or the 17 .
Thanks.

[indiansurprise]

it looks like i'll be coming down for the Sept. 05 class as well..

is there anyone in the same boat as me from the Toronto area?

wouldn't mind meeting up..maybe even discussing some housing options or what not.

[la la ash]

Hey Guys- Congrads to all you that are going.
I am gonna be coming down as well.
From So. Cal as awell.

[GreenMD]

I just made the decision to attend Ross this fall as well. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone!:yeah:

[emhgee]

also, not to stir up any problems, but i'm curious if anyone has read into the vast cesspool of other Ross threads on here...there is a crap ton of negativity going down that is really starting to worry me. it's validated a lot of private concerns i had going into this process. as a result, i've really started dragging my feet on my whole transfer down there. for all i know though, it could just be a handful of bitter students acting out some grudge or whatever...but honestly it just seems way too widespread and uniform in message. i'm just not seeing a lot postive feed back from the kids actually down there right now.


Im feeling that too.

it doesn't help that I am a snowbird either and avoid warm weather when possible... I've lived overseas before but for some reason I'm really beating myself up about this. Hopefully I'll just do what I normally do - suck it up and deal...

[justdoit]

Anita can cut off her longer white lab coats, or she can go to her local scrub uniform shop to get a new shorter model. The scrub shops all have the macho male version as well as the foo-foo, but professional version for the gals. Or you can wait til you get down there and pay top dollar at the Ross Bookstore for one.

Dru are you saying we can buy any old lab coat from a store here in the states before coming down to the island as long as it's short? They don't all have to look exactly the same?

[scrublife]

Can someone who has completed some semesters at Ross inform the entering class of Sept. 2005 the value of specific "recommended" texts sold by the book company. That is, list which ones are valuable to have and for what reasons and perhaps why some are pointless to buy. Thank you.

[Dru]

Yes, you can pick up your coat here in the states and transport it down there. It must be white, hip-legth, clean, well-fitting, but it can be female or male version. You will need the Ross patch, but you can pick that up in the Ross Bookstore for $2-3 USD. Remember to take a needle and thread in your checked baggage.

You don't have to go to a sore either....
Don't forget to check out online auctions like EBay Item # 5328769203http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gifhttp://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif
current bid is $4 and $5.25 to ship right to you.

[Dru]

If you guys are interested, I'd be willing to organize a chat with the Sept. newbies. You can all meet each other in the main chat room of the VMD forum by hitting the word "chat" on the upper most bar. If I get a break at work on Sat. night 7/23/05 I'll try to join you at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. (that's 2100 for you medical-bound guys). If I can't get a break, go on and talk amongst yourselves, and if I can be there, I'll join you.

Best wishes as you prepare for the most important journey of your life.

Dru

[emhgee]

I'm getting some stuff via ebay or second hand bookstores-- I was wondering about the snellen eye chart - they dont give much info on which- is it the 20ft one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7532649820&category=71381&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1

[Dru]

I didn't have time to eat or doing anything Sat. night. Any body assemble in chat? If so...any issues or questions?



Dru

[emhgee]

I missed the chat unfortunately but maybe one could be scheduled for the week sometime - having students who are already in their first year take part would be great.

[barnardgirl]

does anyone from the entering fall 05 class want to meet up in the nyc area?

[mikealtmandc]

it looks like i'll be coming down for the Sept. 05 class as well..

is there anyone in the same boat as me from the Toronto area?

wouldn't mind meeting up..maybe even discussing some housing options or what not.

I'm from Toronto, but married w/2 kids. Currently live in Dallas... until August 16, 2005.

Mike

[Dru]

Hi, guys and gals,
For anyone who wants the "street version" of nebie information for getting ready for the rock, please p/m me your private email address. I'm willing to send it to you via private email, but the new upgraded system limits the length of documents. I just don't have that kind of time to cut and paste, but I can send it to you intact by private email. I've been told it's helpful and accurate. Best wishes to you as you begin the final preparations for your most important journey. My prayers are with you and yours.

Sincerely,
Dru (the Ross mom)

[Dru]

Hi, folks,
Your responses for the "street version" of Ross information has been sent to all those who requested it. If you did not receive it, please let me know.

Dru

[heena32]

Hey, I'm from San Francisco, CA. I'm going to start in Fall and am coming out there on the 29th. Anyone else go to UCSD?

[heena32]

Hey I would like the "street version" sent to heena32@yahoo.com please. Thanks "Ross mom"

[zpatel]

Hey, does anyone know exactly what tools we need in the dissection kit?

[Captainwada]

whats up..I'm going to be a 3rd sem student @ ROss..
Ok...dont get all freaked out but...I dont think there are any beauty salons...anyways you won't have much time to go to them. Dominica is nothing like the states....That's why it's such a good place to study and learn. The only thing you can do is snorkle, dive, hike, and study. THere are no movie theaters, no malls, ...pretty much...all there is for students is school
Dive lessons are way cheaper than the states so if you are interested there are plenty of chances to go..youll see when you get here.
THere is a cell phone shop on campus, I would suggest getting a phone there. Its prepaid cellphones....Its kinda expensive...like 60 cents/ min...Personally I would invest in a web cam or microphone and talk over the internet using skype or MSN (Its free!!)
Don't worry about electronics, Youll find out how to deal w/ all the transformer stuff when you get here.. basically its a step up from 120 V to 240 V. THeres plenty of time for you guys to adjust and set up your stuff before school starts. I would recommend waiting till you get to the island to buy your books , Its a hell of a lot cheaper and you can browse through them..Tons of students are alwasy looking to sell their books...including me!
As for housing, They will take you on a tour..trust me..youll find a place before school starts. THere are plenty of nice apts...I live in one of them...like 1 minute away for 375 US!
If you have any more questions, dont hesitate...good luck!
Hi all- from NY heading down this fall.

A few questions - and I don't care how superficial they sound somethings simply NEED to be asked... :wink:


Beauty salons? How much for waxing, pedicure, manicure???

How much are dive lessons - ish?

Anyone doing cell phones down there? Who do you recommend?

Lots of places don't have 110V - I know nothing about electrical stuff and am pretty okay with that - but what's that mean in repect to using my laptop?

[Captainwada]

dont worry bout the dissections kit...any ol kit will due...I went the whole semester w/o even opening mine b/c other students will have them to use. TRUST ME....I'm selling mine anywyas for like 10 US....TRust me..just wiat till you get to the island to buy your supplies....its cheaper and youll get the right stuff!

[deepd]

hey guys, i am planning to apply to ROss for the January session. I have a 3.13 GPA and just took my MCATs in Aug. I am guessing around 28+...I have a year of research experience. What are my chances of getting in? I will be graduating in December with a B.S. in Biotechnology. Thanks guys!

[rochemd]

I think you have a good chance. January semester is less competitive than September. Good luck and hope to see you in January

[Dru]

I'm un-sticky-ing this thread, as the fall semester has begun. Jan. 2006 thread will be the new incoming students' sticky.