So what's your story?

This picture is most of the MSTP crew after the white coat ceremony on Friday (missing two people and with two non MSTPers).

Having just completed orientation week, my mind is still spinning, filled with a so many new faces and names. Where are you from? and what undergrad did you go to? Most of the people I have met are pretty fun and interesting people. Aside from almost everyone being Californians, the class is pretty diverse, which was not really the case at Wash U. And as expected everybody is a little nerdier than most undergrads. While there are definetly a few hardcore nerds/gunners and some quiet little asian girls (sorry for the stereotype), most of the people are genuinely awesome people who have similar interests and also just want to have a good time. I kind of like that fact that everyone is a little nerdier, it somewhat evens the playing field. We all have our little quirks and seem to get along with each other very well.

Orientation was a pretty incredible week jammed full of various activities, some of which were interesting and some of which were less entertaining than the others (see the previous post by Chuck C). Overall you get a sense that the deans and staff has really put together an awesome program for us. I really look forward to the pass/fail (pass now or pass later) system. I really feel that i will learn a lot and also still have a good amount of free time to go out and do other things with my life instead of being buried in books, which is what most people assume you are doing in med school (and what is unfortunately still true at some schools). I definitly can see myself playing tennis, surfing, snowboarding, and going on trips to San Diego, Las Vegas and Mexico on a fairly regular basis.

The white coat ceremony was like a graduation before you even start, a formal little ceremony mainly intended for the family. While most of the speakers where actually pretty boring some aspects of the ceremony, like the medical oath were actually pretty surreal. Damn... we really are going to be doctors... such responsibility. I guess it kinda takes a while for something so big to sink in. I mean you hear it so many times but this was just a little different. There will be so many people that will really trust you with their lives, and it is know our lifelong duties.

There were also a bunch of orientation social activities at night at various bars and restaurants. It was a lot of fun, but at the same time a little overwhelming. I met a bunch of people and had a good time at most of the events i went to. But combined with the 9-5 orientation classes they really drain you. I look forward to when things settle down in a few weeks where people will hang out more casually. Right now there is a little too much of sense people having to go out to clubs all the time trying to make good impressions and what not. I really enjoyed the few relaxed weeks in July where we were able to bond with a few people that were here early (mostly fellow MSTPs).

Oh boy! Real med school starts 8:00 AM tomorrow with a PBL. I still cant believe Chuck C, John B and I all are at the same anatomy table together, what a mistake that was...