Welcome Class 09 to VCOM. I was in your place last year and understand just how you all feel. Take our advice, go and do things you love. The time you spend here is going to change from a ton of time to HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU LEARN THIS IN ONE WEEK. Sorry, I'm in NEURO right now. So, get a life, have fun with your life, read a book or two, watch TV, run, lift weights, eat, drink and be merry. There are basically two types of medical student, (1) you hate the education and can't wait to get to 3rd and 4th year, (2) you love it. There are of course different levels in between. I came to med school with the idea of I will be given all this EXTRA knowledge and be able to one day make a difference. You will get this knowledge and be functional at a given time, but it is not going to happen as fast as you will want. So, relax learn what they are asking you at the time you get it. It all comes back around MANY times, and if you don't get it the first time you will get it later.
Paying for school. I don't want this to up set anyone, but I feel you should know this information; I came to med school with 60K in student loans. As a medical student you are only allowed approx 190,000 in federal sub and non-sub loans, and a total of 230,000 for ALL loans. This means if you have ANY student loans you ARE going to have a problem paying for medical school. Here is an example of the above numbers;
VCOM approx total cost per year. 53,000 total X4 = $212,000
If you dont have any student loans you are ok, but what about $60K
230,000(max on student loans) - 60,000 = 170,000
212,000 - 170,000 = $42,000 I have to come up with 42K in EXTRA money, schalorships, military, rural (small town) schalorships, ect... to pay for school..
Medical school is great. It is HARD, but the reward is worth it. I look forward to meeting each of you, and I hope you have a great time in school.