StephG Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Hello current students/alumni! I was recently accepted to class 2017 and have a few questions about the summer quarter in Seattle. 1) How do we sign up for staying on campus? (I'm from Alaska and will be attending the Anchorage site) 2) How intense is the course? 3) Is there any way to prepare beforehand? 4) What were your experiences in general? I sincerely appreciate your time! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktcan10 Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Hello current students/alumni! I was recently accepted to class 2017 and have a few questions about the summer quarter in Seattle. 1) How do we sign up for staying on campus? (I'm from Alaska and will be attending the Anchorage site) 2) How intense is the course? 3) Is there any way to prepare beforehand? 4) What were your experiences in general? I sincerely appreciate your time! :) Congratulations on your acceptance! I'm a first-year student at the Seattle site, so I will do my best to answer some of your questions, and some of the other students can chime in with their experiences. 1) I don't know much about living on campus, since I was already set up for year-round housing here in Seattle. However, I do remember receiving some information about how to secure on campus housing in the information that they sent out regarding the course. This is not gospel, however, so don't quote me on it. I would check with some other students or even the program to make sure you aren't missing something. But they are fully aware that 3/4 of their students are coming from out of town for the summer session, so I imagine that information should be well prepared. 2) The course is fairly intense. Online, you work through the entire A&P book cover to cover, and then when you begin working on campus, you basically review the major systems again, with an emphasis on physiology (rather than surface anatomy). The experience in the course largely depends on you as an individual, but I have found from talking to my classmates a couple of things that influence that experience: how recent your A&P knowledge is (recall of concepts already known versus relearning them if you took the class many moons ago), how good your time management and learning speeds are (good time management skills mean that you will probably feel the burn of studying a little less, since your time and energy is organized efficiently), and how well or not so well you process information from a large lecture hall type environment. None of these are meant to predict your success or lack thereof, just some ideas to think about. In general, the people in my class who had a larger gap of time between when they first took A&P and now struggled more. Those with poor time management skills who struggled in managing studying small amounts of information at a time rather than cramming for tests also tended to struggle. 3) Honestly, I would come in with your mind limbered up and your attitude positive. I wouldn't try to commit the book to memory or anything, just concentrate and do well online and come out swinging when you arrive in Seattle. The material is completely manageable (I found it so, anyway), and the pace of the course, while rapid, is nothing like what the future has in store for you. ;) 4) As a general wrap-up, I had a great experience in summer session. It was really cool to spend some time getting to know other sites and just easing into PA school a little. The Basic Clinical Science class that follows A&P on the schedule IS what I found to be a little more intense. I struggled with electrolyte balances and some of the genetics topics, since they were covered quickly and I didn't have a level of expertise on them before we began (I was an EMT, so I could talk your ear off about anatomy, but not so great with genetics). People in my class definitely had to retest in summer session, and believe me, MEDEX does not want to see anyone go. The environment is very supportive and very helpful, and you absolutely will make it through and do just fine. I hope this helps, please let me know if there are other questions I can answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akapp Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 You are amazingly generous, thanks so much for the info ktcan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmitch300wby Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Ktcan, Been watching these forums for a while and just wanted to say thank you for all your advise and help. It really is appreciated and makes ths a little less stressful. However, I do have a question about the online A&P course. We've not received our acceptance packets yet that lays out the A&P course, as well as the other courses. Do you remember details about the online A&P course? For example, the days that the exams were opened and the amount of time you were allowed to take the exam? Also, are there days that one needs to post on a forum for that course? I Bid for my work schedule soon and want to find a shift that will allow me the time to complete the A&P course. Thank you again for your assistance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephG Posted December 14, 2014 Author Share Posted December 14, 2014 Congratulations on your acceptance! I'm a first-year student at the Seattle site, so I will do my best to answer some of your questions, and some of the other students can chime in with their experiences. 1) I don't know much about living on campus, since I was already set up for year-round housing here in Seattle. However, I do remember receiving some information about how to secure on campus housing in the information that they sent out regarding the course. This is not gospel, however, so don't quote me on it. I would check with some other students or even the program to make sure you aren't missing something. But they are fully aware that 3/4 of their students are coming from out of town for the summer session, so I imagine that information should be well prepared. 2) The course is fairly intense. Online, you work through the entire A&P book cover to cover, and then when you begin working on campus, you basically review the major systems again, with an emphasis on physiology (rather than surface anatomy). The experience in the course largely depends on you as an individual, but I have found from talking to my classmates a couple of things that influence that experience: how recent your A&P knowledge is (recall of concepts already known versus relearning them if you took the class many moons ago), how good your time management and learning speeds are (good time management skills mean that you will probably feel the burn of studying a little less, since your time and energy is organized efficiently), and how well or not so well you process information from a large lecture hall type environment. None of these are meant to predict your success or lack thereof, just some ideas to think about. In general, the people in my class who had a larger gap of time between when they first took A&P and now struggled more. Those with poor time management skills who struggled in managing studying small amounts of information at a time rather than cramming for tests also tended to struggle. 3) Honestly, I would come in with your mind limbered up and your attitude positive. I wouldn't try to commit the book to memory or anything, just concentrate and do well online and come out swinging when you arrive in Seattle. The material is completely manageable (I found it so, anyway), and the pace of the course, while rapid, is nothing like what the future has in store for you. ;) 4) As a general wrap-up, I had a great experience in summer session. It was really cool to spend some time getting to know other sites and just easing into PA school a little. The Basic Clinical Science class that follows A&P on the schedule IS what I found to be a little more intense. I struggled with electrolyte balances and some of the genetics topics, since they were covered quickly and I didn't have a level of expertise on them before we began (I was an EMT, so I could talk your ear off about anatomy, but not so great with genetics). People in my class definitely had to retest in summer session, and believe me, MEDEX does not want to see anyone go. The environment is very supportive and very helpful, and you absolutely will make it through and do just fine. I hope this helps, please let me know if there are other questions I can answer. Ktcan, THANK YOU so much for your insightful feedback! I agree with the others, you are extremely helpful on here and I am very excited for this! I just need to get my tuition assistance/loans in order because that is definitely something foreign to me. I have always just paid out of pocket in addition to scholarship grants so I'm not familiar with the loan options/processes. Any advice on that anyone? Thanks again! Stephanie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktcan10 Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 From what I remember, and others may be able to weigh in on this as well, but each quiz (weekly) and the forum post for that week opened on Monday mornings. I usually did the forum post that morning, but I believe they were open almost all week. I was working 24 hour shifts part time and I never ran into a conflict with work and getting quizzes done. They are definitely forgiving. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmitch300wby Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Thank you Ktcan. That info helps a ton. Everything I've been told about MEDEX is that they go out of their way to help students. I think I'll take an early shift and enjoy it until June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AprilMedicPA Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 If I get accepted to Tacoma this year, I will need to complete the Spanish requirements. I can probably take a class this Spring during the online A&P, but is it feasible to take the other Spanish class during Summer session? (I'm thinking "feasible" time and success-wise.) Thanks! April~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMSGuy1982 Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 April- I would try to take it this spring during the online portion or you could even wait to take it until next summer (since you have it completely off). Taking it during the summer quarter in seattle would be difficult since you are in an auditorium classroom from 9-4 and that isn't counting studying before or after class which is what I did since I have a family and had a longer commute time. I hope this makes sense. I have been battling a sinus/total body/ebola sickness this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktcan10 Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 The Ninja Death Plague has spread to Tacoma!!! Run for your lives! Seriously, though. I had that starting on Thanksgiving day and stretching until oh approximately...yesterday. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMSGuy1982 Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Wow.. Yeah I guess that's it then. So my whole break is going to suck. :-/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephG Posted December 16, 2014 Author Share Posted December 16, 2014 That sounds terrible, I am so sorry to hear you guys are ill... I hope you get well soon and enjoy the holidays! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishnozzlehead81 Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I have a tech question for any or all of you. I am looking at getting a lighter laptop/tablet/magic screen thingy to take with me during summer quarter. Does anyone have any recommendations? I currently run a windows platform, and was considering a chromebook, or some sort of cheaper laptop (I assume UW has excellent wifi, but I do not want to just go with my gut feeling). Should I be looking at pulling the trigger on a mac? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut3 Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I have a tech question for any or all of you. I am looking at getting a lighter laptop/tablet/magic screen thingy to take with me during summer quarter. Does anyone have any recommendations? I currently run a windows platform, and was considering a chromebook, or some sort of cheaper laptop (I assume UW has excellent wifi, but I do not want to just go with my gut feeling). Should I be looking at pulling the trigger on a mac? I recently have had to get a new computer. I went back and forth between getting a computer that would get me through until I finish PA school or pulling the trigger and get the mac. I talked to varies friends who know their technology and they all said if you are going to get a computer get a mac book air 11 or 13, especially since I am going to school. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktcan10 Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I have a MacBook Air 11, and I love it! People also really like the iPads in my class. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishnozzlehead81 Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Excellent! Thank you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AprilMedicPA Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Thanks for replying EMSGUY. I looked around on the regular UW site and saw that they offer a 15 credit summer term of Spanish that will cover 3 "normal" terms worth of Spanish. I think I might want to take it during the summer between didactic and clinical years since I need a full year of Spanish to get the Bachelor degree from UW. I have more than enough credits of everything else already. April~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephG Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 April, if I'm not mistaken, I believe those particular credits you are referring to must be completed BEFORE the Seattle summer quarter begins. You might want to confirm that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AprilMedicPA Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Thank you for the heads up, Steph. I've sent out emails to the UW admissions people to see what they say. It seems a little strange that UW wouldn't "accept" a 43 year old with over 120 college credits because they didn't take foreign language in high school 25+ years ago! I will update when I find out. April~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akapp Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Hello and happy holidays everyone! Has anyone received their admissions package yet? We have a new mail person and some of my mail has been returned - excited to get things going :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishnozzlehead81 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Negative ghost rider, I haven't seen anything yet. Is it supposed to be regular mail, or email? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akapp Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Snail mail. Hoping my post person keeps it safe while we're gone :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktcan10 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 If my memory serves me correctly (which is a bit touch and go, but it's what I'm working with), I didn't receive mine until after the holidays. Early January maybe? And that mail will be met with great excitement and then...some more waiting. ;-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoped Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 I emailed MEDEX about this topic last week because I have family members that wanted to buy me equipment for Christmas but I didn't know what I needed and what MEDEX recomended. They said the welcome packets will be sometime in January. What stethoscope are you all thinking about buying or use for class. Seems like the cardio III is popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishnozzlehead81 Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 I like the cardiology 3, it is a great standard and we use them daily in the field. They are a bit spendy, but certainly not as much as you could spend on one with electronics. On another note, does anyone know what time class will be? Trying to look at the best ways to get to class on time. Will it be different times between the different campuses? Will be attending the tacoma class. Have a great Christmas/holiday/festivus everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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