As I'm sitting here listening to the Gershwin Piano Concerto in F which we will be playing tonight with the amazing Sara Davis Buechner (I've never played with such a high-profile musician before), I can't help but feel mixed emotions.
You can judge by the extended time between my last post and this one that a lot has happened recently. After interviewing, a couple weeks later I was notified that I was placed onto the "waitlist of qualified/alternate applicants" at the Univ of Vermont College of Medicine. However, I didn't know where I was on that waitlist (it's unranked), and how many other people were on that list relative to seats opening up. Add to that the fact that waitlist season technically continues up until orientation in August, although the application cycle for the next app season opens up in June/July. Do I gear up to do this all over again? Will I hear before then? How long till I hear news? What are the chances really? Or should I just give up on it and plan to be a reapplicant? If so, what do I need to do to improve my application? What if Ian is offered a great job elsewhere? Can we both work here? Too many questions and too many variables. I am usually okay with "going with the flow" but in this case I just wanted SOME kind of direction - whatever direction that was. We were tired, frustrated, happy, confused, but mainly just exhausted by all this.
I woke up early from my sleep because my phone had ping'ed from a new email. Ignored it and went back to sleep. Then Ian's phone buzzed from a text message. Twice. He got up groggy-eyed. Then checked my phone and started jumping up and down. Half asleep, I smiled and asked UVM?! I looked at my phone ... there it was ... an offer of acceptance! Was I still sleeping? No ... let me check the online applicant center just to make sure it wasn't an accident I got that email .... OMG.
Of course I was so unbelievably happy. But I think more than happy, I was just relieved. Just plain relieved. Relieved that I wouldn't have to think about doing this whole year-long, exhausting, emotionally-draining rollercoaster of an application cycle all over again. More than anything, I think I was just so glad. It only takes one seat and I'm so happy UVM didn't give up on me even when I was about to give up on myself.
I'm taking a break from it all before delving into the details of financing the huge student debt that I will take on, as well as all the paperwork involved with immunizations, figuring out where to live in Burlington, how we plan to move from Seattle, etc. Tonight will be my last performance with the PSSO and I'm glad it will be with such an amazing musician as our guest soloist. Then, Ian and I will head down to the Columbia River Gorge for some camping and hiking to clear our heads before returning, refreshed, to tackle this next amazing chapter in our lives.
It's going to be a busy summer ... but I can finally f'ing say it: I'm going to be a doctor. I can't believe it.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Vermont Day 3
So you'll notice that the time between Vermont Day 2 and 3 is quite substantial ... haha, oops I forgot to post the final day! Upon returning to Seattle, we've also moved into a cute little studio in lower Queen Anne as well since the house we were in is going on sale ... in any event, here's our full two days in cute Burlington:
Our first stop was to fill our stomachs with a great breakfast at Myer's Bagel Bakery! I was so excited ... Montreal style bagels here in Burlington (we're only two hours away from Montreal, after all). Compared to normal bagels, Montreal style bagels are dipped in honey water, then wood fired for a crispy outside and chewy inside.
Making our way into downtown Burlington's pedestrian-only area:
Touring around Univ of Vermont in the afternoon:
We headed home that afternoon to our new host's place in the North End. He is originally from Canada, but settled in Burlington after liking it so much. Another wood stove!
Next day: my big interview! Arrived at the UVM Medical Education building to chat with fellow applicants (super diverse group of students) before hearing more about their integrated curriculum, touring the facilities, having my interview, and joining the wrap-up talk with apple cider donuts and hot apple cider.
The interview day went really well. Lunch with the students was great, and I got a much better look at how the students feel there. It really sounded very similar to the environment cultivated at my work at Seattle Children's Hospital ... always looking to improve, taking feedback from the students and constructing a plan to change things that aren't working, cultivating a warm and nurturing environment. It really felt like students were genuinely happy to be there and were excited to be there, rather than at the school simply to get a degree to pursue a career in medicine. That was the biggest difference: UVM really created an 'experience' of medical education, not just a curriculum to pass through. The administration kept saying "if you're here today, it means we've already determined that you would be successful in our program - today's interview is just a matter of seeing if you fit our school, that's all. In our eyes, we know you all would do very well here". Compared to the UW interview, it felt like my (single) interviewer at UVM was really trying to get to know me and have a conversation, rather than testing me whether or not I had prepared for their interview. I did my best and put all the cards on the table, but I know it's still so competitive. Fingers crossed ... I could hear as soon as April 7th (or so), or two weeks after that point about the initial determination (accept, reject, or waitlisted). And if waitlisted, I may not hear any news until through the summer ....
If I have to reapply, though, UVM is really my top choice. Such an amazing school and collaborative environment. No wonder their medical students are accepted into so many Ivy League hospitals for residency training ... there's a specific kind of physician that UVM cultivates, and I hope to be a part of that someday.
Back at home, Ian got us a little charcuterie and local cheese plate from the local co-op market
On our last day here in town, we decided to check out the area just across the river from Burlington which is the town of Winooski:
Our last day ... Ian had a meeting with some of the nursing management at Fletcher Allen Health Care, so I walked around campus a bit more
Finally, we made it back to Burlington Airport and ate a bite at the Skinny Pancake. Of course being so close to Quebec I had to order Poutine. It's not quite La Banquise in Montreal, but it will do ;)
Making our way down from the North End towards downtown. Lake Champlain is frozen over ... Adirondak mountains in the background - so pretty.
Our first stop was to fill our stomachs with a great breakfast at Myer's Bagel Bakery! I was so excited ... Montreal style bagels here in Burlington (we're only two hours away from Montreal, after all). Compared to normal bagels, Montreal style bagels are dipped in honey water, then wood fired for a crispy outside and chewy inside.
Tiny little shop
This was definitely my favorite! Kind of like a steak seasoning. We had three bagels with spreads (chive, plain). Super cheap ... I think it was like $1.50 per bagel and maybe $2 including spread?
Making our way into downtown Burlington's pedestrian-only area:
Church street pedestrian street... no cars!
Building on the right reminds me of Quebec-style architecture like the chateau frontenac
Public library
Inside the public library you can check out tools ... I have always been a big supporter of this. Why does every household feel like they have to purchase a lawn mower, rake, leaf blower, etc? We only use it a few times but are stuck with it all year. Instead, why not share?
Beautiful stained glass inside the old part of the public library
Burlington City hall
Really cool looking whiskey bar in city hall park
City Hall Park
Took a break at Maglianero's cafe for coffee, a delicious canelé, and studying for my biochemistry final which I would have to take upon returning to Seattle (Update: I ended up getting a 4.0 again!)
Grabbed a quick afternoon bite at Al's ... the first James Beard award winning diner in the country. I had a taste the first time last summer in Vermont with Ian's family.
Too bad their creamie (soft serve ice cream) stand was closed for the winter ... it was some of the best I've had!
Like I said ... muddy time of year in Vermont! We called the rental car company to make sure we weren't responsible for washing the car down before returning - haha
Touring around Univ of Vermont in the afternoon:
The "Old Mill" building of UVM. Beautiful
The original College of Medicine ... 7th oldest medical college in the US. This is no longer the medical education building
We headed home that afternoon to our new host's place in the North End. He is originally from Canada, but settled in Burlington after liking it so much. Another wood stove!
This thermal-sensor fan begins to turn when the stove heats up and helps to circulate the warmth from the stove through the rest of the room
Next day: my big interview! Arrived at the UVM Medical Education building to chat with fellow applicants (super diverse group of students) before hearing more about their integrated curriculum, touring the facilities, having my interview, and joining the wrap-up talk with apple cider donuts and hot apple cider.
Medical Education Building - this is where administrative offices are, as well as where the classes are held. Beautiful new state-of-the-art building with six simulation laboratories, two lecture halls, and numerous case-study/small-group teaching rooms.
Walkway from the Medical Education Building to Fletcher Allen Health Care (the teaching hospital and Level 1 trauma center). Dana Medical Library is to my right along this walkway, Fletcher Allen Health Care is up ahead
Inside the lobby of Fletcher Allen Health Care
The interview day went really well. Lunch with the students was great, and I got a much better look at how the students feel there. It really sounded very similar to the environment cultivated at my work at Seattle Children's Hospital ... always looking to improve, taking feedback from the students and constructing a plan to change things that aren't working, cultivating a warm and nurturing environment. It really felt like students were genuinely happy to be there and were excited to be there, rather than at the school simply to get a degree to pursue a career in medicine. That was the biggest difference: UVM really created an 'experience' of medical education, not just a curriculum to pass through. The administration kept saying "if you're here today, it means we've already determined that you would be successful in our program - today's interview is just a matter of seeing if you fit our school, that's all. In our eyes, we know you all would do very well here". Compared to the UW interview, it felt like my (single) interviewer at UVM was really trying to get to know me and have a conversation, rather than testing me whether or not I had prepared for their interview. I did my best and put all the cards on the table, but I know it's still so competitive. Fingers crossed ... I could hear as soon as April 7th (or so), or two weeks after that point about the initial determination (accept, reject, or waitlisted). And if waitlisted, I may not hear any news until through the summer ....
If I have to reapply, though, UVM is really my top choice. Such an amazing school and collaborative environment. No wonder their medical students are accepted into so many Ivy League hospitals for residency training ... there's a specific kind of physician that UVM cultivates, and I hope to be a part of that someday.
Back at home, Ian got us a little charcuterie and local cheese plate from the local co-op market
The backyard of the house, covered in snow :)
On our last day here in town, we decided to check out the area just across the river from Burlington which is the town of Winooski:
Winooski river making its way down into Lake Champlain
Frozen Lake Champlain ... can you find the people walking on the frozen lake?
Sunset over the Adirondack Mountains
Our last day ... Ian had a meeting with some of the nursing management at Fletcher Allen Health Care, so I walked around campus a bit more
The student center and cafeteria at UVM is amazing! Such great food, and healthy too! I was reading that UVM was one of the first schools in the country to require that a certain percentage of their food came from within the state. Here is a map of where various things are coming from
Finally, we made it back to Burlington Airport and ate a bite at the Skinny Pancake. Of course being so close to Quebec I had to order Poutine. It's not quite La Banquise in Montreal, but it will do ;)
Shortly after takeoff, flying over the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York
Layover in Chicago
And now back home in Seattle with our maple syrup haul !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)