Wednesday (Feb. 11th) I had an interview at IU Med School
I want thank everyone that has had a part in this journey so much for your help (that includes all of you, readers and commenters), it sounds so cliché, but I really could not do it alone. However, this journey is not nearly done!
Let me start from the beginning, or a beginning. This semester has been the hardest yet, by far. Physical Chemistry 2, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Synthesis, Biology 2, and Renewable Resources. Incredibly interesting and engaging classes, but they are taking a toll on the body and mind (a good warm-up for Medical school)! The amount of caffeine I have consumed in the past five weeks could kill a large herd of elephants! In addition to classes I have been dieting for a couple bodybuilding competitions (diet=less carbohydrates=less food for the brain) and recently started training for a couple of half marathons.
Maximum Destruction!
I try to do a few fun things every now and then. Dad and I went to the Monster Jam (monster trucks) at Lucas Oil stadium (Jan. 24th) and had a blast!! We used to go each year when I was younger (elementary/middle school), but haven’t had the time as we’ve gotten older, either Dad’s work schedule or my school schedule always interfered. It was stupendous that it worked out this year (and first time at the new Lucas Oil Stadium)!
Last weekend (Feb. 7th) I went to Chicago to visit my awe-inspiring friend Adrienne. We met once, long ago (2003) at a leadership conference and have kept in contact since. She showed me around her Chicago and Saturday we spent the ENTIRE day at the Field Museum (another thing I haven’t done since I was younger)! I certainly appreciated the museum much more and now realize why Mom/Dad wanted to read everything when we went years ago, but as an impatient kid, I just wanted to SEE everything! Lastly, I greatly enjoyed our current events discussion (read argument? – haha) as we both attempted to better articulate our points and sway the other (it didn’t work).
Adrienne and I at the Field Museum!
Almost to the interview. The suit. Being that my waist is significantly smaller than my shoulders, a good deal of tailoring was required. I ended up with a 48R jacket taken in ~6 inches on each side at the waist. The end product was GREAT!
This brings me to Wednesday (Feb. 11th), interview day. I had reviewed, prepared, my suit, and schedule for the day. Most importantly, I was calm. I know a lot of people get themselves really worked up for these things (as was evident upon arriving), but I had been through interviews for the Air Force Academy. I knew the most important interview secret known to man, be yourself (don’t put on a show).
The day began at 0915 at the IU Med Center in Indianapolis. I drove up with Mom as copilot (Dad and I scoped it out when we were in Indy for Monster Jam). We got there right at 0915 despite traffic and rain, checked in, and received a folder of information. I immediately memorized the names of my interviewers and the updated schedule. At 0930 was the Financial Aid session. SO informative, the summary; medical school is expensive, but if you get in, you can pay for it, no problem.
Next was a break, I took the time to listen to other interviewees, staff, and current students. There were about 40 interviewees for the day, a good mix of peers, with women and minorities well represented (I was the only wheelchair user and only male with long hair – I am growing it for “Locks of Love”). I was amazed at the amount of foot tapping, lip licking, and hand rubbing – nervous habits escaping the conscious mind. It took awhile to hit me, but should I be accepted, a number of those peers (about 50% of interviewees are extended acceptance) will be fellow students for the next four years of our lives!
Lunch was next with current medical students. Lunch was informative as well, learning the little ins-and-outs of daily life, things like where to live, what classes are like, tests, etc. I learned the Indianapolis campus has podcast for every class, complete with lecture notes and slides, accessible at anytime through the web. After lunch was an information session, which I had to leave five minutes after arriving to make it to my interview building/room early. Good thing I left early, because the main elevator was broken and I had to search for the secondary elevator (I’ve learned to take these minor inconveniences “in stride” – haha). As I got off the elevator I encountered a gentleman who just happened to be my interviewer (good thing I knew my interviewers names)!
Inside Van Nuys!
I found out my interviewer graduated from IU Med in 1946, but still remains connected to the school (a common theme which I really like). The interview itself lasted about 45 minutes with questions ranging from high school to Russia to bodybuilding to the Air Force Academy to the future. I felt I did my best and cannot ask for anything more!
Having spent only one day on campus, I fell in love with it. Many people say the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis (where IU Medical Center is located) is ugly, but I saw the beauty beyond the buildings exteriors. The beauty in the people. Their desire to learn, knowing one day they will impact countless lives, was exhilarating!!! I wanted to be a part of it IMMEDIATELY!! The amount of information ready to be learned, in such a small area, is unfathomable!… IU Med, IU Nursing, IU Dental, and IU Law are ALL located on the IUPUI campus (85 acres)!
It was a GREAT day and I hope to matriculate in the class of 2013.
