jaxnaud

sounds like great experience to me. instead of focusing on how much, focus on why that experience has helped you know what you want to do. good luck and don't freak out. concentrate on why you deserve to be there.

hi there, I definitely wouldn't say that your grades take you out of the running at all. I have no idea what your experience is but you should have enough experience to know what you want to do and why. Good luck. karen

Hi Bambou, If you'd like, you can email me directly at [email protected]. As for the question on how old is too old... gosh, you'll hear a ton on this subject. If you're feeling like you're ready or you feel like you're getting too old, then maybe it is your body telling you something. I was 25 when I had my son, 29 when I had my daughter and even though it was just 4 years- I could feel the difference. Most of my friends had kids in their mid 30s and some much older. A lot of people will tell you that you can wait until you're 40 to have kids and you have no reason to rush- which may or may not be true. Fertility does start to decline at 28 but just how much varies from person to person. I'm sure you know all of this. With that said, pregnancies aren't always easy and certainly caring for a newborn isn't either. I met a girl with a newborn in one of my prereq classes and she ended up dropping it because she didn't feel like her mind was totally there... sleep deprivation is a powerful thing. I could imagine it would be tough in this program. You could luck out and have a baby that sleeps like an angel, maybe you have someone to help you out, and maybe it won't be a problem at all. My experience was that it was exhausting, emotional, and draining (and yes, wonderful too) and I felt lucky I had a job where I felt comfortable to go home when I was tired and zone out a bit when need be. But- if I did get pregnant during the program, I'm sure I'd survive. We're moms, we're tough :-) As far as the acute care step-out requirements... have you asked "what if I have a baby?" Certainly you will be entitled to some time off. Maybe having a baby sometime into that year would work out? You'd need to find out their expectations with that step out year... maybe you could postpone it a bit or extend it so you got your year in with a little baby time off in between. Okay- so here is some actual advice (the rest just being me sharing my thoughts)... if you are going to try and time it... as unromantic as it sounds, I would start charting temp, cervix, and mucous at least a few months in advance. Learn when your body is the most fertitle. i wouldn't just wing it (as fun as that is) if you're aiming for a specific date. And don't start charting the month you want to conceive. If you start charting early, you'll really improve your chances of getting pregnant when you want to. Even then, it can be tough. The younger you are though- the more likely it is to work out. Good luck.

Hi- I haven't been through MEPN before (I'll see you in 10 days) but I have had two kids while working full time. it's tough for sure and from what I can tell, the 1st year of the MEPN program is going to be even more demanding. Of course- if you have your heart set on it, then anything is doable, but from a mom who has tried to do it all and marginally succeeded, sometimes I'd vote for the easy route. Will this be your first child? I'm interested in having my third but I'm planning on waiting and seeing how the second year is before I decide to go for it. Good luck.

Hi Lestelle12- I'm wondering if you were at the Thursday night recruitment thing and if you interviewed on the 19th. I'm in the pediatric tract and I remember meeting someone from LA - husband or boyfriend worked at the think tank in LA. Is that you?

5:30 or 6 sounds great- we just need a place. I figured a pub that served food would be accomodating to non-drinkers and those of us who love a beer on a Friday evening :-) I'm not sure if anyone is collecting email addresses out there, but maybe we should start? If somone has a couple already just email me directly and I can add mine to the list. Karen

I'm up for a get together soon. Lets try for April or May, that way our waitlisted pals will have a better idea if they're in (and I hope you are!!!). What do you guys think? So, what kind of spot would you be into? Bar? Park? Cafe? Restaurant? I have no idea- although I think a happy hour with appetizers and a drink might be casual and fun. I'm open though. I got a few emails on interview day so I can check in and invite those people as well. Maybe Friday, May 4th at 5pm???? I am not sure of where to meet, although someplace near BART (like in the financial district) would be easy on me :-). Gordon Beirsch, that irish pub near the mall, I don't know. Just somewhere with food for those who might not be interested in the drinking thing. Nat34?? let us know when you hear!!!

dreamofbluesky and prospective z, will you guys keep us updated on your waitlist status? I would think #1 and #2 is a pretty good spot to be in. Good luck to you both.

Yep! I'm in. It was so funny, I called my husband, friends, family, but so badly wanted to come online and tell all of you guys :) We're painting our guest room so our computer was held hostage in the garage!!! Anyway, I'm really excited that the letter came and that the second I picked it up, I could tell it was two pages thick. You don't say no with 2 pages right?!!! YIPEE!

Hey everyone, Just wanted to let you know that I'll be going to UCSF in June. I'm really excited and look forward to meeting all of you. Karen

Oh my gosh Sci-Fri!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!! I am so incredibly happy for you. I'm going to go home now. It is actually only about a 1/2 hour early for me. I can't believe I held out this long. Karen

Great thanks! Thanks to the tip from Elenaroo I decided not to take off from work early. Sounds like it will most likely come tomorrow. Sorry Elenaroo if I got your hopes up. I don't want you to be crushed. Tomorrow isn't that far away. Nat3433, when does your mail usually come?

ATTENTION FELLOW LETTER-OBSESSED-MEPN-APPLICANTS: Quick update... I just called the school to calmly ask if we were still on track for the letters to go out by the March 1 deadline. She said "yes." I followed up with "so they will be going out today?" and she said, "they went out yesterday." So local folks, you may have an answer today :-) k

I believe they said they had somewhere around 700 applicants and they usually admit 75. This year they may admit more- around 90. I think the admittance rate varies between about 7 and 15%

sounds like you have a lot of good things on your side. Good luck! I would read through the pages of this thread and take advice from the various years. I would also say to write a really focused letter of intent. Know what you'd like to do and why. Make sure you can prove that in your volunteer experience, shadowing, life experience. Let them know clearly why this choice is the obvious next step for you. good luck