For accepted students
E-mail
us
|
|
For
Accepted Students for July 2009
| Financial Assistance |
Academic Calendar | Computer Information
| Housing | Drug Screen and Criminal Background Check
| FYI Guide for incoming students
| Things you Absolutely Must Do in order to Start School in July
Current Address - Why it matters
Current Address: Needs to be the address where time-sensitive mail will reach you fastest.
Why? … If you're holding a place with us and gave Baton Rouge as your “Current Address”, but you are really going to school in Colorado, your drug-screen kit will be sent to Baton Rouge, and you will need to take it to an assigned lab in BR to deposit a secure urine sample by a given date. The zip code of your Current Address determines which lab you are assigned to. For more, see drug screen below.
Accepted applicants, do yourself a favor: Keep your Current Address current with us by e-mail. You do not want to trigger the nuclear option.
Permanent Address: This is a backup. If mail gets returned, we will send it to this address.
Deposit
Students offered admission are
required to make a deposit unless they received a fee
waiver from AMCAS.
Before May 15
- Deposits from students admitted before this date must be in our hands by noon
on May 15 or noon on the last business day before May 15, whichever is later.
After May 15
- Students admitted after May 15 will find the details about their non-refundable deposit in
their letter of acceptance. After May 15, we usually call and tell you the news
and when your deposit is due, and we like to hear some excitement when we call.
Regardless of
when you get admitted, your own letter of acceptance from the School of
Medicine in Shreveport spells out the binding details for you. Your
letter supersedes any other source of information, so best read it carefully
and call the Admissions Office if you have any questions.
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Financial
Assistance
How much is
tuition?
Costs for July 2009 aren't available yet. The info for July 2008 starters were:
| |
Tuition |
Fees |
Laptop computer |
Louisiana Residents
|
$9,776 |
$1,671 |
$2,535 |
| Non-residents |
$23,925 |
$1,671 |
$2,535 |
Tuition and fees are set by the
Board of Supervisors for the LSU System and are subject to change without
notice. These are payable in full at registration each semester, and it is the
responsibility of the student to obtain financing for his or her medical
education and living expenses through their own resources and/or financial aid
through the medical school.
Do you have financial aid?
Roughly eighty percent of all medical students at the School of Medicine in
Shreveport receive some kind of financial aid.
Are there loans available?
The school participates in Federal and State programs such as the Federal
Perkins Loan, Primary Care Loans, Stafford Loads, and Federal Work/Study
Employment. The school also participates in private loan programs such as the
Alternative Loan.
Do you have scholarships?
Besides loans, we award several institutional scholarships each year for
academic achievement and proven financial need. Incoming first-year students
are eligible for some of these. We also have institutional/private scholarships
for which the only criterion is excellence. The largest is the LAMMICO Award, a
$12,000 one-time award to an incoming freshman. Also, several students each
year begin medical school with health professions scholarships from the U.S.
Armed Forces and the National Health Service Corps.
The Olde Scholarship Hotbox!!!
1. I was just offered a scholarship by another school, and instead of the three weeks to decide they first promised, they said today I have until
(CAN YOU BELeeeeeeVE IT ?!?) tomorrow! to give them my answer. To make it worse,
2. I have not gotten any scholarship yet from Shreveport (my
first choice), and Shreveport's double-hold deadline is real soon. Please! ... What should I do? Do I have any options?
First, Congratulations!!! Second, stay coooool. How could we be surprised that another school found our accepted students attractive enough for a merit-based scholarship. The best advice is to take a long-range view. Would you marry someone for $10,000? How about just consort with them for $5k? Good advice if they demand a fast answer might be "Take the money" ... You have until the April 15 or May 15 deadline to make your final decision on double holding.
If you accepted Wyoming State Medical School's offer of $2k and the University of Maine Medical School later offered you $20k, how would you decide? If the four years in Maine would cost $200k whereas Wyoming would cost $110k? Answer: Put the big pencil to it. "But, Wyoming is so in the sticks (in the hills, in the up-to-your-butt-in-snow or whatever) and Maine is so on the beautiful Coast? But Wyoming is really the better place in all major, non-monetary ways?" Use your pencil, your mind and your heart. You are talking about your future.
The double-holding issue also can often be worked out. Most medical schools, and especially the one in Shreveport, understand the unoffered-scholarship dilemma, especially if our scholarships are still pending. The double-holding rule applies to applicants who hold multiple acceptances without a reasonable explanation. [What'd you expect? Of course, it's the school that decides what's reasonable and not.] So, talk to your first-choice school. If you were waiting for our scholarship offer and would like to double-hold us after our April 15 deadline ... just ask. The answer could well be Yes.
Never forget ...
Your medical education is a package deal. Weigh everything carefully. I know you will.
Double-holding ... When I called School-X to withdraw because I was going to Shreveport, they told me to put it in a letter. Well, I did that two weeks ago, and you (Shreveport) tell me I am still double-holding. Whatz going on? Y'all's double-hold deadline is soon, and Shreveport is where I want to go.
What can I do?
Serious question ... Easy answer. Send School-X a cordial e-mail thanking them for their offer, adding that you've decided to accept another school's offer. You might mention that you mailed them a letter. But Note: The key is to copy (cc:) us on that e-mail. Doing the cc: to us ensures everyone being on the same page. Your cc: to us makes it a done deal, and you are no longer double-holding School-X in our books. How it works for most schools ...
Once schools enter a school-action using the AAMC software, other schools can see the changes. Obviously, schools can see only actions that have been entered. Entered data flows automatically to the AAMC database and to other schools overnight. Ms. Hatcher enters actions daily and changes she gets today will be available to other schools tomorrow. It's that simple. Bad news ... there is only one Ms. Hatcher. Good news ... She's in Shreveport!
Where can I find out more about financial assistance?
Complete information regarding student budgets and financing is available on their website or by
e-mailing
the Office of Student Financial Aid or
calling (318) 675-5561.
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Academic
Calendar for First-Year Students 2007-2008
(2008-2009 will be posted later.)
| 2007 |
Registration MS-1 |
July 27 |
| Labor Day Holiday |
September 3 |
| Columbus Day Holiday |
October 8 |
| Thanksgiving Holiday |
November 22-23 |
| Christmas Holiday begins |
December 14 |
| 2008 |
Classes begin |
January 2 |
| M.L. King Holiday |
January 21 |
| Mardi Gras Holiday |
February 4 |
| Spring Break |
March 15 - March 24 |
| Classes End |
May 23 |
| Commencement |
May 24 |
| Memorial Day Holiday |
May 26 |
| ** |
“Can I miss just part of Orientation (or just a few lectures) to attend such-and-such special event? I have already committed and they are counting on me, and besides … my mother/father/sister/brother/girlfriend just will not take No for an answer?!” No.
A significant difference between medical school and what comes before is that a significant part of your learning and training in medical school cannot be found in books or notes, but requires your presence, observation and participation. This is why our attendance policy is more stringent than for most non-medical programs, and why the answer is No. This is our school’s policy. Once you have matriculated, however, you will be able to address requests for excused absences (deaths and illnesses) to the appropriate course coordinator and/or the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. |
| ** |
“I have this incredible trip planned with my family, it’s already paid for, and it’ll cost me a bunch if I have to change things to be back for the first day of Orientation. Please, can I please (!!!) miss just the first day of Orientation? My friend says he’ll tape the session, and I’ll even take a quiz on it if you want me to? No.
See the previous question. |
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Computer Information
Do
I have to have a computer? -
Yes. A laptop.
Computers play an integral role in our curriculum. Don't forget, all of
your class assignments, class notes, and handouts for your lectures are
available via the Wireless Internet on the medical campus. Students routinely
take notes on them during lectures.
If
I already have a laptop, do I have to buy a new one?
- Probably
yes.
Having the right features, compatibility, power and support is totally
important. We have gone to Mac's and life is better! But don't run out
and buy a Mac, even a Killer-Mac.
Do you ever
make exceptions? -
Maybe.
If you have been admitted and get approval from Academic
Computing by March 1, there is a chance your current laptop may be
approved. Barring this, buying one of ours is mandatory. You save money, we
lose money, but it's better for you. Should "Your" computer fail, "You"
have a problem ... something You really cannot afford. Also, see
the answer to the question two up.
How
do I pay for it?
Just like books, the cost of your computer is built into the first year
budget and is included in your financial aid package.We
bid 130 identical units which drives the price below anything you can
buy on the
street. Importantly, if your computer dies or gets a virus, you can swap
yours for one of ours, configured, loaded and ready to run.
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Finding
a Place to Live in Shreveport
*** Housing Gold Mine ... Seeing is believing! ***
Shreveport has experienced a small, hurricane-related upward pressure on real estate and apartments, but it's hard to believe how many super bargains are out there. Great housing options have long been a major plus here. This year in particular, new students, spouses and families have come by and said what great luck they have had finding a house or apartment. While more students are buying good starter houses in safe, nearby neighborhoods, most still rent an apartment.
I want you to check out some of the following web sites ... Sure, sure, sure. Nothing looks better than the websites, but these places are in good shape, in excellent locations, and I dare say all are less than a 20-minutes drive from campus IN RUSH HOUR. Four are very affordable on your student budget if you have a roommate; three are a bit more high-end. Speaking with some managers this morning, they said repeatedly how much they like our students and residents! No surprise. A few from a much longer list of good apartment options ... click on these links:
All --- affordable, walk-your-dog-at-night safe; appreciative landlords; five minutes to good shopping, eating and entertainment; pools, club rooms and workout rooms; and less than 20 rush-hour-minutes to school ... Can you beat it?
See the next few short paragraphs for more.
Do you have
dorms? - No.
There is so much good, affordable housing in Shreveport that we cannot compete
with the private sector.
Where do medical students live?
Because of its location and the city, the answer is "Everywhere." All parts of
the city are an easy commute from the medical center. You can walk your dog or
jog at night, have affordable housing, and still be a 15-minute drive from the
medical center in Shreveport.
In general, most students live in apartments or homes in southeast Shreveport.
While most rent apartments, many own or rent homes. Hey, if you can swing it,
you're going to be here four years, maybe more, why not build some equity?
Do you have any recommendations for apartments?
Champion Lake Apartments
and River Walk
Apartment Homes are probably the most popular. They are gated and
probably the best all around. Management has been responsive and welcoming to
medical students and young professionals. While upper end by Shreveport
standards, they are a bargain compared to big-city prices.
Millicent
Crossing Apartments, among others in the LSU-S area, are nice, popular
and cheaper, they aren't quite as nice as the above.
What about
houses for sale or rent?
In our Office of Student Affairs is a book of houses for sale and rent. Most of
these have been owned or rented by medical students or residents. Some are
owned by faculty. A massive turnover among medical school personnel occurs in
May and June, and ads reach a peak from April through June. A real estate agent
can be most helpful.
Drug
Screen and Criminal Background Check (CBC)
As part of the school's commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment,
along with all new faculty and employees, incoming students are required to
pass a drug screen and criminal background check prior to matriculation. Offers
of acceptance are contingent on passing both.
The CBC's will be done by a firm that has contracted with the AAMC, and they will contact accepted applicants for details needed to carry this out. Any significant hits will be reviewed, and if deemed serious enough, our offer will be withdrawn. The bottom line is still ... You Gotta Pass.
How the Drug Screen works ==> If you are holding a place with us, our Human Resources department will mail you a drug screen kit to your Current Address, and you will have to go to an assigned screening lab to pee in the cup by a specified, not-too-distant date. The zip code of your Current Address determines where you have to pee in the cup, and unless you just welcome the possible inconvenience of having to make an impromptu trip back home, keep your Current Address as where you really are living. You can update and change it by e-mail.
FYI, or The Survivor's Guide to Shreveport as a new Medical Student (New for 2008-9)
Click here for a 3Mb PDF of the FYI Guide for 2008-9. Previous students say it's the most useful guide to Shreveport and being a first-year student. It's prepared by others, so Admissions can take no credit.You'll receive your own hard copy at some point, but you might browse and/or print this one now.
Things you absolutely must be aware of and do so you can register (i.e., begin school this year). Best start early!!!
Be absolutely clear (you can take it to the bank) that your transcripts will be reviewed line-by-line, course-and-grade by course-and-grade in June. So big flippin' What? you might ask ... ? You are expected to complete the work you represented that you would complete and with acceptable grades, and should you decide to punt your work in progress, you might have to reapply, and that really, really hurts.
Click this link (which may not be live until April 2009) to get to the Gotta-Do list.
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Every
effort will be made to update the information contained on these pages as
necessary. However, it is the responsibility of the user to determine that he
or she is relying on the most current version of any particular information.
Any questions about the material should be directed to the Office of Student
Admissions at shvadm@lsuhsc.edu
© Copyright 2008 | All Rights Reserved | LSU Health Sciences Center - Shreveport
1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103 | (318)-675-5000
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