I have the opportunity to go to school in one these places, and can't decide on which - anyone here have experience with the places and opinions? Mare Island is in San Fran bay, off Vallejo...thanks!

Vegas...win Megabucks and you won't have to go to school :p

Vegas, unless your a RUMP Ranger...........

Originally posted by Doug Green
Vegas, unless your a RUMP Ranger...........

Oh, great, can't wait for shift_zoom to chime in on this one...

How long is the school, and is someone paying for your room? If so, I'd take Mare Island. There's so much to do in the SF area, you can easily get in and out of the city on BART without taking your car. If you're there more than a coupla weeks I'd think Vegas would start getting pretty monotonous.

Originally posted by 8_wannabe
How long is the school, and is someone paying for your room? If so, I'd take Mare Island. There's so much to do in the SF area, you can easily get in and out of the city on BART without taking your car. If you're there more than a coupla weeks I'd think Vegas would start getting pretty monotonous.

It's four years - and 80% of the students at Mare Island live in studio apt's on campus, which would be paid for. I was thinking the same thing about Vegas - it sounds great, but would you want to live there? It is the fastest growing city in America though...

Oh, you mean a real school. I thought it was like a few weeks or something. In this case, I'd say there are a few more considerations. Like, what colleges are you looking at? What do you want to study? is cost an issue, cuz like you pay higher out-of-state rates if you're not a resident. What are your plans?

Originally posted by 8_wannabe
Oh, you mean a real school. I thought it was like a few weeks or something. In this case, I'd say there are a few more considerations. Like, what colleges are you looking at? What do you want to study? is cost an issue, cuz like you pay higher out-of-state rates if you're not a resident. What are your plans?

It's medical school. I've applied to schools around the country, and this particular school has a campus on Mare Island and a new one opening in Vegas this Fall to provide doctors to keep up with the exploding population there. My dilemma is that I have to choose which campus I want to apply to, they won't let you apply to both. Since it's the same university (a private one) the tuition at either is the same. Thanks for your interest by the way!

Don't decide based on the location, decide based on your heart/instinct/gut/whatever and where you feel most comfortable with the faculty/students/education.

You won't have a lot of time to enjoy the surroundings anyway the first 3 years. First two years = lots of reading, 3rd year = lots of clinical work, little sleep (at least in the good old days). 4th year is cush.

The term 'scut' will become very familiar, as in "scut-boy" , "scut-monkey." That is stuff you are assigned to do as the lowest member of the medical team (do that rectal exam, get that patient a bedpan, go up to medical records and find that chart, etc).

People don't realize what a big investment it takes to become a physician. 4 years college, 4 years med school, 3-8 years residency/fellowship training before the real return on investment comes. High stress throughout. People's lives literally in your hands.

Oh, to be young again! Bye-bye 20's! :D

It's worth it in the end though, for many reasons.

i went to Vegas for New Years...and although it isn't as sinful as the name describes (i didn't see any prostitutes or beggars), i spent over $1000 in 4 days...it's very easy to spend money there, even if you don't gamble which i don't...going to shows, taxis, buffets, nightlife, strippers, etc. will drain your pocket

like ^ said, don't make your decision based on location although i would definitely consider your own ability to give in to the sinful desires of Vegas should you choose to go there...i KNOW i wouldn't last a week with my spending habits

The entire SF bay area is hugely expensive, so make sure the cost of housing is affordable. I can't believe housing in Vegas costs the same as Mare Island; it should be about half price. There might be some risk choosing Vegas if the campus isn't even built yet, then they have to hire, stock the labs, etc. Things might be disorganized for awhile. Check the climate of each to see which agrees with you. Finally, read Speed-Er's advice one more time; you're going there to study, not play. You need to have the right environment and frame of mind.

UNLV = University of Never Leave Vegas..
Not that it is horrible living here, just once you get here, it's tough to justify moving away... Or you spend all you money on city life, and would never have enough to move away... if you're weak-minded

That being said, there is a huge need for doctors in the vegas valley... The medical malpractice insurance cost went up rageously after the collapse of Enron-style companies (Insurance companies invested in the collapsed companies in the late 90's, when the stocks went down, they raised rates to cover their profits, but used the old "no malpractice caps in the state" excuse...)

I love Vegas, but after a few days there I feel like Sponge Bob out of water because of the low humidity. Some of the most fun you can have if ya got the money. Can't wait to go back!

SF was fun to visit, and might even be nice to live there, but not as fun as Vegas to me.

Originally posted by 8_wannabe
How long is the school, and is someone paying for your room? If so, I'd take Mare Island. There's so much to do in the SF area, you can easily get in and out of the city on BART without taking your car.

Since M.I. is literally a stone's through away from the Vallejo Ferry Building, there's a much better alternative to BART. Whereas you'll be lucky to ever get a seat on BART after your car or bus ride to the station, you are guaranteed a seat on the ferry. And the ride is much more smooth and comfortable, even in inclement weather. This means it is very easy to get work or study done while in transit (1 hour ride). There are even tables with electric outlets for laptops. The view is incredible.

The only caveat is you need to be schedule saavy. One of the three vessels I would not hit a dog in the arse with. And I take away my comfort claims in its case. This is the "backup" boat: "MV Vallejo" - avoid at all costs. The MV Intintoli and MV Mare Island are the good ones. Fortunately a 3rd new high-speed vessel will be added to the fleet soon

http://www.baylinkferry.com

Originally posted by Nubo
Since M.I. is literally a stone's through away from the Vallejo Ferry Building, there's a much better alternative to BART. Whereas you'll be lucky to ever get a seat on BART after your car or bus ride to the station, you are guaranteed a seat on the ferry. And the ride is much more smooth and comfortable, even in inclement weather. This means it is very easy to get work or study done while in transit (1 hour ride). There are even tables with electric outlets for laptops. The view is incredible.

The only caveat is you need to be schedule saavy. One of the three vessels I would not hit a dog in the arse with. And I take away my comfort claims in its case. This is the "backup" boat: "MV Vallejo" - avoid at all costs. The MV Intintoli and MV Mare Island are the good ones. Fortunately a 3rd new high-speed vessel will be added to the fleet soon

http://www.baylinkferry.com

Wow, thanks for the info! One question though - the ferry building is a stone's throw from MI, but a one hour ride? Also, if I have my car there, isn't there a bridge to take to Vallejo?

Originally posted by noahprtlnd
Wow, thanks for the info! One question though - the ferry building is a stone's throw from MI, but a one hour ride? Also, if I have my car there, isn't there a bridge to take to Vallejo?

It's a 1hour trip to San Francisco.

Tough choice...I LOVE vegas, but the island sounds nice too....

Originally posted by Nubo
It's a 1hour trip to San Francisco.

So it's a one hour ferry trip to SF, but a short drive to Vallejo over the bridge - correct?

did you ever choose which place? how long was the ferry trip?