I'm not sure about the other locations, but I know the first session of Boston (where I'm going) finished yesterday. So those of you who have already attended, do you have any advice for those of us who haven't? A tip or something that you wish someone told you before you went? Like what would you bring (or not bring) if you had to pack to go again? What sites did you visit and would you recommend them to someone else?

Most of all, did you have fun?!

The same thing would be good for Washington people!

I thought i overpacked like crazy, but i used all but one outfit. you have to change three times some days. take towels. D.C. gave us one towel. luckily, i had brought four. take a swimsuit. whther you swim or not. running through sprinklers are also fun. meet as many people as possible on the first day. it makes dinner a little less awkward. don't academically prepare. they give you everything you need. drink coffee before you have a speaker. they are boring. take tons of pictures and tag people on facebook. write down everyone's name so you can find them on facebook. don't try to impress people with your awesome life at home. nobody cares who you are at home. they just want you as you are. DON'T BE SHY, EVER. have comfy shoes that look nice. put hospitals as your top site choices. they get hands-on experience. any other questions, just ask or e-mail me: dukedude83@yahoo.com

and yeah...i had fun. i got so close to the people in my group in ten days. it is so sad to leave. our F.A. told us by the end of the ten days she wouldn't be able to get us quiet and she was right. at first you dread med sessions. they are corny for the first two days. after that you know everyone and they are great.
p.s. pull pranks on your F.A., but frozen markers are pointless. they still work.

wow matt!
you sound like you had a lotta fun!!
i leave on sunday for the chicago session and i'm SOOO excited!
thanks for the advice, tho it's different cities, i think i'm going to take ur advice!

I'll definitly take your advice, I'm going to Atlanta so some of what you said will help. I'll try not to be shy ^^

glad i could help. and another thing, think of some ideas for group spirit ahead of time. make fun of F.A.s if possible.

Yeah i was with washington session 1 and i had a BLAST!! just be your self ... unless your shy and then if you are just me loud! make you med groups like family also... eat dinner lunch and breakfeast together!!! i was witht the BROWN GROUP!!!! and we ruled the world... lol

Yeah Brown was pretty cool. but Williams was the best. we just didn't flaunt it. they wrote my speech for me the last day. it was pretty funny.

so how are the groups determined??? cause talkin with people that are goin to the same session i would love to be in tha same group as them, is there anyway to arrange that or is it just lik random???

Rooms are assigned alphabetically. I think. There was set of twins that got roomed together. Groups were assigned totally at random but they ended up in the same group. Other than that occurrance nonbody knew people in their group beforehand.

sweet...thank u so much...im excited to meet new people

Thanks for the input, guys! So what hospitals and med schools did you all go to?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Carissa <3,

Wow, I am so taking his advice. I was really nervous about leaving in a week, but now I feel more excited. Thank You!

Washington session to was the BEST.
Group LISTER crushes all.
I had overpacked but whatever, Med session are BORING unless you have a chill F.A which I was lucky to have TONY! and you won't want to leave.
Be nice, be chill, it's so much fun.

Tony was not my F.A. but he was awesome.

Wow, I definitly am more excited now! 5 more days until I leave

haha, SPOCK was pretty sweet too I agree with the med sessions being boring, in the beginning it is kind of awkward but by the end so much fun. Just don't be shy, start talking to people as soon as you get there

i'm so excited now!!! i'm kinda awkward and shy, but i'll try to get over it. lol oh, what's an F.A., btw??

An FA is a faculty advisor. there is one per group.