Housing
Q: When can I move in?
A: Students may move into Housing up to 10 days prior to the Pre-Enrollment/Orientation. For students wishing to move in earlier, you must make a request by email to Angela Moura in the Real Estate Office to make arrangements.
Q: I came to visit, but I don’t remember the furniture situation in Aron Hall
A: Your room in Aron will contain a desk and hutch, a bookshelf, a dresser and a bed frame with a double mattress. The common room has at least a couch, a chair, a coffee table, a pantry and a kitchen table with chairs.
Q: Can I change or remove my furniture?
A: No. These furnishings may not be removed or stored outside the suite; outside furniture, such as mattresses and couches, may not be brought into Aron Hall.
Occupants must obtain written consent from the Real Estate Division prior to making any alterations or installations to the bedroom or suite. Alterations and installations include, but are not limited to, the installing of any flooring, carpeting, wall coverings and moldings.
Q: Can I decorate?
A: Absolutely, after obtaining written consent from the Real Estate Division. You can paint your room but must restore it to the original color (white) prior to moving out.
Q: Can I move within the building?
A: Yes, you are allowed one move during your residency in Aron Hall for free (after that, there is a moving surcharge of $250 for each move). The transfer information goes out in November and transfer applications are submitted through the winter. The majority of room changes take place late May/early June.
Q: What’s the internet/phone/cable/electric situation?
A: Each room is equipped with the internet (ethernet) free of charge. Landlines must be set up through Verizon. Most rooms are wired for this. However, if your room is not, beware that the set up fee can be expensive. Many students stick to their cell phones or set up one land line for the apartment for local calls and emergencies. Cable is a similar situation. Most rooms are wired for it, but it must be set up through Time Warner once you get here. Electric is through ConEd; you must call to set this up. It is very likely that cable and electric will have already been set up in your apartment by the pre-existing occupants. One person in the apartment receives the bill each month and is responsible for collecting the money. These accounts (cable/phone/gas and electric) are the students’ responsibility.
Classes
Q: Where can I find my daily schedule?
A: Your daily schedule is found through Google Calendars and will be released over the summer once the schedule has been completed. A typical day is full of classes, labs, and patient experiences. Be prepared to be busy!
Q: What’s the deal with books and equipment?
A: Books are very independent – you buy whatever helps you learn best! Second years will be trying to sell you books from the minute you arrive so take advantage of their cheap prices. See the pseudo-book list for an idea of what books helped us become the geniuses we are now. Look for used books online. www.bookfinder.com searches a variety of used book sites, including Amazon and Half.com. New textbooks can also be purchased in the kiosk on the first floor.
The list of required tools and equipment can be found here: Required Equipment.
The list of books can be found here: http://libguides.mssm.edu/reserves.
Q: Do I need to go to lecture?
A:It depends on your learning style, the course material, and the specific lecturer. Just as it did in college, this varies from person to person and course to course. Some students actually do better when they stay home and study on their own. Others really like to have lecture to hear what the lecturers think is important. It is something you will have to figure out for yourself. Trust how you learn best, but be open to exploring new approaches to learning. Many students find that their tried and true study methods from undergrad have to be adjusted in response to the vast quantity of material presented in Medical School and Graduate School. Trust your gut, but be ready to seek advice from older students or your academic advisors and mentors when needed. For MD students, all other course components are required attendance: small groups, labs, all clinical encounters/clinical correlates, and all ASM. (Note: missing small group or lab without an excused absence will deduct from your grade for that component of the course.)
Q. What should I wear to school?
A: Whenever you have patient contact or a clinical encounter, you need to dress professionally/ business casual. So, on the first day of school, you will meet a patient and should look professional. For days where there are lectures/labs/small groups, you should wear something you wouldn’t mind your teachers seeing you in, but we certainly come to school in jeans on non-clinic days. It’s important to wear clothing that won’t be unsafe in a lab situation (closed shoes, etc), and more than one of us have tripped on our flip-flops in the hospital lobby.
For some tips from the second year class, we will post an Unofficial Academic Guide when it is available.
Computer and Library Resources
Q: Do I need a computer?
For the class of 2018 a laptop computer is required. You will use your laptop to access course materials and related resources as well as for taking online examinations and preparing your portfolio. We do not specify an operating system, but be advised that some programs work only on the Windows operating system. If you have an Intel Mac, Windows can be installed. There are a large number of public computers in the Levy Library and student spaces that can be used for programs that run only on Windows.
If you currently have a laptop that is a year or two old, you will not need to purchase a new one. Should you want to purchase a new laptop, the school has discounted pricing available for Dell and Mac laptops and details can be found at hardware. Although this is discounted pricing, be sure to also check the regular Dell website as they sometimes offer specials with deeper discounts.
We also recommend you bring a printer. Much of the course material is only available on the course website and can be printed from there. Library printers are also available for a printing fee if you don’t have your own.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai will provide you with Symantec Endpoint Protection software at no cost or you may use Microsoft Security Essentials. Microsoft Office Pro, Adobe Professional and other software is also available at deep discounts through academic pricing.
Questions about computer requirements can be addressed to helpdesk@mssm.edu or by calling 212-241-7091
Q: Can I buy software through the school?
Microsoft and Adobe products can be purchased by students directly from the JourneyEd software store. We have a licensing agreement with them to accommodate student use and the discount is quite good.
Microsoft and Adobe
Mount Sinai students are eligible to purchase selected Microsoft and Adobe products at a discounted price through the JourneyEd Software web-site (http://www.journeyed.com/select/go/MSMTSINAI). You must register with a valid Mount Sinai email address to qualify for the discount. Additional information may be requested to validate you registration such as a Mount Sinai ID. Please see the Purchasing Requirements (http://www.journeyed.com/page/purchase_requirements) page for details.
For more information about software: http://www.mssm.edu/about-us/services-and-resources/computer-services/software
Outside the Classroom
Q: Will I have time to have fun?
A: Yes, definitely! Having things to do outside of class work is just as important as being studious. Even more than in college, striking a good balance is important. There are a number of student organizations to become involved in and plenty of fun to be had in the city. Depending on your learning style, you may find that the amount of free time you have varies – from very little immediately before a test to quite a bit following a test.
Q: What is there to do?
A: You have New York City at your fingertips, and that can sometimes be overwhelming. One good resource is the Recreation Office. Once you have a student ID, you will have access to inexpensive tickets to Broadway shows, athletic events, operas, ballets, etc. Your best resource will be your classmates and upperclassmen. There’s plenty of time in the beginning for you to explore the city together, and many people will have lived in the city before and will love to share their favorite spots and activities. Also, check out www.nymag.com for the “Best of New York” and www.timeout.com/newyork to find out about upcoming events in the city, and also www.uppereast.com to find activities in the neighborhood. In addition, you can get free passes to the 92nd Street Y, which has beautiful workout facilities. Y Passes are managed by the Student Council and can be accessed through Blackboard once you’re on campus.
Q: What kinds of student organizations are there at Icahn?
A: There are organizations that cover every possible interest (and if you want something that isn’t here, petition the Student Council to start your own club!). There are interest group organizations for most of the medical specialties and research areas, clubs that focus on international health, groups that fight for social justice, etc. There are also non-medicine related groups such as Sinai Arts, which puts on coffee houses, dramatic performances, and art shows. There are softball and soccer teams, and even a cooking club. It is not too difficult to find something that interests you. And, from the moment you arrive on campus, your email will be filled with announcements of club meetings offering free dinners to introduce you to their organizations. For general information, visit http://icahn.mssm.edu/education/student-resources.
We hope that this has helped to answer some of your questions! If you have more questions that you would like answered, check out the Class of 2018 Facebook page. Don’t have any questions? Join the Class of 2018 Facebook page to meet your new classmates.
Here are some last pieces of advice from the Orientation committee:
“My only advice is to try to remember that there is more to life than life at Sinai — get out and do something with yourself! Have fun! (Oh, and remember to study too.)”
“I think the best advice for first years is to trust yourselves. Do not listen to second years who say, ‘nobody goes to class,’ ‘nobody does the reading from the textbook, everyone uses high yield,’ ‘you’re studying way too much, the test was no big deal.’ Each person learns differently and you will just figure out what you need to do.”
Find mentors that remind you of why you came to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the first place. If you start feeling really stressed or having trouble in school, do not hesitate to talk to someone.