W2s, 1044s, scholarships and more!

It's TAX SEASON... AH! That means W2's, 1044's, and FAFSA - some of everyone's favorite things.

Thursday I got a scholarship offer in the mail from UMC... my first one! There is a chance that more scholarship money will be forthcoming after the FAFSA is processed, but I am beyond blessed with this offer. Just last weekend I was starting to worry about money and how everything would work out, then I got this offer in the mail. God is so good and always hears our prayers. I am so blessed that He chose to answer this one in this fashion. It is not a huge scholarship but anything is a BIG help.. any money that doesn't have to be paid back especially!



In other news, orientation will begin on August 4th at 1:00 P.M. Some days it feels like it's still so far away - other days it seems too soon. I'm ready to get started but nervous to be leaving everything I know behind - I'm sure that many people are having the same reaction. Overall, though, I'm incredibly excited - and so very blessed. The Lord ALWAYS knows what we need!

I've also started getting serious about working out. Running is my new passion. I think the endurance and stamina will serve me well in med school - as will the stress outlet.

Until next time, keep pushing for your dreams!

Snow... in December?

Yesterday we had a snow day from work. Hattiesburg got approximately 3 inches. The Jackson area recieved 3-5 as well. Snow is so much fun when you rarely get it!

I did indeed pick out an apartment last week and met some people in Student Affairs at UMC. Mrs. Virginia is the administrative assistant and she was super nice. Met Kristen, an M1, and she helped a lot as well. It's really starting to sink in that I'm about to be there!

Scholarship offers start coming after the first of the year. I'm crossing my fingers but not relying on anything. That way, any offer at all will be a pleasant surprise :)

Apartment Shopping!

And so it begins.... tomorrow I head to Jackson to begin searching for a new home.

There's so much to do before July... but it seems like so much that can't be done yet. I hate waiting til the last minute. Since the class is chosen throughout the whole year though, they don't start sending out a lot of things until summer.

I'm ready to be prepared for the next step - although I know there's no real way to be completely prepared, each movement forward helps me settle into a new routine and a new world.

During this trip, I'm planning on finding a place to live and getting some information about health insurance and financial aid. We'll see how much is actually accomplished.

Then there's always Christmas shopping at Dogwood Festival! :)

Student ID number day!

My official student ID number arrived via the mail today. I've near about got it memorized. Seems pretty important to go ahead and learn it, however, it's incredibly long. Getting official mail from UMSOM is still really surreal. I wonder when it's going to begin to kick in that I'm truly in med school.... will it be when I relocate for the rest of the year? Start getting med school shots? Make "final" doctor appointments pre-relocating? Move to Jackson?


Or, rather, will it never truly sink in? Maybe orientation will begin and I'll still feel just a bit unprepared. Maybe you can never TRULY be prepared for the rest of your life to begin - or a chapter that's meant so much to end. I try not to get too contemplative yet, there's months and miles to go. But part of me is already wondering... Not anxious, particularly, for I know God is ultimately in control. It is His timing, and His timing is always perfect. Instead, it's an excited wondering... as I'm ready to find a new beginning and begin to make a difference.

Getting accepted....

The process to medical school acceptance was a long road filled with trials and tribulations. After an unsuccessful first year application, I improved each aspect and reapplied as early as possible.



My first interview of the season was on 9/11 at University of Mississippi School of Medicine. This was indeed my first choice. Other interviews came and went, and I (im)patiently waited on the magic acceptance release day of October 16, 2008 for a verdict.



At 12:34 AM on October 16, my inbox lit up with a "Congratulations" email from the Dean of Admissions at UMC.... and my life has been a whirlwind ever since.



Follow this blog as I prepare to start medical school in August of '09 and work through each day of training to become part of the next generation of American physicians.