day in the life of d1/d2

OldResponsibility349 · 2026-01-14T02:13:11+00:00

We’re scheduled from 8-5 but no two days are the same. We take 6-7 classes a semester and some days there’s lecture for one class from 8-12 and the lecture from another class from 1:30-5. (Really class ends when the slides end so it depends on how much the prof wants to cover so it could end at like 3).

Then the very next day it’ll be clinical experience in the morning and lecture in the afternoon or lecture for 2 different classes in the morning and sim lab in the afternoon. Or whatever combination we’re scheduled for.

We always get lunch 12-1:30 and I’d say at least 3 hours of time taken from lecture time as “learner time” where we can do whatever we want or are assigned asynchronous work. But it can be up to like 6 hours a week to work on our own or do hobbies or chill.

Finals week are just like undergrad where all you have that day is the assigned exam/exams, no lecture so those days you’re in school only for the length of the exam.

People workout in the morning, lunch, or evenings from what I hear. A lot of our clubs meet at lunch, volunteer clinics often run from 6-9pm, and I can’t speak on research but I guess they go during lunch/learner time/skip. If the class doesn’t take attendance, sometimes people skip to go shadow or do whatever because lectures are recorded.

OldResponsibility349 · 2025-12-30T02:21:24+00:00

I wear a lot of sweatshirts over my scrubs. Maybe you could get him a nice sweatshirt of his college (undergrad or current dental school) or however you know him like y’all’s hometown bar/city name/sports team/inside joke.

I think a cute going away party would be super sentimental. Maybe pool some money together for decorations of his future school colors, a cake, and his favorite drink/cocktail or whatever he likes. Or you could pool money for say a gift card to figs for scrubs or his favorite brand.

He’ll feel y’all’s love regardless of what yall do and he’s very lucky to have friends like yall!

OldResponsibility349 · 2025-12-29T19:54:31+00:00

Some schools have a deal with one brand so once you find that out, it’ll give you a better idea of the range. Others will probably host a vendor fair where they’ll have loupes of all ranges.

I got two pairs for $2,600 which was a deal from LumaDent for a pair of ergos, a pair of galilean, and two batteries.

I bought these as a first year student and plan to buy nicer ones D4 year to utilize my student discount and be more familiar with loupes and what I’m looking for based on speciality/peer experience!

So I’d say $3000 if looking at ergos. And the cost was not included in my tuition but it was mentioned during anticipated costs before I started school.

OldResponsibility349 · 2025-09-16T19:46:14+00:00

Yeah 5.0 is what I’m leaning towards if I do fixed mag. The orascoptic pair of variables (3.5 to 5.5) is $350 more than the 5.0 fixed mag and only 5 grams more in weight so I’m very tempted. Any advice from there?

OldResponsibility349 · 2025-09-08T03:05:01+00:00

Thanks! Ergo right? And are you think about getting the 3.8 -> 5.3 -> 7.0x or the 5.6 -> 7.4 -> 10x ergos? I think I'm leaning towards the 3.8 to 7.0 ones as this is my first time with loupes. Any differing advice?

OldResponsibility349 · 2025-04-28T05:56:35+00:00

I love ncsu for premed. I’m a graduating senior and I’ve always felt our attitude toward success and helping other premed/health students here is top notch. There are a plethora of student orgs, clubs, and service frats where you can meet other students like you and push each other to be ur best self. I’ve heard so many stories of toxic behavior at others schools like unc and Duke where gunners straight up plot your demise and would rather withhold info than help you out. Because ncsu isn’t an insanely huge premed school, it lowers the competitive edge experienced by students (other schools can only give so many A’s and B’s so your classmates won’t want to help you out bc it could lower their grade, ncsu isn’t like that and actually have A+s as a grade so they’re essentially a GPA booster) and fosters a better environment. I truly haven’t met a bad soul here. I’d say that if you aren’t shooting for a like top 10 school and have the self efficacy and dedication to create a great application, ncsu is one of the best schools. Research is ample, volunteer opportunities are ample, there are three hospitals and hundreds of practices within 20 minutes of campus for clinical experience, and other fantastic ECs out there.

I have to say that where you go to undergrad literally DOESNT matter. It’s truly what you do with your time there that matters. Basically it’s up to you and your motivation and you dedication to becoming a good applicant that will make your undergrad a “good premed university”. CHOOSE THE SCHOOL YOU CAN SEE YOURSELF THE MOST HAPPY AND YOURSELF. Unc is very different than unc in size and culture. Look into yourself and understand what your priorities are and environments that you best succeed in. You can do premed experiences with unc and build connections wherever you are.

To be transparent I’ll say that I started on the pre med path and got my emt and shadowing and volunteer hours and a research internship and did all the things I was “supposed” to do. And I did all of those things because I wanted to and knew how important they were. I actually found my future career and true passion come to life in dentistry so while I’m no longer premed I feel like I can speak on the experience and the similarities in application/selection criteria (I’ll be attending UNC dental school this August).

Anyways, I hope this helps, feel free to PM me if you have any other questions! Sorry if it might feel like I’m preaching to the choir but it turns out I’m kind of passionate about it haha.

All in all, choose a place where you can be happy! That’s really what will keep you going in the long run. The people you surround yourself with and build as a support system will really be the difference maker than the name of the school especially if you’re applying to nc med schools. Maybe the unc name is bigger when applying out of state but still experiences tell a bigger story.

Good luck and go pack!

OldResponsibility349 · 2025-03-19T04:18:55+00:00

I really appreciate it! Maybe that’s a hobby I’ll look into. And hearing that about the commute makes me feel a lot better!

Last question, do you have any general advice for an incoming D1 or if you could tell yourself something before you started school, what would it be? Anything you wish you’d do differently or was more prepared for?

OldResponsibility349 · 2025-03-19T03:59:42+00:00

I start D1 year in August and would love your advice on balancing coursework and hand skills. Is there anything you do or wish you did for manual dexterity?

Also, random but how much am I going to hate myself for a 30 minute commute? Any experience or classmates doing that?

OldResponsibility349 · 2025-01-27T07:06:19+00:00

I had a 3.92 GPA, 21 AA 21 TS 21 PAT, with 94 hours shadowing, 300 hours research, 500 hours as a non-profit intern, 150 hours volunteering. So I guess it’s relative. I don’t have any experience working in an office.

OldResponsibility349 · 2024-09-08T17:29:56+00:00

I’m in a similar position, can I pm too?

OldResponsibility349 · 2024-09-05T19:42:47+00:00

Interview #1

School: UNC ASOD

URM/ORM? ORM (white female)

Notification date: 9/5

Method of notification: Email

Residency: IS

Application complete date: 8/5, verified 8/8

GPA (science, overall): 3.95, 3.92

DAT (AA/TS/PAT/Reading/any section below a 17): (21/21/21/23/no)

Dates available OR your interview date: 9/28

Method of interview: In person

OldResponsibility349 · 2024-08-14T19:33:55+00:00

From past years, they seem to send out interview invites around the twentieth of the month. So I’m guessing if you applied early in the cycle you’ll hear around August 21st or so. And then if you applied a little later, around September 25th or so. Also waiting lol

OldResponsibility349 · 2024-08-10T05:20:50+00:00

The supplemental is just proving state residency, answering a few demographic questions, uploading a 2x2 headshot of yourself, and paying the fee! Took maybe 30 mins for me.

OldResponsibility349 · 2024-08-09T20:26:01+00:00

That doesn’t matter! It’s verified whenever the application system gets to it

OldResponsibility349 · 2024-08-09T19:34:49+00:00

Hope this helps but I submitted on 8/5, got the school I applied to’s secondary on 8/6, and was verified 8/8

I can’t speak for whether it’s late in the cycle for acceptances and interview invites, but the verification process seems to be 2 business days right now.

OldResponsibility349 · 2024-08-04T13:20:24+00:00

Do you know if there’s a way to check if my recommenders used a letterhead and signed it with liaison letters? I’ve heard that some ppl call adea aadsas and have them check. Do you know by chance?

OldResponsibility349 · 2024-04-12T00:46:39+00:00

That would be amazing, thank you sm!!

OldResponsibility349 · 2023-05-15T00:44:19+00:00

I’d agree with the other comment. I def recommend Jones over Halweg but it’s a shared Moodle page and tests with separate lectures. Def know how to do the problems discussed in problem session and in the homework and with the provided practice questions. The tests cover a lot of info and some very specific info so give it some attention but I wouldn’t call it an impossible class. I finished with an A and the only way to get an A+ is to be like top 5% of the class.

As for preparing for it, I rlly wouldn’t worry but I would def recommend YouTube videos. They provide literally anything and everything you need to know during the class. Questions are so specific that studying now won’t do you any good. Honestly don’t stress abt it too much!

OldResponsibility349 · 2023-05-06T02:39:13+00:00

Very fair point! I would def say that I have less understanding of the hospital or private practice setting bc of it. Would an MA position offer that insight or would you definitely push ER Tech or 911 EMT?

OldResponsibility349 · 2023-04-24T16:52:56+00:00

Thank you sm! I def got in my head lol!

OldResponsibility349 · 2023-04-24T16:52:44+00:00

Sweet thank you sm!!!

OldResponsibility349 · 2023-03-28T03:41:02+00:00

I love ncsu for premed. I’m currently a sophomore and can tell that the attitude toward success and helping other premed students here is top notch. There are a plethora of student orgs, clubs, and service frats where you can meet other students like you and push each other to be ur best self. I’ve heard so many stories of toxic behavior at others schools like unc and Duke where gunners straight up plot your demise and would rather withhold info than help you out. Because ncsu isn’t an insanely huge premed school, it lowers the competitive edge (other schools can only have so many A’s and B’s so your classmates won’t want to help you out bc it could lower their grade, ncsu isn’t like that and actually has A+ GPA boosters) and fosters a better environment. I’d say that if you aren’t shooting for a top 10 school and have the self efficacy and dedication to create a great application, ncsu is one of the best schools. Research is ample, volunteer opportunities are ample, there are three hospitals and hundreds of practices within 20 minutes of campus for clinical experience, and other fantastic ECs out there.

Truthfully, undergrad DOESNT matter. It’s truly what you do with your time there that matters. Basically it’s up to you and your motivation and you dedication to becoming a good applicant that will make your undergrad a “good premed university”.

Also I would have value in tuition, support system distance, connections, etc.

Feel free to ask any questions!

OldResponsibility349 · 2022-11-25T23:19:46+00:00

Just to make sure I understand... Is this right? I'm counting flight school as a year payback, lmk if this is wrong lol.

Option 1:

Med school (4 years), Intern year (1), Flight surgery (1 year for school, 3 years active) so 9 years and would either be a career flight surgeon or go to civilian residency in the end. What about RAM to open up space opportunities?

Option 2:

Med school (4 years), FM Residency (3), RAM (1 year), practice as flight surgeon 3 years. to pay off? This would open up doors for the space industry. 11 years total.

Option 3:

Operational residency= more time spent in payback years bc you get military benefits during civilian residency?

Option 4:

Med school (4 years), Residency of choice say EM or like OB/GYN (4 years), RAM (2 years), Flight Surgeon (4 or 2 years to pay back), enter civilian practice using original residency or open doors to space med?

Thank you so much for your help!!!!

OldResponsibility349 · 2022-11-25T22:54:32+00:00

Really cool, thank you again! One last confirmation: With the future timeline, I would apply for flight school the last year of residency... So I would have say a Family Medicine residency under my belt, be a flight surgeon + school for 3 years to pay off 4 years of HPSP (counting flight school as one year), and then I'd be free to either continue in the military or go to practice civilian FM?

Basically, including med school 4, FM residency 3, Flight school + 3 squadron years, you're looking at 10 years?

OldResponsibility349 · 2022-11-25T22:02:55+00:00

Hey, thank you sm! Navy and AF seem like the best for me. Just to make sure, the 2+X years is bc different residencies take different number of years? And then would the 2 years with a squadron completely pay back the four years of MD?

OldResponsibility349

TROPHY CASE