<p>I was just wondering if anyone also uses the student doctor website:Student</a> Doctor Network|An educational community for students and doctors spanning all the health professions.
and if they do, do you think it is worth me making an account on that website in addition to CC?</p>
<p>Some of the forums there are very informative (like residency programs and specialties). Even the school specific application threads can be useful–so long as don’t let yourself get misled by the hysteria and hype.</p>
<p>But there is a lot of misinformation floating around in the pre med forum.</p>
<p>Premed4,</p>
<p>The information is completely different. CC’s veteran posters are wayyyyyy more knowledgeable in my opinion, and they offer advice without the ulterior motives that are all too present on SDN. For the most part, you’ll find graduates, parents, and a handful of current students on CC, and I believe the “feel” of CC is a lot more friendly, laid back, and helpful.</p>
<p>Personally, I stay away from SDN at all costs. WOWMom hit the nail on the head when she said “hysteria and hype.” The mood there is just a lot different–almost feels desperate, in my opinion. It also seems like the community at SDN is way bigger than at CC, and that if you happen to find someone offering legitimate advice, you’ll have a hard time getting any personal attention because they’ll be working with a much bigger pool of applicants. It seems like most of the posters on SDN are pre-meds, and that the advice is a lot of hearsay rather than legitimate knowledge. </p>
<p>If I were you, I’d use SDN for raw information. Want to know why you haven’t gotten your Duke decision yet, when you were expecting it last week? Chances are SDN’s Duke’s thread will be going crazy because twenty other posters are in the same boat as you and remarkably only 18 of them have been calling the admissions office since 8am this morning. Want to know how big the waitlist is, and if there’s any movement from it? SDN will know that too. Want to know what the interview questions were, what the secondary questions are, and how many spots have already been filled? SDN all the way.</p>
<p>I’d use CC for help, advice, and support. Want to put together a list of schools? That’s bluedevilmike all the way–he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to strategizing anything. Need a little encouragement when you haven’t heard much good news yet? Curmudgeon’s your guy. Wondering what other parents are thinking about all the crazy things you’re doing? Anyone with “mom” in their screenname or who often types DS DD D1 S2 etc will have a polite and well-thought out opinion for you. Want to know what it’s like to be a med student or a resident? Bigredmed, shadeschildren, norcalguy are good resources. </p>
<p>You’ll learn a ton about this process if you stick around for long enough and figure out whose advice you can trust and whose to take with a grain of salt. Might even make a cyber friend or two.</p>
<p>But WHATEVER YOU DO WHATEVER YOU DO WHATEVER YOU DO! PLEASE do not post a “Have you heard of CC? Is it worth it?” thread on SDN. </p>
<p>Gotta keep the crazies out :)</p>
<p>I think this is one of the best kept secrets out there when it comes to applying to medical school. I wish you all the best!</p>
<p>What she said ^^^</p>
<p>Lots of specific date related info on SDN, more posters overall so a search for a little asked question may have a better chance of being addressed. When are others hearing from schools, whether that be secondaries, interviews, or offers, that’s SDN, just based on sheer numbers. What a reasoned & seasoned mind thinks about your situation, that’s CC.</p>
<p>^^^ kristin–I’m glad you mentioned the “desperate” tone. That’s been my impression too.</p>
<p>Oh, many posters (esp the pre meds) are incredibly rude and intent on oneupsmanship. </p>
<p>Full disclosure: I was browsing a couple of threads and saw 2 questions I could answer so created an account and posted what I thought was a factual answer. (Where UW Amgen acceptances sent out yet? I answered that-- yes, they’d gone out over 2 weeks ago because my D had gotten her acceptance on 3/1.) I was told to “cut the umbilical” and “f**k off”. OK, message received–never going back there. </p>
<p>CC is a much more civil place.</p>
<p>WOWmom- parents definitely get a harsh reaction on SDN, I actually posted a few times with an account which was not obviously parent or student as I had helpful info, but did not want to open myself up to that harassment</p>
<p>WOWMom–maybe it’s just the kids at CC are awesome?</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>Most defiinitely! Can we assume you will be around in a few months to help out the next group? :)</p>
<p>^ there are some awesome kids here!</p>
<p>OMG is that question even worth asking, GAMOM? </p>
<p>Of course I will be 
Isn’t that how this whole thing’s supposed to work out, anyway?</p>
<p>there are more ■■■■■■ on sdn</p>
<p>Reading or hearing “SDN” still makes me twitchy. In general, I’ve found that the posts there made me feel like first I wasn’t getting into medical school, then that I wasn’t going to pass boards, and I imagine that next year (if I don’t learn my lesson and DON’T GO BACK), they’ll make me feel like I won’t get into residency.</p>
<p>ginny, that pretty much sums it up. lol.</p>
<p>I post on both, albeit with different screen names. I try to be sane, but to be honest, with the exception of the specialty boards, it’s impossible to overcome the size of SDN. There are multiple times I’ve written pitch perfect, carefully thought out and well reasoned posts that are completely ignored by the masses…</p>
<p>If you can manage to ignore anyone with a “pre-med” label on their profile, you’ll be okay, and I have my list of good posters there, but it requires a ton of filtering. Here at CC, the community really does matter. Our message here at CC is much more unified, and it’s been refined over a pretty significant length of time - BDM, NCG and myself have all been here for at least 4 years. We’ve covered practically every topic. We have our disagreements, but the differences are respected and in the end, provide for a broader message.</p>
<p>Since I tend to be the contrarian on cc, I will take an opposite tack (naturally). In addition to the hysteria and just plain mean-spiritness that exists, sdn has several long-time posters who are helpful, and offer what appears to be positive advice for special cases, such as non-traditionals, those considering a special masters, those looking at post-bacs. (I say ‘appears’ to offer positive advice, bcos I have no way of knowing what they say is accurate.)</p>
<p>The current (neurotic?) thread – summer research program acceptances – is a wealth of info for current undergrads looking for programs in summer of 2012. In addition to the Amgens – which are easy to find – the thread also numerous other less competitive, but still great programs, including a few in Europe that accept US students. Looking past the doom-and-gloom yields a wealth of info, at least to this newbie.</p>
<p>sdn also has a real-live med adcom who participates, at least she claims to be an adcom.</p>
<p>But yes, nothing beats the helpful folks on cc. My big fear is the BRM, NCG, BDM, cur et al, will eventually tire of this sandbox and move onto something else – just when I will need their sage advice. :D</p>
<p>Oh, don’t anybody hear me wrong. sdn is a fantastic resource. LizzyM posts are usually golden and the schools specific threads can be, too. The general hand-wringing “woe is me” threads? Not so much. sdn has ots of chaff, but some wheat that just can’t be found anywhere else. Our little 'burg is much more generalized.</p>
<p>If you are able to strip wild emotions and negativity from some SDN posts, they might be great resource of more specific (especially more specific to certain Med. School) information and more up to date information. We have used it, but again, with caution and certain “firewall” filter.</p>