Nu Sigma Nu F.A.Q.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact anyone of the following people:
Ferdous Barlaskar, President - barlaska@umich.edu, 734-649-4907
Senthil Jayarajan, Treasurer, jayasen@umich.edu, 425-750-6864
Jason Bacha, Recruitment Chair, bachaj@umich.edu, 734-646-7061
Dan Peltier, Vice President - peltierd@umich.edu, 517-648-1552
And now, for
those lovely F.A.Q's...
“Nu Sigma Nu sounds great, how do I get in?”
If you are good enough for the admissions office, then you are definitely good enough for us! We strive for a good mix of people and personalities, so we observe a strict first come-first serve policy rather than institute an arbitrary selection process. To reserve your spot here at Nu Sigma Nu all you have to do is contact Ferdous Barlaskar (President - barlaska@umich.edu, 734-649-4907) or Jason Bacha (Recruitment Chair - bachaj@umich.edu, 734-646-7061) and they will be more than happy to get you all the forms and information you need. Spots do fill up quickly, so it is helpful to contact us as soon as you can.
"Wait a sec, did I read that right? Free parking, free high-speed internet, free laundry, free utilities, a weekly free dinner, AND my own room all for only $475 a month? And the shared corner rooms are only $425, you say?? Yowser!”
Yes, you are correct, my friend. I know, it’s quite a deal, especially for the Ann Arbor area. And during the summer months (June, July) rent is only $300/mo. Now, if you are still feeling a bit light-headed from the euphoria, we suggest you drink some water, put a cool wash cloth on your head, and have a bit of a lie down. If that doesn't work, come on over and we'll go out for a beer or something to help you relax.
“What does Nu Sigma Nu offer that no other house does?”
Besides the famous Nu Sigma Nu charm and stunning average looks of our members, our big three draws are: your OWN room, FREE parking and PRIME location (near the medical school, central campus and the Arboretum). But let’s not forget the fact that you’ll be living with an awesome group of non-medical school people as well as fellow medical students. It’s easy to get caught in all the hoopla and drama of medical school and get stuck in the “medical school bubble” sometimes, but living here near central campus and town and with other graduate students will allow you to break free from that and get some fresh air every now and again. Remember: there’ll be plenty more to life over the next four years than just medical school. Don’t isolate yourself too much!
Oh, and don't forget about the Nu Sigma Nu International Rotation Scholarship. It is awarded to any 4th year medical students living in Nu Sigma Nu who do an international elective rotation. How much is it worth? Up to $3500! That'll help cover your airfare, accommodation, food and other expenses for sure.
“Is Nu Sigma Nu good for people who like to study a lot?”
Well, our alumni have had entire medical centers named after them, and hold prestigious positions here at the University, such as Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Chairman of the Department of Urology. And they tend not to do that for slackers. So I would say “yes.”
“Is Nu Sigma Nu good for people who don’t like to study?”
Cable TV, DVDs, Xbox, Playstation, pool table, foosball, darts, the Arboretum right across the street, close proximity to lots of bars and clubs, plus much more will help you procrastinate for hours, if not days or weeks, should you so choose.
"Did I read that right about the $3500 scholarships for international rotations during my 4th year? Dude, that's awesome!"
Yes, yes it is. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, we have been able to establish that Nu Sigma Nu Scholarship endowment, which is used to help M4 students living at Nu Sig cover the expenses of international rotations (e.g. travel, housing, food, etc). There's a fun little application, and all expense receipts need to be received for full reimbursement, but thanks to this scholarship, dozens of Nu Sigma Nu med students have traveled the world learning about international medicine, culture, and gaining a more complete world view. Just another incredible benefit of living at Nu Sig!
“I’m from California, what’s the deal with all the snow stuff you guys get? I hear that stuff’s really cold.”
You haven’t truly lived until you’ve gone sledding down “Dead Man’s Dip” in the Arboretum, had a snowball fight with your classmates, or built a snowman to help you study anatomy. And don’t forget about pick-up games of football in the snow!
“I’m not 100% convinced yet. Can I see the house in person?”
Absolutely! Just contact Ferdous Barlaskar (President - barlaska@umich.edu, 734-649-4907) or Jason Bacha (Recruitment Chair - bachaj@umich.edu, 734-646-7061)...don't be afraid, they're lovable guys and have had all their shots...and we’ll have you here checking out the place in no time.