Update published June 13
For students moving to Indianapolis who need an apartment letter, requests for a letter can be made by e-mailing jespada@iu.edu.
Update published March 30
Many of you are finalizing your housing plans for the move to Indianapolis. Keep in mind that many apartments in the city require an employment certification form. This form is used by the apartment complex to assess risk factors of potential renters.
Many apartments in the city are aware that students do not necessarily meet the conditions of renting an apartment unless they can show income. If the applicant cannot demonstrate an income, the apartment complex may require a credit check or a cosigner.
Additionally, many apartments will want a letter from the Office of Student Financial Services. We have a letter that is sufficient for use in lieu of reporting income through employment. To request the letter, contact Jose Espada at jespada@iu.edu.
For a list of apartments in the Indianapolis area, see the housing page on MedNet.
Update published March 16
Phase 2 Transition to Indy Orientation
IU School of Medicine is offering an optional orientation for students transitioning to Indianapolis for Phase 2. The orientation will be from 12 – 3:30 pm, Friday, June 15, at the Medical Research Library, IB317, 975 West Walnut St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202.
What to expect at the Transition to Indy Orientation:
- Meet supportive faculty and staff members.
- Learn about campus-specific resources.
- Explore additional advising and career development resources.
- Connect with other students.
Parking Updates and Information for Transitioning to Indy
Parking: Be sure to visit the parking resource page on the school’s website.
A few quick tips and useful information:
Eskenazi Health
Students doing rotations at Eskenazi Health have the opportunity to purchase $1/day long-term parking vouchers. More information is available through Denison Parking.
IUPUI/IU Health
- Medical students have the option to purchase parking permits on a month-to-month basis, providing flexibility as the year progresses.
- Visit services for more information on permit fees and regulations.
- IUPUI offers a multi-space parking kiosk that allow students to make just-in-time decisions about driving to campuses without the hassle of buying a permit. https://parking.iupui.edu/parking/parking-locations.html
- Hourly rates for the Riley Outpatient Center garage range from $5–$18 for up to 24 hours.
- Three nearby parking garage options:
- The Vermont Street Garage, 1004 W. Vermont St.
- The Riley Outpatient Center Garage, 575 Riley Hospital Drive
- Lockefield Parking Garage, 951 Wishard Blvd.
Indianapolis Hospitals Outside of Downtown
Most hospitals offer some free or reduced parking.
Safe Parking
- As a medical student, you might find your schedule creeping into the late hours of the night. To help prevent unnecessary anxiety, IUPUI Police provide a Safewalk escort program that’s available 24/7. Call 317-274-7233 (SAFE).
- Need a jump? Forget to make a monthly payment? IUPUI Parking Services provide the option of having parking payments deducted from your student bursar account, as well as offering services. If your car is parked in any IUPUI lot or garage, call 317-278-1900 for assistance, Monday-Friday, 8 am-10 pm. At other times, contact Wheeler’s Towing Service at 317-262-8023.
Directions
- Once on Michigan Street (one-way West), drive to Barnhill Drive (turn left to access the Vermont Street Garage) or one block further west to Riley Hospital Drive (turn right to access the Riley Outpatient Center Garage).
- From the intersection of New York Street and Barnhill Drive, turn north to Vermont street (past the first garage) then right on Vermont; left to enter the Vermont Garage. Or, proceed to Michigan Street and turn left to Riley Hospital Drive then right to access the Riley Outpatient Center Garage.
- The School of Medicine Van Nuys Medical Science Building is located north and slightly west of the IU Simon Cancer Center and south of Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.
Update published March 16
Transitioning to Indy: More questions answered.
Where will we go to take our shelf exams?
Most clerkship “shelf” exams are given in the Ruth Lilly Medical Library, but there are a few exceptions. Each clerkship coordinator will provide detailed information on shelf exams at the start of the clerkship.
Who do we go for academic help since we’ll be on a different campus?
You are encouraged to maintain your relationship with the Lead Advisor on your original campus. This is the person who will construct your MSPE and has knowledge of the your academic history. Many students find that Skype or Zoom meetings are a convenient way to stay connected. There may be opportunities for periodic in-person meetings when the regional campus Lead Advisors come to Indianapolis.
IU School of Medicine is committed to ensuring students have the resources they need on their new campus. Reach out to Dr. Klemsz, assistant dean for academic advising, with any questions, concerns or academic support issues. Students also have access to the Learning Specialist, Kristin Richey, who can provide study strategies, resources or referrals to peer tutors. Peer tutors are available for clerkships and foundational courses.
How can I change my schedule, if necessary?
Schedule changes should be discussed with your Lead Advisor and career mentor (if you have one already). If you and your Lead Advisor agree that this change is needed, you will then speak with Amanda Ybarra at the registrar to try and make changes.
Published March 2
The Indianapolis Class Officers and MSE faculty answered questions from MS2 students about transitioning to Indianapolis for Phase 2.
Check out submitted questions and answers below.
IU Medical Center Campus:
What kinds of things do you need to buy or bring on rotation (e.g. BYO scrubs)?
Scrubs are provided at all sites by the clerkship on a per clerkship basis. Upperclassmen may have more insight into useful pocketbooks for rotations. We will try to get a list together.
What’s the secret to navigating the hierarchy at big hospitals if we’ve never had that experience?
This question’s answer is multifaceted and will be addressed before we begin, as there isn’t one simple response and is better answered by administrators.
Studying:
Is there a list of helpful shelf exam study books floating around somewhere that we can publish for each clerkship?
Ruth Lilly Medical Library has access to all recommended texts for clerkships, and each clerkship will give out recommend readings at the beginning. Recommended texts include:
- PocketMedicine (recommended for IM, useful for many)
- Maxwell pocket guide
What do you use to study for boards?
On a per clerkship basis, Casefiles, BluePrints and PreTest are all highly used across rotations. For Step 2, consider this article.
Where do people live? What is recommended housing?
Many students choose to live downtown in apartments of varying price ranges (e.g. The Avenue, Gardens of Canal Court, Lockefield Gardens, Axis and many more). There are also homes for rent downtown in neighborhoods such as Fall Creek Place and Fountain Square. Many students choose not to live downtown, however, and live in popular areas such as Broad Ripple, Greenwood, Carmel, Speedway and others. We will try to provide more info on housing options in the future as well.
Good study spots?
Ruth Lilly Medical Library, Daly Student Center, classrooms in Van Nuys Medical Science building, Indianapolis Public Library, Ruth Lilly Law Library, coffee shops like Starbucks, Thirsty Scholar, Coat Check Coffee, Mo Joes and many more.
Are you well prepared for exams? Do you have adequate time to study?
Just as with MS1 and MS2, a lot of outside preparation is necessary for exams. Clerkships require proper time management, as you are now essentially working full-time hours in addition to studying. There is often time to study during the day and in down time as well.
Parking:
Where do we park if there’s no parking on campus? I’ve heard parking is an issue there and don’t want to get lost driving around looking for a non-metered spot. Eskenazi Health will typically always have parking; University Hospital varies depending on time of day (ex. outpatient clinic in the afternoons). This will be addressed again during the Transition to Indy Orientation.
What should I do about a parking pass?
Parking passes are typically on a rotation-specific basis; Eskenazi Health, Riley and University Hospital have monthly pass options and so does Methodist.
Food:
When you’re on clerkships in Indy, do you have time for lunch? Can you bring a lunch or is that more of a hassle than it’s worth? Do you get food court discounts at the hospitals?
You typically will always have time for lunch. There is typically space for students to bring their lunch and that is on a per rotation basis.
Which hospitals have good food?
Eskenazi Health is considered the most popular, but University and Riley both have good options, as does the VA.
Working with administration:
How easy is it to change your schedule? How understanding is administration?
Conflicts are taken on a case-by-case basis, but switching schedules is not the norm and requires coordinated agreement between students and administration.
How far in advance do you know where your housing will be if you have to do an away rotation? What is the quality of housing?
This varies based on the clerkship and the location.
Other:
Will there be new class reps for third year?
The new MSC bylaws voted on last semester require that one class rep from each regional campus stays at the home campus for third year, and the other transitions to Indianapolis. There will be elections the week of April 8-14.
