randomness

[Subb]

As of 2012, I have the option to  transfer to the U.S. to begin an M.D. course. Very exciting.

[Fuse]

awesome...

[Anamodiel]

As of 2012, I have the option to  transfer to the U.S. to begin an M.D. course. Very exciting.

Do it!

[Eroz]

Won our bowling league...Got some balls.

About time you got some.

[Lits]

As of 2012, I have the option to  transfer to the U.S. to begin an M.D. course. Very exciting.

Do it!

/seconded!

(I recomend LA)

[Subb]

As of 2012, I have the option to  transfer to the U.S. to begin an M.D. course. Very exciting.

Do it!

/seconded!

(I recomend LA)

I think I'm moving to Fresno, since my friend is in the process of looking up a few houses that are dirt-ass cheap 'cause they're re-possessed (I guess the original owners couldn't pay the mortgage or something). He's moving there end of spring next year (and travelling from the east coast). By the time I graduate in 2012, he'll already be at the west coast and have a house.

I'm still looking up some things like funds (I can't believe how fucking expensive it is to go to university in the U.S. and that's for you guys who are residents!), how long will it be (by 2012, I'll already have a Masters in Osteopathic Medicine) so will I have to do the full 4 years or not?

If it falls to the net I'll still, most probably, stay in the area for a few months and do some minor jobs like cleaning plates at diners or something like that.

[Anamodiel]

American University is bloody fucking expensive. Your living expenses are going to be absolutely terrible, also, in California ON TOP OF the school bills.

But you can't get a better education anywhere else.

[Fuse]

I would recommend anywhere BUT California. While the Irvine area has some good reviews (one report even calling it one of the most educated towns in America) and I'd love to visit Caltech for the JPL, most can't get over the fact that the CA economic and housing system is the worst in the nation. Absolutley beautiful beaches. Even more beautiful women (Lits). I'm unsure how much those things will affect you being on an education visa (I'm assuming) but those houses were repossessed for good reason. I would LOVE to visit, but would never want to live there.

The midwest is your best bank-for-your-buck as far as housing/living costs right now - as long as you stay out of large cities. For example, according to CNNMoney Lafayette, IN is #2 on the list of "best place with affordable homes" with it's major draw being the very popular Purdue University. Median home price there is in the 80,000. SUPER Cheap, but a very nice area.
The majorady of that list is Indianna, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Arizona, Florida. All of which have some very respectable school options.

If you're here for prestigious education, I suggest University of Chicago. It's on virtually every top 10 college in the country list for good reason. It's also considered one of the top medical schools. Plus you can drink with Adad and I. Not nearly as sexy as time with Lits on an ocean beach - I know.

[Aerosian]

If you are planning on coming to California, Fresno is about as cheap as it can get. But Fuse is right, California is damn expensive to live in outside of perhaps Fresno and Riverside. University of Arizona is interesting, but don't get stuck in Tucson, it sucks. University of Chicago is amazing, and so is the University of Minnesota, if you're willing to put up with either wind or cold.
Up here in San Jose, CA it's possibly the most expensive place to live in the world, but we do have two of the best universities in the world here (Stanford and UC Berkeley) which would definitely get you on the right track towards makin the big bucks.
Since you're looking for your M.D. I'd definitely recommend University of New Mexico. My uncle studied there and got his M.D. from there and is doing quite well for himself.

[Subb]

if you're willing to put up with either wind or cold.

Haha, I'm Welsh. I can withstand almost any amount of rain, wind or cold :p

As for California being expensive: I'll already be set up house wise, as far as I can tell. I think I'll be buying the house off my friend once he goes back to the UK (if he ever does). So all I'll have to pay is the course itself and food.

Next question: do students over there have to pay tax during their studies?

[Fuse]

Not completley sure how taxes would work for you. If you plan on working, plan on paying.
If you own the property (not renting), there will be a property tax. I can only assume that sinse your place of residence is CA you're required to pay the expected state tax.

From a short bit of research, CA has the 6th highest state tax burden at estimated 10.5% of income. Also CA has the highest sales tax in the nation at 8.25% - so remember that is on everything you buy...Plus they have a progressive income tax which will be dependant on how much you make. It's a bit different than most other states. Illinois for instance bases our income tax as 3% of our federal tax burden.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/topic/15.html
http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_statetaxrate_ca.html

[Subb]

Oh shit. Over here if you're a student you're exempt from every kind of tax... I was thinking it'd be the same since I'd be on a student visa and if I like it enough in the states I would apply for a full visa (I would have to pay tax then, of course). Will do some more research tomorrow. Need to go back into work. I've only been home for 3 hours *grumble*

[Fuse]

It may be like that - as I said, I'm unsure how it works with Visa's. There are some exemptions for being a student, but those are usually cuts, not all-out exclusions. I know you are excluded from paying social security, FICA, and medicare taxes - but according to the F-1 wiki you're still on the line for federal and state.

[Anamodiel]

A short spelling lesson:
 
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican.......I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
     
End of lesson.  Test to follow in November. Remember, November is to be set aside as rodent extermination month.

Funny e-mail my dad sent me.

[ArchNemesis]

Heading on vacation tomorrow! I'll probably be gone for about a week or two. If i don't have internet where i'm going, you all know why!