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Domari Nolo |
Hi, all. My daughter just graduated from college with a degree in Biology and Chemistry and plans to go to medical school after a gap year. This summer we plan to visit a few schools she’s interested in that offer tours. It seems DO schools are much more willing to offer tours than the MD schools she’s applying to. Two of those are VCOM in Blacksburg, VA and Liberty U COM in Lynchburg, VA. We are planning to take a 4-day trip to visit those two schools and, on the way down, visit Luray, Skyline Drive, Charlottesville, Monticello, and a few wineries including Trump’s to make it a mini family vacation. We have been to Luray, Charlottesville, Monticello, and Trump Winery before, so we know where to stay in those locations, but we’ve never been to Blacksburg, VA or Lynchburg, VA. I am looking for some basic info about those 2 towns, like recommendations on where to stay and eat, points of interest, and also places to avoid. This will be my daughter's first time down in the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountain areas, and I have no doubt she will fall in love with it like we did. Thank you for the help! Chris | ||
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Member |
I would consider staying in C'ville and driving the short distance to Lynchburg for visiting Liberty. Lynchburg is one of those towns with the OLD downtown, the university sprawl with generica retail, restaurants, etc. I cannot recommend driving a 3/4 ton four-door pickup truck in downtown Lynchburg. Very small streets and very hilly. ------- Trying to simplify my life... | |||
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| Donate Blood, Save a Life!  |
Hi, Chris, I did grad school in Blacksburg back in the 80s so my knowledge is woefully out-of-date since it's grown so much since then, but I enjoyed it at the time. My daughter did her residency at VT/Carilion in Roanoke and is now an attending physician at Carilion and a pathologist with a private firm. She loves the area, too. Regarding the med schools, you're correct that many are much more interested in in-depth discussion with perspective students AFTER they have an application in hand from them due to having so many people apply; the application fees tend to weed out some applicants. When my daughter was going through the application process, a friend who worked in the dean's office processing applications at a near-top med school told me that they had well over 60 applications for each slot, and some other top-tier schools have even worse ratios and odds. Your daughter should investigate the medical schools and areas she's interested in and apply to some of those she's really interested in since competition to get in is often fierce, even if she's a top-tier student with excellent credentials. She'll get a lot more info about the school if she's offered an interview and possibly offers of financial assistance if she's offered a position. Such offers may really help and there will be time to do some final investigating before she has to make her choice. Best wishes to your daughter. Mine has been very happy with her choices and the path she's on. ST Edit: Oops, my math was wrong. Corrected! *** "Aut viam inveniam aut faciam (I will either find a way or make one)." -- Hannibal Barca | |||
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Member |
There is a new Caesars casino in Charlottesville that is pretty nice. Other than that, there really isn't much to do in Charlottesville either. The food is insanely high at the casino, but it's nice. I would recommend you stay in Roanoke if you didn't want to stay in Lynchburg for some odd reason. I say odd reason because it is a beautiful place. Downtown Lynchburg has grown into a nice lil place with breweries, walking trails and little shops, as well as luxury condos and restaurants overlooking the James River that you will appreciate. The vibe is so relaxing and welcoming. You will find some pretty good food and have a good time. It is also very safe, but like anywhere don't do dumb stuff like leave laptops on the seat of your truck while parked overnight on the street. Lynchburg is called the "Hill City" for a reason. Yes, it is very hilly, but you should be fine to park your vehicle and navigate the streets. Parking is free in most areas and it isn't overly crowded anywhere you go. Don't leave without going to "Texas Inn" It's a right-of-passage that you visit this small restaurant and have a Cheesy-Western burger and also get a hot dog with their signature relish. This place and another one called "Moores Market" is famous locally for their hot dogs. I know it sounds very basic but it is the cheesesteak of that area. I'm not a hot dog guy, but I get one when I go home anyway. These are not flashy, pricey places. Just a little local tip for something you can try that you haven't had before. Roanoke is about 45min away and is a little more modern as a city. Roanoke doesn't have that same small town feel that Lynchburg has. I grew up in Lynchburg and lived there until I graduated high school. My parents are still there and I go there fairly often. I remember when Jerry Fallwell was a young man and he started the College. It's amazing what it has grown to be. The campus is absolutely stunning. It is state of the art EVERYTHING! I'm sure you will be impressed by the school and what it has to offer. "It's gon' be some slow singing -n- flower bringing............ if my burglar alarm starts ringing" | |||
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Step by step walk the thousand mile road |
I'm a rare graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University who has never been to Blacksburg, so I can't help. As close as I've come was the first McDs off I-81 in Christianburg. As for Lynchburg, I've been there twice; its a nice area but I was passing through and can't really speak to it was a place to live or study. Nice is overrated "It's every freedom-loving individual's duty to lie to the government." Airsoftguy, June 29, 2018 | |||
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| As Extraordinary as Everyone Else  |
Having spent the last 30 years between these two areas I would strongly recommend staying in each city. Both are nice but are very different. paging VTHokie… ------------------ Eddie Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina | |||
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| Non Nobis Solum |
The casino is in Danville and there is NOTHING to do in Danville. Charlottesville is a bit better. DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer. | |||
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Member |
I’m here! Sort of… I’m working this weekend, with only an iPad, so I don’t have a “real” keyboard. It’s a little tougher to write well… I’ll post more shortly, but in the mean time, Chris, come to Blacksburg! How soon are you planning visits? I’ll put together a few notes for you on places to stay, things to see (Mountain Lake, Chateau Morrissette, the Blue Ridge Parkway, parts of the New River, etc), and great places to eat. There’s a bourbon distillery in town (J H Bards), great barbecue around, plus Indian and Japanese food. Back in a bit with more. Do feel free to email me, too. I’ll be glad to help, and host some if you decide to visit. Meanwhile, a look at the Montgomery County chamber of commerce web site might be helpful, as well as vt.edu, and montva.com. I don’t have direct experience with VCOM, but I know it’s very widely respected. Blacksburg is beautiful in summer and fall, and sometimes known as “Bleaksburg” in the winter and spring.  I came to the NRV 35 years ago. Each time I’ve looked at jobs elsewhere I’ve come back to the valley thinking, “sure would be nice if there was like here.”  God bless America. | |||
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goodheart |
VTHoky is the man. He and I are buddies although we've never met. Like VTHoky, I love that part of Virginia. Spent the better part of two years practicing cardiology at the VA in Salem. Taught residents affiliated with Carillion. Even thought about joining the faculty. My wife and I used to hike Catawba Mountain's part of the Appalachian Trail after work days. _________________________ “Remember, remember the fifth of November!" | |||
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| Domari Nolo |
Thank you, everyone, for all the feedback and recommendations. I appreciate it. 4MUL8R... staying in C'ville is a good idea, but we definitely want to experience both Blacksburg and Lynchburg more than just shorter day trips. StarTraveler... thanks for the advice on med schools, and it's nice to hear from a family with a medical background in that area. FLKev... thanks for all that varied info. vthoky... Thanks, I will email you directly for more info. | |||
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| Member |
Agreed! I was thinking Danville as I typed Cville. I also agree. There is nothing to do there. "It's gon' be some slow singing -n- flower bringing............ if my burglar alarm starts ringing" | |||
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| Member |
Hi, Chris, I received your email. I'll be back to you tomorrow evening with some detail and suggestions. God bless America. | |||
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| Why don’t you fix your little problem and light this candle  |
Chris, I live in lynchburg and I sent you an email. David This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it. -Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Joshua Painter Played by Senator Fred Thompson | |||
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| Member |
Blacksburg is a wonderful town. Daughter graduated VATech and went on tho VCOMS feeder masters program before deciding the DO route was not for her. Having said that I have a second cousin who got his DO there a few years ago and loved it. Lynchburg is a different story, just an hour from my home and I try to stay away. Other than Liberty University, the regional police academy my department is a member of and a few friends there I just have no real reason to visit. Nice trails along the river but just not enough of a draw for the trip. | |||
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| goodheart |
That was my impression when we visited there. I did, however, sing "The Wreck of the Old 97"
_________________________ “Remember, remember the fifth of November!" | |||
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| Member |
I'd be honored to meet you in person if you get back over here, Dr. T. Chris, you've got email again. Would love to meet you if you have the time, though I understand you're on a bit of a whirlwind plan. God bless America. | |||
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