Who's applying to Florida schools?

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deuist said:
I cannot immediately think of any schools that require calc 2, but some do require a year of math. Some places will accept statistics as a math class.




Generally the MCAT (no 's') is taken during April of the junior year. However, some people wait until August of the senior year. Realize that waiting until this later date will delay your application at universities that screen scores. As far as study aids, I used Kaplan, but I'm sure that any of the commercial vendors would put out good resources. My advice (and it's only my advice) is to start studying about 8 weeks before the exam. You should devote 1-2 hours a day to going over bio, chem, and physics. Also, start reading for pleasure. Finally, do as many practice problems as possible. You need to get used to way that the questions are set up. You'll find more (and probably better) advice on the MCAT forum.




While there are people with those stats who have been accepted to each of the Florida schools, no one can make a guarantee that you will be accepted with those scores or any other numbers for that matter. The averages are located in the MSAR (get this book or find a copy in your school's library). You should not set your sights on DO just because of the lower averages. You should not go into a field that you do not believe in---i.e., if you don't want to be a DO, don't apply. Other items you need to consider for admissions are rec letters; extracurriculars such as research, volunteering, and clinical experiences; and anything else that you can bring to the table.

Thanks everyone for all your advice.

Math requirements: I took pre-calc and calc 1 (Did very well in both). So I won't have to take intro to stats or calc 2 correct unless a specific med school requires it?

As far as research goes, I participated in a research program for 1 semester at USF (3 credit hours). I also shadowed a D.O. for over 40 hours. I need to do some volunteering and more shadowing. My non science GPA is ridiculously high (basically got A's in all my classes except physics) but I think my science gpa is a little "too average or just below average". I'm going to have fun trying to bring my GPA up. Basically have to get straight A's on everything from here on out. Guess I will have no life for the next 2 years🙂

Also, I took calc based physics and got a C on both Physics 1 and 2 (A on the labs not that it counts for much). I'm not too proud of that but it was difficult considering I only took calc 1. This hurt my GPA pretty bad but I can't do much about it now. I know you guys will say "depends on your other statistics etc."...but will they hold my physics grade against me too heavily? Will they overlook this if I can pull off an A on Orgo's? My chem and bio grades are pretty good but I basically screwed up in physics because I took the "harder" calculus based physics without enough background on calculus(not that this is any excuse).

I guess my question is, do the reviewers look at the science GPA, overall GPA and MCAT score + EC or do they go in depth and analyze the actual science classes and hold it against you if you weren't much of a physics person.

I guess I'll have to try my best to get 90% on A's from here on out and bring my GPA up to 3.6-3.75 if I can.

Study my brains off (specifically in Orgo and Physics) and pull off a miracle by gettin g a 30 mcat.

BTW, how do you calculate Sci GPA?

Last question, does the review com. prefer applicants who have worked while in college? I.E., this will show them that the applicant had a lot of things going on etc. or can you substitute work (i.e. pharm tech at CVS) for volunteering+shadowing?

Oh yeah, I apologize for the horrible formatting. Just displaying my stream of thought=)

Thanks.

edit

Forgot to ask a major question about D.O. vs M.D.

I was told that D.O. and M.D. are basically the same thing aside from their views on certain ideas/ways of practice. I also heard that it is harder for D.O.'s to get into the 'better' specialities compared to an M.D. So what exactly is the MAJOR difference and is it bad to apply to both D.O. schools and M.D. schools? This D.O. M.D. aspect is confusing me even more after the above poster said "don't go D.O. if you have your sight on M.D."

My ambition right now is to become an ophthalmologist.

Thanks again for taking the time to help a fellow SD'er=) 👍
 
I can help out with a couple questions....
well it looks like my quotations aren't working (so its italic instead)..

What is your major? If your major is anything science related you will probably have to take Calc II. Otherwise a year's worth of math is fine.

As for your Science GPA: Its your GPA from you bio classes, physics classes, chemistry classes, and math classes. You'll see it abbreviated as BCPM. But any class that fall under those four classifications counts!

You might want to post on the DO board to get some information about how competitive thier residencies are.

Good luck Lost Doc!
 
americanangel said:
I can help out with a couple questions....
well it looks like my quotations aren't working (so its italic instead)..

What is your major? If your major is anything science related you will probably have to take Calc II. Otherwise a year's worth of math is fine.

As for your Science GPA: Its your GPA from you bio classes, physics classes, chemistry classes, and math classes. You'll see it abbreviated as BCPM. But any class that fall under those four classifications counts!

You might want to post on the DO board to get some information about how competitive thier residencies are.

Good luck Lost Doc!

Thanks! Also, what is a 'competetive' science GPA for florida schools?
 
LostDoc said:
Thanks! Also, what is a 'competetive' science GPA for florida schools?

3.7-3.8 is the average
 
When do you guys think we will starting hearing about interviews? Did you hera anything yet Rajad?
 
americanangel said:
When do you guys think we will starting hearing about interviews? Did you hera anything yet Rajad?

REL told me early decision interview invites should be made on Wednesday morning so I'm waiting to hear my fate 😱

regular should be soon after that like in the first or second week of september for all florida schools...i think
 
floridakppr said:
Thanks, some of this is information that I would have to dig throught the internet for.

USF has more positives,too. Moffitt Cancer Center is the third busiest outpatient cancer hospital in the nation and the Haley VA is the busiest outpatient VA in the nation.

Good luck with the USF EDP.


Ok I've posted on this in last year's florida interview thread but I'll post again my 2 cents about different schools. I can't speak of Miami's program because I know literally nothing about it as can be said about the other 2 Florida schools outside of USF.

However I know tons about USF's program.

First and foremost, Tampa is the 5th most diverse city. While USF does not have the advantage of having its own academic hospital, it does have a lot of diversity among its clinical facilities making you more well rounded in getting to see what different sort of clinical atmospheres are like. For instance the atmosphere of working in a small children's hospital vs. a VA hospital or general teaching hospital is going tob edifferent.

With USF you have Tampa general hospital which is the main teaching hospital. But then you also have the busiest VA center right across from the medical school buildings. You also have the TGH outreach clinics on Busch and affiliations with All Children's Hospital which has a total Patch Adams sort of feel to it. You have the only Shriners in the state of Florida andyou have affiliations with Bay Front Care Center a Trama level 2 unit in St. Pete. You travel around the whole Tampa Bay area. sure that can be painful when you'd rather not have to drive etc. However, it can also be a good thing because you get to see different clinical environments.


In your first two years you do a clinical longitudinal experience in which you get paired up with different physicians who you spend time with to get early clinical exposure. Like UF and FSU, they too have the learning center where you work with fake patients to learn how to diagnose patients and learn clinical skills. However you also have a lot more opportunity to work with real patients in the first 2 years, and learn to take their histories etc whereas other schools don't let you do much with real patients in your first two years.

The great thing with USF is that the physicians will start letting you learn how to do things from those first 2 years. I knwo an undergrad who was shadowing a surgeon and learned how to suture the patient. In a similar manner first and second year students are taught how to do things like that rather then just wasting time shadowing whereas some other programs don't let you do anything until you are a 3rd year on the wards.

The first years start at the beginning of August with a 3 week course known as professions of medicine. After that they have the white coat ceremony in the last week of August. Then they get into the nitty gritty and take medical ethics and the molecular block of medicine which includes your molecular bio classes like genetics, cell bio, biochem, etc.

That lasts about 10 weeks. In November some time is when they get into classes like Gross anatomy and physiology etc. which run into the spring semester.

They end with Neuroscience and behavioral science. there are a few other classes I didn't mention but I don't remember the exact details. You can go to http://hsc.usf.edu/medicine if you want to take a look at the curricula.

They end in June for the first year and get about a month and a half off and then start back for 2nd year a week before the 1st years.

The other thing with USF's curricula is that you will learn in a systems based approach. So if you are learning pharmacology and immunology, then you'll learn the immunology and pharmacology of the heart at the same time unlike undergrad where if you were in physiology and histology you could have been learning about different systems at totally different times in the semester.

They try to integrate it more. Or so this is what I've heard.


The first year teaches you the basics about the human body whereas the second year is where you learn about pharmacology, immunology, and the more clinically relevant side of the basic sciences.

Simply put your first two years:
year 1: learn the ideal situation of the human body
year 2: learn what happens when something goes wrong with the body.

Then years 3 and 4 are the clinical years. I think you'd have to look at the website to see more details on the curricula.



The cons to USF are that if you are interested in academic medicine they are probably not the place for you because they don't have a strong Research background. Nonetheless with places like Moffitt Cancer center and other growing research facilities it might still be possible. Just won't hold the same prestige that a higher ranked school will for research purposes nor will it have funds.
 
gujuDoc said:
Ok I've posted on this in last year's florida interview thread but I'll post again my 2 cents about different schools. I can't speak of Miami's program because I know literally nothing about it as can be said about the other 2 Florida schools outside of USF.

However I know tons about USF's program.

First and foremost, Tampa is the 5th most diverse city. While USF does not have the advantage of having its own academic hospital, it does have a lot of diversity among its clinical facilities making you more well rounded in getting to see what different sort of clinical atmospheres are like. For instance the atmosphere of working in a small children's hospital vs. a VA hospital or general teaching hospital is going tob edifferent.

With USF you have Tampa general hospital which is the main teaching hospital. But then you also have the busiest VA center right across from the medical school buildings. You also have the TGH outreach clinics on Busch and affiliations with All Children's Hospital which has a total Patch Adams sort of feel to it. You have the only Shriners in the state of Florida andyou have affiliations with Bay Front Care Center a Trama level 2 unit in St. Pete. You travel around the whole Tampa Bay area. sure that can be painful when you'd rather not have to drive etc. However, it can also be a good thing because you get to see different clinical environments.


In your first two years you do a clinical longitudinal experience in which you get paired up with different physicians who you spend time with to get early clinical exposure. Like UF and FSU, they too have the learning center where you work with fake patients to learn how to diagnose patients and learn clinical skills. However you also have a lot more opportunity to work with real patients in the first 2 years, and learn to take their histories etc whereas other schools don't let you do much with real patients in your first two years.

The great thing with USF is that the physicians will start letting you learn how to do things from those first 2 years. I knwo an undergrad who was shadowing a surgeon and learned how to suture the patient. In a similar manner first and second year students are taught how to do things like that rather then just wasting time shadowing whereas some other programs don't let you do anything until you are a 3rd year on the wards.

The first years start at the beginning of August with a 3 week course known as professions of medicine. After that they have the white coat ceremony in the last week of August. Then they get into the nitty gritty and take medical ethics and the molecular block of medicine which includes your molecular bio classes like genetics, cell bio, biochem, etc.

That lasts about 10 weeks. In November some time is when they get into classes like Gross anatomy and physiology etc. which run into the spring semester.

They end with Neuroscience and behavioral science. there are a few other classes I didn't mention but I don't remember the exact details. You can go to http://hsc.usf.edu/medicine if you want to take a look at the curricula.

They end in June for the first year and get about a month and a half off and then start back for 2nd year a week before the 1st years.

The other thing with USF's curricula is that you will learn in a systems based approach. So if you are learning pharmacology and immunology, then you'll learn the immunology and pharmacology of the heart at the same time unlike undergrad where if you were in physiology and histology you could have been learning about different systems at totally different times in the semester.

They try to integrate it more. Or so this is what I've heard.


The first year teaches you the basics about the human body whereas the second year is where you learn about pharmacology, immunology, and the more clinically relevant side of the basic sciences.

Simply put your first two years:
year 1: learn the ideal situation of the human body
year 2: learn what happens when something goes wrong with the body.

Then years 3 and 4 are the clinical years. I think you'd have to look at the website to see more details on the curricula.



The cons to USF are that if you are interested in academic medicine they are probably not the place for you because they don't have a strong Research background. Nonetheless with places like Moffitt Cancer center and other growing research facilities it might still be possible. Just won't hold the same prestige that a higher ranked school will for research purposes nor will it have funds.

wow, thank you so much for the info! 🙂
 
rajad10 said:
REL told me early decision interview invites should be made on Wednesday morning so I'm waiting to hear my fate 😱

regular should be soon after that like in the first or second week of september for all florida schools...i think

You must be so nervous...Just hang in there! Your so close to the finish line!


Thanks GujuDoc for all the info!
 
Raja,

I'm sure you'll get in. Don't stress. Oh and USF interview, from what my friends tell me, is more tell me about yourself kind of questions.
 
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gujuDoc said:
Raja,

I'm sure you'll get in. Don't stress. Oh and USF interview, from what my friends tell me, is more tell me about yourself kind of questions.
thanks for sharing all your wonderful info, guju! 🙂
 
gujuDoc said:
Raja,

I'm sure you'll get in. Don't stress. Oh and USF interview, from what my friends tell me, is more tell me about yourself kind of questions.

thanks i appreciate the vote of confidence, and they're right about the interview questions - i read the feedback on SDN.

good luck on the CAT
 
Hey Brian, Congrats on you acceptance into MSP. You definitely won't be alone, there are a good amount of people in the program in each class. This next year, I would definitely do anything NOT science-related!! (if you can). Take fun classes and do fun things to make yourself grow as a person and so you can find a hobby (if you don't already have one) to get you away from studying next year. I've only been at UM for 2 weeks and man, there's a LOT of information in the beginning! I took a year off and had a lot of fun that year and I'm REALLY glad that I did because weekend road trips can't really happen once you start school! Mid-terms the second week of school is insane!! And I probably should be studying! 🙂
 
So I'm sure you hear stuff like this a lot, but I have a 3.5 or 3.55 GPA, a good bit of extracarriculars, and I just took the MCAT. I am guessing (I took all of the practice AAMC tests so I have a good idea of how I did) I got a 33-35 on the real thing. I am a Fl resident, and applying to all of Fl schools, but since this was the first MCAT I have taken, my app won't be considered until the scores are in. Knowing this, and knowing that I would really like to go to UF or FSU (I went to undergrad at FSU), do you guys think I have a good chance of getting into medical school?
 
McMD said:
Hey Brian, Congrats on you acceptance into MSP. You definitely won't be alone, there are a good amount of people in the program in each class. This next year, I would definitely do anything NOT science-related!! (if you can). Take fun classes and do fun things to make yourself grow as a person and so you can find a hobby (if you don't already have one) to get you away from studying next year. I've only been at UM for 2 weeks and man, there's a LOT of information in the beginning! I took a year off and had a lot of fun that year and I'm REALLY glad that I did because weekend road trips can't really happen once you start school! Mid-terms the second week of school is insane!! And I probably should be studying! 🙂

Hey Thanks!

Yeah, UM Med must be tough. It sounds like you made a good decision by relaxing a bit before school started. I changed my major to Psych so I definetely will be able to chill a little more. I'm still taking Biochem but for credit only. Thanks for the advice.
 
So what do you guys think...Maybe this week we will start hearing from the schools? Rajad, you should hear something from USF this week, right? Man, I wish you the best of luck! Think positive and good things will come!!!

Good luck everybody! :luck: :luck: :luck: :luck: :luck: :luck: :luck:
 
BrianUM said:
Hey Thanks!

Yeah, UM Med must be tough. It sounds like you made a good decision by relaxing a bit before school started. I changed my major to Psych so I definetely will be able to chill a little more. I'm still taking Biochem but for credit only. Thanks for the advice.


I think any med school is tough. What many med students tell me is that it is not the courses itself but the amount you have to know in such a short period of time. Oh and yeah MCMD rocks. As does her advice.
 
laneyj34 said:
So I'm sure you hear stuff like this a lot, but I have a 3.5 or 3.55 GPA, a good bit of extracarriculars, and I just took the MCAT. I am guessing (I took all of the practice AAMC tests so I have a good idea of how I did) I got a 33-35 on the real thing. I am a Fl resident, and applying to all of Fl schools, but since this was the first MCAT I have taken, my app won't be considered until the scores are in. Knowing this, and knowing that I would really like to go to UF or FSU (I went to undergrad at FSU), do you guys think I have a good chance of getting into medical school?


Are you applying to USF and Miami at all??? I think you might have a good shot at either of those schools. Not sure how FSU pics people but UF has got to be the most competitive school in the state and the hardest school to get into.

I know people who had interviews at top 20 schools with acceptances who were put on hold at UF while I know most people with your kinda stats and decent extracurriculars had easier time getting into USF, UM or FSU.

Although its still really hard to predict.

One thing I'd strongly recommend is that you keep in touch with the admissions directors and update them when you've done new things that may not be on your application if they allow it. USF allows this. Don't know about the other schools.
 
rajad10 said:
thanks i appreciate the vote of confidence, and they're right about the interview questions - i read the feedback on SDN.

good luck on the CAT


Actually funnily enough I think they secretly pair interviewees with interviewers who have the same interests.

For instance, one friend was involved with playing a musical instrument and the interviewer happened to be someone who had a relative that played the same instrument.

I've heard other cases like that too.

So hopefully that will ring true for you so you'll be able to click. I do believe that when REL or someone at the admissions office says you have a chance then it is true because they are all a keep it real kinda people.
 
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This is my week, hopefully a good one
 
rajad10 said:
This is my week, hopefully a good one


When do you find out about the interviews??? Today or Wednesday???


EDIT: Nevermind I just saw the answer to my own question.
 
thanks guys, i'll let you know what happens on wednesday morning
 
gujuDoc said:
I think any med school is tough. What many med students tell me is that it is not the courses itself but the amount you have to know in such a short period of time. Oh and yeah MCMD rocks. As does her advice.
Yes, the material I've learned thus far isn't anything harder than what I learned in undergrad-in fact, some mechanisms went more in dept in undergrad than they did in my classes in med school....BUT...the amount of material you have to learn is INSANE!!! In the first 2 weeks of school, I have learned more material than I did for 2 semesters combined in undergrad!...In undergrad, if you were to hypothetically study for 3 days straight (hypothetically without breaks and without problems due to lack of sleep)-you would Ace an exam...in med school, if you were to study for 3 days straight-you would probably be screwed on the exam. Also, no matter how much you study-you ALWAYS feel behind. In orientation, the dean of curriculum said "from this day forward you will always feel behind"...I didn't take her words seriously because I knew I was a serious student and I'd study alot...but wow, those words are so true!!

Laney-your stats look pretty good (assuming your MCAT comes out the way you want it)...the main problem you might face is being late in the application cycle, since they have to wait on your MCAT scores and interviews will already have started by the time the scores are released. But, all schools take this into account-so don't worry. Your scores are definitely consistent with FSU, UF...well, I think UF is fairly inconsistent with which applicants they accept. I have seen friends with 24 MCATS, 3.8gpa, no volunteering get in as well as applicants with 38, 3.5gpa, few EC's get in...I think they are tough to get into only because of their inconsistency...but take this with a grain of salt, it is only *my* observation....just throw your hands up in the air and hope for the best with UF.
 
McMD said:
Yes, the material I've learned thus far isn't anything harder than what I learned in undergrad-in fact, some mechanisms went more in dept in undergrad than they did in my classes in med school....BUT...the amount of material you have to learn is INSANE!!! In the first 2 weeks of school, I have learned more material than I did for 2 semesters combined in undergrad!...In undergrad, if you were to hypothetically study for 3 days straight (hypothetically without breaks and without problems due to lack of sleep)-you would Ace an exam...in med school, if you were to study for 3 days straight-you would probably be screwed on the exam. Also, no matter how much you study-you ALWAYS feel behind. In orientation, the dean of curriculum said "from this day forward you will always feel behind"...I didn't take her words seriously because I knew I was a serious student and I'd study alot...but wow, those words are so true!!

Laney-your stats look pretty good (assuming your MCAT comes out the way you want it)...the main problem you might face is being late in the application cycle, since they have to wait on your MCAT scores and interviews will already have started by the time the scores are released. But, all schools take this into account-so don't worry. Your scores are definitely consistent with FSU, UF...well, I think UF is fairly inconsistent with which applicants they accept. I have seen friends with 24 MCATS, 3.8gpa, no volunteering get in as well as applicants with 38, 3.5gpa, few EC's get in...I think they are tough to get into only because of their inconsistency...but take this with a grain of salt, it is only *my* observation....just throw your hands up in the air and hope for the best with UF.


A former USF alumni now at UVA probably described it correctly:


You feel like a hamster running constantly running on never ending spinning wheel.
 
Is anyone having an extremely difficult time with FSU's secondary webpage? I have had all my information deleted when I attempt to save it at least twice. I constantly receive errors and the program seems to forget my E-mail for long periods and refuses to let me access my account. I have attempted to work on it from several different computers so I dont think this has to do with my computer. Also, How much have you been writing for each section. Do you write a full 400-500 word essay for Travel experiences and Miscellaneous?
 
I was able access the application twice. Now it doesn't recognize my email. 🙁
 
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DoctorDan24 said:
Is anyone having an extremely difficult time with FSU's secondary webpage? I have had all my information deleted when I attempt to save it at least twice. I constantly receive errors and the program seems to forget my E-mail for long periods and refuses to let me access my account. I have attempted to work on it from several different computers so I dont think this has to do with my computer. Also, How much have you been writing for each section. Do you write a full 400-500 word essay for Travel experiences and Miscellaneous?

When I filled out FSU's secondary I had the same problem. I know there was a glitch in the system two weeks ago, but I can't tell you about now. I checked my status this morning and I was able to access my info. I would email FSU. They are really nice and really fast. If this is a major problem, they will definately fix it within a few hours. Let them know what is going on and they can help you better then I can. But the best thing to do, is let them know what is going on.
 
gujuDoc said:
A former USF alumni now at UVA probably described it correctly:


You feel like a hamster running constantly running on never ending spinning wheel.
Ah, yes...a hamster running in on its wheel. It's all about the song and dance while applying to med school and who sings the loudest. 🙄
 
Has anyone recieved an interview invite for USF or UF this year yet, beyond those for EDP? Tnx.
 
FutureDoc2005 said:
Has anyone recieved an interview invite for USF or UF this year yet, beyond those for EDP? Tnx.

I don't think they started handing them out yet....I think today is the day for EDP at USF. Rajad will definately be able to tell us about that! I emailed Miami a few days ago to see if they had made a decision about my app but still no word. Hopefully, they will start next week or the week after. It seems like its taking forever though!

By the way....Good luck RAJAD!!! :luck: :luck: :luck: :luck:
 
FutureDoc2005 said:
Has anyone recieved an interview invite for USF or UF this year yet, beyond those for EDP? Tnx.


USF doesn't give regular season interviews until after they have given decisions for the early decision candidates. So you won't hear until September from them.
 
tomorrowgirl99 said:
I was able access the application twice. Now it doesn't recognize my email. 🙁


Hey tomorrowgirl99, how did you feel about the MCAT the other day??? Hope you did well since the rest of your application profile looks solid.
 
tomorrowgirl99 said:
I was able access the application twice. Now it doesn't recognize my email. 🙁


BTW provided that you get a decent MCAT score I think you'll be ok.
 
Does USF have a status page that you can check? I never got confirmation after I sent my secondary and LORs, so I was just curious.
 
gujuDoc said:
Hey tomorrowgirl99, how did you feel about the MCAT the other day??? Hope you did well since the rest of your application profile looks solid.


Thanks for the vote of confidence. I think the PS and V were better than last time. I think BS was harder.
 
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jbl16 said:
Just got a call from Robyn at UF inviting me for an interview 🙂

Congratulations. Good luck on interview day. :luck:
 
Congrats jbl!

Maybe I'll see you there. I got the call this morning also. I am sooo excited!!!
 
pathognomonic said:
Congrats jlb!

Maybe I'll see you there. I got the call this morning also. I am sooo excited!!!

congrats patho...i saw your post of the wall of fame!!! awesome job...btw when were you complete?

congrats again
 
Thanks angel. I was complete 7/31.
 
Congrats you guys! I wish you the best of luck on the inteviews. Congrats again you guys! Keep up the good work!
 
got the interview call today at usf - one step closer baby
 
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