Accepted/Alternates are getting invited to that too, aren't they? I haven't been invited yet 🙁
2009-2010 Florida International University Application Thread
- Thread starter shemarty
- Start date
- Status
Accepted/Alternates are getting invited to that too, aren't they? I haven't been invited yet 🙁
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2007
- Messages
- 1,721
- Reaction score
- 47
Yeah - dont worry about it tho. I've been on the list for a while and didn't get the invite until today
I haven't gotten the invitation either. I'm not exactly sure what that means at this point.
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2009
- Messages
- 111
- Reaction score
- 0
I'll be there!
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2007
- Messages
- 1,721
- Reaction score
- 47
One day for accepted applicants and another for "accepted"/alternate applicants. I am on the alternate list and have yet to be invited so I'm not sure what's going on.
Did anyone go to the welcome back day yesterday? I know there are two - I was invited to the March 8th one and couldn't go. How was it? Did they offer any info about what is going on with their Jackson North affiliation (I read the other day in the NYTimes that they are thinking of closing the hospital down!) Do any current students know more about this? Thanks!
Ya, I went to the one this past monday. There were about 12 of us from the class of 42 there, so not too crowded, which I liked. The actual day was very relaxed, everyone was trying to learn my name and i could not remember a lot of thiers...which is always embarassing haha. We met all of the deans, went over the schools mission, what that means, the basic science curriculum, the clinical curriculum and the community outreach stuff, which seems pretty awesome. Then we went on tours at the patient simulator facility and the childrens hospital.
In summation: it was a nice , relaxed day. I wore a suit, don't wear a suit haha. I would say dress shirt with/without a tie is what is needed, suit is definately overkill.
In summation: it was a nice , relaxed day. I wore a suit, don't wear a suit haha. I would say dress shirt with/without a tie is what is needed, suit is definately overkill.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2007
- Messages
- 1,721
- Reaction score
- 47
Haha...I'm wondering whether I should have stayed anonymous, but I was just so excited that my name was recognized from SDN. Oh well. Anyway, for anybody who was wondering, about 28 people came to the second look visit for alternate list folks, nobody really knows how many people were invited to attend. I thought it was a pretty good visit, they went into detail about the curriculum, and it was nice to hear about it straight from the Deans. They also did discuss the issue with Jackson Memorial having financial problems. It seems that FIU has rotations set up with pretty nice hospitals in Miami, including the Baptist Hospital system, Mt.Sinai hospital and Miami Children's, so I really don't think that Jackson Memorial being reorganized will have any major impact on FIU COM students. We actually got to visit Miami Children's hospital and that was a pretty major selling point for me, personally.
In short, pretty well organized second look visit, definitely enjoyed the bus tour and it was good to interact with that many faculty, given that there were only around 28 of us. Now let's just hope we make it in...
lol! What happened today, did one of the deans or something pair you up with your SDN tag or something??
Just letting you alternates know that I think you all have a really good shot at getting it as I got the impression many of the initial accepts wont be there at the end because we only had 12 people on our second look and of them, all had acceptances to other schools. So, I think there will still be a lot of movement yet.
Just wishing all you alternates good luck and I'm gonna be pumped to see you guys at the end of the summer!!
Just letting you alternates know that I think you all have a really good shot at getting it as I got the impression many of the initial accepts wont be there at the end because we only had 12 people on our second look and of them, all had acceptances to other schools. So, I think there will still be a lot of movement yet.
Just wishing all you alternates good luck and I'm gonna be pumped to see you guys at the end of the summer!!
wow, congrats! I hope I'm next.
BTW, how did you find out? Call or e-mail?
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2007
- Messages
- 1,721
- Reaction score
- 47
Withdrew my acceptance today. Lol, I wonder if you got my seat, Food?
hahaha, could be. I'll gladly take it!
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2007
- Messages
- 1,721
- Reaction score
- 47
thanks man! good luck to you! I got both. A call that I missed then an e-mail.
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2009
- Messages
- 111
- Reaction score
- 0
Congrats Food! I was there with you on Monday too, hoping to get a call soon too, haven't gotten an acceptance yet
Did they change your status btw?
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2010
- Messages
- 1,235
- Reaction score
- 4
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2007
- Messages
- 1,721
- Reaction score
- 47
Congrats Food! I was there with you on Monday too, hoping to get a call soon too, haven't gotten an acceptance yet
Did they change your status btw?
Yeah man status change as well. Totally awesome
Congrats man! I too was at the second look day on Monday and am looking forward to getting that call soon hopefully as well😀.
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2007
- Messages
- 1,721
- Reaction score
- 47
Good luck!
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2009
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 0
Hi everyone! I was accepted to FIU COM in October, and I have a ton of questions about the program. If there are any current students/applicants who have the time to answer them, I would love to hear some feedback!
1. Are there any opportunities to learn Medical Spanish before or during my time there?
2. I've been to a few schools where students take full simulated USMLE practice exams several times before the real thing. How many times do FIU students take practice USMLE exams? If none, how are students prepared for USMLE-type questions?
3. When are students first exposed to patients and what's the extent of the exposure? Are students able to practice with patient actors or real patients?
4. What is the grading system like? Pass/Fail or letter grades?
5. How are students evaluated after each course? Multiple-choice, essay, teacher evaluations? Are classes graded on a curve?
6. What is the testing schedule like? Are all exams on one day or spread out?7. Where do student perform rotations?
8. Is class attendance required? Are lectures available online?
9. Are there services available for students like counseling and tutoring?
10. Is there a gym available on campus free for students? Do they have classes available (yoga, spinning, aerobics)?
11. Is clinical research available to students? When do students have time to research?
12. Did any students purchase a condo/small home in the area? Or is it smarter to rent all 4 years?
13. What is the format of most of the classes and how do current students like it so far? Are many lectures done by powerpoint?
14. Are there any opportunities to do rotations abroad? Or are scholarships available to send students abroad for medical missions?
15. What would you say is your favorite thing about the program? Least favorite?
I'm sorry if I overloaded you with questions. I'm reviewing all of my options right now, and I really love all that FIU has to offer. Hopefully I'll see some of you next Fall!
Thanks so much.
1. Are there any opportunities to learn Medical Spanish before or during my time there?
2. I've been to a few schools where students take full simulated USMLE practice exams several times before the real thing. How many times do FIU students take practice USMLE exams? If none, how are students prepared for USMLE-type questions?
3. When are students first exposed to patients and what's the extent of the exposure? Are students able to practice with patient actors or real patients?
4. What is the grading system like? Pass/Fail or letter grades?
5. How are students evaluated after each course? Multiple-choice, essay, teacher evaluations? Are classes graded on a curve?
6. What is the testing schedule like? Are all exams on one day or spread out?7. Where do student perform rotations?
8. Is class attendance required? Are lectures available online?
9. Are there services available for students like counseling and tutoring?
10. Is there a gym available on campus free for students? Do they have classes available (yoga, spinning, aerobics)?
11. Is clinical research available to students? When do students have time to research?
12. Did any students purchase a condo/small home in the area? Or is it smarter to rent all 4 years?
13. What is the format of most of the classes and how do current students like it so far? Are many lectures done by powerpoint?
14. Are there any opportunities to do rotations abroad? Or are scholarships available to send students abroad for medical missions?
15. What would you say is your favorite thing about the program? Least favorite?
I'm sorry if I overloaded you with questions. I'm reviewing all of my options right now, and I really love all that FIU has to offer. Hopefully I'll see some of you next Fall!
Thanks so much.
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2008
- Messages
- 751
- Reaction score
- 0
Ummm... Not to be mean, but why didn't you ask a lot of these questions at your interview day? 🙄
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2009
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 0
It was my first interview and I definitely didn't know what other medical schools had to offer to compare it to. No worries if you can't help--I'll contact FIU directly about my questions. I thought studentdoctor would be more welcoming forum for this sort of thing.
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2010
- Messages
- 1,235
- Reaction score
- 4
Read through this thread. Current students at FIU have posted info here (I distinctly remember someone commenting about the availability of a gym). They would be your best resource.
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2009
- Messages
- 111
- Reaction score
- 0
I can address your medical spanish course question. I went to the 'Welcome Back' day a week ago, and they definitely have something of this sort available to the students.
Oh, and the med students have access to the main FIU gym which is very nice from what I heard (haven't seen it). They do have group fitness classes, they hyped up this 'yoga with doctors' fitness class.
On the same student life related note, they have a spa on campus to relax at too. Building a brand new Chili's on campus. There's a Starbuck's and Pollo Tropical as well (personal favorites, LOL).
A current med student told me that they schedule your USLME step 1 at the end of your 3rd year/period-which is different from most med schools.
FIU uses the Gordon Center simulation center which the med students go to every Tuesday afternoon, it is in downtown miami on the UM Miller campus. Very state of the art, they actually make the Harvey's there.
That's all I got for now. Some of this is from my memory and might not be 100% accurate, so go ahead and get some clarification from the admissions office when you can. They are so helpful and friendly.
Good luck to you! Hopefully I'll see you in August 😀
Hi sunflower2 I'm currently a med student here at FIU and I will try to answer as many questions as I can for you:
1. Are there any opportunities to learn Medical Spanish before or during my time there?
Yes there is a medical Spanish course given for free the summer before school starts (also if you ask around I'm sure you can find some more free resources for learning spanish)
2. I've been to a few schools where students take full simulated USMLE practice exams several times before the real thing. How many times do FIU students take practice USMLE exams? If none, how are students prepared for USMLE-type questions?
The courses we take are heavily geared towards the USMLE we are going to take a formative USMLE test this weekend since we just finished period 1, I assume we will take more throughout the next year.
3. When are students first exposed to patients and what's the extent of the exposure? Are students able to practice with patient actors or real patients?
We are exposed to patients from the very first month, FIU has a major emphasis on clinical experience. We are exposed mainly to real patients but actors are used for testing purposes.
4. What is the grading system like? Pass/Fail or letter grades?
The grading system is Honors, high pass, pass, fail
5. How are students evaluated after each course? Multiple-choice, essay, teacher evaluations? Are classes graded on a curve?
The tests are mostly multiple choice but some are essay, there is a curve but the curve only works up not down (meaning they won't curve the class down and force some people to fail even if they got a passing score)
6. What is the testing schedule like? Are all exams on one day or spread out?
The tests tend to be spread out but on some occasions they do bunch up, the school has been pretty flexible about testing though (ex. FIU allowed us to take our pharm exam on saturday instead of monday so we could have a full week off for spring break)
7. Where do student perform rotations?
Rotations (I assume you mean third year rotations) are all over the place. This is both a good and bad thing. The down side is you're driving all over miami, but the good side is you get to see a lot of different hospitals and different environments and we will get to see the very best hospital for each case (ex. Miami children's is a nationally ranked peds hospital where we will do our peds rotations, while mount sinai is ranked for radiology and pathology and that is where we will do our path rotations)
8. Is class attendance required? Are lectures available online?
Lectures are online, attendance is required for some courses, it varies from course to course and professor to professor.
9. Are there services available for students like counseling and tutoring?
There are counseling services for personal or financial issues, I believe extra tutoring is made available to students who are having a difficult time in classes but since I've never had any problems I can't really speak about that
10. Is there a gym available on campus free for students? Do they have classes available (yoga, spinning, aerobics)?
Yes there is a free gym on campus for students, and yes they do offer yoga and spinning classes (although I've never been to any classes)
11. Is clinical research available to students? When do students have time to research?
Research is not only available to students it is required. There are several different tracks and you can do as much or as little as you want, the first summer break is a good time to get extra research in but all students will have two months in the fourth year set aside for research.
12. Did any students purchase a condo/small home in the area? Or is it smarter to rent all 4 years?
My roommate purchased his condo near FIU, the decision to rent or purchase a home is highly variable and depends on your personal financial situation
13. What is the format of most of the classes and how do current students like it so far? Are many lectures done by powerpoint?
Most of the classes are powerpoint but there are also a lot of small group discussions and things like that. I'd say that it would depend on the class and the student as to whether they say they'd like the current format
14. Are there any opportunities to do rotations abroad? Or are scholarships available to send students abroad for medical missions?
FIU is currently working on setting up rotations abroad but since nothing is finalized yet I really can't give you any good info on that
15. What would you say is your favorite thing about the program? Least
favorite?
I would say I really love the clinical exposure, not only is it highly relevant (and in some cases you get to see some really wild stuff at the ER) but for whatever reason seeing something first hand really helps me remember it come testing time. The early clinical exposure is a stroke of genius in my opinion, especially the preceptorships.
The least favorite thing for the first year would be the social medicine classes. They are way too long, give out way too many assignments and are just generally lame (but that's my personal opinion many other students in class would probably say something different)
I hope I answered your questions satisfactorily please let me know if you have any further questions. I'm (and the whole class really) doing my best to make sure all of you have a great first year and I look forward to meeting all of you guys in august.
1. Are there any opportunities to learn Medical Spanish before or during my time there?
Yes there is a medical Spanish course given for free the summer before school starts (also if you ask around I'm sure you can find some more free resources for learning spanish)
2. I've been to a few schools where students take full simulated USMLE practice exams several times before the real thing. How many times do FIU students take practice USMLE exams? If none, how are students prepared for USMLE-type questions?
The courses we take are heavily geared towards the USMLE we are going to take a formative USMLE test this weekend since we just finished period 1, I assume we will take more throughout the next year.
3. When are students first exposed to patients and what's the extent of the exposure? Are students able to practice with patient actors or real patients?
We are exposed to patients from the very first month, FIU has a major emphasis on clinical experience. We are exposed mainly to real patients but actors are used for testing purposes.
4. What is the grading system like? Pass/Fail or letter grades?
The grading system is Honors, high pass, pass, fail
5. How are students evaluated after each course? Multiple-choice, essay, teacher evaluations? Are classes graded on a curve?
The tests are mostly multiple choice but some are essay, there is a curve but the curve only works up not down (meaning they won't curve the class down and force some people to fail even if they got a passing score)
6. What is the testing schedule like? Are all exams on one day or spread out?
The tests tend to be spread out but on some occasions they do bunch up, the school has been pretty flexible about testing though (ex. FIU allowed us to take our pharm exam on saturday instead of monday so we could have a full week off for spring break)
7. Where do student perform rotations?
Rotations (I assume you mean third year rotations) are all over the place. This is both a good and bad thing. The down side is you're driving all over miami, but the good side is you get to see a lot of different hospitals and different environments and we will get to see the very best hospital for each case (ex. Miami children's is a nationally ranked peds hospital where we will do our peds rotations, while mount sinai is ranked for radiology and pathology and that is where we will do our path rotations)
8. Is class attendance required? Are lectures available online?
Lectures are online, attendance is required for some courses, it varies from course to course and professor to professor.
9. Are there services available for students like counseling and tutoring?
There are counseling services for personal or financial issues, I believe extra tutoring is made available to students who are having a difficult time in classes but since I've never had any problems I can't really speak about that
10. Is there a gym available on campus free for students? Do they have classes available (yoga, spinning, aerobics)?
Yes there is a free gym on campus for students, and yes they do offer yoga and spinning classes (although I've never been to any classes)
11. Is clinical research available to students? When do students have time to research?
Research is not only available to students it is required. There are several different tracks and you can do as much or as little as you want, the first summer break is a good time to get extra research in but all students will have two months in the fourth year set aside for research.
12. Did any students purchase a condo/small home in the area? Or is it smarter to rent all 4 years?
My roommate purchased his condo near FIU, the decision to rent or purchase a home is highly variable and depends on your personal financial situation
13. What is the format of most of the classes and how do current students like it so far? Are many lectures done by powerpoint?
Most of the classes are powerpoint but there are also a lot of small group discussions and things like that. I'd say that it would depend on the class and the student as to whether they say they'd like the current format
14. Are there any opportunities to do rotations abroad? Or are scholarships available to send students abroad for medical missions?
FIU is currently working on setting up rotations abroad but since nothing is finalized yet I really can't give you any good info on that
15. What would you say is your favorite thing about the program? Least
favorite?
I would say I really love the clinical exposure, not only is it highly relevant (and in some cases you get to see some really wild stuff at the ER) but for whatever reason seeing something first hand really helps me remember it come testing time. The early clinical exposure is a stroke of genius in my opinion, especially the preceptorships.
The least favorite thing for the first year would be the social medicine classes. They are way too long, give out way too many assignments and are just generally lame (but that's my personal opinion many other students in class would probably say something different)
I hope I answered your questions satisfactorily please let me know if you have any further questions. I'm (and the whole class really) doing my best to make sure all of you have a great first year and I look forward to meeting all of you guys in august.
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2009
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 0
Wow! Thank you both so much for your time in responding. I really appreciate it. Sounds like FIU has a lot of great opportunities. 🙂
Great answers - thks! I got accepted early in Oct - now have to choose bet FIU, FSU, UF & USF - anyone have any insight???? I like FIU curriculum and friendly staff & you get an actual person answering the phone not a machine - great faculty - - it's new - the others are old - still waiting for UCF (one man show)
😱Great answers - thks! I got accepted early in Oct - now have to choose bet FIU, FSU, UF & USF - anyone have any insight???? I like FIU curriculum and friendly staff & you get an actual person answering the phone not a machine - great faculty - - it's new - the others are old - still waiting for UCF (one man show)
Well where are you leaning right now and why?
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2007
- Messages
- 1,721
- Reaction score
- 47
Great answers - thks! I got accepted early in Oct - now have to choose bet FIU, FSU, UF & USF - anyone have any insight???? I like FIU curriculum and friendly staff & you get an actual person answering the phone not a machine - great faculty - - it's new - the others are old - still waiting for UCF (one man show)
Wow! congrats. Quite a difficult decision you have now 😀
As do you dude. What's it going to be, FIU or UF?
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2010
- Messages
- 643
- Reaction score
- 213
I got my invite quite early, but I withdrew after I was accepted elsewhere. It would have been nice being at that campus, though. It's just about the most beautiful campus in the known universe.
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2010
- Messages
- 643
- Reaction score
- 213
Great answers - thks! I got accepted early in Oct - now have to choose bet FIU, FSU, UF & USF - anyone have any insight???? I like FIU curriculum and friendly staff & you get an actual person answering the phone not a machine - great faculty - - it's new - the others are old - still waiting for UCF (one man show)
Minimize your loans; go where you get the most scholarship money.
I never got one period.
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2010
- Messages
- 65
- Reaction score
- 0
Has anyone been accepted off the "Accepted/alternate" list yet?
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2010
- Messages
- 643
- Reaction score
- 213
Well, you got accepted elsewhere anyway, so I guess it didn't matter in the end.
Great answers - thks! I got accepted early in Oct - now have to choose bet FIU, FSU, UF & USF - anyone have any insight???? I like FIU curriculum and friendly staff & you get an actual person answering the phone not a machine - great faculty - - it's new - the others are old - still waiting for UCF (one man show)
Hi,
congrats!.. If you got accepted into all those schools, it's probably because you kick-a**.
Now to my $0.02: If I were you, I would go to UF in a heartbeat. Why ? well, because you have to think in the next step; when you apply for residency. Would a top residency program rather take a UF med school graduate or one from FIU, with all else being equal (ie. class rank, test scores, etc).? UF has a nationally ranked program, their own hospital, etc.
Anyways, just my advice.. best of luck!
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2009
- Messages
- 20
- Reaction score
- 0
My favorite aspect of FIU is how reliable their website is.
- Status
