2010-2011 University of South Florida Application Thread

[CanHasNaps]

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Naps, I appreciate all the useful info you have given us. For clarification, if we have not heard in six weeks are we to assume we've been wait-listed or put in a post-interview hold? I have recently spoken with Adrienne and this is NOT what she said. She said that everyone that interviewed during the fall would know before the start of the Winter Holidays. And that not all people that were accepted were necessarily notified yet. I hope I was not being directly mislead :-/.

Also, she said that the limit was not one post-interview update. She said they will accept as many as you send, but to only send with meaningful information. Tons of useless updates will not help your cause.

I appreciate any information you can give me on this topic. Thanks mate, with USF ad com crew changing all around, its kinda hard to get accurate reads/data on how things are run.

Thanks again!

I'm not there in the office as much this year since I'm out at the hospitals, so most of what I pass along is from my experience from last year and what I hear when I go check in with that office when I have a chance (I'm the 'adviser' for the student part of the admissions outreach).

If Adrienne tells you something, it's 100% true. I didn't mean to set the line in the sand at 4-6 weeks = acceptance or waitlist, but I have noticed over last year and this year that the longer they take to return a decision, the more likely it is going to be a waitlist. And I know last year they did not re-review waitlisted applicants.

The issue with sending updates is unless they are something *really* significant, they usually just end up causing people like Adrienne and the rest of the staff more work - and please believe me when I tell you, every time you call, that is documented. As well as if you are pleasant or difficult, and that can come back to bite you later.

So let this be a lesson - you can't trust 100% anonymous sources on the internet 🙂 And you should trust what the admissions office tells you.

I really do try to only post accurate info, and to filter through the mis-information that gets put out, but occasionally even I, in my glorious, all-expansive knowledge, gets it wrong.

I'm really not this narcissistic in person 😀

 

[Butler]

I'm not there in the office as much this year since I'm out at the hospitals, so most of what I pass along is from my experience from last year and what I hear when I go check in with that office when I have a chance (I'm the 'adviser' for the student part of the admissions outreach).

If Adrienne tells you something, it's 100% true. I didn't mean to set the line in the sand at 4-6 weeks = acceptance or waitlist, but I have noticed over last year and this year that the longer they take to return a decision, the more likely it is going to be a waitlist. And I know last year they did not re-review waitlisted applicants.

The issue with sending updates is unless they are something *really* significant, they usually just end up causing people like Adrienne and the rest of the staff more work - and please believe me when I tell you, every time you call, that is documented. As well as if you are pleasant or difficult, and that can come back to bite you later.

So let this be a lesson - you can't trust 100% anonymous sources on the internet 🙂 And you should trust what the admissions office tells you.

I really do try to only post accurate info, and to filter through the mis-information that gets put out, but occasionally even I, in my glorious, all-expansive knowledge, gets it wrong.

I'm really not this narcissistic in person 😀

I appreciate all the info Naps. I'm sure you must be very busy. The rational part of me agrees with you. I assume that since I haven't heard back yet I'm pretty much screwed. There was so little movement on the wait-list last year from USF that it seems wait-list = rejection at USF. The irrational side of me is still hoping though . Its frustrating when both your interviews seem to go well, you have the stats and ECs and you still get put on hold or waitlisted. It be nice to know what AD COMs are looking for sometimes.

I've called twice throughout the fall, but I've been very pleasant both times. Hopefully that works in my favor heh. I'll probably wait to send updates until I get grades back this semester. That will probably bite me in the butt though since I'll most likely get waitlisted before that happens.

Rough, rough, rough process.

 

[ankit999]

I am a third yr at usf. If you guys have any questions abt anything, let me know. good luck with the application process

 

[Badancil]

I have my interview at USF coming up in a week. I was hoping anyone that has already had an interview, and especially those who have been accepted could offer some advice! USF is my top choice, this is where both me and my wife want to end up, and I want to knock this interview out of the park. So any advice on how to prepare would be awesome!!!

 

[mark1234]

Have any of the accepted students received anything in the mail yet from USF?

 

[printzMD2015]

i have not yet gotten anything in the mail from usf since being accepted

also, for the interview i reccomend that you know what it is that you are passionate about that also sets you apart from the average applicant, and make sure your interviewer sees that passion. i wore a usf pin for luck, maybe that is what worked.😛

 

[ceng2doc]

Hey guys, i interviewed 10/26 and got a call this morning on 11/11 that I was accepted. I dont have crazy scores or anything, so dont worry if you don't have 4.0 GPA and a 39S MCAT!!!

good luck to everyone!😀

I wonder what your scores were? (might I be feeding a troll having a message count of 2.)

 

[Badancil]

Interviewing tomorrow, I'm about to head over to the meet and greet with current students. This school is my top choice, I love the area, I have wanted to go to this school since I started the premed process. If any of you on here are the praying type. or meditating, or whatever, I just want to do well tomorrow.

I'm already drafting my letter of intent.


Good luck all!
BA

 

[mark1234]

Have people who received a phone call for acceptance sent in transcripts or a deposit or anything, or are they just waiting for something in the mail from USF?

 

[CanHasNaps]

Have people who received a phone call for acceptance sent in transcripts or a deposit or anything, or are they just waiting for something in the mail from USF?

1. Transcripts are due once you complete your undergrad (or whatever other program you are in)

2. There is no deposit

3. You will get a package in the mail

 

[Badancil]

i have not yet gotten anything in the mail from usf since being accepted

also, for the interview i reccomend that you know what it is that you are passionate about that also sets you apart from the average applicant, and make sure your interviewer sees that passion. i wore a usf pin for luck, maybe that is what worked.😛

I wore a pin as well. Hopefully it will be good luck for me too!
For anyone about to head over there for interviews, USF does a great job with the whole process. DEFINITLY go to jasons deli the night before and hang out. All the students are helpful, and everyone seems so rediculously happy.

Everything at USF only confirmed that this is where I would like to go.

 

[purplesky89]

I haven't heard a peep from this school since I submitted end of October. Hoping for an interview as I've heard great things about this school from my friend who is a first year. 👍

 

[InfinitiPSI]

^Same boat as you. Good to keep positive!

 

[purplesky89]

Good to know I'm not the only one, thanks guys! And I agree Gujudoc, the late applications are coming back to bite me hard. I should have submitted secondaries earlier but hopefully we hear back soon 😀😀

 

[purplesky89]

Yeah I submitted end of October as well. I think in your and my case that is why we haven't heard. That's pretty late in the grand scheme of things. May be spring before either of us hear from USF.

As per Jlquick, I really don't understand why you've not heard back when you've been complete for lot longer then me ad purplesky89

I hope you hear back soon and hope the best for you.

My friend got an interview with them for January and applied the first week of October. So hopefully we hear back with good news soon!

 

[ceng2doc]

Yeah I submitted end of October as well. I think in your and my case that is why we haven't heard. That's pretty late in the grand scheme of things. May be spring before either of us hear from USF.

As per Jlquick, I really don't understand why you've not heard back when you've been complete for lot longer then me ad purplesky89

I hope you hear back soon and hope the best for you.

I guess you've been studying special masters degree at USF. What were your scores when you applied in this year? What is your BS/BA major?

 

[AnthroMD]

USF One-Year Master's pharmacology student here, just want to say congrats to all who have gotten accepted thus far!

I have one question for those who have interviewed at USF so far: What, if any, part of your application was focused on/most important during the interview? (i.e., Did they like to see a variety of shadowing experiences? Involvement in a particular research project?). Thanks for your responses!

I ask because I found a solid lab studying brain tumor cells and it definitely hit home because my mom had a brain tumor when I was growing up. I feel like it would be a significant feature of my app. to discuss during an interview because I also used my personal experience in my PS.

Good luck to everyone who is waiting for interviews/acceptances!
Happy Holidays!

 

[Butler]

Does anyone have any information concerning when post-interview hold folks will receive decisions? I have called the admissions office, where they said all fall interviewees will know their status before the beginning of the holidays. I ask because I am faced with a conundrum. I would like to update USF, but I want to do it after my grades come out for fall. I want to have something concrete to show them rather than just, "I volunteered here or I had an experience here;" things that really can't be verified. The problem is they might notify me with a waitlist/(USF rejection) decision before my grades come out. In which case, they would no longer accept any Updates.

Anyone with information or advise concerning this issue? Thanks!

 

[Tomatogirl]

USF One-Year Master's pharmacology student here, just want to say congrats to all who have gotten accepted thus far!

I have one question for those who have interviewed at USF so far: What, if any, part of your application was focused on/most important during the interview? (i.e., Did they like to see a variety of shadowing experiences? Involvement in a particular research project?). Thanks for your responses!

I ask because I found a solid lab studying brain tumor cells and it definitely hit home because my mom had a brain tumor when I was growing up. I feel like it would be a significant feature of my app. to discuss during an interview because I also used my personal experience in my PS.

Good luck to everyone who is waiting for interviews/acceptances!
Happy Holidays!

What's focused on during the interview varies widely depending on who is interviewing you, and what their interests are. One person may be more interested in research, another might not care about research. However, in my opinion it is more important to demonstrate things that you care about, and that you have succeeded in. Find the activity that you enjoy the most, maybe this research, and focus on that, and make sure to spend some time covering other bases, such as shadowing, community involvement, etc. This is just my opinion, however, I am certainly not an expert.
Best of luck!

 

[stephdadancer]

Just got the phone call! Accepted! So excited about this new development! Can't wait to come back for a second look! Best of everyone!

 

[medicalgator]

Got the call this afternoon too! Re-applicant who interviewed 11/16 with very modest numbers! Congrats to everyone else and good luck to those still out there! I interviewed last year with no acceptances and am so relieved to get accepted to my first choice during the second go around.

Can't wait until second look!

 

[stephdadancer]

Out of curiousity, where did you like better having been accepted to both UF and USF??? Just curious.

Oh and Congratulations!!!!

That's somewhat of a tough question since I haven't made any real decisions yet. I liked the people at both places. I think USF's facilities were nicer, and I liked their curriculum a lot better than the traditional curriculum at UF. However, UF has more of a reputation which won't really be a factor in my decision, but I like how USF is regarded as the best kept secret of the Florida medical schools because I feel like it is a rightfully deserved name. I can't think of much else unless you want details right now. Let me know if you have any other questions. Best of !

 

[ceng2doc]

Just curious, did you mention in your application that you're from "under-represented minority" (URM)? Because, I've heard much better scores than yours here at SDN who haven't been experiencing that successful application period like you're having.

It seems like you've been accepted by all of TX and FL med schools off the bat, even with "scholarships", with 9-9-9 MCAT, and 3.60/3.80 GPA. Do you have any secrets for this success, or is that normal for everyone. Maybe, people just exaggerate the admissions criteria in SDN.

Congrats for your acceptances, anyway. Good job!

 

[Butler]

Just curious, did you mention in your application that you're from "under-represented minority" (URM)? Because, I've heard much better scores than yours here at SDN who haven't been experiencing that successful application period like you're having.

It seems like you've been accepted by all of TX and FL med schools off the bat, even with "scholarships", with 9-9-9 MCAT, and 3.60/3.80 GPA. Do you have any secrets for this success, or is that normal for everyone. Maybe, people just exaggerate the admissions criteria in SDN.

Congrats for your acceptances, anyway. Good job!

This is dangerous ground we tread . URM status plays a role in acceptances, even if it's kept hush-hush. I've read emails from Deans of Admissions from 2 different schools (which will not be named), where they mentioned in passing that they won't even look at applicants with MCAT/GPAs below a certain value...unless of course the student is a URM.

Nonetheless, URM status doesn't guarantee you anything. Dancer might interview amazingly for all we know.

Congrats on the success!

 

[stephdadancer]

And in Stephdadancer's case her numbers were acceptable.

keep in mind she had a 3.8 from not a no name school but from RICE university, a top tier university that has a well known reputation. Keep in mind that 9s are not bad on the MCAT subsections. i know many URMs and non URMs alike at USF who can't pull higher then 18-19 or 23 at best on the MCAT. 27 in the long run is not that bad of a score. A few years ago it would've been considered a pretty decent score when the test was on paper and the average at most schools was 30. Back then several I knew were getting in with 27s and 3.6-3.8 and not all URMs. She's not got this 2.something GPA or even below 3.5 GPA or a 22 or 23 MCAT getting into med school. she's worked hard and it shows in her stats and her profile. And though she didn't write the detailed specifics I'm sure if she says she has lots of volunteerism and other stuff then she's done the ECs as well.

So while minority status may have helped her to a degree I would not say that she is under qualified at all.

And who knows, maybe if she didn't have 4 finals and had more time she might have blown people away like the African american chemical engineer a few years ago that I knew from USF who got a 32 on the MCAT and had a similar GPA to stephdadancer and got into several medical schools. I forget where this girl ended up but just remember reviewing her ps for her years ago.

Well, thanks for everyone sticking up for me! Lol no really I appreciate it. I did not mention I was a URM in my application, but I think like gujudoc said my GPA and coming from Rice helped out with my MCAT score being so low which is why I chose not to retake the MCAT. Plus, I pretty much knew if I could get to the point of interviewing that I could sell myself. I think that has made the difference for me is that in my opinion, I feel like I have been a pretty great interviewer. I also have a pretty compelling personal story for why I want to be a physician, so that probably helps as well. I did the whole checklist with volunteering, research, summer programs, etc. as well but I didn't do nearly as much as I know some other people do, so I was probably just standard in that area. I think my LORs were pretty good hopefully as I didn't see them, but I can't really give a good reason to why I have had so much success as I was TOTALLY not expecting it given the MCAT score I received. Also, I applied SUPER early like week after the app came out early, so I think that helped a lot as well because at a lot of places, I interviewed on one of their first interview dates so I wasn't competing against as many people, and at many of my interview, I was the only URM. So I guess in conclusion, my GPA from Rice and applying early probably got me the interviews, and my interviewing skills probably got me the acceptances. Hope this helps! I can't really give a clear answer though. I'm open to answering questions. Best of everyone!

 

[BullDoc2110]

Anyone else interviewing on Tuesday 12/14??

 

[looneytune]

Anyone else interviewing on Tuesday 12/14??

I'll be interviewing with you 🙂

 

[BullDoc2110]

I'll be interviewing with you 🙂

Glad I won't be the only SDN'er.. see you there!

 

[DocTraveler]

Wahoo! Interview invite today!!! I have been waiting for this one anxiously. For those of you who got invites recently, what was the earliest available interview date? I hope like in a week! 🙂

 

[DanceArtist]

Wahoo! Interview invite today!!! I have been waiting for this one anxiously. For those of you who got invites recently, what was the earliest available interview date? I hope like in a week! 🙂

Congrats DocTraveler, Please let us know what dates they offer you when you find out... I'm curious to see how far back USF is booked! Are you OOS? I'm OOS and was wondering what the chances are of an accepatance after a OOS applicant gets interviewed =D

Goodluck!

 

[purplesky89]

Wahoo! Interview invite today!!! I have been waiting for this one anxiously. For those of you who got invites recently, what was the earliest available interview date? I hope like in a week! 🙂

Congrats!! When were you complete?

 

[DocTraveler]

Congrats!! When were you complete?

Complete 10/14 and I am in-state.

 

[purplesky89]

Hmm I just got an email from the adcom asking to verify that I have taken 2 semesters of English courses.. has anyone else gotten this email? 😕

 

[MDeadmau5]

invited for an interview by email today. chose the 1/18 date, which was the first available to me. so USF is booked or not holding interviews until 1/18, but i anticipate they will have a day or 2 in january before mine...

anybody else set up for the 18th?
any specific advice for interviewing at USF?

 

[Badancil]

Waitlisted. I want to send an update in Januaray of my grades, and a paper that may be accepted, also I have another letter of rec.

I was wondering how much a letter of intent will increase my chances. I love this school and it is my top choice.

 

[mcapmed]

Badancil, did you get an email? Did they call you? I interviewed on 10/26 but I haven't heard anything back. Just wondering. Thanks!

 

[Badancil]

Badancil, did you get an email? Did they call you? I interviewed on 10/26 but I haven't heard anything back. Just wondering. Thanks!

I got it in the mail actually. snail mail. Which means it was a quick decision I guess.

Its been a bad day. This was the one i was hoping to get the outright acceptance from and just withdraw all my other apps except the two or three others I really wanted to see.

I hope for you that no letter means an acceptance, at least then one of us can have a good day.

 

[mcapmed]

I'm sure you won't have an issue in ending up where you really want to go. I just got home and checked my mail, but nothing from USF. I am confident you will get off the USF waitlist eventually. Take care!

 

[knightlife]

Purple,

I got the same email, called the next day, resent a transcript from my school, and got an interview inveite two days later (for Jan 11).

Any guesses as to how full the class is as of now?

Kyle

 

[Butler]

Waitlisted. I want to send an update in Januaray of my grades, and a paper that may be accepted, also I have another letter of rec.

I was wondering how much a letter of intent will increase my chances. I love this school and it is my top choice.

I feel your pain Badancil. I interviewed very early in the season and my waitlist letter was dated a month later, but it wasn't postmarked til December. Just lovely for USF to keep applicants on the edge of their seat for months even though they've already made a decision. You can definitely tell they care about those of us that don't receive immediate acceptances....

Rant aside, from my understanding their decision is now final and you are a number on the wait-list. They won't tell you how high or how low on the list you are (at least not from what I saw on last years thread). As far as I know they won't accept updates at this point. I would definitely call them to verify that though.

For my own personal knowledge, anyone have a rough guesstimate how many folks got off wait-list from last year? Rumor has it the number was WAY low, like 5-10 people off a wait-list of 100 or so. I'm not personally holding my breath for an acceptance from USF off the wait-list 🙁.

 

[Badancil]

Butler,

From what i know, and thats all mighty here-say, last year things went a little bit off track for what they wanted to do. I think they werent expecting so many people to keep their acceptances last year (as its not very usual for any school)

but again, this is all from some vauge comments ive heard from other adcoms and from other students. Either way, im under the impression that they may have reevaulated the amount of acceptances at the front end (something more like UF where they give more people that shot)

but again, things are pretty hush hush there, and i could be all wrong.

I am just hoping thats the case so that I can hope to get in off the waitlist. I loved USF and its my top choice.

either way, I wish both you and I the best of luck.
-BA

 

[purplesky89]

Purple,

I got the same email, called the next day, resent a transcript from my school, and got an interview inveite two days later (for Jan 11).

Any guesses as to how full the class is as of now?

Kyle

Thanks Kyle! That's really hopeful.. I sent them transcript/AP scores on Thursday so hopefully I hear back about an interview soon!

 

[nt110]

Butler-

When I interviewed, my interviewer (Michael Flannery) said that "about 15" people got off the wait list last year compared to "about 50" usually. He also said it was a "fluke" and they don't expect that to be a consistent scenario.

Good luck!

 

[CanHasNaps]

Well part of it has been because the last 2 years since Dean Monroe took over there has been a higher over acceptance rate then prior years.

Also, now a days USF is moving on up in the ranks from where it was just 10 years ago when i started college.

Yes I'm a nontrad.

I'm going to PM you the rest of what I'm going to say.

Has nothing to do with Dr. Monroe. She doesn't set the committee policies, the committee chair does.

 

[Meducated]

so USF is booked or not holding interviews until 1/18, but i anticipate they will have a day or 2 in january before mine...

The last interview date in Dec was a very small group on the 21st. In Jan and Feb they are scheduled to interview every Tuesday, starting January 4th.

Also, if it helps at all, I had heard similar things about very little wait-list movement last year when my class was interviewing. However I didn't interview until early March, got wait-listed around the beginning of April and got in at the end of May. If it was only slight movement, then I was one of the lucky ones. That being said don't lose hope, it is possible and they do interview everyone for a potential spot in the class.

 

[mcapmed]

ACCEPTED!!!! Interviewed on 10-26 and found out via mail without a phone call. Keep the faith!!!

 

[purplesky89]

Just booked my interview for 2/1. The earliest interview date available now is 1/25 for those of you wondering!

Has anyone gone to the Jason's deli to socialize with the med students the night before the interview? Care to share experiences? I'm super excited!!

 

[mcapmed]

I went to the dinner and would highly recommend it. It's an excellent opportunity to meet with current students and find out anything you want to know about the school. They will also answer any questions you have about the interview day, which will put you at ease a bit. It was a very friendly and happy atmosphere, and the students actually want to be there to meet you. Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[purplesky89]

I went to the dinner and would highly recommend it. It's an excellent opportunity to meet with current students and find out anything you want to know about the school. They will also answer any questions you have about the interview day, which will put you at ease a bit. It was a very friendly and happy atmosphere, and the students actually want to be there to meet you. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Thanks mcapmed for the advice and on the acceptance!! I emailed them to RSVP for the dinner, can't wait! 🙂

 

[DanceArtist]

2 years ago when my friend interviewed for the entering class of 2009 at USF, he was told during his interview day that he would receive in state tuition after attending one year as an OOS student. Anyone know if this is still true?