Set-up: The day begins with an introductory presentation (includes focus on curriculum, clinical facilities, mission trips, and financial aid) from Dean Weisman, and then a student who explains the many dual degree programs that are offered through UM. The interview will be scheduled at 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM, or 1:15 PM (you will have a folder telling you when your interview is and who your interviewer will be), and it is approximately 1 hour. Because it is an open file interview, you will be asked specific questions about your file and should be prepared to answer them thoroughly. However, the interview itself is not intense, and in fact, every attempt is made to make it conversational and stress-free.
Food provided: Breakfast (danishes, muffins, orange juice, and coffee), and lunch (Chinese fried rice and chicken, salad, and drinks)
Questions you absolutely HAVE to know: Why Miller? Why Medicine? And Tell me about yourself.
Questions of interest:
* Is attendance mandatory? No.
* Is the curriculum available online? Yes, every class you take in your four years will be recorded, and can be accessed at any time.
* How do academic societies work? Each society has 12 faculty-physicians, and 12 each of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students. Students are put into academic societies at random, and meet with their society every MWF.
* What typed of curriculum? Block with PBL sessions in between each block. The best part of the curriculum are the sub-internships, which allow 4th year students to play the same role as a first year intern during residency (excellent practice).
* Is it necessary to know Spanish? No, there are translators available. However, if you want to, the school provides lessons every Tuesday for free as well as access to the Rosetta Stone software.
* How does the lottery system work? You are randomly assigned a number. Whoever is first in selecting third year clerkships is last in selecting fourth year clerkships; the order is reversed to maintain fairness. The medical student did emphasize that in the end, though, it doesn't matter because students get to do what they want anyway.
good luck to you.
