2014-2015 University of Miami (Miller) Application Thread

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Flintwire said:
Obviously different people can have very different experiences ( :poke: @ridethecliche), but here's my take:

Out of all the places I interviewed, Miami's interview was by far the most enjoyable, low stress, laid back, and conversational. My interviewer literally opened the conversation by telling me that they were one of my "cheerleaders" and had been one of the three faculty members who reviewed my app (SOP at Miami is to have three separate people look at everyone's app) and recommended that I should be offered an interview. All they wanted from our conversation were more reasons to go back to the other adcom members and push for an acceptance. You can't get friendlier and more awesome than that.

We went over my application, spoke about who I was as a person, answered some hypothetical ethical questions, I asked some questions, and before I knew it an hour had passed and we were done.

They did a great job of selling the school to me - although I wish they had spent some more time on their curriculum. The deans of admissions are funny. They will show you a video about the weather that will make you laugh (or cringe, if you don't like that sort of humor. For the record, I laughed).

As for tips ... just be yourself. I know people say that a lot, but it's really the only tip that matters. The fact that you were invited to interview shows Miami believes you are academically and otherwise qualified to matriculate at their school. The main thing they're looking for now is to make sure you're normal and to see if you're a good "fit." Be comfortable and confident in who you are (but don't be an @$$) and let that shine through in your interview. If you can show that to whoever is interviewing you ... you'll be fine.

Good luck 🙂👍!!!
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I have to agree with this 100%! The interview at Miller was my most relaxed interview too. Something about knowing that your interviewer was one of the people who voted for you to get an interview in the first place actually calms the nerves a little. It's like wow so this person is pretty much a fan already. I don't think you have to worry about them giving you a hard time. I've had all MMI interviews, and this one-on-one interview at Miami was my favorite. I felt like I really had the opportunity to shine.

The one hour goes by really fast. They will end the interview and ask you if you have any questions, so you should try to be prepared with some thoughtful questions so the interview doesn't have to end so abruptly. Although I was a little surprised talking to other interviewees- few of them had cold interviewers with a lot of tough ethical questions...so I guess it can also depend...Definitely be prepared with some ethical issues. I was asked a few as well, but very laid back ones.
 
Anyone else here interviewed/accepted to Wake Forest and considering Miller vs. Wake?! Lucky enough to get accepted into both programs and would appreciate your perspective on either!
 
prdv said:
I have to agree with this 100%! The interview at Miller was my most relaxed interview too. Something about knowing that your interviewer was one of the people who voted for you to get an interview in the first place actually calms the nerves a little. It's like wow so this person is pretty much a fan already. I don't think you have to worry about them giving you a hard time. I've had all MMI interviews, and this one-on-one interview at Miami was my favorite. I felt like I really had the opportunity to shine.

The one hour goes by really fast. They will end the interview and ask you if you have any questions, so you should try to be prepared with some thoughtful questions so the interview doesn't have to end so abruptly. Although I was a little surprised talking to other interviewees- few of them had cold interviewers with a lot of tough ethical questions...so I guess it can also depend...Definitely be prepared with some ethical issues. I was asked a few as well, but very laid back ones.
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Just to offer a different perspective, I found my Miami interview to be the least conversational of all my one-on-one interviews. My interviewer had a packet of questions and scenarios, and went back and forth between role playing situations with me and asking questions. We spent about 10 minutes discussing clarifying questions about my application before this began. Overall I still felt like it was a positive interview experience and went by quickly, I just wouldn't describe it as relaxed.
 
Yeah, I'm not a fan of the admissions office.
I had sent a letter of update, and I call one day (after around two weeks of submitting said letter), and they tell me they never got it, but then after I re-send it (cuz they said 'Hmm, well, re-send it and we'll add it'), they reply to my original email that they have now received it.
 
RedPhys said:
Yeah, I'm not a fan of the admissions office.
I had sent a letter of update, and I call one day (after around two weeks of submitting said letter), and they tell me they never got it, but then after I re-send it (cuz they said 'Hmm, well, re-send it and we'll add it'), they reply to my original email that they have now received it.
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+1 exact same thing happened to me no lie, the only difference being that you haven't interviewed here but I have and am on the alternate list.
 
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I submitted an update letter and it took them two weeks to add it to my file. My SO sent an update letter and it took a little over a month...They are just a little slow it seems.

@MouseRat01

I left the interview day not knowing very much about the curriculum, grading system etc. since my tour guide was a MD/MPH and I am an MD-only applicant. The presentation itself did not cover much other than some interesting stats, programs offered, and the beauty of Miami weather.

As for the interview itself, it seemed I lucked out since my interviewer seemed to like me as an applicant and as a person. We took some time to update/clarify certain application things (any updates? did you use MCAT or application prep services, etc?) followed by a string of ethical or situational scenarios (meaning what would you do in X situation). It wasn't as bad as what others have described, but it kept me on my toes!
 
ridethecliche said:
It's frustrating, really.

I loved the school. The students are awesome and the program is great. I'd love to go there.

I just left my interview day with nothing positive to say about the admissions office.

I doubt they're going to let me in, but I'd go there. Luckily the admissions office doesn't teach classes or otherwise run the school as they'd probably ruin it.

I have no hesitation about the program. They just need advocates that aren't awful. Temper your expectations for interview day, prepare for your interviewer to mess with you and be a dick, and you'll be fine.

If I'd known that last bit, I would have owned my interview.
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Dude, I kind of hate to be like this...you seem like a nice guy, but your constant input on the admissions and interview process is bordering on trolling.

You had a bad interview experience. It's unfortunate, but it happens. It's fine to express your opinion, but you have like 1/2 a dozen posts on this. You can stop blowing the horn already, it's making you look bad.

UMiami is a decent school. It has its high points and low points depending what you want out of a school and your personality. The interview process is not perfect anywhere and maybe you're right, maybe Miami did a bad job this year. I have no clue. I know that I've interviewed places where things went seamlessly and amazing and a friend had a bad experience with that same person and vice versa. It might have been something legitimate or it could have been the difference in size between my two nostrils. Who knows? Adcoms are composed of people and not robots. If they were robots there would be no room for error, retribution and all that jazz.

I would love to tell you that life is fair but it isn't. So... Do yourself a favor and move on.
 
@DrZeke Any idea if UM is still reviewing applications for interview consideration ? I know next week is the last week of interviews, but ... :-//
 
RedPhys said:
@DrZeke Any idea if UM is still reviewing applications for interview consideration ? I know next week is the last week of interviews, but ... :-//
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If next week is the last week then they are probably done unless someone drops a spot. If you already have an acceptance somewhere, be happy. If you're going to reapply next year...Focus on strengthening your app and trying to decipher why you didn't get an interview. I've been there...
 
Haha zeke I only posted because someone tagged me 😛

Also: the bolded below was accurate for me as well.

womanofscience said:
I submitted an update letter and it took them two weeks to add it to my file. My SO sent an update letter and it took a little over a month...They are just a little slow it seems.

@MouseRat01

I left the interview day not knowing very much about the curriculum, grading system etc. since my tour guide was a MD/MPH and I am an MD-only applicant. The presentation itself did not cover much other than some interesting stats, programs offered, and the beauty of Miami weather.
Click to expand...
 
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DrZeke said:
I see. But my point is that the horse died a few weeks ago...
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Sure, but in my view if someone expects the possibility of a stress interview, then their day could go better than mine. If anything, my post should be a warning for others to be prepared for anything. At this point I've pretty much given up on the school, but if my advice saves someone then it was working beating the crap out of that dead horse for.
 
I know this is going to shock all if you, but I just received my rejection in the mail today.

Xoxo thread. Live long and prosper.
 
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ridethecliche said:
I know this is going to shock all if you, but I just received my rejection in the mail today.

It seems they take any criticism of their notable trustees very seriously.

Carry on then southern good old boys club. Thanks for reminding me why I only applied to a handful of schools in the south.

Middle finger to Miami and now done with this thread.

Xoxo thread. Live long and prosper.
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Sorry to hear, but I agree with Dr. Zeke. You had a bad experience, you can be upset about that, but to keep pushing that impression on past a mentioning or two is excessive. It's also really unfair to categorize the south so broadly I feel like, especially in a city like Miami, it's not exactly what you think of first with the southern territory.

I commiserate with you in that I also had an interview where I felt like I was not given a fair shot and that I was playing defense the whole time. I got rejected not surprisingly but I still respect the school, as it I can understand the process and its imperfections.

This is a tough game that we all have decided to play and it has brutal outcomes such as spending your money to fly somewhere and get grilled and then find out you were not accepted. It'd be naive to think you would get in everywhere you interviewed, the statistics just are too competitive. You know these things, which is why your somewhat immature reaction is perplexing. Be happy you have an acceptance, and think about how the sorting hat may be ever in your favor in the long run.
 
Did anyone NOT send a thank you note and got accepted? haha I totally forgot about it.
 
prdv said:
Did anyone NOT send a thank you note and got accepted? haha I totally forgot about it.
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I sent a hand written note, but my interviewer received it after the decision was made. So decision on a Monday, letter received Wednesday
 
ConsultantMD said:
Sorry to hear, but I agree with Dr. Zeke. You had a bad experience, you can be upset about that, but to keep pushing that impression on past a mentioning or two is excessive. It's also really unfair to categorize the south so broadly I feel like, especially in a city like Miami, it's not exactly what you think of first with the southern territory.

I commiserate with you in that I also had an interview where I felt like I was not given a fair shot and that I was playing defense the whole time. I got rejected not surprisingly but I still respect the school, as it I can understand the process and its imperfections.

This is a tough game that we all have decided to play and it has brutal outcomes such as spending your money to fly somewhere and get grilled and then find out you were not accepted. It'd be naive to think you would get in everywhere you interviewed, the statistics just are too competitive. You know these things, which is why your somewhat immature reaction is perplexing. Be happy you have an acceptance, and think about how the sorting hat may be ever in your favor in the long run.
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Weren't you accepted to Miami? Or you talking about another school where you had a bad interview you were rejected...
 
prdv said:
Did anyone NOT send a thank you note and got accepted? haha I totally forgot about it.
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thank you notes are over rated........ but I sent them to every interviewer cuz I'm paranoid like that :scared:🙂
 
womanofscience said:
I sent a hand written note, but my interviewer received it after the decision was made. So decision on a Monday, letter received Wednesday
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amad01 said:
thank you notes are over rated........ but I sent them to every interviewer cuz I'm paranoid like that :scared:🙂
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Geez now I'm paranoid. Should I just send in a handwritten note now? Haha it's been almost 3 weeks since my interview.
 
prdv said:
Geez now I'm paranoid. Should I just send in a handwritten note now? Haha it's been almost 3 weeks since my interview.
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I would just let it go I'm sure it's no big deal. And a month late note would probably look worse haha
 
Haha my entire last post was entirely tongue in cheek. Miami was a great city. I had a blast there outside of the interview day.
 
amad01 said:
Weren't you accepted to Miami? Or you talking about another school where you had a bad interview you were rejected...
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Yes it was another school. I was accepted early on.

Ridethecliche I guess we have different versions of tongue and cheek then... Haha
 
ConsultantMD said:
Sorry to hear, but I agree with Dr. Zeke. You had a bad experience, you can be upset about that, but to keep pushing that impression on past a mentioning or two is excessive. It's also really unfair to categorize the south so broadly I feel like, especially in a city like Miami, it's not exactly what you think of first with the southern territory.

I commiserate with you in that I also had an interview where I felt like I was not given a fair shot and that I was playing defense the whole time. I got rejected not surprisingly but I still respect the school, as it I can understand the process and its imperfections.

This is a tough game that we all have decided to play and it has brutal outcomes such as spending your money to fly somewhere and get grilled and then find out you were not accepted. It'd be naive to think you would get in everywhere you interviewed, the statistics just are too competitive. You know these things, which is why your somewhat immature reaction is perplexing. Be happy you have an acceptance, and think about how the sorting hat may be ever in your favor in the long run.
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This is very true. In addition, SDN is not as anonymous as we would all like to believe. If you make enough noise people notice... You would be surprised how many times someone bashes a program and all of a sudden an account in that programs/residents name is created and offers a rebuttal. It's important to maintain a certain degree of professionalism.
 
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Dude, we get it. You had a bad experience, and that's totally valid. However, you've now repeated yourself at least 5 times, and it's really making you look bad. It's just not professional at all to continue putting down a school (one that's ranked #46 btw) where 198 students are going to spend the next 4 years.
 
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LeftShifted said:
University of Miami is home to Bascom-Palmer Eye-Institute, the leading eye hospital in the U.S. 🙂
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I figured that's why there was a lot of interest in ophtho and successful matches. Doesn't UM also have a strong ortho dept?
 
LeftShifted said:
University of Miami is home to Bascom-Palmer Eye-Institute, the leading eye hospital in the U.S. 🙂
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Lol yes. Unfortunately this was a year where no UM students matched to BPEI....
 
Ace Khalifa said:
I figured that's why there was a lot of interest in ophtho and successful matches. Doesn't UM also have a strong ortho dept?
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Strong... But not the number 1 hospital in the country. In addition, the ophtho advisors are very hands on and take great interest in ensuring we match.
 
DrZeke said:
Lol yes. Unfortunately this was a year where no UM students matched to BPEI....
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That doesn't really matter. They have the reputation of UM in the field behind them. Not everyone at Cornell who wants to do Ortho will match to HSS (the leading Orthopedics program in the US, part of the NYP-Cornell Medical center. Likewise, everyone who does their IM residency at MassGen Doesn't get to stay at MassGen for fellowship. It's kind of the same thing for a competitive field like Optho.

All that matters is that they matched into the field of their choice, at a program they are happy with 🙂
 
You have valid points, but it is still quite surprising. In all my years watching the UM match, and having been through the ophtho match myself, I believe this year was one of the largest match years for ophtho if not ever at UM. Usually bpei takes a candidate from UM especially in these large years. When they matched 9-10 people one year and nobody from UM matched bpei I recall ppl being a little surprised then too...

19 ppl is kind of an insane number for an ophtho match from one school. And BPEI has the 2nd largest program in the country in terms of number of residents per year. I guess nobody was the type of candidate they typically take.
 
LeftShifted said:
All that matters is that they matched into the field of their choice, at a program they are happy with 🙂
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Also, while this is a nice sentiment, wait until you are a 4th year on your match day. I guarantee you that the majority of those 19 people ranked BPEI #1. Many people are extremely happy to match at all and many are also happy to match to their top 3, but a lot of people "say" they matched at their top program, because they feel bad when they did not get picked by #1. You are 100% correct that for the most part in the grand scheme of things it does not matter, but it still does not feel nice.
 
womanofscience said:
I believe @theredbird emailed the dean and he said that we shall know about scholarships (need and diversity?) and financial aid packages in April. I really hope it is early April 🙂
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Considering second look is April 10 it would seem they would try to get packages out beforehand perhaps? :shrug:
 
amad01 said:
Considering second look is April 10 it would seem they would try to get packages out beforehand perhaps? :shrug:
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I hope so! That information could potentially sway me to fork over the money for second look!

It is also somewhat crazy that the last scheduled day for acceptances is April 8... What if those accepted really want to attend second look?
 
^ agreed. especially because they told us they meet april 8 so we wouldnt know until earliest april 9
 
womanofscience said:
I hope so! That information could potentially sway me to fork over the money for second look!

It is also somewhat crazy that the last scheduled day for acceptances is April 8... What if those accepted really want to attend second look?
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No kidding! Scramble for a plane ticket immediately I guess
 
taina said:
^ agreed. especially because they told us they meet april 8 so we wouldnt know until earliest april 9
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I thought it was that acceptance calls are made on 4/8...Past acceptees could you chime in please?
 
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