2015-2016 University of Miami (Miller) Application Thread

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Hi all,
I have a question for any fellow MD/Ph.D. applicants. (Apologies in advance if this question was already asked - I skimmed the thread and didn't see mention of it)
For the MD/Ph.D. application there is a section to indicate up to 3 recommenders, 2 of which need to be from research mentors. My undergrad institution does a Committee Letter and attaches all of the original letters to it as a packet. On the UM website I saw that a "composite letter" does not meet the requirement for this. I am unsure if that also means the packet of letters in my case or not. I know that the University of Pittsburgh MD/Ph.D. requires 2 research mentors to upload their letters individually, but it's not to clear as me what the University of Miami wants. Any insight? Thanks!
 
would anyone like to comment on what "brief" means? the 500 word space seems to be contradictory.

I just took as much room as I needed to answer the question. I always got to the point in as few words as possible, but some essays were pretty lengthy. I'd say I averaged ~250 words
 
What do we put for the research field if we don't have any research experience?
 
What do we put for the research field if we don't have any research experience?
I discussed research projects/independent investigations that I did for class.
 
Does a clinical experience necessarily have to be something that you did? I had a clinical experience where I was the patient and that pretty heavily influenced my decision to be in medicine
 
So does receiving Miami's secondary mean that they screened your primary and liked what they saw? I've heard that isn't the case, but the email that says "congratulations" you get to complete our secondary makes it seem like theirs is screened. Any insight? Thanks.
 
So does receiving Miami's secondary mean that they screened your primary and liked what they saw? I've heard that isn't the case, but the email that says "congratulations" you get to complete our secondary makes it seem like theirs is screened. Any insight? Thanks.

According to MSAR they give the secondary to all US citizens
 
Others waiting for photo confirmation:

Submitted Aug. 3, confirmed this morning (Aug. 6).
 
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II!!! Regular MD. So happy this is one of my top choices! Will schedule when I get home because I'm still at the clinic volunteering... And secretly checking my email
congrats! when did you submit?
 
@musicalfeet do you know what your status was before your II? was it review complete or still under review?
 
@musicalfeet do you know what your status was before your II? was it review complete or still under review?
Mine had been "review complete" for a long time already and said that they hand out interviews starting August. I have to admit I panicked a little when I saw they started handing them out late July.
 
Mine had been "review complete" for a long time already and said that they hand out interviews starting August. I have to admit I panicked a little when I saw they started handing them out late July.
I am grateful to see your posts and this info today ... Miami is one of my dream schools for personal reasons; I have also been review complete for a long time and heard nothing and had been starting to think it was a silent rejection.
 
Ugh. My status has been "currently being reviewed" since 7/9...

I really really really want an II from this school in particular, but I dunno why it's taking so long for my application to get reviewed.
 
I am grateful to see your posts and this info today ... Miami is one of my dream schools for personal reasons; I have also been review complete for a long time and heard nothing and had been starting to think it was a silent rejection.

Same for me! Just curious, how long have you been at "review complete" stage? I've been there since last Tuesday, so 7/28.
 
Same for me! Just curious, how long have you been at "review complete" stage? I've been there since last Tuesday, so 7/28.
I try not to check all the time so it could have been there for a while beforehand, but I first noticed it on 8/2. Now that I type that out I realize it's not that long but I suspect it had been there for a couple of days before I checked status and saw it.
 
I normally just lurk but I just got my FIRST II OF THE SEASON FROM MIAMI!!
I've been dragging my feet on this secondary, and was just complete 8/4 (LizzyM 77).
They have a bunch of dates every month from september to march, all mondays and fridays, fyi.
 
So does receiving Miami's secondary mean that they screened your primary and liked what they saw? I've heard that isn't the case, but the email that says "congratulations" you get to complete our secondary makes it seem like theirs is screened. Any insight? Thanks.

According to MSAR they give the secondary to all US citizens

Their website specifically states: The Miller School of Medicine has a new policy of sending secondary applications to most US citizens and permanent residents who submit an AMCAS application.

There's no information on who they screen out though.
 
Yeah!!! I got the message saying that the committee was reviewing my file, and then I got an email for the II!
 
First major gaffe of this cycle :/. I had just clicked submit, and then I realized that I hadn't followed directions and included the description of the activities in the chronological list. I take full responsibility and sent an email to that effect, but hopefully they take pity on me. :bang:
 
Where did it say include a description? The question just says make a chronological list
 
If anything you won't get rejected for something small like that, I'd imagine.
 
It was in the supplemental instructions. The first email they sent us, #7.

Oh no 🙁 I just submitted the massive md/mph and felt so accomplished

Oh well, I'm sure a lot of people just did a list. I read the prompt like 4 times to make sure I didn't need to include a description
 
For the question about community service, does volunteer work within your university count? For example, I volunteered as an orientation leader and to serve on the Honor Council. Are these "volunteer" positions?
 
For the question about community service, does volunteer work within your university count? For example, I volunteered as an orientation leader and to serve on the Honor Council. Are these "volunteer" positions?
I think it would be okay to categorize those as volunteer positions! I was a campus/dorm tour guide and blogged for the university and I considered those to be volunteer positions since I wasn't paid but took time from my schedule to do such things.
 
First major gaffe of this cycle :/. I had just clicked submit, and then I realized that I hadn't followed directions and included the description of the activities in the chronological list. I take full responsibility and sent an email to that effect, but hopefully they take pity on me. :bang:

If it makes you feel any better, I received an II today and I forgot to include a short description in the secondary.....?
 
Does anyone know if Miller does silent rejections/holds? My app has been 'under review' since 7/7, and while I don't mind waiting at all, it'd be nice to know if the 'under review' means that I still have a chance for an interview rather than a long-standing silent rejection...
 
I thought everyone had to be complete and had points assigned to their files before interviews roll out?
 
I thought everyone had to be complete and had points assigned to their files before interviews roll out?
if they waited for everyone to be complete they wouldn't send out II until christmas...
 
Does anyone know if Miller does silent rejections/holds? My app has been 'under review' since 7/7, and while I don't mind waiting at all, it'd be nice to know if the 'under review' means that I still have a chance for an interview rather than a long-standing silent rejection...
it's only august... still plenty of time for interviews
 
Does anyone know if Miller does silent rejections/holds? My app has been 'under review' since 7/7, and while I don't mind waiting at all, it'd be nice to know if the 'under review' means that I still have a chance for an interview rather than a long-standing silent rejection...
Be prepared to wait. I didn't get an II until December, didn't interview til January, and didn't get accepted til May. Now I'm going thru orientation here lol. Your time will come, just be patient.
 
This guy still posts in lowly threads of pre-allo? Annnd ignore. Ahhhh, much better.
Okay, Mr. "I think I'm so important that I have to announce I'm ignoring a medical student who definitely knows more about this process and actual medical school than I do." I'm just trying to help those who are applying to my school, but please go ahead and be dismissive for no reason. That'll serve you really well.
 
Anybody who's status is "your application has been reviewed" still not hear anything? Do they have pre-interview holds?
 
Anybody who's status is "your application has been reviewed" still not hear anything? Do they have pre-interview holds?

Yep, have had that status for at least 10 days now. Hoping I hear some good news soon.
 
Your application is reviewed by 3 faculty members. Once you are reviewed you are assigned some kind of score, either a total or average (I'm not sure). Interviews are extended to a certain number of people at the top of the list at certain times. Hence you may have a very high score and receive an II immediately or may be slightly lower on the list and may take longer to receive an II. But don't be discouraged, people from all categories have received acceptance shortly after their interview date. Just stay positive and keep up hope!
 
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How long would you say it takes to be reviewed? I've been "under review" for nearly a month @BioEngMD
 
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