Florida Schools Application Thread (2008) part 2

[medguy83]

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Concerning studying at USF med:

I would think the majority of the study time would be spent at home. Granted, it's still essential to have small group study, but like undergrad I don't think you necessarily have to study right there on the college campus. Also, Since the courses at USF are video-streamed I believe around 1/3 of the student body attend lectures while the remaining 2/3 opt out.

This is a great tool. I can remember fall of 2004 when FL was hit with 3 hurricanes. It was almost impossible to get to my early undergrad classes with downed powerlines, and other difficult conditions. Lectures posted online would have saved me a lot of trouble.

However, one gripe I do have about this is the fact that there will be empty seats during many of the lectures at USF COM. Since there are hundreds of worthy applicants and only a limited number of seats, it would stink to get rejected and find out later that there were numerous spots available. If that were the case I'd show up every day! In fact, I remember reading somewhere online that due to FSU opening with UCF and FIU soon following, the amount of public funds available to the FL med schools like USF will shrink. To help amend this I believe USF has contemplated increasing the enrollment to somewhere near 200. They haven't made any decisions, but one can only hope👍

 

[LifetimeDoc]

Concerning studying at USF med:

I would think the majority of the study time would be spent at home. Granted, it's still essential to have small group study, but like undergrad I don't think you necessarily have to study right there on the college campus. Also, Since the courses at USF are video-streamed I believe around 1/3 of the student body attend lectures while the remaining 2/3 opt out.

This is a great tool. I can remember fall of 2004 when FL was hit with 3 hurricanes. It was almost impossible to get to my early undergrad classes with downed powerlines, and other difficult conditions. Lectures posted online would have saved me a lot of trouble.

However, one gripe I do have about this is the fact that there will be empty seats during many of the lectures at USF COM. Since there are hundreds of worthy applicants and only a limited number of seats, it would stink to get rejected and find out later that there were numerous spots available. If that were the case I'd show up every day! In fact, I remember reading somewhere online that due to FSU opening with UCF and FIU soon following, the amount of public funds available to the FL med schools like USF will shrink. To help amend this I believe USF has contemplated increasing the enrollment to somewhere near 200. They haven't made any decisions, but one can only hope👍

Well, even though there are some empty seats during non-required lectures, the classroom is full when we have required lectures that involve patients or outside lecturers. Also the limit on the number of students is also related to the number of personal desk areas, number of students per cadaver, student-per-instructor ratio, and other areas that are impacted by additional students such as rotations in the 3rd and 4th year.

In actuality, our first year class size is 165 students (the incoming med school class size is 120 students) because about 35 students are 1st year Doctor of Physical Therapy students and another 10 are masters students. We have to split the lectures across two rooms with half the class in the live lecture hall and the other half watching via video link across the other side of the COM campus. I don't relish the idea of additional students and having to cram in even more people or be required to watch a live video feed and fight to be the lucky ones that get to watch the professor live. We already have to do that at the beginning of the block before people get into their routines and quit going to class. It's very annoying to have to speak into microphones or continually have the professor repeat questions that are asked; it just slows everything down. We've only had the video feeds for a short while, and the professors are already grumbling that the majority of the class doesn't always show up. I could see them doing what UF does, and require that we come to all lectures. Then it'd be a free-for-all fight to get a seat in an already overcrowded classroom (if everyone shows up). 👎

In talking to some of my pharmacy student friends that attend the distance-learning UF College of Pharmacy places, they hate it and would rather be back in a live format. I didn't work hard and pay $20,000+ per year to watch everything on video. I want it live. The video is just for quick reviewing (I love media player double and triple-speed playback).

The facilities at USF COM are just not designed for more than 120 med students unless physical infrastructure changes are made.

 

[gujuDoc]

Well, even though there are some empty seats during non-required lectures, the classroom is full when we have required lectures that involve patients or outside lecturers. Also the limit on the number of students is also related to the number of personal desk areas, number of students per cadaver, student-per-instructor ratio, and other areas that are impacted by additional students such as rotations in the 3rd and 4th year.

In actuality, our first year class size is 165 students (the incoming med school class size is 120 students) because about 35 students are 1st year Doctor of Physical Therapy students and another 10 are masters students. We have to split the lectures across two rooms with half the class in the live lecture hall and the other half watching via video link across the other side of the COM campus. I don't relish the idea of additional students and having to cram in even more people or be required to watch a live video feed and fight to be the lucky ones that get to watch the professor live. We already have to do that at the beginning of the block before people get into their routines and quit going to class. It's very annoying to have to speak into microphones or continually have the professor repeat questions that are asked; it just slows everything down. We've only had the video feeds for a short while, and the professors are already grumbling that the majority of the class doesn't always show up. I could see them doing what UF does, and require that we come to all lectures. Then it'd be a free-for-all fight to get a seat in an already overcrowded classroom (if everyone shows up). 👎

In talking to some of my pharmacy student friends that attend the distance-learning UF College of Pharmacy places, they hate it and would rather be back in a live format. I didn't work hard and pay $20,000+ per year to watch everything on video. I want it live. The video is just for quick reviewing (I love media player double and triple-speed playback).

The facilities at USF COM are just not designed for more than 120 med students unless physical infrastructure changes are made.

Yeah I agree with you. There is just not enough space to have as many med students as they have at places like Miami or Ohio State.

At some point they were talking about increasing the number of students at USF but with the new UCF med school and new FIU med school opening up, money will probably distributed to those new schools which is better then increasing seats where there are already established med schools because it makes the older schools more crowded whereas having a new school increases number of med school seats without overcrowding individual schools.

 

[gujuDoc]

Concerning studying at USF med:

I would think the majority of the study time would be spent at home. Granted, it's still essential to have small group study, but like undergrad I don't think you necessarily have to study right there on the college campus. Also, Since the courses at USF are video-streamed I believe around 1/3 of the student body attend lectures while the remaining 2/3 opt out.

This is a great tool. I can remember fall of 2004 when FL was hit with 3 hurricanes. It was almost impossible to get to my early undergrad classes with downed powerlines, and other difficult conditions. Lectures posted online would have saved me a lot of trouble.

However, one gripe I do have about this is the fact that there will be empty seats during many of the lectures at USF COM. Since there are hundreds of worthy applicants and only a limited number of seats, it would stink to get rejected and find out later that there were numerous spots available. If that were the case I'd show up every day! In fact, I remember reading somewhere online that due to FSU opening with UCF and FIU soon following, the amount of public funds available to the FL med schools like USF will shrink. To help amend this I believe USF has contemplated increasing the enrollment to somewhere near 200. They haven't made any decisions, but one can only hope👍

Not everyone likes to study at home. Home can often be distracting and especially if you want to meet with classmates, school is a better venue. A lot of people can't focus at home because they want to go and do other things or its late at night and their bed starts looking attractive or they don't want to disturb their roommates. At this point, these other places become better idea for places to study.

 

[gujuDoc]

Concerning studying at USF med:

I would think the majority of the study time would be spent at home. Granted, it's still essential to have small group study, but like undergrad I don't think you necessarily have to study right there on the college campus. Also, Since the courses at USF are video-streamed I believe around 1/3 of the student body attend lectures while the remaining 2/3 opt out.

This is a great tool. I can remember fall of 2004 when FL was hit with 3 hurricanes. It was almost impossible to get to my early undergrad classes with downed powerlines, and other difficult conditions. Lectures posted online would have saved me a lot of trouble.

However, one gripe I do have about this is the fact that there will be empty seats during many of the lectures at USF COM. Since there are hundreds of worthy applicants and only a limited number of seats, it would stink to get rejected and find out later that there were numerous spots available. If that were the case I'd show up every day! In fact, I remember reading somewhere online that due to FSU opening with UCF and FIU soon following, the amount of public funds available to the FL med schools like USF will shrink. To help amend this I believe USF has contemplated increasing the enrollment to somewhere near 200. They haven't made any decisions, but one can only hope👍

If the powerlines are out, that most likely means the internet is out.

You can't necessarily save the video lectures onto your hard drive because that's against their rules.

 

[DwyaneWade]

2 other things that may be of interest:

1) As far as UM traditionally having lower board scores than UF and Boca I would take that with a grain of salt. Last year's class had the highest average in years (since the days of the defunct program in which Phds could receive an MD in 2 years). I won't mention specifics but PM them if you would like them. I would bet that our class average will probably be higher and similarly the MS1s look sharp. The averages are going to be climbing, fast.

2) You can now download whole lectures to your computer via Quicktime although most prefer to stream since the files are huge.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

If the powerlines are out, that most likely means the internet is out.

You can't necessarily save the video lectures onto your hard drive because that's against their rules.

You know, I've never seen it actually written that you can't download the videos for your own personal use. Our agreement just says that you won't share them with others, sell, or keep them past the time-frame of the course they pertain to. Not that I would actually do such an evil thing 😀 ; though hypothetically if I did it would only be because I wanted to be able to view the video without being connected to the internet and not for any nefarious reasons.

Usage Agreement

Please read this agreement carefully before downloading the archived files.

By viewing the audio or video streams made available by the USF College of Medicine, I agree to use the content for non commercial personal academic study and review purposes only. I understand that I am bound by USF’s copyright policies. I will under no circumstances distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, report, or sell the contents of the material.

 

[medguy83]

I have to agree that I do prefer live lectures myself. I can remember several undergrad courses where many didn't show up after the first week; only attending scheduled labs and exams. Something about having the instructor right there with pad and pen in hand that helps solidify everything.
Also, I think the whole clinical education thing might put a wrench in the logistics of scheduling 200+ students. I do know that both FSU and UF have mandatory attendance policies.

 

[gujuDoc]

You know, I've never seen it actually written that you can't download the videos for your own personal use. Our agreement just says that you won't share them with others, sell, or keep them past the time-frame of the course they pertain to. Not that I would actually do such an evil thing 😀 ; though hypothetically if I did it would only be because I wanted to be able to view the video without being connected to the internet and not for any nefarious reasons.

Not necessarily written, but in order to maintain the rest of those rules, they've made it such that when I or others have tried saving it onto the hard drive, it has been impossible to do so and gives an error when you want to view it without internet.

It says aove that you can only use them in the time frame of the course, which is probably why they made it such that you can't save it for use beyond when the class is over.

I've tried hundreds of times to figure it out and try to save it directly as have others in my class and neither of us could do it. Based on the above quoted by you, I'd assume it would be for the reasons I stated above that have made such impossible.

 

[gujuDoc]

I have to agree that I do prefer live lectures myself. I can remember several undergrad courses where many didn't show up after the first week; only attending scheduled labs and exams. Something about having the instructor right there with pad and pen in hand that helps solidify everything.
Also, I think the whole clinical education thing might put a wrench in the logistics of scheduling 200+ students. I do know that both FSU and UF have mandatory attendance policies.

UF isn't necessary mandatory attendance, but they make it impossible to not come because they don't do video feed. FSU is a true mandatory attendance because they do take attendance to see who has been coming to class.

I don't think its necessary to increase the number of seats at USF anymore, now that they are building two new schools which will eventually mean 240-250 more med school seats in Florida. If FAU Boca increases its number of seats with time that will also mean more med school seats. God knows, down the road they may break off from Umiami altogether. So let's see what happens.

For now just pray for the best and do your best to improve your app and updte schools and let them know your interest.

 

[gujuDoc]

2 other things that may be of interest:

1) As far as UM traditionally having lower board scores than UF and Boca I would take that with a grain of salt. Last year's class had the highest average in years (since the days of the defunct program in which Phds could receive an MD in 2 years). I won't mention specifics but PM them if you would like them. I would bet that our class average will probably be higher and similarly the MS1s look sharp. The averages are going to be climbing, fast.

2) You can now download whole lectures to your computer via Quicktime although most prefer to stream since the files are huge.

Yeah I don't really think that board scores are dependent on the school so much as your individual ability to dowell on standardized tests and ability to learn the style of USMLE and do well on it by studying as best as you can.

regardless of averages, Miami's main campus has sent people to some pretty damn good residency programs and competitie fields coming out of there so I wouldn't think anything of it.

 

[DwyaneWade]

Yeah I don't really think that board scores are dependent on the school so much as your individual ability to dowell on standardized tests and ability to learn the style of USMLE and do well on it by studying as best as you can.

regardless of averages, Miami's main campus has sent people to some pretty damn good residency programs and competitie fields coming out of there so I wouldn't think anything of it.

It is true and it always bewilders me when people take into consideration board scores when comparing schools.

In terms of competitiveness Miami is just getting better, for example, we have a fourth-year student who is going to match in integrated plastics (first we have had in years).

 

[MyInitialsAreJC]

In the words of the late great Colonel Sanders, "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken."

Bump 😀

 

[Dendrite]

I had a quick question. Does anyone know if the FL med schools are receptive to learning of updates for applicants? I just got my Fall grades back, and thought it would help if I sent it to update my file. What would be the best way to do so?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SoFlaKnight]

I had a quick question. Does anyone know if the FL med schools are receptive to learning of updates for applicants? I just got my Fall grades back, and thought it would help if I sent it to update my file. What would be the best way to do so?

Thanks in advance!

Pretty sure Miami and USF don't really want them...I've heard FSU is most receptive to them, and UF doesn't really care

 

[MyInitialsAreJC]

I had a quick question. Does anyone know if the FL med schools are receptive to learning of updates for applicants? I just got my Fall grades back, and thought it would help if I sent it to update my file. What would be the best way to do so?

Thanks in advance!

Pre or post-interview? Pre-interview i think that anything would be game - i don't remember any of the Fl schools saying "Dont send us anything else!" like GWU does.

Post interview, USF doesn't want *anything*, UF wants *everything*, don't remember about Miami, don't know for FSU.

 

[Dendrite]

Pre or post-interview? Pre-interview i think that anything would be game - i don't remember any of the Fl schools saying "Dont send us anything else!" like GWU does.

Post interview, USF doesn't want *anything*, UF wants *everything*, don't remember about Miami, don't know for FSU.

Sorry, I forgot to mention... this is pre-interview, post-secondary. Haven't heard much, so hoping it could help.

 

[thegold91]

Sorry, I forgot to mention... this is pre-interview, post-secondary. Haven't heard much, so hoping it could help.

I have called UF on several occasions concerning this matter and every time they tell me to send them updates<pre-interview>. Miami told me that post-interview they dont really care, but they did tell me that whatever extra you send them they will include in your file.

 

[gujuDoc]

Pre or post-interview? Pre-interview i think that anything would be game - i don't remember any of the Fl schools saying "Dont send us anything else!" like GWU does.

Post interview, USF doesn't want *anything*, UF wants *everything*, don't remember about Miami, don't know for FSU.

Good summary.

To the person that says UF doesn't care, last year a current FSU med student said that they told her to send updates at her interview.

 

[medguy83]

From what I've read about the USF process, anything post-interview is pretty much futile. But before interviewing what have you got to lose? I'm actually curious about FSU. If they're receptive to LOIs post-interview maybe I could boost my chances a bit. I'm still on their darned hold list. It's actually starting to tick me off. I email them or call every month or so and get the same message that "It's still too early in the season" and "You may not hear back from us until June"

June? Isn't that when they start? I don't understand what went wrong. My stats are good, great EC's, LORs, interviews, etc. Who knows? All I can say is that I hope USF calls soon for an invite.

Foreboding thought: This same process will repeat itself ~4 years from now when applying for residency: applications, LORs, interviews, travel, waiting...and more horrible waiting. All apart of the trade I guess.

 

[Jennifer5109]

From what I've read about the USF process, anything post-interview is pretty much futile. But before interviewing what have you got to lose? I'm actually curious about FSU. If they're receptive to LOIs post-interview maybe I could boost my chances a bit. I'm still on their darned hold list. It's actually starting to tick me off. I email them or call every month or so and get the same message that "It's still too early in the season" and "You may not hear back from us until June"

June? Isn't that when they start? I don't understand what went wrong. My stats are good, great EC's, LORs, interviews, etc. Who knows? All I can say is that I hope USF calls soon for an invite.

Foreboding thought: This same process will repeat itself ~4 years from now when applying for residency: applications, LORs, interviews, travel, waiting...and more horrible waiting. All apart of the trade I guess.

I just interviewed at FSU today. One of my interviewers told me that they put quite a few students on hold. He said that unlike other schools they don't send out more invites than there are seats. So at any given time 120 invites are out there and that is it. Once they start hearing back from students that are not coming to FSU they invite more students. So it is true that it is a bit early to start worrying. Did they tell you where you are on the hold list? I heard the people towards the top are pretty much guaranteed to get in. Oh, and the admissions representative said that 90% of those that interview get in.

 

[MyInitialsAreJC]

I just interviewed at FSU today. One of my interviewers told me that they put quite a few students on hold. He said that unlike other schools they don't send out more invites than there are seats. So at any given time 120 invites are out there and that is it. Once they start hearing back from students that are not coming to FSU they invite more students. So it is true that it is a bit early to start worrying. Did they tell you where you are on the hold list? I heard the people towards the top are pretty much guaranteed to get in. Oh, and the admissions representative said that 90% of those that interview get in.

That seems like a lame way to do things - considering how many people will sit on a few acceptances until they get their Financial Aid packets in ~March.

So it's safe to assume that that 80% includes those that come off the wait list?

How was your experience at FSU? i'm goin up there Wednesday!

 

[SoFlaKnight]

That seems like a lame way to do things - considering how many people will sit on a few acceptances until they get their Financial Aid packets in ~March.

So it's safe to assume that that 80% includes those that come off the wait list?

How was your experience at FSU? i'm goin up there Wednesday!

That does sound pretty wild. Hopefully I didn't overlook that on the website, but I'm pretty sure they make no mention of sending out a single interview per space available...No wonder so many of us are waiting to hear from them🙁

 

[Jennifer5109]

That seems like a lame way to do things - considering how many people will sit on a few acceptances until they get their Financial Aid packets in ~March.

So it's safe to assume that that 80% includes those that come off the wait list?

How was your experience at FSU? i'm goin up there Wednesday!

I really enjoyed my FSU interview. I feel that most of my interview questions were based on my AMCAS/Secondary application and the atmosphere was fairly relaxed. The only down side to interviewing at this time of the year is that there are basically no students on campus so it is hard to get an idea of how things usually are.

And as far as the 90% acceptance rate I am pretty sure that means those that are accepted off of the hold list as well. You can ask the admissions representative when you are there though. They were happy to answer all of our questions.

 

[mikedc813]

From what I've read about the USF process, anything post-interview is pretty much futile.

We vote on candidates 1 week after the interview, so anything you submit after that point is not helpful.

 

[mikedc813]

Yeah I don't really think that board scores are dependent on the school so much as your individual ability to do well on standardized tests and ability to learn the style of USMLE and do well on it by studying as best as you can.

I have said this over and over. They don't mean anything and can vary significantly at each school year to year.

 

[medguy83]

I just interviewed at FSU today. One of my interviewers told me that they put quite a few students on hold. He said that unlike other schools they don't send out more invites than there are seats. So at any given time 120 invites are out there and that is it. Once they start hearing back from students that are not coming to FSU they invite more students. So it is true that it is a bit early to start worrying. Did they tell you where you are on the hold list? I heard the people towards the top are pretty much guaranteed to get in. Oh, and the admissions representative said that 90% of those that interview get in.

I'm glad you had a nice experience, and thanks for the boost in morale. I have heard in years past that FSU does tend to waitlist a lot of people. I got an email from them back in late october with an attached word document telling me I was placed on a "hold" status. I emailed them a day or two after that to find out where I stood on their list and they let me know the list wasn't ranked. I'm wondering how in the heck they plan on letting people in off the list if it isn't ranked. So maybe you're right in regards to the ratio of interviews/inevitable acceptances being about 1 (hopefully👍)

When are they going to let you know the results?

 

[Jennifer5109]

The committee is meeting on January 8 so I am guessing they are going to let me know around then. Usually they let you know within a week or so, but because it is the holiday there is a delay.

 

[gujuDoc]

I'm glad you had a nice experience, and thanks for the boost in morale. I have heard in years past that FSU does tend to waitlist a lot of people. I got an email from them back in late october with an attached word document telling me I was placed on a "hold" status. I emailed them a day or two after that to find out where I stood on their list and they let me know the list wasn't ranked. I'm wondering how in the heck they plan on letting people in off the list if it isn't ranked. So maybe you're right in regards to the ratio of interviews/inevitable acceptances being about 1 (hopefully👍)

When are they going to let you know the results?

Hey I found out more official news about that FSU stuff I was messaging you about earlier.

So I don't know what the status is on the replacement of Jamie Callaway, but they are getting a new Dean of Student Affairs by February and Dr. Christensen was just an interim Dean. The old dean left in the beginning of fall.

That's what my M1 friend out there told me when I asked her over facebook.

So looks like Feb will be a busy month. 2 new Med schools getting partial accreditation, and 1 other slightly newer Fl. school getting a new dean of student affairs. LOL

 

[jennifermed]

I have been told by the admissions office that the UF committee re-reviews applications in December and sends out additional acceptances in December and February. Has this happened for anyone or does anyone know if they are actually known to do this?

Thanks!

 

[gujuDoc]

I have been told by the admissions office that the UF committee re-reviews applications in December and sends out additional acceptances in December and February. Has this happened for anyone or does anyone know if they are actually known to do this?

Thanks!

This happened to someone I knew few years back. They were put on hold after their early fall interview and then accepted in December

 

[DwyaneWade]

More scattered Miami tidbits as I prepare for our final exam....:

-Where do students live? is a question that comes up often during interviews. The answer is all over, although there are specific areas which are student-dense. There is no official student housing although there are two apartment complexes on the campus right by the hospital (walking distance) and nice residential area where a lot of students share houses (walking). I can answer specific questions if anyone has any.

-In addition to all our lectures being recorded as a student next year you will have access to all the taped lectures from the two PRIOR years and all the lectures from FAU when the two campuses were together (the last year being 06-07). So you have the option of watching ahead if you would like.

-What do you guys do for fun? also comes up a lot and the answer should be clear 😀

 

[ankit999]

how do i not have an interview at fsu by now!! i've already interviewed at usf and uf.. but fsu hasnt given me anything!! this sucks... 👎mad:🙁😕

 

[medguy83]

how do i not have an interview at fsu by now!! i've already interviewed at usf and uf.. but fsu hasnt given me anything!! this sucks... 👎mad:🙁😕

From what I've heard from guju and some other sources the admissions dept. at fsu is kind of on the fritz right now. Granted, I doubt it has much to do with invites being tossed out there, but I wouldn't feel too bad about it right now. I had my interview at fsu back in sept. and have been on their waiting list ever since. While I'm hopeful for an eventual acceptance, like many on here I have yet to hear anything from the other FL schools, so you're still in a very advantageous position. I have also heard of many people being accepted at uf, usf, miami, etc. and hearing realitive silence from fsu, so who knows?
Also, there are still at least 2 1/2 to 3 months of interview space left, so there is more than enough time in which to interview and hear some concrete results.

 

[ufgrad00]

how do i not have an interview at fsu by now!! i've already interviewed at usf and uf.. but fsu hasnt given me anything!! this sucks... 👎mad:🙁😕

I just got back from an FSU interview, and from my impression I think they critically look at candidates and interview those that will potentially attend their university. I am assuming you have very competitive mcat and a high GPA since you got an interview at UF. But I think, just because someone has very competitive stats, FSU may not invite them and instead is looking applications that are similar to the unique mission of FSU.

 

[ChePibe]

How long after being complete did you guys receive any feedback (interview, rejection, etc) from the florida schools (be specific as to which schools please)?
Thanks in advance.

 

[SoFlaKnight]

how do i not have an interview at fsu by now!! i've already interviewed at usf and uf.. but fsu hasnt given me anything!! this sucks... 👎mad:🙁😕

+1...Join the club, but I'm sure there will be a huge surge of FSU invites coming after the New Year

 

[SoFlaKnight]

How long after being complete did you guys receive any feedback (interview, rejection, etc) from the florida schools (be specific as to which schools please)?
Thanks in advance.

About a month and half to get an interview from UF

 

[Jennifer5109]

I just got back from an FSU interview, and from my impression I think they critically look at candidates and interview those that will potentially attend their university. I am assuming you have very competitive mcat and a high GPA since you got an interview at UF. But I think, just because someone has very competitive stats, FSU may not invite them and instead is looking applications that are similar to the unique mission of FSU.

Did you interview on Monday? I interviewed at FSU on Monday in the afternoon group. I think you are right on about FSU looking for applicants that have similar goals to their mission statement. I got the feeling that they look at more than just your stats.

 

[gujuDoc]

how do i not have an interview at fsu by now!! i've already interviewed at usf and uf.. but fsu hasnt given me anything!! this sucks... 👎mad:🙁😕

be greatful for the interviews you have and don't start panicking unless both reject you.

Most people would give anything even for a single interview much less multiple interviews.

You have interviews at 2 of the stronger programs in Fl. so why are you complaining exactly??

 

[gujuDoc]

I just got back from an FSU interview, and from my impression I think they critically look at candidates and interview those that will potentially attend their university. I am assuming you have very competitive mcat and a high GPA since you got an interview at UF. But I think, just because someone has very competitive stats, FSU may not invite them and instead is looking applications that are similar to the unique mission of FSU.

CORRECTO!!!!!!

This is precisely why people don't always get in lower tier schools but may get in higher ranked schools.

Not all schools are bent on having 4.0 40+ MCAT people with cookie cutter stuff.

The process is very subjective. I have a friend at FSU COM right now and she was telling me one of the people accepted last year with her was a woman with a 3.4 GPA and 22 MCAT while there were people with postbac GPAs of close to 4.0 if not 4.0 and 33 MCAT scores who were getting waitlisted. The former had an RN and was working in a hospital several years while the latter had the standard shadowing and volunteering and other stuff albeit a lot of it.

There were also people who never heard back from them last year with a 3.8 and 28 while this woman with a 3.4 and 22 got in. High stats only take you so far, but if a school feels you don't fit with their mission they won't look any further.

 

[timurx]

I have been told by the admissions office that the UF committee re-reviews applications in December and sends out additional acceptances in December and February. Has this happened for anyone or does anyone know if they are actually known to do this?

Thanks!

i was curious about this as well and so i contacted the admissions office just today...Robin told me thats is very unlikely that I (or anyone else on hold) will hear anything until interview season is done...basically April...until then just sit tight!

 

[DwyaneWade]

be greatful for the interviews you have and don't start panicking unless both reject you.

Most people would give anything even for a single interview much less multiple interviews.

You have interviews at 2 of the stronger programs in Fl. so why are you complaining exactly??

Gujudoc, do you have a preference right now where you want to go?

 

[ankit999]

my stats are not that great.. pretty average.. i got a 31N and have a 3.65 bcpm, 3.72 overall...

i got waitlisted at usf, and put on hold at uf..

i actually got an interview call about 3 days after i was complete at uf, and about 2 weeks after i was complete at usf.

thank you guys for replying.. i appreciate the advice.

 

[MyInitialsAreJC]

be greatful for the interviews you have and don't start panicking unless both reject you.

Most people would give anything even for a single interview much less multiple interviews.

You have interviews at 2 of the stronger programs in Fl. so why are you complaining exactly??

This is good advice. FSU was the last school to send me an invite even though it was one of the first schools i was complete at. Without being critical, through the day you could tell the admissions folks were trying to iron out a lot of creases in their admissions process.

And since i've got pretty much no anonymity on this forum:

i thought they were all very nice and their school made a positive impression on me
(really they did 🙂)

 

[gujuDoc]

my stats are not that great.. pretty average.. i got a 31N and have a 3.65 bcpm, 3.72 overall...

i got waitlisted at usf, and put on hold at uf..

i actually got an interview call about 3 days after i was complete at uf, and about 2 weeks after i was complete at usf.

thank you guys for replying.. i appreciate the advice.

If you got waitlisted at USF, I'd talk with Gretchen or one of the other adcom members like Dr. Williams or Dr. Specter, but something tells me that it wasn't your stats seeing as they are close to the minimum EDP requirements.

What are your ECs like? Were your letters strong? were your essays written well or written sloppy? I know someone with high stats that got into FSU this year. Well MCAT was ok but GPA was really high. He however was waitlisted last year due to lack of good essays which were very sloppy and not even revised once. Waitlisted at another school, not FSU but point was it wasn't his stats.

So tryto find out what was weak.

UF encourages you to keep udating them post hold with new volunteer or research activities because those things go into their spring decisions whether to out right accept, put you on alternate list, or reject you. I had a friend who did this and now she's going there. She had a stronger profile then you numerically and a very strong EC profile at the time of her being put on hold and alternate list. It could also be your interview for all you know. If that's the case i'd recommend a mock interview before your next interview if you get invited elsewhere.

However your stats are not your issue and not average at all.

 

[gujuDoc]

Gujudoc, do you have a preference right now where you want to go?

UCF or USF when I apply in the following summer. Although Miami looks good, its just for personal reasons I don't want to go too far from Tampa. If those reasons didn't exist Miami would be looking very attractive as I've always had a deep respect for their program esp. main campus and do have a brother who is moving back there in march after his bday and a best friend an hour north in Coral springs.

I can't speak for how UCF's new curricula is going to be designed or FIU for that matter, but UMiami main campus and USF are my two favorite because they seem to allow you to decide whether you want to go to class or watch lectures on video, and what is more efficient for you. They also don't throw you into the deep end from day one and slowly ease you into the program which I like. Plus their clinicals are amazing due to the varied cases. not to say you can't get these things at other schools, but I just like the set up of things and how they do things at these two schools.

That and I've met your Dr. Hinkley a few times and he seems like a really chill and nice person from what I've seen which is much the same at USF. I'm glad my friend chose UF because for her it was a right fit for her but for me I know it would be completely wrong fit and I'm not really applying there. I'm going to apply everywhere else in Fl. though and will also apply out of state.

So summary: i love UMiami and USF but if I could stay in central fl. at UCF or USF I'd go to one of those just for other non school related reasons.

 

[mikedc813]

my stats are not that great.. pretty average.. i got a 31N and have a 3.65 bcpm, 3.72 overall...

i got waitlisted at usf, and put on hold at uf..

i actually got an interview call about 3 days after i was complete at uf, and about 2 weeks after i was complete at usf.

thank you guys for replying.. i appreciate the advice.

You have solid numbers and we commonly admit people with your academic record. However, there are MANY other things taken into consideration. For example, the interview kills many extraordinary applicants. For others it's a lack of any indication why they want to go into medicine as opposed to another field where they can "help others". For those of you who were not offered immediate acceptance to USF, you have the option of finding out where the Committee thought you are weak by contacting the admissions office.

 

[DwyaneWade]

UCF or USF when I apply in the following summer. Although Miami looks good, its just for personal reasons I don't want to go too far from Tampa. If those reasons didn't exist Miami would be looking very attractive as I've always had a deep respect for their program esp. main campus and do have a brother who is moving back there in march after his bday and a best friend an hour north in Coral springs.

I can't speak for how UCF's new curricula is going to be designed or FIU for that matter, but UMiami main campus and USF are my two favorite because they seem to allow you to decide whether you want to go to class or watch lectures on video, and what is more efficient for you. They also don't throw you into the deep end from day one and slowly ease you into the program which I like. Plus their clinicals are amazing due to the varied cases. not to say you can't get these things at other schools, but I just like the set up of things and how they do things at these two schools.

That and I've met your Dr. Hinkley a few times and he seems like a really chill and nice person from what I've seen which is much the same at USF. I'm glad my friend chose UF because for her it was a right fit for her but for me I know it would be completely wrong fit and I'm not really applying there. I'm going to apply everywhere else in Fl. though and will also apply out of state.

So summary: i love UMiami and USF but if I could stay in central fl. at UCF or USF I'd go to one of those just for other non school related reasons.

Okay. Good luck. It's a shame Miami will not have the pleasure of having you join our student body; without meeting you I think that you will be a great addition to any school you choose 🙂

 

[gujuDoc]

Okay. Good luck. It's a shame Miami will not have the pleasure of having you join our student body; without meeting you I think that you will be a great addition to any school you choose 🙂

Aww! we'll see what happens when its my time to apply. 🙂