thank you for the response. That is what I figured but I had just wanted to double check because a good friend is in this dilemma right now.
Florida Schools Application Thread (2008) part 2
- Thread starter greg1184
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thank you for the response. That is what I figured but I had just wanted to double check because a good friend is in this dilemma right now.
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Call this morning for a USF interview this coming Monday...Busch Gardens afterwards anyone😀
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Congrats! I really wanna ride that new roller coaster at Busch Gardens -- Shikra or something. You'll have to tell me how it is.
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CONGRATS on the invite!!! I know you've been waiting to hear from them for a long time. Good luck on Monday!!
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Whos we? pass it over this way please!
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Congrats and knock 'em dead.
That's awesome. Enjoy the day. Make sure to talk to as many students as you can and get their take on the school.
Congrats. You can actually see the roller coasters at Busch Gardens from the med school. I remember studying my brains out in the library while staring at the coasters through the windows....oh the times that I'll not miss...
WOW!!! I could NOT be happier for you medguy!!! I've been reading your saga on SDN for a while and I can tell how much you wanted this!!! I'm soooo happy for you...though I was waitlisted myself, I really really hope you get in!! 🙂
As for the interview process, as I'm sure your heard a million time, just be yourself at USF...i got the feeling the are really looking at your character and how you respond than necessarily the details of what your are saying...really low-key though, so no worries....and for god's sakes let them REALLY KNOW how much you wanna go to USF! Gluck and let us know how it goes
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Does anyone here think that it is a detriment to be offered an interview to USF this Monday but having to postpone it to March 17th (the next available interview day)? It is for legitimate reasons (a midterm that day that is difficult to postpone), but I hope that it is not so late in the cycle that spots would be filled up.
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thanks!
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When are you interviewing at UM?
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I know what you mean. But make that a barrage of pre-interview rejections for me, I got like four this week.
I also am going to withdraw from my Temple interview. I am very grateful for it, but since knowing it is for a preferred waitlist only, I am more content with saving my money for Miami this fall.
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AWESOME, WAY to go son.
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After much deliberation, I'm gonna withdraw from my USF interview (and the rest of my schools for that matter)...I'm officially bleeding nothing but orange and blue...Hope one of you guys gets that interview/spot and Knock 'em dead Medguy on Monday
I received an interview invitation from UM on Wednesday (2/27) and scheduled my interview for this Monday (3/3). First of all, I was really surprised because I applied so late (complete 12/6). I had already given up hope for UM, but now I'm really excited for Monday, especially since I go to UM for undergrad. Second, I was puzzled because when I called the admissions office for a status check in early February, they said they were only interviewing for wait list spots at the main campus. When my friend received a wait list letter this week, it said their class was full. When I called today, the woman I spoke to said they still had a few acceptances to hand out, but not many. Another friend of mine interviewed this past Monday (2/25), and he said that Dr. Hinkley made it sound like they (the interviewees) were still being considered for acceptances, not just wait list spots. Why is UM sending mixed signals? I know that seats in the class open up as applicants decline their acceptances, but I didn't think many people would withdraw this early.
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All I can think of is that maybe some applicants accepted earlier in the year must have recently withdrawn from their acceptances.
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Just received email yesterday that bc class was full, im on waitlist. then today they say it's not full? they're lying to someone! BTW, manok31, hey, i know you!
Btw ufgrad, you're still soooooo hot.
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In a weird way when you interview in march it is almost like it is a quasi good thing. The reason is because yes the class is full but spots are always opening up. Thinking about it this way you have the most stress now because your not in but the wait to get in at this point is probably a lot shorter.
People drop acceptances and open up spots in the class. This is not unheard of especially as we get closer to May.
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Yea I get that. but if the slots are only open when ppl drop, then as long as a school keep on having ppl drop acceptances, the offices can always just say "you are not interviewing for waitlist" - even if it's in late april...and that is very misleading.
I think most schools tell you that you are interviewing for waitlist once their class has been filled the first time (without counting drops).
i'm gone for a few days and I miss all the excitement. 😀 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! I pray you get in or at least high tier waitlist. I know this is the moment you've been waiting for.
P.S. I went to the med school forum this morning and got to see 2 of my favorite people: Mr. Larkin and Leila Amiri. it was exciting. Yeah I know I'm sad, but really they are truly what makes fl. a wonderful place to study medicine with their frank honesty and openness to going out of your way to help students and tell them its ok to email them directly and call them directly rather then having to go through the special admissions emails or other people transferring you from one line to another as is the case at some places from what I've read in in preallo in the past.
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<=====This Guy!😀👍 Officially withdrawn from all pending interviews and hold lists...Now if only the Baby Gators could just get off the bubble and into the tournament we'd really be talking...Also, lately I've been craving orange juice and blueberries, it's the damnedest thing
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Yes sir! 🙂
And on the subject of UF since its brought up right below your post, the MD/PhD student that came to talk about UF was telling us something interesting. He was telling us that you have all sorts of opportunity to get involved in things like teaching where the 4th years help teach the younger med students and med students can help teach undergrads and so forth. I thought that was neat and something my friend who's an MS I out there should look into because she absolutely loves teaching.
After much deliberation, I'm gonna withdraw from my USF interview (and the rest of my schools for that matter)...I'm officially bleeding nothing but orange and blue...Hope one of you guys gets that interview/spot and Knock 'em dead Medguy on Monday
Congrats! :-D.
I think you might be surprised how many schools are not 100% honest with you. If they do have open spots only because people have dropped an acceptance with that school, it's perfectly legit to tell applicants there are open positions in the class. Whether this is "very misleading" or not, you can decide for yourself... I personally think that this is not misleading since there would in fact be open positions as they say and you would have a perfectly good chance at getting one if you were a great applicant. And think about it from the med school's side - they want to make sure they get the very best applications they can.
Realize that this whole thing is a game. You have to accept that some things are not ideal and just go with it. When you start applying for residencies you'll realize that there are FAR worse things, like programs directly lying to your face by telling you that they ranked you at a such a position on their list and then you end up not matching anywhere.
I agree. Anyhow, if spots opened up because of a withdrawal, then technically at that time there were spots open regardless of how they were open and that's the bottomline anyone needs to walk away with, not the how or why behind it.
The other thing, I think it could be a lot worse. At least they weren't out right lying and are somewhat more honest and to the point at Fl. schools in comparison to what horror stories I've heard in other states across the nation.
Also, you'd be surprised how many people on waitlists end up being the people who actually matriculate. People should stop thinking waitlist means the end of the lot. In Fl. schools including UF and Miami, a lot of waitlist spots always open up so that a good high percentage of the people who were on it end up going there.
I wanted all my masters grades in and am contemplating retaking the MCAT so I chose to apply next year rather then this current cycle.
I thought you said you were withdrawing and dead set on UF! So you coming here to Tampa for the interview or are you sure on Gville???
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I am in the same boat. I would say its a slap in the face, but I wouldn't have gone if I was invited so I guess it works out.
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So word on the street is that USF is going to cease sending out invites by mid-March 🙁
Can anyone confirm this? I want this so bad and I'm getting terribly anxious waiting for a response from them.
Can anyone confirm this? I want this so bad and I'm getting terribly anxious waiting for a response from them.
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Hey Shawn
You seem really into getting an interview from USF- just out of curiosity what is it about their program that attracts you?
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I wrote that the day I found out about the interview and after a couple hours/full day of pondering the matter I wrote Dr. Koehler, along with the rest of my pending IS & OoS schools, a letter of withdrawal...My bad for the confusionI'm still thinking of coming to Tampa though to check out the Sheikra😀
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Question- what exactly is a second look for? Do they know we are coming to help decide between multiple schools? Is that inappropriate? What is attire? Congrats on all new acceptances and decisions!! IM STILL DELIBERATING...and it may kill me.....
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Originally Posted by Krystle11 
Well, I'm not in school yet, so I don't know if my advice will be the best, but I will try to help. I am also a gator (Go Gators!!). I graduated from there in December. And I am also (sort of) Tampa bred... I grew up in St. Pete. I loved UF, and they have an amazing program, but I can just tell their medical school program is just not for me. Even just going through pre-med undergrad there, I felt the immense competitiveness among students. I can only imagine it gets worse in medical school. Also, UF is highly invested into research. That is where they get most of their money, and as a result, some professors care more about their research project then they do teaching their students. In contrast, USF cares about TEACHING first and foremost. This is what I love. I do like research, but I do not want to be a researcher, I want to be a physician that emphasizes patient care, which is why USF appeals to me. Also, all the students at USF get along (mostly) and help each other out, sharing notes, books, etc. That sense of teamwork is something I really want in a medical school. And I love Gainesville, but I think I need to get out of there for awhile! Great place to visit though!!
OK, so those are my reasons... hope that helps somewhat!!
thanks for the help!!! be in touch...
Well, I'm not in school yet, so I don't know if my advice will be the best, but I will try to help. I am also a gator (Go Gators!!). I graduated from there in December. And I am also (sort of) Tampa bred... I grew up in St. Pete. I loved UF, and they have an amazing program, but I can just tell their medical school program is just not for me. Even just going through pre-med undergrad there, I felt the immense competitiveness among students. I can only imagine it gets worse in medical school. Also, UF is highly invested into research. That is where they get most of their money, and as a result, some professors care more about their research project then they do teaching their students. In contrast, USF cares about TEACHING first and foremost. This is what I love. I do like research, but I do not want to be a researcher, I want to be a physician that emphasizes patient care, which is why USF appeals to me. Also, all the students at USF get along (mostly) and help each other out, sharing notes, books, etc. That sense of teamwork is something I really want in a medical school. And I love Gainesville, but I think I need to get out of there for awhile! Great place to visit though!!
OK, so those are my reasons... hope that helps somewhat!!
thanks for the help!!! be in touch...
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I finished my USF interview today. Everything was really great. We toured the VA hospital, had some common ground with my interviewers; overall, I think I did very well. I guess I'll find out just how good next Wednesday (March 12). The rest of the day consisted of sitting through presentations and talking with students, many of whom were preparing for a big exam it seems. If any of you know my story you'll understand just how exciting it has been to actually live to see this day. All I can say is that I hope I get
5's from the adcom😀
Good luck to everyone else!
5's from the adcom😀
Good luck to everyone else!
That's the point. The second look is to give you more information about a program so you can make a more informed decision. The second look isn't as helpful to someone who has already committed to that program. The intent is to get people with multiple acceptances to attend.
I think any relationship between board scores and "teaching ability" is weak at best. You can easily do very well on Step 1 without ever going to class. Look at Yale's med school for example. Their entire 4 years is Pass/Fail. Some Yale med students told me that they don't even really study for school exams because all they have to do is not fail. They spend their time mostly studying strictly for Step 1 during years 1 and 2 - this is totally on their own. It's not surprising that Yale's Step 1 scores are very high.
I should mention that I do not recommend skipping classes to just study for Step 1. You need to do well in school AND do well on Step 1 to match well. Unfortunately not all schools are completely pass/fail.... 😉 My point is that how well you do on Step 1 almost entirely depends on how well you studied on your own prior to the exam and how well you take standardized tests in general.
A particular school may have better general board scores because they admitted people who do well on standardized tests in the first place...
Finally, note that board score averages can very A LOT from class to class at the same school. If you are interested in board scores at a school, look at their track record over the past 3-5 years.
One of my 3 closest friends is there right now as an MS I as I've stated on here several times. She has no regrets and speaks nothing but very good things about UF med.
Board scores are high because outside of NBME exams they also test like the boards with CBT tests to help prepare you for the boards. They also have a mix of other testing styles such as oral exams in some classes, practicals, etc. but the CBT testing style is like the boards so that helps.
But I think board scores are going to be ok wherever you go in Fl. Miami and USF have a little over 220 as their averages which means that there are bound to be people both above and below that value on the boards.
The other thing is that UF has a lot of people with higher numbers because a lot of people who have a choice on where to go often live on the assumption that older = better or higher ranking = better, so the number of people who are extremely well at doing standardized tests might be higher at schools like UF then they might be at other places.
The bolded part is the most part of this post! A lot higher percentage of people who do higher on these sort of tests have traditionally gone to older schools because the misconception that older or higher ranking means better. But if you put the same population of kids at USF or any other school, I'm sure they'd do as well there too.
