Florida Schools Application thread (2008)

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I apologize if this has been asked recently, but does anyone know if Miami or USF will give out interview invitations this week (Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving break)?

Not too sure about Miami, but I think USF might send out the last invites of
'07 this week which should be for Dec. 17th. At least I believe they're still interviewing the 17th. Not too sure about Miami's calendar either, but I doubt adcoms would take the whole week off. Since those interviewed last Monday at USF will hear this Wednesday, the committee will obviously meet to vote this tuesday, so they should still be up and running as far as invites are concerned.
Also, since this year USF seems to be inviting around 3-1/2 weeks ahead of time invites should still be given out up until winter break for those scheduled in January. Rest assured everyone, there is still hope at USF and other places. People like Lifetimedoc and Soccer885 got interviewed sometime around late Feb. and were finally accepted in April, so it's not over yet.
 
Not too sure about Miami, but I think USF might send out the last invites of
'07 this week which should be for Dec. 17th. At least I believe they're still interviewing the 17th. Not too sure about Miami's calendar either, but I doubt adcoms would take the whole week off. Since those interviewed last Monday at USF will hear this Wednesday, the committee will obviously meet to vote this tuesday, so they should still be up and running as far as invites are concerned.
Also, since this year USF seems to be inviting around 3-1/2 weeks ahead of time invites should still be given out up until winter break for those scheduled in January. Rest assured everyone, there is still hope at USF and other places. People like Lifetimedoc and Soccer885 got interviewed sometime around late Feb. and were finally accepted in April, so it's not over yet.

LOL :laugh: This is true. I think I also mentioned before that LTD and myself were in the same interview group but three other people in our group were also accepted. There are quite a few people who get accepted who interview later. Try to remember that there is always hope! :luck:
 
How does USF invite you for interviews? i got an email from them today saying "Hey call me back quick!" but by the time I got the email the person who wrote me was out of the office. . .

and i don't want to wait till tomorrow to find out what that's about.

They call for interviews. I never heard of them inviting through email.
 
Accepted to UF!!!

I almost fainted when I saw the big white envelope in my mailbox, because no one had called or e-mailed me during the week.

GL to everyone else.
 
👍congrats CGUY you give me hope!!!!!!! go celebrate u deserve it👍
 
Accepted to UF!!!

I almost fainted when I saw the big white envelope in my mailbox, because no one had called or e-mailed me during the week.

GL to everyone else.

Congrats! See you in the fall.
 
does anyone remeber the next decision date for miami? I remeber it being towards the end of november. this is for interview outcomes
 
does anyone remeber the next decision date for miami? I remeber it being towards the end of november. this is for interview outcomes

Nov. 28 is what Dr. Hinkley told us.
 
i interviewed at Miami yesterday and Dr. Hinkley told us to expect to hear from him on Dec 12... he said they ran behind a couple weeks ago because many of the committee members were at conferences/ect..
hopefully we all hear good news because Miami is AMAZING.
 
their gym is amazing. plus the fact that some students live on south beach
 
It *was* to invite me to interview! 🙂

Great! maybe I will see you the morning of the interview. I am one of a few first years who try to make an appearance to tell you guys how great USF is! 😀

Good luck interview day! :luck:
 
Accepted to UF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Team Zissou you are the man!!! Congratulations, I am so happy for you!! I am sure you will have many more acceptances to come! Have a good turkey break! wish me luck....
 
Accepted to UF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:banana:

screw it, I'm using the dancing banana anyways. I figure with your 2 acceptances I could at least have some vicarious celebration myself. Seriously though, that's truly awesome. Congrats! Where do you think you'll attend USF or UF? then again Miami could come knocking as well seeing as how all the other schools have rolled out the red carpet.
It'll be funny to actually have to send out rejection letters to med schools.
 
Congrats Zissou and have a good thanksgiving break!

Now you have two acceptances, I too am curious about your preference in schools.
 
Congrats Zissou! Maybe I'll see you at UF. Definitely my number one choice in FL compared to UM and USF.
 
Congratulations to everyone who has interviews and acceptances so far this year, way to go! We still have a long way to go through the interview and application season, so there is still hope. I had a great time talking to the interviewees this past Sunday and Monday, and I hope to find the time to keep doing that as I love USF (and all of the great FL med programs) and I'm passionate about being in medical school (or that could just be my delirium as I wake up to do final preparations for our test today). Keep the faith! 🙂
 
For those who interviewed/were accepted to UF, weren't you impressed by some of the stats they put out there? It really makes you question some of the US News Rankings out there.

Perfect example. I just got back from NYU, which is ranked like 34 or something on US News. The national average Step 1 score is 218. At NYU, their average Step 1 score is 226, which is great. UF is ranked 40-something on US News, so you would expect their scores to be lower, right? But they're average score was 230! To me, this is a clear sign that US News doesn't really measure the quality of education you are getting, and that the quality of education at UF is outstanding. I know Step 1 scores aren't everything, but in terms of residency, it determines A LOT.

Plus consider that by the numbers, the students that go to UF aren't as "smart" as those who go to NYU. Yet their board scores are higher. They obviously know how to teach at UF.
 
For those who interviewed/were accepted to UF, weren't you impressed by some of the stats they put out there? It really makes you question some of the US News Rankings out there.

Perfect example. I just got back from NYU, which is ranked like 34 or something on US News. The national average Step 1 score is 218. At NYU, their average Step 1 score is 226, which is great. UF is ranked 40-something on US News, so you would expect their scores to be lower, right? But they're average score was 230! To me, this is a clear sign that US News doesn't really measure the quality of education you are getting, and that the quality of education at UF is outstanding. I know Step 1 scores aren't everything, but in terms of residency, it determines A LOT.

Plus consider that by the numbers, the students that go to UF aren't as "smart" as those who go to NYU. Yet their board scores are higher. They obviously know how to teach at UF.

Be care with using USN&W rankings to decide on medical school. The quality of your education has little to do with how high a school is ranked, or even if they are ranked at all. I haven't looked at USN&W for a while (since I applied 4 years ago), but from what I remember they had a Research rank list and a Primary Care rank list. Most people look at the Research rank list. So schools that have more funding for research are obviously going to be higher. This means pretty much jack for your med school education.

Second, a school's average Step 1 score really means NOTHING. When you get to med school you will realize so much of your learning is done by yourself. The 4 weeks that I took to study for my Step 1 was spent using an online Kaplan question bank and a review book that the vast majority of other med students throughout the nation use (First Aid for Step 1). Check out the USMLE Step 1 forum on SDN. You'll see almost everyone uses the same material to study from. Sure, you have to learn the stuff in med school first, but you'll be surprised how little of that information sticks with you after 2 years. I firmly believe that how well you do on the USMLE exams is much less a reflection of your first and second year teaching and more a reflection of 1) how good of a standardized test taker you are and 2) how much effort you put into studying the several weeks before you took the exam. I guarantee you that some schools that aren't even ranked have higher USMLE score means than even the highly ranked schools.

The point is, don't use rankings to pick a school. They tell you virtually nothing about how good of a doctor you'll be when you finish your 4 years there. Go where you feel most comfortable and where the learning environment suits you individually.
 
For those who interviewed/were accepted to UF, weren't you impressed by some of the stats they put out there? It really makes you question some of the US News Rankings out there.

Perfect example. I just got back from NYU, which is ranked like 34 or something on US News. The national average Step 1 score is 218. At NYU, their average Step 1 score is 226, which is great. UF is ranked 40-something on US News, so you would expect their scores to be lower, right? But they're average score was 230! To me, this is a clear sign that US News doesn't really measure the quality of education you are getting, and that the quality of education at UF is outstanding. I know Step 1 scores aren't everything, but in terms of residency, it determines A LOT.

Plus consider that by the numbers, the students that go to UF aren't as "smart" as those who go to NYU. Yet their board scores are higher. They obviously know how to teach at UF.

The weird thing is, when I interviewed earlier this cycle, UF did not devote much time (or any for that matter) to their statistics. I looked at it when I had some free time afterwards (it was in the info packet they handed out), and definitely was impressed.
 
Could any USF students comment on the location of the 3rd and 4th year rotations? I seem to recall that they are in St. Petersburg - is this correct? I'm assuming that some are also at Tampa General Hospital as we were taken there on the interview day. Are these the only two locations? Is it possible to "predict" where one would likely be spending the majority of one's time? For example, are 70% of the rotation spots over the bridge in St. Petersburg?

I am asking these questions in an attempt to find the best area to live if I want to stay in one place for four years. Is that even feasible? ANY thoughts on this matter, no matter how trivial, are greatly appreciated.
 
Could any USF students comment on the location of the 3rd and 4th year rotations? I seem to recall that they are in St. Petersburg - is this correct? I'm assuming that some are also at Tampa General Hospital as we were taken there on the interview day. Are these the only two locations? Is it possible to "predict" where one would likely be spending the majority of one's time? For example, are 70% of the rotation spots over the bridge in St. Petersburg?

I am asking these questions in an attempt to find the best area to live if I want to stay in one place for four years. Is that even feasible? ANY thoughts on this matter, no matter how trivial, are greatly appreciated.

Rotations are almost all in Tampa. The only time you may be in St. Petersburg is if you are assigned to All Childrens Hospital for your pediatrics rotation, and there is a slight possibility that you may be at the Bay Pines VA in St. Petersburg for surgery and a few weeks of psychiatry. However, almost all your time is in Tampa at TGH, the Haley VA, or the USF clinics. Most rotations let you submit requests for rotation sites. I live in North Tampa and didn't want to go to TGH, so I ended up at the Haley VA for most of the rotations. I only went to TGH for OB and some of my psychiatry rotation.
 
Be care with using USN&W rankings to decide on medical school. The quality of your education has little to do with how high a school is ranked, or even if they are ranked at all. I haven't looked at USN&W for a while (since I applied 4 years ago), but from what I remember they had a Research rank list and a Primary Care rank list. Most people look at the Research rank list. So schools that have more funding for research are obviously going to be higher. This means pretty much jack for your med school education.

Second, a school's average Step 1 score really means NOTHING. When you get to med school you will realize so much of your learning is done by yourself. The 4 weeks that I took to study for my Step 1 was spent using an online Kaplan question bank and a review book that the vast majority of other med students throughout the nation use (First Aid for Step 1). Check out the USMLE Step 1 forum on SDN. You'll see almost everyone uses the same material to study from. Sure, you have to learn the stuff in med school first, but you'll be surprised how little of that information sticks with you after 2 years. I firmly believe that how well you do on the USMLE exams is much less a reflection of your first and second year teaching and more a reflection of 1) how good of a standardized test taker you are and 2) how much effort you put into studying the several weeks before you took the exam. I guarantee you that some schools that aren't even ranked have higher USMLE score means than even the highly ranked schools.

The point is, don't use rankings to pick a school. They tell you virtually nothing about how good of a doctor you'll be when you finish your 4 years there. Go where you feel most comfortable and where the learning environment suits you individually.

GOOD POST!!!! Another point I'd like to point out.

I don't know if the correlation between MCAT and USMLE is there, but as Mike pointed out good standardized test takers are often the ones who will score higher if they know the material.

So if you look at a school where people have higher incoming averages in terms of standardized scores of course it makes sense that they might have higher averages in certain other aspects. But those numbers don't necessarily mean the same student won't do well in a different school. I know a person in the 3rd year class at USF who personally turned down an acceptance to Columbia University's med school in NY even though it was a top ranked school. I don't think it has hurt her so far. she chose to stay here for family reasons.

Both ranking and board score averages don't say anything about an individual student's capabilities. If you get multiple acceptances, a better way of deciding would probably be to look at what your interests are and if they are aligned with the school's mission and to see how much you'd fit in with the personality of the school's administration, students, and curriculum style as well as with the general feel of the city where the school is located.

In other words, look at things like whether that school is heavy research focused if you are interested in research or whether it doesn't have sig. research in your interest. Or if you are into Primary care in rural areas look into what school will give you the best opportunities in rural health and so forth. So even if you look into the other stuff, look into those things above the other things.

Ultimately any school in the US will be good and get you where you want to be. It comes down to your attitude and what you make of it.
 
Another Wednesday. Ahh USF what can I say? Here's to a hopeful invite sometime for the new year! I'm still kind of wondering about FSU and their stupid hold list. Maybe after the primary deadline (Dec. ish) they'll start chipping away at the hold list. Don't you just love this process? waiting for months on end, hold lists, alternate lists, etc.
Regardless, I hope everyone here has a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. At least I'll have one day in which to contemplate only food, family, and rest.
 
Another Wednesday. Ahh USF what can I say? Here's to a hopeful invite sometime for the new year! I'm still kind of wondering about FSU and their stupid hold list. Maybe after the primary deadline (Dec. ish) they'll start chipping away at the hold list. Don't you just love this process? waiting for months on end, hold lists, alternate lists, etc.
Regardless, I hope everyone here has a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. At least I'll have one day in which to contemplate only food, family, and rest.


Yeah, I don't think we will hear from USF today; the committees are probably all on vacation today. I know its bizarre, but I have begun to loathe vacations and weekends now becuase there is no chance of hearing from a school.

Anyways, I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and good news for interviews and acceptances next week 👍!
 
I am not sure if anyone addressed this issue yet, but I believe USF did not interview during the week of Nov 5-11 and Nov 12-18. I think that could explain to some extent the lack of recent USF invites. I recently interviewed there and was accompanied by quite a few ivy league and OOS people(about half). It looks like the have a great program.
 
I am not sure if anyone addressed this issue yet, but I believe USF did not interview during the week of Nov 5-11 and Nov 12-18. I think that could explain to some extent the lack of recent USF invites. I recently interviewed there and was accompanied by quite a few ivy league and OOS people(about half). It looks like the have a great program.


I am just curious, but do you think they are currently concentrating on interviewing FL students from prestigious, private, out of state schools this semester (along with stellar FL applicants), and Could they be planning to interview the majority or bulk of their in-state university, FL applications next semester?
 
I am just curious, but do you think they are currently concentrating on interviewing FL students from prestigious, private, out of state schools this semester (along with stellar FL applicants), and Could they be planning to interview the majority or bulk of their in-state university, FL applications next semester?

I think like most schools, our goal at USF is to interview the most qualified applicants (on paper) first. This is blind to whether they are in-state or out-of-state.
 
Thanks,

Some of the OOS public schools (New Jersey RWJ and WVU) I have applied to said they try to finish interviewing most of their out of state applicants by the end of January, and then focus the majority of their interview slots on their own in-state applicants after January. I was wondering if USF did something similar with OOS and in-state applicants?
 
any current UF med students on here? i have a few questions.
 
I wish someone would start posting, I have nothing to compulsively read.
 
Looking forward to your Miami interview?

I am totally stoked about it; I have mine next monday. If I get an acceptance from them, I am really considering to call it a day on the whole application process.
 
Looking forward to your Miami interview?

I am totally stoked about it; I have mine next monday. If I get an acceptance from them, I am really considering to call it a day on the whole application process.

Haha, I feel the same way between the Big Three at this point...I guess whoever gets to me first
 
When can I expect to see UM waitlist movement? Is it acceptable to call to see if I am high or low on the list, or is that deemed rude? Thanks!
 
Looking forward to your Miami interview?

I am totally stoked about it; I have mine next monday. If I get an acceptance from them, I am really considering to call it a day on the whole application process.

I have a miami interview dec. 11th/12th. I am pretty stoked about it, I hear good things. I was at USF last monday and I was very impressed with the faculty, curriculum, and research/clinical opportunities. I am on "full tilt" waiting for the call on wednesday letting me know if I have been accepted or put on the wait list. Are you also interviewing at boca?
 
Good Luck with USF and in your future interview with Miami 👍 !

Hey Zissou,

How did your Miami interview go? Did they ask basic interview questions, or was it very conversaitonal without focusing too much on your stats or EC's?
 
the interview in miami went great.. everything was really laid back. All of the questions were basic except for one specific one, which was "What is siRNA". Luckily I had just been tested on it so I was able to provide a good answer.. I dont think those questions are common though.. my interviewer just happened to be more researched based.
 
the interview in miami went great.. everything was really laid back. All of the questions were basic except for one specific one, which was "What is siRNA". Luckily I had just been tested on it so I was able to provide a good answer.. I dont think those questions are common though.. my interviewer just happened to be more researched based.


Oh snap! Its been a year since I've seen siRNA. (I graduated last May) I think (si) might be satellite or small interfering RNA, so I assume it has something to do with gene expression or silencing. Anyways, I am glad that it is not a stressful atmosphere. So far, the other interviews I've had, have been very conversational, and the interviewers wanted to know more about my experiences at UF or my hobbies and such.

Thanks for the info, and congrats again with the UF acceptance 👍!
 
I'm lurking. Waiting to hear from Miami-Boca. They said "2 weeks" at my interview. 2 weeks would have made it Thanksgiving day. Can anyone who interviewed there give some feedback on how quickly they responded and whether it was by e-mail, snail mail, or phone?

I'm really hoping USF gives me a look soon after the holidays. I'm spending a lot of time on their campus lately.
 
does anyone know how soon after the UF interview you can expect to find out if accepted/waitlisted/denied?
 
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