Florida schools - interviews?

[gujuDoc]

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Of course its entertaining. Its the Florida thread where we cool people hang out. 😛

RED TIDE rocks the world.

Oh hope no one took this to be offensive. I was just posting in fun, hence the smilies. Just reread the posts above it so making sure no one found this offensive.

Oh and I agree with Mr.Burns's post. If you all try to laugh and smile more and have fun, it will make the process more bearable.

 

[deuist]

What happens next year when the next crop of Florida applicants begins asking about interviews? Will they use this same thread? Will they start a new thread---Florida interviews 2006? Will they stumble upon this thread and wonder just what the hell is going on? Ride Tide? I thought that the alligators and sharks were enough to worry about.

 

[gujuDoc]

What happens next year when the next crop of Florida applicants begins asking about interviews? Will they use this same thread? Will they start a new thread---Florida interviews 2006? Will they stumble upon this thread and wonder just what the hell is going on? Ride Tide? I thought that the alligators and sharks were enough to worry about.

They'll create another thread. It happens every year. This thread will only stay alive if the current students keep posting in it. If we didn't keep posting here, it would have died a long time ago.

 

[McMD]

Congrats on your scholarship Dr. Mike, I wish I could answer your questions, but maybe QofQ could help you out...she seems to be all-knowing. 😉

 

[foodlover]

Hello fellow floridians...

I have some medical school stuff to talk about, and I hope you all can help me out ...

I was amazed to open a piece of mail from UM on friday, and it contained a scholarship offer that would pretty much make the tuition between UF, USF and UM equal. I was very surprised. Does anyone know if because I got one now is that it? Or could they still send me more? Also, if I am more interested in another school, is there any way to use that as a bargaining chip? I am not really sure... I was talking to someone about to start a PhD program and they said just to send a letter to the school with a copy of the offer letter? Any ideas?

Hey DrMike,

Congrats on the scholarship! I don't know if that amount is negotiable (if it is, please let me know!). But what I can tell you from speaking with the financial aid office, is that that is the only "free money" you will be getting. That is, the fin aid office does NOT give out any additional scholarships or grants - only loans.

I too was wondering if we could ever expect to have the scholarship amount raised. Say for instance when people start dropping theirs - that would be "extra" money in the scholarship pool that wasn't there before.

 

[RunnerMD]

Hey DrMike,

Congrats on the scholarship! I don't know if that amount is negotiable (if it is, please let me know!). But what I can tell you from speaking with the financial aid office, is that that is the only "free money" you will be getting. That is, the fin aid office does NOT give out any additional scholarships or grants - only loans.

I too was wondering if we could ever expect to have the scholarship amount raised. Say for instance when people start dropping theirs - that would be "extra" money in the scholarship pool that wasn't there before.

Hey some of us haven't even gotten ANY scholarship $! Don't be greedy 😉

And just to update you guys, I'm sitting at the courthouse doing jury duty right now...this isn't so bad w/my laptop.

 

[McMD]

Nice Runner...btw, he's guilty.

 

[MrBurns10]

I too was wondering if we could ever expect to have the scholarship amount raised. Say for instance when people start dropping theirs - that would be "extra" money in the scholarship pool that wasn't there before.

Unfortunately/fortunately (depending on your point of view), I think it's more likely that people who haven't received scholarship money yet will get first crack at any money put back into the mix. DrMike, let us know if you find out anything.

PS holy crap, Miami is expensive.

 

[foodlover]

Unfortunately/fortunately (depending on your point of view), I think it's more likely that people who haven't received scholarship money yet will get first crack at any money put back into the mix. DrMike, let us know if you find out anything.

PS holy crap, Miami is expensive.

Yeah, I figured as much! Hey, a woman can dream can't she?!

Anyway good luck to all those still waiting...it definitely seems like they are stepping up on handing out scholarships this past week.

 

[RunnerMD]

Update from the courthouse....so guess what guys? I was selected for a trial. A trial, that is supposed to last the whole week---fun, huh? The defense atty is so long-winded too! He spent about 30 min trying to establish the fact that this was a CIVIL case, and not a criminal case.... 😴

 

[MrBurns10]

Update from the courthouse....so guess what guys? I was selected for a trial. A trial, that is supposed to last the whole week---fun, huh? The defense atty is so long-winded too! He spent about 30 min trying to establish the fact that this was a CIVIL case, and not a criminal case.... 😴

At least you don't have to go into work this week! Sure you get paid a pittance to serve jury duty, but sometimes that's better than getting paid more to do something you despise.

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

At least you don't have to go into work this week! Sure you get paid a pittance to serve jury duty, but sometimes that's better than getting paid more to do something you despise.

So exactly how much is a "pittance"? Is it more than a trifling? Less than a bushel? Maybe it's English? How many shillings is it worth? What about farthings? Where do they fit in?

 

[Endee]

So exactly how much is a "pittance"? Is it more than a trifling? Less than a bushel? Maybe it's English? How many shillings is it worth? What about farthings? Where do they fit in?

More than thruppence and less than half a crown.

 

[MrBurns10]

More than thruppence and less than half a crown.

yeah duh, WholeLottaGame, everyone knows that. I guess your "game" doesn't include knowing olde British currency terminology. Oh, snap!

 

[RunnerMD]

At least you don't have to go into work this week! Sure you get paid a pittance to serve jury duty, but sometimes that's better than getting paid more to do something you despise.

Fortunately, my employer will pay my salary for up to 14 days. So, this is actually working out quite well.

1) I get to go in an hour later than I would at work.
2) The courthouse is about 20 min closer than where I work
3) Apparently, some of these days are going to be half days (9-noon)

Plus, it is always interesting when you randomly select a handful of citizens to serve on a jury. For instance, the juror who sits behind me (no joke) spends his weekends reenacting medieval duels...but his "troop" is "too cool to do those mainstream rennaisance festivals." In fact, he quoted today in front of the judge/attys/etc., that "his troop can prepare for one week and still be better than those guys who spend all year planning for the renaissance festival."

I'm sure I will have more interesting stories tomorrow as I learn more about my fellow jurors. Maybe we can get some ideas for Red Tide?

 

[DrMike24]

Do people ever not serve on jury duty, or does pretty much everyone get called up at least once over their lifetime? It does sound kinda interesting but I could see getting bored reeaalll quick.

 

[RunnerMD]

Do people ever not serve on jury duty, or does pretty much everyone get called up at least once over their lifetime? It does sound kinda interesting but I could see getting bored reeaalll quick.

Apparently, a lot of people never get called. I've also heard that you really don't even need to show up b/c they don't send the notice by certified mail, so there is no proof that you received the letter.

Plus, I learned today, that once you get there, there are a bunch of ways to get out of it. *sigh* at least I know for next time.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

I served in voir-dire with a bunch of doctors from UM. Apparently doctors always get selected out and are never asked to serve on a trial jury because it's assumed they hate lawyers. It seemed somewhat true. All four of them were excused.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

Burnsy- There is tension in the air over here. From what I'm hearing, there will be a North Carolina vs Florida showdown this week, perhaps in a trivia format? Maybe a physical contest-- bowling? A test of wills-- dinner? North Carolina vs North Carolina jello wrestling? What can we win for sure?

 

[MrBurns10]

Burnsy- There is tension in the air over here. From what I'm hearing, there will be a North Carolina vs Florida showdown this week, perhaps in a trivia format? Maybe a physical contest-- bowling? A test of wills-- dinner? North Carolina vs North Carolina jello wrestling? What can we win for sure?

Dinner for sure. And I'd put my money on the Floridians on that one. Bowling, possibly. Movie, perhaps. I would vote for drunken trivial pursuit, but the North Carolinians (at least one in particular) don't have anything better to do with their free time than read useless facts and shoot old PBR cans with a huntin' rifle. Not to mention I get decidedly unintelligent when I'm under the influence, regardless of what my obsession with reciting transcription and translation might imply.

And as entertaining as NC vs. NC jello wrestling sounds, I think we might all come out losers from that one.

 

[deuist]

I change my address through the DMV every time I get called for jury duty. I then call the court house and say, "I no longer live in this county. I cannot serve."

 

[McMD]

I change my address through the DMV every time I get called for jury duty. I then call the court house and say, "I no longer live in this county. I cannot serve."

Nicely done Deuist. Way to sneak around the truth.

I'm thinking NC vs FL jello wrestling would be exciting, I'm voting FL can take NC on that one.

Also, take note, I will not be involved in the jello wrestling, I often get distracted by squishy things and go into my own little world of squishing it in my fingers, take paint for instance, I can't paint a room without having to paint my hands and play in the paint. Maybe I was sheltered as a child.

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

Dinner for sure. And I'd put my money on the Floridians on that one. Bowling, possibly. Movie, perhaps. I would vote for drunken trivial pursuit, but the North Carolinians (at least one in particular) don't have anything better to do with their free time than read useless facts and shoot old PBR cans with a huntin' rifle. Not to mention I get decidedly unintelligent when I'm under the influence, regardless of what my obsession with reciting transcription and translation might imply.

And as entertaining as NC vs. NC jello wrestling sounds, I think we might all come out losers from that one.

I think what you meant to say was that no one comes out a loser on that one.

And in North Carolina, Trivial Pursuit 101 is mandatory for grade school children, just in case a situation such as this might arise.

 

[DrMike24]

4th page...

So I hear we are going to have another fun filled hurricane season. Jax was spared this year, but now I am probably going to be in tampa next year. Although I dont think they got it as bad as other areas (orlando, west florida, east coast)

 

[RunnerMD]

4th page...

So I hear we are going to have another fun filled hurricane season. Jax was spared this year, but now I am probably going to be in tampa next year. Although I dont think they got it as bad as other areas (orlando, west florida, east coast)

Tampa is great! We always get days off for hurricanes that never come. I think the low number of hurricane impacts is partly due to the presence of the bay (or at least that's what I've heard).

I'm stoked about moving south though---I loooooooove hurricanes 😍 I like to track them on my nerdy map with push pins. And then I like going to Publix to stock up on supplies while everyone's freaking out---(yes, yes, I think we've clearly established through this thread that I am very weird )

 

[MrBurns10]

(yes, yes, I think we've clearly established through this thread that I am very weird )

not to that extent, no...

Nah, DrMike, knock on wood but Tampa usually comes out okay during hurricane season. I remember Charley was headed straight for us two years ago (thus canceling my MCAT), and then it took a drastic turn and hit south of Sarasota. That's the closest I can remember us to being a direct hit; usually it's just a lot of rain and some strong winds, but nothing major (again, knock on wood).

and Runner, I kid....we all have our little idiosyncrasies. Sharing mine might get me kicked off SDN, however.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

Tampa is great! We always get days off for hurricanes that never come. I think the low number of hurricane impacts is partly due to the presence of the bay (or at least that's what I've heard).

I'm stoked about moving south though---I loooooooove hurricanes 😍 I like to track them on my nerdy map with push pins. And then I like going to Publix to stock up on supplies while everyone's freaking out---(yes, yes, I think we've clearly established through this thread that I am very weird )

Wilma completely wrecked boca last year. It was such a mess. This year I decided I'm getting out of town for all of them. But not before I go riot in publix first, for no good reason.

Actually, since I'm not there very often, the only food I have in my apt in Miami is the standby hurricane food-- so I'll get down there late at night, and think "what should I eat-- this peanut butter, or this gatorade powder?" It's either that, or a handle of gin, which was what I had for the last hurricane. Unsmart.

 

[gujuDoc]

not to that extent, no...

Nah, DrMike, knock on wood but Tampa usually comes out okay during hurricane season. I remember Charley was headed straight for us two years ago (thus canceling my MCAT), and then it took a drastic turn and hit south of Sarasota. That's the closest I can remember us to being a direct hit; usually it's just a lot of rain and some strong winds, but nothing major (again, knock on wood).

and Runner, I kid....we all have our little idiosyncrasies. Sharing mine might get me kicked off SDN, however.

You were in Tampa when you were taking your MCAT???? I didn't know that. Wow, so are you from this part of Florida????? What a small world. I assumed you were from Miami originally or Orlando or somewhere like North Florida.

 

[gujuDoc]

4th page...

So I hear we are going to have another fun filled hurricane season. Jax was spared this year, but now I am probably going to be in tampa next year. Although I dont think they got it as bad as other areas (orlando, west florida, east coast)

So you've decided USF??? What made you pick USF vs. Umiami with scholarship??? Are you still trying to get in your top choice, which I'm assuming is Emory or Gainesville.

 

[MrBurns10]

You were in Tampa when you were taking your MCAT???? I didn't know that. Wow, so are you from this part of Florida????? What a small world. I assumed you were from Miami originally or Orlando or somewhere like North Florida.

How DARE you label me! Just kidding. I really did grow up in Tampa...like, born and raised until I went off to college. My parents still live there. I'll be in Tampa for the summer, which I'm looking forward to after having spent the last few summers up here in NC.

 

[McMD]

Runner, I'm SOOOO coming to your house for hurricanes....well, my pooch and I. Hope you like hyper dogs that love to lick! I've never experienced a hurricane and don't plan on sitting through the first one by myself with my dog next year, I'll evacuate to my mom's house in N.FL, but I'm not looking forward to the traffic on I-95 when everyone's evacuating. Do you know how long Miami usually gives before a hurricane strikes? I'm hopeing they don't cancel school at the very last minute when no-one can evacuate!

 

[DrMike24]

So you've decided USF??? What made you pick USF vs. Umiami with scholarship??? Are you still trying to get in your top choice, which I'm assuming is Emory or Gainesville.

Well I am pretty indecisive so its never a decision, just kind of " I think I have decided to go to USF," but ya, I think I have decided to go to USF. I really like the atmosphere there, they really seem to want me there, and I think they have a supportive staff as well as a good amount of clinical experience. I have only heard good things about docs coming from USF. Also, I have a few friends going to USF that I could really see going to med school and living with, and I think we could be supportive of each other in a really good way (studying, etc). As far as UM goes, I really dont want to live in Miami. Its too far down south for my comfort... I want to be close to family in Orlando and GF in Jax. I feel silly denying UM, especially after the scholarship, I hope its the right decision.

As far as Emory or Gainesville goes... I think Emory is out of the picture. Basically their on hold email said: " There are lots of you on hold, kiss our ass to get in." I really didnt feel like dealing with more ass kissing.

I do think I have a decent chance of getting into UF, but I havent really seen any clear advantage to UF besides it being closer to Jax. I plan on doing well in any school I go to, so I dont think that I will be getting anything more out of going there than to USF.

So thats pretty much where I am at now. If anyone has any clarifications or what not that could help, please let me know. Its a good position to be in, having to decide between several schools, but its also tough 😳

 

[gujuDoc]

How DARE you label me! Just kidding. I really did grow up in Tampa...like, born and raised until I went off to college. My parents still live there. I'll be in Tampa for the summer, which I'm looking forward to after having spent the last few summers up here in NC.

That's cool. Didn't know you were from around these parts. 😛

 

[RunnerMD]

So I've decided that I think I just want to be a permanent juror. Jury duty has been sooooooo much fun this week! And its still not over! In all honesty though, its made me realize how much I hate my job. I really think I might quit at the end of May. I didn't realize how miserable I was until I got out for a few days.

What do you guys think? Would I be foolish to live off my savings for 6 weeks before I move to Miami?

 

[rajad10]

god, florida is so tight

 

[gujuDoc]

So I've decided that I think I just want to be a permanent juror. Jury duty has been sooooooo much fun this week! And its still not over! In all honesty though, its made me realize how much I hate my job. I really think I might quit at the end of May. I didn't realize how miserable I was until I got out for a few days.

What do you guys think? Would I be foolish to live off my savings for 6 weeks before I move to Miami?

You wouldn't be saying that if you were on the jury of a cold blooded murderer. I remember reading articles about the jurors after the Lacy Peterson Murder case in which jurors were talking about how hard it was on them psychologically and emotionally. They had to see some of the most disturbing and gruesome things and couldn't talk about it with the other jurors or with family members and it caused a lot of emotional and personal problems for them. I really think it depends on the kind of case we are talking about. For instance, Judge Joe Brown kind of shows are actually entertaining in a funny sort of way.

 

[RunnerMD]

You wouldn't be saying that if you were on the jury of a cold blooded murderer. I remember reading articles about the jurors after the Lacy Peterson Murder case in which jurors were talking about how hard it was on them psychologically and emotionally. They had to see some of the most disturbing and gruesome things and couldn't talk about it with the other jurors or with family members and it caused a lot of emotional and personal problems for them. I really think it depends on the kind of case we are talking about. For instance, Judge Joe Brown kind of shows are actually entertaining in a funny sort of way.

Oh--yeah, I'm sure it'd be a completely different experience if it were a criminal trial. But I'm serving on a civil trial and the matter at hand is pretty tame. Do you think though that I would be crazy to quit my job early?

 

[deuist]

Wilma completely wrecked boca last year. It was such a mess. This year I decided I'm getting out of town for all of them.

We were supposed to have an exam on the Monday that Wilma hit. We got the day off and my roommate and I stayed bunkered down until the storm blew over. We studied by candle light for the exam, which was scheduled on Wednesday. The day before the exam, UM announced that it would be closed for the rest of the week. I high-tailed it out of south Florida and took the rest of the week off.

 

[McMD]

Runner, as long as you have enough money to get a place to live (ie. for an apartment-pay the fees, first month rent, utilities, etc) and have enough money to move to Miami-and won't be BOTHERED by eliminating your savings, I think you're ok. But in my opinion, I would stay at the job until you move. I would love to have the luxury of having some money put aside while in med school, if your car breaks down, if your roommate is pyscho and you HAVE to get out of the lease, or if you are just in a friend's wedding and need money to buy your bridesmaid's dress, hair, make-up, etc. you won't have to worry about "finding" the money. I won't have a financial cushion going to school, I have no other option but to stay at my miserable job because of money, but I think having a savings while in med school and strapped down financially to all your loans, etc. is worth one more month of putting up with stupid people at your job. That's just my opinion though, take it or leave it. I also empathize with being completely miserable at a job, but it would only be one extra month and you have SDN to keep you occupied during that month!!

 

[McMD]

Hey guys! Well, I sent off my deposit to hold my seat at UM this morning, it was probably the BEST feeling I've had throughout this entire application cycle. I wasn't even as excited when I got my first acceptance!

 

[labelwhore]

you have to send a deposit to hold a spot at UM? i didn't hear anything about this.

 

[McMD]

You have to put a $100 deposit to hold your spot at ANY school. You have until May 15th to decide which school that deposit goes to. It is non-refundable, so if you put it down at UM and decide to go to USF, you would have to pay it again to USF, but if you put it down at UM and decide to go to UM...it goes towards your tuition for the next year.

Not sure how this works in regard to waitlists.

For information specifically for UM's deposit go to: www.mededu.miami.edu/Admissions/deposit

And for information per AAMC policy go to: http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/policies/acceptprocedures.pdf
(#7)

 

[gujuDoc]

Oh--yeah, I'm sure it'd be a completely different experience if it were a criminal trial. But I'm serving on a civil trial and the matter at hand is pretty tame. Do you think though that I would be crazy to quit my job early?

Listen to McMD. I agree with her advice.

 

[labelwhore]

thanks for the info McMd. I had no idea about this.

 

[medgator]

Well I am pretty indecisive so its never a decision, just kind of " I think I have decided to go to USF," but ya, I think I have decided to go to USF. I really like the atmosphere there, they really seem to want me there, and I think they have a supportive staff as well as a good amount of clinical experience. I have only heard good things about docs coming from USF. Also, I have a few friends going to USF that I could really see going to med school and living with, and I think we could be supportive of each other in a really good way (studying, etc). As far as UM goes, I really dont want to live in Miami. Its too far down south for my comfort... I want to be close to family in Orlando and GF in Jax. I feel silly denying UM, especially after the scholarship, I hope its the right decision.

If you end up at UF, you'd have the option to do rotations at both Orlando (4th year) and Jax (3rd and 4th year) if you wanted to stay near family/friends etc.

 

[RunnerMD]

Listen to McMD. I agree with her advice.

Thanks guys for your advice...but I'm going to ask my boss if I can work part-time starting in mid-June or else I'm just going to quit. I may/may not move back home with my Mom for that month which would save me a little money. But all in all, I am absolutely miserable at work. Its not that my job is difficult, but I have been out of work since MONDAY and have been checking my e-mail (which is where EVERYONE has to request a report from me) everyday via our remote desktop program, and do you now what? For the entire week, I have had TWO report requests. Each report will take me 10-15 min to complete. There is no reason why I can't a) work from home, or b) work part time. Even if I could work Mondays, Wed, and Fridays, it would make a HUUUUGE difference.

Anyway, we just wrapped up our trial today so I go back to work tomorrow. I think I'm gonna tell my boss tomorrow or Monday.

 

[MrBurns10]

Anyway, we just wrapped up our trial today so I go back to work tomorrow. I think I'm gonna tell my boss tomorrow or Monday.

One problem...wouldn't this cut off your benefits like health insurance? As far as I know, most work places don't give any benefits to part-time workers (Walmart abuses this to a ridiculous degree). Is there a way you can get onto your mom's insurance, or would you just pay out of pocket for coverage?

 

[McMD]

thanks for the info McMd. I had no idea about this.

No prob man. Glad you know now so you didn't lose your spot...that would definitely suck.

 

[McMD]

part time would be awesome Runner. I would do anything to leave my job....I'm miserable as well....but 2 more months and most of that time I will be on paid leave trying to find a place to live and the wedding, so I figure it will go by fast!

 

[gujuDoc]

If you end up at UF, you'd have the option to do rotations at both Orlando (4th year) and Jax (3rd and 4th year) if you wanted to stay near family/friends etc.

Yes but first he'd have to get off hold or waitlist status. I believe his status is one of the aforementioned. Perhaps you could help with that one!! 😉 😉

Just kidding. 😀