Florida schools - interviews?

[QofQuimica]

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Happy Bday Burnsie...if it's really your bday!

Q...how far is your commute? I'm thinking bout doing the same. Not sure though. 😕

check your PM box.

 

[QofQuimica]

can folks tell me about the typical student body at uf-com? in another, older, thread, someone lamented the significant presence of "immature" students there. is this true?

i know many folks who went there for undergrad and i lived in gainesville for one summer. i think it's fair to say that sports and party-frats/sororities seem to have the dominant presence in the undergrad social life. does this carry over into the med school? and if so, is this what another poster may have meant by the "immature" characterization?

I would say that among UF, USF, and Miami, UF has the youngest class by far. (I didn't apply to FSU, so I don't know what it's like up there.) They're not hostile toward older students at UF, IMO, but there just aren't many of us there. This is especially true in comparison to Miami or USF, both of which have a sizeable contingent of students over age 30. I wrote a post comparing and contrasting the schools before in the UF thread. Here's the link if you want to read it: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=3373954&postcount=16

Personally, I have no interest in football, and unfortunately, even USF has a team now, albeit a sucky one. So, I think you're going to be stuck with football no matter where you go, unless you leave the state. But at least in Miami or Tampa there are other things there besides the university itself, and that helps dilute the whole college town atmosphere. Plus, at UF, you have to do almost everything on campus, b/c Shands is on campus. At USF or Miami, you will not be around undergrads as much, because Miami has an entire separate campus for the med students, and USF doesn't have a hospital on campus except for the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Each of the schools has pros and cons for sure, but if you're looking for other non-trads, UF is probably the worst choice.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

Happy Birthday, and as my boss is fond of telling me every friday, "Don't do anything that might potentially get you arrested."

Ok, you definitely sound like a man who would thrive in the lawless bubble that is South Beach.

1. The commute-- this is the best part about living on the beach. You will have the best commute of anywhere in the city (driving that is). The causeway that connects the mainland to the beach puts you right at the feet of the medical school, without having to get on 95. Traffic is absolutely minimal at all hours (honestly). The only way you could beat it would be I guess to live downtown near a metro rail.

2. That being said-- Miami is annoying in that you have to drive everywhere-- unless you live on the beach where everything is compact and walkable (the grocery store, the movies, umm.. the beach, lairs of drunk supermodels). I used to live in Coconut Grove and this annoyed the hell out of me. In fact, I hate the grove, and worse it's too far from the medical campus. Living on the beach has a bit more neighborhoody/city feel.

3. Expense-- the place I rented in the grove cost about 2x what I could have paid on the beach. You just need to look around, but remember most people that actually live on south beach are waiters, wannabe models... there are a lot of pretty cheap rental options, and quite a bit to buy as well.

4. I already live there, but if I were looking elsewhere, particularly to buy, I might think about downtown, particularly with the metro rail, but none of it is going to be ever as popular as the beach (if you're looking to resell). South of 5th street is still pretty residential, and quiet, and in my humble opinion, may be the best place on the earth to live. I wouldnt have considered myself a South Beach person when I moved down there, but it's a much different place to visit than live. Living there, I think you really cant beat it. And if you get that urge to be some sort of 80's drug vigilante, and live it up Miami style, it's right out your front door. So are topless women.

Well, hope that sums up my feelings on the beach for you.

On another note, I hear they're trying to spruce up the area around the medical school--- but it seems like every neighborhood in Miami is up and coming. Downtown and Brickell are getting more popular (although are still, I think creepy in that they seem to be deserted all the time), and the design district (north of the city) seems cool, albeit far. I think maybe the best might be little Haiti, but it still has elements of total sketchiness, and is even further north.

So, see you on the beach.

 

[LiNk]

Anyone else waiting to hear from USF tomorrow?? I interviewed March 6 and the wait is killing me! 😱

 

[gujuDoc]

Anyone else waiting to hear from USF tomorrow?? I interviewed March 6 and the wait is killing me! 😱

Just remember it is one more day. By this time tomorrow you should know where you stand. GOOD LUCK. I hope at that at the very least you will get a high tier waitlist.

My friend interviewed yesterday, so he finds out next Wednesday. I'm sooooo praying for him, cuz this is his 3rd time applying and he's a really good friend of mine since childhood.

 

[LiNk]

Thanks gujuDoc! I loved USF and I really think I would fit in there. Good luck to your friend too
Mr. Larkin said there were still some seats left but I'd be so psyched even for a good waitlist position.

 

[gujuDoc]

Thanks gujuDoc! I loved USF and I really think I would fit in there. Good luck to your friend too
Mr. Larkin said there were still some seats left but I'd be so psyched even for a good waitlist position.

The good thing about waitlist is that if you are in the high tier, you have like a 99% chance of getting in. Mr. Larkin is pretty good about predicting when you'll most likely get the call, because the trends of how many people drop is pretty much almost the same each year.



Let us know how it goes, especially if you get good news.

 

[VinylFever]

Has anyone who interviewed at UF on 3/3 heard anything yet? Burns you were there right?

 

[medgator]

Plus, at UF, you have to do almost everything on campus, b/c Shands is on campus. At USF or Miami, you will not be around undergrads as much, because Miami has an entire separate campus for the med students, and USF doesn't have a hospital on campus except for the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Each of the schools has pros and cons for sure, but if you're looking for other non-trads, UF is probably the worst choice.

When Q says on campus, keep in mind that UF's campus is pretty big. Your interaction with any undergrads is pretty much nil. The health sciences are all located in shands (Nursing/dental/pharm/med/basic sci grad students) which is down the hill from the undergraduate campus. As such, you WILL run into a lot of the other health science students.

 

[QofQuimica]

When Q says on campus, keep in mind that UF's campus is pretty big. Your interaction with any undergrads is pretty much nil. The health sciences are all located in shands (Nursing/dental/pharm/med/basic sci grad students) which is down the hill from the undergraduate campus. As such, you WILL run into a lot of the other health science students.

Hey, medgator, how's it going? I haven't seen you around in a while. They must be keeping you busy. 🙂

 

[inflamesdjk02]

"Supposed" to hear from UM today, but sounds like it could be up to another week. Hooyah. Anyone else interview there 2/13?

 

[McMD]

Good Luck InFlames!

 

[RunnerMD]

"Supposed" to hear from UM today, but sounds like it could be up to another week. Hooyah. Anyone else interview there 2/13?

Good luck--by the way, for some odd reason, I am strangely hypnotized by your avatar.

 

[LiNk]

The good thing about waitlist is that if you are in the high tier, you have like a 99% chance of getting in. Mr. Larkin is pretty good about predicting when you'll most likely get the call, because the trends of how many people drop is pretty much almost the same each year.


Let us know how it goes, especially if you get good news.

Looks like I'm on the waitlist but that's okay. Mr. Larkin said that I'm in the "safe zone" of people who are likely to be accepted but maybe not until June. I'll take it 👍
Here goes the wait....

 

[inflamesdjk02]

Thanks all 🙂

 

[gujuDoc]

LMAO at Inflamed!!!!!!!

That's tooooooooo cute. What tv show is that clip from anyhow??? It looks strangely familiar.

 

[medgator]

Hey, medgator, how's it going? I haven't seen you around in a while. They must be keeping you busy. 🙂

Yep... on ER. It's insanity. 3 more months til intern year is over!!!! 😀

 

[gujuDoc]

Yep... on ER. It's insanity. 3 more months til intern year is over!!!! 😀

So you are an ER resident then??? That's cool.

 

[Tigerstang]

As always, you are my champion. Much obliged. Thanks, dude

Ok, you definitely sound like a man who would thrive in the lawless bubble that is South Beach.

1. The commute-- this is the best part about living on the beach. You will have the best commute of anywhere in the city (driving that is). The causeway that connects the mainland to the beach puts you right at the feet of the medical school, without having to get on 95. Traffic is absolutely minimal at all hours (honestly). The only way you could beat it would be I guess to live downtown near a metro rail.

2. That being said-- Miami is annoying in that you have to drive everywhere-- unless you live on the beach where everything is compact and walkable (the grocery store, the movies, umm.. the beach, lairs of drunk supermodels). I used to live in Coconut Grove and this annoyed the hell out of me. In fact, I hate the grove, and worse it's too far from the medical campus. Living on the beach has a bit more neighborhoody/city feel.

3. Expense-- the place I rented in the grove cost about 2x what I could have paid on the beach. You just need to look around, but remember most people that actually live on south beach are waiters, wannabe models... there are a lot of pretty cheap rental options, and quite a bit to buy as well.

4. I already live there, but if I were looking elsewhere, particularly to buy, I might think about downtown, particularly with the metro rail, but none of it is going to be ever as popular as the beach (if you're looking to resell). South of 5th street is still pretty residential, and quiet, and in my humble opinion, may be the best place on the earth to live. I wouldnt have considered myself a South Beach person when I moved down there, but it's a much different place to visit than live. Living there, I think you really cant beat it. And if you get that urge to be some sort of 80's drug vigilante, and live it up Miami style, it's right out your front door. So are topless women.

Well, hope that sums up my feelings on the beach for you.

On another note, I hear they're trying to spruce up the area around the medical school--- but it seems like every neighborhood in Miami is up and coming. Downtown and Brickell are getting more popular (although are still, I think creepy in that they seem to be deserted all the time), and the design district (north of the city) seems cool, albeit far. I think maybe the best might be little Haiti, but it still has elements of total sketchiness, and is even further north.

So, see you on the beach.

 

[greendot]

Hey everyone,

Haven't been here in a while. Just wanted to let you know that I'll be withdrawing from USF and UF very shortly. Good luck to everyone.

 

[gujuDoc]

Hey everyone,

Haven't been here in a while. Just wanted to let you know that I'll be withdrawing from USF and UF very shortly. Good luck to everyone.

So do you know where you are going to go for med school yet??

Good luck to you and to everyone else.

 

[gujuDoc]

Looks like I'm on the waitlist but that's okay. Mr. Larkin said that I'm in the "safe zone" of people who are likely to be accepted but maybe not until June. I'll take it 👍
Here goes the wait....

A friend of mine got off waitlist last year in June. So its possible. A lot of people will be withdrawing, who have had multiple acceptances, because they have been accepted to top tier schools elsewhere or got better financial deals, and so forth. So I'd hang on tight. I think REL posted on here sometime back that about 50% of the class were waitlist candidates. But you'd have to search his posts to find out.

 

[greendot]

So do you know where you are going to go for med school yet??

Good luck to you and to everyone else.

Thanks Guju 🙂

I'll be at Mt Sinai next year. Good luck to everyone.

 

[Tigerstang]

Thanks Guju 🙂

I'll be at Mt Sinai next year. Good luck to everyone.

Mt. Sinai over UF? Interesting choice...what motivated you...just being in NYC?

 

[medgator]

So you are an ER resident then??? That's cool.

Noooo way. The ER is too chaotic and ADHD for me. I am starting a radiation oncology residency next year. ER is one of the rotations during my prelim medicine year.

 

[greendot]

Mt. Sinai over UF? Interesting choice...what motivated you...just being in NYC?

I was very impressed (and surprised) by UF when I interviewed, and it has not been an easy decision. I almost don't want to withdraw ... however, several factors led to my selection of Mt Sinai.

I'm originally from NY (been in South Florida for 6 years), and I've always wanted to return and live in the city. I love NYC, and think that with the limited free time I'll have, there is not better place to be than the city that never sleeps. And while Gainesville would be a fun place to do undergrad, I don't know that I'd enjoy it as much as a med student.

Though most of my friends are in Florida now, my family is all in New York, and I have friends there as well.

Sinai's first two years are pass/fail, and I've been told by many med students that Pass/Fail is more important than I'll be able to appreciate until school actually starts.

The students there seemed very happy (though the UF students seemed very happy also, so I guess this isn't really a point for either school).

MSSM students matched into some very competitive residencies, especially in the North East, and since I plan to practice in NY (or attempt a move to the West Coast) I thought I'd have an easier time coming out of Sinai.

Overall I went with my gut, and feel that Mt. Sinai is a great fit for me.

Hope that answered your question 🙂

 

[Tigerstang]

Cool - I guess that makes sense. I was just surprised to see someone turn down the cheap tuition. BTW I think we might have met at UF...did you interview on the first day?

I was very impressed (and surprised) by UF when I interviewed, and it has not been an easy decision. I almost don't want to withdraw ... however, several factors led to my selection of Mt Sinai.

I'm originally from NY (been in South Florida for 6 years), and I've always wanted to return and live in the city. I love NYC, and think that with the limited free time I'll have, there is not better place to be than the city that never sleeps. And while Gainesville would be a fun place to do undergrad, I don't know that I'd enjoy it as much as a med student.

Though most of my friends are in Florida now, my family is all in New York, and I have friends there as well.

Sinai's first two years are pass/fail, and I've been told by many med students that Pass/Fail is more important than I'll be able to appreciate until school actually starts.

The students there seemed very happy (though the UF students seemed very happy also, so I guess this isn't really a point for either school).

MSSM students matched into some very competitive residencies, especially in the North East, and since I plan to practice in NY (or attempt a move to the West Coast) I thought I'd have an easier time coming out of Sinai.

Overall I went with my gut, and feel that Mt. Sinai is a great fit for me.

Hope that answered your question 🙂

 

[QofQuimica]

Cool - I guess that makes sense. I was just surprised to see someone turn down the cheap tuition. BTW I think we might have met at UF...did you interview on the first day?

I interviewed with greendot at Miami and USF. 😀

P.S. Congrats on all of your acceptances, greendot, and best of to you. 🙂

 

[RunnerMD]

Hi guys,

As some of you may know, I have a job where I have a TON of free time and so today, I decided I would try to be productive and figure out how I'm going to pay for med school. Anyway, I went to UMs financial aid website and found links to some private lenders. Attached is an excel sheet that I created to compare each loan. I tried to access citigroup, but their website was messed up. Anyhow, I figured you guys might find this useful in the process.

Disclaimer**This info was taken from the website as of today. I'm not sure if the interest rates, conditions, etc., will change.

Hope you guys are having a good week!

***Edit 1*** Apparantly we can't attach Excel files, so I put it in a doc. Its kinda hard to read and I had to modify column widths, so just PM me if you'd rather have it in excel and I'll e-mail it to you.

**Edit 2** I have the CitiBank info now, so let me know if you want that.

 

[mikedc813]

Looks like I'm on the waitlist but that's okay. Mr. Larkin said that I'm in the "safe zone" of people who are likely to be accepted but maybe not until June. I'll take it 👍
Here goes the wait....

I would put a lot of stock into what Rel says. He knows what he is talking about . I was in your shoes 2 years ago. I was at the top of the waitlist (I got in May 12), but don't worry too much about it. There is a large % of my class that is in off the waitlist. Just hang tight...

 

[gujuDoc]

Noooo way. The ER is too chaotic and ADHD for me. I am starting a radiation oncology residency next year. ER is one of the rotations during my prelim medicine year.

Oh ok. You are from the C/O 2005 right?? Because if that is the case, I know one of your classmates who matched into rads/onc. He is from the hometown and his 'rents are somewhat friends with my parents.

 

[floridakppr]

To all florida residents:

What out of state schools did you apply to? I'm skimming the list (without an MSAR) and making a list of schools based on random stuff: claims on school's website, distance to ski slopes/beach, and local transportation (subways and what not). It's a big list. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[LiNk]

I would put a lot of stock into what Rel says. He knows what he is talking about . I was in your shoes 2 years ago. I was at the top of the waitlist (I got in May 12), but don't worry too much about it. There is a large % of my class that is in off the waitlist. Just hang tight...

Well thank you for that. I'm not at the top of the waitlist, but I'm a patient person and I have faith 🙂

 

[McMD]

👎

 

[RunnerMD]

To all florida residents:

What out of state schools did you apply to? I'm skimming the list (without an MSAR) and making a list of schools based on random stuff: claims on school's website, distance to ski slopes/beach, and local transportation (subways and what not). It's a big list. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Its difficult b/c I don't know you're stats, but I would highly reccommend EVMS (Eastern VA Med School). I really liked it and I have a friend who attends and loves it! Plus its close to the NC beaches and not too far from VA beach. And you can do a weekend trip to pretty much anywhere from GA to NY.

 

[RunnerMD]

Random question:

Which has the better medical center, and WHY? Duke v. UCSF?

 

[QofQuimica]

To all florida residents:

What out of state schools did you apply to? I'm skimming the list (without an MSAR) and making a list of schools based on random stuff: claims on school's website, distance to ski slopes/beach, and local transportation (subways and what not). It's a big list. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Yeah, it would help if you gave us a better idea of what you're looking for. You want good research schools? Clinically oriented schools? Warm weather? What are your must-haves in a med school?

 

[medgator]

Random question:

Which has the better medical center, and WHY? Duke v. UCSF?

That's a tough one... they're both phenomenal.... Duke will give you a better cost of living 😀

They are probably both top 15 (if not 10) in NIH research funding.

Oh yeah, Congrats UF COM C/O 2006!!!

http://www.med.ufl.edu/oea/osa/match2006/Match2006.htm

 

[floridakppr]

RunnerMD: I have heard good things about the location of EVMS before. Thanks for reiterating them.

QoQ: Must-haves? At my stage of the game, it's more like a 'would-prefer-it-if-they-had' list. I do know, though, that I am interested in medicine because of the patient interaction. Research is fascinating, but the rewards of healing individuals exceed the perks of forging new avenues in research. With that being said, my ideal med school offers the best of both academic and clinical worlds, while offering a location close to either a beach, a ski resort, or an extensive underground transportation system. An odd hodge-podge it is, but I think the peace of mind necessary for my surviving med school can come from retreating to the outdoors or foregoing the annoyance that is driving in rush hour traffic.

 

[QofQuimica]

RunnerMD: I have heard good things about the location of EVMS before. Thanks for reiterating them.

QoQ: Must-haves? At my stage of the game, it's more like a 'would-prefer-it-if-they-had' list. I do know, though, that I am interested in medicine because of the patient interaction. Research is fascinating, but the rewards of healing individuals exceed the perks of forging new avenues in research. With that being said, my ideal med school offers the best of both academic and clinical worlds, while offering a location close to either a beach, a ski resort, or an extensive underground transportation system. An odd hodge-podge it is, but I think the peace of mind necessary for my surviving med school can come from retreating to the outdoors or foregoing the annoyance that is driving in rush hour traffic.

Hmm, ok. I would say that if your stats and ECs are really good, try Mayo Clinic and U Mich. If your stats are average, consider Tulane and Drexel. They are all clinically-oriented schools that have research opportunities as well. I would also advise you to apply to all of the FL schools, including Miami, because you have your best chances of getting accepted if you stay in-state. Who else has suggestions?

 

[LilyMD]

Hi, I just interviewed at Miami. I felt my interviewer was a bit antagonistic with me. At other points, she was perfectly pleasant. For those of you of who were accepted, I was wondering how your interview went? Did you feel that you did really well or just okay? I just wondering how much the interview plays a role? Is it most to weed out people with no social skills? Or is a lot of going forward dependent on your rapport with the interviewer? Thanks.

 

[MrBurns10]

you should check out Pitt. No underground transportation system there, but lots of mountainous outdoor stuff to do and Pitt students ride the bus throughout the city for free. not to mention pregnant sim dummies, caveman's personal favorite.

 

[MrBurns10]

Hi, I just interviewed at Miami. I felt my interviewer was a bit antagonistic with me. At other points, she was perfectly pleasant. For those of you of who were accepted, I was wondering how your interview went? Did you feel that you did really well or just okay? I just wondering how much the interview plays a role? Is it most to weed out people with no social skills? Or is a lot of going forward dependent on your rapport with the interviewer? Thanks.

I really wouldn't worry too much about it. My interview was conversational, but a friend of mine had a far more antagonistic interview experience and he was accepted. Sometimes interviewers do this sort of thing to see how you deal with a stressful situation, so you might have done very well. Don't stress over it because there's nothing you can do at this point and worrying about it won't do anything but make you miserable. Good luck!

On that note, I am quite possibly the most hypocritical person I know.

 

[QofQuimica]

Hi, I just interviewed at Miami. I felt my interviewer was a bit antagonistic with me. At other points, she was perfectly pleasant. For those of you of who were accepted, I was wondering how your interview went? Did you feel that you did really well or just okay? I just wondering how much the interview plays a role? Is it most to weed out people with no social skills? Or is a lot of going forward dependent on your rapport with the interviewer? Thanks.

Mine was the same way. Some of the questions I got asked were totally ridiculous, and I felt that the interviewer didn't get to know me very well. But he must have thought I was ok, because they still accepted me. So I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[MrBurns10]

Mine was the same way. Some of the questions I got asked were totally ridiculous, and I felt that the interviewer didn't get to know me very well. But he must have thought I was ok, because they still accepted me. So I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Yeah, I'd say your application is "ok"...

 

[QofQuimica]

Yeah, I'd say your application is "ok"...

Um....kiss my spear, Mr. Burns.

No seriously, I'm talking about my rapport with the interviewer. I didn't have a very good visit on my interview day at all, and I didn't particularly enjoy the interview. Not that it was hostile, but it was definitely strained, the person was asking me all sorts of silly hypothetical questions that have nothing to do with my application, I was sick as a dog, the entire interview day was pretty horrible in general after beginning with my being accosted by a guy on the street beforehand who got upset when I didn't have any money to give to him, and I couldn't wait to get the h*** out of there. I was having such a bad experience that I almost didn't stay for the interview. Seriously. But now I'm glad that I did. 🙂

So this is a long way of saying that interviews and interview days in general don't necessarily have to be good. You can have a bad one and still be accepted, and conversely, you can have a great one and still get rejected or waitlisted. I've been on that side, too.

 

[yrodri15]

Just came back from renting a hotel at the beach... God... how "relaxing" ;-)

In any case, happy belated birthday MrBurns!!!!

 

[MrBurns10]

Just came back from renting a hotel at the beach... God... how "relaxing" ;-)

In any case, happy belated birthday MrBurns!!!!

Thanks, yrodri! Oh, and I requested to be your friend on Facebook. at least I hope it's you...

 

[gujuDoc]

Um....kiss my spear, Mr. Burns.

No seriously, I'm talking about my rapport with the interviewer. I didn't have a very good visit on my interview day at all, and I didn't particularly enjoy the interview. Not that it was hostile, but it was definitely strained, the person was asking me all sorts of silly hypothetical questions that have nothing to do with my application, I was sick as a dog, the entire interview day was pretty horrible in general after beginning with my being accosted by a guy on the street beforehand who got upset when I didn't have any money to give to him, and I couldn't wait to get the h*** out of there. I was having such a bad experience that I almost didn't stay for the interview. Seriously. But now I'm glad that I did. 🙂

So this is a long way of saying that interviews and interview days in general don't necessarily have to be good. You can have a bad one and still be accepted, and conversely, you can have a great one and still get rejected or waitlisted. I've been on that side, too.

When a friend of mine interviewed at USF in 2004 Fall, she had a similar experience to yours at Miami. The interviewers simply asked GPA and MCAT and didn't ask anything else, making it kinda awkward for her. She still ended up getting in even though she thought her interview wasn't the greatest.

I don't think the interview is the make or break you, but more like another factor to use to assss you. They still look at everything else in the deciding factor. So just wait it out and try to hang in there.

 

[MrBurns10]

I don't think the interview is the make or break you, but more like another factor to use to assss you.

haha! guju said assss!