University of Miami, Class of 2010

[dradams]

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Dradams:
#🙂 Why did you choose UM?

#2🙂 I've filled out my FAFSA, gotten my SAR...what next? I'm going to call the Fin Aid office in a few days, but I feel very lost in this process.

It is the best school that I was accepted to. It sounds like you are doing fine with the fin aid stuff. I think you just need to wait now.

 

[dradams]

Hi DrAdams,

I'd love to know how many non-trad/older students there are at UM, say, as compared to other schools? Would you say that more of the non-trads tend to go to Boca or is it pretty equal between both campuses?

UM has a lot of nontrad med students. I would say about 25% of our class would be classified as nontraditional. I think it is probably about equally distributed between Boca and Miami. UM is definitely nontrad friendly.

 

[QofQuimica]

Hi DrAdams,

I'd love to know how many non-trad/older students there are at UM, say, as compared to other schools? Would you say that more of the non-trads tend to go to Boca or is it pretty equal between both campuses?

Hi foodlover,

I'm a non-trad accepted to the FAU campus also. 🙂

 

[RunnerMD]

Hi foodlover,

I'm a non-trad accepted to the FAU campus also. 🙂

I didn't know you were a non-trad! I don't know what I am--I think I'm somewhere in the middle (not straight out of undergrad, but not older, with a spouse/family, etc).

Q--what are your thoughts re:UM at this point?

 

[foodlover]

Yay for us old fogeys! 😉

It's nice to hear that there are other non-trads considering UM, and currently there. I met a few when I was there, which was nice. Some of the other schools I've visited have had a younger vibe, where I felt out of place even for being the ripe old age of 27. I like that everyone at Miami lives off campus (which I will definitely do no matter where I go), whereas at some schools sooo many of the students live in dorms or on campus housing which I feel would leave me out of the loop, not to mention give the whole place the feel of college!

 

[McMD]

RunnerMD...I think I'm with ya...not exactly a non-trad, but not straight out of undergrad...only took a year off though. But I will be coming with a husband, so maybe that will make me seem like an old fogey! 😳)

Foodlover...I actually wish that Miami had some kinda of housing options since there is nothing around the campus. Not to mention the high cost of living in Miami. But I get your point.

 

[QofQuimica]

I didn't know you were a non-trad! I don't know what I am--I think I'm somewhere in the middle (not straight out of undergrad, but not older, with a spouse/family, etc).

Q--what are your thoughts re:UM at this point?

Really? I'll be 31 when I start med school.

I'm still debating. How about you? Have you decided on Miami over FSU, or you're still thinking about it?

 

[QofQuimica]

RunnerMD...I think I'm with ya...not exactly a non-trad, but not straight out of undergrad...only took a year off though. But I will be coming with a husband, so maybe that will make me seem like an old fogey! 😳)

Foodlover...I actually wish that Miami had some kinda of housing options since there is nothing around the campus. Not to mention the high cost of living in Miami. But I get your point.

Miami does have some housing options on the Miami campus. There are two places on campus where students can live; I think they're apartments though, not dorms. That being said, I agree with foodlover that I wouldn't want to live in a dorm. I like having my own bathroom, and I have two cats, so that pretty much rules out a dorm for me. 😛

Anyway, foodlover, no worries; 27 is not old. You are younger than my kid sister.

So have all of you FAU people been up to see the campus? It's pretty posh, although I have to admit that the statue in the main building there could be kind of creepy late at night. Are you guys going to the second look weekend? I'm probably not going to come, because it's the day after I defend, and I've already been up to see the campus anyway. deuist showed me around. 😀

(deuist, if you're reading this, I haven't forgotten about the research chapter, I swear! Give me until May, and I'll get it to you!)

 

[McMD]

Miami does have some housing options on the Miami campus. There are two places on campus where students can live; I think they're apartments though, not dorms. That being said, I agree with foodlover that I wouldn't want to live in a dorm. I like having my own bathroom, and I have two cats, so that pretty much rules out a dorm for me. 😛

Anyway, foodlover, no worries; 27 is not old. You are younger than my kid sister.

So have all of you FAU people been up to see the campus? It's pretty posh, although I have to admit that the statue in the main building there could be kind of creepy late at night. Are you guys going to the second look weekend? I'm probably not going to come, because it's the day after I defend, and I've already been up to see the campus anyway. deuist showed me around. 😀

(deuist, if you're reading this, I haven't forgotten about the research chapter, I swear! Give me until May, and I'll get it to you!)

The apts that are around Miami are supposively REALLY hard to get into, you have to get on a waitlist and basically sit on the waitlist for 6 months or so, at least that's what our tour guide was saying! And I was under the impression that it was only one complex. I have a dog and a cat, so living in a dorm would be outta the question. I just don't want to be driving all the way home and then back to school simply to let my dog out bc I'll probably live 20-30 minutes away from the school.

On another note, I wish that FAU people could do their clinical years at the FAU campus as well...I think that's starting next application cycle though (or maybe 2008)...I would love to go to the Boca campus, but it would be too hard for my husband to find a good job in 2 different cities. 🙁

 

[deuist]

On another note, I wish that FAU people could do their clinical years at the FAU campus as well...I think that's starting next application cycle though (or maybe 2008)...I would love to go to the Boca campus, but it would be too hard for my husband to find a good job in 2 different cities. 🙁

The problem with doing clinicals here in Boca is that the only hospital here is a small community hospital. For the students that start in 2009, they will have to do a lot of driving to do all of their rotations at surrounding hospitals.

 

[RunnerMD]

Really? I'll be 31 when I start med school.

I'm still debating. How about you? Have you decided on Miami over FSU, or you're still thinking about it?

I never would have guessed! I thought you were some super smart 21 yr old person or something. I just turned 24 a few weeks ago (I feel sooooooo old--even though I'm not. 24 just sounds like such an adult age to me).

Re:UM v. FSU--I'm still pretty sure I'll choose UM. I'm getting over my "cold feet" phase, and am getting excited again about med school (I'm not sure if you read in the FL thread, but I went through a period ~1 month ago where I was questioning medicine all together--but like I said, cold feet).

But just like before, the $$$ factor is scaring me with regards to UM. It'd be one thing if my parents were able to help, or if UM would show me some love in the scholarship dept. Even though I DRASTICALLY prefer UM to FSU, the difference over 4 years adds up to about 50-60k. Is anyone else out there a little nervous about these crazy loans? I know everyone says don't worry about it, you will be able to pay it off--but its still a little unnerving.

On a slightly different topic, I was REALLY excited about moving, but lately I've been kinda sad (thinking about the people/places I will miss). Anyone else feel the same way?

 

[McMD]

Deuist...gotcha on the clinicals in Boca, plus no matter what hospitals were available in Boca, you'd see a lot more in Miami.

Runner....the money thing scares me everyday!! Not only the tuition is more, but then the living expenses are doubled for UM versus FSU. I was having second thoughts the other week on UM versus FSU (I'm choosing UM) because I went to undergrad at FSU and I love it there, plus it's familiar and I know a lot of people...but...I think I'm making the right decision. (I hope at least).

And I know I'm probably the biggest dork on SDN, but I didn't get a chance to take biochem in undergrad, so I bought the book that UM suggests we review before school starts and as soon as it comes in, I'm going to start studying up. I know I know...I'm a loser 🙂

 

[QofQuimica]

I never would have guessed! I thought you were some super smart 21 yr old person or something. I just turned 24 a few weeks ago (I feel sooooooo old--even though I'm not. 24 just sounds like such an adult age to me).

Re:UM v. FSU--I'm still pretty sure I'll choose UM. I'm getting over my "cold feet" phase, and am getting excited again about med school (I'm not sure if you read in the FL thread, but I went through a period ~1 month ago where I was questioning medicine all together--but like I said, cold feet).

But just like before, the $$$ factor is scaring me with regards to UM. It'd be one thing if my parents were able to help, or if UM would show me some love in the scholarship dept. Even though I DRASTICALLY prefer UM to FSU, the difference over 4 years adds up to about 50-60k. Is anyone else out there a little nervous about these crazy loans? I know everyone says don't worry about it, you will be able to pay it off--but its still a little unnerving.

On a slightly different topic, I was REALLY excited about moving, but lately I've been kinda sad (thinking about the people/places I will miss). Anyone else feel the same way?

But I *was* a super smart 21-year-old....ten years ago. 😉 You think that turning 24 sounds so adult....wait until you turn 30. 😛 I think that I will be 24 also from now on. You are 24. A-man is 24. I am 24. Who else here is 24???

Runner and McMD, have you guys tried applying for a scholarship at Miami? I know a lot of people get partial tuition so that it won't be any more expensive for them to attend Miami versus one of the public schools. You should really talk to Dr. Hinkley about it.

There was a biochem book we were supposed to review??? Did they tell you that in your acceptance packet or something? 😕 Is it for everyone, or just people who didn't take a biochem course? Geez, I really don't want to spend my summer vacation reading a biochem book. 👎

 

[McMD]

haha. If you look on "incoming freshman" on the "students" portion of the website. It is under "a message from the biochem dept." Don't worry it's for the students entering for 2005...but I'm pretty sure a review is recommended each year, they just haven't updated the website for 2006 yet.

Now, about those scholarships...I thought they only gave the one scholarship out for the "most diverse" student and there's no way that my 22 year old self with nothing exciting in my life except my puppy has anything amazing to talk about. Partial tuition? This whole fin aid stuff is so confusing. If you have any info...could you fill me in please?

 

[QofQuimica]

haha. If you look on "incoming freshman" on the "students" portion of the website. It is under "a message from the biochem dept." Don't worry it's for the students entering for 2005...but I'm pretty sure a review is recommended each year, they just haven't updated the website for 2006 yet.

Now, about those scholarships...I thought they only gave the one scholarship out for the "most diverse" student and there's no way that my 22 year old self with nothing exciting in my life except my puppy has anything amazing to talk about. Partial tuition? This whole fin aid stuff is so confusing. If you have any info...could you fill me in please?

You think there's only one scholarship? 😕 I didn't have that impression, but I don't know. I did have to write an essay about how I would add to the diversity of the class, and another one about why it would be a financial hardship for me to go to Miami if I didn't get the scholarship. But I know of several people who didn't even apply for it and still got awarded partial scholarships. Seriously, talk to Dr. Hinkley, because they might do that for you, too. Worst case scenario, they won't do anything, but it never hurts to ask.

 

[foodlover]

Any idea how long after submitting the scholarship app they get awarded? I am sooo hoping for one. Otherwise it will be hard to justify the OOS tuition.

 

[deuist]

Any idea how long after submitting the scholarship app they get awarded? I am sooo hoping for one. Otherwise it will be hard to justify the OOS tuition.

I got my scholarship award about a month after sending in the application. The scholarship committee meets every week.

 

[RunnerMD]

Runner and McMD, have you guys tried applying for a scholarship at Miami? I know a lot of people get partial tuition so that it won't be any more expensive for them to attend Miami versus one of the public schools. You should really talk to Dr. Hinkley about it.

There was a biochem book we were supposed to review??? Did they tell you that in your acceptance packet or something? 😕 Is it for everyone, or just people who didn't take a biochem course? Geez, I really don't want to spend my summer vacation reading a biochem book. 👎

Q--I submitted the scholarship essays about 4-5 weeks ago and haven't heard a peep. So I'm guessing that means I'm getting no love from them. I'm just really worried about the $$$ b/c my Mom is a public school teacher (i.e. makes no money), but we make enough to not qualify for fin aid. I hate being stuck in the middle

Re:the biochem stuff. I DLed and printed all the powerpoint stuff from the incoming freshman site and studied it for a few weeks...and then I came to my senses and did what every one thus far has told me to do--NOT STUDY MED SCHOOL STUFF.

So in the meantime, I've been an Amazon.com junkie and have been buying a ton of history/law books (my fave!) and have immersed myself with more vounteer work. I think the less I look at medical stuff now, the more I will be excited about it once school starts.

 

[QofQuimica]

Q--I submitted the scholarship essays about 4-5 weeks ago and haven't heard a peep. So I'm guessing that means I'm getting no love from them. I'm just really worried about the $$$ b/c my Mom is a public school teacher (i.e. makes no money), but we make enough to not qualify for fin aid. I hate being stuck in the middle

Re:the biochem stuff. I DLed and printed all the powerpoint stuff from the incoming freshman site and studied it for a few weeks...and then I came to my senses and did what every one thus far has told me to do--NOT STUDY MED SCHOOL STUFF.

So in the meantime, I've been an Amazon.com junkie and have been buying a ton of history/law books (my fave!) and have immersed myself with more vounteer work. I think the less I look at medical stuff now, the more I will be excited about it once school starts.

I would still call Dr. H. if I were you and explain your situation. He may not realize how much getting the money could mean to you in terms of your ability to attend Miami instead of FSU.

I love browsing amazon, but they are usually not the cheapest. Here's a great website if you didn't know about it already: www.bestbookbuys.com It's an online bookstore search engine, and it will get you great prices on books. I even used to buy my textbooks online there. 👍

 

[dradams]

I don't know if you guys are aware but I found out last year that you need to put your parental info on the FAFSA in order to be considered for a scholarship at UM. I actually checked on this last year because I was an older applicant and wasn't sure if I needed to put my parents info on the form.

Of course I still got rejected for a scholarship as fast as they could read my app and put a stamp on the rejection letter. 😳

 

[RunnerMD]

I don't know if you guys are aware but I found out last year that you need to put your parental info on the FAFSA in order to be considered for a scholarship at UM. I actually checked on this last year because I was an older applicant and wasn't sure if I needed to put my parents info on the form.

Of course I still got rejected for a scholarship as fast as they could read my app and put a stamp on the rejection letter. 😳

Wait--so are you talking about scholarships that are seperate from the ones we wrote essays for? Because some of those scholarships were awarded WAY before the FAFSA was available.

Also, did you get a formal rejection letter (for scholarships)? I'm just wondering if I will receive a form rejection letter, or if I might be in the "maybe" pile.

 

[dradams]

Wait--so are you talking about scholarships that are seperate from the ones we wrote essays for? Because some of those scholarships were awarded WAY before the FAFSA was available.

Also, did you get a formal rejection letter (for scholarships)? I'm just wondering if I will receive a form rejection letter, or if I might be in the "maybe" pile.

Maybe they do award some before the FAFSA is complete but I was told last year that I needed to complete the parental part of FAFSA in order to be considered for a scholarship. Yes I think I did receive something in the mail eventually about not getting a scholarship. Then again, it's all a blur so maybe I'm not remembering that correctly. Maybe I just imagined I received something in writing. 😳

 

[QofQuimica]

I don't know if you guys are aware but I found out last year that you need to put your parental info on the FAFSA in order to be considered for a scholarship at UM. I actually checked on this last year because I was an older applicant and wasn't sure if I needed to put my parents info on the form.

Of course I still got rejected for a scholarship as fast as they could read my app and put a stamp on the rejection letter. 😳

Are you under age 30? If not, they must have changed the rule for this year, because I was explicitly told that I do NOT have to put my parents' info since I am over age 30. I have that in writing.

Also, just so everyone is clear, you CAN be awarded the diversity scholarship without submitting a FAFSA; I received it a few months ago, and I still have not submitted my FAFSA yet. 😳

 

[dradams]

Are you under age 30? If not, they must have changed the rule for this year, because I was explicitly told that I do NOT have to put my parents' info since I am over age 30. I have that in writing.

Also, just so everyone is clear, you CAN be awarded the diversity scholarship without submitting a FAFSA; I received it a few months ago, and I still have not submitted my FAFSA yet. 😳

Hm, I am over 30 but I was told last year that I had to put it in order to be considered for a scholarship.

 

[McMD]

Q of Q...can I ask what your "diversity" was? I just don't think I'm "diverse" enough for a scholarship.

 

[kenmc3]

Hello all – congrats to those who are already accepted. I am also a first year at UM – but I am at the Miami Campus. I will try to answer some of the questions you have been asking.

First let me say that there are a number of non-traditional students at our campus – some in their later 30’s. Some have children (A classmate and a classmates wife both had a child this year as well).

Also, while there isn’t actually on-campus housing at UM there is Dominion Towers and Jackson Towers. All within about a 2 min walk from the med school building. Technically Dominion towers is on campus and has some doctors offices in it etc. Most people living there are med students and residents and from what I hear it is cheaper than most other places around. Also, my friends who live there seem to like is since they can just walk to school any time they want to use the facilities etc. This really helps during anatomy when you want to come in the evening or on weekends to review. So this is always an option if you want cheap and close – just don’t expect luxury.

Also, yeah there are some serious waiting lists for some apartments. I recommend that if you already are positive that you want to go to Miami, put your name on some waiting lists. But don’t worry, there weren’t any homeless students in our class and there are always tons of students looking for roommates.

As far as scholarships they give out multiple. I don’t know much more than that. I didn’t get a formal rejection letter though. Personally, and this is ONLY MY OPINION – I feel that UM uses the scholarship as a way to lure students who might want to go to other schools. So if you have really high scores and were accepted to Harvard etc then you may have a better chance of getting a scholarship. But I am sure they do it based on need and there are some students in my class using them.

Regarding biochemistry, the first module we have is one of the hardest and most boring parts of the first two years. It is composed of Biochemistry, Genetics, Embryology, Histology, and Cell Biology and it is the first 5 weeks of school. The biochemistry portion is the most major and probably the most intense. This is why they recommend a review. I already had undergrad biochemistry so I didn’t review anything. This course is NOT any more difficult than an undergrad biochem course other than it is 5 weeks long and you are taking 4 other courses. Don’t worry about reviewing unless you feel you are completely clueless about biochemistry.

 

[QofQuimica]

Q of Q...can I ask what your "diversity" was? I just don't think I'm "diverse" enough for a scholarship.

I don't believe that you aren't "diverse" enough to apply for it; you just have to talk about whatever makes you unique from other students. Maybe it will be a hobby, or a work experience; it doesn't have to be one of the obvious things like your religion/race/ethnicity/sexual orientation. I'm a non-trad (over age 30), so basically it is life experience stuff in my case. I talked about my research and teaching background (I'll be coming in with a PhD in chemistry), and why my physical science background gives me a different perspective on medicine than even other PhDs in the biomedical sciences would have.

My suggestion to you is that you think about any unique skills or hobbies that you have and talk about those. Do you speak another language? Travel? Work? Collect something? Whatever you do that makes you unique and interesting is what also makes you add to their diversity. Hope this helps, and good

 

[McMD]

Thanks. I know I'm only hurting myself by wasting time trying to think of something to write about...I absolutely hate writing about myself though. 🙁

 

[deuist]

From the Miami listserve:

If you're looking for a roomate for next year, the housing site for the new incoming freshmen is up.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MiamiMed2010/

 

[unfrozencaveman]

Any idea on what we're supposed to do about parking at UM?

 

[RunnerMD]

From the Miami listserve:

If you're looking for a roomate for next year, the housing site for the new incoming freshmen is up.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MiamiMed2010/

I've been told by several people its a bad idea to live with a fellow student (esp at the Boca campus b/c the class size is so small). For $ reasons, I will prob need a roomie, but was planning on just renting a room from someone I didn't know (I know it sounds scary but I, and my friends, have had really good luck with this).

Any advice? Do you think its a bad idea to live with a med student?

 

[deuist]

I've been told by several people its a bad idea to live with a fellow student (esp at the Boca campus b/c the class size is so small). For $ reasons, I will prob need a roomie, but was planning on just renting a room from someone I didn't know (I know it sounds scary but I, and my friends, have had really good luck with this).

Any advice? Do you think its a bad idea to live with a med student?

Who told you that? I live with a classmate that I met off of that website last summer. Likewise, several students from the Boca campus live with classmates. I just don't see the logic behind not living with an FAU classmate because the class size is so small. While you can live by yourself, you are correct in saying that property costs are going to be very high here. On our website, www.ummsm.com, we have a Boca guide that we're currently working on for incoming freshmen that will talk about various apartments and a going-out guide.

 

[QofQuimica]

I've been told by several people its a bad idea to live with a fellow student (esp at the Boca campus b/c the class size is so small). For $ reasons, I will prob need a roomie, but was planning on just renting a room from someone I didn't know (I know it sounds scary but I, and my friends, have had really good luck with this).

Any advice? Do you think its a bad idea to live with a med student?

I also don't see why it's necessarily a bad idea to live with another med student. It *is* bad to live with your best friend, because you may no longer be best friends after being roomies. 😉 And, it's a bad idea to date a fellow student, because you will still have to see and work with this person day in and day out if you break up. But you are not going to be best friends or lovers with all 32 people (I hope!), and at least you know something about their histories. U Miami does conduct background checks, right???

 

[RunnerMD]

Does anyone know how financial aid (based upon our EFC) at UM works? Do they have a cutoff and say, ok, everyone with an EFC < 10k, gets this kind of aid? Or do they look at ALL UM students' EFC and take out let's say, the bottom 10% of students, and give them a certain amount of aid?

I got my EFC and am just trying to estimate how much I would need to take out in loans (Is it true that more aid is available when you attend a private v. public univ?)

Also, I read on the FAFSA thread that you can complete some kind of document stating that your income from 05 will be very different from 06 (since you won't be working and will be in school full time). Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks!

 

[RunnerMD]

for some reason, this thread never bumped when I posted a few days ago...so I'm bumping now in the hopes that someone will have an answer to my question. thanks!

 

[QofQuimica]

for some reason, this thread never bumped when I posted a few days ago...so I'm bumping now in the hopes that someone will have an answer to my question. thanks!

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question. Are you going to the second look weekend? I am not going to be able to go, but if you do, will you fill me in on your experiences with the hospitals, staff, etc.?

 

[RunnerMD]

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question. Are you going to the second look weekend? I am not going to be able to go, but if you do, will you fill me in on your experiences with the hospitals, staff, etc.?

Sorry Q, I'm not going either. Have you decided anything about Cleveland?

 

[QofQuimica]

Sorry Q, I'm not going either. Have you decided anything about Cleveland?

I haven't done anything since I spoke to you last. I emailed the FAU contact person in the letter and asked her to please send me any handouts that are given out. I don't know if she'll do it, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask. 😛

 

[RunnerMD]

I haven't done anything since I spoke to you last. I emailed the FAU contact person in the letter and asked her to please send me any handouts that are given out. I don't know if she'll do it, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask. 😛

Did you get a formal e-mail/letter? I didn't receive anything indicating a contact person.

 

[QofQuimica]

Did you get a formal e-mail/letter? I didn't receive anything indicating a contact person.

Yes, I got a snail mail letter today. She wrote me back and said I could come up and meet with Dr. Markowitz another time if I wanted to do that. Maybe I will; I'll have to look at my calendar. Tell me if you don't get the letter, and I can post or PM the gist of it to you.

 

[RunnerMD]

Yes, I got a snail mail letter today. She wrote me back and said I could come up and meet with Dr. Markowitz another time if I wanted to do that. Maybe I will; I'll have to look at my calendar. Tell me if you don't get the letter, and I can post or PM the gist of it to you.

Thanks Q! I actually got the letter Friday as well, but I'm not going to attend. I feel like it would be kinda silly since I was just there 2 months ago and got to talk with Dr. Markowitz for about 30 min or so...

Anyway, I'm just getting antsy about the whole process, esp. since if for some odd reason, I end up choosing FSU, then school starts REALLY REALLY soon!

 

[McMD]

I'm going to the FAU open house. I requested to transfer to the Miami campus, but just in case I don't get to, I better see the Boca campus!

 

[McMD]

For the Miami Campus: If you would like to get on the waitlist for parking, the phone number is: 305-243-6280 Talk to Daisy.

 

[QofQuimica]

I'm going to the FAU open house. I requested to transfer to the Miami campus, but just in case I don't get to, I better see the Boca campus!

Let us know how it goes. I'm trying to set up an alternative day to meet with Dr. Markowitz, but I haven't heard back yet.

 

[McMD]

I will give you all the info!

 

[Tigerstang]

Anyone Miami first year willing to answer questions about housing? If you could PM me I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[RunnerMD]

I posted this in the FL thread, but thought I might post it here just in case diff people read it.

I have a question re: the UM curriculum. I understand that we have "core modules," but when we take a "module," what classes do we have? Say we're doing the musculo-skeletal system. Do we have like one 3 hour lecture/day or something that covers all aspects of this system? Or do we have a bunch of basic classes (e.g. anatomy, biochem, etc) and each class is then focused on the musculo-skeletal system? I'm just trying to get a basic idea of how day to day classes will go. (I know this is a pretty basic question, but I guess I never thought about it till now). Thanks for your help!

 

[kenmc3]

I posted this in the FL thread, but thought I might post it here just in case diff people read it.

I have a question re: the UM curriculum. I understand that we have "core modules," but when we take a "module," what classes do we have? Say we're doing the musculo-skeletal system. Do we have like one 3 hour lecture/day or something that covers all aspects of this system? Or do we have a bunch of basic classes (e.g. anatomy, biochem, etc) and each class is then focused on the musculo-skeletal system? I'm just trying to get a basic idea of how day to day classes will go. (I know this is a pretty basic question, but I guess I never thought about it till now). Thanks for your help!

All of the modules are slightly different with regards to their organization. Remember the CORE modules start in Aug and run through the beginning of January and then the organ system modules start.

This year anatomy was split up and only taught during the core module (chest, abdomen, and pelvis), the neuroscience module (head and neck + neuroanatomy) and the musculoskeletal (2nd year – extremities). However the anatomy department is trying to make some changes so that next year all anatomy will be taught together during the first semester. But nothing has been finalized. So when you are in the cardiovascular module or the heme/onc module you really aren’t learning any anatomy because you already know it – so all they do is review it.

The core modules usually consist of lectures from 9-12 and then lectures again from 1-3 or 4. With doctoring on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. This is probably more time consuming and more lectures than you get during the organ system modules. Also tests are every other week whereas in the organ systems they are generally every 3 weeks.

Regarding the organ system modules, essentially they comprise the following classes:
Anatomy/Histology (usually review)
Physiology
Pathology
Pharmacology
Radiology
Small Group Discussions
Doctoring (which may or may not be related to what we are studying)

Usually you have lectures in the morning and the afternoons are usually free or for doctoring & small groups

Currently we are at the end of our neuroscience module. We have a test this Friday so we don’t have too many classes this week due to studying etc. But here is the schedule for Thursday and Friday of last week (fairly typical).

Thursday last week

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Cell Death and Neuro-degeneration (Physiology)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Traumatic Brain Injury (Pathology)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CNS Tumors I (Pathology

LUNCH

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM DOCTORING Academic Societies Neuro Exam Practice

Friday Last Week

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CNS and PNS Tumors (Pathology)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Physiology of Memory and Learning (Physiology)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Higher Cortical Functioning (Physiology)

LUNCH

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Split-Brain (Neurology)
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Aphasias (Neurology)

 

[Nflow]

I posted this in the FL thread, but thought I might post it here just in case diff people read it.

I have a question re: the UM curriculum. I understand that we have "core modules," but when we take a "module," what classes do we have? Say we're doing the musculo-skeletal system. Do we have like one 3 hour lecture/day or something that covers all aspects of this system? Or do we have a bunch of basic classes (e.g. anatomy, biochem, etc) and each class is then focused on the musculo-skeletal system? I'm just trying to get a basic idea of how day to day classes will go. (I know this is a pretty basic question, but I guess I never thought about it till now). Thanks for your help!

A module is just a fancy name for a body system, so for e.g. if you are in the endocrine module, you will have classes on endocrine physiology, pathology, pharmacology etc. The topics are spread over different days, so you can have a Pathology, pharmacology and physiology lecture on the same day. Some times you can also have a doctoring lecture that pertains to the current module.

Hope that helps

 

[deleted77919]

I interviewed in early Jan, having applied to the Miami campus, but got put at Boca because Miami is full. They are putting new acceptees there.

I interviewed in January as well (the 23rd), OOSer. I received an offer of admission on March 2nd (via e-mail) and was immediately assigned to the Miami campus. So, not quite sure how they are shuffeling people around, but for people who have not heard yet, I would asume there is still hope to land a Miami campus spot.

Best of luck to those still waiting.