Hello,
I think you may have the grading system figured out wrong. It is true that Miami doesn't use a pass/fail system. But Miami ALSO does not use grades as mentioned above along with using a percentage system.
I don't think the percentage system work the way you described it. Here is how it works, based on what I was told by the students when I interviewed there:
The classes are INDEED based on percentage but each class DOES NOT combine with another, like 91% in cell bio and 89% in chemistry = 90%. Each class is graded individually. Moreover, it's based on a "top 2%, top 5%, top 10%" system. For instance, if you have the highest score in the class, your transcript grade will be "Top 2%." Etc, etc.
Although this system may seem to promote competition, talking to the students there and learning about their system, I realized that they're not at all competitive. Moreover, what I think is a plus for Miami's system is "block" learning. Meaning, you learn subjects in blocks. For instance, you would learn JUST chemistry for 4 weeks, and then JUST biology for 4 weeks, etc. This way you can devote 100% into the subject you are exploring (typical med schools will have you learning 3-4 different subjects at a time).
I've had the opportunity to interview at many schools (with various programs, grading systems, and ranking), Miami ranks high on my list.
Hope that helps!
- Verite
