This information is provided by the first group of students from Miami (the great ones) to help you with your transition here.  Therefore, this is not official Ross information.  In this way, we can be completely honest and open in letting you know what you will need to complete this program.

If you are going to Miami next semester you need to start planning now...and, thanks to Al Gore, the internet has a massive amount of information that will help you.  The most important thing you can do is to be very proactive.  Approach this transition as you moving by yourselves to Miami, and not as if though the school is sending you there.  At the bottom of this page you will find a list of phone numbers that will help you find your way.

Housing

As far as we know, you are on your own.  We found that there are many free services in Miami to help you find housing and this is the best way to go. (Numbers are found at the end). 

Be aware that Florida has a law that makes it difficult to get anything less than a 7-month lease without paying penalties.   This may be avoided by planning early, and telling the real-estate agent exactly how much time you plan on spending here. 

You will need to find housing in the North Miami and Central Miami area.  Miami Beach is a very trendy place; some students have found reasonable housing here.  It tends to be a little pricier than North Miami, however, since the women walk around topless.

The 21 students here have housing spread across the city.  You could contact any one of us to take over our apartments but remember there are not enough spaces for everyone.  Over half of the group is at the Biscayne Place apartments.  They are high quality and the cost is fairly reasonable.  However, they are not as close as you may want to be (approx. 8-17 miles from your sites depending on where you are placed).  Still, they are willing to work with you on a short lease.  Plan to spend between $400-800 for an apartment depending on your needs.  It would be smart to find a roommate now and start planning; this may significantly reduce your costs.  We are renting furniture from Corts and Aaron’s rentals.   This costs around $100/mo for single bedroom apartments or $135 for two.  This includes beds, sofas, coffee & end tables, desks, lamps, and dining tables…most everything you need.  Costs you should consider:

·        Electricity:  $50-70 per apartment per month

·        Phone:  $35 per apartment per month

·        Furniture:  $100 per apartment per month

·        Transportation:  $60 per month for gas or bus fare

·        Rent: $ 400-800 per apartment per month

* Sharing an apartment with a roommate can obviously cut down on all these costs.

Transportation

You will need access to a car.  Right now we are relying on the few students with cars, and paying for their gas and maintenance.  If you have a car you should consider giving your friends rides in exchange for your gas and maintenance being paid.  If you don’t have a car, start kissing ass now, as it will save time once you get here.

Clinicals

If you study hard for your ICM I course, and are comfortable with your interviewing skills in behavioral, you will be more than prepared for clinicals here.  When we arrived, they were very surprised to see we had better skills than some the U of M med students.  You should expect to do interview patients and then discuss your differentials with your preceptor.  Case presentation is a big part of IICM up here.

It is helpful to know how to write a history (very shortened version from the one that you did in Dominica, everything on ½ page).  The doctors here will help you hone your skills to put together a practical write-up.  The goal is brevity without sacrificing completeness.  Know how to do CC, HPI, PMH, FH/SH, ROS, and an assessment quickly and efficiently.  You are expected to know these skills well and develop them more as you work with patients.   It would be to your benefit to learn how to write a SOAP note (problem oriented note), before you come here.   You will have all the clinical tools you need from your ICM I kit.   As things are right now, you could rotate in any field from orthopedics to radiology, ER or family medicine.  All the same principles of interviewing will apply.  Be prepared to dress daily like you do in ICM for the six weeks you’re in clinicals.  If you’re in the ER, however, they’ll laugh at you if you show up in anything but scrubs.

Miami

When you first arrive you may want to rent a car, and plan to stay in a Hotel at least three nights, maybe more.  Most of us were in a hotel for two weeks before we got housing…hopefully, if you plan ahead, you can avoid this.  Miami is like any other big city in the states so prepare for the costs of eating and going out.   There are so many cool things to do, but beware of these temptations.  After being here about two weeks you will feel much more comfortable with being in the states again and be easily able to separate work from play. 

When we first got here the program was very unorganized and we faced a lot of challenges.  Things are much more organized now.  Still, you should consider this is a new program…there are a lot of little details to be worked out daily.  You need to be very patient, and have a good attitude.  And as always, HAVE YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER AND PREPARE YOUR STUDENT LOAN WELL AHEAD OF TIME!

Important Phone Numbers

Housing

Furniture

Hotels

Rental Cars

Contact Information

Download a list of the Miami Crew contact info complete with addresses, phone numbers, and e-mails here.