I wanted to know how to FSU students feel about the USMLE (step one and two). How do you feel that you have been prepared or will be prepared for it?
We have yr 1 and 2 professors who write board questions. Plus all the faculty want the school to be really successful, so they try to emphasize what is key to know for boards/clinicals. I am confident that the faculty has basically done their part, now, just like any other school I have got to do mine and study hard.
What about 3rd and 4th year rotations? Will the students encounter any difficulty being so far away from the main campus?
Every campus has its own dean, support staff, wireless internet, and student lounge. Having the different campuses allows people to choose where their personalities fit in during clinicals.
What is the schedule of a 2nd year student like?
we have class from 8 or 9 AM till noon. Then one afternoon per week we have small group for 3 hours, and one afternoon we have sessions with standardized patients OR with a community preceptor.
How do you feel about your education in comparison to students at other medical schools? How is the relationship between students and their professors?
I think it is equivalent or better - plus we have the most supportive/nicest administration. Recently the Dean groups of 4 or 5 students over for dinner; all of the deans and faculty have an open door policy. Most of our teachers know us all by name. Some students even go running with faculty.
How do you feel about using a laptop for a microscope instead of using a real microscope and real slides? That is one thing that concerns me.
Don't be concerned. Online is so much better. There are no problems with not enough slides for everyone, or broken microscopes, or your eyes getting tired. Adding the technology means everyone has access to the same material, and you can look at it in your pajamas at 3 AM.
What about residency? I have heard that it may be hard to get into a good residency if a school is not well known. Is this just a rumor? Have students expressed concern over getting into a top residency of their choice.
It's just too early to tell. Worrying about it doesn't do any good: "Worrying does not take the troubles from tomorrow, it takes the strength from today." If you want a top residency in your field or to get into a really tough field, you have to do at FSU what you would do anywhere else - study hard in years 1 and 2 so you rock step one, then get awesome clinical evaluations in year 3. Plus, meet people in your field of interest (make connections) and do electives during 4th year at the programs you like.
Good luck! MS II FSU COM