People: Everyone was warm and truely excited to be there. I thought one of my interviewers was very harsh, but she warmed up and smiled toward the end I realized she was just testing me. My student host was so helpful. She even drove me by the school the night before so I could get a drop pin the GPS it the next day. Lunch with the current students was fun. We even talked about horses and they were not trying to hard sell the school. When I got lost, people were more than willing to walk me to where I needed to go.
Program and Opportunities: The student run clinic is staffed by everyone, not just first years. So I’d get to volunteer past my first year. Research and shadowing opportunities in the pediatric allergy field is abundant. There is a center for pediatric rheumatology, allergy, and immunology at UF. Shrands is a Level 1 trauma center and they also get diseases or conditions hospitals around the area can’t treat because those patients get sent to Shrands. I don’t remember much about how classes and blocks are, but a big part of UFCOM’s philosophy is about showing patients that you care. I believe I can learn the material at any school, but UF will make me a physician who is able to consider a patient holistically and address their needs.
People/ program: there is a collaborative atmosphere at UF. Many schools say they do, but this time I buy it. There are very good pooled resources where everyone contributes. Anatomy is peer taught and you help one another when your group is the “expert” on a system. most schools have a house system, but UF does the big/little thing so you automatically have someone who’d be willing to answer your questions about the school or program. And you can pay if forward later.
University: best in Florida and a top public school. If you have the Step scores, no one “should” ding you for choosing your state school over an expensive private school.
Others:
Cost: I’m in-state for Florida. I could go to a private school, maybe a bit more prestigious, but unless they are offering me a decent scholarship, Florida is a better choice.
Town: Gainesville is affordable and has a circus center. And I like the weather. I believe my dog will be happy about the absence of snow too.
Mic drop. Lol
