FIU vs FSU

[Lilliput]

I've been accepted to both Florida International University COM and Florida State University COM, and I need some advice!

I think I prefer FIU. The curriculum is fully integrated (HUGE plus), it's associated with great hospitals, and it has experienced faculty. The interview day was very well-planned, and it seemed like a place I could easily see myself studying. The students were all really enthusiastic, which was nice. However, I don't know ANYTHING about FIU's rotations because there haven't been any 3rd or 4th year med students yet. It's also not accredited yet, and we weren't shown Harveys or any other good learning tools on interview day.

FSU's interview day was more chill and less organized. At the beginning of the day, we were proudly told that FSU's students score "right at the national average!" on Step 1 of the USMLE 😱 (I don't know what FIU's Step 1 scores are, but bragging about being average doesn't really make a good impression.) It IS more established than FIU, but only by about 8 years, and I don't think that will make much difference in terms of reputation. However, I liked the fact that during rotations, med students work directly under attendings. I also liked the faculty.

• Location: I prefer the city of Miami, but I prefer the climate of Tallahassee, so overall this isn't a factor.
• Cost: both will have in-state tuition, but if I keep both doors open, one might offer me a scholarship.
• Attendance: Not required at either school.
• Early patient contact: Seems good at both schools.
• Random perks: Both schools "give" students laptops. FSU also gives students iTouches or something similar.
• Cost of living: Higher at FIU.
• Parking: Could get very bad at FIU next year. It's already constrained, and the med student population will double when the Class of 2015 enters. (Parking is generally available at FSU.)
• Safety: Miami doesn't sound like a very safe place, but I felt way more sketched out by the area surrounding FSU.
• Other: Two of my good friends live in Miami, near FIU. I don't know anyone in Tallahassee.

The reason I have to choose now: I was just offered a well-paying internship that will last until midway through June. If I take the internship, I have to stay the whole time and finish it. If I take do it, I'll essentially be turning down FSU because FSU MS1 students start gross anatomy at the beginning of June. I'd really like to take the internship -- it'd help me pay for a decent vacation before starting school -- and I think I prefer FIU to FSU anyway, but I don't want to regret my decision.

So: is there anything else I should know about these schools? Any current students want to chime in?

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[Blown Away]

EDIT: I thought you were a freshman.

 

[amateur obgyn]

Congrats...I prefer FIU personally. What are your stats by chance, I'm applying to both schools next cycle.

 

[cinematographie]

it sounds like you're really close to making up your mind, and from the sounds of it, i would take FIU. i'm not a med student, but i live in miami and my undergrad was FSU, so i'll just comment on the cities.

i'm supposing by mentioning the climate, you mean the cold weather. it actually gets hotter in tallahassee than in miami, and with it being inland, it can get pretty unbearable during the summers. with that said, during the summers the city is pretty quiet, since most students go home.

the area directly surrounding fsu is sketch. in fact, the crime rate is pretty high. but the city itself is pretty small, so if you live away from campus, it wouldn't take much to get to class. it is much quieter the further you live, and from my experience, safer. the rent is pretty cheap anywhere.

you didn't mention it, and i'm not sure if they still do this, but it used to be that most of the med students had to leave tallahassee for their rotations because fsu was only affiliated with one hospital in the city. that's another thing to think about.

also, i know you'll be busy, but the nightlife is much better in miami. just my two cents 🙂

 

[Lilliput]

Congrats...I prefer FIU personally. What are your stats by chance, I'm applying to both schools next cycle.

I have an evenly distributed 35 MCAT and a mediocre GPA mainly because of a bad year early on. The MCAT isn't typical for FSU; they usually go for people interested in primary care no matter what MCAT score they have, especially if they're likely to stay in Florida. Very mission-oriented. I'm less certain of how typical the stats are for FIU, but you should definitely submit your secondary VERY early for that school. Like, within a week of getting it. Good luck!

it sounds like you're really close to making up your mind, and from the sounds of it, i would take FIU. i'm not a med student, but i live in miami and my undergrad was FSU, so i'll just comment on the cities.

i'm supposing by mentioning the climate, you mean the cold weather. it actually gets hotter in tallahassee than in miami, and with it being inland, it can get pretty unbearable during the summers. with that said, during the summers the city is pretty quiet, since most students go home.

the area directly surrounding fsu is sketch. in fact, the crime rate is pretty high. but the city itself is pretty small, so if you live away from campus, it wouldn't take much to get to class. it is much quieter the further you live, and from my experience, safer. the rent is pretty cheap anywhere.

you didn't mention it, and i'm not sure if they still do this, but it used to be that most of the med students had to leave tallahassee for their rotations because fsu was only affiliated with one hospital in the city. that's another thing to think about.

also, i know you'll be busy, but the nightlife is much better in miami. just my two cents 🙂

I actually like the fact that the rotations are spread out. I'd rather not move after being somewhere for two years, but at least I wouldn't be limited to the quality of the hospitals RIGHT in Tallahassee.

Thanks for the other info! I wouldn't have known the thing about Tallahassee's summers being worse than Miami's, and it's nice to know that there's safe, cheap housing just a little further away from the FSU campus.

 

[LetsGo352]

Regarding FSU talking about their Step 1 scores being at the national average...that is very good, especially considering the fact that a student's Step 1 score is correlated with the a student's MCAT score and FSU average accepted MCAT is a 28 (i believe), which is below average. Essentially, this means that FSU teaches well enough where students can overcome poor test taking skills. Of course, analyzing it that deep is a stretch, but you can see where I'm going with that. Regardless, a school's Step 1 being at the national average is good but at the same time, that test score is dependent heavily on the student.

FSU is known to be a "primary care" school in which they encourage students to go into primary care, however, it is in no way forced upon you and you obviously have the choice to apply to whichever residency you want. So, this shouldn't really be much of a factor in your decision.

In the end, you need to choose the school that fits you. From what you have said, it seems like you like FIU more so maybe that should be your choice. I really liked FSU COM when I visited though but I can't comment on FIU.

Perhaps med students at the schools can chime in?

 

[Bernoull]

I'm an FIU alum and was accepted there last cycle. I really loved their neighborhood help program. My only hesitation for FIU was that everything was being done for the first time, which can be good or bad. The first few classes will really impact how the school shapes up, many leadership opportunities (starting chapters, orgs etc) but I didn't want to risk "hiccups" down the road if programs were to fall thru etc. I'm generally risk-averse and felt a more established program would be better for me. Finaid also help swayed my decision.

I really miss south beach tho, and the caliente mamacitas 😀

Gdluck, u have 2 excellent choices!

 

[nlax30]

I did undergrad at FSU and Tallahassee seems to be a place where students either really like it, or hate it. Personally I loved the town and wouldn't mind going back eventually. Definitely a smaller southern college town feel. And the above poster was right about summers.... being inland it seems like the humid air just sits in the city at times with no coastal breeze to make it bearable.

Besides the city differences (which are BIG differences), I'd say rotations are another issue as I'm sure you've already read up on FSU's regional campuses. Currently there's only a FP residency program in Tally at TMH, but they should be starting up an IM program as well in the next year or so from what I've read.

I've rotated with some FSU students and have had a handful of good friends go there and overall they all had generally good things to say and enjoyed their time there. If anything I've actually had a couple mention that they felt a little TOO "babied" at times during the first 2 years.

I know nothing about FIU but personally I'm not a fan of South Florida in general.

 

[WingedOx]

As someone who used to live on the gulf coast of FL, you and I are in agreement. South Florida is the worst combination of New Jersey trash, Cuban entitlement, and Florida trailer hick. West Coast of FL > East Coast of FL. (though lakewood ranch is the most artificial looking place I've ever encountered)

but yeah, on topic... FSU students, from the ones I've talked to on the interview trail are sent all around FL. The one I talked to was stationed in sarasota for the final two years... (no mamacitas, but you have plenty of attractive cougars )

 

[nlax30]

Not only cougars, but cougars with $$$. I grew up in central Florida but I'm kind of enjoying the west coast so far. If you want to talk about scary planned developments go check out Disney's Celebration over in Orlando.

 

[Bernoull]

As someone who used to live on the gulf coast of FL, you and I are in agreement. South Florida is the worst combination of New Jersey trash, Cuban entitlement, and Florida trailer hick. West Coast of FL > East Coast of FL. (though lakewood ranch is the most artificial looking place I've ever encountered)

but yeah, on topic... FSU students, from the ones I've talked to on the interview trail are sent all around FL. The one I talked to was stationed in sarasota for the final two years... (no mamacitas, but you have plenty of attractive cougars )

C'mon really, is this necessary? Get off ur high horse and stop judging.

South florida's one of the most diverse, multicultural and fun metropolitan regions on planet Earth! Great people from all over the world, i have awesome friends from literally every continent thanks to S. FL! Nightlife is unparallel, world class sports teams (heat, dolphins, hurricanes) and i can go on and on and on....

 

[FloridaMedicine]

C'mon really, is this necessary? Get off ur high horse and stop judging.

South florida's one of the most diverse, multicultural and fun metropolitan regions on planet Earth! Great people from all over the world, i have awesome friends from literally every continent thanks to S. FL! Nightlife is unparallel, world class sports teams (heat, dolphins, hurricanes) and i can go on and on and on....

+1

Seriously south florida is not that bad the only thing that sucks the most in miami is the traffic and parking. Traffic on the I95 will make you pull your hair and parking at FIU in general is just awful... but miami is still miami. Just like every area theres the good and then theres the bad.. I hated tallahassee, omg theres nothing to do there in your spare time. All there is, is FSU and across the street FAMU. Everything else is like a boring gov building 👎.

 

[akuarys]

C'mon really, is this necessary? Get off ur high horse and stop judging.

South florida's one of the most diverse, multicultural and fun metropolitan regions on planet Earth! Great people from all over the world, i have awesome friends from literally every continent thanks to S. FL! Nightlife is unparallel, world class sports teams (heat, dolphins, hurricanes) and i can go on and on and on....

+2... I have my issues with FSU (mostly because I'm a Gator fan lol). But yeah... Miami can't be beat. I would love to go there for med school if I don't get into my top choice! Good luck with your decision! Keep us posted!

 

[BrainBuff]

c'mon really, is this necessary? Get off ur high horse and stop judging.

South florida's one of the most diverse, multicultural and fun metropolitan regions on planet earth! Great people from all over the world, i have awesome friends from literally every continent thanks to s. Fl! Nightlife is unparallel, world class sports teams (heat, dolphins, hurricanes) and i can go on and on and on....

+ 3

 

[WingedOx]

C'mon really, is this necessary? Get off ur high horse and stop judging.

South florida's one of the most diverse, multicultural and fun metropolitan regions on planet Earth! Great people from all over the world, i have awesome friends from literally every continent thanks to S. FL! Nightlife is unparallel, world class sports teams (heat, dolphins, hurricanes) and i can go on and on and on....

/I really don't know why anyone ever thought it was a good idea to give professional sports franchises to ANY florida city. Both Miami and Tampa are AWFUL sports towns. (and this comes from a former Tampa resident)

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

I'd say FIU. Miami is a very unique city, and has better clinical opportunities. I wouldn't be too concerned with match lists and such. I wasn't under the impression that FSU had an awesome match list anyway (not trying to offend FSU students). As someone said, you either like Tallahassee or hate it. Personally I do not like it. FSU has a decent campus, but the surrounding area is not nice, and they really do seem to focus a bit too much on primary care (If you're interested in this then it would actually be a big plus). As mentioned, Tallahassee isn't known for having top hospitals (opposed to many in Miami, Shands in Gainsville, Tampa General, etc.). As an Orlando native, I can tell you that the summers anywhere inland are hell. It's great that you have the choice though. Congrats 👍.

 

[ThatsG123]

Don't know what WingedOx's problem is but back to the original poster:

I would choose FIU if it was between FIU and FSU. Why?? FSU shoves down your throat the we only want to train primary care physicians mantra all the time and though there are those who succeeded in getting into specialized fields it is through their own determination and I can tell u the kids who did were not those who chose FSU as their favorite school but went there cuz it was a choice between FSU or no medical school whatsoever.

I've heard form students of the school that they really push the primary care mantra and if that is not ur thing it will get to be annoying. I applied to FSU but it is by no chance my top choice.

Given a choice between FIU and FSU I'd choose FIU because its in a big city, and despite the trashing of Miami above, there are a lot of fun things in Miami eveni f it is no NYC. I mean south beach, key west, etc. there's a lot of cool stuff too.

Miami has diverse hospital systems and what not and won't mean having to relocate to places like pensacola, ft. pierce, orlando, or sarasota after 2 years. All clinicals are in the city itself at FIU.

I don't know. In general I think FIU's philosophy is to train physicians for Miami area but not to shove down your throat rural medicine and primary care medicine only and that is what would turn me off FSU if the choice was between FSU and some other school.

Not saying its a bad school but I'd nowhere near call it a top choice if choices are there.

I think the newness of FIU is nothing to be concerned about.

Dumbest and most inaccurate thing I've ever heard. I know a couple of kids there that have already graduated and they said they loved it there. They said it's a common misconception that they force primary care on you. Like someone said above, they encourage you to fill the needs of primary care in Florida but in no way is it "shoved down your throat".

That being said, FIU and FSU are probably on an equal level in terms of quality of schools. Either way, any Florida medical school is very good. I think you'll be fine either way, so either choice would be good in my opinion.

 

[Lilliput]

Thanks for all the feedback! I've been doing some thinking, and I'm probably going to visit both schools again, wait for Financial Aid packages, etc, and just not take the internship. It would be nice to have the extra money, but it's not worth possibly regretting my decision about medical school.

Well you are not the only person who knows people at FSU med. I have friends in 4th year and other years and some of them were the ones who wrote some pretty harsh and critical stuff against FSU to me about their personal experiences at the school. What I said was based on their experiences.

Like any school there will be those who love it and those who don't love it but going through it because its the opportunity to become a doctor.

No need to respond. I just am explaining where my opinion comes from.

Are any of them first or second years? I heard that FSU improved a lot of things for first and second years recently, but I'm still vague on what.

 

[Forat2]

I would probably choose FSU over FIU, the primary care spiel is something kids say to get in. If you look at there matchlist for 2010 it is very impressive with residencies at Einstein, Dartmouth, Mayo, and a few other impressive ones. See for yourself: http://med.fsu.edu/userfiles/file/Individual match list (2010).pdf
and congrats on the acceptances!

 

[miabullitt]

I'm an FIU alum and was accepted there last cycle. I really loved their neighborhood help program. My only hesitation for FIU was that everything was being done for the first time, which can be good or bad. The first few classes will really impact how the school shapes up, many leadership opportunities (starting chapters, orgs etc) but I didn't want to risk "hiccups" down the road if programs were to fall thru etc. I'm generally risk-averse and felt a more established program would be better for me. Finaid also help swayed my decision.

I really miss south beach tho, and the caliente mamacitas 😀

Gdluck, u have 2 excellent choices!

hey is the med school in University Park?