FSU vs. UCF

[sciscool]

Hey everyone, I am between a few choices but as I narrow them down, I am really between these two. They are very different in their mission; however, I feel like I would thrive at both. I am from FL, and both are relatively close to my family. I am open to many different specialties. I am interested in research as well as community health, as I grew up in a small town and really would love to give back to communities like my own and others in FL. Only recently have I considered the idea of focusing on academic medicine, however, I really could see myself flourishing in a community/rural setting or an urban academic setting.

Florida State University (FSU)
Pros

• Community health and holistic driven
• Pass/fail pre-clerkship years
• Regional campus: some may disagree, but I have heard amazing things about FSU’s regional campus design and the hands on learning you get to do at these regional campuses
• I love Tallahassee
• The students there really seem to love the curriculum, staff, and big emphasis on overall well being

Cons

• Some aspects of research appear to be limited compared to other universities, however, they are available
• Heavy focus on primary care: although for me a primary care specialty is desirable as I would like to go back to my community and serve an underserved patient population, I would like to have my options open just in case another area interest me in the future

University of Central Florida (UCF)
Pros

• Heavy research focus with an integrated individual project in curriculum
• Matches a wide variety of specialties from primary care to surgical subspecialities at great institutions
• Incredible new facilities and clinical learning styles
• Serves Florida population (same as FSU)
• Space Medicine: Background in astronomy and engineering and love the interdisciplinary approach that this field brings to an exciting field of medicine

Cons

• Traveling around central Florida for clerkship rotations
• HCA affiliation (?): I have heard this is a positive and negative from various people and really don’t know what to think about it
• Pre-clerkship honors grading systems (H/HP/P/F)

Summary: I am not sure what to think as I am in between both schools and very grateful for the opportunity to go to either. I am leaning towards FSU right now due to its mission and the immense support the students appear to have there, however, research is a big factor for me and don’t want to miss out on any opportunities that may be limited at FSU.

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[premedgirl33]

I would not choose to spend four years in tally, but tough decision! UCF woukd keep specialty options more open in my opinion.