FSU vs UCF

[Kiro90]

Hello SDNers,

I have been accepted at FSU and UCF med schools, and I am having a hard time making a decision. I am currently a senior undergrad at FSU, and my family lives here in Tallahassee. As I read on this forum, many students say that no medical school will prepare you for a certain residency more than another. Others affirm that where you go to medical school will certainly affect what specialties you are likely to pursue. I know FSU is primary care-focused, and I don't think this is what I am interested in. UCF, on the other hand, clearly stated during the interview that they prepare medical students for any field they like. So I am slightly leaning toward UCF, but is the difference worth it?

What do you think about these two schools, and which one would you choose and why?

Thank you!

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[Kiro90]

Hello SDNers,

I have been accepted at FSU and UCF med schools, and I am having a hard time making a decision. I am currently a senior undergrad at FSU, and my family lives here in Tallahassee. As I read on this forum, many students say that no medical school will prepare you for a certain residency more than another. Others affirm that where you go to medical school will certainly affect what specialties you are likely to pursue. I know FSU is primary care-focused, and I don't think this is what I am interested in. UCF, on the other hand, clearly stated during the interview that they prepare medical students for any field they like. So I am slightly leaning toward UCF, but is the difference worth it?

What do you think about these two schools, and which one would you choose and why?

Thank you!

 

[libraryismyhome]

Hello SDNers,

I have been accepted at FSU and UCF med schools, and I am having a hard time making a decision. I am currently a senior undergrad at FSU, and my family lives here in Tallahassee. As I read on this forum, many students say that no medical school will prepare you for a certain residency more than another. Others affirm that where you go to medical school will certainly affect what specialties you are likely to pursue. I know FSU is primary care-focused, and I don't think this is what I am interested in. UCF, on the other hand, clearly stated during the interview that they prepare medical students for any field they like. So I am slightly leaning toward UCF, but is the difference worth it?

What do you think about these two schools, and which one would you choose and why?

Thank you!

I would choose UCF. Many students change their minds about their residency choices while in med schools.

 

[235788]

Hello SDNers,

I have been accepted at FSU and UCF med schools, and I am having a hard time making a decision. I am currently a senior undergrad at FSU, and my family lives here in Tallahassee. As I read on this forum, many students say that no medical school will prepare you for a certain residency more than another. Others affirm that where you go to medical school will certainly affect what specialties you are likely to pursue. I know FSU is primary care-focused, and I don't think this is what I am interested in. UCF, on the other hand, clearly stated during the interview that they prepare medical students for any field they like. So I am slightly leaning toward UCF, but is the difference worth it?

What do you think about these two schools, and which one would you choose and why?

Thank you!

I think you know your answer. UCF no brainer. Always keep the doors wide open.

 

[Cinclus]

UCF sounds more appropriate for you. Also, my interview day fully convinced me that UCF is amazing, and I don't think anyone could go wrong by choosing them. Very strong school with a lot of potential. I have no experience with FSU, just so you know.

 

[Kiro90]

I would choose UCF. Many students change their minds about their residency choices while in med schools.

You are totally correct. My pre-health advisor at my school told me that more than 80% of medical students change their minds regarding specialties during medical school.

My preference for UCF is not because they are focused toward a specific field like FSU (primary care), but rather because of their openness toward various avenues. Looking at FSU recent match lists, however, makes me re-think because a lot of their graduates go to non-primary care residencies all over the country.

 

[Kiro90]

Do you guys think that I will be at a disadvantages by going to UCF given that they are still building their reputation? There are no match lists at this time to predict how the school will affect me four years form now.

 

[dr zaius]

But...UCF hasn't graduated any students yet, have they?

 

[aSagacious]

Moving to hSDN.

 

[dr zaius]

Moving to hSDN.

lol what does this have to do with high school?

 

[aSagacious]

lol what does this have to do with high school?

Lol, my bad... I totally misread the OP. Thanks for the catch.

Moving to school specific discussions.

 

[maybemed2013]

I would go with UCF; UCF has block scheduling, one class at a time FSU you take more than one class at a time.

But it is up to you. Look at the class scheduling, the rotations, the teachers name, scenery, cost, etc.

 

[lodestar]

Some random thoughts here as food for thought...caveat emptor
As you surely know, UCF is very new and FSU has not been around all that long. One rap you read about FSU is lack of a dedicated teaching hospital. UCF is REALLY making a splash with state of the art facilities, tech, etc. UCF already has higher MCAT averages...honestly, they are somewhat low at FSU. If you judge simply by these fora, the perception of the new UCF is better...you can find inveterate posters with good scores who are excited about UCF, but not FSU. You have a special angle in living by FSU to be sure. It will be interesting to see how the initial residency placements go for UCF,but too soon to know yet. UCF is taking 25% from OOS so far...that can boost class stats due to a broader pool. UF fought UCF becoming a reality, but then jumped on the bandwagon and put a key research facility there.

 

[Kiro90]

I was looking at the MSAR data published by AAMC this morning, and was surprised that 10% of FSU students matched into general surgery and 3% into orthopaedic surgery. I didn't think that would be the case when I compared these figures to a school like UF (UCF doesn't have data yet), which had a 5% match into general surgery and 3% match into orthopaedic surgery.

Another note is that FSU clinical rotations are highly spoken of because of the more one-on-one interactions you have with physicians who choose and love to teach. Many people from other schools told me that being in a large teaching hospital is not necessarily a good thing because medical students will be further down the list of an attending physician, fellow, resident, and lastly the medical student.

So..... I still don't know. I am very attracted to UCF but I am still hesitant. Do you guys have more perspectives on this topic?

 

[medguy83]

I'm an MS4 at FSU and currently winding down the interview trail myself. I'm not entirely familiar with the UCF program, but I can say that in the past few years they have definitely come a long way toward becoming a well respected school in FL. Coming from the FSU program, I can definitely say that there is a lot to be offered in tally. The training I've received over the past four years is simply astounding. Many assume that a school that focuses on primary care would be hesitant to support you in any other career choice. This simply isn't the case. What they do focus on is training you to be the best well rounded physician possible. As far as limitations on specialty options, I can't really say that any such limitation or restriction exists. Granted, I'm going into IM, but after interviewing at places like UVA, Emory, Tulane, Vandy, I can't really appreciate any limitation coming from FSU. We have had people match into derm, plastics, surgery, radiology, etc. One of my friends going into gen surg recently had an interview at Mass general. All in all, I'd say that whatever your career goals are, you can make it happen at FSU. My best piece of advice is to go with your gut. Any other questions you might have about the program, don't hesitate to email me.

 

[Butler]

I was looking at the MSAR data published by AAMC this morning, and was surprised that 10% of FSU students matched into surgery. I didn't think that would be the case when I compared these figures to a school like UF (UCF doesn't have data yet), which had a 5% match into surgery and 3% match into orthopaedic surgery.

Another note is that FSU clinical rotations are highly spoken of because of the more one-on-one interactions you have with physicians who choose and love to teach. Many people from other schools told me that being in a large teaching hospital is not necessarily a good thing because medical students will be further down the list of an attending physician, fellow, resident, and lastly the medical student.

So..... I still don't know. I am very attracted to UCF but I am still hesitant. Do you guys have more perspectives on this topic?

I am a 1st year at FSU. First, let me say that I applaud your "long-term" perspective for choosing medical schools. One of my key questions during my own app cycle was, "Can this school get me where I need to go, no matter what specialty I pick." I spent more time than I will speak to pouring over match lists and analyzing data from the different schools I had applied to/received acceptance to.

Now to the question. UCF is definitely an up and coming school. From my interview there, I noted strong leadership in its administration. On the other hand, I also noted lack of tenured faculty members on its biomedical and clinical curriculum. I truly believe UCF will become one helluva a medical school in the next decade or so. Problem is they are not there yet. They have community support, but have not built up their faculty enough yet in my opinion.

Also, they have not gone through match yet. Do not underestimate this fact. Someone can run their mouth on and on about how great a school is, but if they can't back it up with their figures... well, talk is cheap.

As far as FSU. I love this school. We have great faculty and an amazing administration that goes out of their way routinely to help us with our professional and scholastic development. On the other hand, it is true there is no teaching hospital here. It is a bit harder to contact physicians for shadowing/research because of this. However, opportunities are available and our research and interest group departments do a great job of keeping us informed about them. Also, the fact we have regional campuses all over Florida means our population of clinical teaching staff is HUGE. If you have the gumption, you will find whatever shadowing/research areas you can possibly imagine.

To my mind, it boiled down to track record vs no-track record. FSU has it, UCF doesn't. As a side note, I am not particularly interested in primary care, nor was I when I made my decision.

FSU's matchlists: http://med.fsu.edu/index.cfm?page=alumniFriends.whereTheyMatched

 

[Kiro90]

I am a 1st year at FSU. First, let me say that I applaud your "long-term" perspective for choosing medical schools. One of my key questions during my own app cycle was, "Can this school get me where I need to go, no matter what specialty I pick." I spent more time than I will speak to pouring over match lists and analyzing data from the different schools I had applied to/received acceptance to.

Now to the question. UCF is definitely an up and coming school. From my interview there, I noted strong leadership in its administration. On the other hand, I also noted lack of tenured faculty members on its biomedical and clinical curriculum. I truly believe UCF will become one helluva a medical school in the next decade or so. Problem is they are not there yet. They have community support, but have not built up their faculty enough yet in my opinion.
Also, they have not gone through match yet. Do not underestimate this fact. Someone can run there mouth on and on about how great a school is, but if they can't back it up with their figures... well, talk is cheap.

As far as FSU. I love this school. We have great faculty and an amazing administration that goes out of their way routinely to help us with our professional and scholastic development. On the other hand, it is true there is no teaching hospital here. It is a bit harder to contact physicians for shadowing/research because of this. However, opportunities are available and our research and interest group departments do a great job of keeping us informed about them. Also, the fact we have regional campuses all over Florida means our population of clinical teaching staff is HUGE. If you have the gumption, you will find whatever shadowing/research areas you can possibly imagine.

To my mind, it boiled down to track record vs no-track record. FSU has it, UCF doesn't. As a side note, I am not particularly interested in primary care, nor was I when I made my decision.

FSU's matchlists: http://med.fsu.edu/index.cfm?page=alumniFriends.whereTheyMatched

Thanks for your input, Butler. Actually, I found that having no match list to back up my intention of going to UCF was not necessarily a strong enough reason. Every new school has to go through this stage (FSU was in the same boat few years ago) and UCF is working very hard to insure the success of the first few classes. What I admired about UCF is its serious determination to be the top med school in Florida. I was, honestly, a bit discouraged by FSU's assistant dean boasting about having average step 1 scores during the interview day.

I also like UCF's "guaranteed" rotations at Orlando Health and Florida Hospital, which is the reason why FSU 3rd and 4th year students usually pick Orlando as their most preferable regional campus. In addition, I was recently told by UCF that the new Nemours Children Hospital and the VA Center will be viable clinical training sites for the class of 2016.

But still, I wonder if attending UCF will offer me the extensive one-on-one interaction with attendings, which I really admire about FSU's curriculum. You also bring up an important point regarding UCF's network of faculty physicians. I know nothing about this, so I have to look further into it.

 

[Kiro90]

I'm an MS4 at FSU and currently winding down the interview trail myself. I'm not entirely familiar with the UCF program, but I can say that in the past few years they have definitely come a long way toward becoming a well respected school in FL. Coming from the FSU program, I can definitely say that there is a lot to be offered in tally. The training I've received over the past four years is simply astounding. Many assume that a school that focuses on primary care would be hesitant to support you in any other career choice. This simply isn't the case. What they do focus on is training you to be the best well rounded physician possible. As far as limitations on specialty options, I can't really say that any such limitation or restriction exists. Granted, I'm going into IM, but after interviewing at places like UVA, Emory, Tulane, Vandy, I can't really appreciate any limitation coming from FSU. We have had people match into derm, plastics, surgery, radiology, etc. One of my friends going into gen surg recently had an interview at Mass general. All in all, I'd say that whatever your career goals are, you can make it happen at FSU. My best piece of advice is to go with your gut. Any other questions you might have about the program, don't hesitate to email me.

Thank you, medguy83. You are right. I was impressed by FSU's recent match lists. I know many FSU students who are not particularly interested in primary care, but I also heard that the administration pushes it very hard. I also wonder whether non-primary care interest groups receive the same support as primary care ones.

 

[Butler]

Thanks for your input, Butler. Actually, I found that having no match list to back up my intention of going to UCF was not necessarily a strong enough reason. Every new school has to go through this stage (FSU was in the same boat few years ago) and UCF is working very hard to insure the success of the first few classes. What I admired about UCF is its serious determination to be the top med school in Florida. I was, honestly, a bit discouraged by FSU's assistant dean boasting about having average step 1 scores during the interview day, even though my

I also like UCF's "guaranteed" rotations at Orlando Health and Florida Hospital, which is the reason why FSU 3rd and 4th year students usually pick Orlando as their most preferable regional campus. In addition, I was recently told by UCF that the new Nemours Children Hospital and the VA Center will be viable clinical training sites for the class of 2016.

But still, I wonder if attending UCF will offer me the extensive one-on-one interaction with attendings, which I really admire about FSU's curriculum. You also bring up an important point regarding UCF's network of faculty physicians. I know nothing about this, so I have to look further into it.

Bolded statement is not entirely true. Orlando's popularity waxes and wanes throughout the years, totally dependent on class personality and makeup. It remains at least relatively popular from year to year because 1) Traditionally many individuals in our classes were born and raised there, 2) It is in a big, centralized city with plenty of extra-curricular entertainment and 3) It gives a more traditional teaching-hospital experience with hierarchy, research and residency programs in place (this last one may be more along the lines of what you said; although it is not the primary reason people choose Orlando). Funny enough, 3) is the main reason I wish to AVOID Orlando. I chose FSU to receive a slightly more unique clinical experience. I want to be a clinician first and a researcher/academic physician second. Not to take away anything from any of the MD/PhDs or academic docs out there as they do amazing work, but that isn't my cup of tea so to speak. In the end, I wish you good luck in your decision. Feel free to PM me with any other FSU specific questions you may have.

 

[Kiro90]

I know this is probably too early to think about, but is it realistic to seek a neurosurgery residency while at FSU COM? Will the school's focus of primary care and rural health hinder me - either directly or indirectly - from matching into neurosurgical residency?

Given that my major motivation for a career in medicine was my mother's diagnosis with a brain tumor, I would like to make sure that FSU can get me as high as I can. I have also done research on neuroscience as an undergrad, and would love to continue on this research field clinically as a medical student. Browsing through the school' match lists, however, I couldn't find anyone who matched into this field. I am also not sure if I can do clinical research related to neurosurgery at FSU.

Also, with everything else being equal (like Step 1, grades, LOR's, EC's), will going to UCF better my chances of landing a neurosurgery residency. I have also been accepted there, and I am still having a really hard time making a decision. My family (mother and younger brother) lives here in Tallahassee, and I am quite hesitant to leave them.